Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 330 - 307: Chen Long’s Secret

In the night, Chen Long stopped in his tracks, turned around, and coldly asked Si Snake, "What exactly do you know?"

Si Snake replied, "Over twenty years ago, General Shang, who guarded the Western Regions, fought a decisive battle against Loulan. In the end, Loulan was defeated, and the Loulan King sent his youngest son as a hostage to the General Mansion. Although the Loulan Princely Heir was still a child, he was the only legitimate son of the Loulan King, a testament to the king’s loyalty. Yet, less than a year later, the Loulan King mustered his troops in rebellion. The Loulan Queen desperately tried to dissuade him but ended up being killed by the blade of a concubine."

"Later, the Loulan King fled after his forces were defeated. According to custom, the hostage Loulan Princely Heir should have been executed, but General Shang didn’t follow through. From then on, the world lost a Loulan Princely Heir and gained a young master of the Shang family."

At this juncture, Si Snake’s gaze landed on Chen Long’s face. "Am I right, Loulan Princely Heir?"

Chen Long stared unblinkingly at Si Snake, who met his cold and sharp scrutiny without a trace of hesitation.

Their gazes intertwined in the silent night. What appeared to be a calm confrontation was, in fact, akin to a heated exchange of hundreds of blows.

The street was eerily silent, even the sound of the wind had ceased.

Finally, Chen Long spoke, "Who told you?"

Si Snake candidly responded, "Xun Qi."

Chen Long’s lips barely moved, seemingly about to say something when Si Snake interrupted, "Whether he lied to me or not, I can discern. But if Prime Minister Xun deceived you, that might not be so clear to you. Admit it, Chen Long. In terms of martial arts, you’re the strongest among the Twelve Guards, but when it comes to understanding human intentions, you fall short."

Chen Long said, "Even if he didn’t lie to you, what he told you might not be true."

Si Snake countered, "Then, among the things I’ve just said, which part departs from the truth?"

Chen Long remained silent.

Si Snake glanced at him and said, "Whether you’re the Loulan Princely Heir or a young master of the Shang family has nothing to do with me. I merely wish to remind you: back then, the General Mansion and the entire Shang clan were annihilated in a bloodbath by the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion. You’ve been following the Prime Minister closely, so you should know whose hands the Shang clan’s legacy ultimately fell into. It’s said that during the Prime Minister’s seven-year western expedition, his ability to reclaim the Western Regions owed much to the contributions of the Loulan King and the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

"Chen Long, the Prime Minister is not to be trusted."

"That’s all I have to say. Take care of yourself."

Having delivered his words, Si Snake turned and left.

As they brushed past one another, Chen Long called out to him, "Did you tell anyone else?"

Si Snake grasped his meaning and replied, "You mean Meng Xiaojiu? Not yet."

In a low voice, Chen Long said, "Don’t tell her."

Si Snake responded calmly, "I can’t promise that. Though we’re both part of the Twelve Guards, there’s no bond of friendship between us."

Si Snake departed, leaving Chen Long standing alone amidst the endless darkness.

-

The hunting ground.

After sending off the towering presence of Princess Wanping, the Imperial Guard, Jinyi Guard, and the Imperial Guard began an exceptionally intense series of battles.

This was no armchair warfare, but a true clash of three armies.

Not too long ago, Han Ci had fought a real battle and received guidance from multiple experienced generals. Coupled with peculiar strategies learned from Lu Yuan, he commanded his forces like a fish in water, launching unexpected moves that forced the Jinyi Guard and Imperial Guard into repeated defeats.

The two armies opted to temporarily form an alliance to deal with Han Ci first.

But little did they know, their alliance would collapse within a single day.

The reason was simple: Han Ci ran away. He abandoned his hilltop position and withdrew his troops overnight.

What the heck!?

What was this?!

Shangguan Ling and the Imperial Guard commander exchanged baffled looks.

They had agreed to attack Han Ci together, but now that Han Ci had disappeared, what were they supposed to do...?

Shangguan Ling unsheathed the Brocade Spring Saber: "Fight!"

The Imperial Guard commander jumped in shock: "What the hell?!"

And thus, the two armies began to battle each other, resulting in mutual devastation. Just as both sides finally managed to occupy parts of the hill and started heading toward the tiger’s lair to investigate further—

They realized the tiger’s lair was empty.

Where was the promised sabertooth tiger?

Where had it gone?!

In the southern woods, within another stretch of forest—

Princess Wanping grew increasingly puzzled as she walked. "Are you sure you’re not leading me astray? I’ve followed you all night, and we haven’t even seen a shadow of the sabertooth tiger, let alone a cub."

Ji Li glanced at the Feng Shui Compass in his hand: "The needle’s pointing in this direction, without a doubt."

Princess Wanping frowned: "Didn’t you say your Feng Shui Compass was broken?"

Ji Li replied, "I fixed it!"

Princess Wanping eyed the pointer that was trembling wildly, seemingly eager to flee from the compass. "Are you sure?"

Holding the tattered Feng Shui Compass with absolute confidence, Ji Li declared, "My divination skills are unparalleled. Keep heading south, we’ll find it for sure!"

Dawn was breaking.

The first rays of sunlight bathed the forest in a golden hue, adding an ethereal touch to the autumn scenery.

Lu Yuan was roused early by the little rascal.

Bao Shu, not wanting to wake Meng Qianqian, went to her useless father’s room and delivered a fat slap to wake up Lu Yuan.

She needed to poop.

Lu Yuan: "...!!"

Little rascal! Is your skin itching for a beating?!

After finishing her business and washing her hands, Bao Shu climbed back into bed, snuggling up against Meng Qianqian to continue her nap.

Lu Yuan thought he could finally find some peace, only for the Miao King to storm in making a racket.

He leaped into the courtyard atop a ferocious beast, exuding imposing grandeur.

"Grandson! I’m back!"

Lu Yuan’s eyelid twitched violently: "What are you riding?"

The Miao King pulled to an abrupt halt before Lu Yuan and patted the creature’s head. "Ah, I got separated from my horse while trying to save you. The hunting grounds are so far away, and I’m too old to travel on foot. I had to find a random mount to use as a substitute!"

Oh, so you know you’re old, huh? But why didn’t you think about that when jumping off cliffs?

And randomly finding a mount—who picks a sabertooth tiger?!

While three armies were battling tooth and nail over the tiger, you casually stole the key to victory!

Lu Yuan’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. He was at a complete loss for words.

The Miao King’s eyes darted mischievously, and he suddenly hopped off the sabertooth tiger’s back.

Then, under Lu Yuan’s incredulous gaze, the Miao King swiftly scooped up the ferocious tiger and handed it to Lu Yuan. "Here, for you to play with."

Lu Yuan: "..."

-

Zong Zhengxi’s first royal autumn hunt had concluded.

In the past, autumn hunts took at least ten days to half a month before victory was decided, but this time, it ended in just three days.

Han Ci deployed an empty citadel strategy, luring the Jinyi Guard and Imperial Guard into turning from allies to enemies. Just as their mutual fighting resulted in mutual exhaustion, Han Ci launched an attack, wiping out both forces.

Though he didn’t capture the sabertooth tiger, the Imperial Guard’s performance during the drills won unanimous praise from Chief of Staff Huo, Great General Han, and several Ministers of Military Affairs.

Han Ci also demonstrated the budding presence of leadership, earning great admiration.

As for the Military Generals—

The Miao King sat outside the park, accompanied by a submissive sabertooth tiger.

One official after another was stopped by the Miao King on their way out as he patted the tiger lying on the ground. "Tiger King, caught by my grandson. Touch it—only five taels of silver."

The officials, terrified, waved their hands frantically: "No touching, no touching!"

Miao King: "No touching? Ten taels."

Officials suddenly finding themselves robbed: "..."