Chapter 699: Chapter 21: Choice
"Let’s go."
Chen Tang called out, and with Lu Qing, Mei Yingxue, and the others, he took Xue Tuan’Er and the White Ape and headed out of the mountain stronghold.
The commotion just now was too loud, and many people surrounded the area around the stronghold.
At this moment, people looked at Chen Tang with a mix of anger and a hint of awe, but no one dared to step forward to stop him.
"Brother Chen, let me see you off."
Kou Zhenshan glanced at Xu Ridge and said, quickly catching up.
"Please stay, seniors."
Chen Tang smiled slightly and persuaded Kou Zhenshan and Xu Ridge to stay.
When he reached the entrance of the stronghold, he seemed to think of something, paused, turned to Qin Xi, and suddenly said, "I don’t know the way down the mountain, could Your Highness send us off?"
"Me?"
Qin Xi was slightly stunned, then reacted, glanced around, and smiled, "No problem, no problem."
"Everyone, disperse, there’s nothing here, just some minor misunderstandings."
Qin Xi walked towards Chen Tang while calming the surrounding soldiers.
Dragon Tiger Dominator was beaten to such a state, how could it just be a small misunderstanding?
However, since the Young Master was smoothing things over, no one could say anything.
Even if they were dissatisfied with Chen Tang, who could do anything to him? They could only watch as he left.
"Chen Xiaoyou, this way please."
Qin Xi seemed to revert to his approachable self from Mist Rain Village, smiling, leading the way.
Halfway down the mountain, Qin Xi finally said, "Chen Xiaoyou, there’s no one here now. Is there something you want to say to me?"
"Does Your Highness want to leave with me?"
Chen Tang asked.
He wasn’t sure if Qin Xi’s current choice was his own will or if he was forced.
Bringing Qin Xi out alone was to give him a choice.
Although Lu Qing had already lost hope in her father, at this moment, she still harbored a trace of expectation in her eyes as she looked at Qin Xi.
"Where could I go if I leave?"
Qin Xi chuckled bitterly.
Lu Qing hurriedly said, "To find Mother. As long as our family is together, anywhere will be fine."
Qin Xi said, "And live with a hidden identity, constantly on the run?"
Lu Qing said, "Aren’t you now hiding in this Ghost Cry Ridge, unable to show yourself?"
"That’s different."
Qin Xi shook his head and said, "For those thirty-plus years in that Gorge, I lived in constant fear, watching the Evil Emperor’s mood, terrified of enraging her; even my father’s arm was cut off by her!"
"After finally escaping with you all, I could only hide in a small mountain village, living a poor and destitute life, always on edge, fearful that my identity would be exposed. I’ve long had enough of that life!"
"Later, I was taken away by Murong Daoye..."
At this point, Qin Xi paused, mocked with a smile, and said, "To be precise, I was captured and imprisoned in the Grand General’s Mansion, still not free."
"He foresaw the turbulent times for Daqian, the collapse of the great building, and wanted to use my identity to gather the old followers of the previous dynasty and vie for the Divine Land. To survive, I could only pretend to cooperate with him and secretly build my strength."
"Fortunately, I’ve endured until today, and I’ve finally broken free from his control!"
"I’ve been alive for forty years, forty years! Finally, one day, I’m no longer at the mercy of others! Chen Xiaoyou, can you understand this feeling?"
Chen Tang remained silent.
Qin Xi looked at Lu Qing and asked loudly, "Qing’Er, tell me, how can I go back? Go back to watch the Evil Emperor’s mood, constantly hiding and living in fear, poverty, and suffering?"
Lu Qing looked at her emotionally stirred father, and a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes.
It turned out that for the past forty years, while her father was with them, he was actually in so much pain.
Chen Tang said, "Has Your Highness considered that even though you’ve broken free from Murong Daoye’s control, perhaps others are also using you?"
"You mean Qifu Qin."
Qin Xi smiled and immediately grasped Chen Tang’s insinuation.
In fact, during a brief interaction with Qifu Qin, Chen Tang had noticed some details. This Dragon Tiger Dominator did not seem to regard Qin Xi with the same respect as others.
In front of Qifu Qin, Qin Xi also lowered himself significantly.
Qin Xi nodded and said, "You’re right. When Qifu Qin first found me, he indeed wanted to use me to gather the old followers of the previous dynasty."
"But the difference between him and Murong Daoye is that the Murong Family wants to revive Yan Country. After using me, they could dispose of me at any time. On the other hand, Qifu Qin wants to restore the Wu Dynasty, and as long as it is the Wu Dynasty, my identity and bloodline have an unshakeable status!"
"Moreover, after the news spread that Emperor Wu might still be alive, he dared not have any other thoughts about me."
Chen Tang nodded slightly.
One had to admit, this prince was very clear-headed.
He clearly understood his own situation.
He saw through Murong Daoye’s intentions and could also discern Qifu Qin’s ambitions.
Yet, he still chose to stay.
"One thing you’re right about: as long as Emperor Wu is alive, even if he doesn’t show himself, neither Murong Daoye nor Qifu Qin would dare to act against you."
Chen Tang said, "But, one day, Emperor Wu will grow old."
"Ha, then it will be up to everyone’s abilities!"
Qin Xi slowly clenched his fist and said, "When that day comes, perhaps I will have the power to rival Murong Daoye and Qifu Qin!"
He looked at Chen Tang, eyes filled with passion and sincerity, and said, "Chen Xiaoyou, as long as you’re willing to help me, why worry that great things won’t succeed! In the future, this world, I’m willing to share it with you!"
Chen Tang smiled.
He understood, this was Qin Xi’s choice.
This prince was also full of ambition, only in the past forty years, he lived in fear, having to hide his ambitions.
Now, he has suddenly broken free, surrounded by fame, and even has the opportunity to climb higher, how could he be willing to return to being an unknown teacher.
"I am not interested in this, sorry to disappoint you, Your Highness."
Chen Tang said lightly.
He did not take Qin Xi’s promises seriously at all.
Moreover, how could someone who is solely focused on power be willing to share the power they’ve gained.
Murong Daoye, Qifu Qin, and Qin Xi were all using each other, calculating against each other, and guarding against each other.
They are no different, for the pursuit of the supreme throne, they would stop at nothing, without any bottom line.
Abandoning wife and children, what does that matter.
For such scheming and trickery, Chen Tang has long been tired, unable to endure it anymore.
Different paths should not plan together.
Chen Tang slightly cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, please return, no need to see me off."
Qin Xi smiled and asked, "Chen Xiaoyou, where are you planning to go, are you really going to the capital to save someone?"
"Yes."
Chen Tang nodded.
Qin Xi said, "The Daqian Capital City, a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den, the waters run deep like the sea, Chen Xiaoyou, be careful, please look after Qing’Er, as for her mother... if she’s still alive, it would be best to rescue her too."
Lu Qing asked coldly, "Is there something you want me to tell my mother?"
Qin Xi hesitated for a long time, then said, "In this life, we are not meant to be, Yunyan’s kindness to me can only be repaid in the next life."
Lu Qing sneered and turned to leave.
Chen Tang glanced at Qin Xi, nodded lightly, and went down the mountain with everyone.
Qin Xi stood in place for a long time, then took a deep breath and turned to walk up the mountain.
It didn’t take long before he returned to the mountain stronghold.
In the stronghold, many people were busy coming and going.
Some were repairing the ground in the courtyard, and others were shuttling between tents.
Following the smell of medicine, Qin Xi came to a tent, turned over and went in, immediately changing his expression, rushing to the bedside with a worried face, and asked, "Father-in-law, how are you, is your health okay?"
At this moment, Qifu Qin was lying on the bed, several medics were around, bandaging his wounds.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine."
Qifu Qin, enduring the severe pain in his body, sat up slowly, looked at Qin Xi deeply, and said, "I thought Your Highness would go down the mountain with them, never to return."
Qin Xi quickly said, "Father-in-law, you are overthinking, how could I leave you, madam, and the soldiers of the previous dynasty behind!"
"Your Highness is wise."
Qifu Qin nodded and said, "If His Majesty knows, he will surely be gratified. We gather our old troops at Ghost Cry Ridge for the Wu Dynasty, for His Majesty, and for Your Highness’ future."
"Father-in-law is very right."
Qin Xi sneered, and punched the bedside heavily, saying, "That Chen Tang is really too much, knowing my father-in-law was the Immortal Slayer back then, he still strikes so hard, simply disregarding anyone!"
"Father-in-law rest assured, in the future if I see my father, I will definitely let him teach Chen Tang a lesson!"
Qifu Qin patted Qin Xi’s arm, saying gratified, "With Your Highness saying this, even if I die in the battlefield for Wu Dynasty, it is worth it."
"Your Highness, do you know where that person is going?"
Qifu Qin asked again.
Qin Xi said, "I heard he is going to the capital, rushing to save that Prince Wei before the autumn execution."
The Young Madam beside suddenly said, "Isn’t there also your Madam Lu?"
"Ming Lan, what are you saying."
Qin Xi held the lady’s hand, saying, "I was forced to live under others’ roof those years, enduring humiliation, how could I have any affection for that woman surnamed Lu."
"Humph, that’s more like it."
Qifu Minglan lightly snorted.
Qin Xi’s gaze flickered.
After decades of companionship, how could there be no feelings.
But now, he indeed cannot go back.
"Entering the capital to save someone?"
Qifu Qin suddenly sneered, "Young people, ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth! It seems there’s no need for His Majesty to step in, this child will perish in the capital!"
"Father, this person is so young, has he already cultivated to Grandmaster?"
Qifu Minglan frowned and asked.
"His cultivation hasn’t reached Grandmaster, but in terms of combat power, I reckon he can match a Peak Grandmaster."
Qifu Qin changed his tone and said, "However, with his means, wanting to enter the capital to save someone is too naive!"
"In the Daqian Capital City, not to mention those Grandmasters, just the Grandmasters of Transformation Realm include Murong Daoye and the Profound Celestial Sect Leader, how can he compete with Grandmasters?"
"Entering the capital to save someone is seeking one’s own death!"
Qifu Minglan said, "He is the heir of Emperor Wu, yet he shows no respect to my father and husband, I think he is born rebellious, it’s better if he’s dead!"
Qifu Qin suddenly ordered, "Zhen Shan, Xu Ridge, you two infiltrate near Daqian Capital City, be sure to hide your tracks, just gather information, I want to see what waves this kid can stir in the capital."
"Yes, sir!"
Kou Zhenshan and Xu Ridge took their orders and left.
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