Chapter 2836 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 41

On the other side, deep in the even more secluded and dense mountain forest.

Crown Prince Wu Zhengming, dressed in light armor and surrounded by his personal guards, stood in a clearing in the woods.

His face bore a resemblance to Wu Zhengchu's, exuding the majesty and cunning of someone long accustomed to a high position. The person being escorted by two guards was none other than Jin Chen.

"You are Jin Chen?" the Crown Prince asked, scrutinizing him closely. "The one who gave Gu Fanghe a weakness?"

"Indeed... he has a handsome appearance, no wonder he could bewitch the heartless Gu Fanghe."

Upon hearing this, Jin Chen's lips twitched slightly, and her smile deepened. "A weakness?"

He tilted his head slightly, looked at the Crown Prince, and slowly said, "If Your Highness says so, then so be it."

He was too relaxed, and the crown prince's expression changed slightly. He raised his hand to signal.

Several elite soldiers immediately drew their swords and surrounded Jin Chen.

Jin Chen suddenly raised her eyes slightly and looked towards the left rear of the Crown Prince.

The soldiers there were dragged into the bushes by something, only having time to utter a short cry for help.

"what!"

"Protect His Highness!"

The prince's personal guards were shocked and immediately drew their weapons, looking warily at the bushes.

The bushes were shaking violently, their branches and leaves flying everywhere, and the shadows of their colorful patterns could be vaguely seen.

The screams stopped abruptly.

Beside the bushes, only a mangled corpse remained.

What is that?! A tiger? A leopard? Or... some other mountain spirit or monster?!

The Crown Prince's expression changed slightly, and he abruptly turned to stare at Jin Chen, who stood calmly. "It's you...?"

Jin Chen slowly shifted her gaze to the right side of the Crown Prince.

Everyone looked on in horror and saw that the two guards who had been standing under the ancient tree were now entangled and hanging upside down, with snakes wriggling in the bushes.

"...A snake! It's a giant python!"

The guards were terrified, looking up at the dense canopy above them, fearing that the deadly noose would fall on their necks at any moment.

The Crown Prince was also startled by the bizarre and terrifying attack, and took a half step back. When he looked at Jin Chen again, he was filled with shock and disbelief.

It was him! It must have been him!

"You...you are a demon?" The prince's voice was hoarse.

Jin Chen looked up and gazed at a certain spot in the woods.

A tiger with piercing eyes and a white forehead slowly emerged, followed by a pack of wolves, wild bears, and venomous snakes...

Countless ferocious beasts emerged from the depths of the forest and surrounded the prince's men.

Surrounded by beasts, filled with murderous intent, the scene is thrilling and breathtaking, where life and death are in one's own hands.

Prince: "..."

Seeing this, his personal guards gritted their teeth, drew their swords, and stabbed at Jin Chen. To catch the thief, you must first catch the king. As long as this demon who can control wild beasts is killed, these wild beasts will naturally disperse.

But before the sword could strike, a long spear came hurtling through the air!

Clang!

The spear tip pierced the guard's chest, pinning him to the ground.

Gu Fanghe withdrew his hand, quickly walked to Jin Chen's side, and protected him behind him.

At the same time, Chen Xiaoshan and his elite team surged out from all directions and completely surrounded the Crown Prince's forces.

The situation reversed in an instant.

The crown prince was surrounded by his personal guards, with Gu Fanghe in front of him and ferocious beasts behind him, which made his face extremely ugly.

He glared at Gu Fanghe and gritted his teeth, saying, "Gu Fanghe, are you trying to rebel?!"

Gu Fanghe retorted, "Do I want to rebel?"

He looked up at the Crown Prince and said, slowly and deliberately, "Your Highness, doesn't this all depend on... you and His Majesty?"

"Seven years ago, you labeled the Hefeng Army and the Gu Family Army as rebels, and me, Gu Fanghe, as a traitor."

"Today, you led your troops, taking advantage of the fact that Wu Zhengchu and I were both exhausted, hoping to reap the benefits and wipe out everyone in my Black Mountain Stronghold..."

"Have you ever considered who forced me to rebel?"

Crown Prince: "..."

Yes, they were the ones who wronged Gu Fanghe first; they were the ones who pushed him to the opposite side.

But it's too late now...

"Gu Fanghe! The court has wronged you in the past!"

"It was...it was Father who listened to slander! But now, Wu Zhengchu is dead, Father is seriously ill, and I...I am the Crown Prince, the rightful heir apparent!"

"As long as you lay down your weapons, submit to the court, and help me ascend the throne, I can guarantee you that I will exonerate your family and restore your title and military power as General Hefeng, allowing you and your men to return to the court in glory! What do you say?"

These words, if spoken seven years ago, might have moved that young general who was devoted to serving his country but was suspected and ostracized.

Now, Gu Fanghe just looked at him coldly.

"Return to the court?" He scoffed. "And then what? Continue to be subservient to you and your son, continue... and who knows when you'll become pawns and sacrifices in your power struggles again?"

Gu Fanghe shook his head, his words carrying immense weight: "Your Highness, after seven years of being a bandit, Gu Fanghe is no longer the foolish general who only knew how to pledge loyalty to the Emperor."

"My Gu family army is no longer a pawn to be manipulated by others."

Gu Fanghe stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips, and said, "Of course we'll go back, but the person sitting in that position..."

"It won't be you."

The crown prince's pupils constricted, staring at Gu Fanghe in disbelief. "You... what do you want to do?! Do you intend to..."

He wants to usurp the throne and become emperor!

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, blinked at Gu Fanghe, then lowered her eyes in thought.

So, I'll be the empress? Hmm... that's fine too.

Jin Chen stroked the tiger's head to convince himself.

Gu Fanghe gave Liu Mianfeng a wink, and Liu Mianfeng, seeing this, suddenly shouted, "Listen up, all of you!"

"The Third Prince, Wu Zhengchu, colluded with officials of the Southern Continent with treacherous intentions and has been executed!"

"Crown Prince Wu Zhengming, who led troops to harass Heishan, has also been captured!"

"Young Master Jin is a mountain immortal who can command all beasts and protect Black Mountain! Those who surrender today will not be killed! Those who resist will be killed without mercy! Even after death, their souls will not find peace and will suffer the torment of being devoured by all beasts forever!"

His words, though partly true and partly false, were extremely intimidating.

Jinchen: “?”

He looked at Liu Mianfeng, who blinked at him vigorously.

Fine, anyway, the Heavenly Dao has been ruined by Ruan Shutong.

Jin Chen simply cooperated, slightly raising his hand and suppressing his spiritual power.

The tiger raised its head and roared.

Immediately afterwards, wolves howled, bears roared, snakes hissed, and birds sang.

At the same time, several muffled claps of thunder suddenly sounded in the sky, a small protest from the heavens.

But this thunder was undoubtedly a manifestation of the power of the immortals.

"Those who surrender will not be killed!" Liu Mianfeng shouted again, seizing the opportunity.

This time, no one dared to hesitate.

The last few guards around the crown prince also dejectedly dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground.

Crown Prince Wu Zhengming was now completely isolated, his face ashen and his eyes devoid of any spirit. Not only had he failed to eliminate Gu Fanghe and the Black Mountain Stronghold, but he had also lost his own life. It seemed that he had no hope of ascending the throne in this lifetime.

Gu Fanghe said in a deep voice, "Please invite the Crown Prince back to the stronghold."

"The remaining surrendered soldiers had their weapons confiscated and were temporarily kept under guard. Shen Sima counted the casualties and treated the wounded. Shi Meng led his men to clean up the battlefield and collect the remains of the fallen brothers."

"Liu Mianfeng, you are in charge of interrogating the captured officials. Make sure you get them to talk."

"Yes!" The group accepted the order and quickly sprang into action.

Gu Fanghe then looked at the surrendered soldiers, "Tell them that those who wish to stay, after screening, may enter Black Mountain Stronghold. Those who do not wish to stay will be given travel expenses once the situation calms down, and will have to fend for themselves. But if they dare to harbor any disloyalty, or reveal what happened today..."

Chen Xiaoshan was taken aback. "Brother, let them go? What if they go back to the capital and complain..."

"We want them to file complaints," Gu Fanghe said calmly. "After seven years of planning, that guy in the capital... it's time to make his move."

Chen Xiaoshan suddenly realized and quickly agreed.

[The villain's darkening value is detected -15, totaling 10! 】