Chapter 331: I Am the Substitute

Lingyin went to the street to rescue several children, then turned back and slaughtered several stampeding oxen; when the Imperial Guard had roughly brought the situation under control, Lingyin returned.

Given his skill, it actually hadn't been long before he returned to find the Great King no longer in the original spot.

Only Weishen, covered in blood, was painfully limping nearby, with three or four corpses lying beside him...

He jumped in fright, and even his paralyzed face showed an expression.

Lingyin knew the Great King's background—no one outside could harm him, and that was why he dared to leave; what frightened him was Weishen's condition. Being constantly at the Great King's side, he understood just how important this cousin was to the Great King.

He went over to support the swaying Weishen, took his pulse, and then relaxed—it was merely exhaustion.

Upon closer inspection, he saw the injury was mainly to the leg, nothing life‑threatening.

Weishen's eyes turned red with anxiety: "You're finally back! Wei Taiping has been kidnapped by the Xiongnu! The leader's martial arts aren't weak!"

Lingyin followed the direction he pointed, sensed that he was no longer nearby, and said calmly: "It's fine; he's not in immediate danger—I'll go find him. Return to the Imperial Guard and release Covering Heaven to help." In fact, the Great King has a contractual bond with him; in a true crisis he could simply summon him and Changli over.

Weishen knew his leg injury meant he couldn't help, and he stared into Lingyin's eyes, asking: "Do we not need to close the city? …Can I trust you?"

The Great King trusted Lingyin greatly, but at this point Weishen remained uneasy.

Lingyin stared at him and said, "Your Highness will come to no harm; before nightfall I will certainly bring him back safe and sound."

The Great King really isn't seriously injured.

As they started to carry him off, he struggled desperately. This fellow's strength was immense—the Xiongnu Lianxi could barely bear him.

After a couple of struggles, seeing Weishen go all‑out against the Xiongnu, the Great King stopped resisting.

Hurry up and carry him away—don't provoke this cousin any further. Let This King see how many of you there are and what you're up to.

When he submitted, the Xiongnu thought he was merely worn out, and they swiftly carried the Great King off into an alley and vanished.

Youzhou City was impregnable; upon hearing that Bailijing had returned, even these Xiongnu couldn't sneak in.

At that moment they received word that the Northern Border King would personally go to Longtou County's dock in three days, so they withdrew to Longtou County and drew up several assassination plans.

Who would have thought the Great King would be so compliant—upon arriving in Longtou County he took only a few guards into the bustling market.

Lianxi bound the Great King and, at once, withdrew to their pre‑prepared hiding place without leaving the city.

Longtou County lies by the sea; once outside the gate there's hardly any cover for miles—almost flat, barren land—so as soon as they left the city their target was obvious and they would surely be pursued.

They chose to hide temporarily.

The Great King was flung into a dim room; the Xiongnu then vanished. He struggled to adjust his posture, turned over, found a comfortable position, and lay down contentedly.

Just see what you lot really want!

"The city gates are already closed."

"That fast?"

"That guy inside, stepping on Xiongnu cavalry, has unified the northern border—everyone says don't treat him as an ordinary child; he's a hundred times harder to handle than his father!"

"Shall we proceed as planned?"

Lianxi slipped past the guards, opened the wooden door, and for the first time had a chance to really size up the Great King.

The Great King lounged with one leg crossed over the other, lying relaxed on the floor of a spider‑web‑covered ruined room, looking no different from lounging on the great bed in Suiyu Hall; this fellow would occasionally wiggle his raised toes.

Lianxi frowned and said, "You're really Bailijing?" A ten‑year‑old child—can his inner strength truly be this great?

The Great King continued to swing his feet leisurely, saying, "I'm Bailijing's stand‑in, you idiot—let me go at once, you've grabbed the wrong person!"

"Liar!"