[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens":3,"chapter-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-173":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 Billion Citizens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271048,4434,"Chapter 173: Boge: Is the Prince","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-173",173,"\u003Cp>City square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humming, humming, humming—the stone slabs across the entire square began to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That blazing white light, like a flood of apocalypse, engulfed the entire circus tent, occupying nearly one-tenth of the city square’s area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the tent, even Kalen and Luo Yi Luo Lan, both New Moon Knights, felt a heavy threat of death emanating from the white light and instinctively halted their steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witnessing this, Boge Chu, believing Xia Mingyu was under attack by the white light, his eyes blazing with rage, tried desperately to charge into the light—only to be yanked back by Kalen at the last moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calm down! Trust Your Highness—he is protected by one point four billion blessings; he will not die here!” Kalen roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, at the center of the white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain of the Faceless, Qing Er, who needed only one more mission to earn a face, could only watch helplessly as his body slowly evaporated into chaotic particles under the terrifying white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized—he was about to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How ugly. He had felt nothing yet—no family, no friends, not even the gentle warmth of sunlight a few times—and now he would die with nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories from his past flashed like a spinning lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abandoned as an infant, taken in by the organization, trained since childhood in assassination techniques, subjected to brutal trials, forced to swallow magic potions that erased his face, then sent out endlessly to kill for every mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most vivid mission: he slaughtered the entire target family, yet one blind little girl still cried out innocently, “Papa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, who had always been emotionless, mechanically carrying out orders, suddenly felt an unexpected pang of pity—and let her live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning to the organization, he was severely punished—all his completed mission records were erased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had been twenty-four missions. Had they not been erased, he might have already achieved his dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet strangely, Qing Er felt no regret—even though this had indirectly led to his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his final moment, Qing Er struggled to lift his head and gaze at his target—the black-haired, black-eyed Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a handsome man. If only he, too, had such a perfect face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sage, who upholds justice and equality—how wonderful. I hope he can correct this broken world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Er slowly closed his eyes; his consciousness dissolved along with his scattered body—and the two New Moon Faceless behind him were likewise vaporized into drifting particles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In utter silence, the white light slowly faded after roughly two seconds, and those within its radius gradually regained their vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire circus—all structures, wooden huts, props, and the massive canopy covering the ground—had been utterly vaporized by the white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only an empty space remained, leaving behind a group of bewildered children and deformed performers, staring blankly at the golden-haired youth standing before the Sage, his body slowly fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did well, Tamerlan.” Xia Mingyu said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the golden-haired youth’s handsome face broke into a radiant smile. He placed his right hand over his left shoulder and bowed deeply to his lifelong sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, the magician regarded Tamerlan with grave expression—because that incomparably brilliant sword strike had just demonstrated the power to harm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not foreseen that the strike spared everyone except the assassins, he would have already moved to protect his troupe with full force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Tamerlan’s body fully dissolved and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, everyone slowly came back to their senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Sage’s magic is incredible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell all my friends—I saw the Sage summon a living person and make everything disappear!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The children leapt and cheered, like newly hatched chicks flapping their wings in wild excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all believed this was the Sage’s magic performance—truly extraordinary!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the deformed circus performers clapped enthusiastically—it was more beautiful and wondrous than the troupe leader’s magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Lu En, the troupe’s leader, stared at the empty ground, his lips twitching slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it—all those giant tent fabrics and props were custom-made by craftsmen at great cost—he didn’t just conjure them out of thin air!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d known, he’d have killed those intruders himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep wave of regret surged through Lu En.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Kalen and his group arrived, seeing Xia Mingyu unharmed, and let out a long breath of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord, I failed to protect you when danger struck. Please punish my negligence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalen and Boge Chu knelt before Xia Mingyu, their knees slamming hard against the ground with a dull thud, their faces filled with guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. I chose to come to the circus myself—that’s why I was separated from you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu shook his head and immediately helped them up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, My Lord—who was that golden-haired youth in the blue pajamas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After rising, Boge Chu asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On their way here, they had all seen the golden-haired youth wielding the dazzling long sword—undoubtedly the creator of that apocalyptic white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is one of my attendants, summoned to me across distance,” Xia Mingyu replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boge Chu froze, his expression outwardly calm, but inside he felt a crushing sense of defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So… even the other attendants of His Highness are this strong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t even withstand the residual shockwave from his casual strike hundreds of meters away…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hunter boy clenched his fists tightly, silently vowing to grow stronger at any cost—never again would he be helpless, forced to watch helplessly as His Highness faced danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kalen, too, believed only such a person deserved to serve a Lord blessed with one point four billion blessings; he himself was merely serving as a “dog” because His Highness was currently alone and needed retainers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of his wife at home and his child bearing the “Child of the King” blessing, Kalen felt a sharp urgency—he even began imagining how, in a future great crisis, he might sacrifice himself to leave a lasting impression on His Highness, so his wife and child might be protected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, anxious parents gradually arrived and led away their still-exuberant children, pausing to thank Xia Mingyu and Lu En for giving their children such a joyful day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, noble children might be happy every day—but commoner children sometimes had only one such day a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When dawn broke and a chilly morning breeze swept across the empty square, Xia Mingyu looked at the remaining members of the monster circus still standing where they were, and a pang of guilt rose in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was because he summoned Tamerlan that these marginalized members had lost their home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over to Lu En, who stood nearby, chin resting on his hand, lost in thought, and spoke softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Lu En.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Sage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En, whose curiosity about Xia Mingyu had grown since his earlier actions and who had been pondering how to observe him further, looked up, interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because of me, your circus tent and props were destroyed. If you don’t mind, please allow your troupe to rest temporarily at my residence—I will arrange for specialists to craft new props for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu explained patiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En was stunned—truthfully, he and his troupe didn’t need lodging, as he would soon absorb his members into his blessing: the Infinite Hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was indeed a rare opportunity to observe the Sage more closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And seeing the hopeful expressions on the faces of Helen, Mia, little Toby, and others, he knew they didn’t want to live in the Infinite Hell—especially the younger, childlike deformed performers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sage, I accept your invitation with deep gratitude.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En smiled faintly, removed his hat, and bowed elegantly to Xia Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the Red Fox Castle, in a slightly dilapidated but vast courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu led the entire circus troupe here in a grand procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once passed by this place while cleaning the tombstones of Red Flame at the castle’s rear cemetery. Though he didn’t understand why the former Marquis Martha had built such a large courtyard in such a desolate spot, it was undoubtedly more than enough to house the entire monster circus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the courtyard before him, Lu En’s smile slowly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… wasn’t this his old home?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it—if he’d known he was being brought here, he’d have slept on the street rather than accept Xia Mingyu’s invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En was filled with regret, but seeing his troupe already racing into the courtyard, playing wildly, even competing to see who could pull up the most weeds fastest, he swallowed his urge to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sage, thank you so much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En forced a stiff smile, his voice laced with gritted teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu, hearing the tone, misinterpreted it entirely—he assumed Lu En was resentful because he had destroyed the circus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—in no more than half a month, my craftsmen will have new tents and props ready,” he reassured, completely unaware that Lu En’s hand behind his back was clenched into a fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So… want to hit someone. What if I secretly turn this Sage into a rabbit for one day and toss him into the Infinite Hell to eat grass?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu En spent a long time suppressing this tempting thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, Xia Mingyu, exhausted from summoning Tamerlan and now dizzy from depleted mana, returned to his room and collapsed onto a soft, silk-stuffed bed, falling into deep sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning the monster circus was temporarily staying at the Red Fox Castle, An Liya hurried over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rear courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the blue-haired woman with a gentle smile on her face, An Liya’s eyes welled up; she rushed forward and threw herself into the woman’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I missed you so much, big sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden-haired girl hugged Helen tightly, her voice as sweet as silver bells, tinged with childish affection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just call me Helen. I missed you too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helen gently stroked the girl’s silken long hair with her first pair of hands, speaking softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she gently pushed An Liya back and studied her grown face carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skin like fine porcelain, eyes as blue as the sky, lips tinted pink as cherry blossoms—this near-perfect face, as if carved by divine hands, stirred even Helen’s heart, a fellow woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could such beauty truly belong to a commoner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helen stared at the white characters “Commoner” above the girl’s head and wondered if the world had miswritten the blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a beautiful girl—she would be perfectly suited to be born into the noblest royal bloodline!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Helen, what’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the blue-haired woman lost in thought, An Liya asked with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. It’s just… little An Liya, you’ve grown so beautiful, you’ve even left me dazzled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Helena came to her senses, she smiled gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, you’re exaggerating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anelia’s cheeks flushed pink as she replied sweetly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, why is your bracelet on the Sage’s wrist? Can you tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helena’s face was full of curiosity—this question had been weighing on her all night, for gossiping was an urge no one could escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m the Sage’s maid now, and maybe he likes me just a little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this question, a crimson flush spread instantly from the girl’s neck to her eartips; she lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers in embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, I understand,” Helena said, wearing a knowing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Sage is a rare, wonderful man—Anelia, you’re so beautiful, you should work hard and claim him soon~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helena patted Anelia’s head teasingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, why after nearly ten years have you not aged at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to bear the blue-haired woman’s teasing, Anelia changed the subject, gazing at the woman’s youthful, beautiful face with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… maybe because I don’t get much sun exposure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helena froze, stammering awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Anelia did not press further; instead, she took Helena’s hand and said softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I’ve become a chef now—may I prepare a few dishes for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I won’t be polite,” Helena said playfully, licking her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls exchanged a smile, then held hands and ran off through the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dusk, the bright moon hung high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magician Lu En stood alone before the ancient oak tree in the courtyard’s center, tracing the knife scars carved by children, his handsome face tinged with quiet sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap-tap-tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure in a black tailcoat approached slowly from behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome back, Master Lu En,” Caisis said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2056,"2026-06-19T22:18:43.340Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c46931d6b38ed952e7858e18a927042b6feacffb524545b2cb3aef0a7ae953ea","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-174","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-172",186,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-cover.jpg"]