Chapter 258: Is He Really Being Thrown Into the Dungeon?

Being bow-legged is a physiological defect, and shouting it out so loudly really does make one unpleasant.

But when five bow-legged people gather together, it becomes somewhat different.

Moreover, the crucial point is that after discovering this trait, he deliberately used his Divine Perception to sense the aura of those five people.

Mottled, chaotic, with a faint monster aura mixed in! They can't get away—these five people are, ah, bah! These five people must be Japanese pirates, and they are very likely the main force members that Chen Shicheng is searching for.

He has already killed three or four hundred Japanese pirates under his command; he is very familiar with the aura of these beasts, and there is no chance he could mistake it! He subconsciously hooked his fingers, and a blade aura began to appear around him. Its sharp, fierce presence made all the soldiers' faces change; they tightened their grips on their spears and pointed them warily at Chen Shicheng.

"Bold! In front of the Zhenhai Wangfu, you dare show hostility toward the prince's honored guest! Seize him!"

As the steward's sharp shout rang out, the soldiers had not yet moved, but several phantoms suddenly flew out from inside the manor, arriving at Chen Shicheng's side in an instant, clearly divided in task as they lunged for his limbs.

Frankly, in Chen Shicheng's eyes their speed wasn't yet slow‑motion, but every movement—even the wind brushing his eyelashes—was fully captured by his sight.

But at this moment his thoughts raced wildly, swinging back and forth between acting and not acting.

Act.

Although the identities of these five are certainly linked to the Japanese pirates, it's still unclear whether they are the main force of the invading pirates; if a misunderstanding makes us enemies of the Zhenhai King, future days will surely be difficult—never underestimate the power of an ancient prince.

Do not act.

Although they will be captured by the Zhenhai Wangfu, at least the relationship between the two sides hasn't deteriorated beyond repair, and the five Japanese pirates he has discovered are already marked; he can let Hui Siye follow them and later carefully consider how to communicate with the Zhenhai King.

With a better attitude, he might even wheedle some help, letting the Zhenhai King's scout unit assist him in locating the pirates' hideout.

Great, the plan works! Let them take me—I accept!

Chen Shicheng made his decision in an instant, allowing those phantoms to seize his limbs while several short swords followed close behind, pressing against his joints all over his body and blocking every possible movement.

Of course, this is all within his control; as long as he slightly stirs his True Essence, these people will be blown away without harming him in the slightest.

Thus Chen Shicheng calmly watched the six people approaching him, his face showing no change in expression.

"Prince's Steward, are these the people you sent?"

The one among the five Japanese pirates who looked like the leader stepped up to Chen Shicheng and asked with a smile.

The Prince's Steward said nothing, his face stern as he beckoned to the guard captain nearby.

Soon, a rough‑hardened man with a beard‑streaked face walked over, gave a disgusted glance at the Japanese pirate leader, and said in a stiff tone, "Although you have committed unforgivable crimes on the land of Dayu and within the Zhenhai King's territory, I would love to kill you right away, but"

The guard captain glanced at Chen Shicheng, who seemed unperturbed, and continued, gritting his teeth, "We will absolutely not openly attack the prince's honored guest at the manor's gate."

Huh? The prince's honored guest also committed unforgivable crimes. Well, that's a clincher—these five people are definitely the main force I'm looking for! Only, how did these Japanese pirates get involved with the Zhenhai King and become honored guests, appearing openly in the Zhenhai Wangfu?

What a pain! Chen Shicheng glanced at the guard captain; this guy also seems to dislike the Japanese pirates, and he's dissatisfied that Chen Shicheng's open move was discovered and controlled?

"I think this person must be a Returnee; only they would act so recklessly." The Prince's Steward smiled and calmly deflected responsibility.

The Japanese pirate leader stepped forward, tilted his head to look into Chen Shicheng's eyes, and said, "A cold, killing‑intent gaze, calm as if unafraid of death; the manor's guards may also dislike us, but under the prince's dignity they show no obvious emotion—only a Returnee would behave so rashly and lawlessly."

He chuckled lightly, turned to look at his four companions, and said, "If I'm not mistaken, he should be one of those who took part in the recent sweep of the foot soldiers."

Upon those words, a sudden hush fell at the manor's gate; all the soldiers' gazes shifted, their attitude still somewhat resentful like the guard captain's, but noticeably milder.

What Chen Holy felt most clearly was that the dark guards holding him had visibly loosened their grip, allowing him to move a little.

Chen Shicheng calmly drew out a hand, raised a finger, and pushed aside the short sword at his neck, saying, "Indeed, I am the one who killed those beasts, and I was the initiator—how do you like that, angry or not? And you needn't worry; I will soon send the remaining thousand of you to reunite with them—just wait for me!"

Brave! Very brave!

Those words were tantamount to slapping those Japanese pirates across the face.

The guard captain's expression stiffened; after glancing at the Prince's Steward, who showed no reaction, he quickly ordered, "Take him to the manor's dungeon and await the prince's judgment."

"Yes, sir!"

Before the Japanese pirates could speak, several soldiers hurriedly took Chen Shicheng from the dark guards and, somewhat loosely, escorted him into the manor.

"Brother, may I ask what those few Japanese pirates came to the manor for? Did the prince personally receive them? What did they say that you heard? And what's the environment like in the dungeon? I heard it's pretty smelly, right?"

On the way to the dungeon, taking advantage of the soldiers' subtle attitude, Chen Shicheng fired off many questions, like spilling beans.

Unfortunately, no matter how good their attitude, it couldn't override the manor's rules; along the way the soldiers kept silent, not answering any of Chen Shicheng's questions.

A young soldier wanted to speak, but was stopped by his quick‑witted senior; in the end he glumly lowered his head and, expressionless, locked Chen Shicheng in the dungeon.

Interestingly, these people deliberately chose a cell near the entrance; compared with the inner cells, it not only has a small bar through which the sky can be seen, but its sanitary conditions are far better.

It seems that although they don't say it outright, their actions still reveal their respective positions.

"It hasn't been in vain that I've painstakingly wiped out those Japanese pirates!"

Chen Shicheng paced twice in the straw‑strewn cell, then sat down on the small spot illuminated by moonlight.

(End of chapter)