Chapter 2835: The Stand‑In Was Forcibly Taken by the Mountain Bandit

On the other side, deep within the denser, more secluded Shan Lin.

Crown Prince Wu Zhengming wore light armor, surrounded by his Imperial Guard as he stood in a forest clearing.

His face resembled Wu Zhengchu's, showing the dignity and calculation of one long in power; before him, two Secret Guards pressed Jin Chen forward.

"Are you Jin Chen?" the Crown Prince said, scrutinizing him. "The one who gave Gu Fanghe a weakness?"

"He certainly has a fine appearance; no wonder he could bewilder Gu Fanghe, whose heart was like iron."

Jin Chen heard this, tugged at the corner of his mouth, his smile deepening. "A weakness?"

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

He was too nonchalant; the Crown Prince's expression shifted slightly, and he gestured with his hand.

A few elite soldiers nearby immediately drew their swords and surrounded Jin Chen.

Jin Chen suddenly lifted his gaze toward the rear left of the Crown Prince.

The soldiers there were dragged into the bushes by something, managing only a short cry for help.

"What was that?!"

"Protect Your Highness!"

The Crown Prince's Imperial Guard paled, drawing their weapons in unison and warily eyeing the thicket.

The bushes shook violently, leaves flying, revealing a fleeting glimpse of variegated patterns.

The screams cut off abruptly.

Beside the bushes lay only broken corpses.

"What thing! A tiger? A leopard? Or… some other mountain spirit or monster!"

The Crown Prince's expression shifted; he snapped his head toward the calmly standing Jin Chen, "Is it… you?"

Jin Chen slowly shifted his gaze to the Crown Prince's right side.

Everyone stared in shock; the two guards who had just been standing under the ancient tree were now entwined, hanging upside down, faintly revealing writhing snake bodies in the thicket.

"Snakes! It's a giant python!"

The Imperial Guard were terrified, their souls fleeing; they all looked up at the dense canopy above, dreading that the deadly noose would snap onto their necks at any moment.

The Crown Prince too was startled by the eerie attack, stepping back half a pace; looking again at Jin Chen, only shock and disbelief remained.

It's him! He must be behind this!

"You… you're a demon?" the Crown Prince rasped.

Jin Chen lifted his eyes toward a certain spot in the forest.

A Hanging-Eye White-Forehead Tiger stepped out slowly, followed by a pack of wolves, wild bears, poisonous snakes…

Countless feral beasts emerged from the forest depths, encircling the Crown Prince's troops.

Beasts surrounded them, killing intent palpable, hearts pounding, life and death in their grasp.

Crown Prince: "..."

The Imperial Guard beside him gritted their teeth, drew their swords and lunged at Jin Chen—capture the bandit leader first; if they killed this demon who could command beasts, the wild animals would naturally scatter.

But before the blade could reach him, a spear thrust through the air!

Clang!

The spearhead pierced the Imperial Guard's chest, pinning him to the ground.

Gu Fanghe withdrew his hand, strode to Jin Chen's side, and shielded him behind him.

At the same time, Chen Xiaoshan and others, leading the elite squad, surged from all directions to completely encircle the Crown Prince's forces.

The situation instantly reversed.

The Crown Prince was shielded by his Imperial Guard in the center, with Gu Fanghe ahead and the beasts behind, making his expression grim beyond measure.

He stared at Gu Fanghe, teeth clenched: "Gu Fanghe, are you plotting rebellion?"

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

He lifted his eyes to the Crown Prince, speaking slowly: "Your Highness, doesn't this all depend on… you and His Majesty?"

"Seven years ago, you declared the Fenghe Army and the Gu Family Army rebels, and branded me, Gu Fanghe, a traitor."

"Today, you bring your troops, hoping to profit while I and Wu Zhengchu are both weakened, to wipe out everyone in my Black Mountain Stronghold…"

"Have you ever considered who forced me into rebellion?"

Crown Prince: "..."

Yes, it was they who first lost to Gu Fanghe, and they who drove him to oppose them.

But things have come to this…

"Gu Fanghe! The past is the Imperial Court's failing toward you!"

"It is… it is Father Emperor who listened to slander! But now, Wu Zhengchu is dead, Father Emperor is gravely ill, I… I am the Crown Prince, the rightful heir!"

"If you lay down your weapons, submit to the Imperial Court, and help me ascend the throne, I can guarantee you: I will clear the Gu Family's name, restore your rank as Fenghe General and your military authority, letting you and your followers return to court in glory—how about that?"

Had these words been spoken seven years ago, they might have moved that young general who served loyally yet was suspected and sidelined.

Now, Gu Fanghe merely stared at him coldly.

"Return to court?" he scoffed, "Then what? Keep watching your fathers' faces, and… someday become another pawn and sacrifice in your power games?"

Gu Fanghe shook his head, each word weighty: "Your Highness, after seven years as an outlaw, I am no longer the foolish general who once pledged loyalty to the Son of Heaven."

"My Gu Family Army is no longer a pawn to be moved at others' will."

Gu Fanghe stepped forward, curling his lips: "We will naturally return, but the one who sits in that position…"

"Will not be you."

The Crown Prince's pupils contracted; he stared at Gu Fanghe in disbelief: "You… what are you planning?! Do you intend…"

"To seize the throne and become emperor!"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, blinked his eyes toward Gu Fanghe, then lowered his gaze in thought.

Me as Empress? Tsk… that'll do.

Jin Chen rubbed the tiger head to convince himself.

Gu Fanghe gave Liu Mianfeng a look; seeing that, Liu Mianfeng suddenly shouted, 'Listen up, all of you!'

The Third Prince Wu Zhengchu colluded with Southern Province officials, harboring treacherous intent, and has already been executed!

The Crown Prince Wu Zhengming, who led troops to harass Black Mountain, has also been captured!

Young Master Jin is an immortal of the mountains who can command all beasts and protect Black Mountain! Those who surrender today will not be killed; those who resist will be slain without mercy! Even after death, their souls shall find no peace, forever suffering the beasts' gnawing.

His words were half true, half false, yet extremely intimidating.

Jin Chen: '?'

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

Fine, anyway the Heavenly Dao has also been messed up by Ruan Sutong.

Jin Chen simply went along, slightly raising his hand, pressing down Spiritual Power.

The fierce tiger raised its head and let out a long roar.

Immediately followed, wolves howled, bears roared, snakes hissed, birds chirped.

At the same time, a few muffled thunderclaps suddenly sounded in the sky; the Heavenly Dao made a small protest.

But this thunder undoubtedly manifests the immortal's power.

'Those who surrender will not be killed!' Liu Mianfeng seized the moment and shouted again.

This time, no one dared to hesitate.

The last few guards beside the Crown Prince also wearily dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground.

Crown Prince Wu Zhengming became utterly a lone and bereft man, his complexion ashen, his eyes devoid of any spark; not only did he fail to eliminate Gu Fanghe and Black Mountain Stronghold, but he also dragged himself down, his hope of the throne likely gone for life.

Gu Fanghe said in a low voice, 'Please take the Crown Prince back to the stronghold.'

'The remaining surrendered troops shall hand over their weapons and be temporarily detained; Shen Sima will count casualties, treat the wounded; Shi Meng will lead people to clean the battlefield and bury the fallen comrades.'

'Liu Mianfeng, you are responsible for interrogating the captured officers; you must pry open their mouths.'

'Yes!' The crowd received the order and swiftly sprang into action.

Gu Fanghe then looked at the surrendering soldiers and said, 'Tell them: those who wish to stay, after screening, may enter Black Mountain Stronghold; those who do not wish to stay, once the situation settles, will be given travel expenses to make their own living. But if anyone harbors ulterior motives or leaks today's affairs…'

Chen Xiaoshan blinked, 'Dage, let them go? What if they return to the capital and file a complaint…'

'That's exactly why I want them to file a complaint.' Gu Fanghe said lightly, 'Seven years of plotting; that person in the capital… should also take action now.'

Chen Xiaoshan suddenly understood and promptly agreed.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -15, total 10!】