Chapter 403: The Choice of the Crown Prince Guard (First Update)

It is said that one wants to leave, but some things cannot simply be walked away from by just dusting off one's backside.

Ren Yidao says he can ignore it, but he is not truly a scumbag; he will not just walk away like that.

There are still some people he has not finished settling matters with.

For instance, his Crown Prince Guard.

……

On this day, Cang Lan summoned the others to the Crown Prince Mansion.

With a solemn expression, she announced a piece of news:

"According to the news sent back by the True Person, the Crown Prince's condition is even more serious than imagined; he requires long-term treatment and cannot be disturbed by the outside world during this period."

"It is unknown how long it will take, but it is certain that there is no way to return to Demon Emperor City for a very long time."

"Moreover... according to True Person He, that thief's strike was extremely cunning and vicious; upon realizing they could not succeed, they immediately chose to damage the Crown Prince's foundation."

"Even if the Crown Prince manages to save his life, there is a high probability that his vitality will be severely damaged, and his talent and strength may be far inferior to what they were before."

Hearing this tragic news, everyone fell somewhat silent.

"……"

This "very long time," how long does it actually represent?

Half a month? A month?

Half a year? A year?

Or is it measured in decades?

Or even centuries?

They are still young, heaven-gifted prodigies who became famous at a young age; it is impossible to just waste a large amount of time waiting for an unknown result.

Furthermore, his talent is damaged...

Does this not make one feel a sense of lament?

This is truly Heaven envying a genius!

That proud Crown Prince was, just days ago, attracting the attention of the masses, like a rising new star.

In their hearts, he was as powerful and mysterious as an unfathomable abyss, and they had never clearly glimpsed his depths.

And now, there is no need to fear him anymore.

It is a pity that the brilliant new star had not shone for long before it vanished in an instant, falling from the horizon.

Qingteng and the others were silent for a long time; they wanted to say much, but in the end, they could only let out a sigh.

What a pity!

Cang Lan calmly took in the reactions of everyone, then spoke of another urgent matter.

"The True Person knows we are the Crown Prince's guard and has specifically made an exception, allowing us to go and act as protectors for the Crown Prince."

"Time is urgent; the True Person has only given us two hours to consider. Before noon today, we must make a decision on whether to go and protect him."

"If you are willing, he will take us away at that time."

"Everyone, what are your thoughts?"

Before the others could think, Cang Lan stated her decision with a firm expression:

"I will go. No matter how long it takes, I will stay by the Crown Prince's side until he wakes up."

"What about you? Are you coming along?"

The remaining few looked at each other, all falling silent.

This is not a small matter; it is very likely a major event that will determine their futures, and they need to think.

Not only that, the time to think is very tight, which adds even greater pressure to this choice.

After stating her stance, Cang Lan did not urge them; she crossed her arms and waited silently.

She did not know what kind of answer these people would give.

If possible, she still hoped they could make the right choice and continue to follow behind Ren Yidao together.

But Cang Lan also knew in her heart that this was almost impossible.

They are all prodigies of their respective clans; their lives do not belong entirely to themselves, but also to their clans.

Unless an individual's strength is sufficiently powerful, the individual's will cannot override the collective's decision.

Sure enough, after a long silence, Luzhi was the first to give an answer.

He let out a long sigh, shook his head, and said in a deep voice:

"I cannot go."

The others all looked sideways at Luzhi, especially Cang Lan, whose gaze was extremely sharp.

"Why?"

But Luzhi did not avoid Cang Lan's sharp gaze; this usually silent, burly man spoke slowly at this moment:

"There are two reasons."

"First, although I wish to follow the Crown Prince, my clan will not allow me to be willful."

"My clan has prepared too many plans for me and has already invested too many resources in me; I cannot waste this precious time."

"Second, just a moment ago, I received a message from my master; he asked me to stay within Demon Emperor City to relay messages and search for medicinal herbs for him."

Not long ago, Luzhi had successfully been accepted as a disciple under He Shou; they were all aware of this, and at this moment, they all understood.

Especially Qingteng, who could barely hide the envy in her eyes.

In her view, Luzhi was lucky.

But this envy was not directed at Luzhi being able to study under a True Person, but because he had such a legitimate reason to refuse.

"……Tsk, what to do? I don't have a high-sounding reason like him!"

Qingteng did not want to go.

This was very obvious.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see the scene that day; the Crown Prince's injuries were extremely severe.

According to the deductions of the experts within the Qingteng clan, Ren Yidao's current injuries were even more severe than what He Shou had described; that villain had struck with extreme malice, aiming straight for the Consciousness Sea, and this time, the Crown Prince truly had a nine-in-ten chance of death and no hope of survival.

Even if he were lucky enough to save his life in the future, there was a very high probability he would be a cripple, completely incomparable to his past self.

Even the Wavering Party behind her had reached the same conclusion.

They had originally basically reached a consensus to decide to place their bets this time on Ren Yidao.

In the original plan, she was even one of the candidates for Crown Princess.

But now, everything had changed.

Those fellows who always had their own selfish motives had actually, for once, reached a consensus on one matter.

They decided to politely decline Ren Yidao's invitation.

"Although the conditions offered by the Crown Prince are very generous, we have always acted for the sake of the great cause of the Demon Race, never for personal gain, and do not wish to see the Demon Race divided."

"Therefore, although His Highness's sincerity has moved us deeply, we can only regretfully decline His Highness's invitation this time."

"Of course, if His Highness is still unwilling to give up on us in the future, we will still be waiting for His Highness."

After saying so much, the central idea between the lines of their speech was just one thing.

Wait.

Wait for Ren Yidao to reappear, and then they would make their decision.

If Ren Yidao sank into oblivion from this, they would not suffer any losses.

But if Ren Yidao returned as a king once more, they would also have an excuse; it would not be too late to lean toward him then.

They had the confidence to do so.

In their hearts, the Crown Prince needed their powerful strength to support him.

The Wavering Party was just like this; they would not release the hawk until they saw the hare.

Even if they did release the hawk, they could still call it back halfway.

Their main principle was to never suffer a loss.

From ancient times to the present, they were the ones with the most variables.

If the conclusion within the clan only made her somewhat waver, then the decision of the Wavering Party was what completely made her choose.

"I..."