Chapter 1154: Pretending to be Affected

Xu Yang's seemingly confused eyes immediately cleared, seemingly in response to the large man's words. In truth, how could such a simple illusion ever control him? He was merely feigning entrapment to extract the true secret from his opponent.

So, my suspicions were correct. The seven princes are not as harmonious as they appear. Since this is a secret deal between the Sixth Prince and the Third Prince, it was bound to attract intervention from other princely powers. I was waiting for you.

Xu Yang's lips curled into a cold smile. With a light wave of his palm, he sent the unsightly burly man flying hundreds of meters away. The man crashed heavily into a large mountain rock, spitting out large mouthfuls of blood.

Meanwhile, the other six men unhesitatingly locked onto Xu Yang's aura and unleashed their strongest ultimate techniques against him, as they had previously been reserved about his true power.

After that last move, no one dared to doubt Xu Yang's capabilities. They unleashed their strongest signature skills without hesitation, hoping to instantly kill Xu Yang in a single attack. Unfortunately, their efforts were futile; no one could even penetrate his protective defense.

"Damn it, this guy is too powerful, Boss. None of us seem to be his match. What should we do? Should we even continue this fight?"

"Fools!" one short old man interjected. "The Fifth Prince repeatedly stressed that we must achieve something in this battle, otherwise we'll have to face him headless. In today's fight, it's either him or us! Quickly unleash the combined formation; it's our only chance!"

At that very moment, these individuals unleashed their strongest ultimate techniques. Unlike the previous individual attacks, their combined skills formed a fully enclosed spatial domain array.

The formation was clearly formidable; the aura emanating from it caused a tearing, agonizing sensation. Although the Fifth Master was a top-tier expert himself, he appeared utterly helpless against such intense power. Instinctively, he clutched his head, screaming in agony for a long time, awaiting Xu Yang's intervention.

What he never expected, however, was that Xu Yang broke through this powerful combined domain skill with a single gesture: pointing a finger skyward.

In the very next moment, a golden bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, striking these individuals precisely. The immense light from the lightning instantly pulverized them, causing them to vanish completely into the void.

After this battle, Xu Yang's murderous aura intensified, and the faint, shadowy red light around him became slightly more vivid.

"My heavens, that was too powerful, wasn't it? Sir, could you tell me what level of strength you possess?" the Fifth Master asked, slumping to the ground with lingering fear after the surrounding danger completely vanished.

Xu Yang merely offered him a meaningful smile. "You don't need to know that, or perhaps I cannot fully describe the exact state of my power. No cultivation system in Yingzhou Continent can measure my strength; I come from the desolate outer world beyond its reaches."

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Master finally realized that a top-tier expert from an outer realm was beyond his comprehension. He wisely ceased to be curious about Xu Yang's identity, understanding full well that excessively prying into the mind of someone of Xu Yang's caliber was exceedingly dangerous.

"I didn't expect the Fifth Prince to meddle in the affairs between the Sixth and Third Princes," the Fifth Master mused. "It seems this escorted silver is truly a hot potato!" He then lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

He savored the tranquility and relief of having survived the ordeal. Yet, Xu Yang remained as composed as ever, as if everything that had just transpired were merely a dream.

"Actually, you don't need to overthink it," Xu Yang said. "If my judgment is correct, there's nothing in this shipment at all."

Upon hearing Xu Yang, the Fifth Master was so startled that the hairs on his arms stood on end. "My heavens, no way! How did you come to such a conclusion, sir?"

Xu Yang let out a helpless, cold laugh and shook his head. "If anything truly valuable were sealed inside, it would undoubtedly be escorted personally by the princes' direct forces. Why would they use common folk like you, and even broadcast signals of a transaction between two great princes all over the world?

If my judgment is correct, this is simply a play staged by the Third Prince and the Sixth Prince to see which of the seven princely factions is so impatient that they would make a move."

Hearing Xu Yang's explanation, the Fifth Master felt an even greater sense of dread. "According to you, sir, aren't we holding a hot potato this time? Even if we deliver this non-existent escorted silver to Brocade Villa, all we'll receive are a few silver notes.

But afterward, we'll be relentlessly hunted by the entire Fifth Prince's lineage. Isn't this just treating us like cannon fodder, to be manipulated at their whim?"

Xu Yang burst out laughing. "Don't forget, even the humblest soldier has the ability to slay princes and generals. Furthermore, in this game of chess, even if we are treated as pawns, we have the right to control our own destiny. From now on, you will follow me and fulfill your unique purpose. It's the only way to save your life."

The Fifth Master had no other choice; he could only survive safely by remaining with Xu Yang. It was at this moment that he finally understood Xu Yang's true secret and his deepest hidden ambition.

"Sir, your ambitions are truly lofty," the Fifth Master declared. "Only someone with your power could safely maneuver among the various princes and survive. I have no other choice now. Since I've already boarded this 'wagon,' if I want to live, I can only cling to your esteemed presence. From now on, whenever you need me, just say the word; I will be your personal steward."

Xu Yang chuckled and shrugged. "You can assign yourself any role you like. As long as you can ensure that, no matter what situations arise in the future, you will never betray me, then I will naturally grant you a new opportunity. Not everyone gets such a chance."

The majestic and magnificent scenery of Brocade Villa was captivating. Xu Yang and the Fifth Master finally arrived at the foot of the mountain the evening before the scheduled time. Seeing the dazzling four golden characters from afar, the Fifth Master finally breathed a sigh of relief, while Xu Yang was filled with nothing but excitement.

"I can't wait to go in and explore," Xu Yang said. "I really want to see what secrets of the Third Prince's lineage are hidden within this Brocade Villa."

Xu Yang didn't reveal everything on his mind. What he truly desired was the "King's Summons Token" held by the Third Prince. According to Xu Yang's assessment, while Brocade Villa was nominally just a detached residence of the Third Prince, its terrain and architectural scale strongly suggested that it concealed a highly significant secret of the Third Prince's lineage!