Chapter 1213: Withered Maple Gorge

“Your Highness, our team has arrived at Dried Maple Gorge. The ship crew is ready. Please, honored sirs, proceed to the cabin entrance.” The Fifth Prince respectfully cupped his hands and bowed to Xu Yang and the others.

For someone of the Fifth Prince's status and rank, servants would attend to him wherever he went, no matter how far. With Xu Yang and the others accompanying him, their journey had been exceptionally well-catered with carriages and horses.

This was understandable. What kind of person was Xu Yang now? Across the entire Yingzhou Continent, he commanded absolute obedience. Even if he wished to raise a rebellion and overthrow the rule of the Cloud Family, the imperial dynasty of the Central Region of Yingzhou Continent, it was not beyond his capabilities.

To secure his presence within their faction was like holding something precious that one feared might break if dropped or melt if held in the mouth. They were eager to serve Xu Yang and his companions with utmost dedication.

Seeing this, the Prince set down his teacup and smiled at Xu Yang. “This Dried Maple Gorge ahead is certainly not a place ordinary people can traverse. The reason I chose this route this time is to minimize trouble for our team as much as possible.”

“After all, you two must be well aware that given our current influence and status, there's no telling who in the imperial palace might want to frame us. If we were to travel by land, who knows how many groups of assassins would be targeting us.”

Xu Yang, however, seemed unconcerned by this, merely nodding calmly. “Whatever the Prince arranges. Whether by water or land, if anyone dares to cause trouble, we will simply sweep them aside. If even entering the palace to meet the Emperor is met with obstruction, then these people must truly be tired of living.”

With Xu Yang's words, the Fifth Prince felt no further burden in his heart. He smiled and nodded, then led Xu Yang, Xiao Hua, and the members of the Eight Gates team from the other carriages towards the sea.

The fleet was quite luxurious, clearly having been prepared for a long time. In fact, as soon as Xu Yang and the others left Seven Peaks Mountain, the Prince had instructed his subordinates to make arrangements. It was precisely because of this that Xu Yang and his companions had not encountered any harassment from external forces along the way; at the Prince's behest, these obstacles had already been mostly cleared.

However, upon entering Dried Maple Gorge, just as the scouts had reported, this place was an extremely peculiar location within the Central Region of the continent. Countless ships had inexplicably fallen silent and disappeared here, earning Dried Maple Gorge a notorious reputation externally.

It was said that this place was overrun with demons and monsters, and top teams without considerable strength dared not enter. Yet, precisely because of this, many powerful individuals who had committed heinous crimes across the five major regions of the continent, with no other place to hide, reportedly sought refuge in Dried Maple Gorge. Therefore, it was a place where all sorts of people gathered, but they all shared one common trait: power!

The Prince's team was meticulous in every aspect. The main vessel, where Xu Yang and the others were staying, was as luxurious as an emperor's ship, fully equipped with every conceivable amenity. If one were here for a pleasure trip, it would be exceptionally comfortable.

However, Xu Yang and the others were well aware that the team's current situation was not optimistic. They could encounter assailants of various identities at any moment.

“Gentlemen, I'll take the first drink!” The Fifth Prince hosted a grand banquet for Xu Yang's team on the most luxurious main ship. The brothers from the Eight Gates raised their cups and toasted the Fifth Prince. Xu Yang and the others, in turn, raised their cups and drank together. After three rounds of drinks and various dishes, everyone began to discuss the power dynamics within the imperial palace.

The strength of Emperor Yunlong, who was also the Fifth Prince's father, was also part of their discussion. “What? So Emperor Yunlong, the current emperor, is truly that powerful? I thought he was just an ordinary person.”

The Fifth Prince burst into laughter. “If he were an ordinary person, how could he possibly command tens of thousands of troops? Your Eight Gates' former clan was crushed under the iron hooves of our Cloud Imperial Dynasty. You should know better than anyone how strong those people were.”

“And for my imperial father to be able to lead these people, his strength must certainly surpass everyone else's. Although I'm not sure who is stronger between Brother Xu Yang and my imperial father, nonetheless, having you by my side makes me feel much more secure. Without your help, I fear I wouldn't even have the chance to enter the imperial palace alive.”

Upon hearing this, everyone became reflective. “Is this the imperial family? Is it so difficult for a son to see his father? To have to overcome countless dangers just to enter Xuanyuan Imperial City? It's truly unimaginable! And how lonely must Emperor Yunlong be, seated in the grand hall of Xuanyuan Imperial Palace? What does it matter if he controls the entire Yingzhou Continent? In the end, he's just a solitary figure.”

Perhaps due to a few drinks, “Big Crab” was speaking somewhat uninhibitedly. Yet, unusually, the Fifth Prince did not blame him; instead, he echoed his sentiments, nodding repeatedly.

“This brother speaks truly,” the Fifth Prince said. “Although my imperial father possesses everything, he also carries a solitude that others do not. It is said that whether he is cultivating or holding court, he always remains in the vast, empty imperial palace hall. Unless there is something urgent, civilian and military officials have no right to approach his palace.”

“He requires no attendance from servants and always prefers to guard the immense imperial palace alone. No one knows what he thinks, and no one dares to provoke his majesty. He is like a lofty god, guarding his vast, empty empire.”

Seemingly overcome by a wave of sadness, the Fifth Prince lost his appetite. He gently clapped his hands, summoning a dozen singing and dancing girls into the opulent main cabin to perform music and dance for entertainment.

It was during this time that a series of ape cries and tiger roars suddenly echoed in everyone's ears. Immediately, the Prince dismissed the performers and summoned his personal guards and attendants back into the hall.

“How can this be? How long have the ape cries outside been sounding?” “Reporting, Your Highness, the cries have been sounding for about three minutes now. Should we take some action?”

The Prince's brow furrowed slightly, causing the guards around him to show expressions of confusion. No one understood why the Prince was reacting this way.

“All of you, stand guard diligently outside. If anything unusual happens, inform me immediately. No one is to be complacent, otherwise, if there's a problem at any point, I will hold that person accountable!” “Understood!”

The Prince's attendants left the cabin one by one. Xu Yang discerned the Fifth Prince's thoughts and couldn't help but speak softly, “Prince, please speak frankly. I've long heard that Dried Maple Gorge is very treacherous. Do these ape cries signify something?”