82: Chapter 81 Shen Gongbao

Great Yan Imperial Calendar, twentieth day of the third month of yuanchun.

It was the fifth day since Crown Prince Xiao Xuan returned from the Heavenly Realm.

The citizens of Huadu noticed that the Crown Prince had changed.

He had not become worse; he had become busier.

Previously, he would come out every day to walk around, chat with the commoners, and ask how their lives were going.

Now, he would not even step out the door, spending his entire day inside the Crown Princes Mansion holding meetings with Zhang Liang, Strategist Guo Jia, and Strategist Jia Xu.

They met from morning until night, and from night until morning.

The commoners did not know what had happened, but they knew that the Crown Prince was busy with important matters.

In the basement of the Crown Princes Mansion.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan sat in the main seat, a list spread out before him.

There was only one name on the list—Shen Gongbao.

"Master Jiang," he began, "what kind of person is Shen Gongbao, exactly?"

Jiang Ziya fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Highness, Shen Gongbao is my Junior Brother."

"We studied under the same Master, descended the mountain together, and served enlightened rulers together."

"He served King Zhou of Shang, while I served the Martial King."

"He lost, and I won."

"His name was not on the investiture of the gods, and he escaped."

"For thirty thousand years, he has been on the run."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan asked, "Where is he?"

Jiang Ziya shook his head, "I do not know."

"But he knows of Your Highness."

"He knows that the heavenly emperor seal has appeared, and he knows that Your Highness has become the successor of the Heavenly Emperor."

"He will come to find Your Highness."

Strategist Guo Jia frowned, "What is he coming to find Your Highness for?"

Jiang Ziya said, "To seize the heavenly emperor seal."

"The heavenly emperor seal is a relic of the Heavenly Emperor; whoever obtains it becomes the Heavenly Emperor."

"Shen Gongbao has waited thirty thousand years just for this day."

Silence filled the hall.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the sky outside.

The sun was shining brightly, and there was not a cloud in the sky.

But he knew that a storm was approaching.

"Pass down the order," he said, turning around, "from today, Great Hua is in a state of combat readiness."

"All troops are to stand by at all times."

Zhang Liang bowed, "Yes!"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at Zhao Gao again, "Zhao Gao, have the Xuanying Guard do everything in their power to track down the whereabouts of Shen Gongbao."

"I want to see him alive or see his corpse."

Zhao Gao bowed, "Yes!"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan finally looked at Jiang Ziya, "Master Jiang, when do you think Shen Gongbao will come?"

Jiang Ziya thought for a moment, "At the fastest, one month; at the slowest, three months."

"He will not wait too long, because the longer he waits, the higher Your Highness's cultivation will become."

"He will not be able to defeat you."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded and said nothing more.

One month later.

Great Yan Imperial Calendar, twentieth day of the fourth month.

Spring in Huadu had arrived unusually early, and peach blossoms were in full bloom across the city.

The commoners were busy enjoying the flowers, the officials were busy with government affairs, and everything was as usual.

But Crown Prince Xiao Xuan knew that Shen Gongbao had arrived.

That night, the moon was full.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan stood on the wall of the Imperial Palace, gazing at the moon in the sky.

Suddenly, a black shadow streaked across the horizon and landed on the wall.

The figure was dressed in a black Daoist robe, with a thin face, three long whiskers, and eyes as deep as an abyss.

It was Shen Gongbao.

He looked at Crown Prince Xiao Xuan and suddenly smiled, "Nephew, long time no see."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at him, "Who are you calling nephew?"

Shen Gongbao said, "Your Master is Jiang Ziya, and I am Jiang Ziya's Junior Brother."

"If you are not my nephew, what are you?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan did not answer.

He gripped the zhutian sword tightly.

Shen Gongbao raised his hand, "Don't be hasty. I am not here to fight. I am here to negotiate."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan asked, "What terms?"

Shen Gongbao said, "Give the heavenly emperor seal to me. I will help you guard Great Hua. I guarantee ten thousand years of peace for Great Hua."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan smiled, "Why should I trust you?"

Shen Gongbao said, "Because I have no other choice. I have waited thirty thousand years, and I cannot wait any longer."

"I want to return to the Heavenly Realm and become the Heavenly Emperor."

"You give me the heavenly emperor seal, and I will help you guard Great Hua. We get what we need."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Then he spoke, "Shen Gongbao, do you know why I have been able to make it this far?"

Shen Gongbao was taken aback.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan continued, "Because I have never relied on others. I rely on myself."

"It is the commoners of Great Hua, and the brothers who have followed me through life and death."

"What kind of thing do you think you are? You dare to negotiate with me?"

He drew the zhutian sword, and the heavenly emperor seal glowed at his waist.

A brilliant golden light erupted, illuminating the entire wall.

Shen Gongbao's expression changed.

He had not expected Crown Prince Xiao Xuan to be so direct.

"You—" Just as he began to speak, General Xiang Yu had already killed his way over from the side.

The tiger-headed coiling dragon halberd swept across, and Shen Gongbao dodged to the side, striking a palm toward General Xiang Yu's chest.

General Xiang Yu did not dodge; he took the blow head-on, retreated five steps, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

But he did not fall.

General Li Yuanba rushed up from the other side, smashing his twin hammers toward Shen Gongbao's head.

Shen Gongbao dodged again, but this time, he could not dodge General Zhao Yun's spear.

The Dragon-Gall Silver Spear thrust from behind, aiming straight for his heart.

Shen Gongbao dodged with all his might, but the tip of the spear grazed his shoulder, tearing away a chunk of flesh.

He was injured. For the first time in thirty thousand years, he was injured.

He looked at Crown Prince Xiao Xuan, his eyes full of anger and unwillingness.

"You—you were prepared?"

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded, "Yes. I have been waiting for you for a month."

Shen Gongbao's face turned livid.

He knew he had been tricked.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan had deliberately leaked the news to make him think he had a chance.

In reality, Crown Prince Xiao Xuan had already set a trap.

"Good, good, good."

He said the word "good" three times, then turned and ran.

He transformed into a streak of black light and vanished into the horizon.

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan did not pursue.

He stood there, watching the black light disappear, and remained silent for a long time.

"Your Highness," Jiang Ziya walked to his side, "he has escaped."

Crown Prince Xiao Xuan nodded, "I know. But next time, he will not be able to run."