Chapter 232 - 160: Meeting the Crown Prince of Dayong

Chapter 232: Chapter 160: Meeting the Crown Prince of Dayong

With the token the Crown Prince had left him, Lu Yuan’s journey past the border was completely unimpeded.

「Three days later.」 He arrived outside the Traveling Palace in Youzhou City.

As the imposing procession made its way down the street, many onlookers cast gazes of awe.

Just as they stopped outside the Traveling Palace, a large group of people came forward to greet them, led by an official from the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan, he bowed and said, "Greetings, sir."

They didn’t know Lu Yuan’s name, and since he held no official position, addressing him as "sir" was the safest option.

Lu Yuan spotted Zhao Yu and Zhang Zhe in the crowd.

These men had always followed the Seventh Prince, and now that he had become the Crown Prince, their own statuses had risen accordingly.

However, their standing in the Crown Prince’s eyes was still somewhat less than Lu Yuan’s.

Lu Yuan commanded an army of several hundred thousand elite troops and occupied the buffer zone. It was no exaggeration to say that as such a figure, even the imperial court had to treat him with the utmost care.

This was especially true now that they needed him to wage war against the Northern Barbarians.

Therefore, there were truly few in the Crown Prince’s Mansion who could compare to him in stature.

Lu Yuan nodded and said coolly, "There’s no need for such courtesy."

He then headed inside the Traveling Palace, with the others leading the way.

Zhao Yu, who had once acted so high and mighty before him, now walked subserviently by his side.

The fawning look on his face was on full display.

When they arrived outside the main hall, the Crown Prince had already come out to greet him warmly. With a hearty laugh, he said, "I’m overjoyed to finally meet you in person, sir. Please, come inside and we’ll drink to our heart’s content."

Lu Yuan cupped his fists slightly. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Haha, we’ve been kindred spirits for a long time. There’s no need for such formalities between us." After speaking, the Crown Prince took Lu Yuan by the arm and led him into the hall.

As expected, Lu Yuan was seated in the seat of honor to the left.

Mantuo stood guard behind him, a sight that made many in the hall intensely envious.

After all, having a Divine Origin Realm expert for a bodyguard was a privilege typically reserved only for princes.

Moreover, such experts were typically only responsible for protection and wouldn’t take direct orders from the princes.

This point alone was enough to prove that the Village Chief of the Celestial King Stronghold was no simple man.

Once everyone was seated, the Crown Prince raised his cup. "Today marks my first meeting with you, sir. A long-held wish of mine has finally come true. Let us share a drink to commemorate it."

With that, he raised his cup and downed the wine.

Lu Yuan unhesitatingly drained his cup as well.

’Changing my identity really worked wonders,’ Lu Yuan mused. ’This Crown Prince’s attitude toward me is simply impeccable.’

’I just wonder if he’d cough up blood in shock if he ever found out I’m actually Lu Yuan.’

Then, he raised his own cup. "Your Highness, I’m a straightforward, unrefined man. If you have any orders, please just give the word. The Celestial King Stronghold will obey. Might I ask if there is a particular reason you’ve summoned me today?"

Lu Yuan’s words greatly pleased the Crown Prince.

’I didn’t even have to bring it up, and he’s already asking about it himself.’

’So eager to work for me... This is excellent.’

Therefore, he said at once, "The imperial court is preparing to go to war with the Great Qin next year. The buffer zone is already situated on the Wasteland, so we must begin preparations this year. During this period, the court will transport as much grain and as many elixirs as possible to the Celestial King Stronghold."

"This will be used to enhance the strength of your Village Soldiers. However, when the time comes next year, I will need you, sir, to lead your grand army as the vanguard and launch an attack against the Great Qin."

Lu Yuan nodded. "That can be arranged. As long as Your Highness gives the order, the Celestial King Stronghold can dispatch troops at any time. However, our provisions are indeed rather scarce at the moment. I’m concerned that once the war begins, resupplying will be a challenge. Therefore, I hope you can send as many provisions as possible in the meantime."

"Fodder for the warhorses, in particular, is consumed at an immense rate."

"That’s no problem at all. We have already begun requisitioning provisions from various regions. By next year, we will have enough to supply the Celestial King Stronghold for at least two years. As for elixirs and other materials, we will also send a year’s worth."

"As long as we can win this war against the Great Qin, I will be sure to put in a good word for you with my Father Emperor. Being ennobled as a king or appointed a general will be well within your grasp." The Crown Prince’s words finally set Lu Yuan’s mind at ease.

’I’ll have both grain and elixirs.’

’When the time comes to turn on them, I’ll have nothing to worry about.’

So, he immediately stood up and declared, "Your Highness, rest assured. As long as supplies are plentiful, no matter how many troops the Great Qin sends, I will ensure none of them make it back alive."

Lu Yuan boasted without the slightest hesitation.

’Right now, as long as I keep the Crown Prince happy, the resources of Dayong will continue to flow my way.’

"Haha, of course! With your support," the Crown Prince’s voice filled with joy, "it’s as if I have my own Unparalleled Marquis, just as my Father Emperor did."

After all, he had personally witnessed Lu Yuan’s performance on the battlefield when the Celestial King Stronghold had unified the buffer zone.

Just as they were speaking, Zhao Yu slowly approached. "Your Highness, King Bei You requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s expression darkened.

King Bei You was his father’s younger half-brother and a Prince of Dayong. Exceptionally talented since childhood, he was a master at the Earth Immortal Realm.

Upon coming of age, he was enfeoffed as King Bei You and put in charge of the gateway to the Northern Border.

In fact, this was also why the Dayong imperial family would rather cultivate a force in the buffer zone than empower the Border Army; it was because many General’s Mansions within the Border Army were very close to King Bei You.

Furthermore, when Xiao Heng was sent to oversee the Northern Border, his purpose was not only to sever the meddling reach of the old aristocrats but also to act as a check against King Bei You.

It could be said that this Prince was a figure of whom the Emperor himself was extremely wary.

And while the Prince didn’t dare to openly oppose the Yong Emperor, he was constantly making subtle moves in the shadows.

During the past struggle for succession among the princes, he had constantly sowed discord among them.

He even personally entered the fray to support the Third Prince, who was an adversary of the current Crown Prince.