Chapter 1816 - 1802

The Prince’s expression slightly softened compared to before. He pressed his lips together lightly and listened to the Old Gang Leader continue speaking.

"Prince, if I hadn’t investigated and tested Chu Ge, how could I possibly tell him the way to return? The circumstances of that year are vividly imprinted in my mind, as my family were also victims of that year’s disaster. How could I possibly be his helper or aid in his wrongdoing?"

The Old Gang Leader said with heartfelt sincerity.

The Prince felt the Old Gang Leader’s words made sense, but he dared not guarantee that everything said by the Old Gang Leader was true, leaving him somewhat conflicted in his heart.

He remained silent for quite a while, and the Old Gang Leader speculated in his heart whether the Prince was still worried about something.

After a moment, he spoke again, "If the Prince doesn’t believe it, why not find an opportunity to test him?"

The Prince frowned and looked at him, his eyes flickering with contemplation.

He pondered for a moment, then gently shook his head, "Whether he and Wei Yongxiang are accomplices or not, I cannot let him, nor can I let you, get any closer to Gourd Island!"

The tragic scenes of that year were truly shocking, and they are still vivid in his mind.

The Old Gang Leader saw he did not heed his advice and couldn’t help but shake his head, "But do you even know how to handle the hidden dangers left behind when Wei Yongxiang left that year?"

"Hidden dangers?" The Prince frowned at him, "What hidden dangers?"

"Why was there a disaster that year? Why is the Gourd Island barren? Do you truly believe it was caused by the Volcano? The temperature there is exceptionally high, haven’t you considered the reason?"

The Old Gang Leader questioned him aggressively.

The Prince said nothing; he hadn’t thought of this point. He sighed lightly and looked up at him, "Then what should be done next? Surely you can’t allow the tragedy of that year to replay?"

"How do you know it would certainly be a tragedy?" The Old Gang Leader countered, "These abnormal phenomena have never occurred elsewhere, only near Gourd Island. Think about it, why do the fishermen here have to go so far out to fish? Why is the surrounding water black?"

At the last, the Old Gang Leader got somewhat excited. He had never spoken with the Prince so sincerely like today. He looked deeply at the Prince and said, "You and I have fought on court for so many years. Although most of it was due to differing political views, can we truly say we’ve had any deep or shallow personal grudges privately?"

"This has nothing to do with us!"

"Nothing to do? Do you truly dare say that?" The Old Gang Leader tilted his head and glared at the Prince, snorted softly, "Who just went out? Is it your Princess Consort? A woman who can freely enter and leave the military camp? That alone has violated military discipline."

"Since when did Gourd Island become a Forbidden Land? You won’t let us go to the island, so you fabricate a reason to arrest us. I know what you’re thinking; you’re planning for us to escape, so you can bring us back and then use the excuse of desertion to arrest us!"

The Old Gang Leader sneered, "Prince, forgive my rude words, but you and I have fought for so many years. I understand your character perfectly clear; I can guess your tactics! In truth, you’re still bothered by Feng Luo embarrassing you in front of so many people before, and now you’re trying to take advantage of this opportunity to settle the score!"

"Huang Gang Leader!" The Prince was completely furious. His face turned ashen as he looked at him, "The matter regarding Feng Luo is different! And why I’ve arrested you and Chu Ge, I’ve already explained to you! Don’t use fallacious arguments here, confusing the truth!"

"Oh, really?" The Old Gang Leader retorted, sneering as he looked at the Prince. "If what you say is true, and you simply don’t want us to go to Gourd Island, so you arrested us, then why is there poison in the food we were given?"

The Prince looked at him in shock, "What did you say?"

Poison? How is that possible? How could he possibly poison them? "I have never made such a decision!"

"Whether or not you’ve made that decision, the food was ultimately eaten by us."

"You!" The Prince looked at him in shock, "Since you knew there was poison, why did you eat it? Since you ate poisonous food, how are you standing here unharmed?"

Now the Prince was confused, and suddenly he thought of something, "Then Chu Ge he..."

"Chu Ge is fine, and I suspect he doesn’t know there was poison in the food today. If he knew, he would have advised me not to eat it."

"How could you not die from poisoning?"

The Prince was even more confused, "Oh no, that’s absolutely not what I meant. I will assign someone to investigate this matter, but I still have some doubts."

The Old Gang Leader smiled faintly, "Prince, if the poison wasn’t from you, then you should be careful. Someone here in the military camp wants Chu Ge and me dead. As for the purpose, I think you should understand without me saying it."

"Impossible!" The Prince said firmly, "Last time, I already taught them a lesson. I know the soldiers I’ve brought, and if they dare commit such acts, they’re seeking their own deaths!"

"If it’s not about our personal animosity, then perhaps it’s related to Gourd Island."

The Old Gang Leader said slowly, "Chu Ge said he’s not the only one who came to us; there are others."

"Others?" The Prince was shocked, "Who are they? Why are they here?"

"I don’t know why they’re here, but whether they are targeting the Time-Space Gate can be set aside; I am sure they are after Chu Ge!"

"Chu Ge?"

The Prince was even more puzzled.

"They want Chu Ge dead, thwarting his attempts to reach Gourd Island time and again. Could it not prove that Chu Ge actually has the ability to block the power when the Time-Space Gate opens?"

The Old Gang Leader sincerely added, "And I can guarantee Chu Ge has this capability; he can control that force and won’t bring disaster!"

"This is not a minor matter; you can’t joke with the lives of millions of people!" The Prince exclaimed.

"You’re too conservative! Even the Emperor has decided to take a risk and try, yet you’re acting like a coward afraid to attempt!" The Old Gang Leader, furious with the Prince, shook all over, "I’ve truly misjudged you! To have contended with a coward for so many years! Utterly disgraceful!"

"What did you say? The Emperor agreed too?" The Prince looked at the Old Gang Leader in shock, "This is impossible! The last person to agree to such matters should be the Emperor!"

"You’ve overthought, the Emperor has indeed decided to take the risk because he knows if the Time-Space Gate remains, it will lead to greater disasters in the future."

The Old Gang Leader pulled out a gold medal from his bosom, "The Emperor’s gold medal is here, don’t you believe?"

The Prince pressed his lips tightly, saying nothing.

"Remember the saying? Those who gain control of the Mad Dragon can secure the world!"