But obviously, you could go anywhere to reason, but it was useless to argue with these soldiers.
These soldiers excitedly took Chen Xiaobei to the Crown Prince's mansion.
At the Crown Prince's mansion, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was thrilled to hear that someone had answered the proclamation and immediately ordered preparations to formally receive him in the reception hall.
However, when he saw the soldiers bringing Chen Xiaobei in, he was stunned.
Chen Xiaobei smiled, cupped his fists towards Xiao Jingyun, and said without haste, without humility or arrogance, "Chen Xiaobei greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand, "Brother Xiaobei, what is this all about?"
"If you wanted to see me, you could have just come," Xiao Jingyun said, looking at the imperial proclamation in Chen Xiaobei's hand.
Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly and handed the imperial proclamation forward.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I am here to answer the imperial proclamation. I have a way to help you break that evil art."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyun, with surprise in his eyes, re-examined Chen Xiaobei. "Brother Xiaobei, this is no laughing matter. As they say, a king's word is his bond."
"I know. If I fail, you can punish me however you see fit," Chen Xiaobei said lightly, yet with a hint of determination.
Seeing how casually he spoke, Xiao Jingyun had no choice but to nod. He then said to Zhou Quan beside him, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and serve tea!"
After drinking a few sips of tea, the atmosphere became a little more relaxed. Xiao Jingyun probed again, "Brother Xiaobei, I never thought you knew magic!"
"Your Highness, Qing Niu Mountain is a place of spiritual essence, where enlightened individuals often explore. While guiding them, I've occasionally learned a thing or two."
Chen Xiaobei's explanation was reasonable. After all, when Xiao Jingyun had met him, he was already the village chief of Hetou Village and had accompanied the Crown Prince on expeditions.
Xiao Jingyun, with some curiosity, pressed further.
"I wonder what method Brother Xiaobei can use to resolve this evil art!"
Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly, "Your Highness, I will set up a Liangyi Silin Bagua Formation."
Chen Xiaobei had already decided before coming that he had to give it an imposing name, one that would sound powerful at first hearing, hence this name.
Indeed, upon hearing it, Xiao Jingyun's eyes immediately flashed with admiration. He asked with longing, "Brother Xiaobei, can you tell me how to set up this Liangyi Silin Bagua Formation?"
"Your Highness, I will set up altars at the four gates of east, south, west, and north, with the four divine beasts—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—to guard them. Within the city, I will also construct an Yin-Yang Two Extremes formation."
"Furthermore, outside the moat, I will set up a massive Bagua formation. The Liangyi Silin Bagua and the three major formations will be activated simultaneously, gathering the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. It will take a full day and night to break this evil art."
Chen Xiaobei's serious-faced fabrication had indeed fooled Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun.
He slammed the table and repeatedly praised, "Ah, that's wonderful! Tell me, Brother Xiaobei, what is needed for this Liangyi Silin Bagua Formation? I will immediately order people to prepare it."
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, took out the drawing he had prepared earlier, which was actually a topographic map of Wannian City, and drew thirteen circles on it.
"Your Highness, these are the locations of thirteen altars. The one outside the west gate is already there. You only need to build altars in the other twelve places. By the way, they should be exactly the same as the altar outside the west gate."
Xiao Jingyun took the paper and looked at it. Everything appeared to be handled with utmost care. He then handed the drawing to Zhou Quan. "Follow the markings made by Brother Xiaobei and build the altars as quickly as possible."
Zhou Quan took it and looked, "Your Highness, it will take at least three days to complete the construction."
Xiao Jingyun's gaze turned inquiringly towards Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Three days it is. I also need to search for the Four Divine Beasts. Then, we will activate the formation precisely three days from now."
After discussing this, Xiao Jingyun changed the subject and looked at Chen Xiaobei. "Brother Xiaobei, as long as you break this evil art, I will not only reward you with the bounty mentioned on the proclamation, but I will also grant you an official position."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei repeatedly waved his hands. "Your Highness, I am not setting up the formation for rewards. I merely want to help you, to prevent the people in the city from being anxious and fearful. Additionally, if I can break this evil art, I wish to humbly request Your Highness's leniency and release Miss Liu Rumei."
Chen Xiaobei's words were subtle. Asking for Liu Rumei's release was essentially asking for Liu Xiangnan. However, his explanation seemed more reasonable, given his close relationship with Liu Rumei.
Xiao Jingyun looked at Chen Xiaobei and smiled faintly. "Brother Xiaobei, you're really going all out for a beauty."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei suddenly felt a trace of disgust towards Xiao Jingyun.
He then thought that if he were in Xiao Jingyun's position, he might see it the same way. If it weren't for Liu Rumei's beauty, would he try so hard?
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei smiled and cupped his fists to Xiao Jingyun. "I beg Your Highness to grant my request."
"Alright, Brother Xiaobei. As long as you can break this evil art, I will agree to any conditions."
Chen Xiaobei felt a sense of sorrow after hearing these words.
Alas, they were not on the same path. He had hoped to appeal to the Crown Prince based on consideration and emotion. But in Xiao Jingyun's eyes, it was all a transaction. As long as he could help Xiao Jingyun, he would be rewarded; conversely, if he failed, he couldn't blame Xiao Jingyun for being heartless.
Chen Xiaobei got up to leave.
After he left, Zhou Quan couldn't help but ask Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, what if the Emperor doesn't agree to release the Liu family?"
"Alas, as long as the evil art is broken, everything else can be discussed. If my father doesn't agree, then I will reward Chen Xiaobei with several beauties," Xiao Jingyun replied.
Chen Xiaobei returned to the inn and recounted the events to everyone. They all appeared very excited.
As long as the altars were built, the Four Divine Beasts arrived, and Yang Zhi stopped secretly spreading fish poison, the natural evil art would be broken, and Chen Xiaobei could take the opportunity to rescue Liu Rumei.
The happiest was Huang Ying. "Brother Xiaobei, after we rescue Sister Rumei, let's leave the capital. I feel too suffocated here. It's better to go back to Hetou Village."
Chen Xiaobei looked at her and shook his head slightly. "No, rescuing Liu Rumei is not our most important objective. Our most important task is to help Little Sister Yue clear her father's name, isn't it?"
Huang Ying nodded repeatedly and smiled. "Look at me, I was so focused on going back to Hetou Village that I forgot about this major matter."
Although she said so, Huang Ying's resolve deepened in her heart. Let Prime Minister Fang Zheng stay with the Princess for a few more days. This matter would be kept in her heart for now.