In the royal city, the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Fire pressed Bai Xi and stepped out of the city, proceeding with great caution. Elder Yun and others followed closely. It would not be easy for Lu Fan and his group to escape today, as they intended to use Lu Fan to kill Bai Xi, but Lu Fan and his group could not simply flee. Otherwise, the Eighth Prince would not blame them.
"Everyone retreat, do not leave the royal city!" Bai Xi said coldly, "If anything happens to me, you cannot bear the responsibility."
Elder Yun paused slightly. He had not expected Bai Xi to speak in such a manner.
"Did you hear that? Your young master said not to approach carelessly, or you will be courting death." Lu Fan sneered, looking at the people of the royal city, feeling even more triumphant. The people of the royal city frowned instantly and could only stop at the city gates.
"Young Master, we must protect your safety and absolutely cannot allow them to harm you," An Ying said, preparing to leave the royal city and pursue Lu Fan and his group.
"Are you not even listening to my words?" Bai Xi's expression was indifferent. "Or do you wish to put me to death?"
"Your subordinate would not dare!" An Ying quickly clasped his fists, his expression flustered. He had not expected Bai Xi to speak in such a way, leaving him almost at a loss for how to respond.
"Since you dare not, then do not leave the royal city. Otherwise, when my father returns, I will surely have him punish you!" Bai Xi's expression was cold. An Ying and the others dared not act rashly and could only temporarily remain within the royal city.
"Elder Yun, have you noticed that the Young Master seems a bit different today?" An Ying said. "Could it be that everything the Young Master has done these past few days was an act?"
"He acted quite profoundly," Elder Yun narrowed his eyes. "I truly did not expect our Young Master to be able to maintain this pretense for so long."
"So, it really was an act?" An Ying's expression shifted. He knew very well that Bai Xi had had mental issues since childhood. If it was all an act, it was truly chilling to contemplate.
"The Eldest Young Master, Bai Hu, is no easy opponent!" Elder Yun stated directly. "If this young master had not feigned foolishness, he would not have survived this long. However, now that he has revealed himself, he still won't survive."
"So, Elder Yun has always been the Eldest Young Master's man?" An Ying narrowed his eyes. "Not loyal to the Eighth Prince?"
"You speak correctly. I have been the Eldest Young Master's man for twenty years." Elder Yun narrowed his eyes. "Now that you know all this, are you planning to report me?"
"Your subordinate would not dare!" An Ying quickly clasped his fists. "Although the Shadow Guards are loyal to the Eighth Prince, being loyal to the Eldest Young Master is equivalent to being loyal to the Eighth Prince."
"You certainly know how to speak!" Elder Yun nodded slightly. "If the Young Master meets an untimely end this time, you will surely earn great merit in the eyes of the Eldest Young Master."
"Thank you, Elder Yun!" An Ying quickly clasped his fists. Within the Eighth Prince's mansion, they were all pawns. It was natural to choose a better future for oneself.
A short while later, Lu Fan and his group arrived at a forest. Bai Xi smiled and said, "You are safe now. Should you not release me?"
"By rights, I should release you. However, I see that the people from the royal city may not be entirely sincere towards you," Lu Fan said. "It's truly not easy to be the Young Master of the Prince's mansion!"
"Indeed!" Bai Xi nodded slightly. "But what can be done about it? Regardless, I am the Young Master of the Prince's mansion, and they cannot control me."
"Do not be too overconfident," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "If they truly intend to use a borrowed knife to kill, you might not even have a chance to survive."
"Thank you for your reminder. However, as the Young Master of the Prince's mansion, if I lacked this foundation, how could I have survived until now?" Bai Xi smiled faintly. Lu Fan was slightly surprised. They had thought Bai Xi would be fearful, but it seemed he had been overthinking. Judging by Bai Xi's current demeanor, he did not seem like a fool at all, but rather someone who had planned ahead.
"It seems I was overthinking all of this," Lu Fan nodded slightly. "However, no matter what, I must thank the Young Master. If not for you, we probably wouldn't have been able to get out!"
"No need for thanks. You captured me, and using me as a bargaining chip is only natural!" Bai Xi waved his hand and prepared to leave. However, at that very moment, a powerful aura surged forth throughout the entire forest, carrying with it an intent to kill. Around the forest, the area was filled with Shadow Guards, exuding an imposing aura.
"How dare you disregard my words?" Bai Xi's expression was icy as he looked at everyone, his gaze carrying a hint of killing intent. Seeing the scene before them, the many black-clothed men's expressions flickered. They had received orders from the captain of the Shadow Guards and could only leave the royal city without any delay.
"Young Master, please do not misunderstand. I am here to save you," An Ying appeared, smiling. "These people are audacious enough to abduct the Young Master. The Shadow Guards will never let them go easily."
"Hmph, I see you came prepared. Your target is not them, is it!" Bai Xi's expression was cold. "Could it be that you are also my elder brother's man?"
"The Young Master is indeed astute. It seems the Young Master was truly acting. Your words were not this sharp before," An Ying smiled.
And at that very moment, Elder Yun also suddenly appeared, narrowing his eyes. "Young Master, now that it has come to this, we will no longer deceive you. If you had continued to feign foolishness for your entire life, the Eldest Young Master would not have troubled you. Unfortunately, the intelligence you are displaying now does not seem like that of a fool."
"So my elder brother knew you were observing me in secret?" Bai Xi sneered. "And wanted to take my life at any moment?"
"Please forgive us, Young Master. The royal family is inherently heartless, and we are merely carrying out orders. It is only regrettable that the Young Master was too naive and did not understand the ways of the world," Elder Yun smiled faintly.
"These matters are the business of your Eighth Prince's mansion and have nothing to do with us, right?" Lu Fan said. "If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now, so as not to disturb you!"
As Lu Fan was leading the Heavenly Fire Pavilion members away, the Shadow Guard squad stopped them. "You heard everything we discussed, so how can we let you leave? Today, we must deal with you and the Young Master."
Frowning slightly, Lu Fan's expression instantly turned grim. "You have quite a bold tone. Are you relying on just a few of you?"
"Young man, do not speak so presumptuously!" Elder Yun smiled. "The strength of the Shadow Guards is formidable; they are not something you can deal with."
Facing these words, Lu Fan was unconcerned. "You want to deal with the Young Master and also trouble us. I doubt you can do it."
"Whether I can do it or not is not for you to decide!" Elder Yun's aura suddenly erupted.