"Ahem!"
Li Changmin coughed twice, glancing at Su Fan without speaking.
Su Fan, in turn, gave Li Changmin a sideways glance, a warning in his eyes.
Upon seeing Li Changmin's look, they immediately understood that the one in charge now was this young man before them.
"Sir, what crime have we committed? Why are you arresting us?"
Su Fan sneered. These people were still trying to quibble, almost beyond redemption!
"Leaving the camp without authorization during duty, and openly soliciting prostitutes, and you say you haven't committed any offense?"
Su Fan's cold gaze swept over them as he spoke in a stern voice.
Their arrogance instantly deflated. They had hoped to slip through unnoticed, but it seemed that was a futile wish.
"Those who leave the camp without authorization should be caned twenty times. We are willing to accept the punishment!"
One of them stepped forward and said to Su Fan.
Su Fan merely cast a cold glance at the man.
Without a word, he turned and walked away.
This left those in the dungeon uncertain of Su Fan's intentions.
Su Fan's plan was clear.
If these men were easily let off, they would never learn their lesson. They were soldiers with spirit. If you beat them, they might even hold a grudge.
Su Fan intended to wear them down, to let them exhaust themselves before any further action.
"Reporting to Commander! A group of people is approaching the bandit suppression camp from outside!"
Just as Su Fan and his men were leaving, someone came to report.
Su Fan frowned slightly, immediately thinking of Fang Shijie.
Having publicly broken his son's legs, Fang Shijie would certainly not let this matter rest.
"Everyone, maintain vigilance outside the camp. Anyone approaching the bandit suppression camp will be killed!"
Su Fan issued a death order. This sort of situation required a firm hand; otherwise, Su Fan would not be able to establish his authority here.
Fang Shijie arrived outside the bandit suppression camp and saw over thirty fully armed soldiers guarding the entrance, all aiming their weapons at them.
Fang Shijie's brow furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Are you trying to rebel! How dare you lay hands on me!"
Fang Shijie had also brought over a dozen fully armed soldiers with him, and the two sides immediately entered a standoff.
"Rebel? I think it's you, Your Highness, who is trying to rebel?"
Su Fan emerged from the crowd, a cold sneer on his face as he spoke to Fang Shijie.
"Who are you!"
Fang Shijie only recognized Li Changmin and not Su Fan, so he asked in confusion.
"Sent by imperial decree to the bandit suppression camp, the newly appointed commander, Su Fan."
Su Fan said calmly.
"Your Highness brings such a group of fully armed soldiers to my bandit suppression camp, and you accuse us of rebellion?"
Su Fan looked at the soldiers beside Fang Shijie with a cold smile.
"I recall Your Highness does not hold military authority, does he? Are these soldiers your private forces?"
Su Fan directly turned the accusation back on him.
A prince without military authority leading a group of soldiers in armor was indeed irregular. If investigated closely, it could indeed be construed as an intent to rebel.
The Tianlong Dynasty did not prohibit swords, but it strictly forbade the private possession of armor.
Even the equipment Su Fan had bought from the tailor shop earlier consisted only of leather, cloth, and lamellar armor, not full suits of armor, which was a violation of the Tianlong Dynasty's laws.
Fang Shijie's face turned ashen.
He was not afraid of the accusations Su Fan was leveling against him, but his own forces were insufficient, and he would not be able to defeat the opposing side in a fight.
"I am here to see my son. Is that a problem?"
Fang Shijie suppressed his anger and said.
He would see his son first, and then deal with Su Fan.
"Of course, it's not a problem. However, Young Master Fang is a member of the bandit suppression camp and is currently unavailable to see anyone. I'm afraid, Your Highness, you'll have to leave."
How could Su Fan let him see his son? He had broken his legs; if Fang Shijie saw him, he would surely go mad.
"You!"
Fang Shijie was truly at a loss for what to do with Su Fan. He was sharp-tongued, and every excuse he made was so reasonable.
"Your Highness, we won't see you out."
Su Fan waved Fang Shijie away. Before Fang Shijie could even indicate he was leaving, Su Fan bid him farewell.
"Very well! I remember you. You'd best not let me see you in Beiling City again! Hmph!"
Fang Shijie flicked his sleeve and left with a dejected air.
Su Fan's expression immediately turned cold.
It was indeed not easy to oppose a prince.
Chen Fang looked at Fang Shijie, who had left in frustration, and said to Su Fan, "I must leave now. Take care."
Having seen Su Fan establish himself in Beiling City, he intended to depart and report back to Xiao Yan.
"Yes, please give Xiao Yan a message for me when you return."
Su Fan nodded, making no move to detain Chen Fang.
"Alright, what message?"
Chen Fang asked curiously.
"Tell him to curse him a few times for me. What kind of person is he, to send me to this godforsaken place!"
Su Fan was still somewhat displeased that Xiao Yan had used him without a word.
Uh...
Chen Fang didn't know what to say. Only Su Fan dared to curse the Crown Prince.
"Alright, I'm leaving."
Chen Fang nodded and bid farewell to Su Fan.
...
City Lord's Mansion.
Fang Shijie, filled with rage, directly smashed the teacup in his hand.
"Send a pigeon message to Tianlong City and have them investigate this Su Fan's background!"
Fang Shijie believed that ordinary people would not dare to oppose him so brazenly. This Su Fan might have some other identity. To be safe, it was best to investigate Su Fan's background thoroughly first.
"Yes."
His subordinate immediately went to make arrangements.
Fang Shijie fell into thought.
His son was currently in Su Fan's hands. While his safety was not a concern, judging by the outcome of his confrontation with Su Fan today, it was possible that Su Fan might find an excuse to trouble or harm his son. Therefore, he could not afford to completely offend Su Fan for now. He would find an opportunity to rescue his son later. m..oΓg
...
Su Fan instructed Li Changmin to remain vigilant and paid no further attention to the men in the dungeon. He returned to the room arranged for him to sleep, which meant returning to reality.
"You four guard me well. Do not let anyone disturb my sleep. No matter how important the matter, it can wait until I wake up."
Su Fan instructed the four men, Da Jun and the others.
Su Fan had taken in these four with the intention of having them prevent anyone from disturbing him while he slept, so as to avoid any unusual occurrences being discovered.
Back in reality, Su Fan continued his cultivation. His current realm was close to reaching the mid-stage of the Yuheng realm. With a little more effort, it would be achieved within a day or two.
"Su Fan! I've reached the Yaoguang realm!"
Su Yutong suddenly burst into Su Fan's room, embracing him with a look of surprise and planting a kiss on his cheek.
Su Fan was slightly stunned.
(▰˘◡˘▰)
Then, before Su Fan could savor the moment, he suddenly registered what Su Yutong had said.
"What? You've broken through to the Yaoguang realm!"
Su Fan's disbelief was palpable.
How long had it been? Had Su Yutong been fed fertilizer? Her growth was so rapid!
"Mhm!"
Su Yutong nodded proudly.
Su Fan was dumbfounded.
What kind of monsters were the people around him?
Lin Yao, after consuming a pile of pills, had undergone some mutation and become a powerhouse at or above the Tianquan realm. And Su Yutong here had reached the Yaoguang realm so quickly. Give her a little more time, and she might even surpass Su Fan's strength. Wasn't this a bit too monstrous?