Chapter 656: Chapter 656: Just a Substitute

“How dare you attack the Royal Guards! You are seeking your own death!” Tai Pingkang bellowed furiously, but he lacked any aura. His roar only seemed ferocious on the surface but was weak inside.

Shi Hao offered a faint smile, “I’ll give you a chance; send someone to call for reinforcements.”

“Ha, if I want to leave, do you really dare to stop me?” Tai Pingkang said arrogantly.

Shi Hao stretched out his hand, his power coalesced, and turned into a giant cyan hand that instantly seized Tai Pingkang and pulled him back.

This fool had clearly never cultivated properly, and Tai Da obviously didn’t care either.

He’s just a stand-in, after all. Why the need for such a high realm?

Therefore, Tai Pingkang was merely at the Soul Nurturing realm.

Tai Pingkang couldn’t help but widen his eyes in disbelief.

Shi Hao actually dared to make a move on him!

Good heavens, just how audacious was this youngster to offend even him, the Crown Prince?

You’re doomed, youngster. You’re definitely doomed.

“What are you all standing there for? Go back and call for reinforcements! Call people!” Tai Pingkang roared, no longer using “This Prince” but simply “I”, showing extreme frustration and impatience.

The guards hurriedly turned and ran. A serious incident had occurred– the Crown Prince had been taken hostage; this was a scandal of epic proportions.

At this time, the spectators didn’t dare to stick around either.

If they were mistaken as Shi Hao’s accomplices, what would happen to them if they were all rounded up?

The onlookers all left the tavern and lingered at the entrance, not daring to go in.

“Shi Hao, I want to see how you’re going to die!” Tai Pingkang glared at Shi Hao with eyes filled with deep resentment.

This was a tremendous humiliation!

He, a distinguished Prince and the heir to the throne, had been captured within his own Imperial Capital.

It was utterly shameful.

Shi Hao had to die; killing him was the only way to quell his outrage.

Shi Hao, however, was perfectly at ease, even ordering a table full of good dishes, and began to savor them slowly.

This was a delicacy from another celestial body; he wanted to enjoy it thoroughly.

Seeing Shi Hao so composed, everyone was astonished.

How could you be so nonchalant?

That’s the Crown Prince you’ve detained, and yet you can still eat?

How bold your heart must be.

Before long, a large number of Imperial Guards arrived and surrounded the tavern.

And this incident had startled some of the major figures, such as Prime Minister Bao Wensi, Right Minister Shi Le, and Grand Marshal Fu Gaojie, but none of them showed themselves. They watched from the shadows instead.

How could such prominent figures and old foxes not sense anything amiss?

Besides, the Crown Prince was captured, yet the Emperor showed no sign of alarm; wasn’t this strange?

Hence, they chose to watch from the sidelines.

“Shi Hao, release him immediately!” A Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, by the name of Tang Mo, arrived.

There were nine Deputy Commanders in the Imperial Guards, and he was one of them, also the one with the least authority–almost a marginal figure. Even some of the more senior captains didn’t take him seriously.

So, upon learning of the Crown Prince’s capture, he was the first to leap into action, leading his team to the scene.

This was an excellent opportunity to curry favor with the Crown Prince!

See, how promptly I’ve come to the rescue?

After this, not only could he shed the label of being the weakest Deputy Commander, but he might even get promoted to a full Commander!

With this thought in mind, he felt exceedingly pleased with himself and got even more energized.

Shi Hao asked, “Who are you?”

Good question!

Tang Mo mentally remarked. If you didn’t ask, how would I let the Crown Prince know who I am?

“Listen closely!” he shouted loudly, “I am Tang Mo, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards! Bring out the Crown Prince at once and await his disposition!”

Shi Hao couldn’t help but laugh, “A mere Founding King Court and you claim to be a Deputy Commander?”

He had visited the Imperial Palace once before, and naturally knew that all Commanders of the Imperial Guards were of Supplementing Divine Temple Level. Now, suddenly, a Founding King Court appeared, which was clearly suspicious.

“Stop with the nonsense and bring out the Crown Prince!” Tang Mo bellowed.

He had managed to secure the position of Deputy Commander because he bore the surname Mo, but the Mo Family had declined. They could only manage to get him to the position of Deputy Commander, and even then, his authority was minimal, and he was extremely marginalized.

Shi Hao shook his head, “Only you have come here, it seems. You are the only one who hasn’t seen the truth, which means you’re but a minor figure in the Imperial Palace.”

“How audacious!” Tang Mo roared, charging at Shi Hao.

Whoosh, he drew his blade, slashing down at Shi Hao.

Shi Hao extended his hand and pressed down, boom, Tang Mo was forced down heavily onto his knees, creating a hole in the floor.

Tang Mo turned pale; he was actually no match for Shi Hao!

It was all over!

He wasn’t afraid that Shi Hao would kill him; rather, he was concerned that if he couldn’t defeat Shi Hao, then the credit for rescuing the Crown Prince would be snatched away by other Commanders.

“Shi Hao, you are truly committing a heinous crime!” Tai Pingkang bit out angrily, “You’ve taken the Crown Prince hostage and attacked the Imperial Guards. Even if you once saved this Prince, you cannot escape death.”

Eh?

Everyone upon hearing this felt as if their entire worldview was being destroyed.

Shi Hao had saved Tai Pingkang?

But why then did he come here with great hostility, as if intent on dooming Shi Hao to death?

Is this how you repay kindness?

Ungrateful!

If such a person were to become a monarch, what would become of Heavenly Frost Country?

Yet, what could they do about it?

Shi Hao scoffed, “I’ve taken the Crown Prince hostage? Hey, hey, hey, don’t go slandering people without a cause!”

Are you fucking retarded?

“Shi Hao, I am the Crown Prince! I am the Crown Prince!” Tai Pingkang was infuriated. Could this man be blind and mentally challenged not to recognize that he is the reigning Crown Prince? Or has his mind deteriorated to such a degree that he thinks such words could fool others and help him escape disaster?

Shi Hao shook his head, “You? Worthy?”

“Shi Hao, release the Crown Prince at once, otherwise, not only will you not escape punishment, but your entire family will also be executed!” Tang Mo, though kneeling, did not keep quiet.

Moreover, by sharing this adversity with Tai Pingkang, he would henceforth be one of the Crown Prince’s closest confidants.

Therefore, he had to stand out now and maximize his presence as much as possible.

Shi Hao smiled, “Stay calm and don’t be anxious. I think the Emperor’s decree should be arriving.”

No sooner had he spoken than a shrill voice called out, “The Emperor decrees!”

Damn, it really came!

Everyone was startled, hiss, could there be a twist?

Quickly, an eunuch walked in, holding a royal decree.

Whoosh, many people kneeled down.

But there were also those who did not kneel; the hierarchy among martial artists was strict, but it was not so strict as to require kneeling at any given instance.

“A bold and audacious impostor has been masquerading as Our royal son, deceiving many. The Imperial Guards are commanded to seize him immediately!” the eunuch read in a piercing voice.

What does this mean?

Tai Pingkang was utterly confused. He couldn’t have dreamed that he was no longer of any use and that it was time to ‘kill the donkey once it left the millstone.’

But to everyone else, these words were utterly shocking–the statement clearly referred to Tai Pingkang, didn’t it?

Wait a minute!

Did the Emperor mean that this man was a fake Tai Pingkang?