44: Chapter 44 Fourth Life, All-in Failure? Watch Me Turn the Tide (Part 21)

After receiving the order, Wang Shi demonstrated astonishing efficiency.

In just three days, the initial framework of the Yanling Guard was established and rapidly expanded.

He used dozens of eunuchs who had been tested over many years and possessed absolutely clean backgrounds, along with the old stewards of the Third Prince's mansion, as the core team.

He also selected hundreds of mansion guards who had proven their loyalty during this turmoil and had no complicated family backgrounds to serve as the backbone.

Following that, he quickly integrated the scattered intelligence networks that had been set up previously.

The black uniforms and exclusive waist tokens for the Yanling Guard were also rushed out overnight.

When these silent and elite figures began to appear in the streets and alleys of Tianhuang City, and around the residences of officials who were still watching from the sidelines or even secretly resisting, an unprecedented chilling atmosphere swept across the entire Huangyan Prefecture, and the effect was immediate.

Those who were still operating in the shadows, attempting to muddle through, were captured one after another under the pervasive investigation and ruthless arrests of the Yanling Guard.

Those who sought to intercede disappeared, and the procedural delays vanished completely.

The imperial prison, temporarily converted from the mansion dungeon by the Yanling Guard, was soon filled to capacity.

Their interrogation efficiency was so high that even the veteran officials who had worked in the Ministry of Justice for many years were terrified by it.

With the full supervision of the Yanling Guard, the administrative decrees of Xiao Heng began to be issued and executed without obstruction.

The entire Huangyan Prefecture fell completely silent under the sweep of this black storm.

The majesty of Xiao Heng, accompanied by the fierce reputation of the Yanling Guard, climbed to an unprecedented peak.

On the eighty-seventh day of Old Prince Xiao Zhan's seclusion, there were still three days left until the originally scheduled three-month period.

The stone door of the secret chamber deep within the mansion rumbled open, and a pillar of silver blood energy, more condensed and majestic than it had been two months ago, shot up into the sky.

A powerful life force field permeated the surroundings, and even the plants and trees within the mansion seemed to rejuvenate with new vitality.

Old Prince Xiao Zhan had successfully stabilized his realm, completed his first blood exchange, and increased his lifespan by another sixty years.

He had come out of seclusion early.

After Xiao Zhan emerged, he did not immediately summon the princes and officials for a meeting, but instead returned to his own sleeping quarters first.

During his seclusion, he had sensed the fleeting fluctuation of a Silver Marrow Realm battle within the mansion half a month ago.

However, as it was a critical period for his blood exchange and the fluctuation vanished in an instant, he suppressed his doubts and continued his seclusion.

At this moment, he needed to first clarify exactly what had happened during the two-plus months of his seclusion.

"Shadow." He called out faintly to the empty room.

A blurred black shadow seemed to seep out from the wall, kneeling silently on the ground.

"Speak." Xiao Zhan closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, slowly digesting the brand-new power gained after the blood exchange.

The black shadow's voice was dry and emotionless, detailing everything that had happened over the past two and a half months, leaving nothing out.

From the failure and capture of Second Prince Xiao Ze and the garrison general Lin Lantian, to First Prince Xiao Jing's admission of defeat and decision to go to the Demon-Suppressing Great Wall.

Then to Xiao Heng's encounter with obstacles during the city-wide purge, Wang Shi's suggestion to establish the Yanling Guard, and the use of thunderous means to cleanse the entire prefecture...

Xiao Zhan listened quietly, his face devoid of any expression.

It was not until he heard that Second Prince Xiao Ze had been stripped of his cultivation and imprisoned for life that the hand he had resting on his knee curled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

A flash of complex and indescribable pain passed through his eyes, but more than that, it was a cold, bone-chilling disappointment.

When he heard of First Prince Xiao Jing's choice, that trace of pain slowly dissipated, turning into a barely audible sigh, and a faint sense of gratification even appeared in the depths of his eyes.

"Summon Xiao Jing to see me."

A moment later, Xiao Jing, dressed in simple attire and having already prepared for the long journey, stepped into the sleeping quarters and bowed respectfully to Xiao Zhan:

"Your son pays respects to Father, and congratulates Father on successfully breaking through the realm."

Xiao Zhan looked at his eldest son, whose temperament had completely transformed, and his gaze softened slightly: "Rise, Jing'er. I have already learned of your choice.

Very good, this is the mettle that a son of mine, Xiao Zhan, should have.

Going to the Great Wall is not necessarily a bad thing; it may be a broader world with a vast sky.

There is no need to rush your departure. Upon coming out of seclusion this time, I will also be heading to the Great Wall with your Fourth Ancestor.

At that time, perhaps we, father and son, can fight side by side on the Great Wall."

Xiao Jing's body trembled. He looked up at his father, his eyes filled with excitement and realization, and he bowed deeply once more:

"Your son will strictly obey Father's orders! I will certainly not fail Father's expectations, nor will I fail the name of the Xiao family!"

"Go, prepare well."

After sending Xiao Jing away, Xiao Zhan was silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "Summon Xiao Heng."

When Xiao Heng stepped into the sleeping quarters, bowing, Xiao Zhan scrutinized this third son of his—who had once been unremarkable but now showed sharp edges—and spoke with a complex expression:

"You have done well, far better than I imagined.

It seems that in the past, I was the one who misjudged you."

Xiao Heng bowed his head, saying respectfully: "It is all thanks to Father's cultivation and the full support of the Ancestor."

"Three days from now is the official succession ceremony.

This Tianhuang Princes Mansion, this Huangyan Prefecture, will have to be carried on your shoulders from now on."

Xiao Zhan's tone was calm, yet his words carried a burden that felt as heavy as a thousand jun.

"Work hard, do not let down the thousand-year foundation of our Tianhuang Princes Mansion, and even more so, do not let down... those who paid the price for you."

Immediately, he changed the subject, his tone revealing no hint of joy or anger: "That eunuch by your side, Wang Shi, is truly a talent.

The Yanling Guard is a good idea."

Xiao Heng's heart tightened slightly, and he replied with his head lowered: "Grand Attendant Wang is indeed my right-hand man, and he is loyal and devoted."

Xiao Zhan gave a noncommittal "Hmm" and waved his hand: "Go and prepare. Three days from now will be your enthronement ceremony.

Remember, a ruler must have the heart of a ruler."

Shortly after Xiao Heng withdrew, a eunuch entered trembling to report: The imprisoned Second Prince Xiao Ze had heard that the Old Prince had come out of seclusion and was crying frantically, demanding to see his father one last time.

Upon hearing this, the gentleness that had arisen because of Xiao Jing vanished from Xiao Zhan's face, leaving only an ice-cold indifference.

He closed his eyes, as if to hide the annoyance and disappointment churning in their depths.

He waved his hand, his voice devoid of any ripples: "A disgraceful waste, do not see him."

The eunuch was terrified and hurriedly bowed and retreated.

The sleeping quarters returned to a deathly silence.

Xiao Zhan sat alone, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his sandalwood chair.

Spread out before him were the detailed dossiers submitted by his secret guards regarding all the measures Wang Shi had taken after establishing the Yanling Guard. The further he read, the gloomier his expression became.

"Good methods, fast actions, and a ruthless heart..."

He muttered to himself, cold light flashing in his eyes, "A eunuch, without roots or foundation, was actually able to borrow power to rise, and in just a few days, grasp such authority.

To stir up the entire Huangyan Prefecture into such a state of panic—this child's scheming, methods, and boldness are all top-tier.

As for Heng'er, it currently seems he is indeed loyal and devoted..."

"However," his fingers tapping the armrest stopped abruptly, "he is too unrestrained, obsessed with power, and does not know how to exercise restraint.

A lethal weapon like the Yanling Guard, in time, might become an uncontrollable and arrogant disaster.

It would be better to change someone else.

Heng'er relies on him and trusts him now, and may even... be influenced or have his judgment swayed by him.

This is absolutely not the way of a ruler. A eunuch can be a wise assistant, but he must never be allowed to sway his master.

Moreover, he caused the Second Prince to end up in such a state, and caused the Lin family..."

He thought of his second son who had been stripped of his cultivation, and of Noble Consort Lin, who must be heartbroken and living in seclusion deep in the palace at this moment.

A trace of complex guilt and irritation welled up in his heart for the woman who had once been his favorite and had borne him his second son.

"Forget it."