Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The news of Murong Han's personal arrival at Hanyuan spread like wildfire, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, its ripples quickly spreading in all directions.

Before the Northern Yan delegation had even left, new waves were already approaching.

That afternoon, Xiao Chen was inspecting the quenching process of a new batch of steel arrowheads at the Industrial Construction Department when Zhao Tie strode over, his face unusually solemn, even with a hint of surprise.

"Your Highness, urgent report!"

He lowered his voice, almost whispering in Xiao Chen's ear, "Someone has arrived from the capital! It's...it's the Third Prince, Prince Yong, Xiao Jing!"

Xiao Chen paused slightly as he examined the arrowhead in his hand, a cold glint flashing at his fingertips.

"Xiao Jing? He came in person?"

This was completely unexpected.

Given Xiao Jing's current immense power in the capital and his busy power struggle with the Crown Prince's faction, why would he suddenly leave the capital and travel to the cold abyss in the north?

"Absolutely true! A message was sent by owl and carrier pigeon. They left the capital three days ago, traveling light, but accompanied by a hundred elite guards, all of whom are loyalists from the Prince Yong's mansion. Based on the journey, they should arrive no later than tomorrow evening!"

Zhao Tie spoke very quickly, “They used the pretext of ‘inspecting the border on behalf of the emperor and pacifying the vassal kings,’ but they moved in secrecy and did not disturb the local government along the way.”

Inspecting the borders on behalf of Heaven? Appeasing the vassal kings? Xiao Chen's lips curled into a cold smile. This rhetoric was nothing but a lie.

Xiao Jing's departure from the capital at this time was extremely risky. Although the Crown Prince was under house arrest, his power was not yet eliminated; although Yu Qian had retreated to Yangzhou, he still commanded tens of thousands of troops; and the old officials in the court who were loyal to the old emperor had not been completely subdued.

His departure from the center of power at this moment must be for some purpose, and it is no small one!

Almost simultaneously, unusual activity was also reported from the direction of the post station.

The Northern Yan delegation noticeably increased its security measures, and Murong Han canceled his planned visit to the salt fields today, choosing to stay indoors.

Clearly, this Left Wise King was also very well-informed.

Two forces, one overt and one covert, converged on the Cold Abyss almost simultaneously.

Murong Han came for profit, but what about Xiao Jing? Was it for his seventh brother's head, or for the suddenly rising power in the northern border?

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

Zhao Tie's voice interrupted Xiao Chen's thoughts, "Should we... close the city gates and keep him out?" The idea was tempting, but the consequences were serious. Xiao Jing was, after all, a prince and a nominal imperial envoy; openly refusing him entry would be tantamount to treason.

"No."

Xiao Chen lowered the arrowheads, his eyes sharp as knives. "Open the city gates and welcome them with the courtesy due to a prince."

Isn't he supposed to be patrolling the border on behalf of Heaven? Then let him see for himself how well I, Xiao Chen, am guarding this northern frontier for him!

Inform Wang Dashan and Zhang Meng that the city's defenses are relaxed on the outside but tight on the inside.

All new military equipment, especially steel swords and armor, was put into storage and sealed, and was not to be shown to anyone.

Waterwheels, blast furnaces, and other equipment need not be deliberately concealed, but the craftsmen should do what they are supposed to do without any tension.

Murong Han sent someone to inform the Left Wise Prince that the Third Prince of Great Xia was about to arrive, and to avoid any misunderstanding, he requested that the Prince remain at the post station and not move around unnecessarily.

"yes!"

Zhao Tie accepted the order, but then hesitated, saying, "Your Highness, the Third Prince's arrival may not bring a pleasant feast. He might cause trouble in the city, or use some pretext to arrest people..."

"He wouldn't dare."

Xiao Chen said decisively, "Hanyuan is not the capital; this is my territory. His hundred assassins can't cause any trouble. If he's smart, he should know that here, his princely status might not be more useful than a sharp blade. Go and prepare. Also, have the kitchen prepare a 'lavish' banquet."

Zhao Tie understood the meaning of the word "abundant" in Xiao Chen's words and bowed as he withdrew.

Xiao Chen stood alone beside the scorching furnace of the Workshop, the firelight casting flickering shadows on his young yet angular face.

Murong Han had not left when Xiao Jing arrived.

Do these two venomous snakes intend to kill each other first on this land of the Cold Abyss, or do they intend to join forces to deal with their master?

"You've come at the perfect time."

He muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tracing the cold hilt of the knife at his waist, "So I don't have to go looking for them one by one."

The following evening, just as Night Owl's intelligence had predicted, a disheveled yet still regal procession appeared outside the south gate of Cold Abyss City.

The number of people was less than two hundred. Although the guards were elite, their presence seemed low-key and even somewhat rushed compared to Murong Han's entourage.

At the front of the procession, a bright yellow dragon flag fluttered weakly in the evening breeze.

Xiao Chen led the civil and military officials of Han Yuan to greet them according to protocol.

He deliberately changed into a more formal princely robe, his expression calm and revealing no emotion.

The convoy stopped, and amidst the guards, the door of a carriage much simpler than Murong Han's opened, and a person stepped out, bowing low.

The newcomer was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. His face resembled Xiao Chen's somewhat, but he appeared more effeminate and pale, with slightly heavy eye bags. His gaze carried a weariness from years of scheming and a sharp scrutinizing quality.

He was dressed in a dark purple four-clawed python robe and wore a golden crown; he was none other than the Third Prince, Prince Yong, Xiao Jing.

His gaze immediately bypassed the welcoming crowd and landed on Xiao Chen.

The two brothers' eyes met in mid-air, devoid of any warmth, only cold scrutiny and deep-seated hostility.

"Your subject, Xiao Chen, respectfully welcomes my third imperial brother." Xiao Chen bowed respectfully, his voice calm and even.

Xiao Jing's face instantly broke into a smile. He quickly took a few steps and offered a helping hand: "Seventh Brother, please rise! We are brothers, there's no need for such formalities!"

"As your elder brother, I have been ordered by our father to patrol the border and comfort the soldiers. I have heard that my seventh brother has repeatedly performed outstanding deeds in the northern frontier and governed Hanyuan with great order. I am very pleased and have come to visit you!"

His tone was warm and friendly, as if they were truly brothers.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. It is my duty to guard the border, and I dare not claim credit. Your Majesty must be tired from your journey; please come into the city to rest." Xiao Chen stepped aside to offer himself, his manners impeccable, yet revealing a sense of distance.

"Alright, alright, let's go into town!"

Xiao Jing smiled, but his gaze seemed to casually sweep over the towering city walls of Hanyuan, the neat military formations, and the distant, faintly visible waterwheels and workshop chimneys. A trace of fear and greed flashed quickly in the depths of his pupils.

The entry ceremony was simple and quick.

Xiao Jing was welcomed into the city lord's mansion, and his accommodation was arranged to be next to the post station where Murong Han was staying, just across the street.

This subtle arrangement caused Xiao Jing to furrow his brow almost imperceptibly.

That night, the city lord's mansion hosted a banquet to "welcome the Third Prince."

The banquet was held in the main hall and was even more grand than when Murong Han was received.

Delicacies from land and sea, fine wines and delicacies, are served in a continuous stream.

Xiao Chen sat in the main seat, Xiao Jing sat in the guest seat of honor, and the civil and military officials of Han Yuan and Murong Han, the Left Wise King of Northern Yan, accompanied them—this was a special invitation from Xiao Chen.

When Murong Han entered the banquet hall, Xiao Jing's smile froze slightly, but quickly returned to normal. He stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "I didn't expect the Left Wise King to be in Hanyuan as well. What a coincidence."

Murong Han, beaming, returned the greeting, saying, "I have long admired the scenery of the northern border of Great Xia and came here specifically to travel and discuss trade between our two countries with the Prince of Jingbei. I never expected to meet His Highness the Third Prince. How fortunate I am!"

The two spoke politely, but their eyes seemed to spark with unspoken tension.

One was a prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, wielding immense power; the other was a powerful king of the Northern Yan Dynasty, dominating a region.

Meeting in this frigid abyss, the undercurrents between them were something everyone present was well aware of.

Xiao Chen seemed oblivious, raising his cup and laughing, "Today, my imperial brother is on a mission to inspect the borders, and the Left Wise King has come from afar to visit us. Our humble abode is honored. Please drink this cup to the brim, and may the Great Xia and the Northern Yan forever cease their wars, and may the border people live in peace and happiness."

"please!"

"please!"

The glasses clinked, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious.

But everyone knew that this was destined to be a "banquet that was anything but pleasant".

Xiao Jing's arrival was like a drop of ice water thrown into boiling oil, instantly making the already delicate situation in Hanyuan unpredictable and volatile.