Special Expert of Beauty CEO

”This, you don’t need to worry about. The matter of raiding the bandits is something the Emperor is very concerned with. As long as you agree to go to East State, I have a way to make the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Ninth Prince agree.”

The Fourth Prince spoke with great confidence, causing Qin Tian’s eyes to narrow as he looked at the prince in front of him, thinking, how impressive—he can actually appease the Ice Emperor, the Ninth Prince, and the Crown Prince?

This time returning was primarily for rescuing Qiao Wenxuan and others, and since the Fourth Prince had made a promise, Qin Tian naturally nodded in agreement: ”If His Majesty orders Qin Tian to go to East State to fight the bandits, Qin Tian will not object.”

”Good, then it’s decided.”

The Fourth Prince smiled slightly and said, ”Speaking of which, East State is where you rose to prominence. Returning to your old haunts should be a good thing. However, I must remind you, the current East Capital City is within the sphere of influence of the Crown Prince and the Ninth Prince. Be very cautious when you return.”

The Fourth Prince continued, ”The City Lord of East Capital, Zhao Wudao, is a core minister of the Ninth Prince. Deputy City Lord Liang Yulong is a General under the Crown Prince. Plus, with Qilin City Lord Sima Qi, if you lead troops there, they might obstruct you, so you need to think of a good strategy to deal with them.”

”Regarding the bandits in East State, I still don’t know how many there are or how strong they are. I wonder how many people the Imperial City will send with me on this mission to East State?” Qin Tian asked.

”No more than a hundred thousand at most.”

The Fourth Prince replied, ”You also know that after the West State war, the Emperor has forbidden generals to take too many soldiers out. I estimate they might only give you fifty thousand.”

”As for the bandits in East State, there are roughly between fifty to eighty thousand of them. However, these bandits are of uneven strength, some are just ordinary immortality cultivators, gathered by those sects, not worth worrying about. But for those sect leaders and elders, you need to be careful.”

Taking fifty thousand men to East State to fight a comparable number of bandits, while also facing the Ninth Prince and Crown Prince’s cunning and opposition, made Qin Tian feel a bit speechless. Needless to say, he knew exactly what he might face in East State.

”But I still don’t understand how I am to rescue my wife, Qiao Wenxuan.”

Qin Tian got straight to the point and asked the Fourth Prince.

At this moment, a trace of ruthlessness flashed across the Fourth Prince’s face. He smiled softly, lowered his voice, and said, ”Those bandits are not far from Qilin City. Once you station your troops near Qilin City, Sima Qi, the city lord, will certainly act under the Ninth Prince’s orders. Then, you’ll have a chance to rescue your wife, and I can assure you, even if you kill Sima Qi, the Imperial City won’t pressure you or blame you. As for the Crown Prince, I’ll handle him for you.”

”So, Your Highness wants me to deal with Sima Qi for you?”

At this point, if Qin Tian didn’t understand, he’d be truly foolish.

After all this time, the Fourth Prince offered Qin Tian troops, even backing him up in the Imperial City, to deal with Sima Qi?

Not only to deal with Sima Qi but very likely to use Sima Qi to target the Ninth Prince! Even the Crown Prince!

And if Qin Tian agrees to go to East State, he becomes an accomplice to the Fourth Prince, a pawn against his enemies, a dagger!

Qin Tian looked at the Fourth Prince, finding it amusing in his heart.

Initially, the Fourth Prince vowed there was no conspiracy in helping him... yet now he was being treated as a pawn, and there’s no conspiracy in that?

”It’s not about dealing with Sima Qi; it’s that I have obtained substantial evidence of Sima Qi accepting bribes and selling official positions in Qilin City. It’s just... you know, the Ninth Prince is always strong-willed, and I don’t have anyone to capture Sima Qi. I can only let you try...”

The Fourth Prince laughed, ”Of course, you can simply rescue your wife. You don’t have to kill Sima Qi. It’s entirely up to you. You don’t even have to take troops to East State; I won’t blame you. This is merely my suggestion.”

”I’ll go.”

Qin Tian said without hesitation.

No matter what, the conditions offered by the Fourth Prince were quite tempting.

Even if he went along as the Fourth Prince’s assassin, at least there was a strong chance he could save Qiao Wenxuan and others.

Moreover, killing Sima Qi and dealing with the Ninth Prince was something Qin Tian would think about doing upon returning to West State, even if the Fourth Prince hadn’t asked him.

This isn’t just the Fourth Prince using him; it’s mutual cooperation and exploitation.

Qin Tian also realized that this always low-key Fourth Prince, who had been building a reputation among the court ministers through his deeds, had no small ambition.

This means the Fourth Prince is a smart person. Since that’s the case, Qin Tian stirring up trouble in East State, with the Fourth Prince’s support in the Imperial City, sounds rather favorable.

”I’ll proceed as Your Highness has arranged.”

Qin Tian looked at the Fourth Prince and said, ”I’ll go save my wife’s family. If Sima Qi hands them over quietly, I’ll spare him. But should he dare to obstruct me, I will kill him!”

Qin Tian noticed, as he finished speaking, that the Fourth Prince showed a slight smile and said, ”Very good. Rest assured, I will ensure your safety. Oh, and don’t mention my assistance in this matter to anyone. You needn’t contact me proactively; I’ll send someone to find you if needed.”

”Hmm?”

Qin Tian was taken aback, looking at the Fourth Prince, thinking, is this Fourth Lord going to keep the act up and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes?

”Any issues?” The Fourth Prince asked.

”No issues.”

Qin Tian nodded and had dinner with the Fourth Prince before being discreetly escorted out.

When Qin Tian walked out of the courtyard, he looked back and suddenly found that the secluded yard had disappeared, replaced by a small grove!

”What is this...”

Staring at this scene, Qin Tian was startled, expanding his divine sense. The small grove was still there, but he could distinctly sense the presence of a powerful aura within!

”Is this... an illusion?”

Qin Tian furrowed his brow and composed himself.

Just then, a surge of True Qi surged from behind. Qin Tian turned sharply and saw an armored general standing next to him; the aura was strong but without any intent to harm.

This general was wearing an armor helmet, so Qin Tian couldn’t see his face.

The general, after seeing Qin Tian, bowed slightly and whispered, ”Marquis of Peace of the West, please leave here quickly and do not linger.”

Qin Tian’s eyes narrowed, recognizing that this person was a retainer of the Fourth Prince, with a very robust presence!

”Alright.”

Qin Tian nodded slightly, glanced at that person once more, and turned to leave.

As he walked back to his residence, his mind was still reeling from the earlier scene.

It seems that the secret hideout of the Fourth Prince is shrouded by some magic artifact, capable of invisibility and creating illusions for outsiders—such a magic artifact is no ordinary thing!

Moreover, the Fourth Prince’s household troops have such strong presences; they are probably at least rankers in the Heavenly List! So is this Fourth Prince not like the rumors say, without any cultivation immortality talent or with low cultivation prowess?