Mercury Alloy Body

Si Ming was really in the wrong on this point. It wasn't that he wasted time chatting with Cuan Er; those few words added up to less than half a minute. The real waste of time was his battle with the Vicious Qi Evil Spider.

Originally, since his goal was to save people, he should have rushed to Yan Jinghong's aid after defeating the Vicious Qi Evil Spider, instead of staying to continue the fight. However, he was too excited at the time. He had finally encountered a Spirit Transformation expert whose martial arts were completely countered by him, and he had a chance to kill him on the spot. He was so hot-blooded that he forgot the importance and urgency of the matter. Fortunately, he did not make a big mistake in the end.

"Uh, actually it's because..." Si Ming's gaze shifted, quickly locking onto Cuan Er, and he lied on the spot, "Because this guy suddenly barged into the battlefield and was captured by the Vicious Qi Evil Spider as a hostage. I fought with the Vicious Qi Evil Spider for a long time to save him, right, Brother Cuan?"

Cuan Er's mind went blank with a "Holy crap!" He was about to defend himself when he saw Si Ming silently mouthing "Profound Armor" and "Bounty." So, he could only nod and apologize while silently weeping, "It was my fault. I rushed into the battlefield rashly, delaying Hero Yan's rescue. Fortunately, nothing went wrong, otherwise I would have been guilty beyond redemption."

If Yan Jinghong had really had an accident, he certainly wouldn't want to take the blame. But since Yan Jinghong is fine now, it's just a minor mistake that's not worth mentioning. Taking the blame for it isn't a big deal. As long as the outcome is good, everything is fine.

Since it was for the purpose of saving people, Murong Qing couldn't say much. She couldn't just let Si Ming abandon others, even if there were differences in their relationship. She couldn't say that in front of them.

Yan Jinghong said to Si Ming, "The Remote Heaven Society was involved in this incident. It seems they really intend to target the Divine Pillar. I need to focus on recovering from my injuries for the next period of time. I'll leave the matter of not being able to serve as a combat pillar to you. Make sure the Remote Heaven Society doesn't succeed again. I will also send a message back home to ask them to send more manpower."

Si Ming nodded, then said, "However, I'm afraid we can't use the Third Prince's connections anymore."

Then he mentioned the Second Prince's message, and continued, "Since the Second Prince has been kind to us, we cannot help the Third Prince to deal with him."

Murong Qing frowned and said, "Although it's wrong to suspect others without evidence, I still believe that the Second Prince is inextricably linked to the assassination attempt on Senior Yan. Otherwise, where did he get the information that he knows the location and date so clearly?"

Yan Jinghong paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "That's true, but without evidence, there is no evidence. We can't frame someone based on mere suspicion. Even if we know there's something fishy going on, we can only accept this favor. From now on, you're not allowed to participate in the France throne struggle."

This is the predicament of being on the righteous path. You must abide by the rule of "presumption of innocence" and cannot act recklessly like the evil path. Si Ming had used brute force to break the deadlock before, but that was only under the premise that he was certain that the other party was the "villain" and that he could find evidence or clues to overturn the table without restraint. Otherwise, he had to honestly abide by the rules of the game.

This is like forcibly searching someone's room without a warrant. If incriminating evidence is successfully found, the previous illegal act can be explained as "acting expediently in an emergency." However, if nothing is found, it is a violation of the rules and an infringement on someone's right to residence, and must be punished.

Even Murong Qing couldn't guarantee that the Second Prince was definitely an accomplice; what if the other party had special intelligence channels?

At least until concrete evidence is found, this favor must be accepted. Moreover, not only are they forbidden from interfering in the struggle for the throne, but even the Mohist Knight Guard and the Su State's connections are forbidden, because Yan Jinghong is the face of the Mohist Knight Guard, and this life-saving grace carries immense weight.

Si Ming said unhappily, "I have this feeling that I've been tricked, it's really infuriating... This is an insult to my intelligence!"

It might be one thing at other times, but now that he's in charge of the strategic thinking, how can we let someone gain an advantage through underhanded tactics?

"Since we cannot directly help the Third Prince, let us act as intermediaries and find him a powerful ally."

Yan Jinghong cautioned, "Su State should not participate in this matter."

"Don't worry, Master, I guarantee the other party is not from Su State."

Chapter 501 Mercury Alloy Body

The Second Prince's residence.

"Your Highness, the operation has failed. Yan Jinghong is seriously injured, but his life is not in danger," Yang Wentang reported.

Han Kun didn't look up, stroking the black cat as he said, "This is truly the ideal outcome; I didn't expect things to go so smoothly."

He glanced at Yang Wentang, who looked puzzled, and explained, "I deliberately leaked the information to Yan Jinghong's sworn sister and apprentice."

Having obtained the most crucial intelligence, Yang Wentang quickly pieced together the whole story. However, being a master of the ways of a minister, he knew that at this moment, feigning ignorance was better than cleverness. So, he pretended to be deep in thought and asked, "Why did Your Highness agree to the Heaven-Defying Society first, but then deliberately let their operation fail?"

Han Kun scratched the black cat's chin and said, "This is a two-birds-with-one-stone plan. First, the Miaotian Society 'Heaven-Defying Society operation has failed, the deal is void, and we don't need to keep our promise. We can sever all ties with them from now on. How can the future Emperor of France associate with an international terrorist organization? Second, Yan Jinghong and the others owe me a favor, so they can no longer help my third brother. It's like cutting off his arms."

Yang Wentang feigned sudden realization and said, "So that's how it is. I was going to advise Your Highness against harming Yan Jinghong, but I didn't expect Your Highness to have already taken this into account. I was overthinking it."

"Yan Jinghong is the face of the Mohist Knight Guard. Killing him is tantamount to making an enemy of the Su State government and will provoke retaliation from the Mohist Knight Guard. Only those who are willing to die together with their enemies, and organizations like the Remote Heaven Society that have no room for maneuver, would dare to lay a hand on Yan Jinghong. I have a family, a career, and great ambitions. How could I possibly make such a mistake?"

Han Kun sneered, then continued, "Now that I've figured out Third Brother's trump cards and he's lost all his external support, he's at his weakest point. It's time to launch the Dragon Transformation Plan."

Upon hearing this, Yang Wentang asked excitedly, "Has Your Highness truly made up your mind?"

Han Kun retorted, "Would I joke about something like this?"

"Your Highness, I dare not question this, but once the arrow is released, there is no turning back. I would like to remind Your Highness to be extremely careful."

"Don't worry, I've been preparing this plan for half a year. We can't wait any longer; delay might cause problems. By the way, go and call Tian Yi here."

"Tian Yi?" Yang Wentang thought for a while before remembering who this guy was. "Is he the newly recruited Tiger Guard Commander that His Highness made a bet with at the Codex University that day? Is this person useful to His Highness?"

"Of course, otherwise why would I take him under my command? Do you also think I took him in just to spite my third brother? Remember, everyone has their use, even a pawn on the chessboard can checkmate the enemy's general if used with the right tactics."

"Your humble servant has learned a great deal."

Yang Wentang immediately went down and summoned Tian Yi.

A moment later, an ordinary-looking boy cautiously entered the room and bowed deeply to Han Kun: "Your Highness, this subordinate greets you."

"Raise your head."

Tian Yi hesitated for a moment, but still obediently looked up. His face was covered in bruises, and his expression was rather gloomy. Clearly, after becoming a member of the nobility, he had not been able to usher in a spring in his life, but instead had fallen into a trough.

"It seems you're not having a good time among the nobles."

Tian Yi was about to explain when Han Kun waved his hand, "I know what's going on even if you don't tell me. After all, other people's titles were earned through the hardships of their ancestors, while yours were just a lucky break, a windfall. You haven't accomplished anything, so it's natural that you'll be envied. Plus, you're a newcomer with no Foundation, so it's only natural that you'll be ostracized."

Tian Yi was no fool; otherwise, he wouldn't have seized the opportunity. Although not everyone among those commoner students aspired to become nobles, quite a few were tempted. In the end, he was the first to make a decision, which proves everything.

"Your Highness, please grant me the opportunity to earn merit!"

Han Kun nodded appreciatively. Although it was just a dog he'd casually acquired, an obedient dog was always more pleasant than a dog that only knew how to be stupid. He said, "I need you to go see my third brother and tell him the truth about what you've been through here. Then tell him you've found out some information, the contents of which are..."

After saying that, he added, "Remember to use an uncertain tone, because given your status, it's impossible for you to find out any particularly important information. Anyway, with your third brother's intelligence, as long as you reveal this information, he will be able to deduce the whole picture and make the decision I expect."

In the student dormitory.

Si Ming's left arm emitted a green light, and strong nuclear radiation surged from it, but it was locked inside his body and could not be released. A crystalline fragment could be vaguely seen embedded in his left arm, which was the high-concentration uranium crystal he had obtained from Xiao Xuan. His body was also crystallized under the influence of nuclear radiation.