It wasn't just the accent.
But judging by his brows, eyes, and features, Sun Shaozong had clearly never met him before.
Was it an illusion...
Or had the man concealed his original appearance?
Just as he was about to examine him closely, the Stout Man casually stepped aside to stand at attention and ushered a bent-backed old man of venerable age to the front.
The newcomer's stout build was also highly distinctive, so much so that the instant Sun Shaozong saw him, he felt as if he had encountered an old acquaintance.
"You, you are..."
The moment the old man appeared, Sun Shaozong had no further thought for the Stout Man. His tiger eyes widened like bronze bells as he cried out uncontrollably.
Yet before he could reveal the man's identity, he hurriedly swallowed the rest of his words!
Having lived two lives, saying that he could remain unfazed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him might have been an exaggeration. But by now, there were absolutely only a handful of people who could leave Sun Shaozong utterly horrified at first sight.
And the old man before him was undoubtedly foremost among that handful.
He was the failed contender for the throne who had loved and fought with the current Your Majesty for over twenty years.
He was the mastermind who had left behind countless loyal hounds and indirectly caused the Crown Prince to be castrated.
He was also a master metallurgist, political reformer, brothel trendsetter, hardcore WOW player, part-time grand prophet, and transmigrator—
Prince Yizhong!
He was actually still alive?!
But how had he escaped that encirclement?
And how could Emperor Guangde, who regarded him as a thorn in his guards' eyes and flesh, have allowed him to roam free without making any response at all?!
Even if he