After a month's long journey, the group of thirteen riders finally arrived in Yunnan.

This place is remote, and most of the 24 counties in Kyushu are either poor and remote areas or located in the mountains. The terrain is dangerous and the people are very tough. There are also many large and small strongholds and tribes hidden in the mountains. They have not been conquered by the court until now. They rely on their familiarity with the terrain to rob and plunder, making the local Han people miserable.

This place has been a poor and barren land since ancient times. Most of the officials assigned by the court were demoted because of their mistakes. The fact that the King of Chu was assigned to this place shows that Emperor Zhaowu did not care about the relationship between father and son at all.

However, this is not without its advantages. It is easy to recruit soldiers because the people are not well-educated and can be tricked into fighting for you as long as you give them food to eat.

Along the way, due to the long journey and cold weather, they suffered a lot and even encountered a robbery. Fortunately, Yuan Nanyu was a martial arts expert and helped them escape safely. When they arrived in Zhongqing, they all lost a lot of weight.

Because of the constant harassment by mountain bandits and barbarians, there were soldiers checking at the city gate of Zhongqing day and night. They all changed their appearances slightly and asked others to wait outside the city. Yan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu entered the city first to avoid attracting too much attention.

When they reached the gate, the guard pushed Yan Sikong back when he wanted to enter the city: "Where are you from? I've never seen you before."

"I'm from out of town visiting my relatives."

"Out of town? Where?"

"Yanzhou."

"You don't have a Yanzhou accent." A guard came over and said, "My wife is from Yanzhou. Where are you from? Search for me."

Several people came up and started to search the two of them.

Yuan Nanyu narrowed his eyes and glanced at Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong signaled him not to move and quickly took out a bag of silver from his arms: "Master Jun, we are all Han people, not barbarians. Please give us some convenience."

When they saw the silver, their attitudes changed. The guard winked at his colleague, and that man left. Not long after, he came back with a man who looked like a guard commander, who had a notebook in his hand.

The guard walked up to the two of them and looked them up and down: "What are you doing in Zhongqing? Tell me the truth." He glanced at the wallet in Yan Sikong's hand from time to time.

Yan Sikong pulled him aside and whispered, "Brother, if you can do me a small favor..." He took out a heavy silver ingot from his pocket and said, "This is just for you."

The man's eyes widened. In this poor place, it was rare to see such a generous person. He swallowed and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Yan Sikong glanced at the notebook in his hand, tore off a page, and said, "Give this to the King of Chu and tell him that someone wants to see him."

The guard immediately realized that the person in front of him was not an ordinary person, and asked respectfully, "Then what do you want to write?"

"No need, blank space is enough."

"Well, I'll take care of it for you."

The two of them entered the city and found a place to sit down for tea. After waiting for less than two incense sticks, someone came to pick them up and took them directly to the Prince of Chu's Palace.

Yan Sikong looked at the mansion, and it was probably the most shabby and humble prince's mansion he had ever seen in his life. It was not even half the size of his Yan Mansion. He couldn't help but feel a little emotional. I wonder how much wealth Chen Yi has accumulated over the years. Wars are fought for money.

There were hurried footsteps coming from afar, but as they got closer, they deliberately slowed down, becoming dignified and reserved with each step. Yan Sikong was so smart that he immediately guessed that this was Chen Yi, the former deposed prince and current King of Chu.

Soon, a figure appeared at the door. Yan Sikong first saw his python robe with black cloud-patterned sleeves and snow-white hems, and then he was stunned. He did not dare to recognize the person in front of him for a moment.

Yan Sikong's impression of Chen Yi still remains on the boy who had just grown up four years ago. He was shorter than himself, thin, childish, with bright and sharp eyes. Although he already had sharp claws and fangs, he was still too weak, like a tiger cub that had not yet grown up.

But this man was tall and strong, with a handsome face, a full and shiny forehead, slanted eyebrows, dark and deep eyes that seemed bottomless, and a humped nose, which made him look wise and deep. The jade belt with pearls on it highlighted his broad shoulders, narrow waist and long legs, and a plain jade hairpin combed his hair neatly. He looked like a naturally ungrateful man, but he also exuded a restrained royal aura.

Chen Yu's facial features have not changed much, but for some reason his temperament has completely changed.

Chen Yu stood stiffly where he was, looking at Yan Sikong, his lips trembling slightly, his eyes filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Yan Sikong turned around, shook his robe, knelt on both knees, kowtowed to the ground, and said loudly: "Your Highness, I am Yan Sikong, and I am honored to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand years."

Yuan Nanyu also knelt down.

Chen Yi clenched his fists, took a step forward, grabbed Yan Sikong's arm and helped him up. Yan Sikong was surprised at how Chen Yi could have so much strength, and the next moment, he was embraced by Chen Yi.

Yan Sikong was completely stunned.

Chen Yu hugged him tightly. Unlike the previous hugs, he was now half a head taller than Yan Sikong, and was able to hold Yan Sikong tightly in his arms, using his manly chest.

Yan Sikong heard Chen Yi's soft whisper: "Sir, I miss you so much."

Yuan Nanyu looked at the two of them with a little surprise.

Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment, patted Chen Yu's broad back, and deliberately choked up and said, "Your Highness has grown up. I am really... I can see Your Highness again in this life, and I will die without regrets."

Chen Yu then let go of Yan Sikong, his eyes unwilling to move away from his face, just looking at him recklessly, his eyes slightly moist, "Being able to see you again, sir, is what I have been thinking about day and night for the past four years."

"Is your highness well?"

"...What is good and what is bad? Ordinary people think that having no worries about food and clothing is great, but there is not a day that I don't hate such comfort..." Chen Yu shook his head, "Sir... okay?" As he said this, he carefully observed Yan Sikong's expression.

Although Yunnan is located in a remote area, it has already known all the important events in other places, especially in Beijing.

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly and said evasively: "It's worth it to be able to see His Highness again, no matter how bad it is."

"Sir, please sit down." Chen Yi let Yan Sikong sit in the chair, and then he found that there was another person kneeling on the ground, "Is he your guard? Stand up."

Yuan Nanyu whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Yuan Nanyu was an expert in disguise, and Chen Yi could not see his true appearance at all, and did not pay much attention to him: "You can go down, I want to talk to you alone for a few words."

"This man is my personal bodyguard and he is very reliable." Yan Sikong explained.

Chen Yu waved his hand and said, "Go down."

Yuan Nanyu bowed, glanced at Yan Sikong, and stepped back.

Chen Yu personally poured tea for Yan Sikong: "Sir, why have you lost so much weight? Is it because of the fatigue from the journey, or... because of excessive worry?"

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly: "All of them. I am worried about the country and the people, and I can't sleep well every night."

"I've heard about what you did in Beijing," Chen Yu said ashamedly. "When your bad reputation spread to Yunnan, I also...had doubts in my heart, but later you killed Xie Zhongren and wiped out the eunuch party, which was really applauded. I finally understood your determination and tenacity to endure humiliation for many years. You won't blame me, right?"

"How can I blame Your Highness? Your Highness has always been thinking about me, and I am deeply moved."

Chen Mu looked at Yan Sikong earnestly: "Sir, you have sacrificed too much, but you are misunderstood by the world. I am really heartbroken."

"I don't care if others think I'm a fickle person who changes sides according to the situation. What I want to do will not be shaken by rumors." Yan Sikong looked at Chen Yi steadily, "If Your Highness understands me, that's enough."

"For four years, I have always remembered your teachings. Although I was 'exiled' to this remote and impoverished place, I have never neglected my studies and martial arts. I have kept a low profile and waited for my opportunity." Chen Yu narrowed his eyes, his gaze stern, "I believe what you said. I am the most legitimate successor to Da Sheng."

"That's right!" Yan Sikong emphasized, "In my heart, Your Highness is always the Crown Prince, and will rule the world in the future!"

Chen Yu clenched his fists and said, "After receiving your secret letter, I have begun recruiting soldiers and making secret arrangements. This place is far away from the emperor, and I have already bribed the officials and generals. Now I am just waiting for the right time. You are here to help me, right?"

"Yes, I will naturally help Your Highness ascend the throne, even if it means sacrificing my life for him."

Chen Yu said happily: "With the help of a man of your caliber, I will surely be able to achieve my wish."

"Only me is not enough." Yan Sikong said seriously, "Your Highness still needs the strength of one more person."

"Who?" Chen Yu frowned, as if he already had a guess in his mind.

"Little Wolf King Feng Ye."

Chen Yu's face changed slightly. He stood up, turned his back to Yan Sikong, looked out the window, and was silent for a while before saying, "I heard that you went as an envoy to persuade Feng Ye to surrender but failed, and instead lost the two cities of Maoren and Qianzhou, and were imprisoned by Feng Ye. I was suspicious. Your intelligence is unpredictable, so how could you be deceived and used by Feng Ye? Sure enough, you and Feng Ye have been in collusion for a long time."

"Your Highness, if you can have me as your advisor and Fengye's troops, your great cause will be accomplished."

Chen Yu turned around abruptly and stared at Yan Sikong, saying in a bad tone: "People have mixed opinions about you, and there are many bad things said about you, but I always believe in the master I know. But there is only one thing I want you to tell me in person, or... deny it in person."

Yan Sikong's chest rose and fell, and he felt a little guilty for no reason. He said, "Your Highness, please ask me, and I will tell you the truth."

"Are you and Feng Ye in love?"

Yan Sikong stared at Chen Yi without blinking, his bright eyes flickering, as if there were thousands of thoughts stuck in his throat, but his eyes had already told it all.

Chen Yu's face was filled with anger: "It's true!"

"Feng Ye and I... don't have any feelings for each other." Yan Sikong felt a pain in his chest and said harshly, "It's just a casual affair."

"Why? Why!" Chen Yu was furious, and his aura was so overwhelming. "Sir, do you dare to say that you don't like him?"

Yan Sikong stood up and bowed deeply: "Your Highness, Feng Ye is of great use."

Chen Yu looked at Yan Sikong silently: "Sir, do you like men more than women?"

Yan Sikong sighed, "Your Highness, please stop asking questions. It makes me very embarrassed. Your Highness only needs to know that Feng Ye and I are your right-hand men when you return to the capital to force the emperor to abdicate. That's enough."

"I believe you, but I don't believe Feng Ye." Chen Yu's tone turned cold. "Sir, you must be tired after the long journey. Have a good rest. I will reward you well in the evening."

After Chen Yu finished speaking, he turned away.

"Your Highness..." Yan Sikong frowned deeply.