It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists
Chapter 516: This, My Friends, Is Called Walking Right Into a Trap

Mu Zhian sat cross-legged in the prison cell, eyes closed, circulating his Spiritual Energy through his meridians, cycle after cycle.

Although he was now at the peak of Nascent Soul Realm, he had bypassed the usual cultivation process and reached the peak directly, so he still needed some time to consolidate his realm.

Princess Yongning and the others from the Great Qian Dynasty were held in separate cells not far from his.

Lin Keyu wasn’t among them. She had been properly settled within the Forbidden Zone by the Forbidden Army and would be escorted out after this incident was resolved.

After all, Xuanyin Temple was a power second only to the Forbidden Zone, the Jade Pool Holy Land, and the Two Polarities Sect. Although the Forbidden Zone was powerful, they wouldn’t offend a top power in the Eastern Continent without reason.

Compared to the worried or angry faces of the others in the Great Qian Dynasty’s team, Princess Yongning seemed quite calm. Her cell was also much cleaner, clearly because the Forbidden Army recognized her identity.

“We shouldn’t have let a stranger into our camp in the first place. We should have known, in a place like the Forbidden Zone, no one would give away an Aurora Crystal worth hundreds of thousands of spirit stones for no reason.”

Just then, an indignant voice came from a nearby cell.

“Mister Zhu Cheng was right, no one in the Forbidden Zone can be trusted. It doesn’t matter for us, but it’s tough on Her Highness, having to suffer with us.”

Just then, Princess Yongning said softly, “Everyone, quiet down.”

Although her tone was gentle, for some reason, when the eldest princess spoke, the whispers quieted down considerably.

Princess Yongning said calmly, “Didn’t Ding Hou confirm that the Aurora Crystal in my jade box was fine? Why did the Forbidden Army suddenly discover it was a Curse Stone?”

“Mister Ding, you’re well-read, didn’t you notice anything at the time?” She looked at Ding Hou in the opposite cell and asked.

Ding Hou was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head and said, “Your Highness, although I’ve seen Aurora Crystals before, I didn’t know they had variants… I’ve heard of Curse Stones, but I’ve never seen one, so I didn’t recognize it…”

“Or rather, that person was too insidious and cunning, actually giving a Curse Stone as an Aurora Crystal, framing us!”

Not far away, seeing everyone’s indignant expressions after he spoke, Zhu Cheng’s eyes held a hint of satisfaction.

But soon, he noticed the eldest princess frowning in thought and couldn’t help asking, “Your Highness, what are you thinking about?”

Princess Yongning glanced at Mu Zhian, who was meditating with his eyes closed, and said calmly, “Nothing. Before the truth is revealed, let’s not suspect anyone.”

As she spoke, she couldn’t help but discreetly glance at the young man in the cell a few more times.

In Princess Yongning’s heart, she had already roughly guessed his identity. Lin Keyu’s attitude towards him, his words and actions, and even his aura… were all exactly the same as the person she knew.

Just then, Mu Zhian opened his eyes and transmitted his voice with a playful tone, “Your Highness has been staring at this one… Could it be you’re thinking about how to find me and get revenge for today’s framing after we leave this place?”

Princess Yongning looked at him with a faint smile and replied via voice transmission, “I believe you’re innocent.”

“How did the Forbidden Army find our location so accurately, and know exactly what was in my jade box? This alone is enough to prove this matter has little to do with you.”

“Perhaps I was colluding with them,” Mu Zhian couldn’t help but smile.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Princess Yongning’s mouth, “With your status and identity, would you need to resort to such underhanded methods to get rid of someone, Young Master Mu?”

Mu Zhian was stunned, then felt a sense of frustration, “Is my disguise that bad?”

He realized that none of the women he knew were simple… Even this Princess Yongning, who rarely left the palace, recognized his identity so quickly.

“It’s not that your disguise is bad, it’s just that no one in this world can imitate Young Master Mu’s unique aura, so it’s easy to recognize you,” Princess Yongning chuckled softly.

“What aura?” Mu Zhian asked subconsciously.

“Peach blossom luck… or rather, the aura that attracts women,” Princess Yongning said.

Mu Zhian understood. The ‘aura’ that attracted women Princess Yongning mentioned probably referred to the Spiritual Energy emitted by the combination of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox and the Innate Celestial Furnace…

Even if he deliberately restrained it, he would still subconsciously emit that kind of Spiritual Energy.

“Who do you suspect is behind this?” Seeing Mu Zhian’s silence, Princess Yongning couldn’t help asking again.

“Would you believe me if I said it was one of your attendants?” Mu Zhian asked.

“You mean… Ding Hou?”

Princess Yongning’s eyes flickered, and she murmured softly, “Why? He shouldn’t have such a motive…”

“He doesn’t have such a motive, but someone else in the imperial palace does,” Mu Zhian said with a smile.

Princess Yongning wasn’t foolish and naturally had a vague guess.

She frowned slightly, “The Crown Prince?”

“But I have no dealings with him, why would he…”

“Everyone in the Eastern Continent knows that the Great Qian Dynasty is about to have a change of emperors, but there are also rumors that the position of Crown Prince might change… Among the Great Qian Emperor’s children, only the Fourth Prince is somewhat intelligent.”

Mu Zhian paused, then continued, “People used to say that if Princess Yongning weren’t a woman, the position of Crown Prince would have been hers long ago.”

“But that’s just the perspective of the common folk. Actually, if Your Highness were to inherit the throne, few cultivators would object.”

Princess Yongning’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she transmitted her voice, “Are you mocking me, Young Master Mu? There has never been a female emperor in the history of the Eastern Continent dynasties.”

“Men can be emperors, why can’t women? Could it be that Your Highness thinks women are incapable? When will women truly stand up?” Mu Zhian feigned outrage.

Yongning: “…”

“Actually, only the Eastern Continent dynasties are like this. The Pill Emperor of Yu State, and even the Demon Empress of the Northern Continent, are both female rulers. Has anyone ever questioned them?” Mu Zhian quickly said seriously.

Seeing Yongning’s silence, Mu Zhian suddenly asked, “You personally came with the team this time, you also have thoughts about becoming the emperor, right?”

Princess Yongning said with a faint smile, “The Fourth Prince, Ning Ping, has several Nascent Soul Realm cultivators backing him, and the Crown Prince, needless to say, has the largest influence in the dynasty… Does Young Master Mu think that even a weak woman like me has any chance of competing with them for the throne?”

“If I were to inherit the throne, I’m afraid I would be harassed by many cultivators in a short time.”

“What if I become your backing?” Mu Zhian suddenly asked.

Princess Yongning was stunned, seemingly not expecting Mu Zhian to say such a thing.

“We’ve only met a few times, why would Young Master Mu be willing to help me?”

Mu Zhian said faintly, “The Great Qian Dynasty’s national fortune affects the entire Eastern Continent to a certain extent. The past emperors of the Great Qian Dynasty were incompetent, but no one dared to act against them. The main reason was because of the national fortune backing them. Attacking them would be met with the national fortune’s backlash. No one was willing to bear this for no reason, especially since doing so would also damage the Eastern Continent’s luck.”

“The current Crown Prince is better at petty schemes. He might be intelligent, but such a person is suitable to be an advisor, not a wise ruler.”

He paused, looked into Yongning’s eyes, and said seriously, “I’m hoping to help Your Highness for the sake of the people, I have no other ulterior motives.”

An unusual glint flickered in Princess Yongning’s beautiful eyes. After a long silence, she nodded politely, “I’ll consider what you said today, Young Master Mu.”

Just then, a discordant chuckle came from beside Mu Zhian’s ear, “I know you must be thinking about getting revenge on me after leaving this prison, right?”

Mu Zhian snapped back to reality and casually looked at the owner of the voice.

Ding Hou.

He was currently holding onto the prison bars, looking at Mu Zhian with a playful smile.

Although Mu Zhian and Princess Yongning had just communicated via voice transmission, their gazes met no less than ten times. Ding Hou, watching from the side, naturally guessed what happened.

It went without saying that this young man had probably complained to Her Highness.

But what this young man didn’t know was that even complaining was useless.

The Forbidden Army was on his side now, what could he possibly do to fight against him?

The reason Ding Hou spoke now was because he heard footsteps approaching from outside the cell.

Ding Hou had to admit, this young man’s mentality was truly good.

If he hadn’t made arrangements with the Forbidden Army Commander in advance, he would probably be panicking being locked up in this kind of place. Yet this young man seemed completely unfazed…

But that made sense. After being imprisoned in the Forbidden Zone, besides giving up hope, there was no other way to save oneself.

But he was different.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness, after I leave this place, I will find a way to rescue you,” Ding Hou transmitted his voice to Princess Yongning.

His purpose this time wasn’t entirely for Princess Yongning. The main goal was to eliminate those opposing the Crown Prince… Princess Yongning was just an added bonus.

Yongning raised a delicate eyebrow, took a deep look at Ding Hou, and remained silent.

Seeing this, Ding Hou couldn’t help but frown slightly.

It seemed that young man had badmouthed him when complaining to Her Highness just now.

But it didn’t matter, he wouldn’t be able to say anything soon.

The Aurora Crystal given to Yongning came from that young man, and he was the most suspicious. No one would suspect him, Ding Hou.

…Perhaps he could even use this opportunity to gain credit for rescuing Her Highness.

Ding Hou looked up at the towering figure of the Forbidden Army Commander, about to offer the explanation he had prepared.

However, he noticed that the Commander, after entering the prison, didn’t take another step forward, but stood respectfully with his head lowered.

“Is this Prison 3? It’s my first time in such a place.”

Just then, a young girl’s clear and pleasant voice echoed through the prison.

The young girl’s hair was styled in twintails, swaying gently with her steps, her bright and beautiful eyes curiously scanning her surroundings, a mischievous glint within.

Judging by the Forbidden Army Commander’s status, the only one who could make him bow so respectfully was someone from the upper echelons of the Forbidden Zone.

Ye Siyu!

Ding Hou almost blurted out the name, realizing instantly.

Ye Siyu was the younger sister of the current Forbidden Zone Lord. Before setting out for the Forbidden Zone, Ding Hou had done his research and naturally knew her influence within the Forbidden Zone.

But why was she here…?

Before Ding Hou could figure it out, Ye Siyu suddenly stopped, turned her head, and asked doubtfully, “Eh? Lingxuan, didn’t you say you weren’t interested in this kind of place?”

Almost the moment she spoke, the whispers in the prison instantly quieted down. The soldiers guarding the prison exchanged glances, surprise and excitement in their eyes.

Forbidden Army Commander Ye Xiuyuan almost blurted out, “Holy Maiden, why are you here?!”

At this moment, Ye Xiuyuan hadn’t realized the gravity of the situation, thinking the Holy Maiden, busy with the inheritance ceremony recently, simply wanted a change of scenery tonight.

Ye Lingxuan glanced at him and said calmly, “I suddenly became interested in this case, so I came to understand the situation. Don’t mind me, just carry on with your duties.”

As Ye Lingxuan spoke, she walked along the prison corridor.

Her Innate Spiritual Body instantly sensed a certain aura. Suppressing her excitement, she walked through the prison, finally stopping before a certain cell.

Then, she casually glanced over.

This glance made Ye Lingxuan’s gaze freeze, fixated on the young man in the cell.

Ye Xiuyuan followed closely behind Ye Lingxuan, his gaze meeting Ding Hou’s. He cupped his hands and said, “In reply to Holy Maiden, I’ve roughly understood the situation. This young cultivator beside you was the one scheming, finding a Curse Stone in the Forbidden Zone and giving it to Princess Yongning, intending to frame her… But we haven’t ruled out the possibility of accomplices, so further investigation is needed.”

Ye Lingxuan retracted her gaze and asked softly, “Is this confirmed?”

“Yes… The truth is practically confirmed, but the details still need to be investigated. In short, this boy is definitely involved.”

Ye Xiuyuan paused, lowered his head, and said respectfully, “Therefore, this subordinate will personally interrogate him. I believe the truth will be revealed soon.”

The young woman in the magnificent purple dress was stunned for a moment, turning to look at Ye Xiuyuan doubtfully.

“You’re saying he found a Curse Stone in the Forbidden Zone, framed someone else, and intended to cause chaos in the Eastern Continent?”

Ye Xiuyuan hesitated slightly. For some reason, he felt a sense of unease, but he had already said it and couldn’t take it back. He immediately said, “Precisely.”

Ye Lingxuan looked thoughtful, “In that case, I’ll personally interrogate him.”

“Holy Maiden, your status is too noble for such a task.”

Ye Xiuyuan was stunned and hurriedly said, “Besides—”

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Lingxuan turned to look at the Forbidden Army Commander, a cold glint in her eyes, “Starting tomorrow, have Junior Captain Ye Chiling of the Third Forbidden Army take over as Commander. After tonight, Ye Xiuyuan will be detained by the Chiling Army. Thoroughly investigate how many outside cultivators he colluded with during his tenure, and how many spirit stones he embezzled.”

Ye Xiuyuan’s expression changed drastically, but he dared not speak out and said in a low voice, “What did this subordinate do wrong? Please enlighten me, Holy Maiden!”

However, Ye Lingxuan ignored him. The Desolate Time Lock instantly cut through the chains on the cell door, and she left with the young man inside.

“Yongning is a princess of the Great Qian Dynasty after all, it’s not appropriate for her to stay in this kind of place,” Mu Zhian transmitted his voice.

Ye Lingxuan paused slightly and said calmly, “Settle Princess Yongning in a guest room in the Sky Supporting Palace and treat her well. After this matter is resolved, send her out of the Forbidden Zone.”

Ye Xiuyuan stared blankly as Ye Lingxuan and the young man behind her left. In just one night, he had gone from Forbidden Army Commander to prisoner. No matter what, this was hard to accept.

Ye Siyu narrowed her eyes, staring at the young man suspiciously for a few moments, then suddenly let out a knowing “heh”, “You didn’t investigate his background before imprisoning him?”

Forbidden Army commanders, more or less, would embezzle some spirit stones. As long as it didn’t affect the bigger picture, they would turn a blind eye.

But this Forbidden Army Commander just happened to hit the wrong target this time… He could only blame his bad luck.

“Background?”

Ye Xiuyuan stared blankly at the young man’s departing figure, confusion in his eyes.

Then, connecting Ye Lingxuan’s sudden arrival, her sudden change in attitude, and the way she looked at the young man just now… Putting everything together, Ye Xiuyuan was stunned, and subconsciously said, “Mu Zhian…?”

Indeed, besides him, who else could make the Forbidden Zone’s imperial daughter personally come and take someone away?

After all, anyone might cause chaos in the Eastern Continent, except for Mu Zhian.

Everyone in the Nine Provinces knew he had the Jade Empress backing him.

And all of this was ultimately Ding Hou’s fault.

At this moment, Ye Xiuyuan was filled with regret.

Not towards Mu Zhian, but towards Ding Hou. Before framing someone, he didn’t even investigate their background, dragging him down with him.

“What are you all standing around for? Do you need me to personally imprison him?” Ye Siyu glanced at the stunned Forbidden Army soldiers.

They immediately reacted, took out black shackles, and imprisoned the ashen-faced Ye Xiuyuan.

Tonight’s events quickly spread throughout the Forbidden Zone, the clan members discussing it everywhere.

To those below, this might be a huge shock, but to Ye Siyu, it seemed like just an ordinary matter.

Compared to this, she was more concerned about Ye Lingxuan.

She wondered how the future Forbidden Zone Empress planned to interrogate the ‘prisoner’.