Chapter 420 The Truth About the Alliance

Upon hearing this, the cult leader's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his confident demeanor: "Hmph, stubborn fool. Do you think you can stop the Red Shirt Army's advance by yourself? The world's affairs are no longer under your control. If you don't understand the times, what awaits you is only a more tragic end."

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and fear, and looked intently at the cult leader: "Even so, I will never give up. I will unite all forces still loyal to the royal family, and even if I am shattered to pieces, I will fight against traitors like you to the very end!"

The cult leader sneered, seemingly unconcerned about his resistance: "What a model of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism! It's just a pity that your loyalty has been misplaced. Since I have come this far, I naturally have a plan. Just wait and see how the Red Shirt Army sweeps across the entire Jingyuan, and you are nothing more than an insignificant speck of dust in this torrent of history."

After saying this, the cult leader turned to leave, but was suddenly stopped by him: "Wait! Do you think you can leave my palace?"

The cult leader stopped and turned around, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Oh? What other tricks do you have up your sleeve? Why don't you tell me?"

A cold smile curled at the corner of Liang Wang's lips, and then he forcefully slammed the teacup in his hand to the ground.

As the teacup shattered, a brief silence fell over the scene.

However, the silence did not last long. Suddenly, a series of neat and heavy footsteps broke the surrounding tranquility.

The cult leader turned his head and saw a group of soldiers dressed in fine armor and wielding sharp weapons quickly surrounding him.

The soldiers had serious faces and firm gazes. They surrounded the cult leader closely, forming an unbreakable defensive line.

Seeing this scene, the cult leader was momentarily taken aback, but then burst into laughter: "Hahaha, King Liang, you think you can trap me with just these mortals? You're far too naive!"

His laughter echoed in the empty hall, tinged with disdain and arrogance.

Upon hearing this, King Liang frowned and slowly stepped out from the ranks of soldiers. "Then let's give it a try!"

The cult leader's sneer deepened, and with a swift movement, he darted among the soldiers like a ghost.

His movements were as fast as lightning, making it difficult for anyone to catch a glimpse of him.

Every strike was so precise and deadly, as if it had been honed through countless trials.

In the blink of an eye, all the soldiers fell to the ground, without even having time to let out a scream.

The cult leader sneered, "Hmph, you mere ants, how dare you block my way?"

His words were full of contempt and disdain, as if these soldiers were nothing more than a group of insignificant ants.

Then, he said coldly, "Don't you even think about where these people got their weapons from!"

Upon hearing this, King Liang was stunned, a sense of unease rising within him. But he quickly regained his composure, remembering that he had personally dispatched his most trusted confidant to oversee the workshops and ensure that the manufacture and distribution of weapons were without any problems.

Moreover, Black Wolf has always performed exceptionally well and is efficient in his work, so this mission will certainly go smoothly as well.

However, the leader seemed to have seen through the King of Liang's thoughts.

He spoke again, revealing a shocking secret: "Black Wolf is one of my men."

These words struck King Liang like a thunderbolt, leaving him utterly shocked.

He stared wide-eyed at the cult leader in disbelief, a surge of anger rising within him.

"As a member of the royal family, you've been secretly mining iron ore and forging weapons." The cult leader mocked, "If your father, the Emperor, were to find out, do you think you could still be the Prince of Liang?"

King Liang's face turned ashen instantly, and his clenched fists trembled slightly. His fingertips almost dug into his palms, but the pain paled in comparison to the shock and despair he felt at that moment.

He never imagined that Black Wolf, whom he had always regarded as his right-hand man, was actually a pawn planted by the cult leader.

"Why...why are you doing this to me?" King Liang's voice was hoarse and trembling, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth.

The cult leader's lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes flashing with cunning and smugness: "Your ambition has just become the best tool for me to use."

"You are nothing more than a pawn on my chessboard." The cult leader's voice was deep and powerful, each word striking Liang Wang's heart like a heavy hammer.

King Liang felt a sudden dizziness, and all his plans and efforts vanished in an instant.

He realized that in this game of power, he was nothing more than a manipulated puppet, a pawn about to be discarded.

"You...you won't get your way!" King Liang suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Even if I die, I will not let you have your way!"

"Oh? Is that so?" The cult leader smiled contemptuously. "Do you think you still have room to resist? Your army and your weapons workshops are already under my control."

Just as the leader was trying to understand the Prince of Liang, the Prince of Jing arrived with the Imperial Guards.

"Stop!" Prince Jing's voice boomed, piercing through the tense, stagnant air. His figure stood out exceptionally tall in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The Imperial Guards followed closely behind them, their armor gleaming coldly, exuding a chilling aura.

The cult leader turned his head slightly and glanced at the soldiers out of the corner of his eye. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his arrogant and domineering smile.

"Hmph, I didn't expect anyone would actually want to save your dog's life!" He said coldly, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

With that, he flashed and, like a light bird, leaped onto the roof.

At the same time, the Imperial Guards raised their bows and arrows and shot them at the cult leader.

But the cult leader's movements were strange, as if he had blended into the night. The arrows only whistled through the air, but none of them could touch the hem of his clothes.

King Liang breathed a sigh of relief after escaping a calamity, but before he could even speak, he was taken into the palace by the Imperial Guards.

He looked at Prince Jing for help, "Fifth brother, why is this?"

Prince Jing shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty, Father sent me."

Upon hearing this, King Liang's expression changed drastically, and he remained speechless for a long time.

It's over, he's completely finished!

Upon being brought into the palace, Prince Liang knelt down before the emperor and said, "Your subject was almost killed by the leader of the Red Lotus Sect. He demanded that I give him the map of the capital. I swore to resist to the death, but fortunately you sent someone to save me."

His voice was tinged with fear and resentment. He knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold earth, as if this could calm the turmoil in his heart.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, his gaze deep and complex.

He stared intently at the kneeling King Liang, his voice authoritative yet tinged with mockery: "Is that so?"