"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness!" Lu Fan smiled slightly. "However, I have no intention of getting involved. I hope all princes can understand!"
"Second Brother, you're here to cause trouble too?" Prince Yun Hai asked directly, his expression indifferent, and he didn't seem to pay much attention to Bei Cheng before him.
"Look at what you're saying. How could I be here to cause trouble? I came specifically to watch you all!"
Bei Cheng said directly, "You have no idea how amusing it is to watch you all fight over one person from outside the Heavenly Road!"
Prince Yun Hai's face turned ashen. Bei Cheng's words were clearly taunting them, which displeased him greatly.
"Second Brother, I mean no harm!" Bai Long shrugged. "If it weren't for Fifth Brother, this joke wouldn't have happened."
"Look at what you're saying, blaming everything on me!" Prince Yun Hai said directly. "What you truly think, you probably know best!"
"As your Second Brother, why don't I handle this matter for you!" Prince Bei Cheng smiled. "Stop fighting, how about this person belongs to me?"
"Second Brother, you're here to snatch people too?" Bai Long smiled faintly, his eyes carrying a cold glint. Bei Cheng's open declaration showed no reservation.
"You are correct. I am indeed here to snatch people!"
Prince Bei Cheng smiled. "However, I'm not looking for a strategist. I think he's quite interesting, so I want to be friends with him. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple!" Bai Long frowned.
"I am honored that Your Second Highness values me and wishes to befriend me!"
Lu Fan clasped his fists, taking the opportunity to leave. If not for this moment, these princes would likely not have let him go.
"I'm hosting a Hundred Flowers Banquet at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Would you like to join me?" Bei Cheng smiled. "But don't worry, I have no interest in imperial power. Besides, that's Eldest Brother's business; it's not for us to worry about."
Facing these words, Lu Fan nodded slightly. "Since Your Second Highness personally invites me, how could I refuse? With Your Second Highness's word, I shall certainly accompany you!"
"You brat, you're going to die today, and you still want to leave?" Prince Yun Hai said coldly, his hostility escalating. Since Lu Fan had shown him no respect, how could he let him go easily?
"Second Brother, don't threaten me. Even if I don't kill him today, I will surely take his life in the future!"
Prince Yun Hai said coldly, then turned and left directly, seemingly holding a significant grudge against Lu Fan.
Lu Fan stood aside, appearing somewhat innocent, never expecting his trip to the Heavenly Road to cause such a stir.
"Brother Lu, since you don't wish to be my strategist, I'd also like to be your friend!" Prince Bai Long smiled. "I hope you don't mind what I said earlier; I didn't intend to make you scheme for me!"
"Thank you, Prince Bai Long. I naturally understand that!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, showing a smile, but his eyes appeared serious.
"Let's go, we're going for drinks!"
Prince Bei Cheng smiled and pulled Lu Fan along, leaving as if nothing had happened, appearing like a true prodigal son.
Ling'er and Liu Ruyan saw this and couldn't help but shake their heads. Lu Fan, being dragged away by this person, might be led astray, as Prince Bei Cheng didn't look like a good person at all.
"Brother Bai Long, thank you so much today. If you hadn't intervened, he might have been in danger!" Princess Bei Mei said.
"It was just a small gesture, no need for thanks!" Bai Long waved his hand. "Besides, he's your friend, so how could I not help?"
"Brother Bai Long understands me the best!" Princess Bei Mei quickly nodded, a smile appearing on her face.
However, Bai Long's expression was not very pleasant, and his demeanor was solemn. He knew very well that this matter was far from simple, and any slight misstep could lead to further complications.
After everyone had left, Bai Long remained standing by the Heavenly Road, gazing at it silently, feeling quite shocked. Lu Fan's ability to reach the fifth level of the Heavenly Road indicated he was no ordinary person, and his future growth would undoubtedly be immense.
"Your Highness, since he cannot be used by you, he must not be allowed to live!"
A hoarse voice came from beside him. "Otherwise, he will inevitably obstruct Your Highness's great cause!"
"He is a friend of Bei Mei. If anything were to happen to him, I would find it difficult to explain!" Bai Long shook his head, a slight frown appearing on his brow.
Upon hearing this, the white-haired elder shook his head. "Then, Your Highness, have you considered that this person is close to Prince Bei Cheng? If you were to fight against Prince Bei Cheng in the future, it would be extremely disadvantageous to you!"
"Second Brother has no interest in imperial power. He only eats and drinks every day and can't amount to much!" Bai Long waved his hand, his expression indifferent.
"Just as others say about Your Highness, that you have no interest in imperial power, but is that truly the case?"
The white-haired elder narrowed his eyes and spoke again, his gaze fixed on Bai Long, his words carrying gravity.
Bai Long stood stunned for a moment, seemingly understanding the implication.
"Prince Yun Hai was so confident earlier, wanting to kill him. Even if he died, it wouldn't be traced back to Your Highness!" the white-haired elder's voice sounded again, with no hint of reservation.
"What you say is indeed true!" Bai Long nodded. "In that case, I will leave this matter to you, Old Ghost. Make sure it's done cleanly and without a trace. If possible, framing Fifth Brother wouldn't be a bad idea either!"
Old Ghost nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face. Bai Long's words coincided with his own thoughts.
Meanwhile, at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, Prince Bei Cheng was embracing a woman, drinking and enjoying himself, appearing utterly carefree, more like a spendthrift than a prince.
"This is my territory, pick whatever you like!" Prince Bei Cheng said with a laugh. "I saw that you weren't even afraid of a prince, which made me take notice. I want to be friends with you; don't disappoint me!"
"Prince Bei Cheng is joking!" Lu Fan said softly. "If I'm not mistaken, Prince Bei Cheng bringing me here is a deliberate act, with the intention of saving me."
"You're not wrong; your narcissism is unmatched!" Prince Bei Cheng burst into laughter. "I was merely curious that someone could pass the fifth level of the Heavenly Road. I thought it would be a pity for you to die, so I lent a hand."
"Even so, I'm afraid the person lurking in the shadows won't let me go!" Lu Fan shrugged slightly, his expression solemn.