Chapter 90: Turmoil in the Imperial Court (VIII)

The Ninth Prince's expression shifted slightly, and he raised an eyebrow, sneering inwardly: "As I expected!"

"This old thing ultimately intends to marry Princess Zhaoyang to Bai Fan, so that Bai Fan will inherit this empire in the future."

"Hmph! The toxins in this tea have already seeped into your Meridians."

"Today, let's see how I force you, old thing, to name me Crown Prince!"

Thinking of this, the smile on the Ninth Prince's face grew a bit brighter. He changed the subject, his tone suddenly becoming serious:

"Father Emperor, although Bai Fan possesses formidable strength, he is far too reckless. Relying on his high cultivation level, he disregarded everything and rushed along with Princess Zhaoyang. At this moment… I fear he has already arrived at Fengyue Ridge."

Emperor Rende's expression sank instantly, cold light flashing in his eyes: "What?! Fengyue Ridge? Although he is a great Cultivator, Fengyue Ridge is a stronghold of the Heavenly Shadow Sect. Not only is there a Nascent Soul expert guarding it! The Nine-Bend Dragon Pool Cave is also exceptionally treacherous and can hold off an army of thousands. Reckless, truly too reckless!"

Seeing Emperor Rende's anger, the Ninth Prince's face showed signs of joy. He knew the opportunity had arrived and hurriedly advised: "Father Emperor, I have also advised him several times, but Bai Fan insisted on doing so. In order not to let him face danger alone, my younger sister-in-law accompanied him. Now, General Feng Lin has not yet arrived at Fengyue Ridge, and I fear that Bai Fan and Princess Zhaoyang have already been trapped within the enemy lines. I request that we immediately mobilize the Imperial Guard to head to Fengyue Ridge to provide support!"

A flash of hesitation crossed Emperor Rende's eyes. His gaze lingered on the Ninth Prince for a moment before he finally nodded slowly: "Very well… I trust you! This matter is entrusted to you! You must rescue Princess Zhaoyang and protect Bai Fan! If he returns safely, I will surely reward you heavily!"

Having said this, he handed the token commanding the Imperial Guard into the Ninth Prince's hand.

"Your son accepts the order!" A look of triumph flashed across the Ninth Prince's face. He quickly put away the token and said solemnly, "I will certainly not disgrace this mission and will bring back my younger sister-in-law and Bai Fan!"

Emperor Rende waved his hand, as if all his strength had been drained away. He leaned back against the bed, exhausted, and sighed: "Go… go…"

The Ninth Prince rose slowly and turned to leave the bedchamber, the smile in his eyes gradually deepening.

He walked to the outside of the bedchamber, then suddenly quickened his pace, arriving at the palace gate with near-lightning speed.

The two confidants guarding outside immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness," the confidants said in unison.

The Ninth Prince did not waste any words. He quickly took an exquisite purple-gold token from his sleeve and handed it to one of the confidants: "Lin Chuan, I only give you a quarter of an hour to move all the Imperial Guard out of the Imperial Court. If any Imperial Guard is left patrolling within the city, I will hold you solely responsible!"

The confidant known as Lin Chuan took the token, his body trembling, and hurriedly clasped his fists: "This subordinate understands! Please rest assured, Your Highness!"

"Go!" the Ninth Prince's voice was low and cold.

Lin Chuan dared not show the slightest hesitation. Holding the token, he turned and used an extremely fast movement technique to disappear at the end of the corridor, heading in the direction where the Imperial Guard was stationed.

The Ninth Prince's gaze turned to another confidant, who was lean and had sinister eyes, and asked coldly: "Liu Wen, is everything in the palace ready?"

Liu Wen stepped forward, crossed his hands over his chest, bowed his head, and said: "Your Highness, all arrangements are ready. Once a quarter of an hour has passed, this subordinate can immediately take action and capture the Imperial Palace Guards."

The Ninth Prince nodded, his expression becoming increasingly sharp: "Very well. Feng Lin is currently not in the palace, and the position of the Imperial Palace Guard commander is temporarily vacant, leaving no one to command the Imperial Guard. How much certainty do you have?"

Liu Wen's expression tightened, his voice low and forceful: "This subordinate has ten tenths of certainty; it will only take a quarter of an hour to round up all the Imperial Palace Guards!"

The Ninth Prince couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he sneered: "Ten tenths of certainty? Liu Wen, you certainly have a big mouth. If Feng Lin suddenly returns, what will you do then?"

Under the Ninth Prince's gaze, cold sweat immediately seeped from Liu Wen's forehead. He hurriedly bowed and quickly changed his words: "This subordinate deserves to die! This subordinate spoke out of turn just now! Please rest assured, Your Highness, this subordinate will do his utmost! Even if Feng Lin returns to the palace, this subordinate has the confidence to hold him off!"

The Ninth Prince snorted coldly, a faint smile appearing on his face, his tone softening slightly: "It is good that you know. If this battle is successful, I will certainly reward you both, rank you among the Three Excellencies, and place you in key positions in the Imperial Court."

"Many thanks, Your Highness!" Liu Wen was overjoyed and immediately clasped his fists in salute, his forehead almost touching the ground.

The Ninth Prince waved his hand and said coldly: "Lin Chuan will move the Imperial Guard out of the palace after a quarter of an hour. At that time, you must take action immediately! Capture all the Imperial Palace Guards and seal off the entire bedchamber! There must be absolutely no mistakes in this matter!"

Liu Wen's expression was solemn, his tone firm: "This subordinate understands! This subordinate will certainly not fail Your Highness's high expectations!"

The Ninth Prince's gaze was deep as he nodded slowly. He took one last look at the silent bedchamber, turned to leave, and dropped a cold sentence: "Remember, if there are any slip-ups in today's affairs… both of you will surely be beheaded!"

"This subordinate swears to serve Your Highness unto death!" Liu Wen's voice was resonant, his tone filled with firmness and unquestionable determination.

The Ninth Prince sneered and strode away.

Watching the Ninth Prince's figure gradually recede, only then did Liu Wen slowly straighten his body and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. He took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and muttered in a low voice: "Feng Lin is not here; today will be the time for me, Liu Wen, to make a name for myself! They are merely Imperial Palace Guards; how can they possibly contend with the will of Your Highness!"

A quarter of an hour later, a rapid military trumpet sound suddenly came from the Imperial Guard camp in the palace. Immediately following this, large numbers of the Imperial Guard quickly retreated out of the Imperial Court like a tide. The originally tight defensive line of the Imperial Guard was emptied in an instant, leaving behind only empty streets and a few bewildered low-level soldiers.

Meanwhile, Liu Wen had quietly led a team of elite death warriors into the quarters of the Imperial Palace Guards. He raised his hand and waved, ordering in a deep voice: "Move! Everyone, capture the Imperial Palace Guards; show no mercy!"

"Kill!" Following Liu Wen's order, the death warriors pounced like tigers upon the caught-off-guard Imperial Palace Guards. In an instant, cold light flashed everywhere, and blood splattered. Sounds of surprise and screams came from various parts of the palace, but they vanished in a flash. Within moments, the entire quarters of the Imperial Palace Guards had been completely controlled.

Liu Wen stood with his hands behind his back, coldly watching the Imperial Palace Guards who were being controlled by the death warriors, a cold sneer curling at the corners of his mouth. Shifting his gaze, he signaled to his trusted aide beside him and said in a deep voice: "Take them all to the outside of the bedchamber and seal off all entrances and exits!" "Yes!"

Liu Wen turned around and looked up towards the direction of the bedchamber, his eyes flashing with a fervent light: "Your Highness, this subordinate has captured all of the Imperial Palace Guards. Next, it depends on you…"

"Bang!" The door of the bedchamber was kicked open by the Ninth Prince, the huge sound shaking the entire bedchamber. The Ninth Prince walked in swaggeringly, his figure straight, his gait arrogant and uncaring. His eyes flashed with undisguised ecstasy and triumph as he coldly scanned his surroundings, as if this place were already his domain.

"Father Emperor, do you see how quickly your son has arrived?" he said with a smile, his tone full of lightness and provocation.

Emperor Rende was currently half-lying on the bed, his face pale, and cold sweat faintly seeping from his forehead. Hearing the Ninth Prince's voice, he struggled to open his eyes, his gaze revealing a measure of shock and disbelief. "You…" his throat tightened, his voice weak and hoarse, "What on earth… have you done…"

The Ninth Prince's smile deepened. With his hands behind his back, he walked closer, looking down from above at the emperor who had once shaken the four corners of the world but was now weak and pathetic.

"Father Emperor, you need not be surprised." His tone was gentle yet sarcastic, "This cup of 'soothing tea' was concocted using dozens of high-grade Spirit Medicines. It can soothe the spirit, and it can also… sever all of your cultivation. Rest assured, this son will not let you die too unseemly a death."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Rende's pupils suddenly contracted. He struggled violently, wanting to rise, but found that his entire body felt as if it were suppressed by a thousand-pound weight, unable to muster even a shred of strength. His gaze stared fixedly at the Ninth Prince, filled with anger and pain. "Rebellious son! Rebellious son… I have treated you well, yet you dare to do this…"

The Ninth Prince shook his head indifferently, his tone even carrying a trace of pity: "Father Emperor, you still do not understand; this empire and its altars have never been maintained through emotion alone. This son is not betraying you, but rather securing this eternal foundation for you."

As he spoke, he turned his head and glanced outside, seemingly waiting for something.