A fierce glint flashed in Shang Xiche's eyes: "We can prepare for both possibilities and take a two-pronged approach!"

"I would like to hear the details," the Empress Dowager said calmly.

"Isn't Zhaoping a sharp weapon for the Empress Dowager to deal with the Ninth Prince? I can issue an edict, using the excuse that the late Emperor appeared in a dream and that a child was born from heaven, to order Zhaoping to immediately go to the Northwest to consummate her marriage with the Ninth Prince and bear the child of heaven. Given the Ninth Prince's affection for the late Emperor, even if he doesn't like Zhaoping, he will consummate his marriage with her out of respect for the late Emperor," Shang Xiche sneered, his eyes filled with malice.

The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly without expression: "I have also considered this plan, but I have refrained from using it for fear of completely severing the Ninth Prince's ties with the royal family and angering him. Given the current situation, the Ninth Prince is beyond our control, so this is the only option. Is there another plan?"

"There's another plan, targeting that bandit gang. Right now, those bandits and the main fighting force of Vulture Stronghold are all in the Northwest. Vulture Stronghold only has some old, weak, and disabled soldiers left, and they're no match for us. I can send the Shadow Moon Guards in disguise to launch a sneak attack and capture that bandit's mother and twin brothers. With those three in our hands, we won't have to worry about the bandits not obeying us." Shang Xiche got excited and slammed his fist on the small square table in front of him.

The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly.

Tongyou.

The people of Black Purgatory received news of Shang Xiye's series of victories and knew that things were probably not going well.

However, at this time, Shang Beiyu was at sea trying to break the restrictions on the ancestral land of the Eastern Dragon Gate and had not returned. They did not know where to look for him, so they were unable to notify Shang Beiyu.

The people of Black Purgatory have no way to deal with it.

The people from the Ji family's ancestral home secretly went to the northwest to send a message to Ji Chen.

Outside the capital of the Di Kingdom.

Ji Chenhai was startled when he saw his cousin's eldest son, Ji Dang, and asked, "You brat, did you burn down the ancestral hall or kidnap some girl? Why did you travel so far to escape here?"

Ji Dang: "..."

This uncle is still so irreverent!

"The clan elders and my father asked me to ask you, Uncle, who you have offended outside. That person has found our ancestral land and has been lingering outside the ancestral land's great formation for several months, trying to break the ancestral land's restrictions," Ji Dang said with a stern face, looking mature beyond his years.

"What? What does that person look like?" Ji Chenhai immediately dropped his joking expression and asked seriously.

Ji Dang also answered seriously: "I glanced at him inside the formation. The man was dressed in black robes and his face was covered, so I couldn't see his appearance. But he was very skilled. He could stand on water, fly on a sword, and he had a good understanding of formations. The elders are worried that he will break the formation of the ancestral land sooner or later, threatening the safety of the clansmen."

So the elders asked me to tell you, you brought this trouble upon yourself. You led people away; don't bring harm to everyone!

"How dare you speak like that? What do you mean by 'my father caused this trouble'..." Ji Fengming was furious and was about to retort.

Ji Dang glanced at Ji Fengming with cold disdain and said, "Of course, compared to my uncle, I believe you caused this trouble."

"You dare say that again? Don't think you can talk nonsense just because you're older than me. Even if you were my own brother, I'd still beat you up," Ji Fengming said, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to fight.

Although Ji Dang did not shout, he stood tall and proud, looking arrogant and fearless.

"What an arrogant attitude! That's a blood feud of your Ji family. If you want to sever ties, don't bother Uncle Ji and Fengming. Burn incense and pray to betray the clan and never acknowledge yourselves as members of the Ji family again," Hei Xiao said coldly, blocking Ji Fengming's way.