In the main hall of Prince Rong's residence, Prince Rong sat in the main seat, glaring at the kneeling guards and angrily said, "You worthless wretch! You can't even handle a small matter. What use are you to me?"
"Your Highness, please calm down. Zheng Twenty-Three was ordered by Your Highness to murder Fu Ya and frame the Fu family. This would allow Your Highness to control the Fu family and make them a pawn in Your Highness's inner circle. If necessary, they can join forces with outsiders to take over the family."
This was not unexpected. Even if Zheng Twenty-Three had said some things to show the Prince's wisdom and prowess before murdering Fu Ya, it was not Zheng Twenty-Three's fault.
"The mistake lies with the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect, which did it intentionally. I hope Your Highness will investigate thoroughly." Zheng Yi knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and pleaded for Zheng Twenty-Three.
Zheng Ershisan knelt in the center of the main hall, his face ashen. Prince Rong, having calmed his anger somewhat, said, "Hmph, that sounds nice."
Don't think that just because I saved you from the brink of death and raised you to adulthood, you can bully others and disobey me.
"I ordered you to murder Fu Ya. Now that you have severed Fu Ya's life force, how could the people of the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect possibly revive him?"
"Your Highness, I have made a mistake and deserve to die. I beg Your Highness to cut off my head to give the court an explanation and preserve Your Highness's reputation!" Zheng Twenty-Three was fearless in the face of death.
An atmosphere of compassion was instantly created in the main hall.
Of the 108 secret guards, 36 were present. They were all trusted confidants whom Prince Rong had initially rescued and trained. Their bond was forged through hardship and selfless acts of shielding each other from harm. They were like brothers, sharing life and death.
Prince Rong slammed his hand on the table and stood up with a cold snort: "I will grant your filial piety and punish you by sending you to Jiangnan to assassinate that man."
If you succeed, you'll be pardoned; if you fail, pin the blame on Earl Dai. Go!
"This humble servant obeys the order. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. If I survive, I will return to serve Your Highness faithfully!" Zheng Twenty-Three kowtowed to express his gratitude and then got up to leave.
The thirty-six people watched him leave, their hearts filled with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
Zheng Yi stood up and thanked him: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration for your subordinate and for forgiving Twenty-Three's sins. But how can we explain Twenty-Three's departure to the court?"
"Hmph, do I need to teach you how to do such a trivial matter?"
"Go to the death row and find someone who looks like he's twenty-three to be my scapegoat. What can the court and that brat Fu Ya do to me?" Prince Rong said disdainfully.
Zheng Yi flattered with delight: "Your Highness is wise and mighty, the only one of its kind in the world."
"I presume Your Highness has made some arrangements regarding the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect behind Fu Ya. This humble servant is willing to act as a vanguard, and humbly requests Your Highness's instructions."
"This humble servant is willing to lead the way, Your Highness, please give your instructions!" The other thirty-four people echoed, filling the main hall with a surge of fighting spirit.
Prince Rong sat back down in his seat with satisfaction and gave the order: "Secretly contact the palace servants to intercept and kill Fu Ya, and frame the Prince of Donglin and the Emperor. Do not reveal any of my information. If it is revealed, you know what will happen to you."
"Your Highness, the victor is king, the loser is a bandit; life and death are determined in battle!" The thirty-five men chanted in unison, their voices not loud, but they conveyed an air of fearlessness in the face of death.
This was the only principle that Prince Rong used to cultivate them to succeed.
Zheng Yi, remembering something, added, "Your Highness, what about the Second Prince..."
"Hmph, what is the Second Prince? He dares to ask me to submit? He's just delusional."
"Although I am born of a concubine to my father, unlike the Second Prince who is born of the principal wife and has the support of the White Tiger Army, the family of the late Empress, and was once at the height of his power on the northern border, possessing the innate qualities to become emperor, my efforts over the years are second to none." Prince Rong snorted confidently, looking down on everything.
Zheng Yi flattered with admiration: "Back then, Your Highness shielded His Majesty from a knife, missing the opportunity to ascend the throne..."
"Enough! I took the fatal blow for my father to fulfill my filial duty, which cost me the chance to become emperor. I have no one to blame but myself!" Prince Rong said calmly, but his heart was full of resentment. He even suspected that the fatal blow was the work of Emperor Chengping.
He murdered his father and brothers, and plotted to usurp the throne!
Zheng Yi dared not say more and changed the subject: "Your Highness, it is no coincidence that Princess Wu and Fu Ya were chosen as disciples by the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect one after another."
This matter is likely deliberate, with the aim of seizing the throne?
"Well, most immortal sects don't get involved in imperial power. They focus on cultivation and avoid worldly entanglements, which is beneficial to their cultivation."
However, times have changed; those were unspoken rules from three hundred years ago.
Today, the land is shattered, spiritual energy is scarce, and crystal resources are in short supply, posing a serious obstacle to cultivation.
"To increase their resources for cultivation, the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect has begun to covet the imperial power of the dynasty, and it is highly likely that they will support a puppet emperor to collect resources from all over the world for their cultivation." Prince Rong analyzed with a troubled expression.
Zheng Yi, his killing intent surging, pleaded: "Your Highness, when using someone else to do the dirty work, should we also carry out the plan to eliminate and destroy them?"
Even if it means sacrificing the secret guards and destroying the intentions and foundation of the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect, we are willing to do so.
"This humble servant swears to never allow them to touch Your Highness's imperial power and cultivation resources. Please give your instructions, Your Highness."
"Yes, this matter is imperative, but you should first remain still and wait for the right moment to act."
You must understand that the most anxious person right now is my elder brother, His Majesty the Emperor. After all, Father has already set his sights on the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect behind Fu Ya, attempting to restore its cultivation foundation and regroup.
Therefore, they are bound to engage in open and covert struggles, with the Prince of Donglin and Princess Wu being passively drawn in, and the Second Prince and that other man driven by their ambitions. It is impossible for them to sit idly by.
"Observe the situation and act accordingly. This is the mission I have given you. Now, step back!" Prince Rong said, waving his hand to dismiss them.
Zheng Yi and his group of thirty-four bowed and left the main hall. While they were secretly making their plans, Wu Wei returned to the Princess's residence and summoned her master, the Soul-Severing Fairy Liu Qingyun. She welcomed him in, sat him down, and asked him over tea, "Master, Fu Ya is caught in the vortex of imperial power. Is there any way to save him?"
"Princess, now that you have gained the favor of the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect and are disciples of the sect along with Fu Ya, the sect will naturally protect your safety."
You are about to be courted and won over by the civil and military officials. Although some may plot against you in secret, they will not dare to act recklessly, ruin the Great Li Dynasty's chance to conquer the world, or destroy the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect.
Otherwise, it will provoke public anger and bring bad consequences upon oneself.
"Why should the princess worry?" Liu Qingyun put down her teacup and analyzed the situation, not believing that Fu Ya was in danger.
Wu Wei shook her head in denial: "Master's analysis makes sense."
However, the master overlooked one fact: resources for cultivating immortality are scarce.
The fact that the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect chose to emerge at this time clearly indicates its intention to seize imperial power and compete for cultivation resources.
This is tantamount to severing the backbone of certain people who plot to usurp the throne.
How could they possibly tolerate the existence of the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect, which seizes their imperial power and cultivation resources?
"Then they will inevitably have to kill Fu Ya to test the strength of the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect before making any further plans. What do you think, Master?"
"Hmm, that makes sense. Fu Ya is doomed..." Liu Qingyun agreed in surprise, her eyes widening at Wu Wei's incredible transformation.
Wu Wei said with a heavy heart, "As fellow disciples of the Qian Yuan Immortal Sect, how can I, this princess, stand by and watch Fu Ya be murdered, Master..."
"Alas, even Master can't save Fu Ya..." Liu Qingyun shook her head and sighed in distress...
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