To seize the Emperor’s Throne is not an overnight endeavor but requires long-term accumulation. When the amassed power is strong enough, one can raise an arm and call to arms, thereby accomplishing the imperial ambition in one fell swoop.
The Second Prince can only quietly build up strength in secret if he wishes to compete with Prince Jianyun for the Emperor’s Throne.
"Chu Feng, you have quite the nerve! Daring to kill someone in broad daylight, showing contempt for royal laws, today this prince will not forgive you!" The Second Prince said, clapping his hands three times, immediately two formidable Imperial Palace Guards leapt out from hiding spots.
The Second Prince is unimaginably esteemed, merely a coachman, but not enough to ensure his complete safety.
The Golden Scale Robes worn by these two guards indicate that they are both First-class Guards of the Imperial Palace.
Equivalent to royal bodyguards.
They are experts recruited from the military and common folk, only after numerous selections can one become a First-class Guard.
Each is powerful in combat and has one or two lethal techniques.
"Slay all three of them!" The Second Prince, from an early age, was subjected to various imperial educations and has an extreme resistance to beauty.
The palace maids within the Imperial Palace are all beautiful and fetching, and if he desires beauties, it’s merely a matter of a word.
Though Qiao Yue’er and Little Lan are beautiful, they’re not enough to elicit pity or cherishing from the Second Prince.
Regardless of anyone from Sword King Mansion, be they as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal, the Second Prince would not take a second glance.
Elder Cousin has never seen such a terrifying formation; in his eyes, Princes are supremely eminent beings. If these people only wish to kill Chu Feng, he would be happy to watch the excitement and not intervene.
However, the Second Prince intends to kill Qiao Yue’er as well.
Elder Cousin immediately thinks of rescuing her.
As long as he saves Qiao Yue’er, wouldn’t she be grateful to him? With a little manipulation, he could have her repay her debt with her body and taste the delicate flower.
"Hehe, this Chu Feng, isn’t he tough? He deserves this misfortune, deserves to let me show off, to recover the face I’ve lost."
Elder Cousin chuckles smugly to himself, straightens out his clothes, and hurries over with a sycophantic smile.
"Alchemy Master Qiao, are you also here to dine?" Elder Cousin, being an alchemist of the Alchemy Master Guild, naturally recognizes Qiao Dusi.
His thought is simple: since he and Qiao Dusi are both alchemists from the Alchemy Master Guild, he figures he can ask Qiao Dusi for a favor. With the relationship between the Second Prince and Qiao Dusi, it is natural for him to return the favor.
After all, Elder Cousin is only planning to save Qiao Yue’er.
Those who are in direct conflict with the Second Prince are Chu Feng and Little Lan.
He believes that the Second Prince would certainly be magnanimous and spare Qiao Yue’er.
"Who are you? Do I know you?"
Qiao Dusi looks Elder Cousin up and down, his expression blank. As a highly ranked Second Grade Alchemist in the Alchemy Master Guild,
Qiao Dusi even aspires to compete with Niu Baotian for the throne of Chief Alchemist.
Such high-spirited and revered figures naturally would not know an ordinary alchemist from the back of the hall, which is to be expected.
This is rather awkward.
Elder Cousin intended to show off his wide connections, only to find out the other party does not even recognize him.
"Uh... Ha-ha, it’s normal that Alchemy Master Qiao doesn’t know me. I’m Huang Ke, an alchemist from the back hall of the Alchemy Master Guild. Whereas you, sir, are a sitting alchemist from the front hall, a person of high status."
"Actually, every month at the Guild’s regular meetings, I have seen Alchemy Master Qiao. I have always regarded you as my idol..."
Elder Cousin may lack other skills, but when it comes to flattery and having thick skin, he’s truly top-notch.
After the awkward moment, he immediately adapts and begins to warm up to Qiao Dusi.
"I see, I really haven’t paid attention to you!" Qiao Dusi declares with a proud air. The flattery from Elder Cousin makes him quite pleased.
The way he looks at Elder Cousin becomes much warmer.
"Alchemy Master Qiao, I beg a favor of you! Could you say a few good words for me in front of Second Prince..."
Before Elder Cousin could finish speaking, Qiao Dusi frowned and interrupted, "Save your effort if you’re trying to intercede for that mongrel Chu Feng."
Upon hearing this, Elder Cousin immediately broke into laughter.
It appears that Chu Feng is indeed loathsome; not only does the Second Prince want him dead, even Alchemy Master Qiao deeply detests him.
"That vermin Chu Feng deserves to die. It’s not for his sake that I beg, but for my cousin Qiao Yue’er. I implore Alchemy Master Qiao to show kindness and assist her."
Qiao Dusi’s expression shifted slightly, surprised he exclaimed, "The lady in the carriage is actually Qiao Yue’er?"
Since she is one of the Qiao Family, Qiao Dusi’s attitude was different.
"Second Prince, I beseech you to stay your hand a moment!" Qiao Dusi hurriedly pleaded with a smile to the Second Prince.
The Second Prince seemed to hold Qiao Dusi in high regard and immediately waved to halt the actions of two Royal First-class Guards.
The conversation between Qiao Dusi and Elder Cousin was clearly heard by the Second Prince.
His targets were the two princes from Sword King Mansion and a Commandery Princess. As for Qiao Yue’er, he was indifferent to her life or death.
To spare Qiao Yue’er and to do a good turn for Qiao Dusi, that was indeed worth it.
Qiao Yue’er eagerly lifted the curtain herself and emerged from the carriage, ready to plead for Chu Feng.
But Qiao Dusi coldly said, "Qiao Yue’er, you must sever all ties with Sword King Mansion immediately and never associate with them again. I can spare your life today."
Qiao Yue’er trembled slightly, and without hesitation rejected, "Your kindness, I’ve taken to heart! In life, I am a member of the Chu Family, in death, I will be a ghost of the Chu Family. In this lifetime, I’ll never abandon my husband Chu Jianlan."
The instruction that followed was for the Second Prince.
To break all ties with Sword King Mansion was a demand she would rather die than meet.
"You’re seeking your own death! You can’t blame others!" Qiao Dusi was furious, considering Qiao Yue’er ungrateful.
Without wasting more words, the Second Prince gestured with a throat-slitting motion.
Two Royal First-class Guards simultaneously drew their swords to strike at Chu Feng.
The blades they wielded didn’t just show Sword Qi; it was distinct sword light that signified solid Condensation.
It meant they both possessed the cultivation of Great Sword Masters at Level 1.
Such formidable opponents, two in number, now surrounding Chu Feng to strike him down. In the next moment, Chu Feng would surely be decapitated.
A schadenfreude smile appeared on Elder Cousin’s face, even though he felt it slightly regrettable that Qiao Yue’er was also to be killed.
"Who dares to attack Prince Chu Feng?"
A stern voice erupted as Han Family Master leaped forward from the shadows.
A single sword strike unleashed, revealing thousands of blades; an overwhelmingly powerful move that shook the hearts of all present. Truly worthy of Han Qianren’s peerless reputation.
In terms of Sword Dao Cultivation, there were very few in the Jianyun Dynasty who could stand against Han Qianren.
Even a fearsomely renowned character like Bloody Beard was no match for Han Qianren.
Talking about Han Family Master, he was also a man of ambition. Having been subdued by Chu Feng, he was intensely loyal, although he never showed it openly.
A few days ago, when he learned that Prince Liu Mansion intended to secretly harm Chu Feng, he began to guard Chu Feng covertly.
Exploiting his powerful cultivation, he had managed to remain undetected by anyone.
Now, at the most critical juncture for Chu Feng, he made his move.
He and Bloody Beard, one in the open and one in the dark, granted absolute protection to Chu Feng, ensuring the safety of their master.