An Jiu looked up at his confident expression, which seemed devoid of any suspicion, and decided not to press further. She was still stunned by her own words—how could she have said such a thing? Even Chu Dingjiang couldn’t handle this person; if she charged in, she’d be lucky to survive. So why did she want to throw herself into certain death?
“You and Elder Zhi will confront each other with bows. If the opportunity arises, shoot the Crown Prince,” Chu Dingjiang said.
“Alright,” An Jiu replied.
Chu Dingjiang wrapped an arm around her and swiftly carried her out of the side hall.
The Second Prince had already led his cavalry through the Baohua Gate, clashing fiercely with a large contingent of guards. Though the guards were losing ground, the Crown Prince arrived with reinforcements just in time.
Amid the chaos, the Crown Prince immediately spotted the Second Prince in the thick of battle and shouted furiously, “Father’s body is not yet cold, and you dare to storm the palace!”
The Second Prince, his face smeared with blood, laughed in response. “I bear Father’s Imperial Edict to lead troops into the palace! What are you trying to stop me for?”
“What am I trying to stop you for? Since you’ve turned traitor, don’t blame your elder brother for being ruthless.” The Crown Prince’s expression darkened abruptly as he raised his sword and pointed it at the Second Prince. “Crane Control Army, heed my order! Execute this rebel!”
No one answered, but at his command, over a dozen shadowy figures leaped forward to attack the Second Prince.
Watching the thunderous assault, the Crown Prince’s lips curled into a cruel smile.
Yet, a dozen soldiers beside the Second Prince suddenly surged forward to intercept, forcefully blocking the Crane Control Army assassins.
Immediately after, another dozen assassins were dispatched, only to be met by an equal number of defenders from the Second Prince’s side.
Then came the third wave, the fourth wave…
The Crown Prince’s face darkened. “What’s going on?”
He had kept the Second Prince under strict surveillance all these years—there was no way the latter could have secretly trained or recruited such a large number of assassins.
“Some in the Crane Control Army have defected,” Feng Shi stated calmly. “Your Highness still has a trump card.”
The Crown Prince glanced at him.
Feng Shi turned to look at Elder Zhi.
The Crown Prince was puzzled. Elder Zhi had been renowned for his talent in his early years, but now he was merely a tutor at the Zishan Academy. The Crown Prince vaguely remembered him but couldn’t fathom what a frail scholar could possibly do.
But in the next moment, he realized his mistake.
Elder Zhi slowly straightened his hunched back—an utterly ordinary movement, yet it felt as though a towering mountain had risen before them.
“Greetings, Your Highness.” Elder Zhi bowed respectfully.
Steadying himself, the Crown Prince gestured for him to rise. “No need for formalities on the battlefield. If you have any skills, use them now—just kill that traitor!”
As Chu Dingjiang had predicted, Elder Zhi still harbored a sliver of hesitation. He had observed the temperaments of both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince—neither was virtuous, and the Mei Clan’s chances of revival under either were slim. But now, he had to make a decision.
Countless thoughts flashed through Elder Zhi’s mind before he finally replied, “Understood.”
Taking a bow from one of the Crane Control Army soldiers, he drew the string. A faint blue light flowed from his fingertips, coiling around the arrow before gathering into a small luminous sphere at the arrowhead. The sheer, overwhelming aura of it was enough to strike fear into anyone who saw it.
The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up—this must be the legendary Startling String! With this shot, he refused to believe the Second Prince could survive.
The arrow was nocked.
Just as Chu Dingjiang arrived with An Jiu, they witnessed this critical moment."Intercept his arrows!" Chu Dingjiang never doubted An Jiu's abilities. In an instant, he chose a relatively good firing position and placed his hand on her shoulder.
An Jiu felt the Inner Force continuously flowing into her body. Without hesitation, she reached back and unfastened the Dragon Subduing Bow. (To be continued...)
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