Chapter 078
Chapter 78: Third Prince
Hearing this, Li Yuan Ling lightly knitted her graceful brows and placed her hands on her waist.
“She doesn’t even wish to see her own brother, yet she spends all day thinking of a fake prince. I truly wonder what goes on in that mind of hers.”
As she spoke, she approached Li Mu Sheng and patted her chest confidently, her expression firm.
“Don’t worry. Even if your real sister doesn’t want you, you still have me as your sworn younger sister. But…”
“I only hope you act properly from now on. Don’t go stabbing me in the back again, especially when I’m the only one who’s genuinely kind to you.”
Li Mu Sheng chuckled softly, offering no reply. His gaze soon swept across his belongings within the Little Hall, and he nodded with satisfaction.
“All right then. Next time, remember to make up for my missing gifts.”
He waved his hand dismissively, turned around, and gestured for the Heavenly Brocade Guards to accompany him into Shang Yang City.
Seeing this, Li Yuan Ling’s eyes flashed with a thoughtful gleam. She swiftly caught up, walking by his side with hands clasped behind her back.
“I grew up in Shang Yang City. I know every enjoyable spot there is. Are you sure you don’t want my advice?”
“Oh? I nearly forgot about you.”
Li Mu Sheng suddenly remembered and glanced sideways at her.
“Well, since you’re volunteering, then I’ll allow you to guide me around.”
Li Yuan Ling rolled her eyes at his words but quickly thought of something exciting, and her eyes sparkled with delight.
“I do know a fascinating place. I’ve always wanted to visit but never had the chance. Today’s perfect; let’s go together!”
Li Mu Sheng gave her a suspicious look, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Why do I feel this doesn’t sound very reliable?”
Li Yuan Ling’s eyebrows immediately drew together as she put both hands on her waist, narrowing her eyes sternly at him.
“With all due respect, if you don’t trust me, Princess Hua Rong, who knows the Imperial Capital better than anyone, I really don’t know who else you could possibly trust.”
“So confident?”
Li Mu Sheng arched a brow, then clapped his hands appreciatively.
“Good, good—I admire a confident young lady.”
…
Great Li Imperial Capital.
Along the central axis of Vermilion Bird Avenue, near the outer walls of the Imperial Palace, stood a luxurious and imposing mansion.
Its vermilion doors stood wide open beneath a towering archway, grand and majestic. Before the open gates stood armed and vigilant guards alongside martial experts who chattered loudly, making the area lively.
Just then, a carriage bearing the emblem of the Great Li Imperial Palace rapidly approached from the end of Vermilion Bird Avenue, abruptly halting before the mansion’s gates.
Soon after, a beardless, pale-faced eunuch emerged from the carriage, glancing briefly at the imposing residence before hurrying through the bustling crowd of martial artists. He stopped before a guard and spoke urgently:
“Quickly inform His Highness, the Third Prince. I, your humble servant, have important news to deliver.”
Hearing these words, the martial experts nearby cast curious glances toward them. Seeing the eunuch’s anxious expression, the guard dared not delay.
“Please wait here briefly, Eunuch. I’ll inform His Highness immediately.”
…
Within the rear gardens of the Second Prince’s residence, surrounded by ornamental ponds, rockeries, and lush greenery, stood a vast martial arena.
Second Prince Li Que sat proudly atop a lofty viewing platform, flanked by the Third Prince Li Zhu and an elderly figure in a gray robe.
Li Que’s features were handsome, with a prominent nose, though his eyes held a subtle darkness, occasionally flickering with sharpness. Beside him, Third Prince Li Zhu appeared sturdy and broad-shouldered, with a square face, sword-like brows, and a robust figure that filled his rich purple robes tightly.
His tiger-like eyes stared intently down at the martial arena made of polished iron, and he spoke in a deep voice.
“The martial experts Second Elder Brother has invited today are truly exceptional.”
“That disciple expelled from the Golden Cauldron Pavilion earlier held his ground alone against three Martial Grandmasters for an entire incense stick’s burning. His Golden Light Giant Cauldron Art prevented even his Qi defense from breaking. It was truly eye-opening.”
Li Que smiled calmly, nodding in agreement.
“You’re fortunate today, Third Brother. My servants mentioned earlier that a remarkable martial expert has arrived. Even Old Zhe himself came to witness this event.”
He turned respectfully to the aged figure beside him, asking quietly:
“Old Zhe, you say this person’s martial dao has reached the Heavenly Union Realm. Is that true?”
The elderly man had high cheekbones, deeply sunken eyes, and a face etched with wrinkles. His expression appeared sorrowful and weary. Raising his eyes slightly, he cupped his hands respectfully to Li Que, his voice dry and cracked like a broken bellows.
“I wouldn’t deceive Your Highness. With just a single move of one hand, that person forced Zhu Wu Ming—of the Ten Thousand Stele Mountain Cracking Hand, a half-step Heavenly Union expert—to his knees, utterly unable to resist. Yet, no one present could even see clearly how he moved.”
“Such skill could only belong to a genuine Heavenly Union Expert. Even a half-step Heavenly Union far stronger than Zhu Wu Ming could never do it so effortlessly.”
Hearing this, Li Que’s expression brightened as he turned to Li Zhu with satisfaction.
“Third Brother, you heard him. It seems my residence will soon add another Heavenly Union expert to its martial retinue.”
“Then allow me to offer early congratulations, Second Elder Brother. Now, let me witness this Heavenly Union expert’s prowess closely.”
Li Zhu laughed heartily, his gaze drifting toward the arena where no one had stepped forward yet. Suddenly, his expression shifted subtly, and he turned back to Li Que.
“Second Elder Brother, what do you think of that Eighth Prince who was recently acknowledged by Father?”
Li Que narrowed his eyes slightly, waving his hand dismissively.
“That eighth brother wandered outside the palace for twenty years. Consort Jing is long dead, and he has no foundation in the Imperial Capital. Even his mother’s declining family, the Champion Marquis Residence, isn’t worthy of notice.”
Resting his chin lightly upon one hand, his sharp gaze deepened.
“The only ones I’ve ever truly regarded as rivals are our elder brother—and the fake prince Li Zhi, who remains imprisoned to this day.”
Li Zhu’s brows furrowed deeply.
“To be honest, I simply can’t fathom Father’s intentions. He knows Li Zhi is a fake prince, yet why does he hesitate so long to deal with him? He even left the Seventh Prince’s title empty because of him.”
Li Que glanced at him thoughtfully and shook his head gently.
“You truly don’t understand Father, Third Brother. He always has deeper intentions.”
Li Zhu remained puzzled and respectfully asked again.
“How so? Please clarify, Second Elder Brother.”
Li Que smiled faintly, looking toward the Imperial Palace in contemplation.
“Think about the current state of the world. Great Li has existed less than a century, surrounded by powerful neighbors. Ever since Father inherited this empire from Grandfather, he has always aimed to expand our territory.”
“To achieve that, what matters most is people. The art of ruling lies in managing people—good or evil, genuine or fake—if they are useful, they’re valuable.”
“In my eyes, whether Li Zhi is real or fake, I wouldn’t kill him. He is a sword capable of conquering new territories, far more useful alive than dead.”
[Indeed, Father’s thoughts are difficult to grasp.]