Chapter 119 - 117: Struggle for the Throne, Part 2
Just as Song Changming and Liu Dingsheng were discussing this matter as outsiders, within a large Gu family residence in the Imperial Capital Yunling City.
Lu Zheng moved quickly in silence, stepping into a garden courtyard.
The sound of a piano softly lingered, accompanied by the clear sound of water flowing over stones.
Gu Wenhui was sitting in the pavilion, holding a book and reading attentively by himself.
Seeing Lu Zheng approach, he finally shifted his attention from the book.
"Brother Lu, you’re in such a hurry, has something happened at the palace again?" Gu Wenhui poured Lu Zheng a cup of clear wine and asked.
"A message came from the palace, the Crown Prince is dead!" Lu Zheng had just sat down when he directly revealed the news.
"Brother Gu, just as you predicted, the Crown Prince is the first to be eliminated."
Gu Wenhui nodded, not very surprised by this news, he simply said.
"The Eldest Prince Chu Zheng has always been favored by the old Emperor since childhood. Although he possesses some capabilities, he truly lacks vision. Becoming Crown Prince was due to the old Emperor’s favor. In terms of real skills and abilities, he is not outstanding among the six princes.
If he weren’t the Crown Prince, he might have lived longer."
Lu Zheng nodded: "The county troops have not even arrived, and the Crown Prince is already gone. Those who originally supported the Crown Prince should realign now, right..."
"Indeed, now it’s up to the remaining five princes to see how many new allies they can gather. This might be a crucial step for them to claim the throne." Gu Wenhui replied.
Looking at Gu Wenhui’s calm demeanor, Lu Zheng couldn’t help but ask: "In such a situation, Brother Gu, who do you think will eventually ascend the throne?"
"Both the Second Prince and the Third Prince have potential." Gu Wenhui smiled faintly, and without hiding anything, directly gave his answer.
"The Second Prince’s overt and covert tactics, you have experienced while in Donglai County. Even in such a remote place as Donglai, beyond reach, this prince could arrange a move, making that bandit army and many Jianghu experts serve him.
In Yunling City, in that Imperial Palace, after years of painstaking effort, how many back moves do you think he has arranged?"
"Meanwhile, the Third Prince is ruthless and decisive, and good at enduring. Whether inside or outside the court, he has drawn a large amount of power, the momentum is greatest. In fact, as of now, the Third Prince has a better chance than the Second Prince to laugh until the end."
Lu Zheng frowned slightly upon hearing this, a bit puzzled, he asked: "Since Brother Gu believes the Second Prince and Third Prince have the most potential, why have we not engaged with them over the years to gain a share of the dragon’s achievement, but instead quietly aligned with the Fifth Prince?"
Gu Wenhui’s smile grew even more gentle and refined, picking up a feather fan and standing up: "Brother Lu, I said the Second Prince and Third Prince might ascend the throne, but I never said they would be the final victors.
Whether they can laugh until the end, it’s not enough to become the new Emperor, they must stabilize their rule over the land as well.
Moreover, the dragon’s achievement? That has never been my goal!"
...
In mid to late July, upon receiving orders, the county governors were on their way to Yunling City, and the clashes with the forces under other princes had already begun.
Ambushes, cutting off supplies, sieges, nothing was spared.
Fighting continued right outside Yunling City, and the killings went on.
The princes also began to reveal their hidden cards, engaging in mutual games.
Alliances, betrayal, threats, shifting allegiances, bribery, and stealthy maneuvers...
The means were irrelevant; what mattered was eliminating their siblings and ascending to power, surpassing everything else.
History is written by the eventual victor, and these bloody truths will ultimately be covered up, leaving only the glorious side the victor wishes to show.
This bloody war continued outside Yunling City for three days and nights.
On this night.
A group stopped on an empty street.
Gu Wenhui sat in a carriage, resting with his eyes closed, next to him was Lu Zheng on horseback, and a group of Gu family guards.
After a while, a scout came riding swiftly.
"Sir, the Third Prince’s troops are about to enter the city! The situation on the Fifth Prince’s side is very critical."
Gu Wenhui opened his eyes, not surprised by this result, and said calmly: "Let’s go, we’ll take the Fifth Prince away."
"It’s time to return to Donglai County!"
...
In August.
A piece of news swept like a whirlwind across the Da Han Dynasty.
The Crown Prince attempted treason, murdering his father and mother, and was sentenced to death.
The Third Prince succeeded to the position of Crown Prince, and the coronation ceremony will be held soon, proclaiming to the world!
This major event in the Imperial Palace of the Imperial Capital undoubtedly caused turmoil and chaos in various places.
Like a long fuse, igniting at this moment.
And behind this news, the four defeated princes, no matter how unwilling, could only gather their remaining forces and choose to flee Yunling City.
Sparing their lives, they retreated to their prepared escape routes for a comeback!
Donglai County City, Liu Residence.
In the courtyard, sword winds swept around, blowing fallen leaves into the air with Song Changming.
Flying Swallow Technique, Flying Bell Elegy!
A flash of silver light arrived in an instant, its speed seemingly twisting space.
In the air, the sounds of the wind chime and birds singing intertwined, resonating throughout the entire courtyard!
The fierce sword momentum emanating from Song Changming covered the entire courtyard!
Everyone in the courtyard felt suffocated by his sword momentum.
"Hmm?!" Liu Dingsheng, standing in place, also showed a hint of astonishment on his face.
Quickly, the astonishment turned into an excited smile.
"Good boy!"
He had been suppressing Song Changming with his Seventh Realm martial arts cultivation, but at this moment, in the face of Song Changming’s sudden outburst of sword might, he had to hastily raise his martial arts cultivation again to fend off the incoming strike from Song Changming!
Even so, under this strike, he was still unsteady, stepping back a step before he could defuse Song Changming’s deadly blow.
This was also the first time, since he started advising Song Changming, that he had been forced back by him.
Even though it was just a small step, it was significant, proving that Song Changming had a chance to counter when facing him.
"Peak of Perfection, your advanced sword skill has reached perfection, since when?" Liu Dingsheng looked at Song Changming and asked with a faint smile.
"Just a couple of days ago, after seeking guidance from the senior, I returned and had an epiphany," said Song Changming, cupping his fists in a bow to Liu Dingsheng, expressing his gratitude.
Although he had not apprenticed under Liu Dingsheng, the latter had earnestly guided him. Whether in martial arts cultivation or other knowledge and insights, Liu Dingsheng answered all his questions, warranting Song Changming’s sincere thanks.
"No need to thank me. Achieving perfection in this advanced sword skill is entirely your own capability," Liu Dingsheng remarked, shaking his head.
He knew very well; it would be surprising if a few words from him could lead someone to perfect their sword skill.
His guidance was merely the icing on the cake; the key was the practitioner’s own comprehension and talent.
"To perfect an advanced sword skill at a bit over twenty years old, there’s truly no reasoning with this..." Liu Dingsheng sighed in admiration.
The gap between people can sometimes be unimaginably vast.
"Again!" Liu Dingsheng showed interest in Song Changming’s perfect blade skill and wanted to see the full extent of his strength.
He no longer treated Song Changming as an ordinary Sixth Realm martial artist.
After all, normally, a Sixth Realm martial artist couldn’t possibly master a perfect realm advanced sword skill.
Not to mention Song Changming was a Sixth Realm martial artist who also practiced multiple body refining skills.
"Alright!" Song Changming readily agreed.
With his blade skill advancing, he needed someone to spar with.
Liu Dingsheng was undoubtedly the best choice for a sparring partner.
After a round of fighting, Liu Dingsheng suddenly realized that unless he elevated his strength to at least an eighth-realm body refining level, he couldn’t steadily suppress Song Changming at full strength, even risking defeat.
To him, this was rather absurd.
Although he had suppressed his martial arts cultivation, his combat experience, understanding, and even his martial arts foundation remained within the realm of an Extreme Realm martial artist!
Normally, even if he only used the Seventh Realm martial arts cultivation, the true strength he revealed would definitely be above that of an ordinary Seventh Realm martial artist.
Yet, he couldn’t suppress Song Changming, who was under Sixth Realm martial arts cultivation!
This discovery surprised him, making him feel somewhat defeated.
If at this moment Song Changming also had Extreme Realm martial arts cultivation, it was almost certain that he, Liu Dingsheng, would be the one to lose.
After testing the sword, he increasingly believed that this young man before him was different, and achieving Extreme Realm cultivation was not the limit for this young man.
For a moment, a thought of taking a disciple, something he had never considered, floated in Liu Dingsheng’s mind but was quickly dismissed.
He knew clearly that, given Song Changming’s growth speed, he had little to teach him.
After all, he was but a wanderer of the Jianghu, with nothing as precious as the heritage of those vast noble families or major sects.
Just as Song Changming was about to sheath his blade, a Patrol Guard came in quickly.
"Song, the General Department has an urgent matter for you; you’re requested to come as soon as possible!"
"Alright, I understand." Song Changming sheathed his blade and bid farewell to Liu Dingsheng.
The Liu Residence was near the Public Security Bureau. Upon returning to the General Department, Song Changming saw that people were constantly gathering outside, with various patrol squads being mobilized.
This hustle and bustle indicated that this urgent matter was significant.
As Song Changming approached, he saw Zhou Sixin also arriving quickly.
After inquiry, the other didn’t know what had happened either.
Upon entering the main hall, all the other Patrol Captains had already gathered.
"Song!"
"Song!"
"..."
The Patrol Captains greeted Song Changming one after another with cupped fists and respect in their tone.
Nowadays, in the General Department, Song Changming’s status and strength were second only to General Director Zhuang Ren.
No one dared to disrespect him.