The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 370 - 182: The Restless Sixth Prince

Chapter 370: Chapter 182: The Restless Sixth Prince

After the great battle at Divine Capital, despite Emperor Feng Tianming having been severely injured and left comatose, the overall situation seemed to be improving compared to before.

The spread of the Zen Sect teachings in Northern Zhou increased the martial prowess of the region, and even though there was some friction with local noble families, the esteemed reputation of the Great Zen Temple meant that the families mostly sought to curry favor.

Over the Northern Grassland, the Golden Wolf Han Court, under the influence of both the Great Zen Temple and Mountain River Academy, agreed not to invade the south for a decade, granting a rare period of calm to the soldiers guarding the northern borders. The powers close to the grasslands also breathed a sigh of relief.

The tensions between the court and Mountain River Academy, with the main instigator Emperor Feng Tianming heavily injured and comatose, reverted to the cordial relationship of old, reaching a peak that had not been seen in nearly a decade.

From this perspective, the severe injury and coma of Feng Tianming were also of great benefit. At least, many court officials who had been troubled by Feng Tianming over the years hoped he would not stir up trouble upon awakening.

The three Imperial Princes regent, though occasionally attacking each other, were overall still within an acceptable range. In their ambitions to ascend as Crown Prince, each of the regents showed remarkable dedication to state affairs.

Except for Ninth Prince Feng Jiu.

Feng Jiu now completely shirked his responsibilities, holding the title of Imperial Prince regent in name only, while all the actual work was done by the Sixth Prince. Both common folk and the court alike saw Ninth Prince as a puppet, and the related governmental affairs were tacitly passed to the Sixth Prince.

Of course, the Sixth Prince himself was extremely grateful to his brother, who valued loyalty over power. As a brother who willingly ceded great authority, Feng Jiu could be said to have done the utmost.

Even the somewhat cold-hearted Sixth Prince felt immense gratitude toward his brother, wishing he could announce to the entire world: "Feng Jiu is my, Feng Chaonan’s, good younger brother!"

However, beneath this surface calm, fierce undercurrents swirled, with everyone harboring their own secretive thoughts.

Among them, the most eager to stir trouble was Sixth Prince Feng Chaonan, who held the reality of an Imperial Prince regent but not the title.

When it comes to inheriting the throne, legitimacy is crucial. The name of Imperial Prince regent, in fact, might be deemed more important than its substance. If this status quo were to continue, even if Feng Chaonan emerged victorious among the three regents, the fruits of victory would belong not to him but to Feng Jiu, who held only the title.

Though the Sixth Prince wielded the power of Ninth Prince, seemingly formidable, everyone knew that the Sixth Prince was treating an Imperial Prince regent as a puppet, yet it was undeniable that the Sixth Prince worked for Feng Jiu.

No matter how hard he tried or how outstanding his achievements, without the title of Imperial Prince regent, the Sixth Prince would lack the qualifications to become the next Crown Prince.

Moreover, the more Feng Chaonan tasted the power of an Imperial Prince regent, the more captivated he became, desiring to cement that role permanently. He sought both the title and the power.

But how could he insinuate himself among the ranks of Imperial Prince regent?

The cunningly crafty Sixth Prince easily thought up a good plan.

Since an Imperial Prince regent would not yield his position voluntarily, the route left was to seize it by force. The three regents stood in equilibrium, symbolizing the court, Mountain River Academy, and Eighth Prince Feng Qiwu, who mediated between the two.

But what if this triangle suddenly lost one of its corners?

If, among the balanced trio of Imperial Prince regents, one were to suddenly disappear, would there not be an opportunity for the Sixth Prince to replace him?

Now, with Emperor Feng Tianming severely injured and unable to make arrangements, if one of the three regents were to die, there would be an opportunity for a newcomer.

As the most influential among all the princes, if he were to scramble for the vacant spot of Imperial Prince regent, Sixth Prince believed he had both the qualifications and the assurance to do so.

As for which Prince needed to die...

Ninth Prince Feng Jiu was representing the Mountain River Academy. Since the Sixth Prince and the Mountain River Academy were on bad terms, even if the academy had to choose a common scholar, it wouldn’t choose the Sixth Prince.

Besides, he was considered a brother beyond compare, a reliance for future endeavors; how could the Sixth Prince bear to kill him?

Eighth Prince Feng Qiwu’s role was special, a prince who could balance the powers of both sides. Thus, the only suitable candidate was both the beloved disciple of Zhuge Longsu, the headmaster of Mountain River Academy, and the Emperor’s favorite, Eighth Prince Feng Qiwu. No other prince could fulfill this task.

Thus, the only target left was Feng Guanyu.

By killing Feng Guanyu, the Sixth Prince could smoothly take over and become the new Imperial Prince.

At that time, along with Feng Jiu, the two Imperial Princes could join forces without worry about losing the imperial throne.

Therefore, the Eldest Prince must die!

So, Gong Ziyu arrived.

In the deep of night within the Imperial Palace, a figure dodged left and right, forcibly finding a swift route among the tightly secured patrols.

It seemed a hair’s breadth from discovery each time, yet the figure flawlessly and quickly evaded every guard’s line of sight, easily entering the heavily guarded Crown Prince’s Palace.

This was the exclusive sleeping palace of the Northern Zhou Crown Prince, where currently three people were presiding.

These three, precisely the three Imperial Princes.

Tonight, this figure sought to find one of the princes and discuss some business.

The figure silently slipped into one of the sleeping chambers.

In this chamber, one person was revising documents, laboring through the night before his paperwork.

"Sixth Prince Feng Chaonan is indeed diligent, still revising documents at this late hour."

A deep and strange overlapping voice arose in the darkness, the resonant sound causing the flames of the Long Burning Lamps placed around the chamber to flicker as if the entire chamber were violently shaking. "Sadly, no matter how hard you try, Sixth Prince, you just can’t become a real Imperial Prince, let alone the selection of the next Emperor."

"Who?" The Sixth Prince, who had been engrossed in revising documents, suddenly looked up. The intense firelight around him flickered uncertainly, and a ripple appeared in the shadows around him.

"Sixth Prince, and the hidden Guardian, don’t worry," Qing Yu, wearing a bronze mask, stepped out from the darkness, "I’m not here to cause trouble."

"Besides, hasn’t the Sixth Prince been looking for me? Lately, your men have been frequent visitors at the Azure Dragon Association stores in every Shadow Market. How come, now that I’ve come to you myself, the Sixth Prince seems unwelcoming?"

"Gong Ziyu," the Sixth Prince said, gazing at the distinctive bronze mask as he slowly uttered these three words.

Straightening up and leaning back, no longer bowing his head as before, the Sixth Prince covertly made a hand signal. Almost imperceptibly, the aura of murder that had been continuously swirling around Qing Yu quietly disappeared.

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