Liu Can grew anxious. "First Prince, what kind of person am I, Liu Can? Don't you know by now? What is the Second Prince worth? He's not fit to even carry your shoes. Following him—what future could there be in that?"
"First Prince, don't listen to Jiang Chen's nonsense. This man is full of schemes and must be trying to sow discord."
At this moment, a calm voice spoke from beside Ye Dai. It was the Spirit Realm, second level disciple of the Treasure Tree Sect, his expression as indifferent as ever.
Ye Dai was momentarily stunned, then understood. "Yes, yes! Thank you, Brother Chen, for the reminder."
"Jiang Chen, stop trying to drive a wedge between us. Since you've come here, good—let's settle all the grudges from the Royal Capital today!"
Jiang Chen chuckled. "Settle it? If you want to settle it, you'll need to be ruthless. You'd have to silence even the Consort Dan you respect so much. Otherwise, aren't you worried she might reveal the secret of how you killed your brothers once she's free to speak? If that gets out, how will you ever ascend to the throne?"
This was, in fact, the very thing Ye Dai was most conflicted about. Jiang Chen had struck his weakness directly.
His possessiveness toward Consort Dan was indeed almost pathological.
However, for the sake of the empire, for the throne, he was not unwilling to make sacrifices.
But he knew Consort Dan was different from the others. If anyone else died and the trail went cold, so be it. But if Consort Dan died, the Old Master would absolutely not let it go without an investigation.
Once the Old Master began digging, and it led to him, Ye Dai—forget the throne, even his head would not remain on his shoulders.
Consort Dan, to the Old Master, was not merely an adopted daughter or a disciple. She was his spiritual anchor, a treasure more precious even than his own children!
Killing Consort Dan? Ye Dai truly didn't have the nerve for that.
His expression shifted between shadow and light, his gaze fixed on Consort Dan as he rasped, "Consort Dan, I know you've always been deceived by the Fourth Prince, favoring him more. Must you really interfere in the struggle between us brothers? Must you truly stand on Ye Rong's side?"
Consort Dan's gaze was cool. She glanced at Ye Dai. "Ye Dai, before today, I had absolutely no intention of meddling in your brothers' contest. I have no stance in this matter. However, your actions today have truly disappointed me."
"Consort Dan, since ancient times, the victor is king and the loser is a bandit. I was born into a royal house; this is a necessity you should understand. Having followed the Old Master, you know that the transmission of the throne, the exchange of power, has never been bloodless. I don't ask you to help me. I only hope you remain neutral. Pretend you saw nothing today. If you do this, I, Ye Dai, will be grateful for the rest of my life. If I ascend to the throne one day, I am willing to share the empire with you."
"Share the empire?" Consort Dan let out a contemptuous laugh. "Ye Dai, do you think every woman in the world cares about the so-called power of your royal family?"
"Consort Dan, to be the mother of the nation, the Queen—naturally, that is unparalleled wealth and glory. Moreover, if I subdue the Sixteen Surrounding Kingdoms and establish a dynasty, and you become its Empress, what majesty that would be! It would bring glory to our ancestors! What wealth could possibly compare?"
It had to be said, Ye Dai was very eloquent. His persuasion was laced with confession, and his confession held temptation.
Even Jiang Chen couldn't help but want to laugh. This Ye Dai's silver tongue was truly extraordinary.
As Ye Dai grew more agitated in his speech, Consort Dan's beautiful face grew darker and more stormy.
"Ye Dai, shut your foul mouth. I don't want your ridiculous words dirtying my ears." Consort Dan's face was frosty as she spoke coldly.
"You... you are determined to stand with Ye Rong?" Pain flickered in Ye Dai's eyes, but it quickly transformed into a vicious gleam that flashed within them. "What does he have that's better? Is his birth better than mine? Is he more handsome? Are his schemes and statecraft superior? Consort Dan, why do you always stand by his side? Whenever he encounters trouble, you bail him out! But when I'm in trouble, you always turn a blind eye! Consort Dan, I revere you as an immortal goddess, yet do you treat me like a pig or a dog?"
"You're overthinking it. I've said before, I have no interest whatsoever in the struggles between you princes."
"Fine. Since you have no interest, leave here immediately. Swear an oath not to reveal what happened today, and I guarantee I won't harm a hair on your head."
Consort Dan's graceful figure stood rooted to the spot, utterly still. She did not speak, merely looking at Ye Dai with an indifferent gaze.
"Will you leave or not?" Ye Dai growled low.
"I don't want to kill you. If you won't swear the oath and won't leave, you are forcing my hand. Consort Dan, don't force me!" Ye Dai roared like a wild beast.
"I'm not forcing you. You are forcing yourself."
A look of final resolve suddenly shot into Ye Dai's eyes. "Good! Since that is the case, Consort Dan, don't blame me for being heartless. Pass my order: spare no one except Consort Dan! If she obstructs, kill her!"
Jiang Chen smiled lazily. "After all that talk, you've finally shown your true colors, haven't you?"
Ye Dai's face was grim as he bellowed, "Whoever kills Jiang Chen for me first will be handsomely rewarded!"
With Jiang Chen's appearance, Ye Dai discovered that the person he hated most, the person whose death he desired above all others, was not Ye Rong, but Jiang Chen!
"I'll do it!" Liu Can let out a ferocious laugh, rushed out from his formation, and swept toward Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen stood motionless as a mountain. His wrist flickered, and a flying knife appeared in his hand—
Eagle's Descent!
A flash of cold light, and the knife vanished into the void. Before anyone could react, they saw the knife had already plunged into Liu Can's throat.
Liu Can's body, having not even charged ten meters, came to an abrupt halt. His hands clutched desperately at his throat, his eyes bulging out like those of a dead fish.
A gurgling, rasping sound came from his throat. His hands clawed weakly at his neck, as if trying to drag his fading life force back into his body.