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"So you're plotting a rebellion. What preparations do you have?"

Fairy Eternity inquired, observing the manner of the Fourth Prince and his companions, which hinted at them not acting on a whim but rather being well-prepared.

"Of course, we are," laughed the Fourth Prince heartily. With Lu Yang's assistance, or rather once Lu Yang became involved, the Seek Dao Sect would inevitably take action. By dragging the Seek Dao Sect into this, they had a ninety percent chance of successfully usurping the throne!

"Brother Lu Yang, look here—this is my brother Gongsun Jiu. He possesses an unrivaled cultivation technique capable of explosive speed, on par with someone in the Transcendance Tribulation Stage for a brief period. He can approach our eldest brother under the guise of presenting a treasure and strike within a mere instant, leaving no opportunity for a reaction!"

The man named Gongsun Jiu grinned broadly, "His Highness has shown me great kindness, and this is the perfect opportunity to repay His Highness's favor."

Killing the Crown Prince was a move that would seal one's fate. Gongsun Jiu was already resolved to lay down his life for the Fourth Prince.

"This is my brother Tang Feng, a master of assassination techniques so profound they seem supernatural. Should Brother Gongsun's attempt fail, he will carry out a second assassination. No one would expect the interval between two assassination attempts to be so short."

Tang Feng had an average appearance that would not stand out in a crowd.

"Your Highness saved me from dire straits; my life is yours to command!"

"And this brother here, he specializes in poison-making, capable of killing soundlessly. One who sleeps under its effect will never wake again."

"This brother is in charge of intelligence. Nothing in the Imperial City, big or small, escapes his notice."

"And him—he is actually a disciple of my second brother, already well-versed in my second brother's dietary habits and daily routine."

"And there's more..."

Assassins, intelligence gatherers, planted spies, accomplished actors, scholars who had failed the civil examinations...

The Fourth Prince introduced them one by one. Those attending this banquet were all close confidants of the Fourth Prince, utterly loyal to him. Moreover, each of them possessed unique skills, hidden within all walks of life. If they were to truly demonstrate their abilities, they could carve out a significant reputation in the world of martial arts.

The Fourth Prince had long schemed against his three elder brothers. The only complication had been that their capabilities remained enigmatic. With Lu Yang's participation, everything became straightforward.

Could their secret cards possibly outmatch the Seek Dao Sect?

"I had originally planned to target our father, the Emperor, as well. Every additional day he lives, the powers of my younger brothers grow, threatening my position. Unfortunately, he is protected by the State Destiny, making him difficult to harm, but I can take action in other ways—such as destroying anything that might extend the Emperor's lifespan!"

"Oh, it seems you are quite prepared," Fairy Eternity nodded with an indifferent comment.

"Brother Lu Yang, it's still not enough. We need your help!" The Fourth Prince looked at Lu Yang with earnest, pleading eyes.

"Can't you make up your mind?" Fairy Eternity thought for a moment, and then decided, "Well then, I'll give the Jiang Family's youngest a hand just this once."

"Fine, I'll help."

The Fourth Prince's smile revealed the success of his scheme. From his first contact with Lu Yang until now, he had been recording everything with a Recording Orb, ensuring Lu Yang couldn't just walk away from it all.

Now Lu Yang was trapped on the same boat as he was!

Fairy Eternity rose to her feet, one to act on her thoughts immediately. "Then let's make a trip. Relying solely on your people to deal with your three brothers is a bit of a stretch. We'll need to seek external assistance."

Delight filled the heart of the Fourth Prince. She was about to take him to the Seek Dao Sect for support.

"Hold on, I'll prepare some gifts for the meeting."

"There's no need."

…

After leaving the Imperial Palace, Emperor Xia disguised himself, transforming into a fresh-faced young man—vastly different from his usual demeanor.

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He heard his eldest son say, "If you want people to look down on you, then you must disguise yourself as an inexperienced cultivator, giving off the impression that you lack experience, and this would easily lead to conflicts."

All of this was advice based on Jiang Qun's experience.

Suddenly, Emperor Xia saw two familiar figures, one was Yun Zhi's Junior Brother, and the other was his own Fourth Prince.

What were they doing here?

What puzzled Emperor Xia even more was that Lu Yang was arguing with an officer at the entrance of the Ministry of Punishments, and it seemed like quite a fierce quarrel.

"Why not, don't you have any sense of reason?" Fairy Eternity was somewhat angry; her well-conceived plan was facing setbacks right from the start.

"Move along, move along, this is not a place for your nonsense," the officer impatiently shooed Fairy Eternity away.

Emperor Xia briskly walked forward and sternly rebuked the officer.

"Hold your tongue! As Ministry of Justice Officials, how can you treat people so unreasonably?"

The officer glanced at Emperor Xia and simply ignored him.

A glint of joy crossed Emperor Xia's heart; this was the perfect opportunity to impress.

Under such circumstances, it must have been that Lu Yang encountered some kind of issue and came to the Ministry of Punishments to file a complaint, but they, due to corruption and favoritism, refused to handle the case, leading to this quarrel.

Now it was his turn to step in and uphold justice. When the officials at the Ministry of Justice underestimated and ignored him, and better still, should he uncover some shameful secret within the Ministry that they wished to silence, that's when he would reveal his identity as Emperor Xia to their astonished eyes!

He turned his head towards Lu Yang, feigning not to recognize him, and folding his hands in greeting, he asked, "Fellow cultivator, may I know what has happened that brought you to the Ministry of Punishments to file a report and be treated so unreasonably?"

Fairy Eternity scrutinized Emperor Xia from head to toe, and not knowing what was happening, Emperor Xia felt inexplicably guilty.

Could it be that Lu Yang had seen through his identity?

That shouldn't be the case; the jade pendant he wore was a national treasure-level magic artifact, not something a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator could see through.

Fairy Eternity, stamping her foot in anger, pointed at the Fourth Prince and said indignantly, "It's because I came to report his plot of treason. The Ministry of Punishments refused to accept the report, thinking I was lying! This is such injustice!"

Emperor Xia: "..."

Wait, what did you just say?

The reaction of the Fourth Prince was even more shocked than that of Emperor Xia. With eyes widened in disbelief, he stared blankly at Lu Yang and exclaimed, "Is this your idea of helping me?"

He had never imagined that while Lu Yang had verbally agreed to help him rise against his brothers, claiming to find him assistance, he would then turn around and take him to the Ministry of Punishments to report his own plot of treason.

Fairy Eternity, looking puzzled, regarded the Fourth Prince, not understanding why he reacted so strongly, "Yes, what's the problem?"

"Isn't it because you said you wanted to eliminate your three elder brothers so that you could ascend to the throne? I thought that if you launched a revolt, all would be resolved."

"I heard that in Great Xia, those who rebel are to have their families executed. That way, your three brothers would surely be dead."

"Here I am, finding outside forces to help you."

"And what about me?!" The Fourth Prince glared at Fairy Eternity. Whether his brothers would die, he couldn't be sure, but one thing was certain—he was doomed!

"But at the time, you only mentioned getting rid of your three brothers; you didn't say you wanted to live, did you?"

Fairy Eternity figured that, with the nine generations of the Fourth Prince's family gone, the Jiang Family would have no one left, and it would be her turn to ascend the throne—a stroke of fortune delivered right to her door.