"Wolf ambition, I originally wanted you to turn back, but unfortunately you still won't listen!"
Steward Li was furious, his aura suddenly erupted, and nine spirit swords hovered around his palm, exuding a powerful presence.
Everyone within the imperial city watched, their hearts filled with astonishment. They never expected that within the dynasty, besides the Dragon Emperor, there was such a master.
"Grandfather, if it were you, could you defeat Steward Li?"
In the Li family courtyard, Li Guang asked. It was the first time he had seen Steward Li make a move, and he was naturally deeply impressed.
"Let alone me, even if the three patriarchs joined forces, they might not be his match!"
Old Master Li stated directly, without any concealment.
Li Guang was shocked: "If what grandfather says is true, isn't Steward Li the strongest person after the Lord!"
"You could say that!"
Patriarch Li nodded, "Now that the Lord has ordered Steward Li to deal with the Eighth Prince, it's highly likely he intends to kill him!"
"Killing a prince?"
Li Guang was even more shocked. The matter of him sending people to kill the驸马 (emperor's son-in-law) was not a big deal.
After all, if the驸马 was gone, the imperial family could choose another one. But princes were different; they carried the imperial bloodline.
"Indeed, the imperial family is heartless!"
Li Guang sighed, "Fortunately, I didn't become the驸马. Being within the royal family ultimately leads to no good end!"
"You've become quite clever!"
Patriarch Li mocked, "What you did back then almost doomed the entire Li family!"
"I was momentarily deluded, and with the Li family's protection, I dared to act recklessly!"
Li Guang stated frankly, "But I don't dare anymore. Even princes are killed if they say so. What is the mere Li family in comparison!"
"It's good that you think this way!" Old Master Li sighed.
Boom...
A massive collision sound echoed through the imperial city. The Eighth Prince was sent flying violently. In front of Steward Li, even as the Eighth Prince, he was ultimately no match.
"Eighth Prince, if you don't stop now, this old servant will have to kill you!"
Steward Li said coldly, "You should think carefully!"
"You are merely a royal slave, and you dare to try and kill me!"
The Eighth Prince's expression was indifferent as he once again surged into the sky.
"Seeking death!"
Steward Li sneered. The Eighth Prince was already heavily injured and was still forcing himself to fight, clearly at the end of his rope.
Boom...
The two figures clashed palms again. The Eighth Prince was once again sent flying, smashing hard against the city wall, appearing even more disheveled, with blood constantly seeping from the corners of his mouth.
"This is your own doing!"
Steward Li's expression was indifferent, his eyes showing no fluctuation.
Not long after, the Eighth Prince died on the city wall, his end appearing quite tragic. A prince of a vassal state met such a fate.
Princess Linglong and Lu Fan arrived and were somewhat moved by the scene before them.
"Steward Li, he is, after all, a member of the imperial family!"
Princess Linglong chided, "Why did you want to kill me!"
"The Lord commanded that if you do not comply, you are to be killed!"
Steward Li smiled, "Princess, there is no need for pity!"
After speaking, Steward Li strode towards the imperial palace, his movements as light as a swallow.
Seeing this, Princess Linglong felt a pang of sadness for some unknown reason.
"Let's go back! It's windy outside!"
Lu Fan spoke, "The Eighth Prince reaching this point is also his own doing!"
Princess Linglong nodded. With the Eighth Prince's demise, the Eighth Prince's mansion would surely rebel. In that case, it wouldn't be long before the imperial city dispatched troops.
Inside the imperial palace hall, Linglong looked at the Dragon Emperor in the center of the hall, "Father Emperor, why didn't you spare my uncle? He is your own brother!"
"The imperial family is inherently heartless!"
The Dragon Emperor stated directly, "He, as a vassal prince, dared to oppose the imperial family. If he is not removed, other vassal princes will surely harbor rebellious thoughts, and the White Dragon Dynasty will be thrown into turmoil!"
"But..."
Linglong hesitated to speak, knowing that whatever she said now would be futile.
"I have already dispatched people to investigate all departments. This time, you and the驸马 will personally lead the expedition to the prince's mansion!" the Dragon Emperor said directly, "All royal bloodlines must be eradicated cleanly!"
"Father Emperor!"
Linglong was somewhat horrified, her expression changing drastically.
"There is no need to say more!"
The Dragon Emperor waved his hand, "Everything is as I said, do not ask further!"
Linglong felt a pang of emotion and then cupped her fists and left the palace, appearing somewhat dejected.
"Princess, what's wrong?"
Xiao Qing rushed forward, showing great concern.
"Xiao Qing, tell me, if I were to threaten the imperial family, would Father Emperor also kill me?" Linglong asked.
"Princess, what are you talking about!"
Xiao Qing said repeatedly, "You are the princess, how could the Lord possibly make a move against you!"
"But even his own brother, he didn't hesitate!" Princess Linglong complained.
"Princess, please don't speak carelessly!" Xiao Qing hurried forward, looking even more worried.
If the Dragon Emperor heard these words, it would likely spell great disaster.
Meanwhile, in the Eighth Prince's mansion, Bai Hu's face instantly turned grim upon learning of the Eighth Prince's demise.
Qinglong and the others stood by, their faces filled with immense anger.
"No matter what, the Eighth Prince is the Dragon Emperor's own brother. For the Dragon Emperor to be so devoid of brotherly affection!"
Zhuque spoke, her voice filled with grief and indignation. Their lives were saved by the Eighth Prince. Now that the Eighth Prince had died unnaturally, how could their hearts remain calm.
"Gather the strongmen of the prince's mansion and deploy the troops!"
Bai Hu said coldly, "It's likely that the imperial family will send a large army soon!"
"With the current strength of the Eighth Prince's mansion, there is still a gap in challenging the imperial family!"
Qinglong spoke, "If we can cooperate with the Nine Heavens Dynasty and seize the White Dragon empire, then we can achieve great things!"
"Seize the White Dragon Dynasty!"
Bai Hu was somewhat moved. He had always yearned to rule the land. Now that he finally had an opportunity, how could he easily give it up.
"Over the years, the Prince has been far-sighted and cultivated many loyalists!"
Qinglong stated directly, "These people will surely be of great use at that time!"
As they were conversing, a soldier suddenly rushed in, "Young Master, Prince Shangguan of the Nine Heavens Dynasty requests an audience!"
"Prince Shangguan?"
Bai Hu's face lit up with joy. He naturally knew the purpose of the Nine Heavens Dynasty sending someone.
However, he had not expected Prince Shangguan to come in person.
Within the Nine Heavens Dynasty, Prince Shangguan was renowned, and he was destined to be the future monarch. His arrival in the dynasty likely meant he intended to ally with the prince's mansion to deal with the imperial family.
Bai Hu personally went out to meet him. Outside the prince's mansion, several figures stood tall, with the man at the forefront exuding an extraordinary presence, clearly not an ordinary person.
"Prince Shangguan's visit truly brings honor to the Eighth Prince's mansion!" Bai Hu cupped his fists.
"I have just learned of the Eighth Prince's unfortunate demise!"
Prince Shangguan stepped forward, "Brother Bai, please accept my condolences!"
"Thank you for your concern, Prince. The hatred for my father's murderer is irreconcilable!"
Bai Hu stated solemnly, "I will surely make the imperial family pay the price!"