Back at the Northwest King's manor, Lu Fan was preparing to bathe and enjoy himself when Steward Zhao rushed in, "Your Highness, you're finally back! Heavenly Court intelligence reports that the Seventh Prince has rebelled and is raising an army to attack the Imperial Capital, aiming to seize political power!"
"The Seventh Prince has rebelled?"
Lu Fan was slightly taken aback, finding it rather unbelievable. He had only just returned, and such explosive news had caught him off guard. He knew very well that the Seventh Prince was a member of the imperial clan. If he truly rebelled, the impact would be immense.
"How could my Seventh Imperial Uncle possibly rebel? This must be false news!"
The Prince of Beixi spoke up, "Although I am now a cripple, I am still a Grandmaster and imperial relative. If it's possible, I wish to accompany you this time!"
"What does the secret report say?" Lu Fan asked.
"The Seventh Prince raised an army to rebel, and it happens to be near the Northwest. Therefore, the Heavenly Emperor has ordered the Ninth Prince and the Northwest King to suppress him together!"
Steward Zhao stated, "The Ninth Prince has already dispatched his troops. However, Your Highness had not returned, which is why our Northwest King's manor has remained in a state of quietude!"
"Assemble the troops and go to support the Ninth Prince!"
Lu Fan declared, with a hint of sharpness in his voice. With the Hell Dynasty looming and internal strife within the Heavenly Court dynasty, this was not a good situation for the entire world of Dawn.
Meanwhile, outside the Seventh Prince's city, the Ninth Prince's forces were encamped, surrounded by numerous other troops, presenting a magnificent and imposing sight. However, they were not rushing to attack, seemingly waiting for something.
"Father, the Heavenly Emperor has issued an order. Why have we not yet attacked?"
The Princess of Beimei spoke, "If we can capture the Seventh Prince's manor, Father will surely hold a high position among the entire imperial clan in the future!"
"These are not important!"
The Ninth Prince shook his head, "Things are not that simple. If my guess is correct, my Seventh Brother must have made preparations. Since he plots rebellion, he must have full confidence. It's just that I truly cannot fathom where he gets his confidence from to be so self-assured!"
"Regardless, this matter cannot be allowed to succeed!"
The Princess of Beimei’s expression was solemn, "Father's delay in acting is likely because he is waiting for the Northwest King!"
"Precisely!"
The Ninth Prince nodded, "With the troop strength of our Ninth Prince's manor, it is not an easy task to capture the Seventh Prince's manor. We might even suffer complete annihilation. Only when the Northwest King's manor arrives can we join forces to achieve this."
Upon hearing these words, the Princess of Beimei also nodded slightly, understanding this point well.
"Reporting to Your Highness, many experts from the Northwest King's manor are already heading this way. They should arrive here before long!"
A soldier cupped his fist, his expression grave.
The Ninth Prince nodded slightly, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips. This was indeed the best outcome, and he no longer had to worry so much. As long as Lu Fan arrived, everything could be discussed.
However, at this very moment, within the Seventh Prince's city, on the city wall, a man with a preoccupied expression, clad in a yellow robe and exuding an aura, spoke, "Ninth Brother, I didn't expect you to be the one coming to deal with me!"
"That's right, it is indeed me!"
The Ninth Prince nodded, "You should know very well why I am here, and you should also understand that what you are doing is not a good thing. If you turn back from darkness and embrace the light now, it might still be timely!"
"Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother, you know nothing about me. To ascend the throne, I will not hold back!" The Seventh Prince sneered, "After all, with my aptitude, I can manage the entire Heavenly Court dynasty better. The affairs within the Heavenly Court dynasty should be managed by me. I am the true Son of Heaven!"
"Seventh Imperial Uncle, do you not find your words laughable!" The Princess of Beimei interjected, "Now that the Heavenly Emperor controls the entire Heavenly Court dynasty, yet you violate ancestral laws and commit such disloyal acts, have you ever thought about how you will face the ancestors of your family!"
"You, a junior, what right do you have to speak to me!" The Seventh Prince said coldly, "Even your father has to call me Seventh Brother. Your tone is quite presumptuous!"
"Before, you were my respected Seventh Imperial Uncle, and I naturally respected you. But now that you have become a traitor and still expect to be respected by others, it is likely a pipe dream!"
The Princess of Beimei’s expression was indifferent, and her words were unreserved, carrying a strong destructive force.
The Seventh Prince's face also turned sullen and uncertain. Being spoken to in such a manner by the Princess of Beimei greatly displeased him, as he believed everything he did was in accordance with his own will.
"Turn back while there is still time. Do not make further mistakes. When we return to the Imperial Capital, I will plead with Big Brother for you!"
With a grave expression, the Ninth Prince spoke. He knew very well that if the Seventh Prince persisted in his errant ways, he would ultimately meet a terrible end. Regardless, they were brothers, so he did not wish for anything to happen to the Seventh Prince.
"I have already made this decision, and there is no turning back!"
The Seventh Prince said coldly, "There are things you do not understand, and Big Brother has held the position of Heavenly Emperor for too long. It is time for someone else to sit there!"
"Do you truly harbor such wolf-like ambition? I have told you so many times, yet you have never listened!"
The Ninth Prince's expression turned icy, tinged with a chilling glint as his gaze fixed directly on the Seventh Prince.
Facing these words, the Seventh Prince remained indifferent, as if nothing in his eyes mattered.
And at the same time, Lu Fan arrived with a large contingent of troops, appearing quite imposing.
"Northwest King, you are finally here!"
Looking at Lu Fan's figure, the Ninth Prince smiled slightly, finally gaining a modicum of confidence. After all, only by joining forces between their two royal manors could they capture the Seventh Prince's manor. With the strength of his Ninth Prince's manor alone, it was likely impossible to capture the Seventh Prince's manor.
"You are like brothers, why must you shed each other's blood!"
Lu Fan's voice rang out as he looked towards the Seventh Prince, his gaze particularly serious. "If you have any difficulties, you can tell us directly, and we can report it to the Heavenly Emperor. We will absolutely not let the Seventh Prince be put in an awkward position."
"What right do you have to speak here? What is it to you?"
The Seventh Prince glanced at Lu Fan with utter disdain, "How can you, a mere child, be called an honored king? To be on equal footing with us!"
Lu Fan's brow furrowed slightly. Being spoken to like this by the Seventh Prince instantly irked him. He had been bestowed the title of honored king by the Heavenly Emperor, and to be so dismissed by the Seventh Prince now, how could he feel comfortable.
"Seventh Brother, if you continue to be stubborn, do not blame me for not cherishing our past kinship!" The Ninth Prince's voice was cold.