"His ambition is like that of a wolf, I wished for him to turn back, but alas, he would not listen!"
Steward Li was furious. His aura erupted, and nine spiritual swords hovered around his palm, exuding a powerful presence.
The onlookers within the Imperial City were astonished, never having expected that within the Dynasty, there existed such a master besides the Dragon Emperor himself.
"Grandfather, if it were you, could you defeat Steward Li?"
In the Li family courtyard, Li Guang inquired. It was the first time he had witnessed Steward Li in action, and he was naturally deeply impressed.
"Let alone me, even if the three family heads were to join forces, they might not be his match!"
Old Master Li stated directly, without any concealment.
Li Guang was shaken. "If what Grandfather says is true, then isn't Steward Li the foremost person after our Lord!"
"You could say that!"
The Li family head nodded. "Now that our Lord has ordered Steward Li to deal with the Eighth Prince, it's highly probable he intends to kill him!"
"To kill a Prince?"
Li Guang was even more shocked. The matter of him sending people to kill the Imperial Son-in-law was not a significant issue.
After all, if the Imperial Son-in-law was gone, the royal family could select another. But a Prince was different; they carried royal blood.
"Indeed, the royal family is heartless!"
Li Guang sighed. "Fortunately, I didn't become the Imperial Son-in-law. Being part of the royal family ultimately leads to no good end!"
"You've become quite clever, boy!"
The Li family head scoffed. "What you did back then almost doomed the entire Li family!"
"I was momentarily foolish, and with the protection of the Li family, I dared to act recklessly!"
Li Guang admitted. "But now I wouldn't dare. Even a Prince can be killed at will; what is the mere Li family in comparison!"
"It's good that you can think this way!" Old Master Li sighed.
Rumble...
A massive collision resounded within the Imperial City. The Eighth Prince was violently thrown back. In front of Steward Li, even as the Eighth Prince, he was ultimately no match.
"Eighth Prince, if you do not cease your actions, this old servant will resort to killing you today!"
Steward Li said coldly. "Consider yourself warned!"
"You are merely a servant of the royal family, yet you presume to kill me!"
The Eighth Prince's expression was indifferent, and he once again charged skyward.
"You court death!"
Steward Li sneered. The Eighth Prince was already heavily injured and was now forcing himself, clearly at the end of his strength.
Boom...
The two figures clashed again. The Eighth Prince was once again sent flying, crashing heavily against the city wall, appearing even more disheveled. Blood continuously trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"This is of your own making!"
Steward Li's expression was indifferent, his gaze unwavering.
Not long after, the Eighth Prince died on the city wall, his end appearing rather tragic, a distinguished Prince meeting such a fate.
Princess Linglong and Lu Fan arrived and were somewhat moved by the scene before them.
"Steward Li, he was, after all, a member of the royal family!"
Princess Linglong rebuked. "Why did you seek my death!"
"Our Lord's order was to kill him if he refused to comply!"
Steward Li smiled. "Princess need not show pity!"
After speaking, Steward Li stepped towards the Imperial Palace, his movements as light as a swallow.
Witnessing this scene, Princess Linglong felt a pang of sadness for reasons she couldn't quite articulate.
"Let's go back! The wind is strong outside!"
Lu Fan said. "The Eighth Prince's end is a result of his own actions!"
Princess Linglong nodded. With the Eighth Prince's demise, the Eighth Prince's Mansion would surely rebel. Thus, it wouldn't be long before the Imperial City dispatched troops.
In the Imperial Palace hall, Linglong looked at the Dragon Emperor in the center of the palace. "Father Emperor, why did you not spare my uncle's life? He is your own brother!"
"The royal family is inherently heartless!"
The Dragon Emperor stated. "As a Prince, he dared to oppose the royal family. If he is not removed, other Princes will surely harbor ill intentions, and the White Dragon Dynasty will fall into turmoil!"
"But..."
Linglong wanted to say more but stopped. She knew that whatever she said now would be futile.
"I have dispatched people to investigate all departments. This campaign against the Prince's Mansion will be personally led by you and the Imperial Son-in-law!" the Dragon Emperor declared. "All royal bloodlines must be purged completely!"
"Father Emperor!"
Linglong was somewhat horrified, her expression changing drastically.
"There is no need for further discussion!"
The Dragon Emperor waved his hand. "Everything is as I have said. Do not ask further!"
Linglong felt a sense of melancholy, then bowed and left the palace, appearing somewhat dejected.
"Princess, what's wrong?"
Xiao Qing rushed over, showing great concern.
"Xiao Qing, tell me, if I were to threaten the royal family, would Father Emperor also kill me?" Linglong asked.
"Princess, what are you saying!"
Xiao Qing exclaimed. "You are the Princess; how could our Lord harm you!"
"But even his own brother, he showed no mercy!" Princess Linglong complained.
"Princess, please do not speak such nonsense!" Xiao Qing quickly approached, looking worried.
If the Dragon Emperor heard such words, it could lead to dire consequences.
Meanwhile, in the Eighth Prince's Mansion, Bai Hu's expression turned grim upon learning of the Eighth Prince's demise.
Qing Long and others stood by, their faces etched with immense anger.
"No matter what, the Eighth Prince was the Dragon Emperor's own brother. How could the Dragon Emperor be so devoid of brotherly affection!"
Zhu Que spoke, filled with grief and indignation. Their lives were saved by the Eighth Prince, and now that he had met a tragic end, how could their hearts remain at peace.
"Gather the mansion's strongmen and deploy our forces!"
Bai Hu said coldly. "It is likely that the royal family will dispatch a large army soon!"
"With the Eighth Prince's Mansion's current strength, to oppose the royal family still presents a significant gap!"
Qing Long stated. "If we can cooperate with the Nine Heavens Dynasty and seize control of the White Dragon Dynasty, then our great ambition can be achieved!"
"Seize the White Dragon Dynasty!"
Bai Hu was moved. He had, at all times, longed to ascend the throne. Now that the opportunity had finally arrived, how could he let it slip away.
"Over the years, the Prince has shown great foresight and has cultivated many loyal death warriors!"
Qing Long revealed. "These individuals will surely prove invaluable at the crucial moment!"
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 understood the reason for the Nine Heavens Dynasty sending someone.
However, he had not expected Prince Shangguan himself to come.
Within the Nine Heavens Dynasty, Prince Shangguan was renowned, destined to be the future monarch. His arrival in their Dynasty likely meant he intended to ally with them to deal with the current royal family.
Bai Hu personally went out to meet him. Outside the Prince's Mansion, several figures stood tall, the man at the forefront possessing an extraordinary demeanor, clearly not an ordinary person.
"Prince Shangguan's visit brings great honor to the Eighth Prince's Mansion!" Bai Hu cupped his fists.
"I have only just received news of the Eighth Prince's tragic demise!"
Prince Shangguan stepped forward. "Brother Bai, please accept my condolences!"
"Thank you for your concern, Prince. The revenge for my father's murder is irreconcilable!"
Bai Hu declared solemnly. "I will surely make the royal family pay the price!"