Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The hall is filled with murderous intent!

The sword of the Sixteenth Prince Chu Bin was as fast as lightning, with a sharp sound of breaking through the air. Before the sword arrived, the sharp sword energy had already cut a hole in Chu Ning's robe.

At the critical moment, Chu Ning slightly tilted his body, and his right hand stretched out like a dragon's claw, actually meeting the sword with his bare palm.

Just as the tip of the sword was about to pierce his palm, Chu Ning turned his wrist, and his five fingers were like hooks, accurately grabbing the sword.

"Zheng——"

Amid the sound of metal clashing, Chu Bin was horrified to find that his sword could not move forward even an inch.

Chu Ning's fingers were like iron pliers, firmly clamping the sword, and no matter how hard Chu Bin tried, he couldn't break free.

"You..." Chu Bin's face changed drastically.

A cold light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes, and he clenched his left hand into a palm, slapping Chu Bin's chest with a whistling sound.

Chu Bin hastily dropped his sword and leaped back, but was still hit by the palm wind. He felt a tightness in his chest and took several steps back before he could stabilize his body.

"Pseudo-super first-class?"

Chu Ning sneered and threw the long sword he had snatched onto the ground: "This year, I have broken through to the super first-rate realm!"

Chu Bin was extremely shocked when these words came out.

There are no more than five top-notch masters in the entire Chu!

Chu Bin's face turned pale for a moment, but was immediately replaced by madness: "So what! Even if I die today, I will take you with me!"

He suddenly pulled out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, tilted his head back and drank the liquid in it.

The next moment, Chu Bin's veins popped out all over his body, his eyes became bloodshot, and his aura suddenly surged again!

"Blood Burning Pill!" Zhao Yu cried out, "Your Highness, be careful! He has taken a banned drug!"

Chu Ning's expression became serious.

The Blood Burning Pill burns one's life in exchange for a temporary surge in power, and is a banned drug in the world.

Chu Bin is really trying his best!

"go to hell!"

Chu Bin roared wildly, and his figure flashed like a ghost, appearing in front of Chu Ning in an instant, and his palms with a fishy wind slapped towards Chu Ning's crown.

Chu Ning did not dare to delay and used all his strength to meet the attack with both palms.

"boom!"

The four palms collided, and a wave of air exploded, shattering all the tables and chairs in the hall.

Several nearby Jinyiwei were knocked over by the blast, and Jia Yu was forced to use his internal energy to resist. Ling Haoran retreated to the courtyard outside the hall.

In the smoke and dust, Chu Ning took three steps back, with a trace of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

Chu Bin flew backwards and hit the pillar hard, blood spurting out of his mouth.

"Why... why..."

Chu Bin struggled to stand up, but found that all the meridians in his body were broken. "I clearly... have..."

Chu Ning wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said coldly: "Although the Burning Blood Pill is powerful, your foundation is unstable. Forcing it to improve will only lead to your own destruction."

Upon hearing this, Chu Bin suddenly let out a shrill laugh, his laughter filled with resentment and unwillingness: "Chu Ning... do you think... you won?"

He raised his head with difficulty, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

"You will never... know... who the real mastermind is... Do you think... I am the only one who wants to kill you? Haha... Hahahahaha..."

The laughter stopped abruptly, Chu Bin's head drooped weakly, the light in his eyes faded, but a strange smile was frozen at the corner of his mouth.

The hall was dead silent.

Chu Ning stared at Chu Bin's body with a frown.

The question "Who is the real mastermind behind this?" was like a thorn, deeply piercing his heart.

"Your Highness..." Jia Yu took a step forward, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Chu Ning raised his hand to stop him, turned and walked towards the main seat, his voice tired and cold: "Clean up. No one is allowed to tell anyone about what happened tonight."

Outside the window, the sky in the east was already turning pale.

The long night finally passed, but Chu Ning knew that this game of power was far from over.

In the dim morning light, the bloody smell in the Sixteenth Prince's residence had not yet dissipated.

Chu Ning stood in the middle of the courtyard, watching Ling Haoran direct the runners from the Ministry of Justice to cover the bodies with white cloth and carry them away.

The white cloths were quickly soaked with blood, leaving long bloodstains on the bluestone floor.

"Lord Ling!"

Chu Ning's voice was low and cold: "What happened today must be announced truthfully. In addition, you must personally interrogate all the servants in the mansion. Anyone who knows the inside story -"

Ling Haoran bowed and replied, "I understand. No one will be left alive."

Chu Ning nodded slightly and turned his gaze to Zhao Yu who was supported by two Jinyiwei.

This loyal general had a half-broken arrow stuck in his chest and his face was as pale as paper, but he still managed to stand.

"Master Jia!"

Chu Ning called out, "Take General Zhao to find Sun Simiao and make sure he gets treated for his injuries."

He paused, a rare hint of warmth in his voice: "If it weren't for General Zhao who risked his life to protect me, I would be lying here right now."

Jia Yu clasped his fists and accepted the order: "Your Highness, rest assured. Divine Doctor Sun is a master doctor and will definitely keep General Zhao safe."

He turned to Zhao Yu and whispered, "General Zhao, let's go."

Zhao Yu bowed with difficulty: "Thank you... Your Highness..."

He fainted before he could finish his words.

Jia Yu did not dare to delay and immediately ordered someone to prepare a sedan chair and personally escort Zhao Yu away.

Chu Ning watched them go away, then turned and walked towards his carriage.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a dull sound.

Inside the carriage, Chu Ning closed his eyes to rest, his fingers unconsciously stroking the Panlong jade pendant around his waist.

The Sixteenth Prince's last words still echoed in his ears—"Do you think I'm the only one who wants to kill you?"

"Your Highness, we have arrived at the palace gate." The guard outside the car reminded softly.

Chu Ning opened his eyes, and a cold light flashed in them.

He straightened his clothes, stepped out of the car, and walked straight to the West Garden.

Along the way, the palace servants knelt on the ground to pay their respects, and no one dared to look up.

Outside the warm room of the Western Garden, the eunuch chief, Zhao Ming, was directing the young eunuchs to replace the palace lanterns in the corridor.

Seeing Chu Ning coming, Zhao Ming hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "This old servant pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Is the emperor here?" Chu Ning went straight to the point.

Zhao Ming looked embarrassed: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is resting..."

Chu Ning's eyes turned cold: "Information."

Zhao Ming didn't dare to disobey, so he quickly turned around and walked to the door of the warm room, carefully reporting: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has requested an audience, saying there is an urgent matter."

A woman's sweet laughter could be heard from the hall, followed by the lazy voice of the Emperor of Chu: "I am resting with a few beauties and haven't gotten up yet. If the Crown Prince has something to do, let him handle it himself."

When Chu Ning heard this, a hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes.

He knew his father too well - ever since he decided to pass on the throne, the Emperor of Chu had been indulging in alcohol and sex, spending days and nights with his concubines. It was obvious that he wanted to have a few more princes before abdicating to disgust him.

"Father!"

Chu Ning raised his voice, each word as cold as ice: "The person who colluded with the Scorpion Tribe and sold grain has been found and killed by me personally."

The laughter in the hall stopped abruptly.

After a moment's silence, there was a rustling sound of someone getting dressed.

Soon, the palace door was pushed open, and the Emperor of Chu walked out wearing an outer robe, his hair loose, and a hint of drunkenness in his eyes.

"Who is it?"

The King of Chu rubbed his temples and said in a hoarse voice, "I actually asked you to do it yourself?"

Chu Ning looked directly into his father's eyes and spoke clearly, "It's Brother Sixteen."

"what?"

The Emperor of Chu was shocked, and he didn't even notice that his outer robe had slipped off his shoulders.

His face turned pale instantly, and his hands began to tremble uncontrollably: "Chu Bin? How could it be him?"

"He colluded with the Scorpion Clan, intending to use the power of external enemies to prevent his son from ascending the throne."

Chu Ning's voice was terrifyingly calm: "The evidence is irrefutable. I, your son, must deal with it according to the law."

The King of Chu staggered back a step and held onto the door frame to steady himself.

A complex mix of grief, anger, and regret flashed through his eyes, ultimately turning into a long sigh:

"It's actually him! He actually colluded with the Scorpion Clan for the throne!"

The King of Chu shook his head, his voice suddenly becoming exhausted. "He deserves death. Since you have already dealt with this matter, bury him properly. After all, he is still your brother."

After saying this, the Emperor of Chu turned around and was about to go back into the palace. His back was hunched, and he seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.

"Father!" Chu Ning suddenly called out.

The King of Chu paused, but did not turn back: "What else?"

"I will order the Sixteenth Prince to be buried with the rites worthy of a prince."

Chu Ning said calmly: "As for his family..."

"You can do it yourself."

The Emperor of Chu waved his hands, his voice filled with weariness: "I... am tired."

The palace door closed again, and soon the woman's sweet laughter was heard from inside again.

Chu Ning stood there, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

He knew that his father's grief would not last long - the king, addicted to wine and sex, would soon numb himself with new pleasures.

"Your Highness..."

Zhao Ming approached cautiously and said in a low voice, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty will not have any more offspring from now on."

Chu Ning glanced sideways at the old eunuch who had served the Emperor of Chu for twenty years, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:

"You did very well."

He patted Zhao Ming's shoulder, his voice so soft that only the two of them could hear it.

"Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly in the future. Also, if the emperor makes any unusual moves in the future, you must report them to me immediately."

Zhao Ming bowed like a shrimp, a flattering smile on his face: "I understand, I will do my best to serve Your Highness."

Chu Ning said no more and turned to leave.

In the morning light, his back was as straight as a pine tree, and the golden thread on his dragon robe sparkled in the sun, symbolizing supreme authority.

After walking out of Xiyuan, Chu Ning stopped and looked towards the sky in the north.

Next, it’s time to deal with Gongsun Yi and the Scorpion Clan.