The carefree sixth prince, my father respectfully invites me to ascend the throne.

After he left, a faint sense of helplessness appeared in Emperor Liang's eyes.

He never expected this outcome, and in the end, he had to take action himself.

It seems my previous assumptions were somewhat flawed.

"Your Majesty, what should we do next?"

The eunuch beside him asked a question, and Emperor Liang slowly raised his head, his gaze somewhat deep. Then he waved his hand, dismissing everyone around him.

"Go to the national treasury..."

……

On the other side, after leaving the palace, Yang Kang went directly to his own residence.

"My lord, you've arrived!"

As soon as he pushed open the door, a middle-aged man appeared, smiling slightly at him. It was his strategist, Zhang Yuan, who was also the mastermind behind this plan.

"kindness!"

Seeing this, Yang Kang smiled and nodded.

"How did the conversation at the palace go?"

Although he already knew the result, he still couldn't help but ask.

"Just as we predicted, Father Emperor is fully aware of everything!"

As Yang Kang spoke, he sat down on a chair to the side, his brows furrowed as if he were deep in thought.

"My lord, what are your plans next?"

Zhang Yuan looked at him and asked, his expression serious.

"Since things have come to this point, we have no choice but to take a risky approach. Moreover, we must act swiftly and decisively, otherwise, things may change, and it will be difficult to take action later!"

Yang Kang spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of coldness and determination.

"What does the lord mean?"

After listening to Yang Kang's words, Zhang Yuan seemed to understand Yang Kang's intention.

"Since they want to play, let's play along and have some fun!"

A slight smile curved Yang Kang's lips, revealing a cold glint in his eyes, while his entire body radiated a chilling killing intent.

He has been living a very frustrating life lately, and has even paid a considerable price for it, so this matter absolutely cannot be left like this.

And most importantly, the Crown Prince and the Ninth Prince are currently at odds, and he also wants to compete for the throne, in case it really comes to him.

Then who would dare to stop them?

"But my lord, if they find out, then we..."

Zhang Yuan's face was still full of worry.

After all, Yang Kang's strength was too weak, and he was not comparable to the Crown Prince and the Ninth Prince at all.

Moreover, if they find out, it will be easy for them to target us.

"Hehe, don't worry, they won't find out."

Yang Kang smiled slightly, and then prepared to tell Zhang Yuan his plan.

However, before he could speak, he suddenly stopped what he was doing because he felt a strong sense of crisis.

I instinctively turned my head and saw a man in black standing silently on my roof.

"Hmph, they really did come."

Yang Kang smiled coldly, then prepared to soar into the sky, intending to strike first and eliminate his opponent regardless of the circumstances.

However, at that moment, the man in black made a move.

"boom!"

As the man in black stepped off the ground, he instantly leaped into the air, moving with incredible speed, like a ghost as he attacked Yang Kang.

His attacks were extremely sharp, each punch landing on Yang Kang's protective aura, causing him to stagger back several steps.

Finally, he found an opportunity and struck Yang Kang in the chest with a palm, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Immediately afterwards, the man in black moved again, raising his right arm and bringing it down hard.

Another muffled thud rang out, and Yang Kang was slapped more than ten meters away, crashing heavily against the courtyard wall, almost losing consciousness.

The man in black did not give chase. Instead, he looked down at him with disdain: "You think you're worthy of competing with His Highness for the throne? You're dreaming!"

"Heh, is that just wishful thinking?"

Lying on the courtyard wall, Yang Kang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face showing a grim expression, but his expression became increasingly calm.

"Do you really think I, the prince, have made no preparations whatsoever?"

He spoke slowly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"kindness?"

The man in black was startled, then suddenly turned his head to look around.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa..."

At that moment, a dense swarm of archers suddenly appeared all around.

Arrows transformed into streaks of light, piercing the throat of the man in black.

His body swayed a few times, then collapsed limply to the ground, dying with his eyes wide open.

Yang Kang struggled to his feet, walked to the man in black, and took out the token from his waist.

This is a jade pendant, carved into a dragon and phoenix motif, lifelike and exuding an ancient and desolate aura.

"Eldest brother, oh eldest brother, you killed Ninth Brother, fine, but why did you have to kill me, your third brother too?"

He mumbled something, and his face turned incredibly pale.

Of all these princes, he was the most skilled in martial arts, and naturally the weakest in the court.

The Ninth Prince at least has the King of Chu's help, while he himself is all alone.

But he never expected that his good older brother would be so hasty in taking action against him.

Zhang Yuan also ran over at this moment, looking at Yang Kang with an anxious expression.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has already decided to kill you. I'm afraid our lives won't be easy from now on."

Zhang Yuan said with some concern.

"Ok, I know."

Yang Kang spoke slowly.

He then picked up the token and examined it carefully for a moment before putting it in his pocket. He then instructed Zhang Yuan, "Zhang Yuan, immediately gather all the secret guards and keep an eye on the East Palace's every move!"

His face showed determination, clearly indicating that he had made some preparations.

"I obey my orders!"

Zhang Yuan responded, then turned and left to arrange matters concerning the secret guards.

“I hope you won’t let me down!”

Yang Kang muttered something to himself, and then he left as well.

……

At this moment, inside the Prince's Mansion in Longxi City, in Yang Ling's study.

He sat upright in his chair, his brows slightly furrowed, his mind constantly calculating tonight's plans.

"Report~!"

Just then, a guard rushed in to report.

"What's the matter?"

Yang Ling raised an eyebrow and then spoke.

"Your Highness, someone has come to see you!"

The guard spoke, his voice respectful.

Yang Ling frowned slightly upon hearing the guard's words. Who would be looking for him at this hour?

He had barely regained his identity when someone came knocking on his door, and it seemed that some things were even more interesting than he had imagined.

"Let that person in!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the guard responded and then turned and withdrew.

Before long, a man in black robes slowly walked in, exuding a sharp aura, clearly extraordinary.

"who are you?"

Looking at the man in black, Yang Ling frowned and asked in a deep voice.