Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1016 - 1016 0603 Princes Secret Order_2

Chapter 1016: Chapter 0603: Prince’s Secret Order_2 Chapter 1016: Chapter 0603: Prince’s Secret Order_2 Opportunity was at hand, and not a single person was willing to give it up for nothing.

Zhao Shibo was so angry his nose nearly went askew. He hadn’t even agreed yet, and Yang Yongqi, Li Mijia and the others had already started to divvy up the loot right in front of him, showing complete disregard for him as the Prince and Jianwu Palace. It was truly unbearable.

Zhao Shibo stepped forward and said, “There’s no need to talk or argue anymore. I’ll make this clear today: no one shall enter Jianwu Palace without my family’s Prince’s consent. There’s only one way to do so, and that’s by stepping over my dead body. All guards, heed my command, nock arrows, unsheathe swords, get the Spiritual Talismans ready, activate the formations. Should anyone dare cross the warning line, no matter who they are, kill them.”

When he uttered the word “kill,” Zhao Shibo released his aura without any restraint, a display of his unwavering determination to not retreat an inch. He intended to let everyone know that today he would fight to the death, until he spilled the last drop of his blood.

Gao Jinmei and Xia Xiaoming stood by Zhao Shibo’s side, also releasing their Gold Core Realm aura without any cares. Although they hadn’t truly entered Jianwu Palace and hadn’t seen Qi Tian stirring the Spirit Qi of Heaven and Earth with their own eyes, they knew that based on their understanding of Qi Tian, this act could only be his doing. As Qi Tian’s Immortal Slaves, they couldn’t stand idly by when their master faced danger. They had to stand out first and swore to protect Qi Tian’s personal safety to the death, ensuring he had an undisturbed environment for cultivation.

Following Gao Jinmei and Xia Xiaoming, the other Gold Core Realm powerhouses that Zhao Shibo had brought from the Prince Manor, along with those from Jianwu Palace, also released their auras. Their interests were tied to Jianwu Palace, and today, regardless of whether Jianwu Palace was in the right, they were compelled to stand or fall with it; there was no second option.

It wasn’t just all the Gold Core Realm powerhouses who were mobilized, but also the numerous restrictions and formations set up around Jianwu Palace were activated, their might cranked to the maximum. Additionally, multiple immobile defensive artifacts placed within Jianwu Palace were also turned on, aiming at the cultivators gathered outside the palace.

The atmosphere at the scene turned extremely dangerous in an instant, with the outbreak of a major battle imminent. It looked as though Jianwu Palace was ready to clash with the other five palaces, and if this truly occurred, it would become the most tragic fight in the history of the Imperial Family Secret Territory.

In the end, it was very likely that Jianwu Palace would be annihilated. After all, it was one against five, and being outnumbered was a common occurrence. However, the other five palaces involved in the attack against Jianwu Palace wouldn’t benefit either; they would likewise suffer heavy losses and pay an extremely heavy price for their aggression. After all, Jianwu Palace was a palace with a long history, and Emperor Jianwu, for his own safety, hadn’t spared any efforts in fortifying it. Within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, anyone who attempted to attack Jianwu Palace would have to pay a steep price.

Seeing that Jianwu Palace was serious about fighting, Li Mijia, Yang Yongqi, and the others all became somewhat hesitant. After all, Emperor Jianwu was once an emperor of the Great Zhao Nation and was one of the six Princes of the Eastern Capital City, a sovereign, while they were merely subjects, some even mere servants. Leading an attack on Jianwu Palace meant rising against a superior, an act of treason and chaos. In the history of the Imperial Family Secret Territory, such circumstances would inevitably lead to a united extermination by all the Princes, showing no mercy.

Even if the current action was a concerted effort by the five palaces of the Eastern Capital City, excluding Jianwu Palace, one must not forget that everything they did was with the tacit approval of the Princes. Neither Chaoyang Palace, Huoyang Palace, nor Yonghe Palace had issued any explicit imperial edicts, nor had they verbally told them to besiege Jianwu Palace. As such, whatever they did could be easily disassociated from the Princes, meaning, should any issue arise, the Princes could readily abandon them just like disposable pawns at any moment.

This situation was not just an empty threat but was something that could very likely occur.

You should know that within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, there are not only Eastern Capital City but also Zhongdu and Xidu; in each of these three great cities, there are several Princes stationed. Once the Princes of Zhongdu and Xidu unite to exert pressure on Eastern Capital City, the five Princes of Eastern Capital City will find it difficult to withstand, and at that time, being isolated and weak, they will be the ones in trouble. To appease the other Princes, the five Princes of Eastern Capital City will likely discard them as expendable pawns in order to quell the rage of the other Princes.

Moreover, the events of today are not just about disobedience. This matter is also mixed with a coveted opportunity that would make anyone envious. Once the Princes of Zhongdu and Xidu learn of such an opportunity, they will certainly unite and pressure Eastern Capital City. In other words, their chances of not being abandoned are nothing more than a vain hope.

Li Mijia, Yang Yongqi, Ma Ruyi, Chen Rulong and others didn’t rush to attack Jianwu Palace. Instead, they started to communicate through secret sounds, consulting with each other about how to resolve the present trouble.

Should Jianwu Palace be attacked or not? If so, who will lead the assault and who will cover the rear? If they take down Jianwu Palace, whose opportunity should that be?

These questions all needed clear answers. After all, attacking Jianwu Palace was a great risk, and moreover, the opportunity of Jianwu Palace was only one; if there were four or five, then they could be shared equally, with each Prince Mansion getting one. The problem now is that there is only one. This means that only one Prince Mansion can have this opportunity, and no matter the sacrifices made by the others, in the end, it would all be in vain, with at best some minor compensation received, which, even if it included a war weapon or armor of the Half-step Nascent Soul level as compensation, would be far less valuable than an opportunity that could advance one’s cultivation realm.

No one wanted to do business at a loss, especially under such great risk.

Li Mijia and the others argued fiercely, none willing to concede or compromise. At this rate, even given a hundred years, they would not be able to come to a decision. But at that moment, Li Mijia, Yang Yongqi, and others almost simultaneously received a transmitted message that their Princes, as if by agreement, at the same time, had sent them the same directive.

“Stop arguing and stop fighting. I now command you to attack Jianwu Palace at all costs immediately. No matter what, seize the opportunity of Jianwu Palace first and foremost. We cannot allow Emperor Jianwu to monopolize this opportunity.”

The order from the Princes came through, and Li Mijia, Yang Yongqi, and the others who were arguing stopped immediately. They looked at each other, and although no one said anything, they understood; not only had they received an order, but the others must have received a similar command.

The Princes must have reached an agreement behind the scenes. Now, what they needed to do was to carry out the Princes’ orders, attack Jianwu Palace, and seize the opportunity.

Although Li Mijia and Yang Yongqi knew the consequences could be unpredictable, especially for them who were personally involved and even leading the charge, they could very well end up with dire outcomes in the future. However, the only thing they could do was to execute the Princes’ orders. At this moment, they had no room to negotiate; if they dared to defy the command, they wouldn’t have to wait for the future—right now the Princes behind them could send executioners to kill them without considering the past services they had rendered for the Princes.

A Prince would absolutely not tolerate any subject or family slave who dared to disobey his command to continue living in this world.