174: The Imperial Capital is in turmoil, and the Emperor of Chu is about to die.

Imperial Capital.

Prince Jin's Mansion.

A middle-aged man in a python robe looked towards the Imperial Palace.

Above, Dragon Qi swirled, and the Luck Golden Dragon appeared somewhat ethereal, tainted by black Qi, struggling incessantly.

"This old fellow is finally going to die, hahahaha, our chance has come! Listen to my command later!"

Prince Jin laughed loudly.

To his left and right.

Stood more than a dozen strategists and military officials, who appeared surprisingly calm at Prince Jin's treasonous words.

This group of people were staunch supporters of Prince Jin, having long wished for the Chu Emperor to kick the bucket sooner.

The current Chu Emperor had been on the throne for one thousand nine hundred years, and three Crown Princes had already been replaced, yet he was still alive.

The longest-serving Crown Prince served for one thousand two hundred years, never even becoming Supervisor, and ultimately died of melancholy.

The second Crown Prince died mysteriously in less than a hundred years.

The third Crown Prince, due to an unexpected turn of events, became completely insane, refusing to associate with court officials, spending his days with low-class individuals, taking beggars as his teachers, which damaged the royal prestige.

Seven or eight Crown Princes and Imperial Princes combined had died, but he was still alive.

However, eight hundred years ago, the Chu Emperor went to an unknown place, and upon his return, he was like a candle in the wind, with not long to live, diagnosed by the divine physicians of the time as having less than thirty years.

But thirty years passed, and the Chu Emperor was still alive.

Three hundred years passed, and the Chu Emperor's aura became even weaker, but he still hadn't died.

Until now, he had clung to life for a full eight hundred years.

The Imperial Princes finally saw a glimmer of hope; the Chu Emperor was about to pass away.

How could the current Crown Prince, with no court officials internally and no strong external support, and being insane, possibly shoulder such a great responsibility?

The Great Chu's empire could not be handed over to an insane person.

A Green Crown Advisor spoke, "Two of the seven major camps outside the Imperial City, the Fifth Army Camp and the Green Forest Camp, are Your Highness's people. The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Palace Guard Division has already been bribed by us. We just need to wait for His Majesty to pass away, and we can immediately launch our move and support Your Highness in ascending to the throne!"

Prince Jin said sternly, "My two brothers are not to be trifled with; they're probably watching the Imperial Palace just like me right now!"

The Chu Emperor still had over a dozen sons remaining, but only three who had been enfeoffed as 'One-Character Kings' were qualified to contend for the throne.

Prince Jin, Prince Qi, and Prince Yan.

Among the Three Kings, Prince Jin was the eldest.

The Three Kings each had supporters in the court, controlling various departments of the imperial government.

"Alas, if only we could gain the support of the Demon Suppression Division, the great endeavor would be accomplished!"

Saying this, Prince Jin sighed slightly.

"Prince Jin's Your Highness, the Demon Suppression Division never interferes in imperial disputes; they only manage demons, and they will refuse anyone who tries to win them over!"

The Green Crown Advisor continued.

"This Prince knows, I'm just a bit emotional!"

Prince Jin said faintly, with his hands behind his back.

Once he ascended, even the Demon Suppression Division would have to obey his orders.

His gaze returned to the Imperial Palace. "Imperial Father, you've been on the throne long enough. It's time for a new master."

After you die.

I will surely lead the Great Chu Dynasty to a height never reached by previous ancestors, creating an eternal Dynasty.

...

Prince Yans Mansion, underground palace.

A young man in an imperial robe, holding a Yin and Yang Qi pearl, leaned back on a Dragon throne and sneered, "Old man, you're finally going to die. Do you know how long I've waited for this day?"

All those standing below him were military officials, with only one woman in a plain dress standing out conspicuously.

But the generals dared not underestimate her; this woman was Prince Yan's only strategist and was most highly regarded by Prince Yan.

"Your Highness, the Heavenly Destiny Observation has calculated that the Chu Emperor's destiny ends today. He has reached his limit!"

"Success is within reach this very morning!"

"The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Palace Guard Division has already been bribed by me a second time; our Prince Jin's Your Highness seems unaware!"

"Of the seven major camps outside the Imperial Capital, we actually control three!"

The woman in the plain dress said with a faint smile.

"With you by my side, how can I worry about not ascending to the throne!"

Prince Yan praised her without reservation.

A strategist's quality matters more than quantity; this one woman in the plain dress was enough to surpass his third brother Prince Jin's dozen strategists.

Prince Jin, who widely recruited talents and accepted all comers, had nothing but useless sycophants.

He claimed to broadly accept wise counsel, but in reality, it was of no use.

The current Great Chu was in turmoil; it needed drastic measures and a monarch of decisive action, not a monarch who merely defended the city.

His true opponent was only Prince Qi.

The woman in the plain dress said nothing more, standing quietly by Prince Yan's side.

...

Prince Qi's Mansion.

A man in luxurious robes, alone, was leisurely fishing in a pond, as if the outside world had nothing to do with him.

Suddenly.

The pond gently bubbled.

"Ah, a fish is on the hook!"

"And it's a golden carp!"

But after the man reeled in the carp, he released it back into the pond.

"Prince Qi's Your Highness, you have quite the refined taste. Why do you release the fish after catching it?" An old man slowly approached, saying with a faint smile.

"The fish is good, but it's still too small. Let it grow a bit more!"

Prince Qi said with a gentle smile.

"The outside world is already in an uproar; all forces are watching His Majesty the Chu Emperor, and your two brothers are already poised, forming internal and external alliances!"

The old man sat casually beside Prince Qi and spoke.

"Imperial Father is an existence in our Great Chu Dynasty whose talent is second only to the Grand Ancestor, breaking the custom of a monarch not ruling for more than five hundred years!"

"This is a formidable man who forced the various Old Ancestors of the Imperial Family to yield. Although he is now on the brink of death, with all vitality lost, there seems to be no possibility of him living a second life."

"But he himself is a miracle and cannot be viewed with common sense."

Prince Qi said calmly.

"Prince Qi, this is merely your intuition. You are gambling, and if you misjudge, you will have no chance at the throne!" The old man shook his head.

Prince Jin and Prince Yan had already begun to act, and as soon as the Chu Emperor died, they would immediately control the Imperial Capital at the fastest speed.

At that time.

Prince Qi, with no preparations, would suffer a complete defeat.

"Jiang Lao, anyway, I don't have much ambition for the throne. Perhaps their ascension would also be a good outcome."

Prince Qi said with a light laugh.

The old man named Jiang sighed. Regardless of whether the Great Chu Dynasty was handed over to Prince Jin or Prince Yan now.

It would only accelerate the process of its demise.

Prince Qi was the best choice.

He had accomplished something in the studies of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Dao, and was the most qualified person to become a true Emperor.

...

In the Imperial Capital, the atmosphere was strange.

Not only the Imperial Princes, but all major forces of the Dynasty were watching the Imperial Palace—aristocratic families, Sects, and even demon spies.

However.

Just at this moment.