Nayan’s men questioned: “Who are you people? Get out of the way quickly.”

Their momentum was strong!

Lian Que gripped his long sword, his entire body radiating cold menace.

He didn’t yield half a step.

Nayan roughly guessed his purpose and descended from the carriage, taking two steps forward: “So it’s you, Yan Lai! It seems your life is truly resilient.”

The killing intent in Lian Que’s eyes didn’t diminish. His grip on the sword tightened as he said coldly: “Heaven has eyes and allowed me to keep this life.”

“Whose man are you exactly? And whose orders do you follow?”

“Even if I wanted to tell you, I’m afraid you won’t live to know.”

“Arrogant fool! Last time I didn’t kill you, but this time, I won’t be merciful again.” With these words, Nayan drew the sword from the guard beside him, aimed it at Lian Que, and ordered, “Kill!”

He charged forward.

Lian Que also raised his sword to meet him.

Immediately, the two sides engaged in slaughter.

The quiet snowy night seemed to be torn open by a deep, long gash from the sound of clashing weapons.

The scent of death continuously spread…

Nayan’s martial skills were formidable. He had been on battlefields and killed countless enemies. His sword speed was twice that of ordinary men. Even after several moves, Lian Que gained no advantage.

The two fought back and forth in deadly combat.

Heavy snow continued falling, increasingly urgent, nearly blocking people’s vision.

Nayan caught Lian Que’s thrusting sword and said: “If you switch to serving under this prince now, as long as this prince escapes the city, I will certainly grant you wealth and honor.”

Lian Que laughed coldly: “Today I’m afraid you won’t be able to move an inch.”

Having said this, he deflected Nayan’s sword.

They continued their deadly combat.

Each of Lian Que’s men was a master, while Nayan’s guards looked impressive but were useless.

They barely held their own for a moment.

But soon they were killed one by one!

Corpses littered the ground.

Fresh blood stained this expanse of snow.

Hideously terrifying.

Lian Que ordered: “No one is to interfere. Today this is between him and me.”

“Yes!” Those men withdrew, forming a circle.

Nayan’s eyes turned blood red, his sword-holding hand going numb.

He looked around—all his men were already dead, leaving only him.

The situation was decided.

No power to reverse it.

But he would fight to the death until the very end.

Slowly raising his sword toward Lian Que, his eyes darkened as he said: “Today, regardless of life or death, I, Nayan, will never bow my head to anyone.”

If he must die, he would die with dignity.

He charged forward with his sword.

Lian Que sidestepped to avoid him, moving behind Nayan. Without the slightest relaxation, he immediately thrust his sword toward his back.

The sword pierced through from behind, stabbing through his heart.

Nayan’s body stiffened, leaning forward. The intense pain from his chest continuously spread through all the blood vessels in his body…

Gradually going numb.

Time seemed to freeze for several seconds.

Until Lian Que withdrew the sword.

Fresh blood spilled on the ground like a stem of freshly plucked red plum blossoms.

Nayan’s eyes widened. He lowered his gaze to look at the ceaselessly bleeding wound on his chest, his brow tightly furrowed.

The sword in his hand also fell onto the snowy ground.

He clutched the wound, his body slowly sinking down.

Kneeling on one knee!

Still forcing himself to hold on.

Even if he endured to the last second, he would not accept defeat.

Lian Que walked before him, placing the sword against his neck.

Looking down from above: “This is your fate!”

Yet Nayan laughed loudly through his blood-filled mouth. With difficulty he raised his head, the proud spirit in his eyes not diminishing in the least, saying: “Today’s situation is my… own doing. To me, death is nothing more than… just my head touching the ground! In this battle for succession, though I, Nayan, have lost, I do not regret this life! Better to die with dignity than die by another’s hand.”

Having said this, he suddenly grasped the sword placed against his neck.

His head twisted.

The sharp blade cut a gash across his neck.

Blood instantly gushed out.

He had slit his own throat!

His body fell onto the blood-soaked snowy ground.

His eyes never closed.

Even in death, he would not yield to dying by another’s hand.

At this moment, indescribable emotions surged in Lian Que’s heart.

Everyone in Huyi knew that Nayan was the War God.

For many years he had fought on battlefields, establishing great military achievements for Huyi.

Such a person shouldn’t have had to die!

Lian Que had even wanted to spare his life at the last moment, but fate had other plans.

Even if he truly released him, with Nayan’s competitive nature, he would never endure such humiliation.

He would rather die than live in disgrace…

In the royal palace.

Prince Huyi was escorted all the way to Tongzhi Hall by guards.

Li Qiao followed closely behind.

The great doors of the hall closed!

Outside, guards stood everywhere.

Prince Huyi’s body was unwell. He had inhaled thick smoke and been tormented by these events—he could no longer bear it.

He sat on the soft couch gasping for breath!

The old eunuch beside him quickly poured him a cup of water: “Great Prince, this slave will immediately summon the imperial physician.”

Before the old eunuch could reach the door, Li Qiao drew his sword and slit his throat with one stroke.

Blood splashed everywhere.

The old eunuch died instantly.

Seeing this, Prince Huyi’s teacup crashed to the ground with a “clang.”

His face full of shock!

He struggled to stand, angrily shouting at Li Qiao: “What are you doing?”

Li Qiao’s expression was cold and cruel as he sheathed his sword.

All the guards in the hall remained unmoved, clearly as if they had anticipated all this happening.

Prince Huyi sensed something was wrong, his body swaying unsteadily: “You all…”

The great doors were pushed open.

Marquis Pingyang entered from outside, his posture upright, his presence overwhelming.

A trace of a smile at the corners of his mouth.

When he saw the old eunuch’s corpse, he merely glanced at it briefly, completely unconcerned.

He walked before the hall and cupped his hands: “I pay my respects to the Great Prince.”

Seemingly respectful, but actually somewhat mocking.

At this moment, Prince Huyi’s heart was clear as a mirror. He pointed angrily: “Li Wenshi, are you rebelling?”

His voice echoed long through the hall!

Marquis Pingyang raised his gaze, his face full of cunning, saying: “Great Prince, when the situation changes, one must understand how to assess the times. What your subject does is actually for the sake of Huyi’s rivers and mountains.”

“Outrageous!”

“Right now both inside and outside the royal palace are your subject’s men. At this moment the city gates are closed—no one can get out or come in. The Great Prince should see clearly the situation before him! Moreover, your subject doesn’t wish to harm the Great Prince.”

Prince Huyi’s body was weak, and he was so angered his chest ached painfully: “Li Wenshi, I thought your Li family were loyal for generations. So… so you were raising a wolf!”

Having said this, he weakly collapsed onto the soft couch.

No longer having the strength to support himself!

Marquis Pingyang’s eyes flashed with sinister cunning: “Whether wolf or sheep, today your subject is merely reorganizing the court.”

His voice like a great bell!

“You…” Prince Huyi spat blood in his fury!

Li Qiao stepped forward to inquire: “Father, shouldn’t we send someone to the Third Prince’s manor to bring His Highness into the palace?”

Marquis Pingyang raised his hand to stop him, the corners of his mouth carrying a cunning smile: “Qiao’er, don’t you understand your father’s intentions even now?”

“…”

Marquis Pingyang’s face was full of ambition. He said: “I merely employed a small stratagem to make the Third Prince hand over his military authority. Such a useless puppet who can be manipulated by others—if he ascended to the throne, Huyi’s rivers and mountains would sooner or later be ruined in his hands! As the saying goes, high positions should be occupied by the capable. Moreover, without ambition, one cannot achieve greatness! Huyi’s realm should also become my Li family’s realm!”

Li Qiao was greatly shocked. So his father’s plan was… to claim kingship himself!