The night wind silently stirred Xiao Langyan’s black hair as he gripped his sword tightly: “Sixth Brother, why? Why would even you willingly turn to the Eastern Palace?”

Xiao Langyan couldn’t understand what made the Eastern Palace command such loyalty.

Others might not know that Xiao Changyu excelled in both civil and martial arts, standing out among the princes, but he knew!

Xiao Changyu came from humble origins, losing his mother in childhood. In this palace that could crush and devour the weak, Xiao Changyu couldn’t excel or stand out if he wanted to grow up safely.

As he had just said, he was merely there by chance. Though knowing the sea of flames was dangerous and rushing in could cost his life, he had no choice. He was just a prince without support, someone anyone could step on, and he died without even being granted a princedom…

This didn’t mean Xiao Changyu wasn’t exceptional. He had seen through the imperial family early on, which was why he left the court without attachment.

Yet even someone as clear-headed, wise, and decisive as Xiao Changyu had turned to the Eastern Palace, unhesitatingly severing their unique brotherly bond to cross swords with him today.

Not to mention Xiao Changqing, whom he considered a worthy rival, had openly sided with the Crown Prince – otherwise, how could the Shen Yueshan father and son have resolved the Northern Desert conflict so smoothly?

“Did… the Crown Prince give you freedom?” Xiao Langyan couldn’t help but guess. Though their relationship couldn’t compare to that of Xiao Changqing, they could talk, and he knew something of Xiao Changyu’s thoughts.

“No,” Xiao Changyu shook his head. “I owe the Crown Princess my life.”

He and Bian Xianyi owed Shen Xihe their lives. When Bian Xianyi’s scheme had nearly cost Shen Xihe her life, Shen Xihe could have taken Bian Xianyi’s life afterward, but she didn’t.

She only made him take poison as compensation, actually showing mercy, since with Sui A’xi following them, detoxification wasn’t difficult. He had always remembered this kindness…

Therefore, when Xiao Huayong sent him a message, he came. Not for Xiao Huayong’s veiled threats, but to make up for past guilt and thank Shen Xihe’s mercy that allowed him and his wife to live together in harmony.

Xiao Langyan froze, then smiled self-mockingly: “So that’s it. The Crown Princess is truly worthy of her title…”

A lady who never hid her ambitions since entering the capital, who could make His Majesty yield step by step, who made him go from controlling military power to having nothing!

Many had told him the Crown Princess was calculating and resourceful – even His Majesty couldn’t gain any advantage over her.

Xiao Langyan hadn’t disbelieved but hadn’t fully believed either, having never experienced it personally. He remained skeptical, never imagining that one personal encounter would result in total defeat, leaving no chance for recovery!

“Sixth Brother, going with you means surrendering.” Xiao Langyan suddenly smiled, as if relieved yet desperate. “The Crown Princess said she wouldn’t let the Crown Prince’s matter rest. I’ve been waiting for her to move. A month passed without activity; I thought she couldn’t devise a good plan.

Only now do I realize I underestimated her. She wants my life, yet doesn’t want my blood on her hands, or perhaps this life of mine can still serve some purpose in her plans.

Going with you today means certain death. Sixth Brother, I’ve always known your martial excellence, though you’ve always hidden it and refused to demonstrate. Today, please give it your all, fulfill my wish to experience it, leaving one less regret.”

Hearing the resignation to death in his words, Xiao Changyu sighed inwardly: “Eighth Brother, you shouldn’t have moved against the Crown Prince…”

It wasn’t that Xiao Changyu held Shen Xihe in particularly high regard, but she truly distinguished between public and private matters. Even when their interests conflicted, as long as it was an honorable confrontation without harm to loved ones, Shen Xihe wouldn’t pursue matters to the death!

“Sixth Brother need not say more.” His aspirations differed from Xiao Changyu’s. No matter how magnanimous Shen Xihe might be, he would never willingly submit.

Success or martyrdom!

Even now with the tide turned against him, he had no regrets!

He had lost, and he accepted defeat!

From the moment he decided to vie for the throne, he knew failure would cost his life. He had long been mentally prepared!

“In that case, let us brothers have one glorious battle!” Xiao Changyu tossed the box behind him.

The summer night was long, the evening breeze mild, yet it couldn’t mask the sharp tension.

They drew their swords almost simultaneously, using very similar weapons, eyes focused as they charged at each other with lightning speed.

The clashing swords sparked, the sweeping blades drawing stark white lines through the night as if to tear open the evening sky.

Among the princes, excluding Xiao Huayong, Xiao Langyan, and Xiao Changying were certainly superior in martial arts.

This was because Xiao Changyu had always avoided competition and kept a low profile, but Xiao Langyan had always known Xiao Changyu’s martial arts were profound.

Long ago, he had wanted to test his skills against Xiao Changyu, but Xiao Changyu always declined. He never imagined their battle would come under these circumstances, where he no longer had the privilege of holding back!

“How long will these two fight? If we draw attention, won’t it ruin His Highness’s plans?” Jiuzhang, watching from afar, grew anxious.

“Soon!” Difang stood straight as a poplar beside Jiuzhang, sword in arms, eyes fixed on the two combatants.

Their swords tangled again like two nimble snakes, constantly vying to subdue the other. Neither retreated, continuously moving sideways as their techniques changed.

Suddenly Xiao Changyu withdrew his sword, spinning as his leg swept across, forcing Xiao Langyan to leap into the air, his sword cleaving down.

Xiao Changyu blocked with his sword. Xiao Langyan’s blade struck Xiao Changyu’s edge. Xiao Langyan’s eyes darkened as he moved to deflect Xiao Changyu’s sword, but Xiao Changyu was even faster.

His other hand, almost simultaneously blocking Xiao Langyan’s sword, grabbed and flicked his sword tip.

The flexible sword tip flashed reflective light, making Xiao Langyan instinctively dodge. In this moment of evasion, Xiao Changyu released his sword grip, letting his body give way while raising his arm, his elbow striking directly at Xiao Langyan’s chest.

As Xiao Langyan was knocked back, his other hand grabbed Xiao Langyan’s arm like lightning, gripping Xiao Langyan’s hand, shifting behind him with one move, and chopping at his back.

Xiao Langyan flew forward, twisting in mid-air. His sword tip touched the ground to stabilize himself. Using the force from the sword tip, he quickly rebounded, executing an extreme backflip, his sword once again thrusting toward Xiao Changyu, who had kicked up and caught his fallen sword.

Xiao Changyu shifted his body, his sword following Xiao Langyan’s thrust, circling from the tip along the blade as he leaned forward, sliding to Xiao Langyan’s hilt.