With the arrival of the Tianwu Army’s South Camp, battle cries filled the air. The hidden struggle had been brought into the open, and the Crown Prince and Second Prince had finally reached a point of no return.

The Crown Prince gazed at the faint light outside, his eyes cold and deep.

As Crown Prince, he held more advantages than the Second Prince. He commanded hundreds of Eastern Palace officials and nearly a thousand guards. He had also privately won over many civil and military officials. However, the Second Prince’s military bloodline and martial demeanor appealed more to the military officers, which was a source of great concern for the Crown Prince.

What worried him more was the secret edict his father had given to the Second Prince.

What did that edict contain? Could it truly be an order to depose the elder and enthrone the younger? Otherwise, how would Er dare to directly lead troops to force the palace? But according to several ministers, this wasn’t the case!

The emperor’s death had been sudden. Only the close attendant from Gushe Palace had been present, and even the Crown Prince hadn’t had time for a final audience.

According to the message from the Gushe Palace attendant, the emperor’s last words mentioned a previously written edict, but the Crown Prince had searched the palace and found nothing. Even the scribe who had written the edict had disappeared! The ministers present at the emperor’s deathbed all said His Majesty’s words were: “The Crown Prince shall ascend the throne, and all officials should assist him to the best of their abilities.”

The Crown Prince’s lips tightened, his gaze growing even more profound. Suddenly, he said, “Bring my armor!”

His words echoed through the hall.

The eunuch beside the Crown Prince bowed and left to fetch the armor. Some officials in the hall advised, “Your Highness must not!”

The Crown Prince didn’t respond. He rarely liked making decisions, but once he made up his mind, no one could sway him.

Feng Shi, knowing it was futile to stop him, said, “Your Highness, order the Crane Control Army to join the battle as well.”

“That’s exactly what I had in mind!”

As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, dozens of black shadows began landing in the hall. With a crane’s cry, these shadows, like ghosts in the night, gathered in the Dragon-Riding Hall. Within moments, fifty to sixty had assembled.

The officials stared in disbelief. This was their first time witnessing the legendary Crane Control Army. They truly existed and were always around them.

An Jiu noticed that the figures closest to the Crown Prince were Chu Dingjiang’s men! Previously, she and Su Yunzhu had been responsible for the Crown Prince’s close protection. Later, Chu Dingjiang had his people replace them, allowing them to leave. Did this mean Chu Dingjiang had been planning for this day all along? An Jiu couldn’t help but glance at him.

Chu Dingjiang seemed to know what she was thinking and gently patted the back of her head.

After the armor was brought, the Crown Prince moved to a side hall to change.

Chu Dingjiang and An Jiu leaped onto the rafters.

Looking down, An Jiu saw Feng Shi following the Crown Prince closely. Besides him, there were several Eastern Palace secret guards. These were the Crown Prince’s private forces. Even with Chu Dingjiang’s men in the Dragon Guard, it would be impossible to kill the Crown Prince in one move.

By the time the Crown Prince had donned his armor, nearly two hundred Crane Control soldiers had gathered in the hall, all wearing ghost masks. The Mei clan members, upon entering, immediately noticed Elder Zhi and naturally positioned themselves closest to him.

The snow-haired Feng Shi looked no different from an ordinary eunuch. Chu Dingjiang and An Jiu couldn’t sense any spiritual or internal power from him, which made him seem even more unfathomable.

Chu Dingjiang had crossed swords with Feng Shi before and been wounded, a wound that hadn’t yet healed. Even now, he wasn’t confident he could defeat Feng Shi.

The Crown Prince, fully armored, led the group towards the Baohua Gate, leaving behind a room full of anxious ministers.

Prime Minister Hua and the Grand Marshal let out slight sighs of relief.

An Jiu pointed towards the main hall.

Chu Dingjiang understood and led her back to their original hiding spot to continue observing.

“Elder Zhi went with them too,” An Jiu whispered.

At this moment, there were no masters in either the main or side halls, only some first and second-tier guards outside.

Chu Dingjiang held her hand and said, “Let’s go. I’ll draw Feng Shi away, you handle Elder Zhi. Create an opportunity for them.”

An Jiu knew who “them” referred to, but she had a question: “Elder Zhi is also considered my teacher. Are you so sure I can defeat him?”

Thinking she had misunderstood, Chu Dingjiang explained, “Elder Zhi is self-interested but obsessed with archery. Back then, he was willing to ruin your meridians to reach the peak of archery because he felt it was within reach. In recent years, his mental state has deteriorated. Since you’ve surpassed him in archery, he definitely won’t use lethal force against you.”

“Let me draw Feng Shi away,” An Jiu said.

Chu Dingjiang paused.

Seeing no response, An Jiu repeated firmly, “I’ll draw Feng Shi away. I know your internal force and spiritual power have decreased significantly. You’re no match for Feng Shi.”

Chu Dingjiang was moved but resisted the urge to embrace her. Instead, he flicked her forehead and said, “You still don’t know how to speak pleasantly! Just wait and see. I’ve faced Feng Shi before. His injuries haven’t healed. Even if my powers aren’t what they used to be, he’s still no match for me.”