Hidden Shadow – CH 338

Chapter Three-Hundred-Thirty-Eight: A Great Battle Imminent

With the arrival of the Tianwu Army’s southern camp, shouts of battle filled the air, bringing a clandestine struggle into the open. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince had finally reached a point of no return.

The Crown Prince gazed at the dim light outside, his eyes cold and calculating.

As the Crown Prince, he possessed far more advantages than the Second Prince. He commanded hundreds of officials throughout the Eastern Palace, along with nearly a thousand guards. He had also cultivated relationships with many civil and military officials. However, the Second Prince, with the blood of a military family flowing through his veins, possessed a more warrior-like demeanor that appealed to the generals—something the Crown Prince greatly feared.

However, what concerned him even more was a secret edict his father had given the Second Prince.

What exactly was the content of that edict? Was it truly about deposing the eldest son and establishing the younger one in favor? Otherwise, how could the Second Prince have dared to so boldly lead troops to force the palace? But according to several ministers, this was not the case!

The Emperor’s death was sudden. Only the eunuch from the Gushe Palace attended to him; even the Crown Prince did not have time to see him one last time.

According to the eunuch’s message, the Emperor only mentioned leaving a will a few days prior, but the Crown Prince searched the entire palace and could not find it. Even the attendant who wrote the will had disappeared! The ministers who heard the will before the Emperor’s bedchamber said that the Emperor said: “The Crown Prince has ascended the throne; all ministers should do their utmost to assist him.”

The Crown Prince’s lips tightened, his gaze deepened, and he suddenly said, “Bring me my armor!” The echo repeated itself throughout the hall.

The eunuch beside the Crown Prince bowed and withdrew. An official in the hall advised, “Your Highness, you mustn’t!”

The Crown Prince did not answer. He was never one to make decisions, but once he made up his mind, no one could sway him!

Knowing he could not stop him, Feng Shi said, “Your Highness, order the Konghe Army to the battlefield as well.”

“Just what I wanted!” As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, dozens of dark figures landed in the hall one after another. With a crane’s cry, the figures, like ghosts in the night, gathered in the Dragon Palace. In just a few breaths, there were already fifty or sixty people.

The officials stared in disbelief at this scene. This was the first time they had witnessed the legendary Konghe Army, actually existing and always by their side.

An Jiu noticed the figures closest to the Crown Prince and suddenly realized they were all Chu Dingjiang’s men!

Previously, she and Sui Yuntong were responsible for protecting the Crown Prince, but Chu Dingjiang had someone take their place, allowing them to escape. So, Chu Dingjiang had planned this all along? An Jiu could not 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 retrieved, the Crown Prince moved to a side hall to change.

Chu Dingjiang, carrying An Jiu, climbed onto the roof beam.

Looking down, An Jiu saw that Feng Shi was following the Crown Prince closely. Besides him, there were several Eastern Palace guards. These guards were the Crown Prince’s private force; even if Chu Dingjiang had men in the Dragon Martial Guards, they could not possibly kill the Crown Prince in one fell swoop.

By the time the Crown Prince was dressed, nearly two hundred members of the Konghe Army had gathered in the hall, all wearing ghost-face masks. The Mei family members among them saw Elder Zhi as soon as they entered and naturally chose the closest spot to him when choosing their positions.

Feng Shi, with his snow-white hair and eyebrows, looked no different from an ordinary eunuch. Chu Dingjiang and An Jiu could not sense any mental power or internal strength from him, which only made him seem unfathomable.

Chu Dingjiang had fought Feng Shi before and was injured in his attack, and was still not fully healed. Facing him again, he had no confidence in defeating him.

The Crown Prince, having changed into his armor, led a large entourage towards Baohua Gate, leaving behind a room full of anxious ministers.

Prime Minister Hua and the Grand Marshal breathed a sigh of relief.

An Jiu pointed to the main hall.

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

“Elder Zhi went along too,” An Jiu said in a low voice.

At this time, there were no experts in the main hall or side halls, only some guards of first or second rank strength outside.

Chu Dingjiang grasped her hand and said, “Let’s go. I will distract Feng Shi, and you deal with Elder Zhi, creating an opportunity for them.”

An Jiu naturally knew who he meant by “them,” but she had some doubts. “Elder Zhi is practically my teacher. Are you really that confident I can defeat him?”

Chu Dingjiang thought she misunderstood and explained, “Elder Zhi is selfish, but he’s obsessed with archery. He did not hesitate to cripple your meridians to reach the pinnacle of archery because he felt the peak was within reach. In the past two years, his mental state has deteriorated significantly. Since you surpass him in archery, he definitely will not kill you.”

“I will distract Feng Shi,” An Jiu said.

Chu Dingjiang paused for a moment.

Seeing that he did not answer, An Jiu repeated herself confidently, “I will distract Feng Shi. I know your internal strength and mental power have declined significantly; you are no match for Feng Shi.”

Chu Dingjiang was moved and wanted to embrace her, but in the end, he flicked her forehead with his finger. “You are still so unpleasant to talk to! Just you wait and see. I fought Feng Shi before; he’s still recovering from his injuries. Even if my skills are not what they used to be, he’s still no match for me.”