Side Story Chapter 38 (1/2)

Side Story Chapter 38: Brothers!

The night was serene, but an undercurrent was surging through the Imperial Palace, danger liable to crop up at any moment.

Bang!

Suddenly, a dazzling firework whistled up from the depths of the Imperial Palace and into the heavens.

This was a signal, and cries of combat immediately broke out throughout the Imperial Palace, countless fires lighting up.

Plumes of smoke billowed into the heavens as countless Imperial Army soldiers charged through the avenues and buildings of the palace and began to fight each other.

Flames burst through the darkness, blades flashed, and blood flowed, its pungent scent filling the air.

“Kill!”

Battle cries shook the heavens and the earth, and the fighting was not just restricted to the Imperial Palace. Even in the capital, the thundering of hooves rumbled like a storm.

The people were in panic, trembling in the darkness.

The center of the turmoil, the areas around Jade Dragon Palace and Taiji Palace, were the most gruesome of all, countless corpses spread out on the ground amidst shattered weapons.

Whoosh!

A howling wind swept through the capital, ultimately surging over Taiji Palace, which stood above all.

Though the fighting raged and flames burned beyond it, Taiji Palace was so serene as to seem in another world.

The doors to Taiji Palace were open, but it was empty inside. However, a golden throne had been placed at the door, and the First Prince, in full armor, sat imposingly upon it, his eyes like those of a lion as he domineeringly looked out.

Taiji Palace was built at the highest point of the Imperial Palace, and it looked down across the entirety of the complex, allowing one to clearly make out all the events transpiring within.

“Your Highness, everything is under our control. Jade Dragon Palace has suffered devastating losses, and it won’t be long before the battle is over.”

An important official at the First Prince’s side respectfully bowed.

“In addition, everything has already been taken care of. At daybreak, all of the officials will enter the palace and hold the coronation ceremony for Your Highness.”

“It’s not that simple!”

Li Xuantu cut off the official before he could continue.

“Ah?”

The official was taken aback, and looked at the First Prince in confusion.

Li Xuantu looked ahead and nonchalantly said, “Relax. He’ll be coming to this place.”

“Him?”

It wasn’t just that official. The surrounding officials who served the Eastern Palace were also surprised. But they soon realized that the ‘him’ the First Prince referred to was none other than the Third Prince.

“But everything is under our control. This place has the one hundred thousand soldiers of the Imperial Army, and we have already sent numerous experts,” an Eastern Palace advisor tried to argue.

“He will come,” Li Xuantu repeated, his tone brooking no objection.

Everyone exchanged glances, but Li Xuantu did not explain further.

This was a feeling, intuition. Even though the Imperial Palace was crawling with soldiers and experts, the palace like a giant net, Li Xuantu was confident that his third brother would make it here.

He had fought with him for so long, and his father had even broken precedent and considered making his third brother Crown Prince. If his brother lacked even this ability, then he would be far too disappointing.

To regard such a man as his greatest enemy would have been pointless.

Boom! As these thoughts flew through his mind, he heard several explosions in the distance, accompanied by miserable screams.

“Kill!”

“Protect His Highness!”

With a roar and the twanging of bowstrings, a force of soldiers drenched in blood charged out in the direction of Taiji Palace.

Countless Imperial Army soldiers rushed out from shadowy corners to block its path. These people were all stationed beforehand by the Eastern Palace.

But this force of bloodstained soldiers was more frightening than anyone could imagine.

This force of several hundred soldiers thrust forward like a savage blade, tearing apart all opposition.

And at the lead of this force was a youth who had yet to reach the age of twenty, his face handsome and his armored body exuding the aura of an Emperor.

“It’s the Third Prince! But how?”

All of the Eastern Palace advisors were stunned by the sight of this young man.

The Third Prince’s hair was in disarray, and his armor and horse were stained in blood, but his eyes were bright and determined, striking and unforgettable even from a distance.

“Third Brother, you really did come.”

On the large throne, the seated Li Xuantu slowly stood up, his voice booming through the Imperial Palace.

At that moment, even the sounds of combat within the palace seemed to dwindle away.

Buzz!