33: Chapter 33 Fourth Life, All-in Failure? Watch Me Turn the Tide (Part 10)

The next day, at the Tianhuang Princes Mansion's grand council hall, "Zhenhuang Hall."

The atmosphere inside the hall was solemn and murderous.

Seated on the throne at the head of the hall was the current King of Tianhuang Xiao Zhan.

His expression was slightly grim, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, and the pressure of a Martial Monarch of the Yinsui Realm permeated the hall, faint yet palpable.

Standing on the left and right sides were the Grand Steward of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion and an old steward sent by the Worship Hall.

Below the steps, the civil and military officials stood on either side.

Standing in the front row on the left was First Prince Xiao Jing, who appeared to be thirty-five or thirty-six years old with a scholarly and elegant countenance.

Behind him stood the core figures of the civil official system, such as the Chief Clerk and the Palace Secretary of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion.

On the right was Second Prince Xiao Ze, who was burly and clad in bright silver armor.

Beside him stood Lin Lantian, the Garrison General of Huangyan Prefecture; both of their eyes burned with irrepressible rage and resentment.

Third Prince Xiao Heng stood in the middle, slightly towards the back, with only a green-robed eunuch, Wang Shi, by his side.

Heir Xiao Heng had just turned eighteen this year; his features were delicate and still carried a touch of youthful innocence, but his spine was held straight.

"I have summoned you all here today to announce a decision of mine."

King of Tianhuang Xiao Zhan's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

The hall instantly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

"During my seclusion, First Prince Xiao Jing and Second Prince Xiao Ze failed to consider their elders or look at the big picture.

Instead, for the sake of personal conflict, they introduced external forces and attempted to interfere in the internal affairs of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion.

Following a joint resolution between myself and the Supreme Princes of the Worship Hall, effective immediately, the heir candidacy of First Prince Xiao Jing and Second Prince Xiao Ze is revoked.

I hereby appoint Third Prince Xiao Heng as the Heir of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion.

In three months, once my cultivation realm is stabilized, I will officially abdicate in his favor."

Before the words had even faded, a buzz of voices arose in the hall.

"What?!"

Second Prince Xiao Ze exclaimed in shock, taking a sudden step forward, only to be held back by Lin Lantian.

The Garrison General's face turned red as blood, and the aura of his early Silver Marrow Realm spilled out uncontrollably: "Your Highness! This matter is not in accordance with the rules!

First Prince Xiao Jing is the legitimate eldest son, and Second Prince Xiao Ze has distinguished military achievements.

Third Prince Xiao Heng is only eighteen and has not established a single merit; how can he inherit the great throne?"

King of Tianhuang Xiao Zhan glanced at him indifferently.

Lin Lantian felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, retreating three steps as his blood surged in his chest.

He thought to himself, "How is this possible? He just broke through, how can he be so strong!

It seems that what I have secretly learned over these years is indeed correct; there are other mysteries to the cultivation of the Silver Marrow Realm."

"Lin Lantian, are you questioning my decision?"

His voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.

"This subordinate does not dare!" Lin Lantian gritted his teeth and knelt on one knee.

"It is just... just..."

"Just what?" King of Tianhuang Xiao Zhan said coldly.

"I am still here. Matters of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion are not for outsiders to meddle in.

Considering your contributions to defending the border, I will not pursue this matter this time.

If there is a next time, you will no longer be the Garrison General."

King of Tianhuang Xiao Zhan let out a cold snort.

"Drag him out."

Two guards clad in black armor with powerful auras stepped forward, grabbing Lin Lantian from the left and right.

This Martial Monarch of the Yinsui Realm did not dare to resist, allowing himself to be dragged out of the hall.

This scene caused all the restive ministers to shut their mouths.

First Prince Xiao Jing kept his head bowed and remained silent, his hands clenched into fists within his sleeves, his nails digging into his palms.

The civil officials behind him exchanged glances, but no one dared to speak.

King of Tianhuang Xiao Zhan scanned the room, and seeing that no one objected, he slowly rose.

"Effective immediately, Heir Xiao Heng will move into the Heirs Courtyard and begin familiarizing himself with the affairs of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion.

You are dismissed."

After the meeting to appoint the heir concluded, the various factions held their own thoughts.

First Prince's Mansion, East Wing study.

The candlelight flickered as five or six people sat around.

First Prince Xiao Jing's face was as gloomy as water, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the rosewood table.

"Your Highness, this matter may not be without room for maneuver."

The speaker was Estate Chancellor Zhou Wenyuan, who was over fifty years old with a three-strand beard.

"Although Third Prince Xiao Heng has been established as the Heir, there are still three months until he officially inherits the position.

Three months is enough time to do many things."

"What can be done?" First Prince Xiao Jing sneered.

"Did you not see Father's assessment? And the mention of 'a joint resolution with the Supreme Princes of the Worship Hall' in his words? It is clear that the Worship Hall supports Heir Xiao Heng."

"Support is one thing, but the Old Prince's attitude is worth pondering," Estate Chancellor Zhou Wenyuan said, stroking his beard.

"If he truly favored Third Prince Xiao Heng, why wait three months? He could have just abdicated directly.

The reason for setting a three-month period is likely due to pressure from the Supreme Princes, to give Third Prince Xiao Heng a trial period.

After all, Third Prince Xiao Heng has always been a transparent figure in everyone's eyes."

A scholar in green robes replied, "Estate Chancellor Zhou's words are reasonable.

Your Highness, could we ask the Grand Marshal to exert pressure from the capital?

Grand Marshal Yuan is one of the three dukes of the imperial court; if we could persuade His Majesty to intervene..."

"No," First Prince Xiao Jing shook his head.

"Father is most wary of the capital interfering in the affairs of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion.

Over these years, we have been too close to our maternal grandfather, which has already violated a major taboo.

This time, Heir Xiao Heng being able to rise to power is nothing less than Father's strike against the forces in the capital."

Everyone fell silent.

After a long while, First Prince Xiao Jing slowly said, "A civil struggle; we can only engage in a civil struggle.

Heir Xiao Heng is young and has no one under his command.

He knows nothing about the affairs of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion.

For these three months, we will cooperate on the surface, but secretly drag, obstruct, and delay.

We will make everything difficult for him, and let Father and the cultivation Supreme Princes of the Worship Hall see that he is simply not the right material and cannot hold up the massive Tianhuang Princes Mansion."

"Then if, after three months, he still successfully inherits the position..."

"Then we will accept our fate," First Prince Xiao Jing closed his eyes.

"At least we have shown composure.

In the future, he will always need to employ people, and we do not have an unresolvable, deep-seated hatred with him, unlike the Second Prince..."

He opened his eyes, a trace of mockery flashing in them.

"That reckless man is likely already plotting a military mutiny. He is seeking his own death."

Garrison General's Mansion, secret room.

"Bang!" Second Prince Xiao Ze slammed his fist onto the iron-wood table, and the tabletop shattered in response.

"This is too much! It is one thing for Father to be biased, but those old immortals in the Worship Hall dare to interfere as well!"

Lin Lantian's expression was grim.

He had just taken a medicinal pill to regulate his breathing, and his aura was still somewhat unstable.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger.

Now that the matter is settled, getting angry is useless.

The urgent priority is to think of a countermeasure."

"Countermeasure? What other countermeasure could there be!"

Second Prince Xiao Ze's eyes were bloodshot.

"In three months, when Heir Xiao Heng officially inherits the position, we will be finished!

At least First Prince Xiao Jing has connections in the capital, but me? What do I have?

Over these years, I have defended the border and established how many military merits?

In the end, I am not even as good as a wet-behind-the-ears kid!

Father also said we introduced external forces and attempted to interfere in the internal affairs of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion; how ridiculous!

Uncle, you treat me like your own son.

Everything I, Second Prince Xiao Ze, have today relies entirely on your strong support.

How could that be 'outsiders' or 'external forces'?"

A trace of gratification and awkwardness flashed in Lin Lantian's eyes, which then turned into ruthlessness.

"Your Highness, the Old Prince setting a three-month period indicates that he also has hesitation in his heart.

Since that is the case... why don't we take this opportunity to create a fait accompli?"

"You mean..."

"A military mutiny!"

Lin Lantian lowered his voice.

"This subordinate has thirty thousand border troops under my command, all of whom are elites who have fought against the northern barbarians.

The guards of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion number only three thousand, and they are stationed in various places.

If we suddenly launch an attack, break into the Tianhuang Princes Mansion, and directly eliminate First Prince Xiao Jing and Heir Xiao Heng, the other young princes will be even less of a threat.

We will surely be able to force the Old Prince to change his mind and appoint Your Highness..."

Second Prince Xiao Ze's breathing became rapid.

"Can it succeed? But Father's strength, and the Supreme Princes of the Worship Hall..."

"Eighty percent chance of success."

Lin Lantian sneered, "The Old Prince has now returned to the secret chamber to stabilize his cultivation realm and will only officially emerge in three months.

Although the Supreme Princes of the Worship Hall are strong, they remain in seclusion year-round and will not easily take action unless the Tianhuang Princes Mansion is on the verge of destruction.

Even though they showed support for Heir Xiao Heng this time, didn't they only send an old steward over?

Moreover... they also need a King who can control the situation and command the army.

Third Prince Xiao Heng? A baby who has never been on the battlefield; can he suppress the border and suppress the northern barbarians?"

"Good!" Second Prince Xiao Ze gritted his teeth.

"Uncle, if this matter succeeds, you will be the number one meritorious official of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion!"

The two plotted in the secret room until late at night, but they did not notice an ink-colored swallow silently flying away outside the window.