"You want to imprison me?"

Can Yunwu was furious: "Even if you are the Crown Prince, you can't be this overbearing!"

She was a princess! To be confined to the palace, not allowed to take a single step out?

This was absolutely intolerable.

And if word got out, what would people think?

What would her supporters do?

Even now, she still hadn't given up!

"You can try!"

Xu Yang's gaze was icy: "I hate trouble the most, any kind of trouble! If you want to try, I don't mind. I believe Can Sutian wouldn't care for the greater good!"

"You, you actually dare call Father Emperor by his name directly?"

Can Yunwu trembled all over, her lips quivering as she pointed at Xu Yang.

She had never seen anyone so audacious!

Fleeting anger flashed in Xu Yang's eyes—this chess piece of his was still being played; so what if he called him by name?

Ignoring Can Yunwu, he looked at Dong Xiuling!

The top prodigy of the capital!

Truly lived up to her reputation!

Simply not someone Qin Yuan could compare to—even Huangfu Qing, stripped of all True Monarch's Supreme Treasures, was nothing before her!

"And you!"

"If the Dong Clan doesn't behave, including that esteemed consort, they bear the consequences themselves!"

Dong Xiuling's body trembled; grief and terror flashed in her eyes.

After his words, Xu Yang strode away.

"Xu Yang, stop right there!"

"If you don't give me an explanation today, I will never allow it!"

Can Yunwu couldn't accept this outcome and charged at Xu Yang in fury.

Bang!

Xu Yang struck her with a backhanded palm, sending Can Yunwu flying before leaving without a glance.

Can Yunxiao appeared out of thin air, looking at the wretched and miserable Can Yunwu with a bitter smile: "Your Highness, was this necessary?"

Can Yunwu got up awkwardly, gnashing her teeth: "I can't accept this!"

"Why?"

"His actions are sheer madness! How could Father Emperor choose him to be Crown Prince?"

Can Yunxiao spoke softly: "Because without King Beixuan, there would be no His Majesty; and for this, King Beixuan gave his life!"

"And because he is decisive enough, strong enough!"

"A sixth-rank supreme Alchemist, at the Middle Stage of Myriad Phenomena, his power is nearly unmatched below the True Monarch level!"

"What do you think, Your Highness?"

Can Yunwu's eyes widened in shock: "King Beixuan... has fallen?"

Meeting Can Yunxiao's calm eyes, Can Yunwu couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Just as he said, two months ago, Your Highness wasn't even a match for Huangfu Qing; let alone Song Yuanhao, now Crown Prince of Great Hao!"

"I don't know His Majesty's full plans, but Xu Yang is the key!"

Saying this, Can Yunxiao paused briefly, then sighed: "Xu Yang doesn't care about being Crown Prince at all. In fact, he's full of resentment toward King Beixuan and His Majesty!"

"Once Great Hao is handled, he definitely won't stay Crown Prince."

"Your Highness, your performance is disappointing!"

"What?"

Can Yunwu felt as if stabbed by a blade, her mind going blank.

Beside her, Dong Xiuling silently bowed her head.

Since childhood she had followed Can Yunwu. Though reluctant to admit it, she had to concede: Xu Yang was truly formidable!

As for the Crown Prince position, in the current situation, he was far more fitting than Can Yunwu by countless times!

...

Leaving the palace, Xu Yang let out a long breath.

After obtaining the information in that jade slip, every extra moment in the palace made him feel suffocated!

The contents of the jade slip were simple: a duel with Song Yuanhao in three months!

Yet this battle was closely tied to Can Sutian!

He was the vanguard, meant to probe Great Hao's real strength and to lure them into a trap as a chess piece!

Only then did he realize—this Crown Prince identity had always been prepared for him alone.

The Crown Prince of Daqian versus the Crown Prince of Great Hao!

Can Sutian was in closed seclusion, yet still controlled everything behind the scenes.

"This duel with Song Yuanhao is inescapable—he has calculated everything!"

"Only afterwards will I get what I want!"

What he wanted was to break free from all of this!

Xu Yang shook his head hard, discarding all stray thoughts, his expression growing grave.

"Song Yuanhao, as Crown Prince of Great Hao, who knows how many trump cards he and his father have. After all this time, his strength must have soared!"

Though he once did not fear Song Yuanhao—now he himself had also improved greatly—

But he still dared not underestimate Song Yuanhao!

His strength was still not enough!

Thinking this, Xu Yang's desire to return was like a burning arrow!

These matters—he needed to discuss with Gu Jun!

No matter how confident Can Sutian was, no matter what plans he still hid, Xu Yang had to be fully prepared!

Failure was not an option! 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Failure meant utter annihilation!

Xu Yang strode quickly toward the city exit.

There was no need to linger in the capital.

Moments later, he was at the city gate.

From atop the wall, someone saw Xu Yang, pupils contracting before hastening down.

It was the City Defense Camp commander, Lin Mo.

"Your Highness!"

Lin Mo stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Seeing Lin Mo, Xu Yang thought of that elder from the Dong Clan branch, and casually asked, "How's that old man from the Dong Clan?"

"Already locked in the Heavenly Prison!" Lin Mo reported quickly.

Xu Yang nodded slightly: "Hand him over to the Dong Clan for punishment."

"Yes."

"Alright, you can go back."

Xu Yang waved his hand and began to walk outside the city.

Lin Mo was stunned at this, blurting out, "Your Highness, are you leaving?"

"Mm."

Hearing Xu Yang's reply, Lin Mo grew more bewildered. Leaving, just like that?

Just then, a figure appeared out of nowhere at the base of the city wall.

"That is..." Lin Mo's body jolted, eyes filled with shock.

"Your Highness leaving may not be appropriate!"

The middle-aged man gazed at Xu Yang and spoke slowly.

Xu Yang frowned: "And who are you?"

The man was a True Monarch!

"Gu Hong, Grand General of the Imperial Guards!"

Grand General of the Imperial Guards?

Xu Yang's heart shook. Such a title was not ordinary.

His first thought was of Can Yunwu!

As a princess, the connection between her and the Grand General...

"Why can't I leave?" Xu Yang asked with interest. To be honest, he was curious what reason the man would give.

Gu Hong replied solemnly, "Your Highness, with His Majesty in seclusion and Great Hao eyeing us, the capital needs you to preside over it!"

"Makes sense, go on," Xu Yang said, amused. There was little to fault in this reason.

"Your Highness yourself is a sixth-rank supreme Pill Master, and your master is an Emperor Alchemist."

"Staying in the capital raises the strength of many people!"

Gu Hong narrowed his eyes and smiled: "This benefits Daqian immensely. I believe His Majesty will be pleased to see this after leaving seclusion!"

Xu Yang couldn't help but laugh.

"I thought my ability to make supreme pills was of no interest to the Martial Artists of the capital."

So this is what you were waiting for!

"Dare I ask, what is your relationship with Can Yunwu?" Xu Yang asked with interest.

Gu Hong's expression didn't change as he replied blandly: "I once guided Princess' cultivation."

Xu Yang nodded thoughtfully.

"So, I can't leave today?"

"Please, Your Highness, remain in the capital!"

Gu Hong cupped his fists in salute!

Xu Yang licked his lips, icy intent surging in his eyes.

"What? Are my orders just for show?"

"What?"

Gu Hong looked up in confusion. Was that directed at me? What did he mean?

"Forgive me, Your Highness!"

A helpless voice came from the void.

Gu Hong and Lin Mo both looked up.

A man appeared out of nowhere.

It was, unmistakably, the Chief of Rites, Can Yunxiao!