C20 Chu Lang's Plan

"Prince Chu Tian, I've heard that Prince Chu Feng, that waste, ventured into the Aethelwood for some training. He's apparently returned by now."

Before Chu Lang, a eunuch knelt on the ground, reporting to him.

Since Chu Feng had challenged Chu Lang, Chu Lang had been keeping a close watch on Chu Feng's every move.

"He's back already? At this hour? Still training?"

A cold light flashed in Chu Lang's eyes.

To Chu Lang, training in the forest was merely a method to solidify one's cultivation. He believed that ample cultivation resources, along with the aid of pills, were the true way to advance in cultivation.

"Long'er, had I known this would happen, I would have ordered his assassination. Now that he's back, it's problematic to make a move against him within the palace walls," Lady Shuyu remarked slowly at Chu Lang's side.

She hadn't forgotten the last time Chu Feng had dared to attack him. If Chu Lang hadn't arrived just in time, she would have suffered at Chu Feng's hands. Now that Chu Feng was challenging Chu Lang, Lady Shuyu eagerly awaited his downfall.

"Mother, you are one of Father's most cherished consorts, skillfully navigating the waters among his many wives. Why the sudden lapse in judgment?" Chu Lang looked up and addressed Lady Shuyu.

"Chu Feng openly declared his challenge to me in front of a crowd. If he dies, even the dimmest fool would suspect my involvement. How do you propose I handle this?" Chu Lang explained.

"That's true, but..."

"Don't worry, Mother. My cultivation has reached the fourth level of Mystic Ascension, while that waste, Chu Feng, is likely still at the Initial Transcendent level. When the time comes, I'll show him his place!" Chu Lang's eyes seethed with bitterness. During the last Ralens Tournament, Chu Feng had humiliated him by announcing his separation from Xiahou Jiao in front of everyone. This time, Chu Lang was determined to get his revenge.

"Indeed, but remember the last Ralens Tournament? Chu Feng showcased footwork from the Eternal Green realm. I'm concerned..."

Lady Shuyu suddenly realized something and urgently addressed Chu Lang.

"That must be from the enigmatic figure supporting him, the footwork from the Eternal Green. What he doesn't realize is that I possess a skill from the Eternal Green as well!"

Chu Lang gripped his fists, his face radiating confidence.

"Eternal Green skill? Long'er, are you referring to that medium-grade sword technique of the Eternal Green you acquired?"

Lady Shuyu's face lit up with excitement upon hearing about the Eternal Green skill Chu Lang mentioned.

"Exactly! It was quite fortunate that I stumbled upon the Tempest's Blade technique. With it, I'm convinced that Chu Feng stands no chance of winning!"

Chu Lang's eyes sparkled with anticipation at the thought of the Tempest's Blade technique, his heart pounding with excitement.

Given that the highest level of cultivation in the Edora Kingdom was the Dream-Seeking Realm, and techniques of that level were exceedingly rare, the World-Illuminating Realm techniques were highly treasured. Therefore, the Eternal Green sword technique Chu Lang had recently obtained was exceptionally valuable.

"But, doesn't that Eternal Green sword technique require an immense amount of Shadow Power to wield? And you mentioned that unleashing its most formidable sword force necessitates cultivation at the Eternal Green level..."

Lady Shuyu inquired with urgency.

"That's correct. To harness that potent sword force, one indeed needs the cultivation of the Eternal Green Realm. Without it, the true might of the sword force remains untapped. However, even though I can't invoke its full strength, I've mastered the technique. Coupled with my level of cultivation, I'm certain he won't stand a chance!"

Chu Lang's excitement was palpable as he thought about his Eternal Green sword technique.

Although his cultivation far surpassed Chu Feng's, Chu Lang had dedicated the last two months to relentless practice of the Tempest's Blade, ensuring he could execute its techniques flawlessly.

"Whether I win or lose, Chu Feng is doomed!"

Chu Lang declared somberly.

"Long'er, are you intent on killing him?!"

Lady Shuyu gasped, startled by Chu Lang's statement. The Duke of Ralens had decreed that members of the royal family were forbidden from engaging in fratricide. If Chu Lang were to kill Chu Feng during the examination, he would gain no advantage from it.

Contemplating the potential repercussions, I couldn't help but worry.

"No, I'm not the one who wants to kill him—it's Chu Tian who's after him," Chu Lang revealed, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Chu Tian?! How could that be? To my knowledge, even though he's no fan of Chu Feng, there's no real animosity between them," Lady Shuyu expressed, her face etched with confusion.

"Not long ago, Chu Feng managed to offend Chu Tian during the Ralens Tournament. It baffles me where Chu Feng found such audacity. But it works in my favor—if I happen to fail, Chu Tian will step in to challenge Chu Feng. And Chu Tian has even vowed to take Chu Feng's life!" Chu Lang spoke with ease, casually licking his lips and squinting his eyes.

"Chu Tian taking Chu Feng's life?! Impossible. Even if Chu Feng has provoked him, Chu Tian wouldn't dare to go that far," Lady Shuyu countered.

"No, no, no, Mother, you've got it all wrong. What if I were to buy Chu Tian's loyalty?" Chu Lang replied with a sly grin.

"How could you possibly do that? The throne is the only thing that interests Chu Tian. What could you offer to make him obey you?" Lady Shuyu asked, her face still clouded with skepticism as she shook her head.

"Ah, Mother, you're correct that the throne is Chu Tian's ultimate desire. But there's something else that piques his interest," Chu Lang responded thoughtfully.

"What might that be?" Lady Shuyu pressed, eager for an answer.

"The Tempest's Blade!" Chu Lang declared.

"What! The Tempest's Blade? You mean to say..." Lady Shuyu's eyes widened as she grasped Chu Lang's implication.

Chu Lang intended to use the Tempest's Blade as a bargaining chip to win over Chu Tian.

"Exactly. Chu Tian's ambition knows no bounds. We're all aware of his thirst for the throne. Thus, Chu Xiao, who stands in his way, becomes his hurdle. To speak kindly, Chu Xiao is compassionate; to be frank, he's timid. If it weren't for Chu Xiao's cultivation in the Eternal Green, Chu Tian would have already confronted him. But armed with the Tempest's Blade, Chu Tian's prowess will surely escalate, significantly boosting his chances of claiming the throne in the future," Chu Lang explained with calculated calmness.

"Just because of the Tempest's Blade, Chu Tian agreed to your request?"

Lady Shuyu still felt that the situation was somewhat dubious.

"No, no, no, I also made him a promise."

"What kind of promise?"

"To help him ascend to the throne in the future."

...

"Wait, if Chu Tian kills Chu Feng, won't he face punishment?! Does he dare to do such a thing?"

Lady Shuyu inquired.

She knew all too well that fratricide was the last thing the Duke of Ralens wanted to witness.

"Chu Tian isn't foolish. What I didn't expect was his ability to unleash the sword force."

Chu Lang spoke with a hint of envy in his voice.

Though Chu Tian's cultivation level was one tier above his own, at the fifth level of Mystic Ascension, the scouts reported that Chu Tian had recently managed to harness the sword force.

"What?! No wonder... If he can wield the sword force, it signifies immense potential in Chu Tian. Once the Duke recognizes this potential, he's likely to overlook the incident..."

Upon hearing this, Lady Shuyu had an epiphany. That explained why Chu Tian was willing to confront Chu Feng.

"The strategy is sound, but it's a pity... it allowed Chu Tian to master the Tempest's Blade..."

Regret was evident on Lady Shuyu's face.

"Indeed, Chu Tian revealed his prowess by using the Tempest's Blade to slay Chu Feng in the arena. In doing so, he has drawn attention to himself, but he seems to have forgotten his benevolent brother, Chu Xiao..."

Chu Lang let out a cold laugh.

"What do you mean? Is Chu Xiao going to take action?"

"No, no, no. I suspect it's not that straightforward. 'The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.' Chu Tian's emergence will surely catch the eye of Chu Xiao, who is at the Eternal Green Realm. When they clash, it will be my opportunity..."

Chu Lang exchanged a knowing glance with Lady Shuyu.

"Ah, I see! That's my clever son, brilliant!"

Lady Shuyu felt a surge of astonishment within. She hadn't realized her son's plan was so flawlessly conceived.

"Hahaha..."

Laughter echoed from Chu Lang throughout the hall.