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!
At almost the same moment, Li Taiyi sensed the First Prince’s existence and looked over.
Whoosh!
The First Prince waved a hand, and the aura of authority erupted from him. As if it had some magical power, the dense ranks of the Imperial Army arrayed before him opened up a path.
Whoosh!
Li Taiyi’s eyes chilled, but a moment later, he spurred his horse forward, several hundred horsemen following right behind.
Bang!
As these cavalry reached the edge of Taiji Palace, countless soldiers encircled Taiji Palace and the several hundred cavalry.
The storm was calmest at its eye.
“Stay here.”
Li Taiyi jumped from his horse and landed in front of Taiji Palace.
The two brothers silently met gazes for a moment.
“First Brother.”
“Third Brother.”
As their eyes connected, sparks seemed to flash between them.
“Things have already reached this stage, yet you’re still not willing to give up?”
“Because there’s no reason to give up.”
Li Taiyi’s expression was abnormally calm.
“You really think you can still fight back against me?”
Li Xuantu coldly laughed. He looked past Li Taiyi, a flash of pity in his eyes as he took in the bloodstained soldiers behind him.
“I am the Crown Prince appointed by Imperial Father, the one selected to be the next Emperor. What reason do you have to oppose me?”
Clang!
Li Xuantu suddenly pulled out his sword, and with a resounding clang, the golden sword flew high into the sky and came flying back down. Clang! The tip buried itself into the ground in front of Li Xuantu.
“I will give you one last chance. Hand over the jade seal and surrender, and I can keep your corpse intact. You are still a son of the imperial household, so I can give you a dignified burial in the imperial mausoleum. This is my last show of benevolence!”
Li Xuantu had a domineering gaze, his expression cold and callous.
His body was devoid of any affection, leaving behind only the cruelty of a man in power.
“First Brother is truly considerate. It seems that I can’t live no matter what I do,” Li Taiyi indifferently said, his voice oozing with derision.
“Third Brother, there is no such as father and sons when it comes to imperial power, let alone brothers. You should understand this principle. For several years now, you have opposed me at every turn, even drawing away many court officials and generals. Would I not be too softhearted if I let you live?
“Another day you live is another day the realm remains restless, and Our lands will never be stable,” Li Xuantu nonchalantly said, his eyes devoid of emotion.
“And from the moment you began to compete with me for the throne, we ceased to be brothers.”
“Haha, good, truly First Brother. These are good words. What are brothers in front of imperial power?”
Li Taiyi softly and derisively chuckled.
“But, First Brother, do you really think you’ve won?”
Buzz!
Li Xuantu grimaced, but a moment later, his expression returned to normal.
“Third Brother, saying such things is of no benefit to your situation. Or perhaps you are planning to put up one last struggle?”
Clap!
Li Xuantu stepped forward. Boom! An enormous pressure spread out from his body.
It was clear that Li Xuantu did not plan to keep arguing with Li Taiyi forever. Since he was not willing to submit, he would not mind personally taking action and ending this struggle for the throne.
Li Taiyi shook his head. “First Brother, you’re the one who actually needs to think things over.
“I know that you have seized my mother, and that you control the one hundred thousand soldiers of the Imperial Army. Your men can be found both inside and outside the palace. But, First Brother, do you really think I have no tricks in this struggle for the throne?”
Buzz!
Li Xuantu’s expression darkened as he suddenly stopped.
“It should be just about time.”
Li Taiyi raised his head and looked out to the palace rather than at Li Xuantu.
Bang! As if in response to Li Taiyi’s words, a large firework rocketed into the sky outside the capital and fiercely exploded.
“Kill!”
A few moments later, war cries rose up simultaneously from all four gates of the capital, so resounding that they could be heard for several hundred li and made the roof tiles of the palace tremble.