Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Prince Jing

Although he failed to notice the assassin’s movements immediately due to his distracted thoughts, he had honed his skills from years of experience in Jianghu and could quickly assess the situation.

The current situation was extremely unfavorable.

He narrowed his eyes, clasped his fists, and said, “I am Huang Zheng. I don’t know what offense I’ve given you all. I would like to know clearly!”

The person from the east sneered, “Prince Jing, wise people speak frankly. Your identity is as clear as crystal to us, so there’s no need to hide it!”

Prince Jing?

Those who called him Prince Jing were clearly not adversaries from Jianghu.

No one from Prince Cheng’s Vassal Land would want his life either.

People from the Capital City?

His Grandfather’s birthday, summoning the Imperial Grandsons to serve at his side, was when he and his father analyzed the possibilities. However, his father patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily, saying, “Rest assured, even if your Grandfather had such thoughts, he wouldn’t consider you. That’s because your father has no ambitions and doesn’t seek to please your Grandfather. You would just be there as support; no big deal!”

His mother said to him, “The Imperial Family’s struggle for the throne is an unseen clash of swords and shadows. It’s good to stay away from disputes. What your father said is right; your Grandfather won’t consider Prince Cheng’s line, so you should be aware of your situation and be cautious in your actions!”

He obeyed his father’s and mother’s advice, remaining extremely low-key in the Capital City. He only became good friends with the Dean of Wenbo Academy, whom he had bonded with over chess. Other than that, he did not participate in showcasing himself or seeking fame.

Why would someone still intend to kill him?

Huangfu Jingchen said slowly, “Since you know my identity as the Princely Heir, yet you still wish to take my life, who gave you such courage?”

The assassin cackled nefariously but did not say anything further. With a wave of a hand, seven people surrounded Huangfu Jingchen.

Huangfu Jingchen’s expression grew serious. Being attacked by seven first-class experts, even if they were only at the First-class Initial Tier, would definitely be a hard battle when facing seven at once.

Moreover, he had no advantage! His chances of winning were less than ten percent!

Huangfu Jingchen moved almost simultaneously with the assassins. His agility was as swift as a rabbit’s. Though he was one against seven, he wasn’t disadvantaged in the slightest.

These assassins were precisely the people sent by the new Crown Prince. Seeing Huangfu Jingchen’s elegant and refined scholarly appearance, they had already labeled him a spoiled heir of a noble family in their minds.

The new Crown Prince had once instructed these seven, telling them that when Huangfu Jingchen was a teenager, he had been thrown into the army by Prince Cheng and stayed in the military for three years.

Seeing Huangfu Jingchen in front of them, the assassins felt disdain.

They understood the Royal Family’s affairs—that these Princes and Imperial Grandsons, in order to gain military merits and higher status, often merely stayed in the army for a year or two.

While in the army, they neither fought on the front lines with real weapons, nor did they suffer the hardships of military life, yet they managed to live a luxurious life nonetheless.

Otherwise, how could someone who had been in the military for three years still appear so weak?

Their own master valued the mission highly, sending seven people, with three of them as Hidden Guards, no less. It seemed excessive to kill a delicate man like this; just one or two people could handle the task flawlessly.

However, as soon as Huangfu Jingchen took action, they realized their mistake.

This seemingly frail youth had precise vision, impeccable timing, and exceptional control over angles—skills significant beyond a novice.

Under the moonlight, swords and shadows clashed.

Capital City.

Yifeng Building.

Prince Li occupied a private room, constantly looking outside.

He had an appointment, but the person he was waiting for was already late.

This made him very annoyed, but he could not show his anger.

Until a server’s voice came from the doorway, “Young Master, Mr. Ninth is in this room!”

Prince Li quickly walked over and opened the door to the private room.

He couldn’t even wait for the guard to open the door.

Outside, The Brocade Young Master stood with a graceful posture, donned in brocade clothes, and was extraordinarily handsome. There was a hint of aloofness in his eyes, yet a sharp gleam flashed as his eyes shifted, clearly showing that the indifference was just a habitual facade; his true nature was unfathomable!

Prince Li said, “You’ve finally arrived!”

The Brocade Young Master smiled slowly, “How could Yuxuan not come when Uncle Nine invites?”

Seeing his composed demeanor, Prince Li calmed himself down and also laughed, saying, “Today the weather is lovely, and Uncle Nine thought you to be a man of elegance, so I invited you to enjoy tea together. Come in, let’s talk inside!”

The two entered the room, and guards outside closed the door, standing on either side to ensure no entry.

Prince Li glanced at Huangfu Yuxuan, seeing him as a refined young master, yet he leisurely set a pot of water on a small stove, prompting him to ask anxiously, “Yuxuan, how can you still think of drinking tea? Uncle Ninth received a piece of news today!”

“What news?” Huangfu Yuxuan added a piece of charcoal nonchalantly.

Prince Li lowered his voice and said, “Prince Cheng’s Heir, Huangfu Jingchen, has perished.”

Huangfu Yuxuan paused slightly and said, “Is it true?”

Prince Li replied, “My people kept an eye on Old Third’s men. He didn’t send out four people; it was seven. Huangfu Jingchen fought a deadly battle, with the situation being brutal—ultimately, they all perished together, witnessed in person by my people!” He sighed, “I heard Old Fifth was displeased with his heir being too unruly and threw him into the army without care for two years. Originally thought of as an idle playboy, unexpectedly his skills were not weak, making Old Third’s seven men gain no advantage!”

Huangfu Yuxuan cast a glance at Prince Li, pinched tea leaves into a teapot, and said lightly, “Such skills aren’t necessarily learned in the army. Have you forgotten that my Fifth Aunt is a Jianghu expert?”

Prince Li immediately became intrigued, saying, “Right, right! Speaking of which, you young ones don’t know. Back in the day, my Fifth Brother was also full of spirit and charm, exceptionally skilled in both letter and martial arts, with a forthright character. His Majesty even once remarked that Fifth Brother was the most like him. At just eighteen, he was titled Prince Cheng. Life was full of prospects. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, he was determined to marry his current wife, as if he had turned into a different person. His Majesty couldn’t agree to an Imperial Prince marrying a rootless woman of Jianghu! Resultantly, Fifth Brother argued with His Majesty and infuriated him, leading to his immediate assignment to a remote Vassal Land, which was the barren western border of Yunzhou. West of Yunzhou is the desert, filled with uncivilized, savage tribes known to eat raw meat and drink blood—an absolute wasteland. His Majesty wanted him to understand that defying the king has no good end—there is room for negotiation if he would only comply! Unbelievably, Fifth Brother wouldn’t yield and went resolutely.”

Huangfu Yuxuan was in a good mood as he listened, merely sneering inwardly at past events, thinking with disdain: “Fool!” An Imperial Prince aiming for the throne yet having no ambitions—abandoning the Capital’s prosperity and privilege for a woman, venturing to the frontier wilderness—is it any different from exile?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep