At dusk, within the Prince Montgomery's palace.
Li Guanglong and Lord Eugene Montgomery were
engaged in a game of strategy over a sand table, locked in a fierce and
brilliant contest. Standing quietly beside them was Mark Montgomery, observing
the game in silence.
After a while, the winner was decided. Lord
Eugene Montgomery inserted a white flag into the sand table, signaling his
surrender.
“Your Highness truly is a military genius. Your
use of strategy is as elusive as gods and demons --- impossible to predict or
defend against. I’ve always considered myself rather shrewd, yet today, I am
clearly outmatched.”
Lord Eugene Montgomery shook his head with a
smile and casually took the white hand towel offered by a maid to carefully
wipe his fingers.
“You flatter me, Uncle Eugene. It was just a
lucky move on my part.” Li Guanglong responded humbly.
Although he was a prince, he did not dare to
act haughty before Lord Eugene Montgomery.
This man before him was his biggest benefactor
in ascending the throne.
Not only had he provided financial support, but
he also helped him rally various factions and eliminate countless obstacles.
It was precisely because of Lord Eugene
Montgomery’s support that Li Guanglong was confident he could outcompete his
two rivals, Li Wenxing and Li Juntang.
“Your Highness is gifted with both intellect
and martial prowess. In time, you’re sure to become a legendary emperor whose name
will be remembered for generations,” Lord Eugene Montgomery praised without
reservation.
“It’s still too early to say that. The crown
prince’s position is still undecided, and no one can be sure who’ll come out on
top,” Li Guanglong replied, shaking his head.
Though confident, he understood the danger of
complacency. Until he secured the throne, he had to tread carefully.
“With the support of my righteous father, plus
the royal Bryant family and the major aristocratic clans behind you, Your
Highness is as good as the next crown prince,” said Mark Montgomery with a
smile.
“True, but everyone knows the Emperor has
always favored the third prince. If the Emperor insists on supporting him, what
would we do then?” Li Guanglong narrowed his eyes.
Lord Eugene Montgomery leisurely sat down,
sipped his tea, and remained silent.
Mark Montgomery glanced at his adoptive father,
then lowered his voice: “If it truly comes to that, then Your Highness will
need to harden your heart and stage a ‘Xuanwu Gate Coup’ of your own.”
Hearing this, the smile on Li Guanglong’s face
froze. He looked at Lord Eugene Montgomery and then at Mark Montgomery. “Mark,
you must be careful with your words. Do you take me for someone who would
murder his own brothers for power?”
“Your Highness is benevolent, but that doesn’t
mean your brothers are. While you hold back out of familial affection, they may
already be plotting against you,” Mark Montgomery warned.
“I think this matter requires careful consideration.
What does Uncle Eugene think?” Li Guanglong deflected the topic back to Lord
Eugene Montgomery.
Mark Montgomery cannot represent the Montgomery
Palace yet. Even if he wants to stage a Xuanwu Gate Incident, he must get Lord
Eugene Montgomery's approval first.
“I follow wherever Your Highness leads.
Whatever you decide, I will fully support it,” Lord Eugene Montgomery declared.
“Then I thank you, Uncle Eugene.”
Li Guanglong smiled slightly. “By the way, has
there been any movement from the West Lucozia Palace?”
Across the empire, the only force that could
truly sway the crown prince’s succession was the faraway West Lucozia.
With its 500,000-strong Black Dragon Army, it
could crush all opposition.
“I’ve already investigated. There’s internal
strife in West Lucozia; they’re undergoing a full purge and have no time to
interfere in Stonia’s affairs. Besides, Rufus Rhys’ days are numbered. If they
don’t want to invite unnecessary trouble, their best option now is to play dead
and act like nothing’s happening,” Mark Montgomery replied.
“That puts me at ease,” Li Guanglong smiled,
visibly more relaxed.
As long as the West Lucozia Palace stayed out
of it, everything remained under his control.
“Your Highness! Something terrible has
happened!”
Just as they were chatting, Li Guanglong’s
personal guard, Wan Zhong, suddenly burst in.
“What’s with the panic? Can’t you see I’m
speaking with Uncle Eugene?” Li Guanglong frowned in displeasure.
He’s a seasoned general --- how could he be so
unsettled by a small incident?
“Your Highness! Word just arrived --- Zeus, the
God King of the Pantheon of the Gods, has stormed into the residence! He’s
killing indiscriminately and has even taken the princess consort hostage! The
entire residence is in chaos!” Wan Zhong reported anxiously.
“What?! Zeus?!”
Li Guanglong shot up from his seat, face
darkening. “How could this happen? I’ve never had any quarrel with the Pantheon
of the Gods. Why would the mighty God King Zeus suddenly invade my home and
start killing?!”
He had not only been on good terms with the
Pantheon of the Gods, but they also had frequent dealings. He truly couldn’t
understand their actions.
“I don’t know the full details, but our guards
have suffered heavy casualties. We urgently need reinforcements. Please make a
decision immediately, Your Highness!” Wan Zhong said, cupping his fists.
“Those bastards from the Pantheon of the Gods!
Killing my men for no reason --- this is intolerable!”
Li Guanglong gritted his teeth, eyes nearly
spitting fire. “Wan Zhong, hear my command! Assemble the troops at once!
Surround the Pantheon of the Gods completely! I want them to pay the price!”
“At once, Your Highness!”
Wan Zhong obeyed and quickly took his leave.
In the city of Stonia, only a handful of people
had the authority to mobilize the army --- and Li Guanglong was one of them. - Ton
Comments