Time always flies by, especially when you’re waiting for something—it feels like it goes even faster.
Today, the entire Chu Kingdom is decked out in red lanterns and streamers—everyone’s celebrating, and the marketplace is even livelier than usual.
But no one knows that an invisible storm is quietly approaching them...
Inside the palace.
"What? You’re saying your Snake Command Token got stolen?" Marina Jade’s face changed dramatically. Today, the imperial physician had finally cured Prince Cyrus, but as soon as he opened his mouth, this was the bombshell he dropped.
"What do we do, Jade?" Prince Cyrus was clearly panicking too. He’d wanted to say something earlier but couldn’t get the words out, his hands shaking the whole time. This major issue had been weighing on him so much he nearly made himself sick.
"How could this happen? Who would dare target your Snake Command Token?" Marina Jade narrowed her small eyes, seriously considering this very important question.
"Could it be Ethan Chu?" He knew his own reputation wasn’t great, but also knew nobody else dared defy him. So, besides Ethan Chu, he honestly couldn’t think of anyone else.
Marina shook her head at that. "Impossible. My people already killed him." After suffering such severe injuries, losing all his martial arts, and being hunted, he must’ve died ages ago!
"Then who could it be?" Prince Cyrus was completely baffled—who else would have the guts to snatch the Snake Command Token?
Seeing this, Marina Jade frowned slightly and said, "Forget it. Don’t worry about it for now. Today is Father’s birthday, and he’s going to pass the throne to you. Once you have the crown, why worry about a little token?"
"You really are clever, Jade." Prince Cyrus quickly grabbed her hand, praising her.
"Stop it! You’re about to ascend the throne—you need someone to get you properly dressed up." Marina Jade smiled, pulled him over to the bronze mirror, and called for servants to get him ready.
Out in the countryside.
On the broad plains, a dense crowd stood, all wearing armor and looking full of spirit. Right now, they were all staring intently at the person standing on the high ground ahead.
"Are you afraid of death?!" Ethan Chu stood on high and shouted loudly to everyone.
"To protect our homeland, what’s death to us!" Tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison. Their only goal was for Chu Kingdom to grow ever stronger, but under the Crown Prince’s rule, the country had grown more and more corrupt, and the soldiers were sent to fight pointless wars. Sometimes the enemy had already asked for peace, willing to accept their terms, but Prince Cyrus thought their lands were too small, and peace was too much trouble—so he simply ordered the slaughter of all innocents, even children and the elderly. For these soldiers who longed for peace, this was a crushing blow!
"Alright! I, Ethan Chu, swear right here—if I seize the throne, I’ll make sure the people live ten times better than they do now!"
"We’ll follow the Second Prince through life and death!" Everyone shouted in unison, their voices so loud you’d think it was thunder from afar!
“Alright, let’s start the siege now! But everyone remember—don’t harm a single civilian!” He raised his broadsword high, swearing in front of everyone that the battle was on!
“Yes, sir!” the crowd shouted back in unison.
And so, the massive army surged toward the capital, but inside the city, no one had any idea that disaster was barreling their way.
Same in the palace—at this moment, all the civil and military officials were gathered in the largest square, waiting for the Chu Emperor to appear.
Right then, Prince Cyrus was up on the dais, chest out and looking all heroic in his blinding gold robes. But honestly, the real eye-catcher was Marina Jade beside him, grinning like a flower. She was dressed to kill—her red and gold silk gown screamed royalty from a mile away.
But with the emperor still missing, the crowd below was already buzzing. The Crown Princess had been spreading rumors that the emperor would abdicate today, so everyone was curious. The loyalists, though, were seriously worried: the emperor hadn’t run the country in ages, and it was the Second Prince who’d been doing all the real work. The Crown Prince just partied all day. Now the throne’s about to change hands—but not to that kind-hearted prince who cares about the people, but to a guy who only knows how to have fun. What’s going to happen to Chu Kingdom now?!
“Congratulations, Lord Ming! You’re about to become the imperial father-in-law!” The bootlicking officials swarmed Marina Jade’s dad, laying it on thick with their flattery.
“Oh, no, not at all. I’m just like the rest of you!” Lord Ming replied with fake modesty, but his smug face totally gave him away. His daughter was finally about to become empress, and he’d be the official imperial father-in-law. That idiot prince couldn’t run a country to save his life—his daughter would be pulling all the strings. Chu Kingdom? More like Ming Kingdom soon!
“Come on, the Crown Princess already said it—the emperor’s going to abdicate and travel the world, with the National Preceptor tagging along as his guide! The country can’t go a day without a ruler, or a day without a Preceptor, am I right?” Everyone knew the National Preceptor was second only to the emperor. With Prince Cyrus about to take the throne, it was basically a done deal that Lord Ming would become the new Preceptor!
“You flatter me, you really do. Everything still depends on His Majesty’s decision.” Even as he said it, Lord Ming couldn’t hide his grin—he was already over the moon inside.
Just then, the Chu Emperor finally appeared, shuffling out slowly with National Preceptor Evan Ward supporting him. The crowd instantly bowed and shouted, “Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live!”
“Rise, my loyal subjects.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” All the officials bowed and then quickly straightened up.
“Today I’m truly happy—today is my sixtieth birthday, and the celebration my son prepared is just wonderful.” The Chu Emperor smiled down from his seat.
“The Crown Prince really went all out!” everyone chimed in.
“And today, I have a very important announcement. Over the years, I’ve grown old and weary, so I want to take this chance to pass the throne!” Finally, he got to the main event. The whole crowd held their breath, waiting for his announcement.
“We await the new emperor!” Everyone bowed again, hunching over and respectfully waiting for the handover ceremony.
“Mm.” The Chu Emperor nodded slightly to National Preceptor Evan Ward.
“Your Majesty.” Evan Ward blushed and stepped forward, presenting a golden box to the emperor.
“Blame yourself for being too outstanding.” Finally, Prince Cyrus revealed the reason—seeing Ethan win hearts day by day, he had to guard against him!