When the assassination attempt occurred at Feng Manor, Ninth Royal Uncle was busy carrying out Serena's instructions: get Charlotte Chu married off as soon as possible, and make sure Charlotte doesn't damage Simon Sun's reputation.
It took him a whole day to set up the scheme, just waiting for Charlotte Chu to fall into the trap tomorrow. Once that was done, he went back to handling routine official business.
By the time Ninth Royal Uncle finished, it was already late at night. He hadn't even had a chance to rest before receiving news that assassins had infiltrated Feng Manor, targeting Serena.
Crack—Ninth Royal Uncle’s pen snapped in his hand. He tossed it aside and asked, “Which faction sent them?”
"Assassin Alliance. The intel came from Zuo An," the shadow guard reported dutifully, not daring to take credit.
"Understood," Ninth Royal Uncle nodded, signaling the shadow guard to withdraw. He was about to change clothes and head to Feng Manor to check on Serena when he was stopped at the door again.
"Your Highness, urgent military intelligence." The shadow guard, under immense pressure, handed the letter to Ninth Royal Uncle.
"Military intel? Where from?" Eastlyn had just finished a battle in Shandong—how could there be more unrest? The Demon Sect's troubles didn't count as military affairs.
"Liancastle," the shadow guard replied in a low voice.
Ninth Royal Uncle instantly recognized the gravity of the situation. He unfolded the letter, and as he read its contents, a flash of cold fury crossed his otherwise calm face.
"Useless!" Ninth Royal Uncle cursed harshly.
The shadow guard didn't dare breathe, obediently kneeling on the ground, motionless.
Everyone under Ninth Royal Uncle understood how critical Liancastle was. Now that Liancastle was in danger, his anger was only natural. The shadow guard knelt silently, waiting for orders.
Ninth Royal Uncle took a deep breath, returned to his desk, spread out the letter paper, and began writing: To Master Ian Reed, personal and confidential...
After finishing the letter to Master Ian Reed, Ninth Royal Uncle set it aside and wrote another to Prince Titus of Lyndaria.
He personally sealed both letters and handed them to the shadow guard. "Deliver these at top speed—do not delay."
"Yes, sir!" The shadow guard vanished like the wind, not daring to linger even a moment—showing just how dire the situation was.
At this point, Ninth Royal Uncle had no time to go to Feng Manor. He changed into his field gear, put on his silver mask, and headed for the secret chamber at Sutton Manor. Vincent Su was pacing anxiously, and when Lance Quinn appeared, he rushed over: "Lance, something's happened in Liancastle."
"I've received the news. When can Storm Cloud Bu reach Liancastle?" Lance Quinn asked calmly, using his gaze to steady Vincent Su.
"Three days at the earliest," Vincent Su replied, quickly steadying his breath to look less panicked.
Prince Titus still hasn’t taken control of the five hundred thousand troops stationed at Northlyn’s border.
"It wasn’t that there were no signs—it's just that I didn’t pay attention to them." Lance Quinn thought of recent intelligence from Lyndaria and frowned slightly.
Recently, there had been traces of troop movements in Lyndaria, but he’d been distracted by the Emperor’s birthday military review and hadn’t paid it any mind. He hadn’t expected that one moment of carelessness nearly brought disaster to Liancastle.
Looking back now, the so-called birthday review was just a cover—a distraction used by the Lyndarian Emperor and Prince Terrence to mask their military actions.
Now Lyndaria’s troops were already at Liancastle’s gates—even if Eastlyn and Southlyn counterattacked immediately, it would be too late...
In the end, he was one move short, letting Prince Terrence seize the initiative.
Lance Quinn sighed.
That appetite is a bit much—doesn’t he worry about biting off more than he can chew?
Lance Quinn sneered. "He’s worried, but he’s desperate. Night City has submitted to Eastlyn, Tyre City’s been carved up by Eastlyn and Southlyn—how could Prince Terrence just sit still?"
"But... even though Eastlyn and Southlyn have made moves, they haven’t swallowed Tyre City or Night City whole. The nine-city balance hasn’t changed yet. Isn’t Prince Terrence just stirring up war with this move?" Vincent Su had always known how ambitious Terrence was.
Back then, when Prince Terrence thought his position as crown prince was secure, he immediately toured the various kingdoms and cities. Officially, it was to choose a consort, but everyone knew his real purpose.
Prince Terrence’s ambitions are for the whole world.
"War breaking out is exactly what he wants. Without war, there’s no way to gain military authority. Prince Titus has five hundred thousand troops, and the Princess Royal is close to the generals with real power. If Prince Titus wants the throne, he needs the military’s support, and nothing wins the army over faster than war." As long as Prince Terrence could persuade the Emperor to let him lead the troops, whether he won or lost, with his skills, he could gain control over the soldiers.
"Prince Terrence is too cunning." Vincent Su slammed his palm on the stone table in anger, his hand swelling up but he didn’t feel the pain. "He wants to use Liancastle to seize military power. Lance, you mustn’t let him succeed."
"Don’t worry, I’ve already written to Mr. Ian Reed and Prince Titus. They’ll work behind the scenes to trip up Prince Terrence. Compared to us, the Princess Royal and Titus are even less willing to let Terrence take command of the army." Lance Quinn wasn’t worried about the Princess Royal making a move—he just worried she might act unpredictably.
He’d always been observing the Princess Royal of Lyndaria. Although her reputation wasn’t great, she did have political talent and always plotted for Lyndaria’s benefit.
Prince Terrence’s campaign against Liancastle was all gain and no loss for Lyndaria. The Princess Royal had supported him from Lyndaria’s standpoint, so she hadn’t stopped him from leading troops to Liancastle.
Vincent Su saw how quickly Lance Quinn had come up with a plan and felt a little more at ease, but still...
"I’m just afraid Prince Terrence won’t give us the chance. He surely knows that speed is everything in this battle. If this drags on, not just Lyndaria—even Eastlyn and Southlyn won’t sit by and watch." Prince Terrence’s attack on Liancastle had come without warning. If Eastlyn and Southlyn had known in advance, they wouldn’t have let Lyndaria’s troops leave the city.
"Three hundred thousand troops set out and there wasn’t a hint of movement beforehand. Prince Terrence really has skill." Vincent Su couldn’t help but sigh—when it came to military strategy, Terrence was far better than Titus.
Prince Titus still hasn’t taken control of the five hundred thousand troops stationed at Northlyn’s border.
"It wasn’t that there were no signs—it’s just that I didn’t pay attention to them." Lance Quinn thought of recent intelligence from Lyndaria and frowned slightly.
Recently, there had been traces of troop movements in Lyndaria, but he’d been distracted by the Emperor’s birthday military review and hadn’t paid it any mind. He hadn’t expected that one moment of carelessness nearly brought disaster to Liancastle.
Looking back now, the so-called birthday review was just a cover—a distraction used by the Lyndarian Emperor and Prince Terrence to mask their military actions.
Now Lyndaria’s troops were already at Liancastle’s gates—even if Eastlyn and Southlyn counterattacked immediately, it would be too late...
In the end, he was one move short, letting Prince Terrence seize the initiative.
Lance Quinn sighed.