THE SIMS: I OPEN THE IMMORTAL PATH FOR ALL BEINGS

Chapter 898: Chapter 848: Life Simulation – Palace Upheaval

“However, as a prince who has already come this far, it would be strange if he lacked ambition,” Pei Xuanjing’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

From the Ninth Prince’s visit to Pei Xuanjing, it was apparent that this prince was quite ambitious, having his own plans and not willing to act entirely as the old Emperor had anticipated.

To Pei Xuanjing, this was only to be expected. Whether by choice or by circumstance, the Ninth Prince had come to a point of no return. Having involved himself in the struggle for succession, regardless of his initial intentions, such was the reality.

Thus, if he could not emerge victorious, he would not fare well under the rule of either the Second or Third Prince who ascended the throne. Considering this, he might as well give it his all.

“In that case, the battle for the throne is likely to become even more thrilling,” Pei Xuanjing’s deep gaze betrayed no emotion.

Whether in the past or present, Pei Xuanjing had always been an observer, never involving himself in the struggle for succession because it was simply not worth his effort.

A mere Mortal Dynasty couldn’t compare to the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, so why should Pei Xuanjing bother to contend for it? Perhaps if it were a Divine Dynasty with the heritage of a True Immortal, then it might be worthwhile for him to compete.

The Ninth Prince’s visit was but a minor episode in Pei Xuanjing’s life, of no concern to him, yet for the entire Royal Capital, especially for the Second and Third Princes who had thought victory was within their grasp, it certainly complicated matters.

The rise of the Ninth Prince was clearly supported by the old Emperor, a fact understood by all. The two princes also realized that the Ninth Prince’s ascent was the Emperor’s way of keeping them in check due to his wariness of them.

Understanding was one thing, but acceptance was another. The Second and Third Princes immediately took action to suppress the Ninth Prince, who, undaunted, struck back decisively.

The conflict between the three princes intensified by the day, eventually becoming an overt struggle for power and influence, and signs of decay began to appear in the overall situation of Dahong Dynasty.

Then came a foreign invasion. Seizing the opportunity to command the troops once more, the Ninth Prince led his forces into battle, an excellent chance to hold military power. But to the Second and Third Princes, it was also an opportunity to seize the moment and eliminate the Ninth Prince’s support, for his rise had been recent and his foundations were not yet firm.

In one year’s time, having repelled the invading forces and earned considerable merits, the Ninth Prince returned to Court. Unfortunately, many of his supporters, aides, and allies in the Court were ousted during this period.

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As the old Emperor’s health declined, the Court fell under the control of the Second and Third Princes. One could say that now, aside from the temporary command of the army he held, there were no allies left for him in the Court.

Holding military power was only temporary. Not to mention that in Dahong, no one could command the army for a long period, and as a prince, he could not retain command upon his return to the Royal Capital.

Thus, the Ninth Prince, soon to return to the Royal Capital, knew that with his supporters drastically reduced to one-tenth and the Emperor unable to intervene, surrendering his military command upon arrival would mean his end.

The Ninth Prince did not want to die, especially not after having just ascended to high power and tasted authority. He naturally would not be willing to give up and face death.

“Given the current situation, with His Majesty critically ill and blinded by the Second and Third Princes, neglecting Court affairs, the day you return to the Royal Capital will be the day of Your Highness’s death. In such a situation where the son does not know the father, and the father does not know the son, we hope Your Highness will prioritize the big picture and for the sake of Dahong’s rivers and mountains, purge the Court and restore a Bright Universe to our Great Ming Divine Dynasty.”

These were the exhortations of the Ninth Prince’s trusted staff officers and those martial powerhouses who had pledged allegiance to him, and they also reflected their thoughts and will.

To the Ninth Prince, returning to the Royal Capital and handing over command was akin to walking into his own demise, and for these people, the situation was almost the same. Even if they survived by chance, they would lose the glory, wealth, and status they once had.

Therefore, they urged the Ninth Prince to seize the moment upon his victorious return to the Royal Capital, while the army was still in his control, and make a bold move.

The Ninth Prince agreed. In such circumstances, with no way back and no other choice, he could only instigate a military coup and seize power to gain the right to live.

Today, as it was back then, no one would have imagined that the Ninth Prince, once heralded for leading the army to quell the Fifth Prince’s rebellion and thus rising to participate in the succession struggle, would today tread the same path as the Fifth Prince and conspire to rebel.

However, the situation and opportunities before the Ninth Prince were far superior to what the Fifth Prince had faced. At least the Ninth Prince, leading his army back to the Royal Capital, encountered no resistance and smoothly brought tens of thousands of elite soldiers to just outside the Royal Capital. Only one last step was needed to take control of the Royal Capital and succeed.

The key thing was the Royal Capital’s Formation Technique nexus. Without control over the nexus, even if his elite troops seized critical locations within the Royal Capital, his opponents would still have the chance to turn the tables.

Therefore, at this time, the Ninth Prince risked a personal, secretive visit to the Taixuan Temple within the Royal Capital to seek Pei Xuanjing’s assistance, hoping to get his support to ensure that the Royal Capital’s Formation Technique nexus would not be an obstacle in his upcoming actions, and might even aid him.

“All of this has nothing to do with me. I am but a cultivator who seeks the Tao single-mindedly,” Pei Xuanjing didn’t directly respond to the Ninth Prince’s request but expressed his neutral stance with these words.

Indeed, Pei Xuanjing maintained a neutral stance, uninvolved and equally unwilling to stop the other party, even though he had the qualifications to participate. Still, Pei Xuanjing let things take their course.

Pei Xuanjing did not care who lost or won. He had neither the obligation nor the responsibility to help either side, as he bore no relation to any of them.

As long as they did not disturb Pei Xuanjing or presumptuously attempt to command him, he would let everything take its course.

Should someone act foolishly, however, even if they emerged victorious, Pei Xuanjing had more than enough power to ensure their failure.

Having understood Pei Xuanjing’s stance, the Ninth Prince promptly acted without hesitation, leading his army into the Royal Capital. Before others could react, his elite units took control of the various strategic locations within the Royal Capital.

Caught off guard by the Ninth Prince’s sudden move, the Second and Third Princes rapidly allocated troops while also leading their own powerful warriors into the Imperial City, aiming to see the Emperor and request his intervention to strip the Ninth Prince of his military authority and reverse the situation.

Alas, it was too late. The Ninth Prince had already prepared for this, setting up obstacles on the essential routes into the Imperial City to intercept and eliminate both parties.

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