Chapter 16: The Young Marquis

“These two are masters secretly kept in the shadows, unknown to the world!” Wang Yu thought it through and immediately grasped the meaning behind Wang Yuan’s words.

A half-step Celestial Realm cultivator plus a late-stage Grandmaster—if they hadn’t appeared before, how could they remain unnoticed?

And to have nurtured such formidable experts in secrecy was certainly no ordinary feat.

“Exactly, that’s the truth!” Although Wang Yuan smiled faintly, a trace of worry flickered in his eyes.

A half-step Celestial Realm cultivator and a late-stage Grandmaster—training them in the dark would not be an overnight matter; it would take at least decades. Cultivating even an average Grandmaster is no easy task, let alone a half-step Celestial.

If the Crown Prince were truly behind this, it would likely involve his maternal clan or even the Empress herself.

“Third Uncle, this all seems too straightforward!” After carefully reconsidering the whole situation, Wang Yu keenly sensed something was amiss.

Six top-tier or Grandmaster-level figures were involved—Imperial Guards, the Court’s Enforcers—could the truth really be so easily uncovered by their judgment? No one truly knew how deep the waters ran here.

“Nephew, speak freely if you have thoughts!” Wang Yuan understood well that this matter was far from simple; he was merely testing his nephew.

“This could indeed be the Crown Prince’s doing,” Wang Yu paused before continuing, “but in my view, there is another possibility.”

“Oh? What possibility?” Seeing Wang Yu remain composed and analytical, Wang Yuan regarded him with renewed respect.

“Another prince disguising himself as the Crown Prince to carry out the deed.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuan nodded slightly, a hint of approval in his eyes. “Yes, that is what your father and I also suspect.”

If Wang Yu had truly been assassinated and the blame cast upon the Crown Prince, then even though the Crown Prince was the Emperor’s son, His Majesty would have to offer an explanation to the world and to the General of the Eastern Frontier.

Moreover, if the Crown Prince was proven to have killed a revered frontier general and founding noble out of jealousy, then his chances of ascending to the throne would be utterly lost.

“These are some details concerning the various princes in the capital.” Before Wang Yu could inquire further, Wang Yuan took out a large scroll from his robe and handed it over.

Now, having just arrived in the capital, Wang Yu was still deeply entangled in the fierce rivalries among the princes. Without gaining as much insight as possible, how could he hope to face future challenges?

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*Ding!* Task Issued!

Task One: Within three months, uncover the mastermind behind the assassination.
Success Reward: Martial Hero Summon Card (contains eight Jianghu experts below Celestial-level).
Note: This card cannot be chosen manually; the system summons directly.
Failure Penalty: Deduction of one Divine Summon Card.

Task Two: An eye for an eye, a life for a life—within two years, eliminate the mastermind.
Success Reward: Two Divine Talent Summon Cards.
Failure Penalty: None.

Wang Yu quietly studied the scroll but his mind was already far away.

Task Two’s reward of two Divine Talent Summon Cards was tempting, but difficult. Given the current situation, the culprit behind this was either the Crown Prince or another prince.

To kill a son of the Emperor? He must be courting death!

Task One seemed more feasible—eight experts below Celestial-level, which meant eight Grandmasters if summoned in previous summons. This reward was very alluring.

Moreover, it only required uncovering the truth, not confronting the mastermind directly, greatly reducing the difficulty.

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“A fine steed, indeed a magnificent horse!” Lü Shenmo dismounted and affectionately stroked the mane of the warhorse.

For a general, aside from divine weapons, warhorses were their dearest companions. On the battlefield, a good horse could save one’s life.

As the First War God of the Great Cang Dynasty, Lü Shenmo owned several prized warhorses in his stable—each worth a fortune. Yet this did not lessen his fondness for a truly exceptional steed.

“Hahaha, brother, this horse is excellent, but it is not for you. I merely brought you to have a look!” A man in his mid-twenties approached briskly. He wore a narrow-sleeved, ice-blue long robe embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns in sapphire thread at the collar and cuffs, paired with indigo trousers tucked into embroidered boots.

“In a few days, Chong’er will return. This horse is a gift for him!” The man clapped Lü Shenmo on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.

“Fine, fine!” Lü Shenmo could only reply with resignation, “Do you think I’d steal from the kid?”

The “Chong’er” mentioned was Lü Chong, Lü Shenmo’s son, who had been sent to the frontier army for a year’s training and had just turned sixteen. Lü Shenmo planned to summon him back to the Great Cang Academy for three years of study.

The man was Cheng Zhe, son of a marquis in the current dynasty.

In the Great Cang Dynasty, noble ranks numbered six tiers: apart from the royal title reserved for imperial family members, there were Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. These ranks varied in hereditary status and whether they came with fiefs.

Those with fiefs had the territory’s name prefixed to their title; those without were simply called Duke, Marquis, etc. Cheng Zhe’s father was a marquis without a fief.

However, the most influential figure in the family was not his marquis father but his aunt, Imperial Consort Cheng Zhaoyi, beloved of the reigning Cang Emperor.

Cheng Zhe had once been a martial fanatic, but with limited talent, he ceased progressing after reaching the Innate Realm. Nonetheless, he persisted in training and befriended powerful martial artists.

Several years ago, while traveling, Cheng Zhe provoked a notorious Grandmaster from the underworld. Fortunately, Lü Shenmo happened to pass by and saved him, sparing his life.

Grateful and knowing Lü Shenmo’s renown, Cheng Zhe sought to forge a bond. Given his strong background, Lü Shenmo did not refuse.

Over the years, the two grew closer and eventually became sworn brothers.

Today, at the invitation of this young marquis, Lü Shenmo hurried out of the city to a nearby equestrian field to see the prized steed his friend had been boasting about.