Ch56.1 - Knock-off phones are amazing

The abrupt turn of events caught many people off guard.

Xiao Cheng was no exception. When Lu Xingwang stepped on him, a sharp, bone-chilling killing intent swept over him—an overwhelming pressure of absolute power. What made it all the more shocking was that this power came from a mere boy in his teens, someone far younger than him. When the dust finally cleared, Zuo Qingshan rushed to the scene after hearing the news, only to be met with a sight of utter disarray.

The young general with a sword in hand, snarled. “Where’s Xiao Cheng?”

Lu Xingwang stood still, gazing at the deep crater before him. The A5 warship, constructed with sturdy materials and renowned for its indestructible hull, had been reduced to rubble beneath his feet. Despite claims that it can withstand even the force of a direct cannonball strike. Yet, here it was—marred by a gaping pit left by none other than himself.

Lu Xingwang replied, “He escaped.”

The young general’s eyes widened in shock. “How did he escape?”

“He had a teleportation spell on him—probably a forbidden technique he paid someone a hefty price to cast,” Lu Xingwang explained curtly. He turned his gaze to the crater. “He may have escaped, but he didn’t leave unscathed.”

Only at this point did the young general carefully examine the crater, where he noticed vivid crimson bloodstains. From this, it was evident that Xiao Cheng hadn’t managed to retreat unscathed. His injuries were likely severe.

Zuo Qingshan said, “Even if he wasn’t injured, he’s still lost his warship and his followers. He invested so much effort into building that warship, and we’ve also captured many of his followers. This is a heavy blow to him. I don’t think Xiao Cheng will be able to cause any trouble for a while.”

Lu Xingwang nodded nonchalantly.

Only then did Zuo Qingshan notice that Lu Xingwang’s condition and complexion were off. Although he wasn’t sure what had triggered his powers to awaken or under what conditions, it was clear that something was amiss. Even the usually insensitive young general couldn’t help but ask with some concern, “Are you alright, Your Highness?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Xingwang raised his gaze towards him.

Zuo Qingshan noticed that Lu Xingwang hadn’t moved at all until now, and a chilling thought began to rise in his mind. He walked over to Lu Xingwang and heard the young man’s low voice with urgency. “Don’t stay here and return to the warship immediately. Contact your subordinates and head to the palace. The Crown Prince may be planning a rebellion.”

With just a few words, Lu Xingwang spoke swiftly and seriously. He managed to convey all the important details within his capability.

After hearing this, Zuo Qingshan looked up. “And you? What about you?…”

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The crown prince wanted to rebel—these few short words are as heavy as a mountain.

How did His Highness arrive at this conclusion? Zuo Qingshan wasn’t sure what had transpired between His Highness and Xiao Cheng on the warship, but since Lu Xingwang said the crown prince was planning to rebel, it couldn’t have been a baseless statement..

Everything happened so suddenly, catching him off guard and leaving him no time to process it all. In the past, he might have panicked and lashed out. But now, amidst the chaos, with his friends’ words echoing in his mind and his subordinates relying on him, he knew he had to stay strong. He was the backbone of the entire army.

If he faltered now, the entire army would fall apart.

Zuo Qingshan took a deep breath and opened his communication terminal. He instructed his adjutant, “Send out orders for the entire army to prepare to return. Additionally, dispatch a small team to liaise with other planets about bringing back the merchants. Send them invitations and conduct negotiations at the international space station. If the negotiations fail, return immediately. Don’t engage in any direct confrontation.”

The adjutant asked doubtfully, “Major General, we’ve just achieved a great victory. Are we really returning now?”

Zuo Qingshan replied firmly, “Yes, immediately.”

“Also…” He pondered briefly before issuing the order: “Get in touch with ground control to check the current situation in the palace. Coordinate with Adjutant Zhang and instruct him to enter the palace to guard His Majesty. Prepare all personnel in the barracks to remain on standby, and report any irregularities to me without delay. Our sole priority is to protect His Majesty. Understood?”

Realizing the seriousness of the matter, the adjutant promptly replied, “Yes!”

The triumphant victory against Xiao Cheng, combined with the miraculous recovery of the third prince’s divine power and his heroic destruction of Xiao Cheng’s stronghold, elevated his reputation to legendary status. His extraordinary achievements won the hearts of the people, making him their beacon of hope. However, before this news could be revealed to the public, unrest had already begun brewing within the palace.

The empress collapsed to the ground, her eyes widened with shock as she whispered in disbelief, “How could this be? How could this be? How could he have recovered…?”

The crown prince was equally restless, pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan.

The empress clenched her hands, her beautifully manicured nails digging painfully into her skin. Her complexion was ghostly pale, and the message from Xiao Cheng that had just flashed across her mind sent waves of panic through her.

The crown prince leaned closer and said, “Mother, there’s no need to be alarmed. Even if Lu Xingwang has recovered, so what? I’m still the Crown Prince, so he can’t stir up any trouble.”

The Empress shook her head gently. “No… you don’t understand.”

The crown prince’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean I don’t understand?”

The empress knew she could no longer keep this from him. Even if she wanted to, the truth had already become impossible to hide.

“My child… you… you’re not the emperor’s son.” The empress finally revealed the secret she had carried in silence for so many years. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she confessed, “Xiao Cheng and I were childhood sweethearts, engaged by arrangement before we were even born. Later, when we turned five—the age when children usually awaken their divine powers. He was ostracized by his family because he was born without any. I couldn’t bear to see him suffer, so I secretly supported him. When his family cast him out, how could I stand by and do nothing to him? I’ve known him since childhood…”

It was a long and complicated history, a story in which the people involved had changed beyond recognition.

The child she carried had been a mistake, but she harbored no regrets and neither did Xiao Cheng. After years of living in constant fear of discovery, she felt an unexpected sense of relief now that the truth was finally coming to light.

The crown prince was struck with shock, his body shaking uncontrollably. “Mother, what are you talking about!?”

Tears streamed down the empress’s face as she clutched the hem of her son’s robe. “My son, now that Lu Xingwang knows the truth, he won’t forgive us. We have to escape and leave the palace before it’s too late.”

The crown prince never in his wildest dreams thought things would turn out like this.

However, he’d always been ruthless, incapable of abandoning his wealth and status. Even in such a dire situation, he composed himself and reasoned with his mother.

He said, “Have you lost your mind, Mother? Even if we escape, what about grandfather and the rest of the family? He’s the prime minister of the empire! If we escape, what will happen to him?”

The empress was rendered speechless.

When she first received the message, she lost her composure entirely and didn’t have time to think things through. But now, after the prince’s reminder, she finally grasped the severity and difficulty of the situation.

A glint of ruthless determination appeared in the crown prince’s eyes. “We should contact grandfather. We need to secure the bargaining chips before Lu Xingwang returns.”

The empress hesitated and asked, “The bargaining chips you’re referring to are…?”

“Yes!” The crown prince knelt down and clasped his mother’s hand. With a grave expression, he said solemnly, “Mother, we have no other choice now. If Lu Xingwang returns, both of us will surely die. But if we fight now, we still have a chance to resist. Do you want to watch me die, watch grandfather die, and see our entire family perish?”

Over the years, the empress had managed to accumulate substantial power.

Although she held no significant authority within the military, a large portion of the troops had already been deployed under Zuo Qingshan’s command for an expedition. Now, the remaining stationed forces within the military were ones the prime minister’s faction could still stand against.

She knew rebellion was a dangerous path, but never in her wildest dreams did she think Xiao Cheng would be defeated. What shocked her even more was that their actions would be exposed, forcing her and her son into such dire straits. At this point, there was no choice left but to fight to the bitter end. While she wasn’t afraid to die, she couldn’t ignore the lives of her family.

Her gaze gradually hardened with resolve. She rose to her feet, her phoenix robe shimmered under the light. She said, “Very well. There’s no time to lose. Zuo Qingshan may already be on his way back. If we’re going to act, it must be tonight. Otherwise, it will be too late.”

The crown prince’s entire body trembled with excitement; the throne he’d yearned for over the years seemed just within reach. He nodded firmly. “Alright!”

June 23rd, Year 29 of the Star Era, was an ordinary day for the common people, but it marked a turbulent night for the royal family of Stan Star. Similarly, it was the beginning of a day that would be recorded in history, a day when the structure of the royal family began to change.

…

Meanwhile, in City A, the sky was heavy with dark clouds, and rain poured relentlessly outside the window.