Soul-guided communication devices had already come into use, so the news of the Grand Duke of Huiguang's rebellion would soon reach Mingdu — that much was expected.
But even so, the speed of this army's arrival was far too fast!
Just yesterday, the soul-guided trains passing through Huiguang Territory had been running normally. That meant the Grand Duke's uprising must have begun today! Yet in only half a day's time, the imperial suppression army was already here?
And from the look of these troops, they weren't the local garrisons stationed near Huiguang at all — they'd been deployed directly from Mingdu!
Mingdu was far from here. Even if they had flown nonstop in advanced soul-guided aircraft, there was no way they could have arrived in just half a day.
As Jiang Shengyu pondered this, the suppression forces had already surrounded the soul-guided train. Their commanding general stepped forward to reassure the passengers — but upon seeing Jiang Shengyu, his expression changed drastically, his face filled with shock.
A moment later, to the astonishment of Ling Luochen and Wang Dong'er, the general bowed deeply and said, "This humble officer greets Marquis Tianyue!"
Jiang Shengyu looked at him calmly. "When did you depart from Mingdu?"
The general hesitated, but under Jiang Shengyu's steady gaze, he spoke honestly.
"His Highness the Crown Prince issued the mobilization order the day before yesterday, commanding the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion and the Mingdu garrison to advance toward Huiguang Territory."
The Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion — one of the five great legions of the Sun Moon Empire — bore the totem of the Purple Radiance Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon. Its commander was Xu Tianyuan, a rank-nine Soul Engineer and one of Xu Tiannan's closest allies. It was also the only legion Xu Tiannan could mobilize at will.
But… Xu Tiannan had begun deploying troops two days ago? Wasn't that far too coincidental?
It was as though he had already known that Huiguang would rebel.
And yet, to mobilize an army without cause would normally invite censure — no rational prince would risk that kind of accusation.
Xu Tiannan shouldn't have made such an error.
"Is the Crown Prince himself here as well?" Jiang Shengyu asked.
The general nodded. "Yes, Your Lordship. His Highness is accompanied by the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion as his escort."
"Continue your pursuit," Jiang Shengyu ordered, gesturing for the general to proceed after the rebels. "We'll go pay our respects to His Highness."
The general saluted and departed, while Jiang Shengyu's group followed their assigned guide toward the direction of the Imperial Dragon Soul Engineer Legion's encampment.
Behind him, Wang Dong'er frowned. "Are we really going to meet the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire?"
Even Ling Luochen, who usually respected Jiang Shengyu's decisions without question, hesitated. "That may not be wise. We're students of Shrek Academy… and he's the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire."
Hearing this, Jiang Shengyu slowed his steps and thought for a moment before nodding. "You're right. It's not appropriate for you to meet him. Teacher Xue, please stay here with them at the train station. We'll return soon."
"Me? Stay with them?"
The Snow Empress frowned, her tone heavy with reluctance.
Jiang Shengyu clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture. "Please, Teacher Xue!"
At his somewhat sheepish smile, the Snow Empress gave a soft snort. "Hmph. Fine. Since you're asking so nicely, I'll agree this once."
Jiang Qingtong turned to Jiang Feixin and said, "Feixin, you stay with them too."
"Me? Why?" Jiang Feixin asked, confused.
Xiao Hongchen answered from the side, "We're going to meet the Crown Prince, not out for a stroll. You've never met him before — if something goes wrong, it'll be troublesome."
At that, Jiang Feixin blurted out anxiously, "The Crown Prince… is he an enemy?"
Their guide, walking ahead, nearly tripped over his own feet.
Jiang Shengyu saw his reaction and said mildly, "Careful there, friend — safety first."
Safety? the man thought miserably. There's no such thing as safety when the Crown Prince is involved!
Under Jiang Qingtong's insistence, Feixin reluctantly stayed behind with the Snow Empress. Fortunately, the Snow Empress herself was a soul beast — that made things slightly more bearable for her.
With a sweep of wind and snow, the Snow Empress lifted the four women into the air and carried them toward the train station.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shengyu's party reached the Imperial Dragon Legion's base — and there, they saw Xu Tiannan himself.
But he wasn't alone. Standing beside him was a young woman.
Through Xu Tiannan's introduction, they learned who she was — Juzi.
The future Crown Princess.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xu Tiannan invited Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong into a side chamber for a private discussion. Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen tried to follow but were stopped by Xu Tianyuan himself.
Facing a level-nine Soul Engineer, even the bold Xiao Hongchen didn't dare to push his luck.
Inside the chamber, Xu Tiannan regarded the two calmly with a polite smile. "The Huiguang uprising will be quelled in a matter of days. There's no need for concern."
"The Crown Prince's personal presence here seems rather risky," Jiang Shengyu said evenly.
Though his words expressed concern, his tone carried none of it.
Xu Tiannan smiled. "To reassure the ministers at court, I had no choice but to come in person."
"Huiguang's Grand Duke's son only has the cultivation of a seven-ring Soul Sage," Jiang Shengyu countered. "Even without the Imperial Dragon Legion, a single level-nine Soul Engineer could suppress the entire rebellion. Surely the ministers wouldn't doubt you over something so trivial?"
Jiang Shengyu's brows furrowed slightly as he spoke.
Xu Tiannan's smile faded. His gaze sharpened. "Of course, that's not the real reason. It's because of your teacher — His Excellency Silvermoon."
At the mention of Kong Deming, both Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong's expressions grew serious.
Xu Tiannan continued, "Silvermoon seems… dissatisfied with me lately. That's why I had to personally lead the army — to calm the hearts of the people."
At those words, an uneasy realization dawned on both of them.
Could it be that this entire rebellion — the Grand Duke of Huiguang's bold defiance of imperial authority — had been orchestrated by Xu Tiannan himself?
That he had secretly incited the Duke's rebellion, only to crush it publicly and win favor at court?
The more Jiang Shengyu thought about it, the more plausible it seemed — especially when he saw Juzi standing at Xu Tiannan's side.
That calculating young woman — capable of doing anything to achieve her goals — was notorious for her cunning. If it was her who had advised Xu Tiannan to stage such a rebellion for political gain… then everything made perfect sense.
As Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong sank into deep thought, Xu Tiannan spoke again.
"I have some idea why Silvermoon harbors prejudice against me — the Holy Spirit Cult, isn't it?"
The name alone made both of them tense.
Jiang Qingtong frowned. "The Holy Spirit Cult? Why bring that up all of a sudden, Your Highness?"
Xu Tiannan shook his head slowly. "There's no need to pretend anymore. It's true — a
fter you refused my offer of alliance before, I did intend to use the Holy Spirit Cult's power… to give you a lesson."
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