In the Three Imperial Cities, the long night passed. To the east, dawn spilled down, driving away the chill of darkness.
Before the First Prince's Manor, Twelfth Prince's Manor, and Third Prince's Manor, the traces of battle remained starkly visible. Too much had happened in a single night.
Within the imperial city, squad after squad of Imperial Guards hurried about. Nearly the entire Imperial Guard camp had been deployed, sealing off the whole imperial city.
Around the Third Prince's Manor, the five great Imperial Guard commanders had all arrived. Five king-level combatants watched every movement within the Third Prince's Manor with full attention.
Inside the royal hall, Xuan Qing stood silently, watching the gathered Imperial Guards outside the prince's manor, light continuously flickering in his eyes.
"Your Highness."
At that moment, a black-clad figure appeared before the hall and knelt on one knee in salute. "The First Prince's Manor was attacked last night, and more than half the estate was destroyed. The First Prince and those from the manor have already gone ahead to the Fifth Prince's residence. The Twelfth Prince is also traveling with them."
"I understand. Withdraw."
Inside the hall, Xuan Qing came back to himself and replied calmly.
"Yes!"
The black-clad figure accepted the order. An instant later, his form faded away and vanished.
Outside the Third Prince's Manor, a thousand paces away, Xuan Mo, foremost among the five Imperial Guard commanders, watched the prince's manor ahead and patiently awaited the imperial command.
What had happened last night was simply too grave. He could not act on his own authority.
What he could not understand was why the imperial city, so peaceful until now, had suddenly descended into such turmoil. What exactly was this Third Prince thinking? Even if he wanted to bring down the First Prince,