As Li Xian emerged from Cloud Deer Academy, Feng Wuhen, the Imperial Capital's fastest swordsman, approached him.
"Your Highness, did you reach an agreement with Master Yu?"
This was the academy, with Master Yu presiding over it. Given Feng Wuhen's identity, entering was rather inconvenient.
As Li Xian's trusted confidant, he needed to help devise his plans.
"Don't even mention it. That old bastard won't release his hawk until he sees the hare."
Li Xian felt that this trip had been a complete waste. He would wait until his master arrived in the Imperial Capital.
For now, he needed to remain hidden in the Imperial Capital, continue gathering intelligence on Li Chen, and slowly lay his plans.
At the border, the Third Prince had not been idle either. He began making a risky move.
The new emperor, Li Chen, had already declared war on the Northern Court, but the Khan had yet to respond.
However, the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty's northern armies were already mobilizing.
The north had numerous army groups, garrison forces, reserve forces, and the like.
Most were loyal to the Previous Emperor-that is, they belonged to those military officers at court.
Naturally, they would now obey Li Chen's deployment orders. Besides, they were even more eager to fight than he was.
The Empress Dowager, the Second Prince, and the Third Prince also had their own people planted among them.
But those people could not interfere too much with the northern forces.
They could only provide intelligence and arrange troop movements when necessary.
These were hidden cards, usable only once at a critical moment.
The Empress Dowager's current ambiguous stance left the Second Prince and the Third Prince utterly baffled.
While the Second Prince sought support, the Third Prince began growing reckless as well.
Since the Northern Court was