The Eldest Prince returned to the Prince Manor, contemplating whether he should reveal his meeting with Wanyan Kang to Yang Xiao and Liang Bao.

Especially Liang Bao, who followed him initially with the hope that he could help remove Wanyan Kang for revenge.

The Eldest Prince hesitated for a long time and decided not to inform Liang Bao and others, to keep this matter confidential for the time being. When he went to Wanyan Kang's residence, he purposely went alone without bringing guards, presumably Wanyan Kang wouldn't publicize this matter either.

The Eldest Prince sighed; in the face of conflicting interests, sometimes he had to make choices that hurt friends. Compared to Liang Bao, Wanyan Kang was undoubtedly much more important.

"Father was right. If I want to smoothly inherit the throne and manage the empire, I must have Wanyan Kang's help; otherwise, even if Father passes the throne to me, without Wanyan Kang's support, I won't be able to truly rule the entire empire."

Liang Bao recalled Father's words to him,

"Unless you can kill Wanyan Kang, even if you use all sorts of schemes to kill Wanyan Kang, without one or two Emperor Level Realm super strong guardians, the Flying Leopard Empire will quickly be swallowed by the Youming Empire and the Great Dragon Empire."

...

Wanyan He summoned Yang Xiao, Liang Bao, and others for a gathering.

"I have already reported to Father according to our plan; after today's meeting, Father specially stayed behind to warn Wanyan Kang. Based on my estimation, Wanyan Kang will not participate in the struggle between me and the Second Prince for the time being."

Yang Xiao nodded,

"That's good! As long as Wanyan Kang does not engage in the actions of the Second Prince, we are halfway to success."

Liang Bao said:

"Brother Yang, when should I make a move?"

"In the next two days. Xiao Gang, have you gathered the personnel you were asked to assemble?"

"All prepared; thirty Empire Level Advanced Realm guards, all elite, ready to follow commands at any time."

"Good."

Yang Xiao took out a sphere from the Space Ring and opened it; it was a three-dimensional map. He pinpointed a location on the map and enlarged it ten times, revealing a map of Wentian City's suburban area floating in the air.

"This is the mountainous region of Wentian City's Northern Suburb, also a favorite place for people from Wentian City to hunt. Three days later, I will go hunting with His Highness, Liang Bao, Fan Chen, Wang Qian, and more than a dozen others. Before setting off, spread the news and let the Second Prince know,

Xiao Gang, you lead a thirty-guard team starting today, leaving in advance. Remember to break them into small units so outside observers won't know. Gather at the Northern Suburb and stay hidden for three days, waiting for our arrival.

When the Second Prince hasn't attacked us, you must not reveal yourselves, but be prepared to appear at any time to strike the Second Prince."

Xiao Gang nodded,

"That's no problem."

Yang Xiao and others discussed some details.

"Does anyone have any questions?"

Liang Bao asked:

"Brother Yang, are you sure the Second Prince will come out to hunt us?"

"Of course. Even if the Second Prince doesn't appear, someone else will."

"Who?"

"The top tycoon Qin Chuan."

"Qin Chuan?"

Everyone was stunned, looking at Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao smiled:

"Have you forgotten? I killed Qin Chuan's two sons at Flying Leopard Academy; he wants to kill me for revenge all the time. Qin Chuan has formed an alliance with the Second Prince and Wanyan Kang — one controls money, one controls the military, and one controls the future,

Currently, Wanyan Kang has been temporarily persuaded to step down by us, but we must eliminate Qin Chuan and the Second Prince for the Eldest Prince's emperor quest to proceed smoothly."

The Eldest Prince nodded,

"Yang Xiao is correct. Over the years, the Second Prince has received massive monetary support from Qin Chuan. At the last hunting competition, he spent three hundred billion Crystal Coins hiring experts like Fan Chen to assassinate me."

Fan Chen, hearing this, smiled awkwardly,

"I was young and naive back then."

Everyone laughed and gave Fan Chen a sideways glance.

Xiao Gang said:

"It seems like this operation, even if the Second Prince doesn't take the bait, eliminating Qin Chuan would be a success, clearing out an important helper of the Second Prince."

"With such a good opportunity, the Second Prince should not give up, especially now that he and the Eldest Prince are already at each other's throats, he has to act recklessly. I estimate he might team up with Qin Chuan."

Xiao Gang suddenly startled and said:

"The Qin family has nurtured many Empire Level Advanced Realm guards. If they join forces, our manpower might not be sufficient!"

Everyone fell silent, all looking towards Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao was now their backbone, as everyone relied on him for major decisions.

Yang Xiao smiled and said:

"The maximum we can mobilize is thirty Empire Level Advanced Realm guards; this is already our limit. However, everyone need not fear; this battle depends not on quantity but on the caliber of the personnel."

As Yang Xiao spoke, he took out the Red Sun Sword from the Space Ring and handed it to Liang Bao.

"Liang Bao, take this Red Sun Sword; with your cultivation, along with this Two-star Divine Weapon, you essentially count as half an Emperor Level Realm stronghold. His Highness also has a Two-star Divine Weapon, and I still have a Two-star Divine Weapon myself. We have three Two-star Divine Weapons,

The enemy can at most send out a hundred-strong Empire Level Advanced Realm team, which is of no concern."

Fan Chen said eagerly:

"Brother Yang, don't you have four Two-star Divine Weapons?"

Yang Xiao smiled,

"I gifted one to Xiao Ling, and another to the king of the savages on Purple Origin Star. I only have two left."

"Don't you have the Flying Leopard Thunder Hammer? Could you lend me another? The more swords, the more chances of victory; at least I can take on ten by myself."

Yang Xiao replied reluctantly, acknowledging that Fan Chen made sense — being Empire Level Advanced and possessing a Two-star Divine Weapon indeed meant he could take on ten foes. He cast a sidelong glance at Fan Chen and handed him the Bronze Divine Sword.

Fan Chen received the Bronze Divine Sword with delight.

"Don't you lose it on me!"

Fan Chen: "..."

After discussing for a while, everyone left, leaving only the Eldest Prince and Yang Xiao.

"Brother Yang, I have a feeling something's off about this plan?"

Yang Xiao smiled,

"Of course, this plan puts us at a disadvantage from the beginning. No matter how Xiao Gang breaks up the guard team, the Second Prince's men monitoring us outside the manor will figure it out. They're sure to summon forces several times ours to encircle us."

The Eldest Prince was shocked, staring blankly at Yang Xiao,

"Since you know the enemy might unveil our plan, should we proceed with it?"

"We must proceed."

"But what if,"

"There are no 'ifs,' brother. If you want to become Emperor, don't you dare to face such danger?

Besides, if the Second Prince and Qin Chuan don't see us as deficient, will they boldly come out to hunt us down?

In essence, we're taking the risk, acting as bait, to lure the Second Prince to hunt us down,

Only this way can we justify killing the Second Prince, so you won't face the Emperor's censure nor the disdain of other officials in the kingdom,

Moreover, are you sure the Flying Leopard Emperor will pass the throne to you? But, what if you're killed by the Second Prince before that, you'll never have a chance."

The Eldest Prince: "..."