The Demonic Crown Prince

It is summer.

On Cuiwei Mountain, Li Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. A verdant expanse stretched out before him, a beautiful sight to behold.

However, no matter how beautiful the scenery is, it can't compare to the beauty of the people around you.

Jiang Zhanyue wore a tight-fitting black outfit with double buttons, which accentuated his tall and athletic figure. Although he wore a black cloak that covered his chest, the glimpses of his chest still sparked endless imagination.

"We also need to thank General Jiang for donating soldiers and craftsmen."

Li Yuan looked at Jiang Zhanyue and smiled.

Just then, a gust of wind blew by, blowing open half of her black cloak. Li Yuan's eyes unconsciously darted around her chest. Tsk tsk, she certainly has a large capacity!

"If you keep looking around like that, I'll gouge your eyes out!"

Jiang Zhanyue glared at him and covered her cloak.

"I've already touched it, so what's there to be afraid of looking at?" Li Yuan chuckled.

"What did you say?" Jiang Zhanyue gripped the hilt of his sword and glared at him angrily.

However, recalling the first time they met, Li Yuan did indeed pull him down from the sky!

Damn kid, that's a heavy hand, it hurts so much!

"I said, General Jiang, what important matter do you wish to discuss with me today?"

Li Yuan coughed lightly. This woman was no pushover; it was best to stop joking around.

Otherwise, there's no need to start another fight for no reason.

"I heard you killed Liu Guanjia two days ago?"

Jiang Zhanyue asked.

"Yes!" Li Yuan nodded.

"Well done!"

Although there has been no news from Wang Dahai, I have found out through investigation that he sent people to assassinate you and me and then take the position of General of the Capital Region!

The people he recruited were his former subordinates whom he had euphemistically called "repatriated farmers" a year ago—all skilled soldiers!

Jiang Zhanyue's eyes were full of pleasure, and his tone was filled with murderous intent.

"They were already repatriated to the country a year ago?"

In other words, he's been preparing for this for a long time?

Li Yuan squinted and asked.

"That's true! Of course, it's also possible that he secretly assembled this force under orders from someone."

As for what they intend to do, that remains unknown.

But one thing is certain: it must have been at the behest of Zhao Shanhe or even Li Feng.

You should know exactly whose side he's on!

Jiang Zhanyue said.

"My dear third brother, not only did he lose Fang Li and Ye Mei, but this time, I also severed one of his claws and gave him a good beating. Haha, he's probably going crazy wanting to kill me now, isn't he?"

Li Yuan burst into laughter.

"What? He's so eager to kill you, yet you seem quite happy about it?"

Jiang Zhanyue frowned as she looked at him, seemingly finding him increasingly difficult to understand.

"Of course I'm happy. The angrier he is, the happier I am. Because the angrier a person is, the more likely they are to make mistakes. I sincerely hope that my good brothers will all make this mistake."

Li Yuan smiled slightly.

"So, you did this on purpose! But do you know what this means? The power they can wield is probably beyond your imagination!"

Jiang Zhanyue recalled Li Yuan's various "irritable" behaviors, took a deep breath, and remained outwardly calm, but inwardly her heart was pounding.

"Actually, the power I possess is also beyond their imagination. If they don't believe me, they can try it."

Li Yuan laughed heartily.

"Having confidence is a good thing, but being overconfident is arrogance."

What if they used their elite Imperial Guards to kill you? What would you do?

Jiang Zhanyue said in a low voice.

"Hmm?" Li Yuan was taken aback. "Using the elite Imperial Guards requires the Emperor's approval and the issuance of the Tiger Tally by the Privy Council, just like when you are about to lead the army to the west."

"Now Zhao Shanhe is the Privy Councilor, in charge of military power, and he lives very close to the Third Prince, which gives him a natural advantage."

If, and I mean if, they used military drills as a pretext to mobilize troops, and your father pretended not to know...

You should know that I have received top-secret information that, starting two days ago, small numbers of troops have been being dispatched daily under the guise of exercises. Although they are being sent out in all directions to avoid suspicion, it cannot be ruled out that someone has made prior arrangements and deployments...

Do you understand what I mean?

Jiang Zhanyue paused here and didn't say anything more.

Li Yuan fell silent for a while, then a smile returned to his face. "If that's really the case, I'll be very disappointed in my father. But it's still okay."

"I can advance westward ahead of time, and I can easily use the excuse of being on the way to send your army along the way, at most taking a detour of four hundred li."

Once you cross Yuanqing Road and leave Taiming Mountain, the roads are wide and the land is vast; no one can possibly ambush you then.

Jiang Zhanyue looked into his eyes.

"No need. You still need another half month to prepare your troops and set off. Doing it this way would be too conspicuous and would be especially disadvantageous for you."

Li Yuan looked at her deeply, feeling a little touched. This concubine, though she wouldn't admit it, still cared about him and was even willing to take great risks to escort him.

"Fine, whatever you say! But you must be careful!"

Jiang Zhanyue didn't say anything more, but just sighed softly and nodded.

"You care about me a lot?" Li Yuan turned to look at her.

"You've misunderstood. I just don't like owing you favors. For example, you helped me kill Liu Guanjia."

Whether you killed for me or not, I am grateful for this outcome!

Jiang Zhanyue said expressionlessly.

"Really?" Li Yuan looked at her with a half-smile.

"Li Yuan, I wish you success in quelling the rebellion and establishing your fiefdom!"

Jiang Zhanyue didn't even look at him, and turned to leave.

"If I really succeed, can I take you as my concubine?"

Li Yuan chuckled; he just loved teasing her.

However, seeing Jiang Zhanyue draw his sword and turn to charge at him, Li Yuan shouted and ran away.

Hey, I love how this rouge horse looks, both embarrassed and angry. It's so beautiful!

The next day, Li Yuan officially left Beijing.

However, Emperor Jinglong merely ordered the eunuch in charge of ceremonies to issue an encouraging edict, bestowing upon him one hundred taels of gold, and then commanded him to immediately prepare his troops for battle.

Not only did he not personally lead all the civil and military officials to their deaths, but even important government offices such as the Privy Council and the Ministry of War did not send anyone over. Only some familiar military officers came to see him off, but they still came in a secretive manner with their heads covered and faces hidden.

The fact that his father, the emperor, was so perfunctory in his actions only made Li Yuan more disheartened.

It seems that this father has come to hate himself to the core.

Well, this will allow him to shed all his burdens and move forward with a lighter heart.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to fully utilize his abilities.

The army set off, followed by hundreds of family members and craftsmen, as well as a caravan of laborers transporting grain and fodder. It was quite a magnificent sight!

"Your Highness, how should we proceed with our march?"

Yan Poshan asked in a low voice.

"Poshan, where do you think they would attack us if they wanted to?"

Li Yuan, still on horseback, looked at the map and asked questions, his mind filled with a desire to test him.

"If they are not in a hurry, they will pursue or ambush us at any location after we have left the capital region."

If they are in a hurry, the best place is near Nakyoungsan, about 100 miles outside Gyeonggi Province!

Because it's a canyon, and also the only way out of the capital region!

Yanpo Mountain is located at a point on the map, which is quite straightforward.