Curiously, Zhang Lie and the ninth prince encountered no trouble on their way.

Zhang Lie was a little bored. Were the other eight princes really so easily intimidated that they didn't dare attack, as the ninth prince had suggested?

The ninth prince informed Zhang Lie, "We'll be at the capital after the next city."

Zhang Lie nodded, then glanced all around him. "Are they finally here?"

The ninth prince frowned. "What's wrong, Master?"

Zhang Lie began to laugh. "They're finally here. Three—no, four of them."

The ninth prince suddenly noticed a man in front of them blocking their path forward. He sat on an ornate chair with a greatsword in his hand. "Ninth prince, I've waited for you for too long."

"Wang Jian!"

Zhang...