The ninth prince asked, "Master, should we save the third prince?"

Zhang Lie hmmed. "It's up to you. Both choices will benefit us."

If they didn't save the third prince and allowed the fifth prince to kill him, the ninth prince would have one fewer competitor. On the other hand, if the third prince were to survive, he surely would strike back against the fifth prince and the Wang clan, miring the princes in conflict.

The ninth prince smiled. "In that case, I'll choose to wait and see what happens."

"Very well."

Zhang Lie gave him a meaningful smile. "The third prince might not need your support, after all. Look at his expression."

Despite being surrounded by the Wang clan and the  fifth prince's troops, the third prince's expression was placid. He drew a sword from his back, a black,...