Chapter 468 - 303: Bloodbath in the Eastern Suburbs, Prince Dead, Ministers’ Bodies Exposed

"Make plans in advance? Elder Soong, what do you suggest?"

"With the royal hunting in the eastern suburbs imminent, you and your esteemed colleagues, as Imperial Guards, have the opportunity for close contact with His Majesty. Why not..." Elder Soong’s expression was fierce.

"Hmm?"

"..."

...

In the early morning, the weather was bitterly cold.

Outside the hunting ground in the eastern suburbs of Qin Capital.

Emperor Qin wore a golden robe, with rows of the Huang Forbidden Army in golden armor before him.

"The royal hunt in the eastern suburbs formally begins!"

Swish, swish, swish!

At this command, various groups charged into the hunting grounds.

The Crown Prince led by the Fifth Prince and Seventh Prince, the Second Prince led by the Third Prince and Fourth Prince.

More than twenty princes led their trusted aides, carrying bows and treading on snow, exuding grandeur.

Emperor Qin, protected by Grand Commandant Pei Qing, Left Imperial Guard Pei Fu, and thousands of elite Huang Forbidden Army, sat in a golden carriage, moving slowly but steadily into the hunting grounds.

Eight Cyan Flame Demon Wolves pulled the golden carriage like a moving palace, unstoppable, as the snow or brush were merely things to be rolled over.

In front of the carriage, Pei Qing and Pei Fu looked solemn.

Beside them was Prime Minister Zuo Yuan, looking tense along with several accompanying officials.

"Our lives are in Lord Pei’s hands," Zuo Yuan tried to lighten the mood.

"Mr. Zuo, where did that come from? We are just doing our duty," Pei Qing replied with a smile.

"..."

Inside the hunting ground, the hunt began.

Meanwhile, outside, two figures stood side by side.

"Brother Hoong Xiao, as usual, you take the southeast, I’ll take the northwest."

"Alright."

Each headed in their designated direction.

Although the Mountain-shaking Beads hidden in the hunting grounds had been cleared, the two still had duties to fulfill.

If the King of North Snow sent experts, they would need to act.

This eastern suburbs hunt was not only for Auspicious Beasts but also a hunt for the experts of the King of North Snow’s side.

Meanwhile, in the Jinluan Hall of the Qin Capital Imperial City.

The real Emperor Qin sat in the hall, calmly watching the heavy snow outside.

"Chang Qin Wenshuo, I truly hope you can come in person."

"..."

...

Eastern suburbs hunting ground.

The Crown Prince, Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince concealed themselves in a dense forest, outside of which was a frozen lake.

Over the lake, there were more than ten Auspicious Beasts with long antlers and stepping on ’auspicious clouds’.

Behind the three were Lu Ji, Tao Long, Yann Chong, and other palace guards, as well as the Huang Forbidden Army, numbering nearly a hundred.

Chu Ming and Fang Xiao were also among them.

Additionally, there were more than thirty experts in the Meridian Unlocking Realm from the Martial Immortal Alliance, such as Zhuge Rui.

"Big brother, there are a total of thirteen Auspicious Beasts." The Fifth Prince bent his bow and nocked an arrow, ready to shoot.

"Fifth Brother, don’t rush."

The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered as he pressed down the Fifth Prince’s bow and arrow, then personally drew his own bow and nocked an arrow.

Whiz!

An arrow whistled out.

Whiz!

Followed by another arrow from the Seventh Prince beside him.

Thud!

Thud!

Two specially made arrows pierced through two Auspicious Beasts accurately one after the other.

Screech—

The Auspicious Beasts cried out sharply and fled.

"Big brother, you?" The Fifth Prince finally reacted.

"Fifth Brother, now’s the time to nock an arrow, there’s still time." The Seventh Prince continued shooting without pause.

The Crown Prince also continued to shoot several arrows in rapid succession.

The escape speed of the Auspicious Beasts was extremely fast, and neither managed to hit again.

"Lu Ji, take your men and stop the Auspicious Beasts."

"Yes."

Swish, swish, swish!

Lu Ji, in the Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm Late Stage, instantly dashed out towards the direction where the Auspicious Beasts fled.

The same scene was happening throughout the eastern suburbs hunting ground.

More than twenty princes spread out, leading groups to encircle and hunt the Auspicious Beasts.

From early morning until noon, and from noon to afternoon.

"Your Highness, it’s almost two hours past noon. If we pursue further, it might be dangerous."

With just over two more hours before nightfall, the eastern suburbs hunting ground would become extremely dangerous. Even with the protection of experts in the Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm, the princes did not wish to continue the hunt.

"We’ve hunted enough, let’s go, return to camp."

The same scene unfolded everywhere, with more than twenty princes leading their teams back to the camp.

Thus, the royal hunt in the eastern suburbs seemed to have proceeded without much incident.

...

Temporary camp in the eastern suburbs hunting ground.

Eight Cyan Flame Demon Wolves lay on the ground, behind them the palace-like golden carriage.

In front of the golden carriage, more than twenty princes stood with varied expressions, surrounded by numerous ministers.

"Left Prime Minister," a voice came from within the golden carriage belonging to Emperor Qin, "begin the tally."

"Yes," Zuo Yuan bowed and stepped forward, looking at the many princes, "Your Highnesses, I am ordered by His Majesty to tally the Auspicious Beasts, please present the auspicious cloud fur from your hunts."

The white fur resembling auspicious clouds on the four hooves of the Auspicious Beasts was the most precious part, and the tally of the hunt was verified by the number of such furs.

More than twenty princes and the Crown Prince took out the auspicious cloud furs.

Zuo Yuan bowed his body and respectfully recorded each tally.

"Crown Prince has hunted 27 Auspicious Beasts."

"Second Prince has hunted 27 Auspicious Beasts."

"Third Prince has hunted 16 Auspicious Beasts."

"..."

"Fifth Prince has hunted 11 Auspicious Beasts."

"Seventh Prince has hunted 16 Auspicious Beasts."

"..."

"Twelfth Prince has hunted 10 Auspicious Beasts."

"Thirteenth Prince has hunted 10 Auspicious Beasts."

"..."

Zuo Yuan tallied each one, suddenly halting in front of a prince.

"Princess Zhenyang..." he murmured, seemingly surprised.

Before he could finish, this ’prince’ glared at him.

Zuo Yuan’s aged face twitched, quickly correcting, "Seventeenth Prince has hunted 12 Auspicious Beasts."

At these words, more than twenty princes simultaneously turned their gazes.

Both civil and military officials looked on with astonishment.

Seventeenth Prince?

When did the Imperial City get a Seventeenth Prince?

Upon seeing the appearance of the ’Seventeenth Prince’, they suddenly realized.

The Seventh Prince, with a smile, whispered into the Fifth Prince’s ear, "Fifth Brother, the Seventeenth Sister has hunted more Auspicious Beasts than you..."

"..." The Fifth Prince’s face fell, surprisingly offering no rebuttal.

Seventeenth? Princess Zhenyang?