Chapter 405: The Miserable Crown Prince
TAP!
Juzi landed lightly on the ground after slipping through the long underground passage.
She carefully examined her surroundings. When she noticed that the objects she had previously placed as markers remained undisturbed, she finally let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that no one had discovered this tunnel during her absence.
No time to waste.
Juzi quickly sprinted forward.
The tunnel was roughly two meters high and one meter wide, with clear signs of artificial excavation. Some sections had loose soil, reinforced with bricks to support the structure.
Along the walls, glowing stones were embedded at intervals, providing a dim but sufficient light to see ahead.
Juzi recognized these stones they were an outdated lighting material that had been commonly used in households long ago. However, with the advancement of soul tool technology, this primitive source of illumination had been phased out.
Meanwhile, in the Sun Moon Empire's Imperial Palace
Inside a side hall of the Sun Moon Empire's royal palace, the interior was both luxurious and dignified, exuding an ancient charm.
Golden eight clawed fire dragon motifs adorned various decorations, displaying a low key yet extravagant aura.
A young man dressed in white sat in a wheelchair, speaking to several subordinates who knelt before him.
He appeared to be in his twenties, his attire simple yet refined. Though not particularly handsome, he carried an undeniable authority that made him commanding. His dark skin gleamed with a healthy luster.
However, beneath his robe's hem, his legs were missing.
This man was Xu Tianran, the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, and the first in line for the throne.
A Bond of Trust Now Betrayed
Juzi's life had been filled with tragedy.
After her parents were killed, she wandered the land as a refugee until she met Xu Tianran, who had taken her in.
At the time, Xu Tianran was still whole, and he personally ensured that she entered the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy to study.
Over time, Juzi worked tirelessly, proving herself and never failing Xu Tianran's expectations.
Because of their unique bond, Xu Tianran trusted Juzi deeply.
Juzi, in return, was loyal to him.
When Xu Tianran was ambushed, Juzi had shielded him with her body, taking two deep knife wounds that almost cost her life.
That attack had crippled Xu Tianran, but in doing so, it solidified Juzi's place as his closest confidante.
Xu Tianran had unwavering faith in her.
He also knew about Juzi's deep hatred for the Star Luo Empire and greatly admired her cold decisiveness and strategic mind.
At one point, Xu Tianran's position as Crown Prince had been unshakable his claim to the throne was all but guaranteed.
However, after losing his legs, his status weakened.
After all, a crippled emperor would weaken the empire's image.
Still, Xu Tianran didn't give up.
Through ruthless tactics, he crushed all opposition.
He personally uncovered the conspirator behind his assassination one of his own royal brothers.
No one knew how he managed to do it, but that prince's execution was gruesome.
He was slowly executed by dismemberment in his own chambers, turning his palace into a bloody nightmare.
Since then, no one dared to challenge Xu Tianran's authority.
He secured his position as Crown Prince once more.
The Emperor's Decline The Wolves Stir
Recently, the Sun Moon Emperor had fallen gravely ill, frequently bedridden.
This emboldened Xu Tianran's remaining brothers, who began plotting once more.
His crippled state was once again being used against him.
Yet, this time, Xu Tianran remained silent.
No rash moves.
But everyone still feared him.
He was still the Empire's first heir.
The Order to Capture Juzi
"...You may leave."
Xu Tianran waved a hand.
The kneeling subordinates bowed and silently withdrew from the hall.
After giving orders to search for traces of the divine artifact, and to keep a close eye on Huo Yuhao, Xu Tianran finally turned his attention to Juzi.
The video had exposed Juzi's pregnancy, but not the reason behind it.
To outsiders, it may have seemed like she had simply wanted to bear the child of the man she loved.
But Xu Tianran knew better.
He knew why Juzi had gone to retrieve seed samples.
Because he couldn't have children.
The truth was he had likely been the one to order it in the first place.
But what he didn't expect was that Juzi had switched the sample with that of someone completely unrelated to the royal family!
If the video had also revealed that he was impotent, it would have destroyed him.
It was already bad enough that he was crippled.
But if word spread that he couldn't produce an heir, his position as Crown Prince would be over.
He would be abandoned.
Exiled.
Or worse eliminated.
Juzi had been one of the few people who knew this secret.
And now, after seeing the future video, he realized how deeply she had betrayed him.
He had treated her well.
And yet, in the end
She betrayed him in the worst possible way.
The most ironic part?
This woman, who hated the White Tiger Duke, had carried his descendant in her womb.
She had ensured the survival of the Dai Clan bloodline.
And in the future, her son the son of her sworn enemy would sit on the Sun Moon Empire's throne!
That was her revenge?
Xu Tianran had never seen someone so foolish.
And to think, he had once trusted her completely.
He almost laughed at his own blindness.
Had he been a fool all this time?
Or had Juzi simply lost her mind the moment she fell in love?
When he recalled how obsessed she had been with Huo Yuhao in the video, he felt an inexplicable disgust.
Was that really the same woman?
Or had someone switched her with a lookalike?
His rage burned coldly.
The Hunt Begins
"Send someone."
Xu Tianran's voice was calm.
A subordinate entered, kneeling.
"Your Highness, what are your orders?"
"Find Juzi. Now. Bring her to me."
The command was casual, as if he believed Juzi had no way of escaping.
After all, Sun Moon City was locked down.
Ever since the video exposed her, she had no chance of leaving.
She was likely hiding somewhere, buying time.
It was only a matter of patience before she was caught.
After issuing the order, Xu Tianran leaned back, considering how he would deal with her once she was captured.
But moments later
His subordinates returned in panic.
"Y Your Highness! Juzi she's missing!"
"…What?"
Xu Tianran's expression darkened.
Where could she have gone?
Was she hiding, or…?
"Find her. Now."
"Dead or alive."
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