Divine War Pill Emperor

”Jiang the Military Advisor, let’s head down the mountain.”

Having won first place, the Third Prince felt a sudden sense of loss after his initial joy.

Winning should have been a good thing, but now it meant his life was hanging by a thread. This stark reversal left him utterly dejected.

He was, after all, an unfavored prince.

The miserable reality put him in a terrible mood.

Their group then headed straight down the mountain.

When they reached the base, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince had both given up completely, having no desire to compete for second or third place.

When they saw the Third Prince coming down with his men, they both wore expressions of pity.

It seemed they also knew that the Third Prince had defied the royal edict.

”Third Brother, congratulations.”

”You finally managed to take first place. Truly a joyous occasion.”

Wen Shixuan immediately broke into a malicious smile.

Although he offered congratulations, the schadenfreude in his tone was obvious to anyone with eyes.

Wen Shixi also looked at Wen Shiren with pity in his eyes.

For once, there was an unusual harmony between the three brothers.

”Heh heh.”

Wen Shixi just chuckled and said no more.

At that moment, however, Sovereign Wen’s face was ashen. He stared at the Third Prince with an extremely hostile gaze, making the Third Prince feel a chill run down his spine, as if needles were pricking his back.

Before long, a figure approached.

”Reporting to the Sovereign! In the race for the high ground, the Third Prince was the first to plant the flag on the summit, taking first place.”

”The Crown Prince and the Second Prince have forfeited.”

It was the messenger delivering the report.

Sovereign Wen waved a hand, his voice utterly indifferent. ”Fine. Noted.”

He then looked at the Third Prince, his eyes cold and the corner of his mouth curling up.

”Third Brother, you’ve done well.”

”It seems I underestimated you before.”

He spoke in an exceptionally cold tone.

The Third Prince was terrified and lowered his head.

”Father... I...”

He was about to say something, but Sovereign Wen waved him off.

He said with great displeasure, ”Say no more. I will reward you.”

”Return for now. After we get back, you can wait for my reward.”

”Enough. We’re returning to the Royal Palace.”

This outcome of the race for the high ground could be said to have been completely beyond Sovereign Wen’s expectations, and one he was extremely dissatisfied with.

First place had still been snatched by the Third Prince.

As he was leaving, his cold gaze also swept over Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen seemed to sense it and abruptly looked toward Sovereign Wen.

’Such strong killing intent. He really means to kill me.’

Jiang Chen shook his head slightly.

’For now, Sovereign Wen won’t make a move against the Third Prince on the road. Everything will happen after we return to the palace.’

The Third Prince wore a bitter expression as he glanced at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen’s expression was calm. ”Everything is going according to plan.”

”Once you’re in the Guardian Hall, do not come out until I come for you. Remember that.”

He had to repeat the instructions to the Third Prince via voice transmission, reminding him again and again.

The Third Prince nodded gravely. He could see that his father’s killing intent toward him was almost completely undisguised.

As for the ”reward”... did he dare accept it? Of course not.

「Back at the Royal Palace.」

The Third Prince said to Jiang Chen and the others, ”From now on, follow all of Jiang the Military Advisor’s orders.”

Then he turned to Jiang Chen. ”Jiang the Military Advisor, I’m counting on you for everything.”

Jiang Chen nodded.

Without hesitation, the Third Prince turned and left the Third Prince’s Hall.

No one had come from the Sovereign’s side yet, but he knew they would be coming soon. He had to leave at once.

The Third Prince hurried along, quickly arriving at the Guardian Hall.

Outside the Guardian Hall stood a number of powerful guards.

”Halt! No one is permitted to enter the Guardian Hall.”

The guards of the Guardian Hall immediately blocked the Third Prince’s path.

The Third Prince’s heart pounded with anxiety, but he still lied, ”Everyone, the Guardian Beast has summoned me for a matter of importance. Please allow me to pass.”

It had to be said, in this moment of crisis, the Third Prince had gone all in, using the Guardian Beast as an excuse.

The guards’ expressions were grave.

”Third Prince, to enter the Guardian Hall, you must have the Sovereign’s permission. We can only let you in if the Sovereign allows it. Our apologies.”

The guards were extremely diligent in their duties.

They absolutely would not let the Third Prince enter the Guardian Hall.

The Third Prince grew anxious. Time was of the essence.

He waved his hands frantically. ”There is no need to inform my father. The Guardian Beast summoned me privately. You must keep this a secret.”

”I know you are loyal, but if the Guardian Beast has summoned me and you refuse me entry, you will not be able to bear the consequences of its anger.”

He was bluffing again, trying to both threaten and reason with the guards.

However, the guards didn’t budge an inch.

Although they hesitated, they still refused to let him pass.

They knew how formidable the Guardian Beast was. It could be said that the Guardian Beast was the most powerful being in the Fire Sparrow Kingdom.

”No, Third Prince, you cannot enter.”

”Unless... unless the Guardian Beast itself speaks.”

Seeing the Third Prince’s firm attitude, the guards finally came up with an idea: make the Guardian Beast speak.

The Third Prince’s face fell.

He glanced behind him. Fortunately, no one was pursuing him yet.

Just as his anxiety reached its peak, a voice suddenly and unexpectedly echoed from within the Guardian Hall.

”Let him in. I am the one who summoned him.”

What?

Everyone was stunned.

The guards heard it clearly—it was the voice of the Guardian Fire Sparrow.

Even the Third Prince was dumbfounded.

The Guardian Beast had actually spoken.

He couldn’t believe it. He had lied about the Guardian Beast summoning him, and now, the Guardian Beast had personally spoken to let him in.

In other words, his gamble had paid off.

The situation was utterly surreal.

But it was a good thing for him.

”Yes, My Lord.”

The guards now had no reason to stop the Third Prince.

Without another word, the Third Prince immediately lifted his feet and strode quickly into the Guardian Hall.

Upon entering the Guardian Hall, he found the space inside was vast.

Within, there was only a massive altar. On the altar was a huge, pillar-like platform, and perched upon it was an enormous Firebird.

That Firebird was none other than the Guardian Fire Sparrow.

Seeing the Fire Sparrow, Wen Shiren hurriedly and respectfully said, ”Greetings, Lord Guardian.”

”At ease.”

The Fire Sparrow opened its eyes and glanced at Wen Shiren.

Wen Shiren spoke again. ”I... I may have to trouble you, Lord Guardian. I need to stay here for some time. I ask for your permission.”

The Fire Sparrow stared at Wen Shiren and asked, ”Was it he who sent you?”

For a moment, Wen Shiren was confused. But he quickly realized that the ”he” the Fire Sparrow mentioned must be Jiang Chen.

’He was even more shocked. Could the Fire Sparrow possibly know Jiang Chen?’

He nodded quickly, but then asked, ”Lord Guardian, I wonder, is the ’he’ you speak of Jiang Chen?”

This was very strange.

’The Guardian Beast knows Jiang Chen? That’s... simply impossible.’

He was certain that Jiang Chen had never had the opportunity to meet the Guardian Fire Sparrow.

The Fire Sparrow lifted its neck. ”Perhaps it is he.”

”I am waiting for him.”

”Since he is the one who sent you, I will shelter you. As long as you stay here, no one can harm you.”