Hidden in the dark

"Enormous! Audacious!"

A man with a sharp voice emerged from the queue next to Jiang Han, accusing, "Blaspheming the Crown Prince's Consort, Angus, you have committed a heinous crime!"

"What is he thinking?"

"In the presence of His Majesty and the Crown Prince, speaking such blasphemous words, does he wish to be executed in a cruel manner?!"

...

The courtiers found Angus's behavior inexplicable, all revealing expressions of astonishment.

Clearly in the reward stage, why would this person seek death suddenly?

"Are you a eunuch?"

Jiang Han was quite surprised by the sudden appearance of the jester, his gaze involuntarily shifting downward, seemingly trying to discern some clues —

[Grand Internal Supervisor · Pang Xunyi] (Immortal-level BOSS)

"Insolent! I am the Grand Internal Supervisor!" Pang Xunyi was suddenly furious, his gaze icy, eager to kill the disrespectful person before him.

"Hehehe..."

Suddenly, a cold laughter emanated from the dragon throne, and the oppressive aura of a god-level powerhouse spread like a tidal wave, sweeping through.

All objections were thoroughly interrupted, and the atmosphere in the Golden Imperial Hall became as tense as a drawn bowstring, making it difficult to breathe.

Emperor Lin Shang, looking down at the Dark Swordsman, who seemed arrogant but weak like an ant, calmly said, "For your audacity, without sufficient justifiable reasons, it is a one-way path to death!"

"Young Prince Lin, at this point, why pretend?" Jiang Han shrugged, his gaze indifferent, "Aren't you just waiting for me to voluntarily reveal myself?"

...

Emperor Lin Shang's face slightly darkened, and the courtiers' mouths twitched.

Young Prince Lin!

The sarcasm in this address was truly harsh!

"Swoosh!"

The next moment, canceling the effect of the faceless mask, Jiang Han revealed his true face and said coldly, "My request is to have a decisive battle with Crown Prince Lin Xuan in front of the throne. During the match, no one is allowed to interfere. After determining the winner, I can leave freely!"

No need for elaborate setups.

Both the planner and the one being planned against were well aware, merely engaged in the pretense and deception constrained by the rules.

"!!!!"

Shock spread in the Golden Imperial Hall.

"The Dark Swordsman, Angus, is disguised!"

"No wonder he could crush a group of geniuses and effortlessly become the champion. If he is the Dark Swordsman..."

"What a terrifying disguise, none of us saw through it!"

...

The courtiers were in an uproar, then drew their swords, greedily attacking Jiang Han.

In the end, the current Dark Swordsman had not yet grown to maturity, still only at the Sky level. With their strength, it was easy to slay him.

"Clang!"

Sword energy soared.

Dongfang Yixin appeared by Jiang Han's side as if teleporting, and after a moment of cold brilliance, she sheathed her sword again.

"Puff puff puff..."

Chaotic sword intent roared, and all the attackers nearby spat blood simultaneously, flying like kites with broken strings, crashing heavily into the pillars and walls of the Golden Imperial Hall, severely injured.

"Sword God, are you... betraying the Light Faction?"

"You are aiding and abetting tyranny!"

They scolded in succession.

"Haven't you heard his request?" Dongfang Yixin's face was cold, her clear eyes calm as if doing something insignificant, "He wants to have a decisive battle with Crown Prince Lin Xuan, and during that time, no one is allowed to interfere. Everyone here, naturally including you!"

Speaking, her sharp gaze swept over Lin Shang. "It's time for you to speak!"

"As the champion's request, I naturally agree!" Lin Shang turned to the Crown Prince, "Xuan'er, go and kill the Dark Swordsman!"

"This..."

Lin Xuan was shocked, seemingly unprepared for such a sudden turn of events. "Father, you..."

Witnessing this scene, Jiang Han was clear-headed.

In the eyes of the Emperor, the Crown Prince was just a chess piece.

"Hmm?"

Lin Shang's tone turned stern, "In front of everyone, the Dark Swordsman challenges the Tianfeng Dynasty, and wants to have a decisive battle with you, my son. How can I not grant him his wish? Don't embarrass me in public!"

"Understood!"

Feeling the gazes converging from all directions, Lin Xuan had no choice but to agree.

Was it the case that the Dark Swordsman wouldn't escape?

At this moment, he woke up from a dream, a chill rushing to his heart.

The Emperor's heart was ruthless!

"However!"

Lin Shang's tone changed, looking at Jiang Han, "I can agree to the first part, but leaving without consequences is impossible!"

Since it was a carefully designed trap, he naturally had multiple considerations.

It would be best if the Crown Prince won, enhancing the reputation of the Tianfeng Dynasty. If the Crown Prince couldn't win...

In the imperial palace, killing the Crown Prince in front of countless people, the Dark Swordsman would still have no way to escape!

Facing this, Jiang Han remained composed, responding calmly, "Then, let's change the condition. I want to have a decisive battle with the Crown Prince carrying the Heavenly Authority Token!"

His main target was the Heavenly Authority Token!

If the Crown Prince didn't have the token, his efforts would be in vain.

Indeed, he had seen the Crown Prince wielding the Heavenly Authority Token to command the Sword God in the Sword Pavilion, and the Sword God had also hinted that the Emperor had not taken back the Heavenly Authority Token.

However...

In case of unexpected circumstances!

For such a cunning old fox, staging a simple play in public was as easy as breathing. Moreover, he intended to use the Crown Prince; there was no such thing as deep father-son affection.

"..."

Lin Shang's expression fluctuated, silent for a moment, then coldly said, "Although I don't know what happened in the past, the Heavenly Authority Token is indeed your target!"

"So, you don't deny that you know about the Mirror of Time and Space?" Jiang Han's mouth curled with a hint of mockery.

The Mirror of Time and Space was given by Ralph. Few knew about it, even if a few days ago, there was a spectacle of a colorful pillar soaring into the sky in the imperial palace. However, the details about the Mirror of Time and Space should still be unknown.

Of course, it didn't mean he couldn't command the Sword God to tell the truth. The issue was that he had asked Ralph about the extent of the restrictions of the oath, and the answer was that it only prevented actions that violated it.

In other words, the Sword God was obligated to be loyal to the Light Faction, and had to obey Lin Shang and the bearer of the Heavenly Authority Token, but whether or not to speak the truth was the Sword God's personal freedom.

Moreover, a person who had been coerced by the oath to swear again to the God of Oaths would not be recognized.

"Interesting..."

Lin Shang squinted, dangerous glints flickering in his eyes, "It seems you understand your situation!"

At these words, the Sword God furrowed

 his brows, somewhat puzzled. "What is interesting? What does it mean?"

"It means that the Mirror of Time and Space is originally him, no, it should be them, a meticulously prepared link by them in secret!" Jiang Han swept his gaze around, loudly declaring, "Won't you show yourself? The one scheming to use someone else's knife to kill!"

???

In the presence of the courtiers, including the one standing with a sword in the corner, Ye Yugui, they were all filled with doubt.

Jiang Han's words seemed to imply that someone was hiding in the dark, not daring to show their face!

But this was the heavily guarded imperial palace, with stringent security. Moreover, there were even god-level powerhouses around the Golden Imperial Hall. Who could hide in such proximity without being discovered?

"Nonsense! Nonsense!"

The Grand Internal Supervisor Pang Xunyi sharply exclaimed, "Stop pretending to be mysterious here. No one can hide in this place..."

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Rhythmic applause echoed from all directions.

The Chief Internal Supervisor's words came to an abrupt halt.

In the eerie atmosphere, an inexplicable silence and fear silently spread.

It turned out...

There really was someone hiding in the dark!