Chapter 100: Li Chen, this time I didn

Second Prince Li Xian discovered that everyone in this government jail was a talent.

In his mind, government prisons should have been filled with petty thieves and pickpockets.

But after spending a day here, he found they were all second-generation heirs—even including envoys from the Northern Wang Ting.

Such a roster, he knew, would be too dangerous even for the Ministry of Justice’s prison to detain.

Yet the neighboring jail had arrested a whole bunch of them, and not a single one dared cry foul.

Li Xian knew this because, bored while sitting here, he’d overheard their idle chatter.

His cellmate Atade tried to comfort the second prince, saying he shouldn’t be upset—Xu Zifeng would be back in jail soon enough.

Li Xian was puzzled: so this kid was a regular inmate?

But the problem was, he couldn’t stay here any longer—his power grab still awaited him.

According to estimates, his master, the Supreme Heaven Man, must have already reached the capital; he needed to go meet him.

As he wrestled with solutions, the prison gate opened, and a familiar figure appeared.

Li Xian never imagined he’d see Li Chen again under these circumstances.

He rose at once, then knelt like the other heirs, voice low: “Your Majesty, ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand, ten thousand years!”

Li Chen arrived at noon, passing by merely to check on his second brother, never expecting to find familiar faces here.

Li Chen ignored Li Xian for now, walking to Atade’s cell and asking, “Why are you here?”

Atade replied awkwardly: “Your Majesty, I’m innocent—I was just strolling in the capital and got arrested.”

To this day, he refused to admit he’d come to capture Ninth Princess Li Sining.

Li Chen wouldn’t believe his lies—he trusted Lin Yue’e’s integrity.

Then Li Chen walked to Li Xian and asked, “And you?”

Since he hadn’t said “rise,” Li Xian had to remain kneeling, as did Feng Wuhen beside him.

Feng Wuhen saw Li Chen for the first time; the utter lack of any weakness in Li Chen’s presence made even the capital’s fastest sword feel fear.

He’d swear that if he entertained even a single malicious thought toward Li Chen, he’d be dead the next second.

No wonder the second prince fled the capital overnight last time—he must’ve been terrified.

It wasn’t Li Chen’s fault for scaring them; they were prisoners, and Li Chen had unleashed his aura upon their entry.

“Your Majesty,” Li Xian replied honestly, “I had a clash with the Marquis of the Southern Marches’ heir.” At this moment, lying was pointless.

“Get out,” Li Chen said, turning to leave the cell. “Don’t do anything so shameful again.”

“Your servant understands,” Li Xian replied calmly. “I’ll be cautious next time, avoid all conflicts.” But inside, he seethed.

Once, even the Crown Prince never spoke to him like this—when had Li Chen, the sixth prince, earned the right?

Though he called Li Chen “Your Majesty,” he never truly acknowledged him.

Li Chen suddenly stopped, back turned to Li Xian: “No. I mean—you may clash with him, but don’t lose.”

Then Li Chen vanished into the dungeon.

At that moment, Li Xian stared at his retreating back, eyes growing distant.

In Li Chen, he’d glimpsed the shadow of the late Emperor?

His heart surged with turmoil; memories flooded back as if time had reversed.

Since childhood, Li Xian had been gifted and fiercely competitive, constantly clashing with others.

Each time the late Emperor punished him, he’d say something similar.

That is: you may fight, but don’t lose—I punish you not for causing trouble, but for losing.

This had fueled Li Xian’s lifelong ambition to never be merely a prince.

Li Xian wouldn’t forgive Li Chen over a single phrase—he was merely reflecting.

In truth, he’d overthought it: Li Chen simply thought Li Xian looked foolish being dragged down by Xu Zifeng—you embarrass yourself, fine, but you send your men begging me to intervene? That embarrasses me too. When Li Xian snapped back to reality, the cell door stood open, Feng Wuhen waiting outside.

Feng Wuhen had served Li Xian for years; he knew this look meant deep thought, so he said nothing.

On the way out, Feng Wuhen spoke: “Your Highness, shall we teach the Marquis of the Southern Marches’ heir a lesson?”

Li Xian replied lowly: “I’ll teach him one—and his father too—but not now.”

He hated Xu Zifeng with every fiber—but he knew priorities.

Li Xian’s greatest weakness: he had many elite fighters, but no military authority.

If he could overthrow Li Chen, Li Chen’s military power would become his—and then he could pacify the realm, fulfilling the late Emperor’s unfinished dream!

But first, he had to shake off the watchers and reach his rendezvous point to meet his master.

Li Xian’s group marched down the street outside the jail like a band of conquerors, as if the “Gambling God” theme played behind them.

This imperial gamble? They were risking their lives.

Then, at that moment, the scene shifted abruptly—he’d run into the one person he despised: Xu Zifeng.

Xu Zifeng, though he too wanted the throne, carried himself like a slacker—his vibe matched cheerful “Happy Landlord” background music, clashing violently with the “Gambling God” theme across from him.

!

The refined Second Prince Li Xian now desperately wanted to curse.

Why must fate keep throwing this brat in my path?

Especially seeing Xu Zifeng’s smug, unbothered expression, Li Xian recalled Atade’s words: this kid was always in jail.

I could beg Li Chen once—he won’t bail me out every time.

So reason told Li Xian: don’t provoke Xu Zifeng.

But the problem? He didn’t want a fight—yet Xu Zifeng’s nature was to provoke him.

Xu Zifeng’s companion, Ma Hei, also looked forward to a rematch with Feng Wuhen.

Li Xian saw their expressions—he knew they wouldn’t let him walk away.

So Li Xian made a decision that “betrayed his ancestors.”

He suddenly sprinted back into the jail, shouting to Lin Yue’e as she ate lunch: “Lin Captain! The Marquis of the Southern Marches’ heir is blocking me with men—I didn’t lift a finger! Go arrest him!”

Xu Zifeng: “.”

What the hell, you’re a sore loser?

Who the fuck starts snitching before even throwing a punch? Even kids don’t stoop this low!

You’re a second prince—how can you do something even toddlers would scorn?

Lin Yue’e was stunned: are you even letting me eat? I just finished patrol!

But as Captain, she still did her duty.

After all, only she could handle the Marquis of the Southern Marches’ heir.

Thus, Xu Zifeng was arrested again—for causing trouble at the jail entrance.

As Atade put it, this kid had broken his own record for shortest time between incarcerations.

Second Prince Li Xian watched Xu Zifeng’s stunned expression and smirked.

Kid, you’re not ready to play with me.

You don’t understand: what is victor’s justice? What is winning by any means?

Before being dragged in, Xu Zifeng still shouted for Li Xian to wait.

Li Xian ignored him and walked away from the jail.

Like a rooster who’d won the fight.

Li Xian thought to himself: Li Chen, this time I didn’t lose!

Meanwhile, Li Chen encountered someone unexpected.

(End of Chapter)