Chapter 252: Dynastic Struggle

The Tiandang Mountains were still a considerable distance from the Daqing Kingdom.

But Chen Fei wasn’t in a rush. There was still time before the secret realm in Tiandang Mountain opened, and he figured it was the perfect opportunity to take in the sights of the Xuanhuang Continent.

“It’s a shame Su Ran isn’t here…” Chen Fei muttered, shaking his head.

Up until now, his understanding of the Xuanhuang Continent had come mostly from books—especially historical chronicles that provided detailed accounts of various nations across the land.

But reading ten thousand books still pales in comparison to walking ten thousand miles.

As he continued his journey, Chen Fei’s state of mind underwent a deep transformation.

Although his cultivation hadn’t advanced significantly, the markings on the Void Heaven Cauldron had become far more defined and solid.

“So this is what it means to temper the heart…” Chen Fei murmured to himself.

Looking at the bustling city before him, he smiled and merged into the crowd, entering like any ordinary traveler.

At this moment, Chen Fei seemed completely unremarkable as he waited in line to enter the city.

Yet, the very moment he entered, a secret report landed in the hands of the royal court.

The Whirlwind Dynasty was one of the most powerful kingdoms surrounding the Tiandang Mountains. Backed by its close relationship with the Heaven-Smiting Sacred Ground, the Liu family had firmly held the throne for generations.

But recently, their foundation had begun to crack.

First came the death of Liu Yue, which sent shockwaves through the Liu clan. Then Liu Shan was punished and expelled from the Heaven-Smiting Sacred Ground entirely!

The power dynamics within the Whirlwind Dynasty were rapidly shifting.

In the royal palace, Liu Jianrang’s face was dark as he read the report in his hand. After a long silence, he spoke coldly:

“Bring Liu Shan here.”

A guard quickly left the hall.

Soon after, Liu Shan entered with steady steps.

Contrary to expectations, even though he had been expelled from a sacred ground, Liu Shan showed no sign of despair. On the contrary, he held his head high, face glowing with confidence.

“Greetings, Father,” Liu Shan bowed respectfully.

Seeing his son, a rare smile appeared on Liu Jianrang’s face. He casually tossed the secret report to him.

“The one you’ve been waiting for is here.”

Liu Shan’s eyes gleamed with a cold light as he read the message. A cruel smile curved on his lips.

“I knew he’d show up!”

“What are you planning?” Liu Jianrang asked, glancing at him.

Liu Shan cupped his hands and replied,

“Father, the Heaven-Smiting Sacred Ground has occupied that position for far too long. It’s time our Liu family made a move.”

Liu Jianrang frowned. Even though he’d anticipated this response, hearing it voiced so bluntly still left him a bit shaken.

Liu Shan continued solemnly,

“Father, the stars have shifted. The era of great struggle has begun. This might be our only chance.”

Liu Jianrang slowly nodded.

“Go inform ‘that one’—the Whirlwind Dynasty will fully cooperate.”

Joy bloomed on Liu Shan’s face. It seemed Chen Fei had become his lucky star. Without Chen Fei’s sudden appearance, perhaps his father wouldn’t have made such a swift decision.

“I’ll deliver the message to that lord. As for Chen Fei… I’ll deal with him myself.”

“Go,” Liu Jianrang said, waving his hand.

Once Liu Shan had left, Liu Jianrang walked to the entrance of the hall and coldly ordered,

“Kill them all.”

Immediately, a group of black-robed assassins appeared and began slaughtering all the guards within the hall.

Despite their pleading, Liu Jianrang’s expression remained cold and emotionless.

When the bloodshed was over, he stepped into the sunlight. Compared to the gloom inside the palace, the warmth felt like a rare comfort.

“Send word to General Lan Hu of Sanbian City—begin the invasion.”

He glanced up at the blazing sun overhead. A black-red aura slowly rose from his body as he turned and stepped back into the throne room.

Sanbian City.

When General Lan Hu received the military order, a savage grin curled across his face.

He had waited far too long for this day.

“All troops, move out! Leave no life in your path—slaughter everything!”

With a wave of his hand, the elite forces of the Whirlwind Dynasty split into three divisions and launched a full-scale assault on the neighboring Great Zhou and Great Li kingdoms.

Thus began the end of the fragile peace between the great nations of the Xuanhuang Continent.

The entire Tiandang Mountain region was dragged into the quagmire of war.

This day would later be remembered as the beginning of a blood-soaked decade—one of the most brutal eras in the continent’s history.

At this moment, Chen Fei remained oblivious to how serious things had become.

In fact, he was currently enjoying himself in Linnan City, a southern outpost of the Whirlwind Dynasty located just over 300 li from Tiandang Mountain.

With his strength, he could reach the mountain in the time it takes to brew a pot of tea.

Compared to the barren mountain region, Linnan City was a cozy, lively place.

Chen Fei was seated along the busiest street, sipping Qingming tea and listening to local ballads unique to the Tiandang region. The ordinary hustle and bustle gave him a rare moment of inner peace.

Suddenly, he sensed a surge of spiritual energy heading his way.

Turning slightly, he looked down—and saw a familiar face.

Liu Shan.

Their eyes met. Liu Shan smiled and walked up the stairs to the teahouse.

“Chen Fei! Long time no see,” he said as he sat across from him.

Chen Fei raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“This is the Whirlwind Dynasty,” Liu Shan replied, narrowing his eyes. “You didn’t expect to see me? Are you underestimating my country’s capabilities… or do you think I’m not qualified to sit across from you?”

Chen Fei rubbed his chin. “Oh right, I forgot you’re from the Whirlwind Dynasty. I also didn’t expect you’d leave the Heaven-Smiting Sacred Ground.”

“Heh.” Liu Shan let out a cold laugh, his gaze filled with hatred. “Seems like everyone underestimated you. But aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you for showing your face here?”

“Will you?” Chen Fei calmly asked in return.

Liu Shan burst into laughter. His loud voice drew attention from the customers and interrupted the performance of the teahouse’s singer.

An attendant rushed over. “Sir, please lower your—”

Before he could finish, Liu Shan grabbed the man by the throat and, in front of everyone, snapped his neck.

Chen Fei frowned at Liu Shan’s savage expression.

“Call the authorities! That man just killed someone in broad daylight!”

“Too outrageous! No matter who he is, committing murder like this will cost him dearly!”

Liu Shan showed no remorse. Instead, he sneered,

“I am the Crown Prince of the Whirlwind Dynasty. Who dares to arrest me?”

Instantly, the once lively teahouse fell into dead silence.

Chen Fei looked at Liu Shan with a hint of surprise.

His behavior was utterly erratic—bordering on madness. It was as if he wanted to destroy his own kingdom’s credibility.

Didn’t he realize this could destabilize the entire dynasty?

Almost as if reading Chen Fei’s mind, Liu Shan chuckled and said,

“Relax. No one here will be leaving alive today. When the world hears the news that the personal disciple of the Heaven-Smiting Sacred Ground’s Patriarch went berserk and massacred Linnan City… well, won’t that be quite the headline?”

Chen Fei raised a brow.

Openly framing someone for a massacre?

This guy might really have lost his mind.