Chapter 1876: Chapter 8: Brothers
The changes were truly too rapid.
Just earlier, at the festive banquet, Jiang Yuan was relentlessly pressuring Jiang Gao, intending to force him to drink poison and end his life. But Jiang Yuan’s confidence and flare over the past few years were undeniable, and Jiang Gao’s inherent nature.
Everything combined made Jiang Yuan overlook a possibility.
He overlooked Jiang Gao’s choice of a violent uprising.
The wine splashed to the ground, and the once-clear liquid dispersed instantly, releasing a pungent odor that caused those around to feel weak and unable to stand properly.
Jiang Gao’s peripheral vision caught sight of where the wine had spilled.
There was an extremely luxurious carpet, said to be impervious to water and untouchable by fire, yet in such a brief moment, it gradually transformed as if into wood, stone, and glass, crystal clear.
It’s Fei Poison!
Jiang Gao snatched the weapon from the guards, a sword measuring three feet and three inches, crafted from high-quality refined iron, considered a handy and effective weapon, but relying solely on this weapon to confront those ahead.
Even Jiang Gao had to feel a sense of powerless resentment.
What can be done, what can be done?!
He Ruoqinhu had already gripped his weapon, standing before Jiang Yuan. The surrounding swords and blades cried out, as guards and Imperial Army assembled early. He Ruoqinhu’s actions were almost instinctive, filled with a sense of unavoidable helplessness.
But looking at Jiang Gao holding the sword, confronting the troops, a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes, and in a moment of trance, he seemed to see Jiang Wanxiang of the past, equally young, with the same features, eyes aflame.
Back then, Jiang Wanxiang had the gall to swallow the world.
Now, Jiang Gao was filled with scorching anger.
A sudden transformation in chaotic times.
Even a ruler as gentle and benevolent as Jiang Gao.
Has finally transformed under such circumstances?
Alas, it’s too late.
Too late, Your Highness...
If only you possessed such spirit earlier, who could compete with you for the throne of Daying and the entire kingdom? The officials from Ying Country would undeniably recognize you as the successor.
But if not for the events during the four years of Da Ye.
Would you have changed so?
Jiang Yuan first retreated in shock, stepping back in fright, but upon seeing the Divine General, Nine-layered Heaven General He Ruoqinhu in front, with the guards arrayed around, finally calmed down, holding a wine glass, pointing at Jiang Gao, laughing loudly.
Laughing until tears were about to flow.
Utterly thrilled, overwhelmingly delighted, exceptionally carefree and unrestrained.
"Hahaha, I knew it, I knew it!"
"I knew it, you’re such a person, finally revealed your true colors didn’t you?! Jiang Gao, a gentleman? Hahaha."
"Just a hypocrite, that’s all!!"
Jiang Yuan’s laughter gradually faded, staring at his elder brother, his eyes filled with venom, saying:
"Take down this traitor and usurper!"
He Ruoqinhu sighed and held his weapon, Jiang Gao fearlessly embraced, knowing that today he wouldn’t likely escape, yet still like a fierce tiger or Azure Dragon, a true man can die but not be humiliated.
Yet, in his heart, there remained regret and unwillingness.
Resentful of why he hadn’t awakened sooner.
Close aides loyal to Jiang Yuan moved to seize Jiang Gao, but dared not draw their swords, though Jiang Gao’s martial skills were not weak, holding a sharp blade, intent on killing, merely evading as he suddenly thrust a sword into the heart of a minister who urged Jiang Yuan to indulge in pleasure.
The deadly sword sliced through flesh and heart, blood continuously flowed and dripped down.
Jiang Gao’s brave spirit weighed ever more heavily.
The surrounding courtiers smelled the blood, hesitating and dared not advance, He Ruoqinhu held weapon yet did not strike, the bloody scene not only made courtiers retreat but also provoked Jiang Yuan.
His eyebrows raised, eyes wide with fury, yelling: "Attack."
"Attack!"
"Kill him, and I’ll reward you with Marquis, Marquis!"
"Kill, kill him!"
The scent of blood only invigorates the beasts while driving the feeble mad.
Jiang Gao reached out, pressing the traitorous minister’s head, pushing his corpse to the ground, standing tall, raising his arm, the sword held diagonally, the blade touching the ground, blood dripping one drop at a time.
Jiang Gao stood upright like a pine tree, wearing the Prince’s usual attire, yet naturally exuded an inexplicable air of wealth, surrounded by Imperial Army holding spears pointed flatly ahead but momentarily dared not advance.
Jiang Gao gripped the sword, walking forward slowly.
The courtiers ahead, and the guards unconsciously retreated.
Even swarming in front of the robe-clad Jiang Yuan, similarly confused, not knowing for a moment who truly is the king.
With the long sword against the ground, the heart of the sword bearer seemed to ache.
Reflecting the panic-stricken eyes of the man in royal dragon robes ahead, Jiang Gao took step after step, his mind vaguely blank, the memories of days gone by surged and arose at this time.
’Brother, brother, sob sob sob...’
A five-year-old Jiang Yuan sat on a tree, looking at the ground, wailing.
At that time, the Empress was in poor health, Jiang Wanxiang’s temperament hadn’t yet become as grand and majestic as it would later but was instead confused with losing his life’s beloved, with a trace of unwillingness and fear in the turmoil.
