Chapter 26: The Crown Prince Descends
Jiang Chen forced his breathing to steady, suppressing the fury churning within. The revelation that Wu Shu had orchestrated the massacre of his clan left a bitter taste in his mouth. Yet he knew better than to act on impulse. Patience was key—patience, and a clear mind.
The masked man broke the silence at last. "You’ve heard enough, Jiang Chen. But there’s more to this tale than you realize."
"Oh?" Jiang Chen’s voice was low.
The masked figure nodded. "Wu Shu isn’t just a powerful heir. He is the current Crown Prince of the Wu Imperial Clan."
Jiang Chen’s eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "And?"
The masked man paused before continuing. "Neither Wu Shu nor his father, Emperor Wu Cheng, holds firm standing in court anymore. The old case from a thousand years ago—the exile of your ancestor Wu Jiang—has resurfaced. Many clan elders are using it to challenge the emperor’s authority. Some have even begun to speak in favor of reinstating the Jiang bloodline."
Jiang Chen’s jaw tightened. "So... they acknowledge the truth now, but only because it suits their purposes. Not because they believe it."
The masked man gave a faint nod. "Politics seldom deal in belief. Only advantage."
His tone sharpened. "But you must understand—Wu Shu’s hatred goes deeper than any political dispute. It was his father, Emperor Wu Cheng, who engineered the downfall of Wu Jiang. The Jiang Clan was born from that exile... and now, it seems, he wishes to erase that mistake by snuffing it out completely."
A chill ran down Jiang Chen’s spine. He had long suspected this, but to hear it confirmed was something else entirely. His thirst for vengeance was no longer just for his parents and kin. It was a matter of justice—for an entire lineage wronged and forgotten.
"But why now?" he muttered. "Why does Wu Shu still see the Jiang Clan as a threat? We’ve been in exile for a thousand years. Even if we return, what power do we have to challenge the Imperial Clan?"