In this chaotic world of vying for power, I can become stronger by marrying a wife.

"Rise," the Emperor waved his hand. "I heard that you decisively defeated the barbarian army at Jing'an City, killing Princes Tuoba Lie and Tuoba Hong. Is that true?"

"Your Majesty, this is indeed true."

"Excellent!" The Emperor slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "I knew it! I hadn't misjudged him!"

"Su Ming, do you know why I summoned you to the capital?"

"I do not know."

"Because I'm going to give you a chance." The Emperor walked up to Su Ming, "a chance to bring down the Crown Prince."

Su Ming's pupils contracted. "Your Majesty, what's wrong...?"

"I know the Crown Prince is colluding with the Demonic Sect, and I know he wants your life," the Emperor said calmly. "But I cannot directly harm him, because he is the Crown Prince, the heir apparent of the Great Zhou."

"Therefore, I need you to help me find concrete evidence that the Crown Prince is colluding with the Demonic Sect."

"With evidence, I can rightfully depose him."

Su Ming remained silent for a moment, then took out the letter from the high priest and the black-robed man's token from his robes. "Your Majesty, this is the evidence I found in Jing'an City."

The emperor took the letter and the token, glanced at them, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes.

"Good, very good!"

"With this evidence, I can take action against him!"

The Emperor put away the letter and token and looked at Su Ming.

"Su Ming, I ask you, are you willing to help me overthrow the Crown Prince?"

"Your subject is willing," Su Ming replied without hesitation.

"Excellent!" the Emperor laughed heartily. "I knew I hadn't misjudged him!"

"From this day forward, you are the Commander of My Imperial Guards, commanding three thousand Imperial Guards, and are specifically responsible for investigating the Crown Prince's case!"

"I obey your decree!"

Just then, a cold voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Father, I have something to report."

Crown Prince Zhou Qian slowly walked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a faint smile on his face.

"General Su, how have you been?"

Su Ming looked at the Crown Prince as he walked in, his eyes slightly cold.

"Your Highness, it's been a long time."

"Yes, it's been a long time," Zhou Qian said with a smile. "I heard that General Su defeated the barbarian army in Jing'an City, so I came here to offer my congratulations."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"No need to be so polite." Zhou Qian walked up to the Emperor, bowed, and said, "Father, I heard that you have summoned General Su to the capital, so I came to see you."

"Oh?" The Emperor frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"I've heard that General Su has some evidence that I'm colluding with the Demonic Sect," Zhou Qian said calmly. "I've come here specifically to clarify this."

"Clarify?" The Emperor sneered. "What do you have to clarify?"

"Father, I am innocent!" Zhou Qian knelt on the ground. "I have never had any dealings with the Demonic Sect. All that evidence is fabricated."

"Forgery?" The Emperor threw the letter and token in front of him. "Then explain yourself, what's going on here?"

Zhou Qian glanced at the letter and the token, his expression changed slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

"Father, this letter was indeed written by the High Priest, but I have never seen it before."

"As for this token, I have no idea where it came from."

"Father, I suspect that someone is deliberately framing me."

"Framed?" the Emperor sneered. "Then tell me, who wants to frame you?"

"Your subject does not know," Zhou Qian said, bowing his head. "But your subject would never do such a treasonous thing as colluding with the Demonic Sect."

"Father, your son's loyalty to the Great Zhou is as clear as day!"

The Emperor looked at the kneeling Crown Prince, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Zhou Qian, do you really think I don't know what you're doing?"

"Father, I am truly innocent."

"Enough!" the Emperor roared. "I'm giving you three days to investigate this matter yourself."

"If you haven't found a solution in three days, I will investigate it myself!"

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhou Qian kowtowed, stood up, and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

As he reached the door, he glanced back at Su Ming, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Su Ming remained expressionless and met his gaze.

After the Crown Prince left, the Emperor sighed, "Su Ming, you see, the Crown Prince will not let this go."

"Your subject understands."

"Be careful these three days," the Emperor said in a deep voice. "The Crown Prince wields immense power in the capital. If he wanted to kill you, it would be as easy as turning his hand."

"I am not afraid," Su Ming said calmly.

"I know you're not afraid," the Emperor smiled, "but I'm afraid that if you die, I'll lose one more person I can use."

"So for the next three days, you will stay in the palace and are not allowed to go anywhere."

"Yes."

The Emperor waved his hand, "Li An, take General Su to the Imperial Guard camp to rest."

"Yes."

Li An led Su Ming away from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Walking along the imperial road, Li An suddenly spoke, "General Su, do you know why the Crown Prince is not afraid of His Majesty?"

"I would like to hear the details."

"Because the Crown Prince holds military power," Li An said calmly. "Half of the 300,000 Imperial Guards in the capital are the Crown Prince's men."

"If the Crown Prince truly intends to rebel, even His Majesty cannot stop him."

Su Ming frowned. "Then why doesn't His Majesty reclaim military power?"

"Take it back?" Li An gave a wry smile. "Easier said than done."

"The Crown Prince has been managing the capital for many years and has a deep-rooted foundation. If Your Majesty forcibly takes back his military power, it will only force him to rebel."

"So His Majesty has been waiting, waiting for an opportunity."

"What opportunity?"

"A legitimate opportunity to depose the crown prince." Li An glanced at Su Ming. "And you are that opportunity."

Su Ming was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I see."

The two arrived at the Imperial Guard Camp, and Li An left after settling Su Ming in.

Su Ming sat in the room, closing his eyes to rest.

A system notification sounded.

[Ding! Mission updated!]

[Mission: Find concrete evidence of the Crown Prince's collusion with the Demonic Sect within three days!]

[Mission Rewards: 1000 Luck Points, 1 Special Item "Substitute Puppet"!]

[Mission Failed: Host Dead!]

Su Ming opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

Three days is enough.

……

The Imperial Guard Battalion, located on the west side of the palace, was the last line of defense protecting imperial power.

As Su Ming followed Li An into the camp, a chilling atmosphere immediately enveloped him.

Three thousand elite guards lined up for drills, the sound of their armor rubbing together in perfect unison.

"General Su, this is the Imperial Guard Battalion." Li An pointed to a burly general in front of him. "That is Deputy Commander Zhao Meng, a peak fifth-rank cultivator, and also a cousin of the Crown Prince."

Su Ming followed the gaze and saw Zhao Meng staring at him coldly, his eyes filled with undisguised murderous intent.

"Lord Li, the imperial edict is here. Su Ming is to assume the position of commander. Why don't you all pay your respects?" Li An raised the imperial edict high, his voice resounding throughout the hall.

The entire hall was silent; the three thousand guards remained motionless, as if they hadn't heard a thing.

Zhao Meng stepped forward and sneered, "Lord Li, the Imperial Guard only recognizes the strong. What right does a peasant from the border have to tell us what to do?"

"The imperial edict is here. Do you intend to defy it?" Li An's face darkened.

"I dare not disobey the imperial decree, but according to military rules, a new officer must pass three tests." Zhao Meng cracked his neck, his bones popping. "General Su, if you can withstand three of my punches and survive, you can take the commander's position; if you can't, then get out of the capital!"