Just like the Song clan, the Nie clan is considered one of the twelve major noble clans in the Phoenix Empire and is one of the six noble clans that reside within the Imperial city and is responsible for six ministries.
The only difference between them is that the Song clan oversees the ministry of public works while the Nie clan oversees the ministry of Revenue.
Usually, the Emperor should favor the current head of the Nie clan and the minister of revenue, Nie Ruogang, but with Song Yun's maternal cousin being the Commander of the Army, the current situation was in the Song clan's favor.
The officials cozy up to Song Yun, supporting him in every scheme that he presents in front of the Emperor.
Due to such reason, Nie clan is always in odds with Song clan in everything they do and try to cause trouble regarding taxes.
And if that wasn't enough, one year ago, the minister of law and justice, Zhang Lei got his eldest son engaged to Song Yue.
This marriage alliance between the two clans caused worry in other clans, including the three royal princes who don't want the third prince to gather too much support.
Crown Prince Manor, Imperial city;
Nie Ruogang, elders from Zhou and Han clans, a couple of generals, and a few other higher officials were invited to a feast held by Prince Shang Zexi.
As the Emperor is getting older, the crown prince is trying to make sure to keep maximum support behind him and at the same time, sabotaging the plans of his brothers and their supporters.
While he's in the middle of a discussion of creating a trap for the Zhang clan, a servant of him handed him a piece of paper while whispering something.
As soon as he read the letter, his facial expression changed.
"Your highness, is everything all right?" Nie Ruogang asked him.
Just then, Shang Zexi broke out into a smile, "everything is alright. I need you to talk about something, later."
The moment Nie Ruogang saw the smile on the crown prince, he understood it is a piece of good news, but since Shang Zexi isn't intending to say it in public, it must be top confidential information that the prince doesn't want to leak out.
So, he didn't probe it further and accepted the prince's command.
One by one, the guests left the building. Only the crown prince and the minister of Revenue are present.
"Brother Nie, there's a piece of information regarding my third brother. He's going out on a private hunting trip with Zhang Kong, Song Yue, and Lin Wuying's daughter.
That brat must be trying to woo her to acquire the Lin clan's support. Hmpf…"
Nie Ruogang's facial expression turned serious. "Our clan is at your service. Please state your order, your highness."
"Just need a little bit of your help. Xu sect will take care of the rest." The crown prince then explained his plan.
After hearing everything, Nie Ruogang clenched his fist, trying to calm down his excitement. For the past year, Nie Ruogang was waiting for a chance to foil this alliance.
Now, it seemed like the apple itself fell on his lap without the need to climb the tree. How could he let the chance away…
He wants to take advantage of this situation and assassinate both of them. With the death of the third prince, no one would think that he's the one behind it.
***
One week later;
A team of eight entered the forest of Bloodhill, the homeland of Werewolves, wild boars, giant bears, and so on.
This tropical forest that lies on the northern part of the Phoenix Empire constantly acted as a barrier for tiny southern empires against the invincible empire of Leon that rules most of the central part of the continent.
It practically divides the southern part of the Vermilion bird continent from the north.
Due to the forest spanning more than 15 million sq. km that was filled with even eight circle beast, the northern kingdoms and empire never dared to even cross over, much less invading the southern kingdoms and empires.
The only way for the northerners to come down is by flying. Because of the dangers, no normal person would ever dare to go on such a journey. If one doesn't want to face danger, they can only go around and travel for thousands of kilometers to reach the south.
Still, this dangerous forest was always packed with adventurers as it was abundant in ether crystals which will be helpful to improve one's ether energy.
Some adventurers go hunting down the monsters and man-eating trees as their corpses can be used as a material for graded weapons, pills, elixirs, etc…
A team of ten entered the forest. Four of them wore standard gold-grade armor and weapons. Every one of the soldiers is atleast a four-circle warrior. They were escorting Song Yue, her two maids, her fiancée Zhang Kong, her best friend Lin Xue, and the third prince Shang Wei.
Their purpose is neither the corpses nor the ether crystals. It was only to hunt down the beasts for fun.
And at the same time, the third prince also wanted to woo the daughter of Lin Wuying, who is serving as the minister of Personnel.
With the Lin clan holding the power to control the appointments of the officials excluding the military, once the third prince marries this Lin clan's heiress, he would be able to manipulate the system to his will and might even become the Emperor.
However, the third prince didn't have that kind of intention at all. He was just in love with her while the latter disdains him, mainly because of his average appearance.
Despite knowing that looks were the number one priority for her, Shang Wei still was hoping to impress her with his strength.
The forest was divided into several sectors on a scale of 9 to 0 with the outermost 3 layers considered less dangerous and almost safe for those who are below 4-circle.
Right now, the third prince and his acquaintances entered sector-9 where the area almost seems devoid of monsters and ether crystals as many adventures explore in the region.
After walking for several hours, they entered sector-8.
After a long walk, the third prince said that they will take a rest. As the soldiers set up the tent, he spread the map on the ground, "If I'm not wrong, soon, we will enter this area."
"Festhorn?" Lin clan's princess frowned as she read the name written on the map. "Isn't this place full of wild boars? I thought we are going to Nurwhir to hunt down the goblins."