"Starting today, we monitor Xu Yanci closely."
Zheng Guanbao clenched his little fist as he spoke.
Though the 18 Tiger Generals were all kids, each came from a powerful background. So the influence they wielded was surprisingly massive—and their efficiency was even more astonishing.
"We've found something."
"Got the info—Xu Yanci, the Sixth Prince, the Fourth Prince, and 20 other enemies plan to gather at Apricot Blossom Restaurant tomorrow. I'm sure they're up to no good."
The tiny crew was buzzing with excitement.
"Good, we finally caught their tail!"
Zheng Guanbao said, thrilled, "I'll head to Autumn Water Courtyard now and report to His Highness."
Not long after, Yang Cheng met with Zheng Guanbao and learned the news.
"Yang Xiu already connected with so many people without making a sound?"
Yang Cheng raised an eyebrow.
Looking over the names on Zheng Guanbao's list, he recognized many of them—they were Yang Xiu's future trusted lieutenants.
"Looks like Yang Xiu's been secretly working with Lu Jingshu all along. Only Lu Jingshu would know this future info and leak it to him."
What seemed like a simple gathering gave Yang Cheng quite a bit of valuable intel.
"Tell all the Tiger Generals to gather outside Autumn Water Courtyard tomorrow, at a quarter past noon. We'll head straight to Apricot Blossom Restaurant."
The next day.
Yang Cheng, Shen Muxue, Lin Shu, and the 18 Tiger Generals gathered outside Autumn Water Courtyard.
Tang Xingyu tagged along, curious.
Cheng Junyi couldn't help laughing and crying at once. But knowing Yang Cheng never acted recklessly, she didn't stop him—she was even happy to see it.
In her eyes, Yang Cheng was always too steady.
Seeing him act like a real child for once made her feel comforted.
"My brave generals."
Yang Cheng stood on a chair. "Today, we're launching a crucial battle. The goal is to crush the enemy faction led by Xu Yanci."
"This will be our first public show of force."
"If we win, we'll be famous across the world. If we lose, we'll also be famous."
"One earns glory, the other earns shame."
"So, do you want to be mocked and looked down on, or do you want to command respect and admiration?"
"Of course we want respect!"
"No shame allowed!"
The Tiger Generals responded.
"Good."
Yang Cheng said, "Then fight with everything you've got. We must win this war. Victory to the brave!"
"Victory to the brave!"
"Victory!"
The kids were fired up.
Under Yang Cheng's lead, they marched proudly and boldly toward Apricot Blossom Restaurant.
Fifteen minutes later.
The guards at Apricot Blossom Restaurant's entrance saw a group of kids approaching.
They tried to stop them—but were immediately overwhelmed by powerful, threatening auras.
The guards froze, afraid to move.
The kids walked right in like they owned the place.
Top floor of Apricot Blossom Restaurant.
Another group of kids had already gathered.
This group was slightly older on average than Yang Cheng's—some were even 14 years old.
"My friends, I know many of you still don't respect me. You think I'm too young."
Yang Xiu said, "But I won't use my status to pressure you. If anyone disagrees, feel free to challenge me in a spar."
"I disagree."
"Me too."
Several teens stood up.
All of them were 12 or older, and clearly unwilling to obey a 3-year-old like Yang Xiu.
"You can come at me all together."
Yang Xiu said proudly.
"One of me is enough."
A 12-year-old boy charged at him.
Bang!
Yang Xiu threw a punch, knocking him back instantly.
Then, Yang Xiu launched a fierce assault against every challenger in the room.
None of them could resist.
All those who had doubted Yang Xiu were soundly defeated.
Everyone watching suddenly looked at Yang Xiu with deep respect.
"People say the Crown Prince is incredible, but I think the Sixth Prince is way better."
"The Crown Prince's fame just comes from hype. The Sixth Prince is the real deal. If they ever fought, he'd crush the Crown Prince."
Soon the flattery started flowing.
Bang!
Right then, the door burst open with a kick.
"Who are you?"
The kids inside were furious.
Yang Xiu and Xu Yanci both looked toward the door—and saw Yang Cheng leading the charge.
"You!"
Both of them were fuming.
Yang Cheng grinned. "Attack!"
Lin Shu and Shen Muxue blocked the doorway while the 18 Tiger Generals charged into the room.
They struck first and hard, completely catching Yang Xiu's group off guard.
Yang Cheng didn't just stand by either—he launched a two-pronged assault, taking on both Yang Xiu and Xu Yanci by himself.
The moment he started fighting, the morale of Yang Xiu's group collapsed.
They'd just been praising Yang Xiu's power, thinking he was unbeatable.
Now they saw that even Yang Xiu and Xu Yanci together weren't a match for Yang Cheng alone.
What was the point of fighting?
Yang Xiu and Xu Yanci were furious and shocked.
But right then, they both realized something—Yang Cheng was even stronger than they'd expected.
That could only mean one thing—he'd been holding back before.
"Damn it."
Yang Xiu and Xu Yanci tried to resist.
Then Yang Cheng's fists rained down like a storm, every strike landing precisely on the weakest points of their defenses—like he'd already seen through every flaw in their techniques.
"How can this be?!"
Blood spilled from the corner of Xu Yanci's mouth, his eyes full of disbelief. "How do you know all my sword moves so well?"
Yang Xiu's face darkened even more.
He realized that the martial techniques he had painstakingly trained were like child's play in front of Yang Cheng. Every time he tried to activate his true qi, Yang Cheng would interrupt his meridian nodes ahead of time.
Soon, the private room was in shambles.
The 18 Tiger Generals had already subdued the other boys and now stood stunned, watching their Crown Prince show overwhelming power.
Yang Cheng dusted his hands and swept his gaze around the room. "This is the outcome of following Yang Xiu and Xu Yanci. Take my advice and think twice before you choose your side."
The boys who had been praising Yang Xiu earlier now looked as pale as ash.
"Outrageous."
A sharp voice rang out.
Several officials from Great Zhou stepped inside.
The one in front was none other than Xu An, Vice Minister of Works.
"Father."
Xu Yanci lowered his head in shame.
Xu An's face turned even uglier.
He stared straight at Yang Cheng and said harshly, "Crown Prince, do you admit your wrongdoing?"
The other kids all tensed up. They had an instinctive fear of elders.
But Yang Cheng stayed calm. "Minister Xu, and what exactly have I done wrong?"
"You are the Crown Prince, yet instead of focusing on proper learning, you lead a gang of children to brawl in public. If that's not wrong, then what is?"
Xu An's tone grew even more stern.
Yang Cheng said, "Sparring is common in the martial world. Minister Xu, there's no need to make a fuss."
"But if this displeases you, then fine—I'll admit I shouldn't have fought here. I'll compensate for the damage to Apricot Blossom Restaurant. Will that satisfy you?"
"Stubborn and unruly."
Xu An grew more aggressive. "You are the Crown Prince. You cannot be judged by common standards. You should set an example for others."
"Oh? Then how does Minister Xu think I should behave?"
Yang Cheng fixed his gaze on him.
Xu An said coldly, "If you were my disciple, I'd have you kneel and be punished. But since you are the Crown Prince, I'll let that slide. Now stretch out your hand. I'll strike you with a board so you remember this mistake."
"Strike me with a board?"
Yang Cheng chuckled. "And just what authority are you using to do this?"
"Ministers have always had the right to advise the ruler. I can advise even His Majesty—so why not the Crown Prince?"
Xu An said confidently.
"Then you mean to say, you'd dare to strike my father too?"
Yang Cheng asked.
"Stop twisting words."
Xu An snapped, "His Majesty is in his prime, so we only advise him. But you, Crown Prince, are still young and prone to mistakes. When necessary, you must be punished too."
"And given your age, I imagine His Majesty will soon assign you a teacher in conduct and virtue. If so, I may even become your instructor."
Xu Yanci also smiled at this point. "Crown Prince, stop being stubborn. Accept your punishment quickly—it'll be less embarrassing if you just get it over with."
"Looks like Minister Xu is quite the paragon of virtue."
Yang Cheng sighed.
"My father's virtue is widely praised across all of Great Zhou."
Xu Yanci said proudly.
Da-da-da...
Before his voice finished, footsteps rang out from outside.
"Royal Guard on duty! All unrelated persons, step aside!"
A group of martial officers wearing fish-dragon robes marched in.
Everyone around quickly made way, fear written on their faces. No one dared block them.
The Royal Guard were the Emperor's eyes and ears. Their authority was immense. Having handled countless major cases, they were notorious among both scholars and commoners alike.
No one wanted to mess with the Royal Guard.
The man in front had a cold, sharp face.
He locked eyes on Xu An and said grimly, "Vice Minister Xu, your matter has come to light. You'll need to come with us."
Xu An's whole body trembled, though he tried to stay composed. "Vice Commander Chen, there must be some misunderstanding here?"
This cold-faced man was none other than Chen Yu, the Royal Guard's deputy commander—its second-highest officer.
Xu An hadn't expected the Royal Guard to show up for him—and definitely not under Chen Yu's lead.
"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, we'll investigate once you're at the Royal Guard's headquarters."
Chen Yu said darkly.
"I am Vice Minister of Works! A Xu clansman!"
Xu An still tried to pull rank.
But Chen Yu had no patience left. He waved his hand. "Take him!"
Two elite Royal Guard officers stepped forward, restrained Xu An, and locked him in shackles.
The officials who had come with Xu An stayed silent the whole time, not daring to utter a word.
Watching this unfold, Xu Yanci—who had just been beaming with pride—now looked ghostly pale.