After the three great upper sects had left, only Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe remained in the study. The aura of imperial majesty he had kept up completely collapsed.
"Bang—!!!"
With a loud crash, Xue Ye could no longer suppress the anger swirling in his chest and slammed the rosewood imperial case in front of him.
"What good fellows! Splitting into three sects! What a classic Ning style! All of them… what they seek is death!"
Xue Ye's chest heaved violently, his face pale, and his voice a bit hoarse and low from the intense anger.
Since ascending the throne, he had never tasted such humiliation. The dignified emperor of the empire was being herded and forced by multiple sect masters, half coerced, half calculated, intending to canonize the theoretical clown known across the continent as a marquis, at the cost of his own imperial dignity.
Not only was this a challenge to his personal authority, it was also stomping on the face of the Heaven Dou royal family without restraint.
Just for this, Ning Fengzhi had already signed his own death sentence in Xue Ye's heart.
Xue Qinghe quickly stepped forward and crouched down, silently tidying up the scattered items on the floor. As he picked up each memorial tablet, dusted them, and set the overturned pen holder straight, his voice carried a mix of concern and contempt.
"Father, please calm your anger and take care of your dragon body. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is our Heaven Dou's guardian sect, and now it's even more deeply involved with the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, whose influence is spreading everywhere. It's best to endure for now."
Considering the empire's overall situation, his words sounded like a comfort, but the deliberately suppressed unwillingness and humiliation within only aggravated Xue Ye's wounds.
"Guardian sect? Hah!
What Ning Fengzhi did today—he claims to be the guardian of Heaven Dou, yet he dares look the emperor in the eye?"
The more Xue Ye spoke, the angrier he became, pacing back and forth in the now-messy imperial study.
"He keeps saying he's thinking of the empire and the future of soul masters. Listen to his words: recommend that wastrel as state teacher and board of education, and send you to be his apprentice!
At what cost? If in the future we draw the enmity of the Body Sect, it is my Heaven Dou's face at risk, and in the end, it is Ning Fengzhi who invites the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as an ally.
They take all the benefits, but the risks and costs are borne by me and Heaven Dou. How can such good things exist in this world?!"
This was the real root of Xue Ye's anger: the feeling of being used. How could the emperor suffer such humiliation?
Xue Ye took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing his irritable mood, and turned to look at Xue Qinghe.
"Qinghe, how is your relationship with Chen Yi these days?"
Xue Qinghe looked up, answering with a slightly satisfied expression,
"To answer Father, your child and Brother Chen Yi share a similar temperament, and we've been corresponding frequently. Though Brother Chen comes from a prestigious family, he's down-to-earth and we get along well."
Hearing this, Xue Ye's expression finally softened a bit.
"Not bad! Qinghe, you did well!"
Xue Ye stepped over to Xue Qinghe and lightly patted his son's shoulder.
"If you can maintain this friendship, and ensure a solid personal bond between the Heaven Dou royal family and the future master of the Body Sect, what do today's little power plays and coercion from the three upper sects matter?"
The upper three sects couldn't be fully trusted, nor could the empire's own calculations be carried out one after another; thus, finding a stronger ally was essential. The Body Sect was undoubtedly the best target.
At this, Xue Ye's face suddenly showed a hint of regret, and he sighed,
"It's a pity that there's so much going on with Shui Bing'er and Chen Yi. If you could've married her, not only would the proud daughter of the Body Sect be tied to my Heaven Dou royal carriage, but our relationship with the Body Sect could have grown closer. It would be killing two birds with one stone."
He still regretted missing out on Shui Bing'er. When Shui Bing'er revealed her top-tier martial soul and innate full soul power, Xue Ye wished he could have knocked his head against the floor in frustration.
Xue Qinghe also sighed, echoing,
"Father, what you said is true. The relationship between Shui Bing'er and Brother Chen is now clear—there's no hope for that match."
Qian Renxue did not agree, even feeling Xue Ye was being a bit whimsical. How could a mere Heaven Dou crown prince attract the proud daughter of the world's number one sect?
Xue Ye also realized things could not be forced, so he shook his head and suppressed his regret.
"That's that. Let's not dwell on the past. The Body Sect has many geniuses—there must be other outstanding female soul masters."
"Qinghe, in future dealings with Chen Yi, pay more attention. When the time is right, try to promote a union with the Body Sect.
If we can form a marital alliance, my Heaven Dou and the Body Sect will have a true alliance of interests. When the time comes, what would the three upper sects count for?"
"Your son understands and will do his utmost for the empire."
Xue Qinghe bowed his head respectfully, showing no sign of objection.
Xue Ye nodded in satisfaction, glancing at the remaining mess on the floor. A cold light flashed in his eyes as the emperor's ruthlessness and decisiveness returned.
"Qinghe, go back and arrange things. Spread the word that today in the imperial study, Ning Fengzhi dared compare that useless Yu Xiaogang to the founder of Heaven Dou, and even wanted to grant the title of 'Marquis of Wisdom' by that reckless Yu Yuanzhen."
Xue Qinghe immediately understood Xue Ye's intentions—among Heaven Dou's hereditary prince, which were not from real power factions?
Their ancestors had all made extraordinary contributions to the empire. How could the clown of the soul master world, Yu Xiaogang, be judged by Ning Fengzhi and tarnish their ancestors' glory?
The news of this incident would inevitably provoke strong dissatisfaction and even hostility from the royals toward Ning Fengzhi and the three upper sects.
There were also new nobles and easier-to-handle ones. Today's Heaven Dou Empire Marshal Ge Long was just a marquis.
And the title "Marquis of Wisdom" would directly anger the Body Sect Grand Elder known as "Wisdom Brain Douluo." Once that news reached the Body Sect, how would they react?
"I understand. This matter will be handled properly, leaving no trace."
…
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Ning Fengzhi, Tang Xiao, and Yu Yuanzhen gathered again, but the atmosphere was very different from the palace.
Ning Fengzhi held a teacup, gently blew the floating leaves, and spoke slowly,
"Today's events… it seems His Majesty… in the end, we do not share the same heart."
Tang Xiao snorted coldly, his gaze icy.
"Not just a different heart. His posture of pressing and blocking us shows exactly what's in his mind."
"The Body Sect's powerful rise has given His Majesty both confidence and options. In his eyes, we are just the third faction. Unfortunately, that's not all."
Yu Yuanzhen finally reacted fully, recalling the overly formal Blue Lightning Marquis from that Xue Emperor. He clenched his fists, trembling, his eyes brimming with killing intent as he spoke coldly,
"Hmph! For an old man sitting on the throne by relying on his ancestors' foundation to so disdain me—since he refuses to act properly, then it's up to us to make him act right!"
Ning Fengzhi set down his cup and looked at Tang Xiao,
"Master Tang, if I recall correctly, among the medicinal offerings your sect sent every year, weren't there those tiger and wolf tonics?"
Tang Xiao's pupils contracted slightly, immediately understanding the meaning behind Ning Fengzhi's words.
He stared hard at Ning Fengzhi. The ruthlessness of this Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect master once again exceeded his expectations—no wonder he could lead the sect so high.
"Yes, there may still be some sealed finished products in the sect. These tonics are very potent, especially for the weak and elderly… wonderful supplements with a poisonous edge."
Ning Fengzhi's face betrayed no emotion, as if discussing a trivial matter,
"His Majesty's health seems rather frail. For the empire's stability and His Majesty's dragon-body health, as courtiers, we should certainly find ways to show our loyalty with some supplements."
A cold glint flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes as he replied icily,
"Understood. The medicine will be sent later. How it is used will all depend on Sect Master Ning's arrangements."
"With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's methods, I believe it won't be hard to get His Majesty to accept this 'favor.'"
Yu Yuanzhen listened on, a cold sneer escaping his lips. That old man from the snowy night was aged, his body no longer at its peak.
If tiger and wolf poison truly supplemented him, the day the dragon returned to the heavens might not be far off.
…