With Ge Long's passing, the three present stood silently for a long moment.
"A loyal man, just not one who could serve our cause," sighed the Jiang Mo Douluo. "Tuoba Xi, do you still remember the Young Master's plan?"
"Your Excellency, rest assured. The army is firmly under my control, and there will be no mishaps. Everything will proceed according to the Young Master's arrangements."
"I previously dispatched a trusted subordinate to return to the Heavenly Dou capital. They will ensure that news of Ge Long's death reaches the Young Master on the day of the coronation ceremony."
"That's good," the Jiang Mo Douluo nodded. " Ling Yuan and I will remain here for a while, but we won't interfere with your actions."
"Once this matter is concluded, you may go to Spirit Hall to seek the cultivation insights you desire. They should aid you in breaking through to the Title Douluo rank."
"Yes, Tuoba Xi is endlessly grateful."
The Jiang Mo Douluo waved his hand. "If you've earned the Young Master's trust, then you're one of us. Spirit Hall doesn't engage in empty formalities."
Spirit Hall was not like Sea God Island, where faith was enforced.
You could believe in the Angel God or not. It was all about fate.
"What do you intend to do about Ge Long?" the Ling Yuan Douluo asked Tuoba Xi.
With the myriad of strange Spirits out there, even making the dead speak might be possible.
"According to Marshal Ge Long's final wishes, his remains will be cremated and scattered over the Fasnuo Province, symbolizing his determination to guard the empire's safety, even in death."
Tuoba Xi spoke with an air of righteousness.
Blue Luan: "..."
Jiang Mo Douluo: "..."
Damn, who would've thought this thick-browed, big-eyed guy would go as far as scattering his ashes to the wind.
Heavenly Dou Empire.
The coronation ceremony for the new emperor proceeded as scheduled.
Just as the ceremony was nearing its end, a messenger riding a fast horse arrived at the coronation grounds with an urgent dispatch.
The three Soul Douluo-level academy elders, entrusted with this critical task, took the dispatch from the messenger and handed it to Xue Qinghe.
Upon reading the contents of the letter, Xue Qinghe's face darkened with imperial fury.
"Damn you, Xue Beng! How dare you?!"
The succession ceremony was hastily concluded, and Xue Qinghe returned to the Heavenly Dou imperial palace.
On the way, Ning Fengzhi learned of the urgent dispatch, which involved the death of the Heavenly Dou Empire's Grand Marshal, Ge Long.
Marshal Ge Long had been assassinated in the military camp, and the assassin had left behind a jade pendant belonging to a retainer of Prince Xue Xing.
Watching Xue Qinghe's flawless acting skills, Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly:
"This is truly masterful!"
A general loyal to the Heavenly Dou Empire had been killed, and news of his assassination was deliberately delivered during Xue Qinghe's coronation.
The blame was then pinned on Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing—a move undoubtedly calculated with great care.
Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng were now in a situation where even if they weren't guilty, they looked it.
No one would have expected Xue Qinghe to pull such a move. Ge Long was still serving Xue Qinghe—what purpose would killing him serve?
Even if it were a case of "discarding the bow once the birds are gone," it wouldn't happen at this stage. The Xue Qinghe before them was merely "Xue Qinghe," and thus, such an act would be unthinkable.
But the ruthless mastermind behind this was Qian Renxue, backed by the vast might of Spirit Hall.
Ning Fengzhi made an excuse to Xue Qinghe and left with the Sword Douluo and the Bone Douluo.
The three of them planned to return to the hotel first, discuss the next steps with Ning Rongrong, and then return to the palace to meet Xue Qinghe. After all, she would have plenty of matters to deal with.
On their way back, Ning Fengzhi and his companions encountered people they would rather not have met.
Tang Xiao, Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San.
"Grandmaster Tang Xiao, what brings you here to intercept us?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a puzzled expression, looking at the trio who seemed to have been waiting for some time.
"It's like this, Uncle Ning," Tang San spoke first. "We've obtained a Heartbroken Acacia, and we'd like to confirm some details with you."
"Heartbroken Acacia?" Ning Fengzhi frowned. "There are other places in this world where such a divine herb exists? I must admit my ignorance."
"However, the Douluo Continent is vast, and it's not unusual for there to be extraordinary places."
"No, Sect Master Ning," Yu Xiaogang cut in eagerly. "We suspect that's not the case. This is Tang San's deduction—the Heartbroken Acacia we obtained is far too similar to the one you gave to Xue Qinghe."
"So, what are you trying to say?" Ning Fengzhi asked, perplexed.
"Fengzhi, let's discuss this later! Be wary of eavesdroppers," the Bone Douluo whispered in Ning Fengzhi's ear.
"Very well," Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Let's go to my place first. We can talk more there—it's not convenient to speak on the road."
The three of them exchanged glances, their prepared words stuck in their throats.
Before long, the group arrived at the hotel operated by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Dad? Oh, isn't this Sect Master Tang Xiao?" Ning Rongrong's voice carried a hint of surprise.
Through her perception, she already knew someone had come with Ning Fengzhi, but outwardly, she had to feign surprise, didn't she?
Ning Fengzhi looked around and asked curiously, "Where is Miss Kurumi?"
"She said she was a bit tired and went back to sleep."
Ning Fengzhi nodded and didn't press further.
"By the way, what happened with Emperor Qinghe earlier?"
Ning Rongrong had been with Tokisaki Kurumi and couldn't follow Ning Fengzhi the entire time. She had only observed the coronation from a distance.
When Xue Qinghe received the urgent dispatch, its contents remained unknown to her.
"Ah, something did happen. After Qinghe discusses matters with his ministers, I'll likely have to go to the palace as well."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was not subordinate to the Heavenly Dou Empire. As emperor, Xue Qinghe would first consult his ministers before deciding whether to seek advice from his teacher.
Even if this incident was likely orchestrated by Xue Qinghe herself, the formalities had to be observed.
"Sect Master Ning, what was the message the emperor received? Would it be possible to share?" Tang Xiao asked curiously.
"Unfortunately, though I am Qinghe's teacher, some matters are classified as state secrets. At least until Qinghe decides to make them public, I must maintain confidentiality as his mentor," Ning Fengzhi replied apologetically.
"I see," Tang Xiao nodded.
With Ning Fengzhi's stance made clear, pressing further would be inappropriate.
They had come today for another matter.
Once everyone was seated, Tang Xiao, as the formal representative, began:
"Sect Master Ning, we suspect that the Heartbroken Acacia given to Xue Qinghe has somehow fallen into Spirit Hall's hands. We were wondering if you could help us confirm this with the emperor."
"The Heartbroken Acacia was already given to Qinghe. What he does with it is his own affair," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "However, since Sect Master Tang Xiao wishes to know, why don't I accompany you to see Qinghe later?"
"That would be best," Tang Xiao agreed.
"I'm curious—how did you come to possess a Heartbroken Acacia?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a puzzled expression.
"It was gifted to us by someone acquainted with Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang. However, this person is from Spirit Hall," Tang Xiao explained.
"Spirit Hall..." Ning Fengzhi and the others frowned.
Those who had deduced the truth quickly pieced together the outline.
The person acquainted with Yu Xiaogang was likely Bibi Dong, who had also come to Heavenly Dou City but remained out of sight.
Honestly, what kind of mother would sabotage her own daughter like this?
Giving the Heartbroken Acacia to Yu Xiaogang was practically the same as outright declaring that Xue Qinghe was problematic or had questionable ties to Spirit Hall.
One had to wonder when Qian Renxue, who was impersonating Xue Qinghe, learned of this, would she explode in fury, crying and throwing a tantrum? So pitiful.
How fascinating!