WebNovels

Chapter 215 - Chapter 215: All Are Master Actors

"Qian... Could it be Qian Renxue?" Ning Fengzhi's face showed shock.

"Oh, Teacher knows her name?" Xue Qinghe's tone was surprised. "It seems she didn't lie to me and indeed has some connection with you."

"No." Ning Fengzhi sighed and shook his head. "Qinghe, if the person you're talking about is Qian Renxue, then yes—Rongrong did meet her once a few years ago."

"Qian Renxue... A very good name. I truly hope she can become my empress. It's been a long time since I've met a remarkable woman who can understand and support my ideals," Xue Qinghe said with emotion.

Ning Fengzhi and the other two exchanged glances.

They silently thought: "How could she not support them? She agrees with them 100%."

Of course, none of them showed any obvious change in expression. Ning Fengzhi coughed lightly:

"Qinghe, it's good to have dreams, but she is from the Spirit Hall. Back then, she gave Rongrong a unique token—one that holds significant authority."

"Do you understand what that means?" Ning Fengzhi spoke earnestly.

"Yes, I understand. But the Heartbroken Acacia recognized her. I feel we're quite well-matched!"

"Does Teacher not support me? Is it because of potential conflicts between the Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? If so, what suggestions do you have?"

Xue Qinghe's tone carried a hint of dejection.

"That's not the case. Pursuing love is admirable, even for an emperor."

"I gave you the Heartbroken Acacia in hopes that you would one day find true love."

"Speaking of which, I imagine His Majesty Xue Ye would think the same way." Ning Fengzhi's gaze was profound.

"Yes, Father..."

Xue Qinghe let out a long sigh. After a moment, she composed herself.

"Teacher, what do you know about Qian Renxue? As they say, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' I wish to learn more about her."

"She said that the next time she visits, she hopes I can show her around the Heaven Dou Empire. I want to understand her better."

"This..."

Ning Fengzhi's eyelids twitched slightly, but his expression remained as steady as an old fox's.

"Qinghe, I don't know much about Qian Renxue. Even Rongrong has only met her once."

A few years ago, Ning Rongrong had taken Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan to the Craftsman Capital to recruit Lou Gao.

There, they encountered Qian Renxue and her group being hunted by the Dark Devilgod Tiger. They saved She Long and briefly crossed paths with Qian Renxue.

It seemed Ning Rongrong knew quite a bit about Qian Renxue, but Ning Fengzhi couldn't say that.

After some thought, Ning Fengzhi said: "When Rongrong mentioned Qian Renxue, her strength had just broken through to Soul Emperor."

"Given her talent, if she has worked hard these past few years, she might already be a Soul Sage."

"With such prodigious talent, it might be difficult for you to handle her."

"If you're not careful, you might end up losing the entire Heaven Dou Empire."

"In this regard, I somewhat agree with Sect Master Tang Xiao's opinion. I hope you will proceed with caution."

"That's true." Xue Qinghe rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. "Then let's wait and see. She did say she'd return soon, but I don't know exactly when."

"By the way, when did you meet Qian Renxue?" Ning Fengzhi inquired.

"Over half a month ago," Xue Qinghe replied.

"My subordinates and I went to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for a Soul Ring and happened to run into her there. She even helped me obtain my fourth Soul Ring."

Xue Qinghe released her "Swan" Martial Soul.

Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple—four Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath her feet.

"Not bad. Your strength has improved significantly." Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, satisfied with Xue Qinghe's progress.

"Alas, this is as far as I can go." Xue Qinghe sighed. "That's also why I gave the Heartbroken Acacia to that woman—to establish goodwill."

"As for whether I can win her affection... To be honest, I don't have high hopes."

After releasing her Martial Soul, Xue Qinghe finally voiced her "true" thoughts.

Unlike her earlier confidence, she now seemed almost disillusioned.

"Qinghe, a person without dreams is no better than a salted fish. As your teacher, I support you. You must win Qian Renxue over!" Ning Fengzhi clenched his fist in encouragement.

Xue Qinghe: "..."

I was just saying that—how did you actually believe it?

After some more small talk, the two finally turned to serious matters.

"Have you decided how to handle the assassination of Marshal Ge Long?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

"Yes, I've given it some thought." Xue Qinghe nodded. "The Holy Dragon Sect's master, Tuoba Xi, will succeed as Grand Marshal. However, Tuoba Xi lacks experience in leading armies, so for now, we can only focus on defense."

"I plan to use Ge Long's death to pressure the vassal states that have been disobedient, forcing the Balak Kingdom to act."

"If that fails, or if the Star Luo Empire makes any moves, I intend to..."

"Teacher, what are your thoughts on the Spirit Hall?" Xue Qinghe's voice carried a hint of hesitation.

"My thoughts?" Ning Fengzhi's gaze was distant. "As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's legacy continues, I don't particularly care what the Spirit Hall does."

"But as the ruler of the empire, I hope you will carefully consider the consequences before inviting the Spirit Hall to intervene."

"Moreover, unlike our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—which is purely a support sect—sects like the Clear Sky and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon are unlikely to approve of the Heaven Dou Empire allying further with the Spirit Hall."

"I see."

Xue Qinghe's eyes darkened in contemplation.

"So, Teacher doesn't hold much prejudice against the Spirit Hall, is that correct?"

"I wouldn't call it prejudice. Qinghe, as the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, you must consider the bigger picture and not act impulsively," Ning Fengzhi said earnestly.

"And I, after all, am the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. It's not appropriate for me to make decisions for you—the most I can do is offer advice."

"My suggestion is that you stabilize the situation over the next two years before deciding whether to wage war against the Balak Kingdom. Avoid exhausting the people and resources unnecessarily."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe nodded. "I understand, Teacher."

After a long discussion, Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo took their leave.

Outside the palace.

The Sword Douluo waved his hand, setting up a soundproof barrier around the three of them.

"Honestly, I almost couldn't hold it in," the Bone Douluo grumbled.

Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue had been spouting nonsense with straight faces—how did they manage to act so convincingly? It was absurd.

"Normal. Just think about Rongrong..."

Sword Douluo: "..."

Bone Douluo: "..."

Fair point. I have no rebuttal.

"Xue Qinghe plans to drag Qian Renxue into this? That probably wasn't the original plan."

Most likely, Tang Xiao's pressure forced her hand. And she was also testing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's stance.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head and stopped overthinking it.

He decided to return to the hotel first and discuss things with Ning Rongrong.

Inside the palace.

Xue Qinghe gazed silently in the direction where Ning Fengzhi and the others had left, her expression unreadable.

"It seems Teacher does understand me. But making Qian Renxue Xue Qinghe's wife and the Heaven Dou Empire's empress..."

"No matter how I think about it, it feels strange."

She had blurted it out in the heat of the moment, and now there was no taking it back—not that she had any intention to.

"It doesn't matter anymore." Xue Qinghe sighed, recalling the matter of the Heartbroken Acacia.

"Bibi Dong..."

Xue Qinghe clenched her fists, her face twisting with fury.

 

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