"The Heartbroken Acacia?"
Ning Fengzhi and Tang Xiao arrived at the palace to meet Xue Qinghe, who looked utterly exhausted.
However, Tang Xiao's question about the Heartbroken Acacia was like a bucket of cold water poured over Xue Qinghe's head, instantly snapping him out of his fatigue.
"Sect Master Tang, where did you obtain the Heartbroken Acacia?"
Xue Qinghe's tone carried urgency. Ning Fengzhi could even see the slight trembling of his slender fingers beneath his sleeves.
"It was gifted by an old acquaintance from the Spirit Hall." Tang Xiao didn't mention the person's name. "Is Your Majesty's Heartbroken Acacia still in your possession?"
"An old acquaintance… Hmph!"
"Your Majesty?" Tang Xiao looked puzzled. As a Rank 97 Title Douluo, even if he was slow-witted, he could tell Xue Qinghe's attitude was strange.
"No, it's nothing. Just a bit surprised." Xue Qinghe waved his hand, his fluctuating expression smoothing back into calmness.
"Sect Master Tang, you suspect that the Heartbroken Acacia came from me. Is that correct?"
"Teacher, do you think the same?" Xue Qinghe's gaze shifted slightly toward Ning Fengzhi, his tone carrying a hint of doubt.
"Qinghe, I'm not certain whether the Heartbroken Acacia was yours. It's just that Sect Master Tang and the people from Shrek Academy believe so, so I brought him here to ask you directly."
"As for who possesses the Heartbroken Acacia, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doesn't care."
"Once a treasure is gifted, the right to decide its fate no longer lies with us. No matter how you use it, it has nothing to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi spoke earnestly.
"Teacher…"
Xue Qinghe fell silent for a long moment before turning back to Tang Xiao with a sigh.
"Sect Master Tang, it's true that I gave away the Heartbroken Acacia in my possession."
"To whom?" Tang Xiao instinctively asked.
"I don't know the identity of that woman. She had golden hair, an air of nobility, and an innate grace."
"To put it simply, I fell for her." Xue Qinghe continued, "The Heartbroken Acacia determined that we were fated. In some stories, you'd call it love at first sight."
"Unfortunately, my father passed away before he could witness the budding feelings between us."
Xue Qinghe's voice gradually filled with sorrow.
"Who is that girl? What's her name?"
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. "Sect Master Tang, are you interrogating me?"
"That's not my intention." Tang Xiao sighed. "That woman may have ulterior motives toward Your Majesty. You must be careful."
"Moreover, she's likely connected to the Spirit Hall. If she truly becomes the Empress, Your Majesty, will the Heaven Dou Empire still be yours—or will it belong to the Spirit Hall?"
Tang Xiao speculated that the woman Xue Qinghe called "love at first sight" must have an extraordinary identity—perhaps even a high-ranking member of the Spirit Hall.
"Our cooperation with the Spirit Hall is already established. It's not like the Clear Sky Sect, which has completely severed ties with them."
"You keep saying the Spirit Hall has ambitions."
"But in my memory, the Star Luo Empire has repeatedly waged war against the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Most of the time, it was the Spirit Hall that mediated, followed by the participation of the Three Great Sects."
"So why shouldn't I strengthen our relationship further?"
"As for whether she's a high-ranking member of the Spirit Hall, that's just your speculation, Sect Master Tang."
"And one more thing—I hope you don't forget that I am the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"As a ruler, I wish to do something for the common people of my empire. Our compatibility lies in this aspect. You could say we were fated to meet."
"Your Majesty, how can you be sure she didn't deliberately approach you after figuring out your thoughts?"
"The Spirit Hall lacks an army. If they were to devour the Heaven Dou Empire, the entire continent might plunge into chaos." Tang Xiao tried to persuade earnestly.
"Enough!" Xue Qinghe flicked his sleeve coldly. "The Clear Sky Sect now resides in the Star Luo Empire. With your words, I have reason to suspect you're trying to sow discord."
"Perhaps you're trying to drive a wedge between Heaven Dou and the Spirit Hall so that the Star Luo Empire can invade."
"You—!"
Tang Xiao's forehead twitched in anger.
The Clear Sky Sect had always been honorable. To accuse them of colluding with the Star Luo Empire to harm the Heaven Dou Empire was pure nonsense!
Before Tang Xiao could refute, Xue Qinghe walked back to his desk and threw a letter at him.
"Sect Master Tang, see for yourself."
Tang Xiao took the letter and read its contents carefully.
The more he read, the deeper his frown became.
Two Soul Douluos had been sent to assassinate the Heaven Dou Empire's Grand Marshal, Ge Long. The jade pendant left behind implicated Snow Star Prince, the brother of the late Emperor Xue Ye.
This was clearly a power struggle—especially since Snow Star Prince and Xue Beng were in the Balak Kingdom.
Tang Xiao placed the letter back on the table. Before he could speak, Xue Qinghe's voice rang out again.
"Sect Master Tang, how do you expect me to view you now?"
"Ge Long was assassinated, but would the Balak Kingdom really send two Soul Douluo-level assassins?"
"Besides, as far as I know, the Balak Kingdom only has one Soul Douluo, and he wasn't the one who killed Marshal Ge Long."
"Sect Master Tang, who do you think sent these soul masters? The Star Luo Empire? Or the Spirit Hall?"
Xue Qinghe's question left Tang Xiao silent. Even if he were in Xue Qinghe's position, he would have doubts.
Where did Xue Beng get Soul Douluo-level forces?
Were Heaven Dou and Star Luo about to go to war again?
If not for the conflict, Xue Qinghe would have been more diplomatic.
But under these circumstances, if Star Luo was sending two Soul Douluos to interfere—even if it was just speculation, the possibility was high.
After all, the Heaven Dou Empire's Grand Marshal had been assassinated by Star Luo before. This was the second time—how could it not raise suspicions?
As for Xue Beng and Snow Star Prince being able to command Soul Douluos? That was pure nonsense.
The jade pendant left behind was Snow Star Prince's, framing him completely.
Only a complex power structure could orchestrate such a series of events.
Killing Ge Long during the coronation was a direct slap to Xue Qinghe's face—how could he not be furious?
What, did Xue Qinghe stage this himself?
Was there any need?
Ge Long was his own man. To sacrifice a loyal subordinate just to deal with a powerless prince and his uncle—wasn't that idiotic?
With this in mind, Tang Xiao let out a long sigh.
"Emperor of Heaven Dou, I was presumptuous."
After finishing his inquiries, Tang Xiao left first. Since the Clear Sky Sect was based in Star Luo, even if he claimed innocence, who would believe him?
Especially when Star Luo was suspected of assassinating the Grand Marshal.
Once Tang Xiao left, Xue Qinghe's face revealed helplessness.
"Teacher, do you think I did the right thing?"
"I don't know." Ning Fengzhi sighed. "By the way, Your Majesty, do you really not know anything about that woman you fell for at first sight?"
"Her surname is Qian. It seems she had a good relationship with your daughter."