Upon hearing the command, Xue Xing immediately bowed low, hands clasped, awaiting Xue Qinghe's word.
The other noble lords also lowered their heads in silence. At this moment, all they wanted was to return safely to their strongholds.
"Post the announcement. Record the Heavenly Dou incident truthfully."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And as for how it was resolved… you understand, don't you?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince turned the tide and saved the empire from disaster, preventing Heavenly Dou from plunging into chaos and bloodshed!"
Aged and cunning, Xue Xing didn't hesitate in flattery. No wonder he had managed to become the only Duke among the nobles.
It wasn't merely due to his being Emperor Xue Ye's blood brother. The sacrifices he made behind the scenes were beyond what most men could bear.
Take, for example, the fact that he had no children of his own. That alone was a testament to his unwavering loyalty. He never coveted the throne—not while his brother lived, nor after his death. With no heir, he posed no threat to the imperial line, and instead, he had always supported the emperor's offspring. Whoever it was, they were Xue Ye's blood.
Xue Xing had maxed out every survival trait in this political game.
"Mmm… add one more sentence."
Xue Qinghe smiled gently, turning his gaze toward the increasingly pale and silent nobles.
"The elders of the Heavenly Dou royal family, including His Highness Xue Beng, perished in defense of the empire's foundation—none survived."
"!!!"
At those words, Xue Xing instantly fell to his knees, his trembling body betraying the panic that overwhelmed him.
The other nobles were no better—some even collapsed where they stood, one wetting his trousers in fear.
"No! Second Brother, I don't want to die! Please! I beg you—please let me live, Second Brother!"
Xue Beng completely broke down. Crawling to Xue Qinghe's feet, he clung to his pant leg, sobbing uncontrollably.
Just moments earlier, he'd still harbored thoughts of biding his time. But when he heard his own death so gently pronounced, all hope was extinguished in an instant.
"Qinghe! You can't do this! We were sworn brothers to your father—you can't treat us like this!"
"Qinghe—no, Your Majesty! I'll surrender my private army, all my treasure—just spare my life…"
"Your Majesty, have mercy…"
Even as desperate cries and pleas filled the air, Xue Qinghe's expression remained calm, as still and deep as a quiet lake.
He had never dared imagine a moment like this. On his journey here, he had rehearsed countless outcomes in his mind.
But he never dreamed he'd be presented such a perfect opportunity—to eliminate this entire nest of nobles in one move.
This chance was once in a lifetime. With the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan taking the fall, the rest of the nobility would find no excuse to resist. If he handled this group, everything else would fall into place.
And as for Xue Beng, there was no way he would be spared.
Not only did Xue Qinghe suspect that Xue Beng had been putting on an act all along—even if he was nothing more than a useless playboy—he was still, publicly, the only one who could rival him for the throne.
So long as Xue Qinghe ascended, Xue Beng could not live.
Keeping him around would only invite trouble.
"Then die!"
As the nobles wailed, Xue Beng saw that Xue Qinghe remained unmoved. With despair overtaking him, he tore off his façade.
Though he had always feigned having no soul power, he now activated his Swan Spirit. Soul power surged—he gritted his teeth and launched a desperate, suicidal strike at Xue Qinghe.
"Sigh…"
Dugu Bo let out a quiet sigh. He merely glanced at Xue Beng, and the man collapsed instantly at Xue Qinghe's feet, lifeless.
Behind him, the terrified nobles clutched their throats in panic. One by one, they dropped to the ground, no longer breathing.
Xue Qinghe kicked Xue Beng's body aside, then looked down at the trembling Xue Xing. Reaching out, he gently helped the elder up.
"Uncle, I'll be relying on you heavily in the days to come."
"Y-Yes… Your Majesty's grace is deeper than the ocean. I would sacrifice even my life to repay it!"
Xue Xing's face was pale as a sheet.
He knew—he had just snatched his life back from the jaws of death.
"That's enough. From here on, I'll trouble you to take care of the aftermath."
Xue Qinghe straightened Xue Xing's robes and, together with Yu Keke and the others, strode out of the hall.
"I did everything I could," said Dugu Bo quietly.
Watching his granddaughter leave with Xue Qinghe, he patted Xue Xing on the shoulder.
"I know… we've lost. Heavenly Dou has changed hands."
Xue Xing's anxious expression faded. Gazing at the bodies strewn across the hall, he let out a long sigh.
He understood well—he was still breathing thanks to Dugu Bo.
What he had to do now was give his utmost to help Xue Qinghe stabilize the realm and ascend to undisputed power.
…
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, in collusion with the Clear Sky Clan, sought to overthrow the Heavenly Dou royal family. Thanks to the aid of the Spirit Hall and a mysterious ally of the Crown Prince, their treason was suppressed. The Crown Prince has returned and ascended to the throne as the new emperor.
To celebrate his coronation, a general amnesty has been declared across the empire…"
This proclamation spread not only throughout Heaven Dou City, but across every corner of the empire.
The Soul Master world was shaken by news of the two clans' joint betrayal. Everywhere from taverns to tea houses, the people were deep in discussion.
"Hey! I've got information on that mysterious expert! Just buy me a drink, and I guarantee your jaw will drop!"
"Tch, you mean the Conqueror of Demons, don't you?"
"Huh?! How do you all know already?!"
"Please, my little brother's third aunt's fourth uncle's granddaughter's lover is a guard in Spirit City! Who in Spirit City hasn't heard the name Conqueror of Demons?"
"Drinks are on me today! Hurry, tell us everything!"
"Haha! Alright then—let me tell you all the untold tales of That Man and the Conqueror of Demons…"
…
Meanwhile, ordinary civilians, unaware of the seismic shifts in the Soul Master world, were stunned by the new emperor's sweeping reforms:
Land ownership abolished. All land is now state-owned. Citizens receive usage rights based on population size, and the fruits of their labor are theirs to keep.
Slavery abolished. Specially-appointed patrol squads will enforce the ban—violators will be punished without mercy.
Mor reforms…
Though unaware of the power struggles behind the scenes, the people clearly saw one thing: the new emperor's edicts were genuinely for their benefit.
And so, Xue Qinghe's popularity among the masses surged like a tidal wave.
…
One day, Xue Qinghe's patrol enforcement team arrived in a small town. From the direction of the marketplace came a noisy commotion.
"Keke, let's go check it out. Probably some stubborn fool bullying the people again!"
"Alright."
Two graceful figures, flanked by guards in distinctive uniforms, moved toward the source of the ruckus.
There, they found a shopkeeper arguing fiercely with a ragged little beggar.
"Hey, everyone be the judge! This beggar took something and refused to pay, and now claims I'm extorting him!"
The shopkeeper had grabbed the child by the collar, a malicious look on his face.
"I didn't refuse to pay! That's my family's heirloom jade! Give it back!"
The little beggar was clearly enraged, swiping uselessly at the shopkeeper. Too weak to struggle effectively, she could only claw the air in vain.
"Heavenly Dou Patrol Squad! Clear the area!"
With a single shout, Zhu Zhuqing's group arrived. The shopkeeper and crowd, seeing the imperial uniforms, quickly parted to make way.
"Sir, this beggar stole from me!"
The shopkeeper threw the child to the ground and wore a pitiful expression, full of false grievance.
"Hm?"
Before Zhu Zhuqing could speak, she suddenly felt the child looked familiar. She crouched down and lifted the little beggar to her feet.
Despite the dirt and grime covering her face, Zhu Zhuqing recognized her instantly—and her heart surged with disbelief.
Supported at last, the little beggar looked up in fear… but when she saw the familiar face, she burst into tears.
Even when cursed and beaten, she hadn't cried.
But now, she threw herself into Zhu Zhuqing's arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
_
(CAUGHT UP WITH THE RAWS IN MY PATREON)
Please support my patreon, patreon. com/TravelerDouluo
And get early access to my 50 advance chapters.