I still can't accept it… Qinghe, he…
Emperor Xue Ye's expression was complicated, his eyes filled with deep sorrow.
That was his most beloved son, and also his most outstanding one. Otherwise, he would not have been established as the crown prince so early.
Yet Snow Qinghe was dead. Somehow, Spirit Hall had replaced him seamlessly, and as his father, Emperor Xue Ye, had not even noticed.
Lowering his head, the emperor let out a heavy sigh. It was the grief of a father's failure.
After a long silence, he raised his head and asked, "Chen Feng, according to your view… what should we do now?"
Chen Feng replied calmly, "My suggestion is that we try speaking with Qian Renxue first. You should know that Spirit Hall is divided into two major factions: one led by Bibi Dong and her Elder Hall, and the other led by Qian Daoliu and the Worship Hall."
"Right now, with the Clear Sky Sect withdrawn, even if we ally with the Heaven Dou Empire, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, it is still far from enough to face both factions at once. What we need is to rally one side, and strike against the other."
The few great figures present all nodded in agreement.
After all, even Bibi Dong's Elder Hall alone already had nearly ten Titled Douluo. If the Worship Hall were to intervene as well, there would be no chance of victory.
The elders of the Worship Hall were all above rank ninety-five—Super Douluo, far beyond the level of ordinary Titled Douluo.
And as for the so-called "Upper Three Sects"—though bound together by common cause, each harbored its ambitions. With divided hearts, how could they possibly resist Spirit Hall?
Chen Feng's plan had struck the mark.
"But… how should we approach her?" Emperor Xue Ye asked again.
His fingers clenched tightly. He sighed and added, "To be honest, if Qinghe is truly gone… then I have no wish to speak with her at all. All I can think about is revenge!"
Prince Xue Xing's eyes revealed a trace of worry as he urged, "Your Majesty, you must consider the greater picture! You cannot let personal anger bury the future of the empire!"
"I know!"
The emperor took a deep breath, though his eyes had grown misty. Forcing a bitter smile, he said, "Chen Feng, tell me your plan."
Chen Feng nodded. "Your Majesty, according to my knowledge, Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong are not on good terms as mother and daughter. That may be an opening for us. Moreover, I also know of a hidden truth: the death of the previous Pope, Qian Xunji, was related to Bibi Dong!"
"Oh?"
The entire room was startled. Wasn't Qian Xunji heavily injured by Tang Hao, and then succumbed to his wounds? Could there be another secret behind it?
Chen Feng explained, "Yes. Tang Hao did injure Qian Xunji gravely, but after he returned to Spirit Hall, it was Bibi Dong who finished him—with poison."
A collective gasp echoed through the chamber. Everyone exchanged shocked looks; no one had expected such a revelation.
"Could it be that Qian Daoliu, the Grand Worship, does not know this? Why has he not avenged his son?" Dugu Bo asked with a frown.
Chen Feng spread his hands. "That, I do not know. Perhaps guilt? After all, Qian Xunji did forcibly take Bibi Dong back then. Or perhaps it was for the sake of his granddaughter, Qian Renxue, to let her receive her mother's love. Or maybe he admired Bibi Dong's talent and ambition, believing that Spirit Hall would flourish better in her hands. Who can say?"
In truth, Qian Renxue still did not know her mother was her father's murderer. That truth was only revealed to her during the Angel God's trials, when Qian Daoliu personally told her.
If Chen Feng exposed the truth now, it could well sow discord between the Worship Hall and Bibi Dong.
In any case, it was worth trying. Even if they could not pull Qian Renxue to their side, it was crucial to at least prevent her from uniting with Bibi Dong. And more importantly, she could not be allowed to continue impersonating Xue Qinghe in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Emperor Xue Ye's emotions were in turmoil. The revelation about Xue Qinghe had struck him hard. Unable to kill Qian Renxue to avenge his son, he was left with a suffocating rage.
"This matter, I entrust to you. No matter the outcome, I do not wish to see her again. Otherwise, I truly fear I will not be able to stop myself from killing her!" Emperor Xue Ye said to Chen Feng.
Chen Feng nodded. With the emperor's approval, he had essentially gained free passage through the heavily guarded palace to handle this delicate matter.
Since the decision was made, he wasted no time.
Immediately, Chen Feng set out with Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo.
By now, the celebratory feast had long since ended, the sky already darkening toward evening. The civil and military officials had returned to their homes to rest.
The Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, had naturally also returned to his residence.
Walking tall and steady, Chen Feng led Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo through the palace gates until they reached the prince's manor.
Neither Yang Wudi nor Dugu Bo was a man of patience. Upon learning that Xue Qinghe was none other than the daughter of the previous Pope, both lost any pretense of courtesy. Before Chen Feng could even speak, the two lashed out in unison.
Boom!
The two gates of the prince's manor shattered at once, the sound echoing like thunder. Within moments, countless armored guards surged forth.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of soldiers had surrounded the three, weapons gleaming with killing intent.
Even though the captain recognized Dugu Bo, he had no choice but to act. Their foremost duty was to protect the prince—facing even a Titled Douluo, they would lay down their lives without hesitation.
Chen Feng shot the two men a look of reproach. With a helpless sigh, he said, "You two… we were supposed to try diplomacy first. By smashing the gates down like this, how can we negotiate now?"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly. "What's there to discuss with a spy? If she talks, fine. If not, we should kill her outright. We mustn't let the enemy slip away."
"Oh?"
Chen Feng's face remained expressionless. "Then, when Qian Daoliu comes for revenge, will you be the one to block him?"
"I…" Dugu Bo's shoulders shrank, and words suddenly caught in his throat.
Chen Feng sighed again. There was no point in arguing over such trivialities.
Drawing a deep breath, he infused his voice with soul power and called toward the manor:
Where is His Highness the Crown Prince? Elder Chen Feng requests an audience!