Leading the way was a young man in his twenties, striding with confidence and a smug smile on his face. Behind him followed a short, stout old man, whose half-closed eyes had been scanning the surroundings since entering the room.
"Your Highness," Zhongli Wu spoke first.
"No need for formalities, Leader Zhongli. Just call me Tianran," the young man replied.
Lin Xiao stood behind Nightmare Douluo, observing the two who had entered. The young man who spoke was likely Xu Tianran, the one destined to become the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire.
Xu Tianran took a seat to the side, remaining silent, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"Your Highness, rest assured, everyone here is an elite of our church," Zhongli Wu said, immediately discerning Xu Tianran's thoughts.
"I trust the Leader, of course," Xu Tianran said, retracting his gaze. "Allow me to introduce the man behind me, Jing Hongchen, currently the Vice Hall Master of the Sun Moon Empire's Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Xu Tianran's attitude toward Jing Hongchen was notably polite. It was clear that, while Jing Hongchen was involved in this matter, he had his own motives and wasn't merely serving Xu Tianran.
Jing Hongchen gave a slight nod to the others in the room.
"Leader Zhongli, Hall Master Hongchen is the key to entering the palace, as I mentioned before," Xu Tianran said, eagerly diving into the main topic. "The grand array and soul tool arrangements in the Mingdu palace are all managed by Illustrious Virtue Hall. With Hall Master Hongchen's assistance, your church can enter the palace undetected. However, the palace guards only obey the Emperor's commands, and there are two Level 9 soul engineers stationed there. We'll have to rely on your church's strength for that."
Zhongli Wu pondered for a moment. "Does Your Highness have any information about these two Level 9 soul engineers?"
"I've prepared it in advance. Please take a look, Leader Zhongli," Xu Tianran replied, clearly well-prepared.
"Hm," Zhongli Wu nodded lightly as he reviewed the information. "This is straightforward. I'll personally lead a team into the palace. It shouldn't take long."
"Then I await your good news, Leader," Xu Tianran said, his smile widening. "As long as things go smoothly in the palace, my father will lead the army into Mingdu immediately. For the rest, you need only wait for news from us, and I assure you the church will be satisfied with the outcome."
"One more thing…" Xu Tianran suddenly lowered his voice. "I have another request for Leader Zhongli."
"Speak freely, Your Highness," Zhongli Wu replied.
"I hope, when you act, you leave no one alive."
Zhongli Wu's expression shifted slightly at these words. He hadn't expected Xu Tianran, whom he had just instructed to restrain themselves, to be even more ruthless than an evil soul master like himself. The palace was filled with countless people, yet Xu Tianran wanted not a single survivor.
In that moment, Zhongli Wu's mind raced. The man before him was already the son of a prince, likely to become the Crown Prince and even Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire. With such a ruthless disposition, the empire was bound to undergo drastic changes.
This was… good news for the Holy Spirit Church. Zhongli Wu didn't care what the Sun Moon Empire would become—otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to such a treasonous act as assassinating the Emperor. But with Xu Tianran in power, it would surely benefit the church.
Zhongli Wu observed Xu Tianran's unabated smile, unsure if he was saying this to curry favor with the evil soul masters or if it was his true intent. Nonetheless, Zhongli Wu made a subtle decision in his heart.
With an almost imperceptible nod, Zhongli Wu said, "Time is of the essence. Old Two, Old Three, Old Four, you three will come with me into the palace. Old Three and Old Four, handle the two Level 9 soul engineers. Old Two, hold off the palace guards."
"The rest of you will split into four groups—east, south, west, and north—to block anyone trying to approach the palace from outside. Also, make sure no fish slip through the net."
"Yes," the group responded.
Zhongli Wu turned to Xu Tianran. "We'll rest today and take action tomorrow night. What does Your Highness think?"
"Good, we'll follow the Leader's plan," Xu Tianran said, standing and nodding. "Hall Master Hongchen and I will handle matters at Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Xu Tianran came and left quickly, departing with Jing Hongchen. Only when Xu Tianran's presence was completely gone did Zhongli Wu address the others. "Alright, disciples below the elder rank can go familiarize yourselves with Mingdu's situation to prepare for tomorrow night's operation."
Lin Xiao looked at Nightmare Douluo, who turned to him. "Follow the Leader's orders. No need to rush to find a place to stay. After tomorrow night, the church will make arrangements in Mingdu."
Lin Xiao acknowledged and left with the others. Only then did he realize it was already daytime outside. As he walked along the streets, shops on both sides were open, bustling with customers.
Looking around, towering buildings of over ten stories lined the streets. As the capital of the Sun Moon Empire, soul tools were a commonplace part of life.
Though not as prosperous as the cities in his memories from another world, there were faint traces of their likeness, along with some unique structures exclusive to this world.
Perhaps, if soul tools continued to develop, they could achieve wonders like those in his memories.
The day passed quickly. Lin Xiao briefly experienced the convenience of a life surrounded by soul tools, but night soon crept in.
Though he knew he didn't play a significant role in this operation—its outcome hinged on the Titled Douluo—and according to his memories, it was likely to succeed, the serious atmosphere around him still stirred some unease.
Near the east gate, he and Nightmare Douluo hid in the shadows. From time to time, groups of soul masters passed by on the streets. They bore no military insignia but were well-equipped and disciplined, clearly trained private soldiers, likely cultivated by some noble family.
As Nightmare Douluo had said, Xu Tianran and his father weren't the only ones seeking to upend the Sun Moon Empire. Many nobles and officials had long been dissatisfied with the status quo.
Time ticked by, and the operation proceeded far more smoothly than Zhongli Wu had anticipated. With Titled Douluo overseeing it, even if someone noticed something amiss in the palace, they couldn't get close.
The soul power fluctuations from the palace gradually subsided, and Lin Xiao guessed the outcome had likely been decided. Just then, a child's figure stumbled out from the east gate of the palace.
Though the child was clearly trying to conceal their movements, to a soul master's senses, their presence was unmistakable.
Lin Xiao instinctively turned to look beside him, but no one was there. Nightmare Douluo had already gone to intercept those approaching the palace.
"Stop! Who's there?"
The private soldiers patrolling the street, also soul masters, noticed the child's figure, though their senses were less sharp than Lin Xiao's.
At that moment, Nightmare Douluo's voice suddenly sounded in Lin Xiao's ear.
"Take that child and leave Mingdu."