Chapter 270: Fail to Start a Business, Then Return to Inherit the Divine Throne
After receiving Tang Bo's orders, Tai Tan immediately contacted Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi.
He instructed the three sect members to relocate to Tiandou City.
Then he personally aligned fully with Prince Xue Xing and the Crown Prince's residence.
Since the Heaven Dou Emperor Xue Ye fell ill, the empire's political affairs had rested entirely on the Crown Prince's residence and Prince Xue Xing.
Since the Strength Clan moved to Tiandou City, they had been under Prince Xue Xing's protection, offering annual tributes.
Prince Xue Qinghe was about to ascend the throne.
Tai Tan wisely made contact with the Crown Prince.
Construction and preparations for the merger of the Four Elemental Clans were underway in the mansion.
After uniting, the Four Elemental Clans possessed four soul Douluos, ranking among the top three sects besides Martial Soul Hall.
Tai Tan's heart was excited. Reaching this step meant direct confrontation with Martial Soul Hall might soon come.
After touring the mansion with Niu Gao, they returned to the main hall.
"Old Bai He returned to the sect?" Niu Gao asked.
He meant Haotian Sect.
The Four Elemental Clan merger was a rebranding to outsiders; internally, they remained loyal to Haotian Sect.
But Tang Bo hadn't yet revealed his presence to Tang Xiao or Tang Hao.
So the Four Elemental Clans' ties to Haotian Sect depended on Bai He and Tai Tan.
"Old Bai He cares deeply for Xiao San; I think he treats him like a grandson. If he hadn't brought out treasured herbs before, Xiao San's health would have suffered greatly," Tai Tan sighed.
He knew Bai He's quick arrival was orchestrated by the old patriarch.
He was helpless regarding Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
They lacked the old patriarch's steadiness and managed many affairs poorly.
"By the way, Old Rhino, there's something bothering me," Tai Tan said, headache evident as he sat in the main seat.
"You're so capable, what could possibly be hard for you?" Niu Gao laughed teasingly.
Tai Tan shook his head helplessly, "It's a big problem. Old Goat came but ignored sect affairs, busy with herb research.
Yet he was targeted!
Remember Yang Wushuang killed by us? We can't blame him; he didn't know of the old patriarch's plan, believing Haotian Sect abandoned us and sided with Martial Soul Hall!"
Tai Tan sighed and said, "The deaths of Heaven Dou's second and third princes are inexorably linked to him.
Now, with Xue Ye Emperor gravely ill, I told Prince Xue Xing of our Four Clans' unification, and he intends me to take Old Goat to treat the Emperor.
But when visiting the Crown Prince, he had no such plans!"
Niu Gao frowned deeply.
Tang Bo had them merge in Tiandou City to leverage the empire's military and security for strength preservation.
They had to maintain good relations with the imperial family.
Now, stuck between Prince Xue Xing and the Crown Prince, mishandling this could make them targets of the future ruler.
Both had weathered many storms and sensed a thick conspiracy.
"Old Ape, is the Xue Ye Emperor really poisoned?" Niu Gao grasped the core question.
"I suspect so.
If Yang Wushuang could poison the two princes, he could poison the Emperor.
But why would Martial Soul Hall do this? Do they support the Crown Prince?
Yet the Crown Prince is close with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and allied families, agreeing to jointly oppose Martial Soul Hall?
I just don't understand!"
With Tai Tan's intelligence, he could only shrug helplessly.
Niu Gao shook his head, "In the Xingluo Empire, palace power struggles were common.
At succession times, there was no kinship between brothers, uncles, or even fathers and sons.
The considerate Crown Prince has already sought alliances everywhere and holds much power—he likely prepares to succeed.
He won't allow you to treat the Emperor.
Even if the Emperor is poisoned, the Crown Prince would live with it, waiting for him to die to ascend!"
"Looks like we'll offend someone for sure!" Tai Tan worried.
This matter involved the Dugu family.
Regarding poisons, the Dugu family was authoritative.
They supposedly often entered the palace to diagnose Xue Ye Emperor.
Tai Tan suddenly widened his eyes.
"When I was at the Crown Prince's residence, he mentioned that the most gifted talent, Dugu Feng, was his guest.
I get it now—the Crown Prince is signaling me!
He wants me to know the Dugu family supports him.
If I let Old Goat treat Xue Ye Emperor, I'll offend both the Crown Prince's residence and the Dugu family!"
"It's possible the Emperor is poisoned but the Dugu family supports the Crown Prince."
Niu Gao's eyes widened like copper bells.
He felt Tiandou's water was deep, not less so than Xingluo's.
In Xingluo Empire, palace attitudes mattered most.
In Tiandou Empire, there were many factions involved.
Tiandou City alone housed several powerful forces to consider.
"Sigh, we must trouble Old Goat and let him fumble with medicine to stall.
Tomorrow we'll visit Sect Leader Ning and gauge his stance."
Tai Tan prepared to stall and pass on the thorny problem.
Ning Fengzhi was the only one in Tiandou City truly able to decide the throne.
"Old Ape, you decide.
As sect master, be cautious—we can't be the one to stick our necks out!"
Niu Gao held his own philosophy—palace matters could not be meddled with lightly.
Tai Tan nodded, understanding well.
While they discussed the Emperor, the Dugu family also faced matters involving him.
In a smoky ancestral hall, Dugu Bo strode in fiercely.
He was angry and vexed—everything had been going poorly.
Since learning years ago that Xue Ye Emperor was poisoned, he'd been restless.
He'd been lying to Prince Xue Xing and colluding with Dugu Shuo.
But Dugu Shuo advised not to reveal the Emperor's poisoning too soon.
Now, with the Emperor gravely ill and unable to govern, and the Crown Prince controlling the palace, preparing to ascend, Dugu Shuo still hadn't made the poisoning public.
Could they just watch the Emperor die like this?
Now, Dugu Bo could no longer restrain himself and intended to confront Dugu Shuo, demanding how he planned to handle the Emperor's poisoning.
(END CHAPTER)
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