For Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong, Kong Deming was without question both teacher and father — someone who cared for them with absolute sincerity and devotion.
Even though he had reached the realm of a Tenth-Rank Soul Engineer, his soul power cultivation was still insufficient; his lifespan could not compare to that of a true Limit Douluo.
He was already old, while Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong had yet to fully grow into their potential.
After he finished speaking, Jiang Shengyu said softly,
"Crown Prince Xu Tianran has committed open regicide — an act of monstrous treason. He must be stripped of his title."
Kong Deming nodded slightly.
"Exactly what this old man intends. But there remains one final issue: how can we make the imperial court believe that it was Xu Tianran who acted, and not the envoys from the three nations of the original Douluo Continent?"
Xu Tianran had chosen this moment to execute his plan clearly intending to frame those from the Douluo Continent — after all, who didn't know they were the Sun–Moon Empire's greatest enemies?
As for the Grade Nine Fixed Soul Guidance Cannon Shells, there were plenty of ways he could explain those away.
By doing so, Xu Tianran could rally the nation under the banner of "revenge" and launch a war against the three Douluo nations, uniting public opinion behind him.
Jiang Shengyu smiled faintly and told Jiang Qingtong to bring Huo Yuhao over.
"Cousin Shengyu, Cousin Qingtong — what does this have to do with me?" Huo Yuhao blinked, puzzled by the serious faces before him.
"Yuhao, how's that camera of yours coming along?" Jiang Shengyu asked.
Hearing the question, Huo Yuhao replied,
"The recording function works fine, but the image quality still falls short of what Cousin described for a 'television drama.'"
"As long as it can record, that's enough!" Jiang Shengyu clapped him on the shoulder. "How big is it?"
"About… this big."
Huo Yuhao gestured, indicating something roughly the height of Jiang Qingtong's figure.
Jiang Shengyu frowned. "That's too large. Can you make it smaller?"
"How small do you want it?"
Jiang Shengyu clenched his fist. "Smaller than this."
Huo Yuhao's expression collapsed instantly. He stared at Jiang Shengyu in disbelief.
"That… might be impossible."
"Forget image quality," Jiang Shengyu said. "I have only two requirements: the video must clearly show who's who, and the audio must be recognizable. That's all."
"If those are the only requirements… then I can try," Huo Yuhao conceded.
Jiang Qingtong added, "And we need it soon. Preferably… within half a month."
Huo Yuhao: "…"
"Cousin, Cousin… you might as well just kill me."
Jiang Qingtong laughed at that, stepped forward, and patted his shoulder gently.
"Come on, little cousin. You're amazing — I know you won't let us down, right?"
"Cousin, that's not the problem—! Making it smaller isn't impossible, but the time frame's way too short!" Huo Yuhao's face flushed red, his expression a picture of helplessness.
Kong Deming, now understanding what the pair intended, said,
"Whatever materials you need, speak to Mingde Hall. If they don't have them, go to your Grandmaster Uncle. If even he can't help, come to me."
This wasn't simply a matter of resources — but seeing the hopeful looks from Kong Deming, Jiang Shengyu, and Jiang Qingtong, Huo Yuhao sighed.
"All right… I'll do my best."
Jiang Qingtong chuckled, ruffling his hair affectionately.
"I knew our Dora-Yuhao was the best!"
Blushing furiously, Huo Yuhao left the room.
Once he was gone, Kong Deming turned back to the two and said,
"After we strip Xu Tianran of his title as Crown Prince, it'll be your turn to step into the light.
Shengyu — I've already arranged a background for you: a southern branch of the imperial bloodline that emigrated three hundred years ago. Don't worry — they've all perished. You're the sole surviving heir."
"Will they believe that?" Jiang Shengyu asked skeptically.
"I've already prepared every witness. The lineage is clear and verifiable."
Kong Deming then turned to Jiang Qingtong.
"As for you, Qingtong, your martial soul makes creating an identity far easier. I have several options prepared — a refugee noble from the three Douluo nations, or perhaps a long-lost imperial princess. Which would you prefer?"
"My inscribed martial souls mostly originate from the Douluo Continent side. Saying I fled from there could work, but the court might have trouble accepting that," Jiang Qingtong mused.
After a moment's thought, she chose the princess identity.
That, in truth, was also what Kong Deming had hoped for. He nodded approvingly.
"Are you still capable of inscribing martial souls?"
"Yes," Jiang Qingtong replied.
"I'll find someone with a Violet Radiance Extinction Dragon martial soul for you. Engrave their soul onto yourself — that will do."
After finalizing the next stage of their plan with Kong Deming, Jiang Shengyu returned first to the Mingdu Grand Hotel.
Jiang Qingtong, meanwhile, mobilized the Spirit Hall's network to arrange a private meeting with the current Crown Princess — Juzi.
They met in a location carefully chosen for privacy.
There she was — Juzi, the woman born with little talent for cultivation but with the mind of a war goddess.
At this point in time, she had not yet become the fearsome "Empress of War" history would remember.
"Miss Jiang, what is it you want from me?" Juzi asked, brows slightly furrowed, her gaze sharp and wary.
"Let's get straight to the point, Your Highness."
Jiang Qingtong had no patience for drawn-out espionage theatrics.
"Does Xu Tianran know you're here meeting me?"
Juzi nodded. "Of course."
"How exhausting, having to report everything to him," Jiang Qingtong said with a faint smile, pouring herself a cup of tea.
Juzi frowned deeper. "Miss Jiang, what exactly do you want to say?"
"Let's cooperate," Jiang Qingtong said, pouring another cup and sliding it across the table toward her, smiling all the while.
"Cooperate?"
Juzi glanced down at the tea before her, then back at Jiang Qingtong.
Her lips curved in a cold smile. "So, you weren't truly allied with the Crown Prince before. And now you want to win me over to turn against him? Don't waste your breath. I won't cooperate with you."
She made to stand and leave — but Jiang Qingtong took a sip of tea and spoke leisurely:
>All you really want… is revenge — against the Star Luo Empire, against the White Tiger Duke.
We can help you with that.
And you won't have to pay any price."
Juzi froze where she stood.
She turned back slowly, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You… how do you know about that?"
She had never spoken of her hatred to anyone — anyone except Xu Tianran.
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