Chapter 260: Hidden Currents
Three days later, under the leadership of the Tiandou royal family, Xue Qinghe, as the eldest son, took charge of Snow Night's funeral.
At the royal cemetery, after the royal family introduced Snow Night's life, the burial was announced, and the news of the death of the Emperor of Xue Ye quickly spread throughout Tiandou City. Even Ning Fengzhi arrived at the cemetery to witness the Emperor's funeral.
"Qinghe, aren't you a bit too hasty?"
After arriving at the Prince's Mansion with Ning Bei, Ning Fengzhi asked Xue Qinghe (disguised as Qian Renxue) in a slightly reproachful tone.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow and cast a questioning glance at Ning Bei.
After thinking for a moment, Ning Bei nodded to Qian Renxue.
Then, Qian Renxue led the father and son into the secret chamber. Ning Fengzhi glanced at his son, and upon seeing that he didn't offer any further explanation, he followed their steps into the chamber.
Upon entering, the little angel turned back and flashed Ning Fengzhi a strange smile before quickly removing the disguise from her face, revealing her delicate features, with her golden hair swaying gently.
"Teacher, I have kept this hidden for a long time. Please don't blame Qinghe... No, please don't blame Xue'er for the deception."
"You..."
Ning Fengzhi's pupils twitched slightly. He turned to look at his son, and seeing no signs of surprise, he realized that his son had known about this all along.
He then recalled that in previous conversations, his son seemed to be hiding something. This must be one of the things he had kept from him.
Understanding all this, Ning Fengzhi stopped feeling anxious and turned his gaze to the golden-haired woman in front of him.
"Tell me, who are you?"
"I am Qian Renxue, the daughter of the former Pope of the Spirit Hall, and the successor of the Six-Winged Angel martial soul in this generation."
"What? The Qian family?"
Although Ning Fengzhi had already suspected that Qian Renxue's identity wasn't simple, hearing her true background still shocked him. What kind of family would send their only heir to be an undercover agent?
However, this also made him understand what Ning Bei had meant when he mentioned that the future Pope of Spirit Hall might share the surname Ning. Now he understood, and he could only say to his son, "Well done!"
The shock on his face faded, and with a clear understanding of the relationship between the two, Ning Fengzhi immediately wore a teasing smile.
"Perhaps I should call Miss Qian my daughter-in-law?"
Before the little angel could fully enjoy the shock on the old fox's face, she froze for a moment. Then, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she shot Ning Bei a fierce glare.
"Ahem!"
Ning Bei coughed twice and glanced at Ning Fengzhi, his meaning clear: "I understand everything, but is this really the time for this conversation?"
"Alright, I won't ask too much about the matters between the younger ones."
"I roughly know what you intend to do, and since there's no turning back once you've started, just go ahead and do it. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will fully support your plan."
"Thank you, Uncle Ning."
With Ning Fengzhi's support, the little angel felt more confident about their next steps. She even felt more confident about the plan to eventually annex Xue Luo.
"You still need to be cautious of Xue Xing's movements. Although you're the first-in-line successor on paper, once your identity is exposed, it will still cause a lot of trouble."
Qian Renxue nodded and didn't try to hide anything.
"Uncle Ning, rest assured. Xue'er has already learned about Xue Xing's movements. He is likely to take action on the day of the coronation. For this, he's secretly recalled a few of the border defense generals back to Tiandou City."
"After those who secretly supported Xue Beng are exposed, we plan to catch them all in one sweep."
"Good. It sounds like you've made thorough preparations. Go ahead and do it. At that time, I, along with Sword and Bone, will participate in His Majesty's coronation."
"Thank you, Uncle Ning."
The two sides conversed happily, and Ning Bei, the bridge between the two relationships, couldn't interject. He inwardly thought that he wasn't cut out to be a ruler who controls everything.
But it didn't matter. The little angel would conquer the world, and he'd conquer the little angel.
It wasn't surprising that Ning Fengzhi was so invested in this. After all, if this was handled well, not only would the future Pope of Spirit Hall have the surname Ning, but the Emperor of Tiandou Empire would also have the surname Ning. If everything went smoothly, Ning Fengzhi could finally fulfill his long-held ambition—if not to be Emperor, at least his name would be on the first page of the royal family's family tree.
After discussing with the royal family's old guards, Xue Qinghe's coronation ceremony was scheduled for three days later. Bibi Dong would also send Ju Douluo to observe the event.
This left Xue Xing and Xue Beng feeling uneasy these days. Several Soul Douluos could likely deal with Xue Qinghe's subordinates, but the forces coming to the coronation weren't ordinary.
Ning Fengzhi from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, along with Sword and Bone, two Title Douluos, and now even Ju Douluo, were attending. Any of them participating in the royal struggle could trigger unforeseen changes.
"This won't do, Uncle. The risk is too high. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has always supported Xue Qinghe's side."
Xue Xing paced back and forth in the royal palace, his eyes clouded with worry.
"You're right. While I'm confident we can shift public opinion in our favor, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is indeed troublesome. I'll go to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to see if I can persuade Yu Yuanzhen to come out of retirement. He doesn't even need to take action; just his presence should be enough to intimidate Sword and Bone."
"As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan doesn't intervene, Xue Qinghe alone won't pose a serious threat."
Hearing this, Xue Beng's eyes gleamed with hope.
"Uncle, that's great! It'll be a huge help if Yu Yuanzhen agrees."
"It's nothing. Everything's for the throne. If Xue Qinghe solidifies his position, with his ruthless methods, we'll all end up badly."
"Ah, if only Dugu Bo could come to help, our chances of success would be much higher."
The uncle and nephew exchanged a bitter smile, both understanding the helplessness in each other's eyes. A Title Douluo's actions couldn't be swayed by these power brokers.
If Ning Bei had heard their plans, he would've told them they were overthinking it.
That night, Xue Xing hurried to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, not far from Tiandou City, unaware that his every move was being watched by hidden figures.
Moments later, the news reached Qian Renxue's ears.
"Hmph, if that old dragon dares to seek his own death, I don't mind sending him on his way."
With nearly ten Title Douluos standing behind her, the little angel was full of confidence, showing no fear of the old dragon from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Ning Bei couldn't help but laugh at Qian Renxue, secretly looking forward to Yu Yuanzhen's arrival.
"I'm curious to see what conditions Xue Xing can offer to convince Yu Yuanzhen. That old dragon has never involved himself in the struggles between the two great empires or the royal family."
Inside the Star Luo Empire's imperial palace, a man with heterochromatic eyes and a powerful aura looked at the subordinate kneeling beside him, a gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Is the information true?"
"Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. Our spies in the Tiandou Empire saw Snow Night's funeral with their own eyes."
The man pondered for a moment, and a faint glimmer appeared in his eyes.
"Inform all the ministers. There will be an emergency court meeting tomorrow, and everyone must attend."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
(END CHAPTER)
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