The news that the snowy night was drawing near, which should have been a secret within the palace, was leaked by someone and spread like wildfire throughout the major cities.
Even the Star Luo Empire had heard about it.
The king secretly assembled his troops, waiting for definite news.
He was also considering whether he should send troops if Xueye died.
Similarly, the King of Xingluo believed that he had done these little tricks very discreetly and had not mentioned them to his confidants.
But it inexplicably spread.
Rumor has it that Xingluo and Tiandou are about to go to war again.
This news caused widespread panic in the city.
Especially on the side of the Heavenly Dou Empire, Xue Ye fell seriously ill and could not get out of bed, and the morale of the soldiers, officers and ministers was low.
If His Majesty could recover, that would be wonderful!
But after consulting so many doctors, none of them knew how to treat His Majesty's illness.
Perhaps only a divine physician can cure His Majesty?
When people talk about miracle doctors, they think of the Jadeite Clinic.
After the conclusion of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, the Emerald Medical Clinic reopened.
That renowned medical clinic, and that beautiful doctor who is said to be able to cure all diseases, will surely be able to save Emperor Xueye!
But when the royal family sent people there, the Jadeite Medical Clinic was locked, with only a notice posted on the door.
[Closed indefinitely]
...
The imperial physician said that Xue Ye could only last for five more days at most.
However, it now appears that the imperial physicians' medical skills are questionable, and their diagnoses were flawed.
It was just halfway through the second day.
Tian Dou City, Imperial Palace.
The bedchamber was filled with a strong smell of medicine.
On the dragon throne, Emperor Xue Ye, the monarch of the Heavenly Dou Empire, half-opened his cloudy eyes and breathed heavily.
He was once a spirited and ambitious emperor.
The strength of an 88th-level Soul Douluo is something to be admired anywhere.
But at this moment, his emaciated body was buried in thick bedding, his face was ashen, and his hands were limply placed on his chest, without even the strength to lift a finger.
"Cough...cough cough..."
Another bout of heart-wrenching coughing erupted.
The imperial physicians stood at a distance, heads bowed, none daring to step forward.
They've tried everything.
Elixirs, soul power therapy, and even consulting with a healing-type titled Douluo—none of it worked.
A servant rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, His Highness the Princess, Prince Xuexing, Marshal Gelong, and Lord Meng Shenji are all waiting outside."
Xueye nodded with difficulty.
"...Call them in."
The palace doors opened, and a group of people filed in.
Leading the way was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
With steady and powerful steps, he walked to the dragon bed, knelt on one knee with a sorrowful expression, and whispered, "Father, your son has come."
Looking at him in the snowy night, a hint of relief flashed in her cloudy eyes.
Of all his children, Xue Qinghe was the one he trusted the most.
Intelligent, composed, resourceful, and broad-minded.
Over the past five years, Xue Qinghe has performed increasingly well in court affairs. He has handled many matters perfectly without needing to be told what to do.
Although some ministers privately discussed that the Crown Prince's power had expanded too rapidly in recent years, and that he was suspected of undermining the imperial authority.
But Xueye didn't seem to care much about it.
He's old.
He knew his time was running out.
Rather than letting the court descend into chaos, it's better to arrange everything while I'm still clear-headed.
Following closely behind was the avalanche of the Fourth Prince.
Avalanche is in his early twenties, almost thirty.
He strode to the dragon bed, knelt down with a thud, snot and tears streaming down his face.
"Father! Father, please hold on! Your son begs you!"
The cries were heart-wrenching, so real they seemed uncanny.
Looking at him on a snowy night, she couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart.
'well...'
Xueye sighed inwardly.
Next to enter was Princess Xueke.
Xue Ke has delicate features and a gentle personality.
She didn't wail dramatically like someone ravaging an avalanche; instead, with red eyes, she quietly walked to the emperor's bedside and took her father's hand.
"Father..."
Her voice was trembling.
As Xueye looked at her youngest daughter, tears welled up in her cloudy eyes.
Prince Xuexing stood behind, his face grave.
Marshal Goron and several senior officials stood on either side, all with their heads bowed.
The atmosphere inside the bedchamber was extremely oppressive.
"All...all of you, come here," Xueye said, her voice hoarse and dry.
The crowd gathered around the dragon throne.
I looked at them one by one in the snowy night.
His gaze first fell on Goron.
"Goron…"
"Your subordinate is here." Golong knelt on one knee.
"My million-strong army of Tian Dou... is now in your hands. Do not give Xing Luo any opportunity to take advantage of this."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Xueye nodded, her gaze sweeping over Prince Xuexing. Her lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing.
He knew his younger brother all too well; he had ambition, but lacked the ability.
"avalanche..."
"Father!" Xue Beng crawled forward on his knees, grabbed Xue Ye's arm, and cried uncontrollably.
"Live well...and don't cause any more trouble."
The avalanche nodded repeatedly and burst into tears.
"Xue Ke..."
"Father, Xueke is here." Xueke's tears finally flowed.
Xueye used all her strength to raise her hand and touch her daughter's hair.
"You...you're a good boy. From now on, you should listen to your older brother."
"Uh-huh..."
Finally, Xue Ye's gaze fell on Xue Qinghe.
He looked at his eldest son for a long time.
"Qinghe".
"Your subject is here."
"From this moment on... the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire... belongs to you."
In front of everyone present, Xue Qinghe solemnly kowtowed.
"Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly live up to Father Emperor's trust."
This statement was delivered with composure and strength, neither arrogant nor humble.
Although the ministers present had long anticipated this outcome, they were still shocked when they actually heard it.
Everything that needed to be said has been said.
I felt an unprecedented sense of ease on this snowy night.
He slowly closed his eyes, preparing to face the final darkness.
However, at this very moment—
In his blurry vision, he suddenly caught a glimpse of two unfamiliar figures out of the corner of his eye.
They stood on the left and right sides of the Xueqing River.
One of them was Dugu Bo.
He appeared in the bedchamber at some point, standing there with his arms crossed, his expression calm.
And the other—
Xueye strained to turn his eyes and saw a young man standing next to Dugu Bo.
Silver hair and golden eyes, with an imposing presence.
He was calmly looking in the direction of the dragon throne.
That face...
Xueye's pupils suddenly contracted.
Oriental Mirror!
That extraordinary young man!
But why is he here?
Moreover, the two of them were standing not far from Xue Qinghe.
The murky gaze of the snowy night shifted back and forth between the Eastern Mirror and the Snow Clear River.
suddenly--
He saw it.
A slight smile curved the corners of Xue Qinghe's lips.
That wasn't a sad expression.
That was a...
Xueye's eyes suddenly widened.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, to shout something.
A murky feeling rose in my throat.
"Well--"
Xueye's body trembled violently.
His eyes were wide open.
His arm hung limply at his sides.
The monarch of the Heavenly Dou Empire, Emperor Xueye.
Emperor died.
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(End of chapter)