Chapter 176: Qian Renxue: That Damned buzz cut Actually...
Heaven Dou City, Eastern Palace.
The night was deep, but the candlelight in the study was still bright.
When the guard announced, "Tang Sect Master Tang San requests an audience late at night with Your Highness Jiang Li," Qian Renxue, who was currently wearing Xue Qinghe's skin and reviewing memorials, paused slightly with her brush, a flash of undisguised astonishment crossing her eyes.
This was too abnormal.
Based on her understanding of Jiang Li, this Lord was famously protective of his own.
Normally, although Jiang Li acted ostentatiously, he protected Tang San extremely well, rarely letting his disciple get entangled in the dirty political machinations between the Imperial Family and the Sects.
In Jiang Li's plan, Tang San seemed only responsible for Cultivating and making a name for himself in the arena.
Yet tonight, he brought Tang San to visit together at such a sensitive time...
"Could it be that something has happened to the Tang Sect that even a Titled Douluo finds troublesome?"
"Or perhaps... he has noticed the movements from Spirit City targeting Yu Xiaogang?"
Qian Renxue's brow furrowed slightly, her fingertips tapping lightly on the desk as her mind raced.
However, as a top-tier master of disguise who had been lying low for years, she did not good-for-nothing too much time on baseless speculation.
"Never mind. We will meet force with force, and water with earth."
Qian Renxue quickly composed herself, got up, and walked to the bronze mirror to check her disguise one last time.
It was a top-tier Soul Bone skill of the Angel Clan; even facing a Titled Douluo, no one could see through her true form.
After confirming it was flawless, she commanded into the void, telling the Snake Lance Douluo and the others lurking nearby to conceal their auras and prepare for any sudden developments.
"It's a good opportunity. Using this late-night visit, I can test this Lord's opinion regarding that good-for-nothing who is currently fleeing."
"After all, the enemy of my enemy is my best ally."
Thinking this, Qian Renxue straightened the bright yellow court attire that symbolized the dignity of the Crown Prince, preparing to go out and greet them.
However, the moment she turned, the figure of the blue-haired man, who always wore a lazy smile as if he controlled the great trends of the world in the palm of his hand, involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
"Also... if I can really use this opportunity to get one step closer to him..."
Perhaps thinking of something, maybe the lively conversation at the banquet that night, or the unique charm emanating from that man, a ripple that shouldn't have existed surfaced in Qian Renxue's previously calm heart.
Beneath the gentle face belonging to "Xue Qinghe," the cheeks that were originally Qian Renxue's quietly flushed a touch of crimson, even her earlobes felt slightly hot.
"Damn it..."
Sensing the fluctuation in her state of mind, Qian Renxue took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing that stirring feeling, and cursed inwardly with a touch of vexation,
"Qian Renxue, oh Qian Renxue, you are now the successor of the Spirit Hall, bearing the heavy responsibility of stealing the nation, and the future Master of the Spirit Hall!"
"At such a crucial moment, how can you be daydreaming like a lovesick girl!"
...Meanwhile, under the respectful guidance of the eunuch, Jiang Li and Tang San stepped into the elegantly decorated study of the Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness Jiang Li, I trust you have been well."
Seeing the two enter, Xue Qinghe immediately put down the memorial he was reading and stood up to greet them, wearing that signature gentle smile.
"You are a rare guest, Your Highness. It has been a long time since you visited my Eastern Palace. And Sect Master Tang, although you are making waves in the arena, we haven't had a proper chat in private for a long time either."
After a round of proper yet warm pleasantries, the host and guests were seated.
Qian Renxue keenly sensed that the master and disciple's visit must be for an important matter, so she proactively cut to the chase.
"I wonder what troublesome matter has brought Your Highness and Sect Master Tang here so late at night? If there is anything I can assist with, please do not hesitate to speak."
Jiang Li nodded slightly, took a calm sip of the fine tea, and then, omitting the detail about the precious Spirit-type Head Bone, revealed everything about Shi Nian ambushing Tang San midway and even using illusions to try and destroy the Tang Sect's Foundation.
"Bang!"
After listening to the narration, Qian Renxue slammed the desk hard, her face showing an appropriate look of shock and anger.
"What audacity!"
"This Shi Nian, as the head of an Academy, actually dares to openly violate the competition rules and use such vicious means against a participating Genius of the Empire? This is simply disregarding the Empire's laws!"
At this moment, Qian Renxue's anger was not entirely feigned.
On her chessboard, the Tang Sect, supported by Jiang Li, was currently the most important ally, and the exceptionally talented Tang San represented the top fighting strength of the future.
Shi Nian attacking Tang San was tantamount to attacking Qian Renxue's future core team!
"Please rest assured, I will handle this matter!"
Qian Renxue took a deep breath and solemnly promised Jiang Li,
"Attacking the future pillar of the Empire is a bottom line I absolutely cannot tolerate."
"Just as Your Highness said, there is rot at the top of Canghui Academy. Even if those students did not participate directly, they must have known about it or even aided the villain."
"I will immediately draft an edict and report it to the Competition Organizing Committee, stripping Canghui Academy of its qualification to participate on the grounds of 'intentional murder and undermining the fairness of the competition, " and arresting the remaining accomplices to thoroughly investigate!"
Seeing this, Jiang Li nodded with satisfaction, a hint of approval curving his lips.
"Crown Prince, your decisive action truly shows the demeanor of a wise ruler. In that case, I shall trouble you."
"It is my honor to help Your Highness alleviate your worries."
Qian Renxue smiled modestly, but the next second, the smile on her face vanished, her brow furrowed, and she let out a sigh that seemed casual but was full of deep meaning.
This sigh sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet study.
"Oh?" Jiang Li set down his teacup, playing the supportive role perfectly, "It seems the Crown Prince has just dealt with an external threat only to encounter an internal worry?"
Qian Renxue showed an appropriately troubled expression, using this opening to drop the intelligence about that buzz cut.
"To be honest with Your Highness, I am indeed troubled by one matter."
"According to Sect Master Ning's previous suggestion, to counter the increasingly powerful Spirit Hall, our Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan should form a united front and establish an offensive and defensive Alliance."
"But just a short while ago, I received secret intelligence... that Master Yu Xiaogang of Shrek Academy actually disguised himself and secretly traveled to Spirit City at this critical juncture!"
Saying this, Qian Renxue shook her head with a look of distress.
"Your Highness knows that although Yu Xiaogang was expelled from his Family, he is still a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's main lineage. Now that he is secretly colluding with the Spirit Hall, I truly worry this will cause cracks in the newly established Alliance, or even..."
"...even betray the Empire's interests!"
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