Dugu Bo took out his unique Guest Elder Gold Medal to pass the checkpoint and arrived inside the Chamber of Emperor Xue Ye.
However, no sooner had he entered the Chamber than he heard a leisurely, pleasant male voice ring out.
"Brother, you visit the palace, yet you didn't notify me beforehand so I could send someone to welcome you!"
Xue Qinghe sat by Emperor Xue Ye's sickbed, looking just like an ordinary son attending to his gravely ill father. The reason he was here was naturally not out of filial piety, but because he had received word of Yun Ming and his group entering the palace and had been waiting for them on purpose.
He remained as handsome as ever, and his sincere temperament had not changed in the slightest. He still gave off an approachable feeling. Yet, seeing him this time, Yun Ming felt a chill run through his entire body. How could one not feel a sense of dread toward someone who dared to commit patricide?
It had to be said, the Angel God Equipment was truly top-tier; even with Yun Ming's spiritual realm, he had been unable to see through Qian Renxue's disguise. It was worthy of being something left in the Human World by the Angel God.
Yun Ming glanced at the two plain-clothed Titled Douluo behind Xue Qinghe and spoke to him.
"I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness. However, you are busy with a thousand tasks every day; how could I dare to trouble you?"
"I have come this time specifically to examine the poison afflicting His Majesty. I wonder if you could allow us to go in and provide treatment for him?"
Xue Qinghe did not change his expression and said calmly.
"Of course."
After saying this, he stepped aside, signaling for Yang Wudi and the others to do as they pleased. However, as Yun Ming passed him, a strange look flashed in his eyes.
Yun Ming looked at the profound gaze of Xue Qinghe, and a cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.
The other party had clearly calculated his position! With the two options of killing Emperor Xue Ye alone or slaughtering a million soldiers to take Heaven Dou laid out before him, it was easy to imagine what Yun Ming would choose. Xue Qinghe had likely confirmed his and Ya Li's stance on the unification of the continent from within Martial Soul Hall, which was why he could remain so indifferent.
Yang Wudi began his examination. A silver needle appeared in his hand at some point. It was not a pure silver needle; it appeared to be made of a special metal, and the silver light flickering on it was interspersed with tiny specks of purple.
Holding the silver needle, Yang Wudi pondered for a moment before flicking his wrist. The needle pierced into Emperor Xue Ye's pulse point. His technique was extremely ingenious, the needle following the pulse and probing deep into the entire wrist meridian.
The other five people watched Yang Wudi's actions in silence. Aside from Dugu Bo, everyone else was lost in thought.
Three seconds later, Yang Wudi flicked his finger, and the silver needle jumped out from Emperor Xue Ye's wrist. Seeing that the long, slender needle now bore seven different colors, Yun Ming's expression turned strange. He seemed to recognize this poison! Why did it seem like it came from his own family?!
After all, Tang San was the ultimate victor in the original timeline, and as the Breaking Clan was one of the four foundations of the Tang Sect, some dishonorable deeds had naturally been artificially erased from history books. Thus, Yun Ming had not previously known that this poison was related to their Breaking Clan.
Seeing that it was exactly as he had suspected, the hand holding the silver needle trembled slightly. It was indeed it—one of the forbidden deadly poisons of the Breaking Clan, the 'Seven-Colored Mottled'.
This deadly poison was created by mixing seven types of herbs that were non-toxic on their own. Its greatest characteristic was its high level of concealment. Because the seven materials used to create it were not toxic themselves, they could be administered to a person in specific proportions over time. Even the most cautious person would be eroded by it without realizing it. Moreover, once all seven substances were consumed, the poison would take effect immediately. It was not violent at the start, but the victim would feel extreme pain as the Seven-Colored Mottled continuously corroded their Life until it came to an end.
After this poison was developed, it was listed as one of the clan's forbidden substances due to its overbearing nature. Furthermore, the difficulty of concocting it was extremely high. Currently, within the Breaking Clan, only Yang Wudi knew how to make it, yet it had appeared on Emperor Xue Ye, which gave one much food for thought!
Yun Ming asked his somewhat agitated Grandfather.
"Grandfather, what is this poison?"
Yang Wudi said with a complex tone.
"It is the handiwork of my younger brother, Yang Wushuang."
"In the Breaking Clan, only Wushuang and I know how to use this Seven-Colored Mottled poison. He was captured during that battle with Martial Soul Hall all those years ago and has had no news since. Only when I saw this poison on Emperor Xue Ye did I realize that it seems Wushuang is not dead."
Dugu Bo realized that the shadows of the Breaking Clan and Martial Soul Hall were behind this, and knowing that Emperor Xue Ye was doomed, he stopped speaking.
Yun Ming was also astonished to learn that his other Grandfather might still be alive. He looked at the two Titled Douluo behind Xue Qinghe and said bluntly.
"Two seniors from Martial Soul Hall, would it be convenient to tell me the whereabouts of my other Grandfather?"
He had laid his cards on the table; since both sides knew each other's secrets, there was no need to keep up the act.
The two Titled Douluo exchanged a glance but did not answer, continuing to remain behind Xue Qinghe in the posture of subordinates, clearly leaving the initiative to him.
Seeing this, Yun Ming narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected this! Xue Qinghe was actually able to command Titled Douluo of Martial Soul Hall. No, that wasn't right—the attitude of these two was too respectful. A prince of Heaven Dou could not achieve this level. Therefore, there was only one bizarre possibility: he was not a prince at all! No wonder he could be so ruthless as to 'kill his father and kin'!
Yun Ming looked at Emperor Xue Ye on the sickbed and said leisurely.
"Emperor Xue Ye, you truly didn't lose unjustly! You didn't even notice that your son had been replaced."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi both stared at Yun Ming in shock. Ci Xue and She Long were also somewhat amazed by Yun Ming's intelligence.
"Clap, clap, clap."
Hearing Yun Ming reveal the truth, Xue Qinghe began to applaud while speaking in praise.
"Brother Yun, as expected of you! You were able to guess the truth from just a few clues."
Seeing that Xue Qinghe had exposed himself, Yun Ming continued.
"So, this 'older brother' whose name I do not know, can you tell me the whereabouts of my Grandfather, Yang Wushuang, now?"
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly and said with composure.
"Of course, but if I give him to you, what can you give me?"
Yun Ming said flatly.
"What do you want?"
The symbolic, sincere look appeared in Xue Qinghe's eyes once more as he said firmly.
"I want you to pledge your loyalty to me."
Yun Ming was stunned. He hadn't expected this person to have such a large appetite, wanting to subdue the husband of the Saintess—he really dared to think big! He still had a Saintess Wife, after all! Xue Qinghe's answer might not be the final word!
Before Yun Ming could speak, Xue Qinghe seemed to see through his thoughts and added.
"Moreover, apart from me, no one in Martial Soul Hall can hand Yang Wushuang over to you, including the Saintess. So, Brother, you must consider this very carefully."
Yun Ming listened to the semi-threatening words of Xue Qinghe and replied with a serious expression.
"Are you certain?"
Xue Qinghe spoke up.
"Certain."
Seeing Xue Qinghe so resolute and confident, what else could Yun Ming do? Naturally, he would choose to believe him first and question him later.
"In that case, I first thank you for your frankness, but."
"Since it has come to this, then please forgive my offense."
Therefore, it would be the same to first subdue Xue Qinghe and then seek verification from Ya Li. Otherwise, if the news were to leak out, what would happen if there were further complications?
Having said that, Yun Ming raised his right hand, and the Atlas Divine Spear appeared, while at the same time, a pitch-black Spirit Ring emerged and lit up.
Yun Ming's Fifth Soul Skill, 'World', was activated.
The Atlas Divine Spear shimmered with light, and a tri-colored barrier suddenly expanded, enveloping the entire Chamber within it.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader