"Senior, what big show are you watching?"
Pouring two glasses of water and placing them in front of himself and Tang Qianqiu, Qi Han couldn't help but ask, especially after hearing Tang's cryptic comment.
He sensed that something unusual was happening today.
A citywide lockdown?
He quickly recalled the words Tang had mentioned earlier.
"Senior, has something major happened in Star Luo City?"
"This is a long story," Tang Qianqiu, who seemed interested in chatting, had a gossipy glint in his eyes. "You know about the Star Luo royal family, right?"
"I know a little," Qi Han nodded, most of what he knew had come from Keke.
"The current emperor of Star Luo recently tried to appoint his eldest son as crown prince but faced opposition from many ministers," Tang paused briefly before continuing, "Among the leading opposition was none other than Prime Minister Xu Changling."
"This..." Such inside information was something Keke would have no access to, so Qi Han was hearing it for the first time and couldn't help but be curious. "Is it because the emperor's eldest son is so unworthy?"
Otherwise, why would so many ministers oppose his appointment as crown prince?
"Not exactly." After some thought, Tang Qianqiu shook his head. "The eldest son may not be a brilliant ruler, but he's better than his father. The opposition stems from the fact that there's a better candidate."
"The previous emperor of Star Luo had five sons. The third, fourth, and fifth princes all lost the competition and were mysteriously assassinated one after the other. Only the second prince, Dai Youyuan, was sent to the eastern frontier to guard the borders. Dai Youyuan, in terms of talent and ability, far surpasses the current emperor. Hence, many ministers hope that after the emperor abdicates, his brother will take the throne, not his eldest son."
A case of the "younger brother succeeding the throne"?
Qi Han was reminded of similar historical occurrences in his previous life and easily understood.
"If that's the case, the current emperor must be very resistant."
"Indeed. So, he wants to eliminate the opposition and forcefully make his eldest son the crown prince," Tang Qianqiu smiled, "and at the forefront of the opposition is, of course, Prime Minister Xu Changling."
"That Prime Minister Xu…" Qi Han was a bit perplexed. It was said that Xu Changling was highly regarded among the people, probably a good official.
But would opposing the emperor really end well?
Boom!
A loud explosion interrupted Qi Han's thoughts. Instinctively, he looked outside the floor-to-ceiling window, seeing a hundred-meter-long blood-red blade appear in mid-air, carrying endless malevolent energy as it slashed toward the palace.
The attack didn't land. Instead, a fragmented starry sky suddenly appeared, dimming the daylight slightly.
The starry sky formed a light curtain, blocking the blade from the palace. At the same time, an angry, deep voice echoed across Star Luo City.
"Tyrant Blade Douluo, how dare the Starlight Auction House participate in rebellion!"
The Tyrant Blade Douluo?
Wasn't that the same person who had dined at the restaurant earlier?
Qi Han also recognized the other voice—it belonged to the Titled Douluo known as Star Remnant Douluo, one of the Protectors of the Nation.
Why were they fighting?
Rebellion?
What was going on?
Qi Han's mind filled with questions.
"The show's starting," Tang Qianqiu, in contrast to Qi Han's shock, calmly sipped his water. "Little Qi, if someone knew someone else wanted them dead, do you think they'd sit around and wait for it?"
"Of course not!" Qi Han blurted out and then, realizing what Tang was implying, said, "You mean…"
"Someone wants Xu Changling dead, and naturally, he won't wait to die. So today, a lot of people are probably going to lose their lives," Tang Qianqiu squinted slightly.
Prime Minister Xu… rebelled?
Qi Han's heart skipped a beat as he drank a sip of water, trying to suppress the shock inside.
For someone like him, who had lived a peaceful life in the 21st century, palace intrigue and rebellion were things he'd only ever encountered in movies, novels, or historical records. This was the first time he was witnessing such a massive spectacle.
"So, what should we do?"
"Nothing. Just watch," Tang Qianqiu took another sip of his water, clearly entertained by the battle unfolding between two Titled Douluos in the sky.
He had already instructed all Tang Sect disciples to stay within the sect today.
While the Tang Sect didn't shy away from trouble, they also wouldn't get involved in such matters at this critical juncture. If they accidentally became a pawn in the conflict, things could get messy.
To maintain neutrality, the Tang Sect had to stay out of it.
After watching for a bit, Tang Qianqiu's face showed some disinterest.
While Titled Douluos were the pinnacle of strength in the world, in his eyes, they were no different than children playing with toy swords.
The battle in the air ended quickly.
As the starry sky barrier became more and more shattered, the Star Remnant Douluo Douluo let out a cry of agony as the Tyrant Blade Douluo knocked him flying, his life or death uncertain.
The Tyrant Blade Douluo didn't pursue. Instead, he vanished, heading toward the Imperial Palace.
This outcome didn't surprise Tang Qianqiu. The gap between the two fighters had been evident from the start.
Meanwhile, several other battles between Titled Douluos were erupting across the city, with the fiercest clashes coming from inside the palace itself.
Two Super Douluos?
Tang Qianqiu raised an eyebrow, a hint of renewed interest flickering in his eyes.
Had Xu Changling managed to secure the help of a Super Douluo?
Or perhaps, were there still some surviving Super Douluos among the remnants of the Spirit Hall?
...
"Xu Changling, you're courting death!"
Sitting on the throne, Dai Yuansheng's eyes filled with disbelief.
Next to him, Zhao Qu's expression was also frozen in disbelief, a look that would be forever etched onto his face.
Zhao Qu was just an ordinary person. To spirit masters, ending his life was as easy as snapping their fingers.
After court, the two were discussing why Xu Changling's reaction wasn't what they had expected and how to deal with it.
Before they could come up with a solution, Xu Changling had already led his forces into the palace.
The Prime Minister, leading a rebellion?
Dai Yuansheng laughed in fury. "Xu Changling, do you dare covet the throne?"
Before him, Xu Changling stood calmly in his prime ministerial robes, his expression icy cold. "Your Majesty, you have ruled poorly for over a decade, and the people are filled with grievances. It is the will of the people that a wise ruler takes the throne."
"I am not fit to sit on the throne. The rightful heir is, of course, the Duke of the East."
"How dare you!" Dai Yuansheng roared, eight spirit rings appearing behind him.
The ruler of the Star Luo Empire was, after all, an eight-ringed Spirit Douluo.
"Roar!"
A savage tiger roar resounded, and the next moment, the Spirit Douluo's overwhelming pressure crashed down on Xu Changling.
Xu Changling glanced sideways at a black-robed man locked in fierce battle with one of the Protectors of the Nation, and sighed softly.
Well, I guess I'll keep pretending for a little longer.
With that thought, his shoulders slumped, seemingly weighed down by Dai Yuansheng's pressure.
<+>
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