"Uncle Ge, with Xue Ye the Great critically ill and rumors spreading throughout Heaven Dou City regarding the imperial succession, the situation has become turbulent and unstable. May I ask what plans you have?"
After Dugu Feng and the Ge Family father and son took their seats as host and guests, he went straight to the point.
Ge Long thought to himself, "As expected—Dugu Feng must have a purpose in visiting at such a sensitive time."
After some consideration, he said, "As the military marshal, maintaining army stability is my duty. The more critical the moment, the more opportunities other forces may find to exploit. If you have any thoughts, nephew, feel free to share them!"
Dugu Feng didn't stand on ceremony and said directly, "To be frank with you, Uncle Ge, I've just come from the Prince's Mansion. Our Dugu Family supports the Crown Prince's succession to the throne. The rumors spreading among the common people anger me greatly—they even claim Xue Ye the Great has been poisoned. My father examines His Majesty every month; no one knows better than our Dugu Family whether he has been poisoned or not. Xue Ye the Great's health has been declining over the past decade—if he were poisoned, it would have manifested long ago. How could he have lasted this long? Someone must be trying to fish in troubled waters and frame the Crown Prince. I suspect someone within the imperial family covets the throne and wants to use this to damage the Crown Prince's prestige. At this moment, internal strife within the imperial family is inappropriate—the Crown Prince's succession is the most suitable option. We absolutely cannot give the Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall any opportunities to exploit!"
Dugu Feng displayed clear anger.
The common rumors were essentially questioning the Dugu Family's authority regarding poisons—utterly detestable.
If the Dugu Family stated that Xue Ye the Great wasn't poisoned, then he wasn't poisoned.
"Brother Feng, calm your anger," Ge Ying immediately sided with Dugu Feng. "Prince Xue Xing is being foolish. Xue Ye the Great's illness didn't develop overnight—Healing Soul Masters have examined him, and even Ning Zongzhu has treated him. Prince Xue Xing simply refuses to believe it and remains suspicious."
He trusted Dugu Feng's words completely.
Primarily because the Dugu Family had absolutely no reason to harm Xue Ye the Great.
Moreover, the Dugu Family never involved itself in political affairs and would certainly not conceal Xue Ye the Great's condition for Xue Qinghe's sake.
Ge Ying couldn't understand why Prince Xue Xing would suspect the Crown Prince.
In his impression, the Crown Prince was quite qualified.
Besides the Crown Prince, Xue Beng wasn't fit to inherit the throne either!
Ge Long also nodded slightly.
He wasn't as naive as his son, but he could determine one thing: Heaven Dou must not fall into chaos.
Dugu Feng's attitude represented the stance of the Dugu Family—and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Besides, Ning Fengzhi was the Crown Prince's teacher.
Prince Xue Xing wanting to oppose the Crown Prince was overestimating his capabilities.
"What do you plan to do, nephew?" Ge Long asked.
"Prince Xue Xing's reliance is his ability to mobilize part of the army. I hope you can stabilize the military forces, Uncle Ge. Without the Crown Prince's command, any mobilization would constitute rebellion!" Dugu Feng went straight for the fundamental solution.
Ge Long breathed a slight sigh of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't a direct move against Prince Xue Xing.
The Ge Family differed from other Soul Master forces—they were closely tied to the imperial family.
Most of the Ge Family's Soul Masters served in the army or the Royal Soul Master Legion.
He had a good relationship with Prince Xue Xing and didn't wish to see him meet a tragic end.
Ge Long sighed and said, "I won't allow Xue Xing to mobilize the army."
Having received a satisfactory response, Dugu Feng felt greatly reassured.
"Report, Marshal! Prince Xue Xing is mobilizing the Heavy Armored Infantry!"
Suddenly, a Soul Master dressed in general's uniform entered.
Ge Long's face immediately darkened.
No sooner had they mentioned Prince Xue Xing than he had taken action.
"What does he intend to do!" Ge Long roared.
"Prince Xue Xing claims His Majesty has been poisoned with Seven-Colored Mottled toxin and insists on arresting Yang Wudi of the Destruction Clan to detoxify His Majesty!" the general continued.
"Utterly obstinate!" Dugu Feng said coldly.
"Let's go! I want to see who dares make a move without my orders!"
Ge Long strode out first, with Dugu Feng and Ge Ying following close behind.
As they exited the Ge residence, they immediately received the latest update: Prince Xue Xing possessed Xue Ye the Great's Military Tally.
He had already mobilized five thousand Heavy Armored Infantry and was heading toward the Li Clan.
Moreover, as the commander of the city guard army, Prince Xue Xing was mobilizing even more troops.
Without hesitation, the three also hurried toward the Li Clan.
Outside the Li Clan's estate gate.
The atmosphere grew tense once more.
Rows of Giant Crossbows gleamed coldly directly facing the mansion, ready to fire at any moment.
Behind them, infantry clad in heavy armor had tightly surrounded the estate entrance.
The city defense troops stretched beyond sight.
This was the second time the Li Clan had been besieged.
Titan, Bai He, and Niu Gao were negotiating with Prince Xue Xing in a state of alarm.
They hadn't expected Prince Xue Xing to act so decisively.
They had initially thought that by stalling, the situation might resolve itself if Xue Ye the Great were to die.
Instead, they were met with Prince Xue Xing's army.
"Your Highness, Yang Wudi was injured by medicinal toxins while refining pills, and his Soul Power is unstable. It's truly not that I refuse to cooperate with you.
Since you've come in person, Your Highness may verify this yourself!"
Titan defended.
This excuse was merely something he had concocted to appease Prince Xue Xing, but now that the prince had arrived, Yang Wudi would have to play along and pretend to be genuinely injured.
Prince Xue Xing was furious: "His Majesty's condition is critical, and the poison was administered by someone from the Destruction Clan. How dare Yang Wudi, as the clan leader, evade responsibility?
As long as he isn't dead today, he must accompany me to the palace immediately!
I'll count to three. If Yang Wudi doesn't appear, bear the consequences!"
Prince Xue Xing was resolute.
Titan grew anxious—it seemed they could no longer delay.
"Since His Majesty's condition is more urgent, I'll have Yang Wudi come out immediately!" Titan promptly conceded.
Prince Xue Xing was entirely unreasonable—like a scholar encountering soldiers, there was no reasoning with him.
He immediately sent his son Tai Nuo to summon Yang Wudi.
Prince Xue Xing was satisfied. "You wouldn't recognize my authority without a show of force."
But his satisfaction was short-lived.
Chaos erupted at the rear of the city guard army.
"The Crown Prince has arrived!"
Qian Renxue had come, and with great fanfare.
She too brought a large contingent of troops, including the Royal Soul Master Legion.
"Let him through!" Prince Xue Xing coldly commanded.
He had someone by his side—Dugu Bo.
This was his confidence.
With Dugu Bo on his side, what could Xue Qinghe do even if he came?
The city guard army parted, allowing Qian Renxue to approach gradually.
"Uncle, why go to such extremes? Such a massive mobilization will make the Soul Masters of Heaven Dou City question our imperial family. Who would dare serve the Tian Dou royal family in the future?
I know you're deeply concerned about Father's condition, but we cannot act recklessly!" Qian Renxue directly lamented with a bitter smile.
"Qinghe, are you going to stop me? The one I'm trying to capture is Yang Wudi. His clansman Yang Wushuang poisoned your two younger brothers and even administered poison to His Majesty.
Now I need him to detoxify His Majesty!"
Prince Xue Xing directly pinned a serious accusation on them. He refused to believe that Xue Qinghe would dare to defy universal condemnation before everyone's eyes by preventing Yang Wudi from detoxifying Xue Ye the Great.
(End of Chapter)