Three ThingsOver the next few days, Dai Yao disguised himself and entered the palace. He dyed his long blond hair black and wore a mask that completely covered his face. From then on, Xue Qinghe had a mysterious masked figure by his side. Although Emperor Xue Ye was somewhat suspicious, he did not allow Dai Yao to remove his mask under Xue Qinghe's protection.
After receiving Qian Daoliu's order, Xue Qinghe began to accelerate.
First, increase the amount of poison Emperor Xueye takes in; second, gradually replace the guards of the imperial city, and wait for the coup to occur so that all communication between the imperial city and the outside world can be completely cut off; third, begin to contact the ministers who support him; finally, stay by Emperor Xueye's side day and night, wait for the poison to take effect, receive the imperial edict, and successfully ascend the throne.
Within half a month, Emperor Xueye was indeed lying on his sickbed, unable to move.
As if they knew Emperor Xueye was about to die, the entire court began to campaign for Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's ascension to the throne. Overnight, it seemed no one cared about the dying Emperor Xueye anymore.
No, there are still people who care.
Prince Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing were frantic with worry as they watched Emperor Xue Ye's grave illness. If Xue Qinghe were to ascend the throne, the entire Heaven Dou Empire would be plunged into darkness. The day Xue Qinghe ascended the throne would be the day they died!
Inside the palace.
Xue Beng stared intently as Xue Qinghe fed medicine to Emperor Xue Ye, a picture of filial piety between father and son. His whole body trembled slightly, and a chill ran down his spine.
Xue Qinghe's wickedness was beyond his imagination. He clearly wanted to kill his father, yet his father still regarded him as a source of pride, as if entrusting the Heavenly Dou Empire to Xue Qinghe was a reassuring decision.
Emperor Xueye slowly swallowed the medicine from the spoon handed to him by Xue Qinghe. Just as Xue Qinghe was about to continue feeding him, Emperor Xueye looked at Xue Qinghe with satisfaction, but his voice was lifeless as he said:
"Qinghe, no need. My old bones can't take it anymore, you don't need to waste your energy. Cough cough..."
Qian Renxue feigned grief, and upon hearing Emperor Xueye's words, her hand holding the medicine trembled slightly at just the right moment. She then earnestly said:
"Father, you will get better. You will definitely get better after taking the medicine!"
Nonsense, if you don't drink it, how am I supposed to poison you?
Emperor Xueye smiled helplessly and could only obediently finish his medicine. The maidservant hurriedly wiped the dregs from the corner of the emperor's mouth. Emperor Xueye lay weakly on the dragon bed, looking at the handsome Xue Qinghe, then turning his head to look at the纨绔-looking Xue Beng, and sighed in disappointment.
Sensing the disappointment in his father's eyes, Xue Beng trembled. How could he have wanted to disappoint his father like this? If it weren't for saving his own life, he would have already revealed his grand plans. It's just a pity that his father won't see them, and even he himself might not see the sun rise tomorrow.
Prince Xuexing gently pressed Xuebeng's trembling hand down. Looking at the faint sorrow revealed on Xuebeng's face, Prince Xuexing gently shook his head.
They are no match for Xue Qinghe now. If they expose their hostility towards Xue Qinghe, their corpses may be floating on the moat outside Tiandou City tomorrow.
Suppressing his inner grief, the avalanche gradually subsided. He bid farewell to Emperor Xueye and slowly left the room.
They knew in their hearts that they had to find a way to survive.
Now, Dugu Bo has already made it clear that he will no longer concern himself with the affairs of the royal family. If Prince Xuexing escapes to him, he will naturally save Prince Xuexing's life.
"The only way to survive is through Tang San."
Before leaving the palace, Prince Xuexing gazed intently at Tang San, who stood by the wall like a guard. Beside Tang San was the masked man who had suddenly appeared next to Xue Qinghe.
They are now in dire straits, and their only hope lies with the Clear Sky Sect behind Tang San. If the Clear Sky Sect can come out of seclusion to help them, then there is still hope.
Inside the palace, Emperor Xue Ye suddenly murmured a few words. Xue Qinghe's expression darkened slightly, and he instructed Tang San and Dai Yao:
"You all go out first."
Tang San and Dai Yao acknowledged this and slowly withdrew from the palace.
Stepping outside the palace, Dai Yao looked at the heavily guarded soldiers and realized that these were all members of the Spirit Hall. With a single command, they could completely control the palace.
He had witnessed Qian Renxue's methods during this time, and he had to admit that Qian Renxue was an extremely shrewd politician. If the kind of deus ex machina event from the original story hadn't occurred, Qian Renxue wouldn't have failed.
Dai Yao saw Bibi Dong's shadow in her.
"There have been many unfamiliar faces in the palace lately. Also, who exactly is this mysterious masked man who suddenly appeared? Why does Xue Qinghe trust him so much? What exactly does Xue Qinghe want?"
Tang San, with his full head of white hair, glanced around at the guards without making a sound, then focused his attention on the masked man beside him.
Because of the masked man's appearance, he clearly sensed that Xue Qinghe's attitude towards him had become much more distant. This put his revenge plan in jeopardy; without Xue Qinghe's support, he couldn't take revenge on the Spirit Hall or Dai Yao.
"Brother, it's been so long, and you still won't take off your mask, but you have to tell me your name."
Dai Yao glanced at Tang San through the holes in his mask. He knew Tang San was testing him, but soon Tang San would be a complete fugitive. For now, all he needed to do was stall for time.
"You can just call me Li Feiyu."
Dai Yao lowered his voice, making it impossible for Tang San to discern his identity, and said calmly.
"Li Feiyu..."
Tang San frowned, muttering the name Li Feiyu. He had a feeling that something was hidden in that name.
"Brother Li, I wonder how His Highness the Crown Prince recruited you? You must have some special talents."
Tang San continued to probe.
No comment.
After saying this, Dai Yao turned and left.
Tang San frowned deeply. He now confirmed his earlier suspicions: this man named Li Feiyu was wary of him. Moreover, since Li Feiyu's arrival, Xue Qinghe had also been subtly wary of him.
An indelible shadow gradually enveloped his heart.
Deep down, a strong warning was emanating from him. He had no doubt about his intuition, for it had saved him from death countless times. Over the years, he had always planned carefully before acting, and except for Xiao Wu, he never did anything he wasn't certain of.
Now that Xiao Wu is dead, he has changed. In the past, he would have patiently investigated Li Feiyu's true identity, but now, he won't wait.
A sudden flash of crimson light appeared in his lifeless eyes, and a chilling killing intent poured out like a tidal wave, instantly enveloping the surroundings.
The surrounding guards, sensing the chilling killing intent, cried out in terror and stumbled backward. But for Li Feiyu, the Killing God Domain was like a gentle breeze, having no effect whatsoever. He continued walking calmly forward.
"How is this possible? He's actually unaffected by the God of Slaughter's Domain?!"
Tang San's pupils contracted slightly. The power of the Killing God Domain was so great that even a Title Douluo would be affected. Why was Li Feiyu unaffected?
Either Li Feiyu's strength far surpasses his, or Li Feiyu, like him, also possesses the Killing God Domain!
"Who exactly is this Li Feiyu?"
Tang San fell into deep thought.
······
Back to the Crown Prince's Palace.
Xue Qinghe first met with many important court officials to discuss matters after his ascension to the throne. While it was somewhat taboo to discuss these matters now that Emperor Xue Ye had not yet passed away, it was perfectly acceptable in a private setting like the Crown Prince's Palace.
As night deepened, everyone finally took their leave.
Xue Qinghe showed no sign of fatigue. After so many years of lying low, she had long since become accustomed to her identity as Xue Qinghe. Sometimes she even wondered if she was Qian Renxue or Xue Qinghe.
After dismissing the servants and washing up alone, Xue Qinghe, dressed in loose-fitting clothes, returned to the side hall next to the Crown Prince's Palace.
Dai Yao rested here during this period.
Pushing open the door, Xue Qinghe saw Dai Yao standing alone by the window, lost in thought.
"Dai Yao, you've stayed for so long, are you satisfied?"
Xue Qinghe smiled.
Hearing this, Dai Yao turned around and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Of course I am satisfied. However, in the Spirit Hall, I only lived in a small wooden house. Now that I live in such a noble palace with so many servants, I am not used to it."
Xue Qinghe was slightly taken aback; she hadn't expected Dai Yao to live so simply in the Spirit Hall. Given how much the Spirit Hall valued Dai Yao, Bibi Dong would certainly not skimp on his food, clothing, or lodging.
Dai Yao's choice to live in such a harsh environment was clearly his own. This attitude of restraining his desires, focusing on his cultivation, and not being distracted by other things made Xue Qinghe think more highly of Dai Yao.
"It seems that Dai Yao is not only exceptionally talented."
Xue Qinghe felt a slight sense of emotion.
"By the way, Dai Yao. You've been by my side for so many days, and you've seen all my plans and arrangements. You were once the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire, so your judgment must be exceptional. Is there anything you've overlooked?"
Although Qian Renxue said this, she didn't really think Dai Yao could offer any constructive suggestions. She was confident in her control of the situation; she had already used all the resources at her disposal to the fullest extent, and her years of studying the art of rulership were already second nature to her, even surpassing that of Emperor Xueye.
She asked the question to save face for Dai Yao.
After all, Dai Yao came from the Thousand Paths School and was quite strong, so he deserved some respect.
Dai Yao pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said:
"I'm truly ashamed, Your Highness. In my humble opinion, your arrangements are flawless. However..."
"But what?"
Xue Qinghe frowned slightly, somewhat displeased.
Dai Yao looked at Xue Qinghe, exhaled a slight breath, and said:
"Your Highness's plan is indeed perfect, but have you forgotten two people?"
"who?"
"One is Tang San. Although Tang San has joined you, he is still a genius with twin martial souls and a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, the son of the former Clear Sky Douluo. If he knows about Your Highness's plan, he will definitely break with us. Knowing this, it is better to get rid of him sooner rather than later."
When Dai Yao said those words, he clearly felt that the rabbit in his mental world started causing trouble again.
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly:
"Tang San is no threat. Dai Yao, you're overthinking it."
Dai Yao opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but ultimately closed it helplessly. "Qian Renxue, if you knew the scene in the original story where you couldn't get Tang San, you would never dare say such a thing." He sighed and continued:
"The second one is Avalanche. Your Highness, you may not know this, but Avalanche has been deliberately hiding his talents, biding his time, waiting for the day he will make a name for himself. Your Highness, you should get rid of him as soon as possible."
Dai Yao continued.
"oh?"
Xue Qinghe looked at Dai Yao in surprise.
"I didn't expect that in just a few days you would be able to see through Avalanche's true colors. You're right, Avalanche is indeed a talented person, but keeping him around was a deliberate act on my part. Without Avalanche, how would I know who was against me?"
He smiled slightly, but the coldness in his smile sent chills down one's spine.
Dai Yao then understood Xue Qinghe's purpose in keeping Xue Beng alive: "You mean, you kept Xue Beng alive so that those forces opposing His Highness would gather around Xue Beng and expose themselves to His Highness?"
It must be said that Qian Renxue's move was indeed brilliant, exposing all the opposing forces in one fell swoop. But what she wouldn't know was how much of a lesson her arrogance and conceit would teach her in the original story.
"Not bad. Avalanche is still in its early stages. Even if it has the idea of rebelling against me, it cannot pose a threat to me. Dai Yao, your talent is good, but you are too cautious. A powerful figure who dominates the world must have the heart of a powerful figure who looks down on everyone."
Xue Qinghe was instructing Dai Yao when suddenly, as if remembering something, she frowned and asked:
"I heard that you also devised a secret plan to escape the Heavenly Dou Empire?"
Hearing this, Dai Yao felt somewhat ashamed. The constant lurking forces around him made him feel very insecure, reminding him of his two escapes from the Star Luo Empire. If the palace coup failed, he had to prepare for the worst; he couldn't be as unprepared as when he escaped the Star Luo Empire.
However, given the Spirit Hall's current strength, failure is virtually impossible. Dai Yao's plan to escape the Heaven Dou Empire left Qian Renxue speechless.
"Your Highness, I did indeed devise such a plan. Perhaps it's a case of being bitten by a snake once and being afraid of a rope for ten years. My two near-misses in escaping the Star Luo Empire have left me somewhat apprehensive, so I devised a plan to escape the Heaven Dou Empire."
Dai Yao said, feeling embarrassed.
Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation. Dai Yao was good in every way, except that he was too cautious. The Tiandou Palace coup plan had no possibility of failure.
"Alright, do it if you want."
Xue Qinghe waved his hand and said.
The two chatted for a while longer, then Dai Yao took a sip of fragrant tea and said casually:
"Your Highness, I've heard that among the three national treasures of the Heavenly Dou Empire, there is one called the Vast Ocean Universe Cover?"
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes:
"Oh? Dai Yao, you're interested in the Vast Ocean Universe Cover?"
Dai Yao smiled casually: "I've heard about it before, so I was just asking."
Qian Renxue was a woman of many talents; she could see right through Dai Yao's thoughts at a glance. She said jokingly:
"Dai Yao, you don't need to pretend anymore. You really want that Vast Ocean Universe Cover, don't you...?"
Dai Yao was slightly taken aback, not expecting Qian Renxue's insight to be so sharp, seeing through his thoughts in an instant. Meeting Xue Qinghe's confident gaze, Dai Yao knew he couldn't refute her, so he simply spoke frankly:
"Indeed, I greatly desire the Vast Ocean Universe Cover. If Your Highness grants me the Vast Ocean Universe Cover, then I will owe you three things, three things that will not violate my conscience." (End of Chapter)