"Church Master Zhongli, I fear this corpse is not my royal brother's child."
Within the imperial palace, Xu Jing stood in full armor, his expression dark as he gazed at the bodies strewn across the floor.
"What do you mean?" Zhongli Wu frowned, turning sharply toward him.
"You wouldn't know, Church Master," Xu Jing said calmly, shaking his head. "Every royal child of the Sun and Moon Empire bears an encoded mark of identity from birth. Their name, birth date, and bloodline are sealed through secret royal arts—hidden within their body to confirm their legitimacy later."
He pointed toward the dead child. "This one may wear royal garments and resemble my nephew, but there is no such mark upon him. He is not Xu He. My brother truly planned this well—he even managed to deceive you."
Zhongli Wu's eyes grew cold. "What are you implying?"
The air inside the chamber turned frigid; a chill wind swept through the doorway, making the nearby guards shiver uncontrollably.
"You misunderstand, Church Master," Xu Jing said quickly, lowering his gaze. "I mean no disrespect. My guess is that my royal brother's loyalists spirited away the real Xu He while leaving this decoy behind. You are unfamiliar with our royal family's secrets—how could you have known?"
He paused, then added, "As for the matter we agreed upon, I will honor my word to the Church. However, I must ask your help in locating the true Xu He."
"Hmph." Zhongli Wu gave a cold snort, offering neither agreement nor refusal, and turned to leave.
"Father," Xu Tianran entered only after Zhongli Wu's presence had vanished. "That Church Master—"
"They're nothing but a pack of lowly evil Spirit Masters," Xu Jing said darkly, glaring toward the door. "Remember this, Tiannan—you may use them, but you must never trust them. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father."
"Good. Now—what have you found?" Xu Jing asked.
"Word just came from the troops," Xu Tianran replied. "The one who took Xu He may be a fifth-rank soul engineer."
"A fifth-rank soul engineer?"
"Yes," Xu Tianran confirmed with a nod. "Eyewitnesses say he used a strange soul cannon—its dark-red blasts pierced straight through our soul-tool shields and struck the men directly."
Xu Jing frowned. "Could it be my brother's doing after all?"
Meanwhile, outside Radiant City, the "fifth-rank soul engineer" Lin Xiao dared not rest. Though he had shaken pursuit earlier, at that time Xu Jing had not yet learned of the prince's escape. Even if his identity were questioned, it would not have been a priority.
But now, the growing number of soldiers in the streets made it clear—they were searching for something.
"They're looking for me, aren't they?" came Xu He's small voice from his arms. "You should put me down, or they'll catch you too."
Lin Xiao glanced down at him, momentarily taken aback.
He had lived within the Holy Spirit Church since childhood, surrounded only by cold-hearted, self-serving evil Spirit Masters. It had been far too long since he'd heard words spoken out of genuine concern.
Without slowing, he held the boy more tightly with one arm. "Xu Jing and Xu Tianran may have plotted this coup, but they can't have covered every detail. I'll take you out of Radiant City. Once you're clear, find your father's loyal retainers."
"You should know best who among them can be trusted. I'll give you some clothes and food—find them, and let them help you escape the Sun and Moon Empire."
Xu He nodded quietly, his small face calm as he met the eyes visible beneath Lin Xiao's mask. He said no more, allowing himself to be carried away through the night.
"Don't keep heading forward. Turn northeast. I'll be waiting there."
Just then, the Nightmare Douluo's voice echoed once again in Lin Xiao's ear. Relief washed through him—he wouldn't have to decide the rest on his own.
Outside the city walls, Lin Xiao stood in the shadows, watching Xu He's figure gradually disappear into the distance.
"The throne is a dangerous prize," the Nightmare Douluo said behind him, his tone almost amused. "It can drive even brothers like Xu Chang and Xu Jing to slaughter one another."
"Teacher, is everything in the city taken care of?" Lin Xiao asked.
"Xu Jing has led his army into the palace," the old man replied. "There's no need for us to show ourselves further. Let them finish the rest." His gaze followed the direction of the fleeing boy. "You're wondering why I had you take Xu Chang's child out of Radiant City, aren't you?"
"A little," Lin Xiao admitted softly.
"Xu Tianran is ruthless—too decisive. If father and son were left without any loose ends, the Church's interests would soon suffer."
The Nightmare Douluo chuckled faintly. "Where something once existed, it can exist again. If we could help them ascend the throne, we can just as easily raise another. So long as Xu Chang's bloodline remains alive somewhere, Xu Jing and his son will never rest easy."
Lin Xiao wasn't surprised by the explanation. For the Holy Spirit Church, such schemes were commonplace. He had long since grown numb to them.
"You needn't trouble yourself over the details," the old man continued. "All you must remember is that the child still serves the Church's purpose. Now, let's discuss your next assignment."
"Teacher, please instruct me," Lin Xiao said, bowing his head slightly.
The Nightmare Douluo smiled faintly. "Good. That obedient nature of yours is what I value most. And this next step will be an opportunity for you."
"Do you remember the man named Jing Hongchen from last night?"
Lin Xiao nodded. The name had stood out to him the moment he'd heard Xu Tianran mention it.
"I remember, Teacher."
"He suits the Church's needs perfectly," the old man said. "Deputy Head of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, yet allied with Xu Jing and Xu Tianran to open the palace gates for us. If I'm not mistaken, he'll soon become the new Hall Master."
"In time, many of our disciples will be placed within the Royal Soul Engineering Academy of the Sun and Moon Empire. You will be one of them."
Lin Xiao frowned slightly. He didn't dislike soul-tools, but crafting them had never been his passion. His duties to the Church already occupied him fully—studying engineering would only take time away from cultivation.
"What is it? You object?"
"No," Lin Xiao said quickly, shaking his head. "I'm only afraid I lack the talent for soul engineering."
"That doesn't matter," the Nightmare Douluo replied with a faint chuckle. "Do your best. Even if your skill is poor, learning to use soul-tools is enough. We won't need to live in the shadows forever, but there will still be powers we cannot reveal openly."
"Knowing how to wield soul-tools will help you conceal your nature as an evil Spirit Master. Remember—being a Spirit Master and being a soul engineer are not incompatible. Our Church's Supreme Leader herself is both a master of cultivation and a formidable engineer."
Lin Xiao knew exactly whom he meant. He nodded slowly. "I understand, Teacher."
(End of Chapter)