The Emperor's Thoughts (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Bang!

A fist slammed hard onto the table.

"Dai Weisi is dead! And he died at my Star Luo Royal Academy! How dare that thief be so utterly audacious!"

As soon as he said this, everyone below the hall silently lowered their heads, not uttering a word.

Although the speaker's words were furious, his face showed little emotion. He merely wore a cold expression.

Or rather, he had long since grown accustomed to hiding his emotions.

He was the Emperor of Star Luo—Dai Yi! (Did the original work ever mention the name of the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire? I couldn't find it, so I'll call him this for now.)

After the deaths of Dai Weisi and the other person, he was the one Jiang Qianhai had sensed.

Earlier, Dai Weisi had sought him out and asked him to leave Zhu Zhuyun a contingency plan. If Zhu Zhuyun died, that contingency plan would detect it immediately.

He had originally had no idea why, but who would have thought that someone would truly dare assassinate a Prince in the imperial capital?

And the one killed was the First Prince Dai Weisi, who had the greatest hope of becoming the Crown Prince!

Of course, what enraged him was not that his son had died, but that someone had dared kill a person in the imperial capital!

One had to understand that killing an ordinary person in the imperial capital was already a slap in his face, let alone killing a Prince.

If the murderer could not be found, his imperial family's dignity would be utterly trampled. At that point, what would he use to control the Empire?

Even if no one dared say anything openly, they would certainly curse him behind his back!

If someone could kill a Prince in the imperial capital without being caught, then could their Emperor also be assassinated someday?

The nobles were even more troublesome. They would definitely condemn the imperial family's incompetence in secret, and might even develop thoughts they should not have.

Dai Yi swept his cold gaze over the ministers below. He had anticipated this scene long ago.

He did not bother with any useless efforts and casually pointed at one of the ministers.

"Go summon the Zhu Family Head!"

"Yes!"

The man bowed, then let out a sigh of relief after turning around.

He had never experienced such an atmosphere since taking office. He was truly panicking inside.

Dai Yi saw the man's performance but gave no indication, as though he had seen nothing.

"The murderer must be found, and quickly. Otherwise, where will the imperial family's authority be?" Dai Yi looked down at the assembled ministers. "Whoever can provide clues about the murderer will receive a generous reward from me!"

The people below exchanged glances, but for a time, no one stepped forward.

"Vice Dean, the incident happened not long after you left. Tell me, has the First Prince recently provoked any enemies?"

The plant-type Martial Soul Vice Dean, who had fought Dai Weisi earlier, wore a bitter expression. He had merely been a sparring partner—how would he know what enemies the First Prince had?

Wasn't this making things difficult for him?

But there was nothing he could do. He could only step forward. "Your Majesty, at that time, I had been summoned by Your Majesty and do not know of any clues."

"You may withdraw."

Dai Yi still wore an expressionless face, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

"The Zhu Family Head has arrived!"

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The Zhu Family Head wore black heavy armor. He came before the assembled ministers and then began to bow.

"Rise, my dear subject. Do you know why I summoned you?"

"This subject does not know."

"Your eldest daughter is dead."

The Zhu Family Head's body trembled, and his expression turned somewhat disbelieving.

"Zhu Zhuyun is dead? How did she die?"

"She was burned to ashes by an assassin. The First Prince also died in the attack." Dai Yi watched the Zhu Family Head's face. "Do you know anything about the murderer?"

The Zhu Family Head hurriedly lowered his head. "This subject does not know."

"No. I believe you do."

A smile appeared on Dai Yi's face, his expression inscrutable.

The Zhu Family Head's mind raced. When he looked up at Dai Yi's expression, his heart suddenly tightened.

He understood!

The real focus of this matter was not finding the murderer at all!

Although his daughter's death had saddened him somewhat, it seemed that it was no longer important.

The Zhu Family Head considered his words, then said:

"Your Majesty, I suddenly remembered that I seem to have some impression of the matter. Perhaps it could serve as a clue."

The smile on Dai Yi's face became a little more genuine. "My dear subject, speak!"

"Not long ago, this subject captured several travelers who appeared to be enemy spies. This subject does not know whether they are related to the assassination of the Prince today."

"Oh? Did you find out which country's spies they were?"

Hearing the Emperor continue asking questions, the Zhu Family Head thought, As expected, I chose the right direction.

"Your Majesty, we interrogated them and found that most had been sent by the Heaven Dou Empire. Their purpose is unknown."

"Hmph! That Heaven Dou Empire!" The Star Luo Emperor angrily flung his sleeve. "So many spies—they must have prepared for today's assassination long ago! They actually assassinated our Crown Prince. If we do not demand an explanation, what face does our Star Luo Empire have to call itself an empire?"

The ministers exchanged glances again.

Minister A: "Is this really how it happened?"

Minister B: "Whatever His Majesty says, that is what happened. Does the truth matter?"

Minister C: "Idiots, why are you still standing there?"

Minister B was slightly stunned. He looked around and saw nothing but people denouncing the Heaven Dou Empire. Some said that Star Luo had suffered under Heaven Dou for far too long, while others said that Heaven Dou's desire to destroy Star Luo had never died, and that its wolfish ambitions were plain for all to see!

"I have seen and heard the suffering of all my dear subjects. That vast Heaven Dou Empire actually committed such a villainous act. I will certainly seek justice for our Star Luo!"

"However, it is getting late. I imagine all of you are tired. Withdraw for today."

Everyone agreed.

"Zhu Family Head, stay behind."

......

The ministers withdrew, leaving only Dai Yi and the Zhu Family Head in the great hall.

In the silence, the Zhu Family Head spoke first. "May I ask why Your Majesty has kept me here?"

Dai Yi sighed and walked over to the Zhu Family Head. With a sorrowful expression, he patted his shoulder.

"Do you think I am too cold-blooded?"

The Zhu Family Head remained expressionless. "That is not so. I know that everything Your Majesty does is for the Empire."

"Look at you—you're holding such a stiff face. Doesn't that mean you think I'm cold-blooded?" Dai Yi seemed to shed his disguise. "My son is dead. I know how you feel, but in my position, I have no choice but to put familial affection aside. If you hate me, then hate me."

"To assassinate a Prince silently in a place as heavily guarded as Star Luo City, and for the assassin to escape safely even under my protection, without us even catching a shadow of them—do you know how difficult that is?"

The Zhu Family Head pressed his lips together. "This subject cannot do it."

Dai Yi shook his head. "It isn't only you who cannot do it. I cannot do it either. The other party's strength is very likely above mine."

"Is there really not a single clue?"

The Zhu Family Head asked with a frown.

"The assassin's Martial Soul is related to fire."

"Nothing else?"

"Nothing else."

Dai Yi shook his head. He did not want to discuss this painful matter, so he directly changed the subject.

"Is there anything else?"

The Zhu Family Head's eyes flickered. "Your Majesty, are we going to war with Heaven Dou?"

Dai Yi laughed heartily. "Do you think so too?"

But immediately afterward, his tone changed. "Of course not. Heaven Dou and we are evenly matched. War would benefit neither side."

"Then why..."

Dai Yi's expression suddenly turned cold. "For our own protection! We also need to test whether the Heaven Dou Empire has noticed it as well. That Spirit Hall's ambitions are too great!"

Thanks to Truth for a monthly ticket! Thanks to book friend 20230206234456346 for a monthly ticket! Thanks to book friend 20190609183317729 for a monthly ticket! Thanks to book friend 20230302442-dc for two monthly tickets! Thanks to Clear Sky's Youth for a monthly ticket! Thanks to ass1we1can for a monthly ticket!

The second chapter is undergoing review after being posted. It might not be available for the time being.

Sorry, my driving skills were too poor. I'll try not to drive in the future.