Trying to Fool Each Other

"Since Your Highness the Crown Prince knows of these two Immortal Herbs, I presume I need not explain their effects."

"These two Immortal Herbs are paired together and complement one another. Taken at the same time, their effects can be multiplied severalfold."

"Well? Is Your Highness satisfied with these?"

"Peerless treasures, beyond reproach, but..."

Qian Renxue hesitated for a moment before finally asking, somewhat unwillingly.

"Tower Master Qin, I once read in a book that if ordinary people consume these, they will surely die. Is that true?"

"Correct. The energy contained within Immortal Herbs is far too immense; ordinary bodies simply cannot withstand it."

Naturally, Qin Shiyuan could not deny what he himself had written. He had done this precisely to put Qian Renxue at ease about absorbing the two Immortal Herbs.

As for himself, he could sense that his First Martial Soul was gradually being altered by the Nine Abyss Sword Box.

Though its transformation had yet to be completed, one could already see hints of it from the fact that it had previously endured a Martial Soul Fusion Skill unleashed by a God-Tier Martial Soul.

In terms of toughness, this Sword Sheath, which did not even possess a Spirit Ring, had already demonstrated strength far beyond that of ordinary Martial Souls.

If changes of this magnitude were merely the beginning, then the final form of his First Martial Soul would be far beyond anything so-called Immortal Herbs could provide.

Therefore, using this Aromatic Silk Beauty might instead prove counterproductive for him.

But if he gave it to Qian Renxue, it might allow her already powerful Angel Martial Soul to advance even further.

"I understand."

Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes dimmed slightly, though the change vanished in an instant.

Soon, she fixed her gaze upon Qin Shiyuan's silver mask again, another sharp glint bursting from her eyes.

"Tower Master Qin, I have one more question I would like you to answer."

"Go ahead."

Qin Shiyuan nodded slightly, without the slightest trace of impatience in his tone.

"I wish to know why, among all the people from the Heaven Dou Royal Family who have come here, you alone have treated this junior so well."

"As I see it, these two Immortal Herbs are true treasures of the mortal world, not something that can be purchased with money alone."

"Moreover, this junior does not believe there is anything on my person valuable enough to match these two Immortal Herbs."

"So, forgive this junior's presumption, Tower Master Qin, but what exactly is the purpose behind your actions?"

"HAHAHAHA!"

Qin Shiyuan was briefly stunned upon hearing this, then suddenly threw back his head and laughed loudly.

As though no longer intending to conceal his purpose, he laid his cards on the table with a hint of admiration in his voice.

"Worthy indeed of being the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Such intelligence is truly rare in this world."

"Since Your Highness has already noticed, I shall conceal it no longer."

"Indeed. If Your Highness wishes to have these two Immortal Herbs, you must agree to one condition."

"What condition? Please speak plainly, Tower Master Qin."

Qian Renxue's face was incomparably calm at this moment, showing not the slightest panic or tension.

"However, though Qinghe longs for these two Immortal Herbs, if you ask me to do anything that betrays the empire..."

"Then I am afraid Qinghe must forgo these two Immortal Herbs..."

"Hahaha, Your Highness is sincere and loyal. Naturally, I would not force you to do anything against your will."

Watching Qian Renxue wildly ramp up her acting, Qin Shiyuan was secretly holding back laughter beneath his mask.

"What I want is a promise from Your Highness."

"A promise?"

Qian Renxue looked slightly puzzled, unable to understand what Qin Shiyuan meant.

"Correct. I want a promise from Your Highness after you ascend the throne and become the ruler of Heaven Dou."

"What!"

Qian Renxue seemed to have suffered a tremendous shock. Her face filled with fury as she abruptly rose from the stone chair.

"Forgive this junior's rudeness, but are you urging me to seize power and usurp the throne?"

"If that is truly the case, then I must trouble you not to continue."

"Qinghe deeply respects and loves my imperial father and elder brother. I would never commit such a treasonous act."

Seeing Qian Renxue's agitated expression, Qin Shiyuan suppressed his laughter while calmly saying, "Your Highness is getting a little too worked up. When did I ever urge you to seize power and usurp the throne?"

"I have no desire to bear such an unfounded accusation."

Hearing Qin Shiyuan's denial, which did not seem false, even Qian Renxue was somewhat at a loss for a moment.

"Hm? But isn't that what you meant? That you want this junior to ascend the throne?"

"Since you are the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, isn't it only natural that you will ascend the throne in the future?"

Qin Shiyuan's casual retort instantly left Qian Renxue rooted to the spot.

Right. He was the Crown Prince—wasn't ascending the throne only natural?

Qian Renxue suddenly realized that she seemed to have let her identity as an infiltrator influence her thinking.

A chill ran down her back. At some point, she had broken out in a cold sweat.

Yet Qin Shiyuan once again turned a blind eye to the flaw she had exposed and continued speaking as though nothing had happened.

"When you ascend the throne is a matter for your Heaven Dou Royal Family. It has nothing to do with me."

"What I want is merely for you to agree to one small condition after you ascend the throne."

"What condition?"

Qian Renxue sat back down, her expression calm and unruffled, as though nothing had happened earlier.

"I cannot tell you what the condition is yet."

"However, I can promise in advance that this condition has nothing to do with the Heaven Dou Empire. It concerns only His Highness the Crown Prince himself."

"And if His Highness ultimately does not ascend the throne, or is dissatisfied with Qin's condition, then this matter will be dropped. How about it?"

"It's... it's really that simple?"

Qian Renxue was completely bewildered. She could refuse if she did not want to do it?

Then what was the difference between giving her these two Immortal Herbs for free?

After thinking it over repeatedly, Qian Renxue's eyes suddenly gleamed.

So what if there was a trap? She suddenly realized that, from beginning to end, the one who had spoken with Qin Shiyuan had been the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.

What did that have to do with Qian Renxue?

When the time came, even if the Lord of the Star-Plucking Tower came looking to settle accounts, he would be looking for Xue Qinghe.

At worst, she could abandon this identity and secretly flee.

With that thought, Qian Renxue no longer hesitated. She immediately put on a resolute expression and said, "Alright!"

"Since Senior has already shown Qinghe such consideration, it would be improper for this junior to refuse."

"Qinghe accepts your condition!"

"How was it? Has that girl left?"

"Lord, she has returned, but..."

Qin Shiyuan was still seated upright, leisurely savoring his tea, until he heard Shi Nian's report.

Before the other man could finish, Qin Shiyuan suddenly seemed to go limp, slumping gracelessly across the stone chair.

"That girl—why was she so sharp at a time like this? Even trying to bluff my way through was this difficult."

Qin Shiyuan rubbed his head in misery. Thinking back, even facing down five Titled Douluo that day had not exhausted him as much as this.

"Ah, right. What were you about to say just now?"

At Qin Shiyuan's careless question, Shi Nian's eyelids twitched violently as he silently retreated several dozen meters.

"Uh, well..."

"Miss Qian bought some more things, and then... then she went toward the tavern..."

A figure shot three meters into the air, and a furious roar instantly echoed throughout the entire seventh floor.

"Fuck!"

"Shi Nian! Get your ass over here!"

"Who the hell stops halfway through a sentence? See if I don't beat you to death!"