The Netherworld Cat Family's Hesitation!

"Your Majesty, I, the Deputy Commander of the Royal Fleet Earl of the Vast Sea, Zi Zhenzhu, pay my respects! I pay my respects to Your Majesty the Space Lord, and to His Highness the Prince!"

Zi Zhenzhu knelt on one knee with a respectful expression and paid homage to Xue Ke. She then bowed to Yu Tianmeng and Zhou Chen in turn. Her movements were quite standard, clearly indicating that she had been taught by royal etiquette eunuchs.

Previously, after confirming that Zi Zhenzhu had great value in winning over others, Xue Ke, who was always generous with her rewards, immediately appointed Zi Zhenzhu as the deputy commander of the Imperial Royal Fleet, granted her the title of Earl of Hanhai, and bestowed Vast Sea City upon her as her fief.

As for the former Hanhai City Lord, who ignored the orders of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and instead showed great respect to the Spirit Hall, he has been ordered to be executed by Xue Ke.

Zi Zhenzhu adapted quickly, transforming from a rebellious pirate who wanted to rebel against the aristocracy and save the common Dragon Slayer into a seemingly loyal imperial noble.

This stark contrast in performance even caught Zhou Chen's attention.

Get up.

Xue Ke waved her hand with a smile, signaling Zi Zhenzhu to stand up. Then she said softly, "Earl of Hanhai, I am not very familiar with the situation of the ocean and the fleet, so I will not issue orders indiscriminately. I hope you can incorporate your Purple Pearl Pirate Group into the Imperial Royal Fleet as soon as possible, and increase the intensity of training so that your men become qualified Heaven Dou Soldiers."

"Your Majesty's order will be obeyed."

Zi Zhenzhu lowered her head and said firmly.

Seemingly pleased with Zi Zhenzhu's respectful attitude, Xue Ke nodded and said with a smile, "Oh, doesn't your Purple Pearl Pirate Group have a large number of family members who need to be settled? Why don't you relocate them all to Vast Sea City, where they can be directly managed by your Earl's Mansion's staff? What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Zi Zhenzhu was overjoyed. She had originally thought that Empress Xue Ke would use their pirate crew's families as leverage, but she hadn't expected Xue Ke to be so magnanimous and tolerant.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Zi Zhenzhu knelt and kowtowed, saying excitedly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty has treated me with sincerity; I will swear to serve the Imperial Family to the death!"

"Hehe, if I doubt someone, I won't use them; if I use someone, I won't doubt them. Since I've appointed you as the deputy commander of the Royal Fleet, I won't hinder you."

Xue Ke smiled gently, her words radiating righteousness. Zi Zhenzhu looked up and felt that Her Your Majesty the Queen was bathed in the light of righteousness, exuding a sacred aura.

However, Zi Zhenzhu didn't know was that Xue Ke dared to do this not because she truly trusted people, but because of the Sea God Hall.

Yes, following Zhou Chen's advice, Xue Ke has already issued the Imperial Decree:

From this day forward, the Sea God Hall will replace the Spirit Hall as the Soul Master organization supported by the Heaven Dou Empire.

In every city of the Heaven Dou Empire, a branch temple of the Sea God Hall will be built, and a statue of the new Sea God Bo Saixi will be enshrined.

Only by enshrining a statue of Bo Saixi can the fame of this new Sea God be widely increased, thereby gathering the faith power needed by the deity.

And the power of faith is the source of the divine power of the gods.

This is why Bo Saixi, who was always conservative, was willing to establish a branch temple of the Sea God on land.

Because the more people believe in her, the greater her power will become.

Zhou Chen will also gain another powerful ally.

However, in order to prevent the Sea God Hall from becoming too powerful, Xue Ke and Yu Tianmeng discussed and decided to publicly appoint supervisors representing the Heaven Dou Empire, as well as some water-type Soul Masters drawn from various parts of the empire, to the Sea God Hall to assist the Sea God Hall's Sea Soul Masters in managing the branch temples in various places.

These water-type soul masters are all under the command of Shui Bing'er, the former captain of the Tianshui Academy Soul Master Team, the current vice dean of Tianshui Academy and royal retainer of the Tiandou Empire, and a level 73 Soul Saint.

Shui Binger, as one of the sisters in the harem, can still be trusted to some extent.

With these water-type Soul Masters planted in the Sea God Hall and directly managed by Shui Binger, the Heaven Dou Empire can indirectly influence, and even control, the power of the entire Sea God Hall.

The Sea God Hall will also become a surveillance network planted by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family in various locations, a sharp battle blade!

Since Vast Sea City is close to the sea, it is a good place to take the lead in building a branch of the Sea God Hall and inviting the Sea Soul Masters from Sea God Island and the water-type Soul Masters of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family to move in.

That's why Xue Ke generously bestowed the entire Vast Sea City upon Zi Zhenzhu, and even allowed the pirate group to arrange for their families to reside in Vast Sea City.

If the Purple Pearl Pirate Group dare to make any moves, the royal family's sword can be wielded at any time!

A carrot in one hand and a stick in the other, using both kindness and severity – this is the art of imperial rule!

Although this imperial strategy is only at a very basic level, it's enough to deal with the nearly illiterate pirates of the Purple Pearl Pirate Group.

Seeing Zi Zhenzhu's grateful expression, Xue Ke stepped forward, bent down to help her up, and patted her shoulder affectionately, saying softly, "Go to Vast Sea City as soon as possible to take up your post. A Royal Fleet Base will be set up in Vast Sea City, and you will be in charge of it. The pirates you recruit will also train there."

"Yes, ma'am."

Zi Zhenzhu bowed again, then turned her head and strode away from the hall.

Having been completely subdued by Xue Ke's methods, Zi Zhenzhu was now filled with thoughts of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country. She wished she could fly to Vast Sea City immediately to build a massive fleet for the empire!

"Call..."

After Zi Zhenzhu left, Xue Ke suddenly let out a long sigh, then stretched and said, "Pretending to be a wise and benevolent ruler is really tiring!"

Zhou Chen: "..."

Yu Tianmeng and Qian Renxue: "..."

An awkward silence fell over the main hall.

After a long while, Xue Ke finally relaxed from her languid mood. She suddenly remembered that she still hadn't torn up Qian Renxue!

Immediately, Xue Ke looked at Qian Renxue, who was hiding under the covers, unable to speak and looking pitiful. Her clear blue eyes narrowed slightly, flashing with a dangerous light!

How should she deal with this flirtatious jerk who's trying to seduce her husband? Braised? Or steamed/stewed?

Just as the flames of war were about to ignite, the crisp sound of high heels approached from afar.

A heavily pregnant Zhu Zhuqing, supported by her older sister Zhu Zhuyun, slowly walked over.

Xue Ke stared at Zhu Zhuqing's belly with envy.

"Zhu Zhuqing, what brings you here?"

Zhou Chen quickly stepped forward to support Zhu Zhuqing's shoulders and pulled her into his arms.

Zhu Zhuyun, being sensible, released her younger sister and stepped aside.

This submissive demeanor is nothing like the arrogant and domineering Zhu Family's direct descendant who used to kill at the drop of a hat.

"My lord, I heard you brought back a female pirate named Zi Zhenzhu?"

Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and suddenly said.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Chen was completely bewildered and asked, somewhat confused.

Zhu Zhuqing forced a smile, then turned to Xue Ke and continued, "I heard that His Majesty is planning to incorporate the Purple Pearl Pirate Group and attack the Star Luo Empire by sea?"

"Hmm, there is such a plan. Zhu Zhuqing, what's this about...?"

Xue Ke looked at Zhu Zhuqing with some confusion, wondering why a pregnant woman like Zhu Zhuqing would suddenly ask this question.

"Can we avoid fighting the Star Luo Empire?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked troubled and said in a low voice, "No matter what, the Star Luo Empire is where I was born and raised, and the relationship between our Zhu Family and the Star Luo Royal Family is far too close..."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ke changed drastically, and her anger soared.

For an ambitious emperor, it would be better to kill her than to stop her from expanding her territory.

Moreover, they're using such a ridiculous, personal reason to stop it!

Her flat chest trembled violently. Xue Ke suppressed her anger and said as gently as possible, "Zhu Zhuqing, it's not that I don't respect you, it's just that the world's affairs, after a long period of division, will eventually unite."

"The current chaos in Douluo Continent is causing heavy casualties among soldiers and civilians, with bones covering the fields. This is all because orders are issued from different sources, and the two great empires, the Spirit Hall, and various kingdoms, duchies, sects, and aristocratic families are all acting independently and hostile to each other."

"The only way to end this chaos is to conquer the Star Luo Empire, defeat the Spirit Hall, and eliminate all forces that dare to oppose the Heaven Dou Empire. Only then can we truly usher in lasting peace!"

At this point, Xue Ke narrowed her eyes, looked at Zhu Zhuqing, and said leisurely, "Such a grand plan, how can it be abandoned just because of the Zhu Family?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's expression darkened. She opened her mouth, but hesitated, unsure how to refute it.

After all, Xue Ke's explanation of the overall situation and trends was very reasonable and much more convincing than her own.

"Zhu Zhuqing, how did you know that the Empire had a plan to attack the Star Luo Empire by sea?"

Yu Tianmeng, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke out.

Upon hearing this, Xue Ke immediately realized what was going on.

Yes, this plan is extremely secret. In theory, only she, Yu Tianmeng, Zhou Chen, Duke Zhi Xin of Rose Duke, and Earl Zi Zhenzhu of Hanhai know about it.

So, how did Zhu Zhuqing find out?

Did someone leak the plan? Or did the Star Luo Empire plant spies in the palace?

Xue Ke immediately began to have doubts.

Seeing the strange looks in Xue Ke and Yu Tianmeng's eyes, Zhu Zhuqing stopped hiding it and said calmly, "It's a guess."

"A guess?"

Xue Ke didn't believe it at all. There's a saying that big breasts mean no brains. With breasts as firm as yours, your brain capacity must be very small. How could you possibly guess it?

Faced with Xue Ke's question, Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "What's so hard to guess? Recently, the Empire has been continuously sending Soul Guidance Cannons, sailors, and various supplies to the Royal Fleet's various bases. The transport convoys are endless and make a huge show of force. Anyone who pays a little attention can find out."

"Mobilizing so many resources and personnel clearly indicates an intention to expand the fleet. The Heaven Dou Empire has no enemies at sea, so what else could it be for besides attacking the Star Luo Empire, which also has a coastline, to expand such a massive fleet and even recruit pirate groups?"

Zhu Zhuqing's analysis directly shocked everyone present.

Even Zhou Chen, who knew Zhu Zhuqing inside and out, couldn't help but be impressed by the girl's intelligence.

However, at this moment, Yu Tianmeng raised an eyebrow and suddenly said, "Zhu Zhuqing, is it because someone is trying to persuade you that you've decided to stop us from attacking the Star Luo Empire?"

Before she finished speaking, Yu Tianmeng's gaze fell on Zhu Zhuyun, who was standing to the side.

Yu Tianmeng's suspicions were not unfounded.

As a pregnant woman, Zhu Zhuqing focused all her energy on the baby in her womb and usually stayed quietly at the Shrek Academy, never going out.

How could a pregnant woman who rarely goes out possibly know so much about the situation of the Imperial transport fleet's supplies and personnel?

Someone must have whispered something in her ear!

This person is very likely her older sister, Zhu Zhuyun!

Feeling Yu Tianmeng's sharp, piercing gaze, Zhu Zhuyun shuddered and quickly waved her hand, saying, "It has nothing to do with me. It's our aunt Zhu Youlan. She's been constantly crying and nagging around Zhu Zhuqing. Zhu Zhuqing couldn't stand it anymore, so she had to come to you."

Zhu Youlan was the former Empress of Emperor Dai Tianfeng of the Star Luo Empire, the eldest daughter of the Netherworld Spirit Cat Zhu Family, and a Soul Douluo- level powerhouse.

After the Battle of Jialing Pass, Dai Tianfeng was killed in battle, and Zhu Youlan was captured. Out of respect for Zhu Zhuqing, Xue Ke did not kill the Empress of the enemy country, but sealed Zhu Youlan's Soul Power and placed her in the Shrek Academy, where she and her niece Zhu Zhuyun took care of Zhu Zhuqing.

"That poisonous woman, Zhu Youlan!"

Xue Ke sneered and said, "I spared her life out of kindness, and it's one thing for her to be restless and unruly, but she even dared to slander my pregnant niece like this? Isn't she afraid that this will cause a huge uproar and affect the baby's development?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's expression immediately changed.

She hadn't thought of this before; she just felt sorry for her aunt, who had lost her husband and son.

Looking back now, it seems that her aunt probably had ill intentions from the beginning, actually instigating her, a pregnant woman, to participate in imperial decision-making.

As the Empress of the Tiandou Empire, Xue Ke prioritizes the overall interests of the Heaven Dou Empire. How could she possibly stop her attacks on the Star Luo Empire?

If she and Xue Ke were to clash head-on and neither would back down, and things escalated into a real fight, she might even suffer a miscarriage from the stress.

Did her aunt not consider these situations at all?

Impossible!

If Zhu Youlan, as the Empress of the Star Luo Empire, didn't even have this much intelligence, she would have fallen in the cruel palace intrigue long ago.

Despite her status as a daughter of the Zhu Family, the Zhu Family has a vast number of direct and collateral relatives. If she dies, the Star Luo Royal Family can easily marry another woman from the Zhu Family as Empress.

As long as the Hell White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill can be used and passed down, no one will care about the life or death of a Zhu Family woman.

Therefore, Zhu Youlan's ability to firmly hold the position of Empress and wield immense power in the Star Luo Empire suggests that her intelligence is definitely not low.

If Zhu Youlan had any intelligence, she should have been able to foresee the consequences of the fierce conflict between the pregnant Zhu Zhuqing and Emperor Xue Ke of the Heaven Dou Emperor.

Zhu Youlan's actions only prove that she is using Zhu Zhuqing as a tool and doesn't care about the safety of Zhu Zhuqing and the child at all!

"That wicked woman... I'm going to kill her!"

Yu Tianmeng gritted her teeth, her whole body flashing with silver light, and prepared to open a portal to teleport directly to the Shrek Academy and kill Zhu Youlan.

Xue Ke shook her head, saying, "Killing Zhu Youlan is pointless. After all, she was the former Empress of the Star Luo Empire and is now the Empress Dowager. If we're ruthless enough, she still has a lot of value to us!"

Thank you all for your subscriptions, donations, recommendations, and monthly tickets.

?

????