Assassinating Zhao Zilong

"Sorry, Your Majesty, but I already have someone I like." Zhao Zilong immediately refused. Although Xue Ke was quite beautiful, Zhao Zilong had no desire to become a prince consort. Especially with people involved in politics—their hearts were all filthy. And if he truly became a prince consort, there would be many times when he could not act as he wished.

Besides, once he became a prince consort, would it not be even more troublesome if they set a whole bunch of rules and restrictions for him?

In truth, when Xue Ye refused to hand the Haihan Qiankun Cover over to him, Zhao Zilong had already abandoned the idea of openly obtaining the Haihan Qiankun Cover from him.

After all, the Haihan Qiankun Cover was a national treasure of the Heaven Dou Empire. Since Xue Ye was unwilling to award it to him now and could even go back on the promise he had made, Zhao Zilong naturally had no intention of continuing to waste time in the Heaven Dou Empire. Since Xue Ye would not give it to him in the end anyway, there was no need to waste his feelings here.

He could only turn his attention to Xue Qinghe. Zhao Zilong knew that Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue, and Spirit Hall had always harbored plans to usurp the Heaven Dou Empire. Since there was no way to make Xue Ye hand over the Haihan Qiankun Cover openly, he could only ask Bibi Dong for help.

As for Xue Ke, once Spirit Hall controlled the Heaven Dou Empire in the future, she would merely be a decorative princess. If he wanted her, he could take her whenever he pleased.

These thoughts flashed rapidly through Zhao Zilong's mind. Meng Yiran beside him clearly had not thought as much as he had. Hearing Zhao Zilong's answer, she was overjoyed. When she had just heard Xue Ye's proposal, she had truly worried about what would happen if Zhao Zilong agreed to become the Heaven Dou Empire's prince consort. After all, that was a princess! Yet Zhao Zilong had refused without even thinking, deeply moving Meng Yiran.

Seeing Zhao Zilong reject the offer without hesitation, Xue Ye's expression became somewhat awkward. He said, "Fine. Since that is the case, forget it."

Then, Xue Ye waved his hand. Soon, a palace maid approached carrying a tray, upon which lay two soul bones. Xue Ye introduced them, "Both are Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, each around twelve thousand years old. The one on the left is a right leg bone from a Fire Leopard Cat, while the one on the right is a skull bone from a Black Flame Baboon."

Zhao Zilong looked at the two soul bones, accepted both of them, and cupped his fists. "Thank you for Your Majesty's reward."

"Then we shall take our leave." After saying that, Zhao Zilong slightly cupped his fists toward Xue Ye before leaving.

After Zhao Zilong left, a cold glint appeared in Xue Ye's eyes. Prince Xue Xing snapped, "Hmph, this Zhao Zilong is far too presumptuous. Imperial Brother kindly offered Xue Ke's hand to him, yet he did not appreciate it at all. Truly detestable."

"Imperial Brother, when we discovered that he had been lying, you should have immediately ordered his arrest. Then he would not have had the chance to take Bibi Dong as his master later on."

Xue Ye sighed upon hearing this. Ever since Zhao Zilong had claimed to be Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi's disciple, both Xue Ye and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had attached great importance to the matter.

Although Sea God Island was isolated from the world much of the time, money could make even ghosts move mountains. On several islands and in several cities near Sea God Island, there was still some trade with Sea God Island.

After expending tremendous effort to investigate, they learned that Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi had no disciples at all. Even the residents of Sea God Island had never heard of anyone named Zhao Zilong.

Later, Xue Ye and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect exchanged their intelligence. After repeated confirmation, they understood that Zhao Zilong had been lying. As for his reason, it was likely to build up his own reputation and make people mistakenly believe that he had a powerful backer.

Was that not exactly the case? Ordinary factions would probably have been deceived by Zhao Zilong, but the Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were both immensely powerful forces. They lacked neither manpower, material resources, nor wealth, and only after great effort did they uncover the truth.

Xue Qinghe was somewhat impressed. "However, Zhao Zilong was able to build himself a castle in the air through his own wisdom despite being a commoner. That is indeed no simple feat. Though it was false, one must admit that he used this method to gain the attention of quite a few people."

"Furthermore, he has indeed become a disciple of Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall."

Prince Xue Xing said solemnly, "Imperial Brother, Zhao Zilong's talent and potential are immeasurable. If such a person cannot be used by us, he will surely become a grave threat in the future! Moreover, we failed to fulfill our promise today and did not give him the Haihan Qiankun Cover. He will certainly bear a grudge against us in the future, which will be detrimental to the Heaven Dou Empire."

Hearing Prince Xue Xing's words, Xue Qinghe could not help giving him a thumbs-up inwardly. Even if Prince Xue Xing had not said it, he would have said the same. He immediately followed up, "Yes, Father. Imperial Uncle is right. If a genius like this cannot be used by us, he will sooner or later become a sharp blade pointed at us."

Xue Ye and Prince Xue Xing looked at Xue Qinghe, both with a trace of puzzlement in their eyes. Xue Ye asked, "Qinghe, are you not on rather good personal terms with Zhao Zilong? Why would you say this?"

Xue Qinghe replied righteously, "I do admire him, but that is merely personal sentiment. When it comes to the greater interests of the nation, Qinghe would not dare mix in personal feelings. Moreover, Zhao Zilong is extremely vindictive and always repays every grievance in kind. If we do not eliminate him now, before his wings have fully grown, the harm he may cause in the future will be immeasurable!"

Xue Ye fell silent upon hearing this. Prince Xue Xing continued, "That is right. Qinghe is correct. Imperial Brother, do you still remember Shrek Academy?"

"That Zhao Zilong originally came from Shrek Academy. But because he had some conflicts with Tang San and Yu Xiaogang of Shrek Academy, he ruthlessly retaliated against the Shrek Battle Team during the Spirit Master Competition. This shows that he is narrow-minded and extremely vengeful."

"Today, we did not give him the Haihan Qiankun Cover he wanted. Once he grows powerful in the future, he will definitely regard our Heaven Dou Empire as an enemy."

Hearing Prince Xue Xing say this, Xue Qinghe could not help praising him inwardly. Cupping his fists, he said, "Father, Imperial Uncle's words are reasonable. We must make preparations as soon as possible."

Xue Ye also nodded lightly, and the killing intent in his eyes grew even stronger. In truth, he had already harbored murderous intent when Zhao Zilong left, but as the ruler of a nation, it was not proper for him to say it outright. Now that both Xue Xing and Xue Qinghe had said so, Xue Ye made up his mind. "However, Zhao Zilong has now taken Pope Bibi Dong as his master. If we act openly, would that not offend Spirit Hall? Even if we are to kill him, Spirit Hall cannot know that we were responsible. Otherwise, we will surely invite Spirit Hall's retaliation."

After speaking, Xue Ye looked at Xue Qinghe and asked, "Qinghe, do you have any ideas?"

Xue Qinghe was delighted inwardly upon hearing this. Cupping his fists, he said, "Father, I can recommend two people. If it is them, they can definitely eliminate Zhao Zilong without anyone noticing."

"Which two?" Xue Ye immediately asked.

Xue Qinghe smiled elegantly. "The first is Bone Douluo Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. His martial soul is an exceedingly rare top-tier martial soul, the Bone Dragon. He is the most elusive spirit master on Douluo Continent and possesses powerful spatial abilities. He can completely kill without leaving a trace. The second is Poison Douluo Dugu Bo. His deadly poison can make someone vanish from the world without leaving the slightest evidence."

"Those two, huh? Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo are both Titled Douluos. If they act, it can indeed be done silently. One could even say success is guaranteed." As Xue Ye spoke, he looked at Xue Qinghe and Prince Xue Xing. Poison Douluo had an excellent relationship with Prince Xue Xing and was also a guest elder of the Heaven Dou Empire. Bone Douluo, however, was somewhat troublesome. Although he had also received honors from the Heaven Dou Empire and was regarded as one of its guest elders, Bone Douluo belonged to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and obeyed only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not the Heaven Dou Empire.

After thinking for a moment, Xue Ye said, "Xue Xing, then go and ask Mister Dugu to take action."

"Yes, I accept the order." Xue Xing cupped his fists.

At this moment, Xue Qinghe also said, "Father, I also plan to make a trip to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and inform my teacher of this matter. I hope the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can assist us as well."

Xue Ye considered it. The Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were practically bound together. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect controlled more than half of the Heaven Dou Empire's merchant associations and assets, and Bone Douluo and Sword Douluo were nominally guest elders of the Heaven Dou Empire as well, though they essentially obeyed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He then nodded in agreement. "Mm, go."