The Sun Moon Empire, where the imperial palace stood.
"Useless! You're all useless!"
Looking at the intelligence report in his hands, the Old Emperor flew into a rage and flipped the table over.
It was no wonder the Old Emperor had lost his composure. The Sun Moon Empire hadn't sent anyone to take part this time, but it had paid a hefty price for the Assassination Plan.
The Sun Moon Empire had handled almost all the preparations, spending considerable manpower and money. It had even activated its sleeper agents, who had been embedded in the Star Luo Empire for years.
On top of that, there was the Rank 9 defensive Soul Tool.
Even across the entire Sun Moon Empire, this Rank 9 defensive Soul Tool was an immensely precious item.
If the Assassination Plan hadn't been so important, the Sun Moon Empire would never have taken it out.
After all, it was a treasure that could save your life in a critical moment!
Who wouldn't want more of those?
Just then,
"Father."
A voice sounded in the study.
The next moment, Xu Tianran was wheeled in by an attendant.
"How did things go over there?"
After taking a moment to calm his anger, the Old Emperor asked with a dark expression.
"Jing Hongchen hasn't given an answer. He's still stalling," Xu Tianran replied, his expression just as grim.
So much time had passed, and his patience was wearing thin, too.
"Does he think stalling will solve anything?"
"I'll give him one last chance. If he still refuses..."
The Old Emperor sneered. "Seize them for defying my decree."
He had nowhere to vent his anger, and he had no patience left to keep dragging things out with Jing Hongchen.
In a way, Jing Hongchen had come along at just the right time to take the brunt of his fury.
"Yes, Father."
Xu Tianran nodded, then asked tentatively, "What about Mingde Hall?"
"Have Xu Tianyuan serve as acting master of Mingde Hall."
The Old Emperor glanced at his son, hinting at something as he added, "As for everything else, use your own judgment."
"I understand, Father."
Xu Tianran cupped his hands. "I'll give you an answer you'll be satisfied with."
With that, he signaled for the attendant to wheel him away.
As he turned, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Mingde Hall was a juicy prize, and every faction had its eye on it.
Unfortunately, under Jing Hongchen's management, it was as secure as an iron fortress. No one had been able to infiltrate it.
But with Jing Hongchen's fall, this was the perfect time to carve up that prize.
Xu Tianran, Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, would never miss such a good opportunity.
Sun Douluo Xu Tianyuan was Xu Tianran's clan elder brother and one of his most loyal supporters.
That left plenty of room to maneuver.
Meanwhile, at the Hongchen Family estate,
"After this failed assassination, His Majesty's patience with us must be at its limit."
At the dining table, Jing Hongchen looked at his grandchildren, his chubby face filled with worry. "It won't be long before he gives us one final ultimatum."
"Grandpa, I'll marry the Crown Prince!"
Seeing her grandfather like this, a trace of resistance flashed through Meng Hongchen's beautiful eyes. Still, she pressed her lips together and spoke up.
"Meng'er, I won't force you to do something you don't want to do."
Jing Hongchen shook his head, his expression firm.
Deep in his eyes, however, there was a touch of tenderness, as well as a fury he could barely conceal.
He had raised Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen himself, and the bond between them went without saying.
No matter what, he wouldn't let his granddaughter become someone else's pawn.
That was his final line.
"A Meng, Grandpa..."
Xiao Hongchen looked at his sister's aggrieved expression, then at his worried grandfather. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say anything.
"Xiao, if you have something to say, just say it."
Jing Hongchen noticed his hesitation at once and furrowed his brows. "There's no need to beat around the bush."
"Grandpa, Meng'er, why don't we run away?"
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Hongchen asked tentatively, "With Grandpa's strength as a Titled Douluo and his status as a Rank 9 Soul Master, we could make a good life for ourselves anywhere."
"We can't escape."
At that, Jing Hongchen's gaze flickered, and he let out a quiet sigh.
The Hongchen Family had been rooted in the Sun Moon Empire for thousands of years. And because of his family and his teacher, Jing Hongchen had been unfailingly loyal to the Sun Moon Empire.
The Sun Moon Royal Family knew this perfectly well. Otherwise, they never would have given him such an important position as master of Mingde Hall.
But family ties meant more to Jing Hongchen than the Sun Moon Empire itself.
Even after the Sky Curtain revealed Meng Hongchen's future, Jing Hongchen had never considered betraying the Sun Moon Empire.
But now, the Sun Moon Royal Family was pressing him at every turn, even trying to use his granddaughter against him.
That was something Jing Hongchen could never accept.
Jing Hongchen had considered fleeing the Sun Moon Empire, but he knew all too well how powerless he was against the might of an entire nation.
After the Sky Curtain disappeared, many people had kept their eyes on his family from the shadows.
If they made even the slightest move, Jing Hongchen was certain at least four Titled Douluos would descend on them in an instant.
For three generations, the Hongchen Family had had only one heir at a time. His father and son had both risked their lives for the empire, dying on the battlefield, only for things to end like this.
The Sun Moon Royal Family's actions had finally crushed the loyal old minister's faith in the empire.
Jing Hongchen could understand the Sun Moon Royal Family, but he couldn't accept what they were doing.
As he thought about it, Jing Hongchen slowly clenched his fists, hating how powerless he was.
"Grandpa, I..."
Before Meng Hongchen could finish, Jing Hongchen stroked his granddaughter's head and smiled at her tenderly. "Meng'er, Grandpa will find a way."
The Hongchen Family's accumulated resources from the past several thousand years were no small matter. As long as they were willing to pay a great price,
even the Sun Moon Royal Family wouldn't dare touch them lightly. At most, they would be placed under house arrest.
And that would be an opportunity!
Looks like I'll have to ask my teacher for help!
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Nothing major happened during that time. The entire continent was calm, and the Holy Spirit Cult didn't make any more big moves.
Everyone was waiting for the next Sky Curtain to appear.
"By my reckoning, it should be starting soon."
Gu Tian glanced up at the clear blue sky and made the cryptic remark.
Beside him, the little girl Zhu Lu blinked in confusion, clearly at a loss.
Rumble!
The next moment, fierce winds swept across the sky as lightning flashed and thunder boomed.
Golden light appeared, instantly spreading across the entire continent.
Most people were startled.
They all turned their gazes to the sky as the brilliant golden light gradually formed a Sky Curtain.
"The Sky Curtain?"
"Looks like it's time for the second round of revelations."
"I wonder what it'll reveal this time?"
"Whatever it is, it won't have anything to do with ordinary people like us. We're just here to watch the spectacle."
"Just as I thought. Let's see what you'll reveal this time."
Gu Tian raised an eyebrow and murmured with interest.
Only then did Zhu Lu realize what Gu Tian had meant earlier.
Her cheeks flushed red.
How could she have forgotten something so important?
"I hope it reveals something about that Golden Armor."
Zhongli Wu's face was pale, clearly still recovering from his earlier injuries.
His eyes gleamed with a chilling light as he stared fixedly at the Sky Curtain that had appeared once more above them.
The terrifying power of the Ultimate Emperor Armor had scared the four members of the Holy Spirit Cult out of their wits.
After they fled back, Zhongli Wu had mobilized the Holy Spirit Cult's intelligence network, as well as every informant the Sun Moon Empire had. Unfortunately, they'd come up empty-handed.
Until they figured out exactly what that Golden Armor was and what limitations it had, they wouldn't dare act recklessly.
Before you continue