Chapter 28

After arriving in Heaven Dou City, the group went their separate ways.

Ning Fengzhi and the others returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Xue Qinghe, meanwhile, was entrusted to Dugu Bo, who escorted him back to the palace.

Xue Qinghe looked at Xuan Qing.

"Brother Xuan Qing, please forgive me. I've been away for many days, and my official duties must have piled up like a mountain. Once I've taken care of them, I'll be sure to visit and apologize in person."

Xuan Qing waved a hand.

"Your Highness, you're being too serious. Go take care of your business. Don't worry about me."

Xue Qinghe turned and walked into the palace. His back looked burdened; Xuan Qing's words had probably struck him hard.

Dugu Bo looked at Xuan Qing.

"Where are you going? Surely you're not planning to stay in the medicinal garden again?"

Xuan Qing thought for a moment.

"Do you have any spare rooms at your place?"

Dugu Bo laughed.

"The way you put it! Apart from the servants and maids who do the cleaning, it's just Yan Yan and me in the whole manor. There are plenty of empty rooms. Stay in whichever one you like."

"Then I'll stay at your place. I don't have anywhere else to go anyway. I'll rest for a while and figure things out later."

Dugu Bo thumped his chest.

"No problem! Stay as long as you like. Make yourself at home."

The three of them headed for Dugu Manor. It was within Heaven Dou City, not far from the palace. The estate was large, but there were few people, making it seem rather desolate.

Back at the palace, Xue Qinghe went straight to see Xue Ye. He needed to report what he had learned over the past few days.

Xue Ye was in his study. When Xue Qinghe entered, he set down the memorial he was reading.

"You're back, Qinghe. Did you learn anything on your trips to Suotuo City?"

After paying his respects, Xue Qinghe briefly recounted everything: Xuan Qing's strength, Yu Xiaogang's true nature, Tang San's Twin Martial Souls, and the secret of the Blue Silver Emperor.

And, at the end, Xuan Qing's words—that Spirit Hall would inevitably launch a war within twenty years.

Xue Ye fell silent for a long while. Rubbing his temples, he sighed.

"I knew Spirit Hall would make a move sooner or later, but I never thought it would be this soon. We finally got someone with Twin Martial Souls, only for him to be raised into a good-for-nothing. What a pity, what a pity!"

Xue Qinghe hesitated, then decided to warn him.

"Father, the thing we should be most worried about right now isn't Spirit Hall. It's Xuan Qing."

Xue Ye was clearly taken aback.

"Why? He shouldn't bear us any ill will."

"Father, do you remember how, over the past two years, large numbers of nobles were slaughtered, with evidence of corruption hung on their corpses?"

Xue Ye's expression changed.

"You mean... Xuan Qing did it?"

Xue Qinghe nodded.

"It's hard to believe, but Demon Dragon Douluo has already produced that mask. That's practically as good as a personal admission."

"And the truth is, Xuan Qing doesn't care who you are. He only cares about right and wrong. If he thinks you deserve to die, he'll kill you without hesitation."

Xue Ye's expression changed completely. He thought of those cases; every one of them had been horrifying.

City lords, nobles, generals—he showed no mercy, killing them just like that.

If Xuan Qing decided that the Heaven Dou Imperial Family deserved to die... Xue Ye couldn't bear to think further.

"Father, the slave trade must stop, at the very least. It will affect us, but compared to pushing Xuan Qing over to the other side, that loss is nothing."

Xue Ye nodded.

"Pass on my decree: convert every registered slave into a servant. If they don't wish to stay, give them some money and let them leave."

Xue Qinghe shook his head.

"Father, that's not enough. Don't forget, those nobles broke the laws of the empire, and we turned a blind eye to many of their crimes. Xuan Qing must know. He's probably waiting for a spark."

Xue Ye frowned.

"A spark? What do you mean?"

"Xuan Qing is waiting to see where we stand. If he sees us making only superficial gestures without any real reform, he'll probably take matters into his own hands."

"By then, it won't be just a few nobles who die. All of Heaven Dou City could run red with blood."

Xue Ye's face turned completely pale. He wanted to argue, but swallowed his words.

"Then what do you think we should do?"

Xue Qinghe took a deep breath before answering.

"Reform the bureaucracy and investigate corruption thoroughly. Start with the royal family, then the nobles, then the officials. Investigate everyone, and show no mercy."

Xue Ye gave a bitter laugh.

"Easier said than done. The nobles won't agree to it."

Xue Qinghe's gaze turned cold.

"Whether they agree or not, they'll have to. They can choose between power and their lives, but not both. Or there's one other option, though it's no real solution—kill Xuan Qing."

"But aside from Spirit Hall, who has the power to do that? And who knows whether he has a Peerless Douluo backing him? If Demon Dragon Douluo were the strongest, he wouldn't have left with him."

Xue Ye fell silent.

He knew his son was right, but reform would be difficult. To move against the nobles was to shake the empire's foundations.

But if they didn't, Xuan Qing's blade would be hanging over their heads.

At last, he gritted his teeth.

"Fine! We'll make reforms! Start the investigation with me! You'll personally oversee it. Anyone who dares obstruct you will be charged with treason!"

Xue Qinghe bowed solemnly.

"This son will obey."

Meanwhile, things were no calmer at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

As soon as Ning Rongrong returned to the sect, she threw herself into Chen Xin's arms and burst into tears. "Waaah, Grandpa Sword..."

Chen Xin held her, heart aching, and shot Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong an unfriendly look.

"What happened? Who bullied Rongrong?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head helplessly.

"Uncle Jian, it's a long story."

Gu Rong picked up where he left off.

"That's right, you old Swordman. You didn't go to Suotuo City, so you have no idea how exciting things have been these past few days."

The three of them brought Ning Rongrong to the meeting hall. Chen Xin had her sit beside him and poured her a cup of tea.

"Don't cry, Rongrong. Tell Grandpa Sword who bullied you, and I'll go teach him a lesson."

Sobbing, Ning Rongrong told him about the past few days in fits and starts: Xuan Qing fighting seven people at once, lambasting Yu Xiaogang, and her father forcibly taking her away.

Her account was jumbled, but Chen Xin understood.

The more he heard, the graver his expression became, especially when she repeated Xuan Qing's words.

"The Blue Silver Emperor? A sacrifice? Raised into a good-for-nothing? Did that kid really say all that?"

Gu Rong nodded.

"Every word is true. And that kid's frighteningly strong. He fought seven people at once and finished the battle in less than two minutes. Then he slammed Tang San's head into the ground until his face was a mess."

Ning Fengzhi added,

"Xuan Qing also exposed Yu Tianheng for being at least twenty-six while pretending to be twenty to pursue Dugu Yan. Dugu Yan blew up on the spot."

Gu Rong chuckled.

"That spear was something else. It recognized its master, and anyone who took it from him would lose life force. The kid said some special Martial Souls came with weapons of their own. The Golden Dragon, for instance, had the Golden Dragon Spear."

A glint flashed in Chen Xin's eyes.

"A Martial Soul with its own weapon? That's rare indeed. That kid knows a lot. He even knows the secret of the Blue Silver Emperor?"

Ning Fengzhi sighed.

"He knows more than that. He even analyzed the situation between the Upper Three Sects and Spirit Hall, and every word made sense. Especially what he said about Qian Daoliu..."

He repeated Xuan Qing's insults about Qian Daoliu.

Chen Xin listened, then twitched the corner of his mouth.

"That kid... he really dares to say anything! But he's right. Qian Daoliu really isn't a good leader. Spirit Hall has become more and more chaotic over the years."

Gu Rong laughed.

"You should've seen the crown prince's expression. It was priceless."

Ning Rongrong asked softly,

"Grandpa Sword, is Xuan Qing... really that amazing?"

Chen Xin patted her head.

"He is. He's far more capable than your Grandpa Sword was at his age. A ten-year-old Soul Elder is a miracle in itself. A ten-year-old with his strength and knowledge is utterly unprecedented."

"Rongrong, your father was right to bring you back. A place like Shrek isn't suitable for you, and Yu Xiaogang... doesn't have the right intentions."

Ning Rongrong lowered her head and said nothing.

She knew her father had her best interests at heart, but she still felt terrible. Over the past few months, she had come to think of Shrek as home.

Now that she had suddenly left, it felt like she'd been dragged out of her home, leaving an empty ache inside her.

Ning Fengzhi understood how his daughter felt and gently tried to comfort her.

"Rongrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't make friends. But when you choose friends, you have to look at their character and whether they're worth it."

"Yu Xiaogang is a fame-seeker, Tang San was raised into a good-for-nothing, Dai Mubai is a womanizer, Ma Hongjun is lecherous, and Oscar... never mind him."

"Zhu Zhuqing has a little backbone, but that's all. Just as Xuan Qing said, if you wake up in time, there's still hope. If you can't, you might as well hang yourself and get it over with."

"A team like that isn't worth your loyalty. You're the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. You deserve better friends and a better future."

Ning Rongrong lifted her head, her eyes red. "Then... what about Xuan Qing? Is he worth it?"

The three exchanged glances and smiled.

Gu Rong said,

"That kid has a sharp tongue, but he's a decent person. He acts harshly, but he does what needs to be done. You won't lose out by befriending him."

Chen Xin nodded too.

"At least he's better than that bunch from Shrek. He may be arrogant, but he has the ability to back it up. And he sees things clearly; he knows how to live. He's worth getting to know."

Ning Rongrong felt a little better.

She wiped her tears and asked quietly, "Then... can I still see him in the future?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled.

"Of course. He's in Heaven Dou City. You can visit whenever you want. Just remember, friendship has to be sincere. Don't play tricks on him. That kid is sharp; you won't fool him."

Ning Rongrong nodded firmly, and at last a smile appeared on her face.