Xue Qinghe was stunned when he heard this. As an undercover agent for Spirit Hall, and knowing this was a trap laid by the Worship Hall, he naturally panicked for a moment. As a member of Spirit Hall, he was more than willing to see the people of the Heaven Dou Empire march to their deaths. Thus, he hurriedly said:
"Father, I do not think this is a trap. It is an unprecedented opportunity. With the help of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, eliminating Qian Renxue and Tai Yi is a certainty. If our Heaven Dou Empire does not act, not only will we offend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, but more importantly, if those two survive because of us, Spirit Hall may not spare us either."
"Therefore, Father, I believe we must not only contribute, but contribute with all our strength to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly."
After saying this, Xue Qinghe looked earnestly at Xue Ye, hoping he would approve of the idea.
Upon hearing Xue Qinghe's words, Xue Ye continued:
"Qinghe, you believe we should act and deploy our most elite forces?"
Naturally, the disguised Xue Qinghe nodded and continued:
"Father, Spirit Hall has already incurred the hatred of everyone on the Douluo Continent. No one wants Qian Renxue and Tai Yi of Spirit Hall to grow stronger, so it is only natural for everyone to join forces against them."
"Moreover, our Heaven Dou Empire is already weaker than the Star Luo Empire. This time, we should contribute and build good relations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, so that we can deal with the Star Luo Empire in the future. Especially the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. After all, Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is now my teacher. If the Star Luo Empire truly invades one day, I believe my teacher will not stand by and do nothing. Therefore, if we build good relations with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect now, we may be able to contend with the Star Luo Empire in the future."
"Therefore, we must contribute to this operation and see this cooperation through."
Hearing this, Xue Ye nodded, sighed, and sat down upon the dragon throne before saying:
"Since that is the case, then do as you say. After all, barring unforeseen circumstances, the Heaven Dou Empire will be handed over to you in the future. I only hope you will not regret your choice."
Hearing this, the disguised Xue Qinghe understood that his plan had succeeded. He could weaken the already feeble strength of the Heaven Dou Empire once more.
At that moment, Xue Ye took out a token and handed it to Xue Qinghe before saying:
"Take this to the palace where our royal worshippers reside and mobilize them. Then summon Duke Qin and General Lin as well. As you said, show the Heaven Dou Empire's resolve and cultivate good relations with Sect Master Yu."
Xue Qinghe was naturally delighted when he saw the token in his hand, and he prepared to mobilize the forces.
However, just as Xue Qinghe was about to leave the Imperial Study, a voice rang out from outside:
"Brother, I disagree!"
Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe then saw Xue Xing shove open the door and walk directly before them.
Xue Xing continued:
"Brother, I disagree. The Heaven Dou Empire is already weak. If we send out everything we have and something goes wrong, the Heaven Dou Empire will be utterly destroyed. Not only will the Star Luo Empire attack us then, but even the three kingdoms and one duchy beneath the Heaven Dou Empire will no longer regard us, their sovereign state, with any respect."
"So this is absolutely unacceptable!"
Hearing this, the disguised Xue Qinghe gritted his teeth in fury. It was Xue Xing again. During all his time undercover, Xue Xing had been his greatest obstacle. Whatever he tried to do, Xue Xing opposed him. Although Xue Xing no longer had Dugu Bo backing him and his influence had declined, as Xue Ye's younger brother, along with the connections he had accumulated over the years, Xue Xing still caused tremendous trouble for Xue Qinghe's plans. It was only in recent years that Xue Qinghe had found things somewhat easier.
But now, at this crucial moment when he was about to destroy the strength of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Xing had stepped forward once again to stop him.
How could Xue Qinghe not be angry? He said to Xue Xing:
"Royal Uncle, Father has already agreed to this matter. Besides, we are doing this for the Heaven Dou Empire. If this succeeds, it will also lay the foundation for good relations with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. This is all for the Empire!"
Hearing this, Xue Xing shouted:
"It is precisely for the Empire that we cannot do this! I cannot watch the Empire fall into turmoil. If anything happens to these people, the Empire will collapse at once. If we do not act, at worst Spirit Hall will dominate the continent alone. Even if Spirit Hall wishes to move against us then, that will be ten or twenty years from now. There may be other opportunities for change by then. But if we act now and something goes wrong, the Empire's collapse will happen in the blink of an eye."
Hearing this, Xue Ye was persuaded. He said to Xue Qinghe:
"Qinghe, your royal uncle also has a point. Perhaps we should forget about it."
Xue Qinghe was speechless at this. He had spoken for so long before Xue Ye finally made up his mind, yet Xue Xing had arrived and changed his mind with just a few words. At that moment, Xue Qinghe thought that Xue Ye truly had no mind of his own.
But Xue Qinghe naturally did not wish to give up, so he said to Xue Ye:
"Father, if we fail to act as agreed, we may preserve some of our reserves, but we will completely offend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. If the two upper sects retaliate, the Heaven Dou Empire may not be able to resist them. Especially since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect controls the financial lifeline of our Empire."
After saying this, Xue Qinghe looked at Xue Xing and said:
"When things reach that point, Royal Uncle, will you be satisfied then?"
Hearing this, Xue Ye wavered once more, while Xue Xing fell silent. Xue Xing also understood the consequences of offending two sects with Title Douluo. Things had been manageable when the Heaven Dou Empire had Dugu Bo, that humanoid poison, but now that Dugu Bo had vanished, the state was barely a state at all.
For a time, Xue Xing did not know what to say.
After thinking for a long while, Xue Xing finally compromised and said to Xue Qinghe:
"Qinghe, if that is the case, then go mobilize the troops. But you cannot take everyone as you suggested. Of the six royal Soul Douluo worshippers, you may take only four. As for Duke Qin and General Lin, they cannot be moved. The court still needs them."
Hearing this, Xue Ye said:
"Qinghe, do as your royal uncle says."
Hearing this, Xue Qinghe sighed, but ultimately nodded. Something was better than nothing.
Then Xue Qinghe left the Imperial Study.
Before you continue