Murong Earldom.
Several months had passed since Su Changge returned from hunting for his Second Soul Ring.
Just days ago, his second child had been born.
He had named his eldest son Su Murong and his second daughter Su Muyue.
Both names carried the character "Mu," honoring the bond that had raised the Murong Earldom through marrying into wealth.
Su Changge had planned to settle down for a while and let the Murong Earldom build up its strength.
But... the tree might yearn for peace, yet the wind would not cease.
On the eve of the storm that would usher in this grand age, unrest had begun to stir.
"The old king is dying?"
In his study, Su Changge gripped the secret letter sent from Haagen-Dazs Royal City, his pupils contracting.
Haagen-Dazs Kingdom! Balak Kingdom! Silves Kingdom! Gulei Kingdom! Frost Sky Duchy!
The territories held by the four kingdoms and one duchy accounted for nearly forty percent of Heaven Dou Empire's territory.
Established when Heaven Dou Empire was founded, these hereditary realms were kingdoms within a kingdom.
Apart from paying the empire a certain tribute each year, their economies, politics, militaries, and personnel appointments were almost entirely independent.
In particular, the four kingdoms and one duchy lay in the central region between Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire, as well as the lands occupied by Soul Beasts, such as the Star Dou Great Forest and Star Dou Mountain Range. They constantly faced invasions from Star Luo Empire and Soul Beast tides of all sizes.
Their armies were powerful, and their defenses were formidable!
They were the southern barrier of Heaven Dou Empire, and a thorn in the eye and a splinter in the flesh of every Heaven Dou emperor.
Throughout the dynasties, each succession to a kingdom's throne had unleashed a bloody storm that swept across the entire realm.
The power struggles among the royal families...
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family hoped to regain control over the succession of the four kingdoms and one duchy, even abolish them and reorganize them into provinces, achieving true unification of the empire.
Spirit Hall hoped to plant its flag among the four kingdoms and one duchy, expanding its influence and strength!
Star Luo Empire sought to win these kingdoms over—or even destroy them—to weaken Heaven Dou Empire as a whole!
And then there were the Seven Great Sects and the ancient nobility...
Too many people and factions wanted a share of the spoils when the royal power changed hands.
Haagen-Dazs Kingdom, in particular, bordered Jialing Pass to the north. If it ever rebelled, its forces could march straight into the heartland of Heaven Dou Empire!
At its southwestern edge, it bordered Hadrian Kingdom, which lay between Spirit Hall and Star Luo Empire—a crossroads of several powers.
Even the slightest ripple could stir up a towering wave.
Amid this upheaval, which could topple a king, the tiny Murong Earldom was like an ant, liable to be crushed beneath the foot of any power that suddenly intervened.
"Someone, summon all my vassals for a meeting."
Since the matter was so serious, Su Changge hesitated briefly, then sent for Murong Ruyan as well.
Before long, the dozen or so vassals appointed by Su Changge had all arrived.
They oversaw administration, farming, taxation, public works, military affairs, and more.
After a brief gesture, Su Changge made no attempt to conceal the news or ask for their opinions. He simply informed them that the old king was dying and outlined his plans.
Administration, farming, and taxation would continue as usual.
But the military and public works... expansion! Expansion! And more expansion!
The Musket Cavalry! The Elite Infantry! The Artillery Battalion! And the newly established Spirit Master Battalion!
Su Changge had removed the restraints on the core fighting forces of the earldom.
"Please rest assured, Lord Changge. We will complete the expansion and weapons production on time, and we won't let you down."
"However, the Royal Capital has become a den of dragons and tigers. Lord Changge, you must be on your guard when you go there... The earldom cannot do without you!"
Though the vassals did not want Su Changge to put himself in danger, after much hesitation, none dared to speak up.
In their eyes, Su Changge was the king of the Murong Earldom!
A king's will, even if mistaken or uncertain, could not be defied by anyone.
If there was a reason for all this... it could only be that they, his vassals, were too weak and foolish to ease their lord's burdens.
"Mm, I understand."
"I'm counting on you all to look after the earldom."
After a brief reply, Su Changge waved for the vassals to leave.
In an instant, the vast study was left with only Murong Ruyan and Su Changge.
"Changge, if the Royal Capital is such a den of dragons and tigers, can't you stay away?"
"I don't want you to put yourself in danger..."
Murong Ruyan came to Su Changge's side and slipped her arms around him, speaking softly, afraid of upsetting him.
"Ruyan, I have to go!"
"Perhaps the earldom's current strength and military might are decent enough for the surrounding area."
"But in the eyes of those empires and the top forces across the entire continent, the earldom isn't even qualified to be a valuable chess piece!"
"This change of royal power may involve top Soul Masters at the Soul Douluo or even Titled Douluo level... If the Murong Earldom doesn't want to be punished afterward, we have to choose the right side."
"Don't worry. You and Gullier don't need to concern yourselves with this. I'll take care of everything."
Su Changge stroked Murong Ruyan's hair, and his body gradually began to react.
After staying at Murong Castle for two more days and leaving Murong Ruyan and Astin Gullier thoroughly satisfied, Su Changge set off for Haagen-Dazs Royal City with dozens of musket cavalrymen.
Perhaps, by the time he returned from the Royal Capital, Murong Ruyan and Astin Gullier would have more good news for him.
Haagen-Dazs Royal City lay in the heart of the kingdom.
Fertile plains stretched out on all sides.
Agriculture and commerce flourished there, and its population far exceeded that of any city Su Changge had seen in his dozen years.
After showing the flag of the Murong Earldom, Su Changge entered the Royal Capital without meeting any resistance.
Of course, after paying a hefty sum in Gold Soul Coins, Su Changge also learned some useful information from the Royal Capital's chief of guards!
Since the news of the old king's impending death had spread, more than a hundred marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons had arrived in the Royal Capital over the past few days.
These nobles wielded real power in their territories. Their forces ranged from two or three hundred men to several thousand, and in some cases, nearly ten thousand!
As soon as they arrived in the Royal Capital, the princes and princesses contending for the throne began courting them.
Among all those princes and princesses, the most powerful at present were the eldest prince, Snyder; the Third Prince, Ente; and the Seventh Princess, Alice!
Behind them, one had the support of numerous Spirit Hall Branches throughout the kingdom; another had earned great military honors by joining the army at a young age and won the support of many powerful military commanders; and another had close ties to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and secured its backing...
Of course, those were just the cards the princes and princesses had laid on the table.
How many more they had hidden away, no one could say until the struggle for the throne reached its end.