Qian Renxue's Panic!

"Cousin, what is this..."

Watching Xu Nian'an's expression shift abruptly, the smile on Xue Qinghe's face stiffened.

Xu Nian'an did not answer the question directly, instead offering a look heavy with meaning.

"You know exactly what I mean."

Having said that, Xu Nian'an turned and left without a moment's hesitation.

In Xu Nian'an's eyes, Qian Renxue's hand was already played; the only reason he didn't move against her was that there was no benefit in doing so.

He could still control the current plot, but if something went wrong with the Qian Renxue variable, he might no longer be able to hold the reins.

For instance, if he exposed her identity and she returned to Spirit Hall, could Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall, still sit securely on her throne with Qian Renxue backed by the Elder Hall?

"Damn it!"

He must have discovered something. He must have... discovered something!

Watching Xu Nian'an's retreating back, Qian Renxue's heart screamed with warnings.

Her hands, encased in silk gloves, were clenched tightly together.

The slender fingers inside the silk gloves were pinched until they turned white.

Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

"Your Majesty, the indemnity amount has been negotiated. It has been lowered again and again, down to two billion Gold Soul Coins. It truly... cannot be lowered any further."

Hearing the words of the youth in white in the great hall, the civil and military officials of Heaven Dou breathed a sigh of relief.

The war indemnity had been reduced from five billion to two billion—a decrease of two and a half times.

Although two billion was still a sum the Heaven Dou Empire could not afford, didn't the Star Luo Empire owe debts as well?

They just happened to owe a bit more.

As for allowing the Ming Army into Tiandou City, no one present dared to voice an objection.

In reality, it made no difference whether they allowed it or not; Tiandou City had already been surrounded by the Ming Army.

If the other side wanted to, taking Tiandou City was merely a matter of time.

Since they could trade that for a reduction in war reparations, why not?

"You have worked hard, Qinghe. You may withdraw."

"Tomorrow, I shall speak with them personally regarding the other treaties."

Tiandou Royal Hotel.

This place had long since been requisitioned by Xu Nian'an. Everyone within a ten-kilometer radius had been expelled, the area seized and guarded by heavy troops.

On the top floor.

Xu Nian'an opened his eyes, looking down over the entirety of Tiandou City.

The scene before him felt like his own territory, as if he could grasp it with a reach of his hand.

A pity.

It was not his.

Tick-tock!

Xu Nian'an narrowed his eyes, feeling the passage of time.

Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Grand Prince's Palace.

"To avoid exposure, Xu Nian'an cannot be allowed to remain. Every minute he stays in Tiandou City, the risk of my exposure increases."

Upon hearing the words from the Grand Prince Xue Qinghe, two burly men suddenly dropped to one knee.

"Understood, Young Mistress. We shall go and eliminate him at once!"

Whoosh! Whoosh!

As soon as the words fell, two figures vanished with a gust of wind, as if they had never appeared at all.

Xu Nian'an's appearance had severely impacted Qian Renxue's infiltration mission.

In particular, he seemed to have some sort of special connection with the real Xue Qinghe.

It left Qian Renxue drenched in cold sweat, never knowing when she might trigger a disaster and be exposed. This feeling of having her fate held in another's hands was unpleasant.

Tiandou Royal Hotel.

Tap, tap, tap!

Xu Nian'an's fingers were still lightly tapping against the dragon chair when, at that very moment, the space rippled and trembled.

Long Xiaoyao appeared slowly.

"Two little mice have arrived."

Hearing this, a smile curled the corners of Xu Nian'an's mouth.

"I've waited so long; they've finally come."

Long Xiaoyao frowned.

"Do you want me to take care of them?"

Xu Nian'an shook his head.

"System, use the Myriad Worlds Mission Summoning Card."

Hum~

The moment Xu Nian'an's words fell, a cold notification sound rang out instantly in his mind.

[Ding, congratulations to the host for summoning Tang Ya, the Blue Silver Saintess of the Holy Spirit Cult from the Peerless Tang Sect world!]

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~!!!

In the silent night, two beams of light suddenly flashed past, shattering the stillness of the dark.

"Who goes there!"

"Audacious! How dare you force your way into the Ming Army camp? You're courting death!!!"

The Dragon Guard were the first to notice the anomaly, and the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry quickly mounted their horses to provide support.

"Finish the Young Master's task; leave this place to me."

Bang~!!!

As soon as the voice fell, a blood-red pufferfish appeared instantly.

A beam of light tore through the crowd, speeding toward the direction of the Tiandou Royal Hotel.

Swish, swish, swish~!!!!

Just as the opponent was about to approach the hotel, figures dressed in black robes, with various soul rings floating beneath their feet, appeared.

Among them, there were over ten with eight rings and no fewer than twenty with seven rings.

"This... how is this possible!"

In an instant, Snake Lance Douluo widened his eyes, staring at the black-robed figures in front of him in disbelief.

So many soul masters, and so many high-level ones at that—how could they possibly appear here!

"Light of the Holy Spirit!!!!!"

Bang~! Boom, rumble, rumble~!!!

At that moment, an explosion rang out. The sudden blast forced Snake Lance Douluo to turn around involuntarily.

The moment he turned, a figure floating with nine soul rings came into view not far away.

"A... a Titled Douluo!"

Not only were there so many high-level soul masters on the other side, but there was also a Titled Douluo guarding the place!!!!

Without another word, Snake Lance Douluo turned again, wanting to force a breakout to finish his mission objective.

This place was far too strange; if he were even a step slower, he might not even have a chance to escape.

"Want to leave?"

Just then, a cold, detached voice rang out.

Immediately following, countless figures in the dark night moved rapidly.

Rustle, rustle~!!!

"Blue Silver Entanglement, Blue Silver Cage!!!!"

Before Snake Lance Douluo could turn to flee, two black beams of light flashed, and his entire body was instantly covered and firmly bound by black vines.

Snake Lance Douluo widened his eyes, unable to move. As a Titled Douluo, he had been completely immobilized after being hit by two soul skills.

In his terrified eyes, a stunningly beautiful figure slowly appeared. She wore a black dress, had a single ponytail, a cold and glamorous face, bright red lips, and... a pair of icy eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Greetings, Saintess!!!!"

Clatter, clatter~!!!!

All the black-robed figures knelt on one knee, and the next second, a terrifying soul ring configuration floated from the body of the Saintess they addressed.

Black, black, black, black, black, black, black, red, red—seven black and two red!

Inside the Grand Prince's Palace.

Qian Renxue waited and waited, but even as the sky began to brighten, her two capable guards had yet to return.

She couldn't help but grow anxious.

Qian Renxue simply did not want to expose herself; she only wanted Great Ming to withdraw its troops. Whoever became emperor afterward did not matter, so long as it was not Xu Nian'an.

What a pity.

It was a pity that she had thought things were far too simple.

She knew that Xu Nian'an had Titled Douluo by his side, and she had thought that deploying two—one to distract and one to assassinate—would be enough to succeed.

She had not expected to be wrong, and wrong in such an outrageous way.

Seeing that the sky was about to brighten completely and that Great Ming and Heaven Dou were about to begin another round of talks, Qian Renxue could no longer sit still.

"Prepare the palanquin. I must see Emperor Ming!"

Inside the Heaven Dou Royal Hotel.

Xu Nian'an was eating his century egg and lean pork congee in small, measured bites.

"Your Majesty, the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe, requests an audience."

Hearing this, Xu Nian'an waved his hand, his expression impassive.

"Can't you see that This Lonely One is busy eating?"

"You won't see him?"

In truth, Xu Nian'an had long since figured out Qian Renxue's temperament perfectly.

If he applied even a little pressure, she would be unable to endure it and would attempt to assassinate him. Shouldn't he give her a good lash or two to keep her in check?

"My apologies, but His Majesty is currently dining and will not see anyone."

Upon hearing the words of the Dragon Guard, the face of Xue Qinghe, played by Qian Renxue, changed drastically.

He knew. He must have known.

Otherwise, he would not have refused to see her.