A New Appointment!

The matter of Xue Beng's disappearance had not spread and was tightly suppressed by the royal family.

Of course.

It was impossible to hide this forever.

Sooner or later, it would come to light!

After all, it was not just Xue Beng who had vanished. Everyone he had taken with him had failed to return. This could not be concealed.

More than ten days later.

Heaven Dou Palace's treasury was attacked, and every treasure inside was looted without leaving so much as a scrap behind.

Heaven Dou City was placed under martial law.

Everyone entering or leaving had to undergo strict inspection.

"Have you found any trace of the thieves?!"

Within the palace, Xue Ye's anger was at its peak, his face flushed red.

His expression was icy as his gaze fell upon Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Prince Xue Xing below.

Xue Qinghe lowered his head and remained silent.

He had been the one who planned the treasury heist. Naturally, he could not expose himself.

Besides, there was no way they could trace it back to him.

Even if he wanted to pin the matter on Xue Xing, it would be impossible.

Xue Xing simply did not possess that kind of ability.

Xue Ye was no fool. He would not believe whatever Xue Qinghe said.

Even if he hid the treasures in Xue Xing's residence, Xue Ye might not believe it. He might suspect someone had deliberately framed Xue Xing, or even turn his suspicions toward him.

"Imperial Brother..."

After glancing at Xue Qinghe, Xue Xing raised his head to look at Xue Ye and sighed. "The treasury was heavily guarded. Yet this time, it was completely looted, and none of the guards survived. This shows that the thieves were extremely powerful. They have likely already left Heaven Dou City!"

Xue Ye took a deep breath. "Then who do you think could have done this?"

Xue Qinghe stepped forward and analyzed the situation. "Father, I believe that among all the forces in the world today, only Spirit Hall possesses both the ability and the audacity to do something like this!"

At the mention of Spirit Hall, Xue Ye narrowed his eyes, deep wariness hidden within them.

"Perhaps..." Xue Qinghe hesitated.

"Perhaps what?" Xue Ye pressed.

Xue Qinghe drew a deep breath. "I suspect that Fourth Brother's disappearance may also be connected to Spirit Hall!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye scrutinized his only remaining son. After Xue Beng's disappearance, Xue Qinghe had become the sole heir in line for the throne.

There would no longer be any external threats!

Once.

He had always suspected that the deaths of his other two sons had been Xue Qinghe's doing!

He had even blamed Xue Beng's disappearance on Xue Qinghe!

However...

Now that he heard Xue Qinghe say this, he could not help but suspect that Spirit Hall wanted to kill all his descendants and throw the empire into chaos!

"Cough, cough, cough—!!"

Xue Ye suddenly broke into a violent fit of coughing.

Xue Qinghe and Xue Xing wanted to step forward, but after lifting their feet, they tacitly lowered them again.

Neither of them approached Xue Ye now.

"The number of Soul Masters available to serve the empire is still too small. We must recruit more Soul Masters to serve the empire!"

"Xue Xing, you oversee Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Have you discovered any talented individuals who can serve the empire?"

A very obvious look of exhaustion appeared on Xue Ye's face, and his words were carefully chosen.

There were quite a few Soul Masters from great clans at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Their enrollment in the academy did not mean they would serve the empire. Their loyalty still belonged to their clans.

Only those with simple family backgrounds might sincerely serve the empire and the royal family!

"There are indeed several promising ones with very simple backgrounds. This younger brother has been courting them. Once they graduate from the academy, they will be able to serve the empire and the royal family!" Xue Xing answered respectfully.

"Mm."

Xue Ye nodded slightly, then suddenly thought of someone. "What about that child close to Xue Beng... the one called Chu Lan?"

Xue Xing looked conflicted. "From what I have observed, he is very close to Tang Yuehua of Moonlight Pavilion and Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. His background is certainly not simple!"

"Besides..."

"Dugu Yan, the granddaughter of Poison Douluo, is also a very good friend of his. Even Ye Lingling of the Ye Clan from the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan is rather close to him."

Xue Ye frowned deeply. "So complicated?"

Xue Xing nodded repeatedly. "His talent is indeed exceptional, but this younger brother does not believe he would willingly serve the empire or the royal family. His relationship with Xue Beng was not as close as we imagined, either."

"Xue Beng has been missing for so long, yet he has not gone looking for him. It is as though nothing happened. He is still exactly the same as before."

Hearing this, Xue Ye let out a heavy sigh.

Suddenly.

His gaze fell on Xue Qinghe as he said mildly, "Qinghe, I heard that Chu Lan and Tang Yuehua went to see you some days ago. What did you discuss?"

Xue Qinghe glanced at Xue Xing before answering, "Actually, they came to see me that day to ask about Fourth Brother's whereabouts."

Xue Ye nodded slightly. He knew that Xue Qinghe often went to Moonlight Pavilion to pass the time and was rather close to Tang Yuehua. However... what he could not understand was how Chu Lan had come to know Tang Yuehua.

Xue Ye waved his hand, then left on his own.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe and Xue Xing bowed together in salute before turning to leave.

Crown Prince's Palace.

Xue Qinghe removed the burden from his shoulders and sat wearily on the sofa as a maid served him fragrant tea.

Seeing this, he raised his head and glanced at the maid.

His meeting with Chu Lan and Tang Yuehua had somehow reached Xue Ye's ears.

What did that mean?

It meant that while he had planted his own people beside Xue Ye, Xue Ye had also planted people around him!

The Crown Prince's Palace was not private enough!

Xue Qinghe would never allow people who obeyed others to remain at his side!

Xue Qinghe waved his hand.

At once.

All the maids around him withdrew together.

Xue Qinghe took a sip of the fragrant tea and muttered, "It is time for a purge."

"Elder Snake Lance, bring Chu Lan here."

"Yes."

From the shadows.

Snake Lance Douluo swiftly left the Crown Prince's Palace.

His first stop.

Moonlight Pavilion.

However, he did not find Chu Lan at Moonlight Pavilion, so Snake Lance had no choice but to head to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

After searching for some time, he finally found Chu Lan.

Within the mimicry training grounds.

After finishing his cultivation, Chu Lan returned together with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.

"Chu Lan, my young master wishes to see you."

A sudden voice silently entered Chu Lan's ears alone.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were right beside Chu Lan, yet neither heard a thing.

Chu Lan paused upon hearing it.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling froze, then looked at him in surprise.

Dugu Yan asked, "What is it?"

Chu Lan gently shook his head. "You two go back first. I just remembered that I have something to do."

"What is it? Do you need my help?" Dugu Yan blinked, smiling confidently.

Chu Lan waved his hand. "Just a small matter. I can handle it alone. See you tomorrow."

"Alright, see you tomorrow." Dugu Yan waved, while Ye Lingling nodded gently.

After the two of them left.

Chu Lan frowned in thought and headed toward Heaven Dou City.