The Princes Leave the Capital, and Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye Have Questions

The magnificent palace radiated majesty and solemnity. Its carved beams and painted rafters held the weight of centuries.

Xue Ye sat at ease on the broad dragon throne. Though stout, he had an unmistakable imperial bearing, and every movement carried royal grace.

He wore a yellow robe embroidered with dragons and a golden crown set with a large sapphire, which only added to his imposing air.

Alert and vigorous, he reviewed the memorials submitted by his ministers with an unhurried expression.

Once the morning's business was finished, he looked up and said slowly, "I intend to send the princes to the empire's major cities to learn how the people live. What do you think, my ministers?"

The ministers exchanged glances, then answered in unison, "An excellent idea!"

Pleased, Xue Ye swept a hand through the air. "Summon the princes."

He had clearly made arrangements in advance. The guards had barely left before the four princes entered.

At their head was the First Prince, Xue Qinghe. Gentle by nature and noble in bearing, he carried himself with refined grace. Though only ten, he already resembled his father in some ways;

the Second Prince, Xue Shanxing, was steady and composed. Only a few months younger than Xue Qinghe, he looked thirteen or fourteen. Mature beyond his years, he carried himself with a calm that seemed to put others at ease;

the Third Prince, Xue Linsen, looked around the palace with wide, curious eyes as soon as he entered. At eight, he already showed a sharp mind;

the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, was only six. He walked in with his hands in his pockets, his face full of careless indifference.

The ministers said nothing as they studied the four princes. The next ruler of the Heaven Dou Empire might well be among them.

Their gazes lingered on the first three before settling on Xue Beng. Frowns appeared on their faces.

How could someone so careless ever shoulder such a responsibility? Almost instinctively, the ministers struck Xue Beng from the list of contenders for Crown Prince.

"Father!"

The four princes bowed together.

"Rise."

Xue Ye smiled. Apart from his youngest, Xue Beng, he could hardly have been more satisfied with his sons.

The First Prince seemed made for the role of Crown Prince. He was humble and courteous to others without losing his regal bearing;

the Second Prince was mature and thorough, with a reassuring presence;

the Third Prince had been clever since childhood and was full of quick wit. He might not be suited to the throne, but he could certainly become the future emperor's right-hand man, just as Prince Xuexin had.

Unfortunately, there was only one throne. Choosing among them would be difficult.

Yet the difficulty did nothing to dim Xue Ye's smile. If anything, it grew broader. With sons this capable, how could the Heaven Dou Empire fail to prosper?

"I summoned you because I have a test for you. The year's end is approaching. Each of you will visit a major city in Heaven Dou to learn how the people live, then write down what you gained from the trip and submit it to me."

The three older princes tensed. Unlike Xue Beng, they understood that their father was testing them to see who might become Crown Prince.

"Qinghe, you will go to Ironwall City, which neighbors Heaven Dou City. Second, you will go to Bafang City. Third, you will go to Vast Sea City, the closest to the sea. As for Fourth—"

Xue Ye hesitated, unsure where to send his somewhat overbearing youngest son.

"Father, why don't I just stay in the palace?"

Xue Beng clearly gave it little thought. Seeing Xue Ye hesitate, he bowed and made the request, eager to avoid the work.

Xue Ye frowned. "Fourth, think this through. Don't regret it later."

"Don't worry. I'm quite comfortable at the Prince's Residence." Xue Beng looked utterly unconcerned.

The ministers exchanged glances, unable to tell whether the Fourth Prince was truly lazy or simply foolish. Refusing this inspection meant, in a sense, voluntarily withdrawing from the contest for the highest position in the empire.

"Then suit yourself!"

Displeased by Xue Beng's attitude, Xue Ye waved a hand angrily. He took a deep breath and calmed himself.

"Go and make your preparations. Each of you may take a Royal Squadron. Qinghe, your destination is close, so leave tomorrow. Second and Third, you must depart within a week. As for Fourth, do as you please."

"Yes, Father."

The four princes bowed, accepted his order, and left the hall.

"That concludes today's court session. You are dismissed."

Xue Ye rose and left first. Only after watching the emperor depart did the ministers begin filing out, murmuring among themselves.

There was much to discuss. Both Xue Ye's test of the princes and Xue Beng's decision to forgo it would have far-reaching consequences for the Heaven Dou Empire.

The delicate scent of tea mingled with the smell of books in the study. Anyone who stepped inside felt their mind settle.

"Sect Master Ning, what do you think of my three sons?"

Xue Ye had shed the imposing manner he wore at court. Now he seemed warm and approachable.

Ning Fengzhi lifted his teacup, took a sip, and set it down gently. "Congratulations, Your Majesty. All four princes have the makings of great men."

Xue Ye's smile widened, though he replied modestly, "You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. Fourth can hardly be called a great man. The other princes, however, have made me very pleased."

Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly. "That is mainly because Your Majesty has raised them well. Today's test alone shows your wisdom. You sent the First Prince to Ironwall City, where military commanders hold sway, so his gift for dealing with people cannot be fully brought to bear. You sent the Second Prince to Bafang City, the empire's hub of trade and transport. He is mature and steady, and though skilled at socializing, he does not match the First Prince in that regard. You sent the Third Prince to Vast Sea City, where affairs are complicated. What he achieves there will depend on how quick-witted he is."

Delighted by the praise, Xue Ye said, "Exactly. The younger they are, the easier it is to see their future potential. Now is the perfect time to test them. Someone prepare a banquet. I intend to share a good drink with Sect Master Ning tonight."

"I would be rude to refuse Your Majesty's generous invitation." Ning Fengzhi accepted with a smile.

"By the way, Sect Master Ning, what do you make of the newly appointed woman Pope?" Xue Ye changed the subject, his expression turning more serious.

"She is ruthless, but not especially popular," Ning Fengzhi said. He clearly thought little of Spirit Hall's new Pope.

"As I understand it, the Worship Hall has not acknowledged her. I do not know how she has managed to hold on to her position, but she is ultimately no great threat."

Xue Ye narrowed his eyes. "I would not be so sure. After taking power, she informed me and that tiger in the Star Luo Empire that Spirit Hall would reduce its share of the Gold Soul Coins paid as Soul Master subsidies. Our two empires are to cover half the shortfall each."

"She has only just taken power. Naturally, she wants to assert her authority, but she cannot stir up much trouble." Ning Fengzhi still looked unconcerned.

"As far as I know, the Pope had someone she loved when she was young, and he lives in Your Majesty's Heaven Dou Empire. I do not know how much influence he still has over her, but Your Majesty could try to win him over discreetly. It might make her look more favorably on the Heaven Dou Empire."

"There is someone like that in my empire? What is special about him, to have won the current Pope's affection?" Xue Ye was curious. What sort of man could move Spirit Hall's woman Pope?

Ning Fengzhi recalled the intelligence he had gathered, and his expression grew strange. "Your Majesty has probably heard of him. He is the Horn of Wisdom of the Golden Iron Triangle, who made quite a name for themselves across the continent a few years ago. He is also the son of the current head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan—the one born with half a level of Soul Power. Yu Xiaogang."

"Him?" Xue Ye was plainly taken aback.

As the ruler of an empire, he naturally knew something of the children of the three great sect leaders. They might become sect leaders themselves one day. Of course he had heard Yu Xiaogang's name. Despite being a sect leader's son with every resource at his disposal, he had been born with only half a level of Soul Power. The news had caused quite a stir at the time.

"Did he break through later and become a powerful Soul Master?"

Once it became clear that Yu Xiaogang lacked talent, Xue Ye had stopped paying attention to him. Knowing nothing of his current situation, he looked to Ning Fengzhi and ventured a guess.

"No. He never broke through. He is still at Level 29." Ning Fengzhi's answer only deepened Xue Ye's confusion.

"Then has Yu Xiaogang accomplished something remarkable in another field? What is he doing now?"

"Yu Xiaogang has devoted himself to researching Martial Soul Theory," Ning Fengzhi answered.

"Could he be the Grandmaster whose name has swept the continent these past four years?" Surprise flashed across Xue Ye's face before understanding dawned. "That would explain it. A man like the Grandmaster would certainly have his own appeal. It is only natural that he caught the Pope's eye."

"He is not the Grandmaster. Yu Xiaogang has even challenged the Grandmaster's theories in public."

Ning Fengzhi's words left Xue Ye utterly bewildered. Irritated, he said, "Sect Master Ning, are you making sport of me? You claim a man with no strength, no looks, and no achievements, who even argues against the Grandmaster's theories, has won the Pope's affection? How is that possible? Challenging the Grandmaster's theories in public is effectively a slap in Spirit Hall's face, since Spirit Hall promotes them. Yet you tell me the Pope favors him?"

Ning Fengzhi rubbed his forehead, a wry smile on his face. "It is true. I learned of her affection through a discreet investigation; it is not public knowledge. As for why she favors him, I am just as curious as you are."

Hearing the sincerity in Ning Fengzhi's voice, Xue Ye met his gaze. Both men fell into a long silence.

Only one question remained in their minds: What did Yu Xiaogang have that made him worthy?

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