Meeting Sword Douluo at the Funeral

A Sage was a realm of attainment.

Even after Qian Renxue had provoked him every way she could, Jiang Mingyang had not grown angry in the slightest. By his own reckoning, he had reached the Sage Realm—at the very least, the peak of its late stage, third tier, ninth rank, and grand completion.

Jiang Mingyang looked at Qian Renxue in his arms. She breathed softly, her eyes shining, as he slowly voiced the question on his mind.

Though he phrased it as a question, his tone was certain. "Qianqian, did you poison Xue Ye?"

Qian Renxue heard the certainty in his voice and made no attempt to hide it. She slowly raised her head and looked at him. "Yes. I'd planned to wait a few more years, until my hold over the Heaven Dou Empire was stronger, before poisoning Xue Ye.

"But when I learned that the Balak Kingdom had rebelled, Xue Ye was worn down, and everyone's eyes were on the front lines, I decided at once to poison him. The war would make up for everything I still lacked.

"I've been Crown Prince for over a decade. Quite a few of the Imperial City's senior figures have interests tied to 'Xue Qinghe.' With your adoptive father Jiang Tian on our side as well, the odds of success were nearly a hundred percent.

"Besides, who wouldn't want to be a Dragon-Following Minister? So even with Xue Ye gone, nothing will stop me from ascending the throne."

Jiang Mingyang still had a question. "I remember Prince Xue Xing once saved Poison Douluo Dugu Bo's life. Poison Douluo is exceptionally skilled with poisons. Aren't you afraid Prince Xue Xing might suspect you poisoned Xue Ye and bring Dugu Bo in to examine the body?"

Qian Renxue gave him a disdainful, proud look. "So what if he does? Xue Ye is already dead, and I'm the Crown Prince. Does he think he can depose me and put Xue Beng in my place?

"Since ancient times, fathers and sons have killed each other in struggles for the throne. I'd wager plenty of ministers in the city already suspect I poisoned Xue Ye, but not one has stepped forward. Why?

"Because Xue Ye is dead, and I have Xue Beng completely under my thumb. Speaking up would achieve nothing, so why would they throw their own lives into it? Disputes within the imperial family are perfectly normal!"

Jiang Mingyang clicked his tongue in amazement. "I was being naive!"

At the same time, the question that had troubled him was answered. In the original story, without the Balak Kingdom's rebellion, Qian Renxue had no way to make up for her insufficient control over the Heaven Dou Empire.

Moreover, the Qian Renxue of the original story had not won over Jiang Tian, then the military's foremost figure.

Having spent so many years undercover, she naturally wanted to succeed on her first attempt. With the safer option of administering a slow-acting poison, she had no reason to take a risk.

That was why, in the original story, Qian Renxue had not poisoned Xue Ye until much later.

On the seventh day after Xue Ye's death was announced, many important figures arrived one after another.

In fact, many of these prominent people had reached the Heaven Dou Imperial City days earlier, but none had visited "Xue Qinghe" alone or come alone to offer incense to Xue Ye.

This was because, according to tradition on the Douluo Continent, no one outside the imperial family could see a dead ruler during the first six days. This custom was called the "Imperial Rite."

It expressed the ministers' respect for their ruler and the imperial family's closeness to him.

Now that the six days had passed, many prominent figures came at the first opportunity to offer incense to Xue Ye.

As a Marquis of the Heaven Dou Empire, Jiang Mingyang was naturally present. He had arrived early, so he had already placed his incense.

As more prominent figures filed in, Jiang Tian quietly pulled Jiang Mingyang to his side.

He wanted to introduce Jiang Mingyang to these "important people" and pave the way for his future plans.

Doing so at Xue Ye's funeral was hardly respectful. In truth, though, not one of them cared how the funeral went.

They had come for two main reasons:

First, Xue Ye had been the ruler of the Empire. Failing to show up at his funeral would have been difficult to justify.

Second, and more importantly, the funeral brought together prominent figures they rarely had a chance to meet. It gave them an opportunity to discuss matters they normally could not.

Connections were a resource too.

These prominent figures generally brought along the younger members they intended to promote, the ones who would become the pillars of their families, so they could meet people.

This time, for instance, Yu Yuanzhen, leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, had brought Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng. Huyan Zhen, leader of the Elephant Armor Sect, had brought his grandson...

All at once, the loud conversations before Xue Ye's coffin died away. Everyone turned toward the door.

A man entered with long black hair, a silver crown, and white robes. Leaning on a cane, he was handsome and refined, with a calm, scholarly bearing. Half a step behind him followed a swordsman with snow-white hair, a striking presence, and an air as sharp as a blade.

Jiang Mingyang needed no prompting from his adoptive father to recognize them as Ning Fengzhi, leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin. The pair were unmistakable.

Seeing everyone fall silent and turn toward the entrance, Jiang Mingyang could not help but marvel. Was this the power of the world's foremost sect?

Watching the respect everyone showed Ning Fengzhi, Jiang Mingyang felt another surge of admiration. This was what a man should aspire to be!

After Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin had offered incense to Xue Ye, many people hurried over to speak with Ning Fengzhi. Even "Xue Qinghe," the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, stepped forward and bowed. "Teacher, Your Excellency Chen Xin."

Ning Fengzhi quickly helped "Xue Qinghe" up. His disciple's standing was no longer what it had been; he would soon inherit the throne and rule the Heaven Dou Empire.

Once the conversations began, Jiang Tian patted Jiang Mingyang on the shoulder and walked toward Ning Fengzhi. Jiang Mingyang hurried after him.

In fact, the person Jiang Tian had brought Jiang Mingyang to meet was Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

As one of the few great swordsmen on the Douluo Continent today, Sword Douluo Chen Xin could help Jiang Mingyang advance rapidly in swordsmanship if he offered him guidance.

Jiang Tian approached Ning Fengzhi with a smile. "Sect Master Ning, it's been a long time!"

Ning Fengzhi spotted Jiang Mingyang behind Jiang Tian at once and smiled. "It certainly has! This must be the Loyal Tranquil Marquis. Such promise at such a young age!"

Jiang Mingyang promptly replied, "You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. Please, call me Mingyang."

Seeing how courteously Jiang Mingyang conducted himself, Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Haha! The future belongs to the young, after all!

"If you ever run into trouble and need help, don't hesitate to ask the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

Jiang Tian seized the opening. "Haha, Sect Master Ning, you're praising him too highly. If this boy hears that, he'll grow arrogant!

"But his Martial Soul, the Tianya Sword, has much in common with His Excellency Chen Xin's Martial Soul. His Excellency Chen Xin is the finest swordsman on the continent. A few pointers from him would serve the boy for a lifetime!"

Ning Fengzhi immediately understood why Jiang Tian had brought Jiang Mingyang over.

He studied Jiang Mingyang more closely. The young man was talented and carried himself well; he would likely make a place for himself on the continent one day. Investing in him early would be worthwhile.

And Jiang Tian, as the Heaven Dou Empire's First Military Commander, carried considerable weight.

After choosing his words, Ning Fengzhi said, "Young Mingyang is gifted and quick-witted. Uncle Jian has long wanted to find a talented youngster to teach.

"As it happens, you've solved that problem for him."

Jiang Mingyang hurriedly bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Sect Master Ning. Thank you, Your Excellency Sword Douluo."

Jiang Tian and Ning Fengzhi exchanged smiles, then moved on to less important matters.

Jiang Mingyang stood quietly behind Jiang Tian and listened to them talk.