The Sun Moon Imperial Palace.
Xu Tianran sat in his wheelchair, looking out at the scenery through the window.
His voice was icy. "To think that old bastard Kong Deming actually dared refuse my request."
Just moments earlier, Xu Tianran had personally taken gifts to Kong Deming's residence.
Xu Tianran understood Kong Deming's position perfectly. Kong Deming's loyalty lay with the Sun Moon Imperial Family as a whole!
If a member of the imperial family—including the emperor—did anything that damaged the empire's foundations...
Then Kong Deming would never agree to it.
So, to keep him from learning that he was requesting a Level 9 Soul Tool on behalf of the Holy Spirit Cult, Xu Tianran had deliberately claimed that the Soul Tool was a gift for his imperial father's next birthday.
But what he had never expected was...
Kong Deming had rejected him outright without offering any reason.
He had even told him to watch his step.
Beside him, Ju Zi said, "Your Highness, could Elder Kong have noticed something?"
"Impossible! That old bastard spends all day immersed in Soul Tool research. How could he possibly know about my cooperation with the Holy Spirit Cult? Unless..."
Xu Tianran abruptly changed tack.
He turned toward Ju Zi. "Unless someone close to me who knows about it leaked the information. If that really is the case, who do you think it could be, Ju Zi?"
"Your Highness, I am utterly loyal to you. I would never dream of betraying you!"
Ju Zi hurried to declare her loyalty.
Xu Tianran stared at her for a while, then smiled. "Why are you panicking? I never said it was you. Still, it's time to investigate the people around me. After all, once I ascend the throne, war between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star