Xue Ye keenly detected something unreasonable about Spirit Hall's actions, so he instinctively frowned, feeling that there must be something suspicious about this matter.
At his side, learning from Xue Ye how to handle affairs of state, Xue Qinghe-Qian Renxue in disguise-naturally noticed the change in his expression.
She had arrived in the Heaven Dou Empire at nine and replaced its Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, who was the same age. Six years had passed since then.
The hereditary Martial Soul of the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family was the swan. In their eyes, the swan was a symbol of wisdom, so the Heaven Dou Empire had always governed through wisdom, standing at the opposite extreme from the Star Luo Empire, which governed through military might.
Because they governed through wisdom, the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family had never produced a Titled Douluo. Even their strongest members were only Soul Douluos.
For that reason, after Xue Qinghe displayed a certain degree of talent, Xue Ye had not made him learn how to handle state affairs immediately after his Martial Soul Awakening. Instead, he had let him cultivate in seclusion for several years first.
Otherwise, even if Xue Qinghe was still a nine-year-old child, Qian Renxue could not have easily replaced him.
A nine-year-old child who had lived in seclusion ever since awakening his Martial Soul at six was someone who had barely appeared in public for three years.
Thus, Qian Renxue only needed to present the image of a perfect Crown Prince, chiefly cultivating a persona of humility, courtesy, and exceptional talent, to pass the false off as the true.
"Father, have you encountered some difficulty?" Qian Renxue asked.
"As expected of my Crown Prince. You already wish to share your father's burdens at such a young age. I am most gratified." At this point, Xue Ye paused briefly, clearly considering whether he should let Qian Renxue see this intelligence. "Very well. Since you have the heart to do so, I cannot leave you disappointed. Take a look."
In his view, since even he could make nothing of this intelligence, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, ought to be equally helpless before it.
After taking the intelligence and reading it carefully, Qian Renxue suddenly bowed to Xue Ye, her tone solemn. "There are indeed considerable problems with this intelligence. I suspect Spirit Hall has another scheme in mind. Father, please permit me to lead a team to Vast Sea City to investigate."
These words were naturally an excuse. As the granddaughter of Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall's Great Enshrined, how could she not know what Spirit Hall in Vast Sea City was doing?
She had said all this entirely because she wanted to use this opportunity to meet Tang Mo.
Moreover, she knew Xue Ye would agree to her proposal. It was not that he was so unconcerned that he would allow his Crown Prince to travel freely, but that a Titled Douluo would be accompanying this journey to Vast Sea City.
The Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Offering was Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, but Dugu Bo accepted deployments, not summons. Unless the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family faced a major upheaval, he would not act at all.
Apart from Dugu Bo, the strongest people under Xue Ye were only Soul Douluos. Yet having no Titled Douluo under his command did not mean he had no way to borrow one.
Under Qian Renxue's seemingly casual influence, Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, had been clamoring to go to Vast Sea City to see the sea.
Unable to rein Ning Rongrong in, Ning Fengzhi could only have Bone Douluo Gu Rong accompany her as protection.
Qian Renxue could conveniently hitch a ride, traveling to Vast Sea City with Ning Rongrong and returning with her as well.
That way, she would have a Titled Douluo's protection on her journey and would not need to worry about her safety.
Sure enough, after pondering for a moment, Xue Ye did not reject Qian Renxue's proposal outright.
"Qinghe, although Bone Douluo will accompany this journey, and in principle you should not need to worry about your safety, he will not remain at your side at every moment. You must therefore still be careful in all things." As Xue Ye spoke, he removed a token from his waist and handed it to Qian Renxue. "With this token, you may assign a Soul Douluo to accompany you."
After accepting the token, Qian Renxue's face showed a look of being moved. For the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family, which lacked the fighting power of a Titled Douluo, Soul Douluos were their highest level of combat strength.
Moreover, the Soul Douluos serving the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family generally held important posts and could hardly leave their duties at will, such as Ge Long, the Heaven Dou Empire Grand Marshal, who was hailed as the Pillar of the Nation.
Xue Ye's action was not merely intended to provide Qian Renxue with a bodyguard. It was also a test for his future successor.
Strong though Ge Long was, he had to watch over the northern border front adjoining the Star Luo Empire and could not leave at all.
Thus, Xue Ye wanted to see which Soul Douluo Qian Renxue would choose to accompany her after taking the token, using this to assess her grasp of the bigger picture.
Leaving aside the Soul Douluos who held important posts, the Heaven Dou Empire had only a handful it could deploy, and three of those were education committee members of the Heaven Dou Empire Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Holding the token, Qian Renxue considered for a moment, then bowed to Xue Ye and left the palace where he handled affairs of state.
Xue Ye thought this was a test, but to Qian Renxue, it was a fine opportunity to substitute the plum for the peach.
Among the Heaven Dou Empire's Soul Douluos was a solitary old man whose Martial Soul was a spear.
Of the two Titled Douluos Qian Daoliu had sent to protect Qian Renxue, one happened to be Snake Lance Douluo She Long.
She Long was a 92nd-level Titled Douluo and a staunch supporter of the Qian Family, which was why he had been ordered to come to Qian Renxue's side and follow her commands.
After Qian Renxue left, Xue Ye stopped reviewing official documents and quietly waited for his informants to report her actions.
An hour later, after receiving word that Qian Renxue had sought out the solitary Soul Douluo whose Martial Soul was a spear, a faint smile appeared on Xue Ye's face.
Little did he know that She Long had already seized this opportunity to kill the man and take his place.
The person following Qian Renxue now was no Soul Douluo, but a Titled Douluo.
"Ugh... I feel awful." In the carriage bound for Vast Sea City, Hu Liena leaned sideways against Tang Mo's shoulder, one hand covering her forehead, her face looking as though she had nothing left to live for and her voice utterly dejected. "I don't even get carsick. Why do I feel so terrible?"
Seeing this, Tang Mo raised a hand and brushed over several of Hu Liena's acupoints in succession. Her expression eased somewhat.
"Not getting carsick on short trips doesn't mean you won't get carsick on long ones," Tang Mo said irritably.
"I don't care. I got carsick because I came along with you, so you have to take responsibility." As Hu Liena spoke, she weakly rested her entire weight against Tang Mo.
"Shoo, shoo. Go ask your teacher, the Pope, to take responsibility." Tang Mo gave Hu Liena a gentle push.
Hu Liena had no energy to argue with Tang Mo, so she simply switched to playing dead, refusing to answer questions that were difficult to answer.
Half a month passed in a flash, and the carriage entered Vast Sea City. Spirit Hall's reception staff in Vast Sea City were already waiting at the entrance.
"Greetings to our four honored guests." A Spirit Hall Deacon at the Five-Ring Soul King level approached the carriage and bowed.
"Lead the way." Yue Guan had no intention of exchanging pleasantries with such a minor figure. He directly used Sound Transmission, compressing his voice into a thread to order the man to lead them.
The Soul King froze for a moment, then broke into a jog toward the coast.
Although the full package of meals and lodging he had painstakingly prepared to curry favor with his superiors had gone unused, he did not dare show the slightest dissatisfaction.
He was very well informed and knew there were most likely two Titled Douluos in the carriage. Under these circumstances, he only needed to obey orders. Any unnecessary action would merely be adding legs to a snake.
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