"I heard about your background from Qinghe. You were born on the border of the Balak Kingdom, so you must know very well what war brings."
"If Star Luo's army drives straight in, corpses will litter the Heaven Dou Empire, and countless people will lose their homes and families."
"Whenever Qinghe and I discuss this, we cannot help worrying. He cannot bear to see the people of the Heaven Dou Empire suffer the destruction of their country and families, so he came to me for help, hoping to use Spirit Hall's power to change the continent's current chaos."
"Though the Heaven Dou Empire has vast territories, it lacks powerful, top-tier Soul Masters to hold the fort. Spirit Hall has many Soul Masters, but lacks a powerful army. If the two could unite, and Spirit Hall stepped forward to bring the major factions of the Soul Master World under control..."
"You could destroy Star Luo?" Xuan Ming said.
"And leave Star Luo's people with their country and families destroyed, their corpses strewn everywhere?"
Qian Renxue's brows knitted tightly. "Of course not."
"As long as the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall unite, Star Luo naturally won't dare oppose us. When that happens..."
"What if Star Luo insists on resisting?" Xuan Ming asked.
"You said yourself that the Heaven Dou Empire is no match for the Star Luo Empire right now. But when Star Luo attacks, does Heaven Dou simply surrender?"
"They're still resisting."
"When Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire unite and become even stronger, what makes you say Star Luo will surrender?"
"If they don't surrender, what will you do? Kill them all?"
"..."
Qian Renxue remained silent for a long time, her gaze flickering uncertainly.
Finally, she spoke slowly, a trace of helplessness in her voice. "Naturally, we don't want things to reach that point. War has never been the best way to solve problems. But if Star Luo stubbornly refuses to see reason and insists on dragging this continent into an even deeper abyss, we will have no choice but to prepare for the worst."
"But that is absolutely not our intention. Our original aim is to free this continent from the flames of war and let the people live and work in peace. By uniting Heaven Dou and Spirit Hall, we hope to take a stronger stance and deter those factions that seek to stir up war, making everyone understand that peace is the only way forward."
"Then why doesn't Spirit Hall help Star Luo?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Star Luo is stronger. Wouldn't things be even simpler if they joined forces with Spirit Hall?"
Qian Renxue sneered. "Star Luo is unruly and defiant. How could they possibly agree to cooperate with Spirit Hall so easily? They have always ruled with iron and blood, upheld the supremacy of the strong, and thought highly of themselves. They are bent on annexing Heaven Dou. Cooperating with them would be no different from bargaining with a tiger for its hide."
"Spirit Hall has operated in the Soul Master World for many years. We have deep roots and know the circumstances of every faction like the backs of our hands. We possess powerful Soul Master legions and numerous top-tier Soul Masters. That is the source of our confidence. After uniting with Heaven Dou, we will establish strict rules and institutions to restrain Soul Masters' behavior and make them understand that any act that undermines peace will be severely punished."
"At the same time, we will communicate and cooperate with influential factions in the Soul Master World, granting them certain benefits and status so they become a force for maintaining peace. As for those obstinate factions that seek to cause destruction, we will eradicate them without mercy as a warning to others!"
"..."
"Those words... why do they sound so familiar?"
Listening to Qian Renxue and Xuan Ming's conversation, Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile, who had remained seated in the courtyard and monitored the situation with their spiritual power, wore somewhat unnatural expressions.
"Isn't that what Bibi Dong said in the Elder Hall when she first proposed this plan?" Golden Crocodile Douluo said with a strange expression.
Bibi Dong had proposed this plan concerning the Heaven Dou Empire back when she was still the Holy Maiden. It was precisely those arguments that had won her the Elder Hall's support.
After all, whether viewed in terms of Spirit Hall's own interests or the greater good, Bibi Dong's plan made sense.
"Why else do you think Xiao Xue insisted on going?" Qian Daoliu said helplessly.
Qian Renxue had heard every word of the speech Bibi Dong gave in the Elder Hall when she proposed the plan. That was why she insisted on carrying it out.
However, the original version of Bibi Dong's plan had been to support a puppet prince. The Elder Hall had considered the risk too high. If the prince escaped their control in the future, all their efforts would be wasted.
"To think she still remembers it so clearly." Golden Crocodile Douluo sighed.
"But does she really need to tell this brat all that?"
"Do you think this child is clever?" Qian Daoliu asked.
"He doesn't seem particularly clever," Golden Crocodile Douluo said.
"Then do you think Xiao Xue is clever?" Qian Daoliu asked.
"Of course," Golden Crocodile Douluo said.
"Then trust her," Qian Daoliu said.
"If she thinks it's necessary, then it is."
Chapter 48: There is plenty of time ahead
After an impassioned speech, Qian Renxue finally stopped, even turning her back to Xuan Ming in a pose of concern for the world.
Unfortunately, Xuan Ming's gaze had not wavered in the slightest from beginning to end. He simply watched Qian Renxue's performance quietly.
"Do you understand now?"
Qian Renxue turned back, hoping to see admiration and agreement in Xuan Ming's eyes.
"..."
"Could you give me some sort of reaction?"
Meeting Xuan Ming's still-calm gaze, Qian Renxue even wondered for a moment whether she was playing the lute to a cow.
But recalling what Xuan Ming had said about benevolence and righteousness back in Heaven Dou City, she felt somewhat unsure of herself.
Had there been some flaw in her words that allowed Xuan Ming to spot a problem?
"A reaction? What kind of reaction?" Xuan Ming asked.
"You... don't agree with me?" Qian Renxue asked.
"What if I do? What if I don't?" Xuan Ming asked in puzzlement.
"Does any of what you're saying have anything to do with me?"
"I can barely save myself. Do you expect me to worry about the whole world?"
Qian Renxue breathed a sigh of relief. "I have a way to help resolve your Martial Soul problem. You don't need to worry about being unable to save yourself."
"You have a way?" Xuan Ming's eyes were full of disbelief.
"I made a deal with the Pope. She will resolve your Twin Martial Souls problem," Qian Renxue said.
"As for why I'm telling you all this, I hope you'll help with this plan once your own problems have been resolved."
"Given the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's current circumstances, the position of crown prince will soon fall to Xue Qinghe. But his foundations are still shallow. With your help, his position as crown prince could become more secure. When he ascends the throne in the future, his authority and control over those beneath him will be stronger, and cooperation with Spirit Hall will proceed more smoothly."
"Me, help him?" Xuan Ming looked puzzled.
"What would I help him with?"
"Your talent," Qian Renxue said.
"With a genius possessing Twin Martial Souls standing on Xue Qinghe's side, his ability to rally young Soul Masters will become even stronger."
"And there's your relationship with Poison Douluo."
"With you as an intermediary, if Poison Douluo also supports Xue Qinghe, his position as crown prince will be unshakable!"
"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. I'm not close to Dugu Bo. I doubt I could get more than a few words in with him," Xuan Ming said.
"It doesn't matter if you aren't close. We can take our time," Qian Renxue said.
"Even if we fail to gain Poison Douluo's support, having you supporting him will already be enough."
"Even if it's just to bring the continent fewer wars and fewer shattered homes and families, are you willing to help?"
"..."
"What if I'm not willing?" Xuan Ming said.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly. "Why?"
"Because I don't believe a word of this," Xuan Ming said.
"From a mere patrol deacon to elders and worshippers, you've all been kidnapping me back and forth."
"And all of it is because of the benefits I can bring."
"For the sake of profit, even that old bastard over a hundred years old could be so shameless. How am I supposed to believe anything you've said is true?"
"If you can throw away your shame for profit today, you can be even more shameless for greater profit tomorrow."
"For peace on the continent? If war brought you greater profits, you would wage war without hesitation too, wouldn't you?"
"..."
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes. "Do you know what will happen if you refuse me?"
"Weren't those pretty words of yours quite convincing just now?" Xuan Ming said.
"You can't keep up the act already?"
"It seems you're no different from that sanctimonious old bastard. Words about being generous at other people's expense roll right off your tongue, but when it's your own turn, your true colors show."
"..."
"That little brat!" Hearing Xuan Ming's words, Golden Crocodile Douluo shot to his feet.
"Golden Crocodile, sit down," Qian Daoliu said.
"This is Xiao Xue's affair. Let her handle it herself."
"But..."
"Sit down."
Golden Crocodile Douluo took a deep breath and sat back down. "It seems he really doesn't understand his situation. To be so tactless at a time like this."
"Better that he says it than keeps it bottled up," Qian Daoliu said quietly.
Golden Crocodile Douluo froze, his expression turning somewhat unnatural.
The resentment in Bibi Dong's heart had lain dormant for so many years without revealing the slightest trace. Qian Xunji had failed to notice it, and so had they...
"..."
"To be honest, I don't really understand why you would oppose me at a time like this."
Qian Renxue composed herself and spoke again.
"Even if you suspect we have ulterior motives, you shouldn't say it so bluntly. You should pretend to agree first, at least use us to resolve your own troubles, and wait for an opportunity."
"Then if I cursed all eighteen generations of your ancestors right now, could you stop yourself from killing me?" Xuan Ming asked.
The corner of Qian Renxue's eye twitched. "No."
"Then am I supposed to put up with you tormenting me over and over?" Xuan Ming asked.
"If I agree today, will something even worse come tomorrow, and then again the day after?"
"You'll keep testing and pushing past my limits, again and again, until I become numb, submit to everything, and obey your every command?"
"Do you take me for a dog?"
Qian Renxue's gaze cooled slightly. "Then have you never considered that you might become a dead dog?"
"All I know is that once you become a dog, you can never become human again," Xuan Ming said.
"When a person dies, they become a dead person. But as long as a dog lives, it will never be anything but a dog."
"I can endure humiliation, but I will never wag my tail and beg for pity."
"The former means having no choice. The latter means being contemptible!"
Sacred fire ignited in Qian Renxue's hand. "So you would rather die than submit?"
"I don't have the ability to deceive myself. I can't debase myself without knowing it," Xuan Ming said.
"Very well. I'll grant your wish." Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened, and the sacred fire in her hand surged upward.
A Yellow Soul Ring flashed beneath Xuan Ming. White light burst outward, and the Blood Spear thrust out in an instant.
Boom!!
Sacred fire intertwined with wild lightning as golden and white domains collided violently.
"Xiao Xue!"
Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile hurried in from the courtyard and saw Qian Renxue under Martial Soul Possession, along with Xuan Ming, who had passed out.
"I'm fine." Qian Renxue withdrew her Martial Soul.
"He's only a little Soul Master who just obtained his Soul Ring. How could he possibly pose a threat to me?"