Upon Shi Bing's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Kong Deming to be so arrogant; this was completely different from what he had anticipated.
However, under Kong Deming's imposing aura, Shi Bing trembled, but her eyes did not panic. Instead, she forced out a cold laugh and retorted hoarsely, " Kong Deming! Don't try to scare me!"
Even if Kong Xuan possesses extraordinary talent, he is still just your grandson Kong Deming, not a true member of the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire!
"The current Sun Moon Emperor has always advocated peaceful development and stable domestic affairs."
"I don't believe it... I don't believe he would rashly launch a war against the Dou Ling Empire just because of your grandson's personal grudge! This is not in the empire's interest!"
His words did make some sense; he was trying to undermine Kong Deming's war threat from a political perspective, pointing out the current political inclinations of the Sun Moon Emperor, hoping to make Kong Deming think twice.
However, just as Shi Bing was trying to use " Sun Moon Emperor advocates peace" as a last shield to resist Kong Deming's threat of war, Kong Xuan interjected at the opportune moment.
His voice carried a faint hint of amusement. "It seems Senior Airspace Domain has a rather in-depth understanding of the internal affairs of my Sun Moon Empire."
Shi Bing snorted but didn't reply, trying to maintain her composure, though she felt a vague unease in her heart.
Kong Xuan didn't take it to heart and continued speaking slowly and deliberately, but every word was like a heavy hammer, striking Shi Bing's heart.
"Since you understand this so well, then... you should know very well that His Majesty the Emperor of Sun Moon is suffering from a multitude of injuries and illnesses, and has long since reached the point where medicine is ineffective and his life force is exhausted. He is only now forcibly supporting his remaining body with his profound Soul Power."
He paused, observing the subtle changes in Shi Bing's expression, before unleashing his true trump card.
"As for Crown Prince Xu Tianran... I'm sure you've done your research, senior. You should know what kind of heir apparent he is."
"He's a staunch hawk, a true ruthless leader!"
What he truly desired was never peaceful coexistence, but rather... to sweep across the land and unify the entire continent!
"You mean...?" Kong Xuan's voice suddenly turned sharp, his gaze piercing Shi Bing's instantly pale face. "If my grandfather, the Hall Master of the Sun Moon Empire's Worship Hall, the most powerful person in the Sun Moon Empire, publicly declares his full support for Crown Prince Xu Tianran..."
A confident smile appeared on Kong Xuan's face, and Shi Bing's change in expression told him that there was no need to say more; he could already guess the outcome.
However, Kong Xuan continued, "As a royal retainer of the Dou Ling Empire, you led a team to intercept and kill me, a genius of the Sun Moon Empire."
"Do you really think that Xu Tianran, who has long wanted to take action against the original Douluo Three Kingdoms, and his empire's generals who are equally eager for war, would give up this golden opportunity and not launch a thunderous attack on your Dou Ling Empire?!"
"Boom!!!"
Kong Xuan's words were like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploding in Shi Bing's mind!
His ability to remain calm and even dare to refute Kong Deming's war threats was based on his understanding of Sun Moon old emperor's governing style, believing that he would not easily start a war.
But Kong Xuan ruthlessly tore away this facade, presenting the bloody reality to him.
The old emperor is nearing his end!
The soon-to-be crown prince Xu Tianran, is a warmonger!
Kong Deming, the pillar of the empire, had both the ability and the reason to push for this war!
All of this is entirely possible!
Shi Bing had lost her previous composure and toughness. Her expression revealed an undisguised panic, her gaze wandered, and her mind frantically searched for every possible way to break the deadlock.
However, he discovered to his despair that this seemed to be an unsolvable dead end!
His personal life is not worth cherishing, but if it drags the empire into war, he will be a sinner for all time!
In desperation, he made a sudden, desperate decision, as if grasping at a last straw, and his voice, sharp with a hint of desperation, cried out, "Don't push your luck!"
"Of the four people who made a move this time, besides me, two of the other three are Titled Douluo from the Heavenly Soul Empire!"
"If your Sun Moon Empires dare to use this as an excuse to launch a national war against Dou Ling, our two great empires, Dou Ling and Heavenly Soul, will surely unite in hatred against this enemy!"
" The Star Luo Empire is well aware of the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.' When the time comes, does your Sun Moon Empire truly have the courage and strength to simultaneously confront the three great empires of us?!"
He shouted these words at the top of his lungs, trying to intimidate Kong Deming by emphasizing the alliance of the three great empires, making the other party hesitant to act rashly.
This was the last excuse he could think of.
However, upon hearing his "self-exposure" and threat, Kong Xuan and Kong Deming exchanged a glance. Instead of showing any seriousness, their eyes flashed with a look of surprise that was both unexpected and reasonable, as well as a hint of mockery.
They truly hadn't expected that, in his panic, Shi Bing would actually reveal the identities of his two accomplices, dragging the Heavenly Soul Empire into the mess as well.
But this precisely shows that he was truly afraid, so afraid that he lost his composure.
However, Shi Bing's understanding of the true strength of the Sun Moon Empire was still insufficient.
The power of the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Tool was far beyond their imagination.
In the original work, the Sun Moon Empire could be said to have utterly crushed the three kingdoms, and soon after launching the war, it occupied the entire Heavenly Soul Empire.
If it weren't for Huo Yuhao, that overpowered genius, standing against the Sun Moon Empire, and Tang San, that shameless God King, ultimately joining the fray, the Sun Moon Empire might have truly unified the continent by fighting against three opponents alone.
Kong Xuan gently shook his head, looking at the outwardly fierce but inwardly weak Shi Bing, his tone carrying a condescending pity. "Senior Airspace Yu, it seems you know nothing of the true power of my Sun Moon Empire."
Kong Deming let out a disdainful snort, radiating unparalleled confidence and domineering arrogance. "So what if the three great empires have joined forces? You overestimate yourselves, belonging to the Douluo Three Kingdoms, and you underestimate the foundation accumulated by my Sun Moon Empire over thousands of years!"
"Perhaps this truly is a rare opportunity to achieve a decisive victory and unify the continent!"
If... if it was truly because of my failed operation that the Sun Moon Empire launched a reckless military campaign, ultimately leading to the destruction of the Dou Ling Empire and the loss of its people...
Then Shi Bing is no longer some Spatial Domain Douluo; he is clearly a sinner of the Dou Ling Empire for all time! This sin cannot be washed away even if he dies ten thousand times!
Shi Bing's expression shifted dramatically, a mixture of struggle, fear, regret, and despair.
At this point, he knew there was no longer any need or meaning in hiding it.
In order to seize that sliver of hope and avoid the worst outcome, he had to demonstrate sufficient "sincerity."
Finally, as if all his strength had been drained away, or as if he had made some kind of decision, he sighed dejectedly.
His entire spirit seemed to have dissipated with that breath, leaving him looking even older and more listless.
"Alas... Now that things have come to this, I have nothing more to say." His voice was hoarse, filled with a resigned weariness. "To have attacked this junior, Kong Xuan, was indeed our fault, and we admit it!"
He raised his head, looking at Kong Deming with a hint of pleading in his eyes. "Palace Master Kong, whatever compensation you... desire, as long as it's within the power of the Dou Ling Empire, we can discuss it."
"I only ask... I only ask that this matter not escalate to the level of a national war."
He seemed to feel that simply admitting his mistake and negotiating terms wasn't enough, and fearing the other party wouldn't believe him, he quickly added, his tone becoming urgent and "sincere": "Moreover, this matter really wasn't the Empire's intention; we... we were also deceived!"
He deliberately emphasized the phrase "deceived," attempting to position himself and the empire as victims.
"A mysterious person has approached the high-ranking officials of both the Heavenly Soul Empire and our Dou Ling Empire."
Shi Bing tried hard to recall, describing it "earnestly": "That person tried his best to persuade him, saying that Kong Xuan was a genius that was only seen once in ten thousand years. If he was allowed to grow up, he would definitely become the pillar of the Sun Moon Empire in the future. At that time, the continental structure would be overturned, and our three kingdoms would never have a peaceful day again. The foundation of our rule would be threatened..."
"We... we were also confused for a moment, misled by them, and worried about the fate of the nation, which is why... that's why we acted rashly!"