Upon hearing that Yu Tianheng wanted the city as his fiefdom as Earl, Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. It wasn't that he didn't want to give it to him; after all, his title as the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire was an imposter, and his true identity was Qian Renxue of the Spirit Hall. She didn't care at all about trading land from the Heaven Dou Empire. If she could, she would even give Yu Tianheng a province as his fiefdom.
But this " Suotuo City " is not easy to give away.
Although Suotuo City is nominally the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire, it is actually controlled by the Balak Kingdom.
The Balak Kingdom is located in the southern part of the Heaven Dou Empire, bordering the Fasinuo Province. It covers three-quarters of the Fasinuo Province's area and is one of the four major kingdoms within the Heaven Dou Empire.
Because it borders the Star Luo Empire directly to the south, it serves as the gateway to the Heaven Dou Empire, and its military strength is the most powerful among the four kingdoms.
The capital was Barak City, the residence of King Kundera of Barak, and the political and economic center of the kingdom.
In the center of the most fertile Lima Plain in the kingdom lies the Suotuo City, known as the " Barak Granary." Both cities are heavily guarded and are of paramount importance to the kingdom.
On the surface, it belongs to the Heaven Dou Empire, but in reality, it has become a state within a state, and is autonomous in everything except for necessary tribute.
In addition, among the six powers formed by the division of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Empire controls five provinces, the four kingdoms each control one, and a duchy occupies the smallest province in the east of the Empire.
In other words, the real power in Suotuo City lies with the Balak Kingdom, not the Heaven Dou Empire. Even if the Heaven Dou Empire agrees to give Suotuo City to Yu Tianheng as his Earl, Yu Tianheng may not be able to hold onto it. If he's lucky, he'll become a puppet, but if things go wrong, assassination is not out of the question.
Thinking of this, Xue Qinghe said, " Suotuo City is the territory of the Balak Kingdom. While the Balak Kingdom nominally obeys the Heaven Dou Empire, it is actually a country within a country, obeying orders but not summons. In fact, the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family should be very happy to exchange this city for it, since the city is not under their control. It's like getting White Wolf. But you might not be able to control it!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng smiled and said, "It's alright. As long as the empire issues a decree, that's enough. What I want is this title. As for whether I can control Suotuo City afterward, I can handle that myself. Your Highness doesn't need to worry about it."
"Alright, it's settled then." Xue Qinghe agreed.
Yu Tianheng then handed the promised Soul Bone to Xue Qinghe. As for whether Xue Qinghe would give it to the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family or keep it for himself, that was his business, Yu Tianheng wouldn't interfere too much.
The next morning.
Yu Tianheng and Yu Xiaogang walked towards the Spirit Hall with their hands behind their backs.
Meanwhile, Spirit Hall, Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, arrived at the residence of Bibi Dong, the Pope the Spirit Hall.
"Why didn't you stay hidden within the Heaven Dou Empire? What are you doing here?" Bibi Dong looked at Xue Qinghe and questioned him coldly.
Xue Qinghe snorted coldly, "You think I wanted to come?"
"If it weren't for something important, I would never want to see you again in my life!"
"Since you have something to say, then say it." Bibi Dong wasn't annoyed; her tone remained indifferent.
"I heard you're trying to recruit Yu Tianheng, is that true?" Xue Qinghe asked.
Bibi Dong nodded. "Indeed, Yu Tianheng is exceptionally talented, possessing the top-tier Beast Martial Soul Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, one of the most powerful Beast Martial Soul on the continent, boasting formidable attack and explosive power. Coupled with his remarkably fast cultivation speed, he has already reached level 58 Soul Power at a young age, showing even greater potential than the Spirit Hall Golden Generation. Now that we've seen such talent, how can we not recruit him into the Spirit Hall?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe did not refute. " Yu Tianheng is indeed a rare talent, but Your His Holiness the Pope, you are too late. Yu Tianheng joined my ranks several years ago and is now one of my men. Don't try to recruit him; it's useless!"
"What?" Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes, surprised that Yu Tianheng had already joined her ranks. However, it wasn't hard to understand. With Yu Tianheng's talent, he had already made a name for himself in the Heaven Dou Empire several years ago, and how could Xue Qinghe, as the Crown Prince of the Empire, not have noticed him?
It's perfectly normal for them to then try to win them over to their side.
Seeing Bibi Dong's surprised expression, Xue Qinghe felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
But then Bibi Dong spoke up, "Don't forget your identity. If your identity as Qian Renxue is exposed, Yu Tianheng might harbor resentment towards you. Rather than that, it would be better to let him join the Spirit Hall."
Xue Qinghe shook his head. " Your His Holiness the Pope doesn't need to worry about that. Yu Tianheng knows my true identity, but he is still willing to serve me. I also promised that when the continent is unified in the future, he will have a place."
"Hehe!"
Bibi Dong suddenly laughed, a chill running through her voice. "Very good... but remember this: in the Spirit Hall now, I am the Pope."
Even you have to listen to me.
"Let's leave it at that. I won't touch Yu Tianheng, but I hope you can keep him under control. Otherwise, with his talent, he'll become very troublesome once he grows up."
"That's none of Your His Holiness the Pope's concern."
After receiving Bibi Dong's assurance, Xue Qinghe turned and left, his silver boots making a crisp sound on the ground. At the same time, he thought to himself: So what if he's the Pope? This position will be mine sooner or later.
As the door slammed shut, the candlelight went out instantly, leaving only shattered light and shadow on the floor.
Gazing at Xue Qinghe's departing figure, Bibi Dong's lips curled into a cold smile.
Outside the hall, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianheng revealed their identities and purpose.
The guards responsible for protecting the Spirit Hall immediately went to report.
Upon learning of Yu Tianheng's arrival, Pope Bibi Dong showed a fleeting hint of joy, but it vanished in an instant. However, when she heard that Yu Xiaogang had accompanied Yu Tianheng, Bibi Dong's heart trembled, and a complex expression flashed in her eyes.
"Let them in." Bibi Dong's voice came from the depths of the shadows, and the fingers gripping the scepter tightened abruptly.
Twenty years have not faded the memory of those features; she can even clearly recall the scene of Yu Xiaogang turning away.
I thought it would be the last time we met in this life, but I never expected that we might meet again.
A moment later, Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianheng were brought before Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong sat on the Pope throne, looking no more than thirty years old. She wore a magnificent black robe with gold trim, Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, and held a two-meter-long scepter inlaid with countless jewels. Her fair complexion and perfect features made her stand out from the crowd.
He exuded an incomparably noble aura, like an emperor.
Yu Tianheng and Yu Xiaogang stood side by side in the audience.
Bibi Dong first looked at Yu Tianheng, and saw the young man in black standing with his hands behind his back, his tall figure like a heavy sword drawn from its sheath.