Xue Qinghe's breath hitched slightly, but Yu Tianheng continued to throw out even more tempting bargains, "At that time, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will also lend you a hand. Think about it, with Qian Daoliu and my father, two Limit Douluo, backing you up, controlling the resources of the entire Heaven Dou Empire, and with the support of the Great Enshrined lineage within the Spirit Hall, how can Bibi Dong and Hu Liena contend with you? This Pope position will surely fall firmly into your hands."
At this point, a glint of ambition, typical of a powerful figure, flashed in his eyes. "Once you've secured your position as Pope and consolidated the forces of the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Alliance, then launch an attack on the Star Luo Empire. At that time, the unification of the continent will be just around the corner. Isn't this the scenario we both want to see?"
Silence fell over the hall once more, but this time, Xue Qinghe's eyes no longer held only hesitation, but rather a burning ambition and wavering after weighing the pros and cons.
Yu Tianheng's words were like a key, seemingly opening a shortcut to the top for him.
Xue Qinghe ( Qian Renxue ) stopped what she was doing with her fingers and looked at Yu Tianheng with scrutiny and a hint of probing.
The light in the hall seemed to dim slightly as she pondered, and the sandalwood incense lingered in the air, as if waiting for an answer.
"What you've said is indeed tempting," she said slowly, her voice deliberately calmed, "But there's one thing I don't understand: why are you taking such a huge risk to help me seize power?"
Yu Tianheng picked up the teacup but didn't drink. He merely stared at the swirling tea, a cold glint in his eyes. "Your Highness has forgotten? Several months ago, Bibi Dong secretly mobilized a massive army of Soul Master, dispatching six Titled Douluo to launch a surprise attack on my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If it weren't for my grandfather's ( Yu Yuanzhen's ) formidable strength, single-handedly repelling that army, the entire clan would have been reduced to ashes long ago."
He looked up at Xue Qinghe, his tone filled with undisguised wariness. "Although we have reached a reconciliation with the Spirit Hall, this peace is only based on the premise that Grandpa can contend with Qian Daoliu. As long as Bibi Dong remains in the position of Pope, as long as her fear and hostility towards our family persists, this peace can be shattered at any time."
"What the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan needs is not temporary stability, but lasting peace." Yu Tianheng's voice deepened. "If a different Pope were to ascend the throne, the situation might be different. At least, you and Bibi Dong already had a grudge against each other. Supporting you to the throne is better than letting someone who sees my family as a thorn in their side remain in power."
He paused, his tone regaining its calmness, yet carrying an undeniable logic. "Helping you means eliminating a major threat to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. We understand the stakes."
Xue Qinghe listened quietly, the inquiry in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by understanding.
So that's how it is. It wasn't out of any sentiment, but based on the most realistic weighing of interests. A barely perceptible smile curved her lips, a smile that was both mocking and as if she thought it was perfectly natural.
"I see," she said softly, her fingertips beginning to tap lightly on the table again, but this time, the rhythm carried a more decisive quality.
The sandalwood incense still lingered in the hall, but it couldn't conceal the unspoken distance between the two.
Yu Tianheng sat upright, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the hilt of his sword. He knew that his cooperation with the "Crown Prince" before him was based on a common enemy.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan needs someone to counterbalance Bibi Dong, while Qian Renxue needs the power of Blue Lightning as a springboard—today's alliance is more like a transaction where each party gets what they need.
He could even guess that once the other party secured the Pope, or the Blue Lightning Clan lost its usefulness, the so-called "alliance" could collapse at any time. It was not impossible that they would turn against each other in the future.
Xue Qinghe ( Qian Renxue ) lowered her eyes to look at the tea leaves floating in the cup, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
She could see through Yu Tianheng's scheme, and the ambition of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was also obvious—what they wanted was never to depend on anyone, but to use her to completely eliminate the threat of the Spirit Hall and allow the Blue Lightning Clan to truly stand at the top of the continent.
If one day this cooperation touches upon the fundamental interests of the Spirit Hall, or if the ambitions of the Blue Lightning Clan exceed their limits, she wouldn't mind turning this former "assistance" to dust.
However, at this moment, their eyes met in the air, carrying a subtle tacit understanding.
"It seems we've reached a consensus," Xue Qinghe said first, his tone calm and even.
Yu Tianheng nodded slightly, a faint smile curving his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's a pleasure doing business with you, Your Highness."
The wind outside the window rustled through the eaves. They all knew that behind this alliance lay suspicion and distrust that could erupt at any moment, and a clash of positions that was bound to happen someday.
But at least for now, Bibi Dong a mountain weighing on their hearts, the power of the Heaven Dou Empire hangs in the balance before them, and the future of the Spirit Hall is still uncertain—their interests are firmly bound together at this moment, allowing no room for hesitation.
As for the future?
That's a matter for the future.
No more than three days after Yu Tianheng and Xue Qinghe's meeting at the villa outside the city, a shocking message exploded from the depths of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace — Xue Ye had suddenly fallen seriously ill last night and had been bedridden overnight, with even opening his eyes and speaking becoming a luxury.
The imperial physicians were at a loss, and urgent dispatches were sent out from the inner palace, but they still couldn't get any news of improvement.
Just as the court and the public were filled with anxiety, an imperial edict bearing the imperial seal was issued from the Inner Palace: From this day forward, all important state affairs shall be decided by Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, and all officials shall perform their duties and shall not make any unwarranted comments.
Upon hearing the news, the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, was seen pacing back and forth in his study with a furrowed brow.
He had just dismissed the spies from the palace when the nonchalance on his face vanished completely, replaced by an obvious seriousness.
"Bang!" The study door was pushed open, and Prince Xue Xing walked in dressed in casual clothes with a gloomy face. His attendants were stopped at the door by his hand.
"Uncle!" Xue Beng abruptly stopped and looked at the prince, who held considerable influence in the court. "The news from the palace... do you believe it?"
Prince Xue Xing walked to the rosewood table, picked up the teacup but didn't drink, tapping his knuckles heavily on the surface. "Believe it or not, we have no choice now. His Majesty has always been in good health; even if he occasionally feels unwell, it's impossible for him to suddenly reach this state. And yet, he chose this time..." He changed the subject, a cold glint in his eyes, "The Crown Prince, on the other hand, has acted very quickly."
Xue Beng gritted his teeth and said, "I just sent someone to investigate, and the Imperial Hospital has been taken over by the Crown Prince's men. Even the guards near His Majesty's palace have been replaced. Now, the palace has practically become Xue Qinghe's personal fiefdom!"