At most, outsiders will call it a power struggle, but it's nothing serious.
A quarter of an hour later, a loud bang was heard outside the main hall.
"Clang--"
The heavy palace doors were smashed open by the combined efforts of the Divine Martial Army soldiers. Amidst the cracking sound of the wooden axles breaking, Yu Tianheng, carrying a long spear and exuding a chilling killing intent, strode in.
Three thousand Divine Martial Army followed closely behind, their armor clanging as they instantly formed a neat military formation within the hall. A chilling aura permeated the air, dimming even the candlelight in the hall.
In the center of the main hall, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Fourth Prince Xue Beng were facing off. Xue Qinghe, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, stood tall and composed, his face remaining calm and collected despite the tense atmosphere. Xue Beng, on the other hand, had a taut expression, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes filled with vigilance and resentment.
Hearing the noise, the two of them turned around at the same time.
Yu Tianheng's gaze immediately fell on Xue Qinghe. Seeing that he was unharmed, his tense jawline softened slightly.
He stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Xue Qinghe, propped his spear against the ground, and said in a deep voice, "Your humble servant, Yu Tianheng, has arrived too late to rescue Your Highness, leaving you surrounded by traitors and in grave danger. I deserve to die a thousand deaths. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"
The soldiers of the Divine Martial Army knelt down in unison, all three thousand of them shouting, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
The sound echoed through the hall, causing the beams and pillars to tremble slightly. Xue Beng's face turned deathly pale instantly, and the fingers gripping the sword hilt turned white from the force. He subconsciously took a half step back.
Xue Qinghe looked at Yu Tianheng before him, then glanced at Xue Beng distraught Xue Beng beside him. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and his voice, calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, said, "Brother Tian Heng, no need for formalities. You've come at just the right time."
He slowly raised his hand, gesturing for Yu Tianheng to rise. His gaze swept over the murderous Divine Martial Army in the hall, finally settling on Xue Beng. The composure in his eyes gradually turned sharp. "Some people always thought they could take advantage of the chaos, but now it seems they miscalculated."
Yu Tianheng turned to Xue Qinghe and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, how should we deal with these treacherous officials who intend to rebel?"
Xue Qinghe slowly put down his teacup, gently wiping away the tea stains on his fingertips.
The calm smile from moments before had vanished, replaced by an icy gaze. His eyes swept over those who had once clung to Xue Beng and plotted to overthrow his position, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. "Take them all down."
He paused, then his gaze fell on Prince Xue Xing, who was still struggling, and his tone grew even colder. "Anyone who dares to resist, kill them without mercy."
"Yes, sir!" Yu Tianheng replied in a deep voice.
As soon as Xue Qinghe uttered the words, "Take them all down, and kill any who resist," the three figures standing behind him all changed their expressions.
Blood Moon Duke clenched his fist tightly in his sleeve, his knuckles digging deep into his palm. The white hair at his temples trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with disbelief and astonishment.
He had clearly calculated that he could use Xue Beng to seize power. As long as Xue Qinghe fell, his shady businesses could be completely laundered, and he could even get his hands on the Ministry of Revenue's financial power. But now... Yu Tianheng had acted so quickly, and all his plans had come to naught!
Marshal Lei Zhan's face turned from red to green, and the muscles beneath his armor were taut like bowstrings.
He originally intended to support Xue Beng to ascend to the throne so that he could completely strip the Ministry of War of power, firmly grasp the military power of the border troops, and from then on, control both the military and the government, becoming the true uncrowned king of the Heaven Dou Empire.
But looking at the murderous Divine Martial Army in the hall, and at Xue Qinghe's confident demeanor, a chill ran down his spine—he had actually become a "traitorous minister"? These four words were enough to ruin his reputation and condemn him to eternal damnation!
Frost Moon Duke's fingertips dug fiercely into the jade pendant at his waist, cracking the precious warm jade. He had originally planned a marriage alliance; once Xue Beng ascended the throne, his daughter would be able to enter the empress's palace, at which point the Duke's Mansion would become the most powerful maternal relative in the future.
But now, Xue Beng is a prisoner, and these meritorious officials who followed the emperor have become accomplices in treason!
The three exchanged a glance, each seeing fear and regret in the other's eyes. Just moments before, they had been secretly delighted at the immense wealth that was about to be theirs, but in an instant, it had become a guillotine hanging over their heads.
Yu Tianheng's interference not only ruined their grand plan but also cemented their reputation as traitors—a crime that cannot be easily erased.
The air inside the hall seemed to freeze. Standing behind Xue Qinghe, they were only a step away from the center of power, yet they felt as if they were falling into an abyss.
The chaos inside the hall had spread like wildfire and was impossible to contain. Lei Zhan gripped the sword at his waist tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. The eyes of this level 87 Soul Douluo Marshal were bloodshot—he was unwilling to accept this! The situation he had painstakingly built had collapsed to this extent. He had to escape, he had to escape!
The Blood Moon Duke beside him also wore a ferocious expression, his level 78 Soul Saint's Soul Power surging wildly within him. He abruptly turned to look at Lei Zhan, his eyes filled with madness and determination that spoke volumes. Almost simultaneously, the two locked onto the figure who had always stood at the center of the chaos, his expression unfathomable— Xue Qinghe!
"To catch the thief, first catch the king!" Lei Zhan roared, and his purplish-black Soul Power suddenly erupted. The tangible shockwave sent the surrounding tables and chairs flying. Eight Soul Ring suddenly rose from his feet, the ratio of two yellow, two purple and four black showing the terrifying pressure of Soul Douluo.
He moved swiftly, leaving afterimages as he lunged at Xue Qinghe. The longsword in his hand hummed, gathering violent Soul Power, and his Sixth Soul Skill, " Thunderous Break," was ready to be unleashed.
Almost at the same time as Lei Zhan moved, Blood Moon Duke also moved. Dark red Soul Power enveloped his entire body like flowing blood, and seven Soul Ring lit up in quick succession. He formed claws with his hands, and his nails instantly became sharp as knives. He activated his Fifth Soul Skill, " Blood Moon Tears the Heavens," with a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, and flanked Xue Qinghe from the other side, forming a pincer attack with Lei Zhan.
The two stood on either side, their Soul Power intertwining to form an impenetrable net, with only one goal—to capture Xue Qinghe before the situation completely spiraled out of control, using the life of this "Crown Prince" to exchange for a way out!
Lei Zhan and Blood Moon Duke's attacks came with earth-shattering force, the strong winds made Xue Qinghe's robes flutter, and the people in the hall could even hear the ear-piercing shriek of Soul Power tearing through the air.
Xue Qinghe remained standing, his posture as upright as a pine tree, showing no sign of panic, even a faint smile playing on his lips. A cold mockery flickered deep within his seemingly gentle eyes—these two clowns thought they could thwart her plans?
Everyone knows that Xue Qinghe had only recently broken through to the Seven-Ring Soul Sage. Under normal circumstances, he would have no chance against the combined attack of an 87th-level Soul Douluo and a 78th-level Soul Saint. Once captured, the situation would inevitably reverse.