Xue Qinghe paused slightly, his gaze lingering on Yu Tianheng's face for a moment, before he asked with a half-smile, "Then who is the second enemy you mentioned?"
Yu Tianheng met his gaze, his tone calm yet each word clear. "Naturally, it's the Spirit Hall."
He paused deliberately, then added, "To be precise, it's the forces within the Spirit Hall that are wholeheartedly devoted to Pope Bibi Dong."
The hall fell silent for a moment. Yu Tianheng could clearly see a complex emotion flash across Xue Qinghe's —or rather, Qian Renxue's —eyes, as if her secret had been exposed, or as if she had expected it.
Yu Tianheng changed the subject, his tone becoming more cautious. "However, it's too early to say all that."
He looked up at Xue Qinghe, his gaze sharp as a blade. "As long as the Star Luo Empire remains, any friction between us and the Spirit Hall must be suppressed. If we allow the Heaven Dou and the Spirit Hall to turn against each other and go to war just to compete for power with Bibi Dong, it will only allow the Star Luo Empire to reap the benefits."
"They've been eyeing us covetously for a while. If we're weakened by internal strife, Star Luo Empire will surely seize the opportunity to invade. At that point, let alone unifying the continent, we might not even be able to maintain our current situation." Yu Tianheng leaned forward slightly, his tone resolute. "The only prudent approach is to eliminate Star Luo Empire, this external threat, before dealing with the internal strife within the Spirit Hall."
The air in the hall grew increasingly heavy as he analyzed, as if one could already glimpse the hidden dangers lurking in every step of the intricate chessboard of the continent.
After a moment of silence, Xue Qinghe spoke, "What you said makes sense. I will think about it carefully. You should go back now."
After bowing, Yu Tianheng rose to take his leave.
As he stepped out of the main hall, the servants waiting outside were already bowing and standing in the corridor. Upon seeing him emerge, they hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, " Your Divine Martial King, this way please. I will escort you back to your residence."
Yu Tianheng nodded slightly and followed the attendant on the way back to the mansion. The carriage rolled over the bluestone road, making a regular sound. He lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the palace walls and street scenes passing by outside the window, his eyes filled with some complicated emotions.
Before long, the carriage stopped in front of a magnificent mansion. The plaque above the vermilion gate, bearing the inscription " Divine Martial King's Mansion," was brand new and eye-catching, its sharp strokes exuding an aura of unapproachable majesty. A servant stepped forward, lifted the curtain, and respectfully helped him down. "Your Highness, we have arrived."
Yu Tianheng stood in front of the gate, looking up at the plaque, then glancing at the pavilions and towers vaguely visible inside the mansion—he was familiar with every brick and tile here.
Once upon a time, this place bore the sign " Prince Xue Xing's Mansion," a place where the powerful prince entertained guests and discussed politics. Now, it's just a matter of changing the plaque and the owner; the former prince's mansion has become his Divine Martial King.
He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Go in." With that, he stepped over the high threshold, shutting out the sunlight and the past behind him from the mansion.
For the next year, the Heaven Dou Empire's court appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents were surging.
Xue Qinghe devoted more energy to court affairs, never slacking off in reviewing memorials, and made detailed adjustments to many matters such as the empire's administration and people's livelihood.
During this process, unfamiliar yet capable figures quietly appeared in various important positions—either officials from the Ministry of Revenue in charge of rationing, generals guarding the border, or commanders of secret guards responsible for intelligence transmission.
These people were reliable and trustworthy, earning the deep trust of Xue Qinghe. Outsiders only thought they were rising stars discovered by the emperor, but only Yu Tianheng knew that many of them came from the Spirit Hall, only concealing their true origins with layers of identities.
Yu Tianheng was not idle either. He strictly followed Xue Qinghe's instructions and devoted most of the Divine Martial King's energy to army training.
Every day, the martial arts arena on the outskirts of Heaven Dou City echoes with synchronized shouts and the crisp sound of clashing weapons.
He personally formulated the training regulations, personally supervising everything from basic physical training to the coordinated combat between Soul Master and soldiers, and also extensively taught Martial Dao.
A tense fighting spirit gradually filled the military camp. Every soldier understood that such high-intensity training was by no means unfounded.
Yu Tianheng gazed at the figures sweating profusely on the training ground, his eyes reflecting the sunlight and also concealing a prediction of the future—the battle against the Star Luo Empire was not far off.
The nights in Heaven Dou Imperial City always carry a touch of melancholy. In the study of the Divine Martial King's mansion, Yu Tianheng held a translucent glass talisman between his fingertips, the faint light flowing on the talisman reflecting the solemnity in his eyes.
"Your Highness, the information from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has been verified." The guard's voice was extremely low. " Tang San is indeed in the capital of the Star Luo Empire. In the past month, he has been frequently seen with the Second Prince Dai Mubai, and even helped Dai Mubai resolve three border rebellions. Many generals in the army have openly supported the Second Prince."
Yu Tianheng's fingers tightened slightly, and the halo on the glazed talisman rippled with his force. His connection with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was extraordinary, and Ning Fengzhi's willingness to use the sect's core intelligence network to investigate for him showed the significance of this matter. But what truly made his heart sink was what the guard said next.
"What's even more troublesome is that there are indications that Haotian Douluo Tang Hao recently appeared in the Star Luo Empire." The guard paused, his tone becoming increasingly cautious. "Although he didn't directly contact Dai Mubai, that area falls within the Second Prince's fiefdom. The sect speculates that, given the relationship between Tang San and Tang Hao, Haotian Douluo would definitely not stand idly by."
Tang Hao... the Clear Sky Douluo who once shook the continent with his own strength, behind him is the Clear Sky Sect, which has been dormant for many years but whose foundation remains intact.
Yu Tianheng slowly stood up, the moonlight from the window outlining his tense profile.
Dai Mubai was initially at a disadvantage in the struggle for the crown prince position, but with Tang San's wisdom, Tang Hao's deterrence, and the support of the hidden power of the Clear Sky Sect, the balance of power in the Star Luo Imperial Family will inevitably tilt dramatically.
"Keep an eye on it." Yu Tianheng put away the glass talisman, his voice as cold as ice. "Have Sect Master Ning keep an eye on the movements of the Clear Sky Sect. Report any suspicious activity immediately."
After the guards left, only the crackling candlelight remained in the study. Yu Tianheng gazed in the direction of the Star Luo Empire, his knuckles turning white from the effort.
Tang San's move was riskier and more ruthless than he had anticipated. If Dai Mubai were to truly ascend to power, the balance between Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire would likely be completely shattered.
The wind outside the window swept a few withered leaves past the eaves, as if rehearsing for the impending changes.
Yu Tianheng stood in the center of the study, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table, each tap accompanied by a steady rhythm. The undercurrents on the Star Luo Empire were already brewing like an arrow on a bowstring. He knew that the storm stirred up by Tang San and Dai Mubai would sooner or later affect Heaven Dou, and a change that would sweep across the continent was probably inevitable.
But there was no panic in his eyes, only a cold, sharp glint. On this continent where Soul Master are revered, all conspiracies, schemes, and power struggles ultimately depend on strength.