"Old General Luo Feng, you should spend more time reading books and less time offering such useless advice."
Ye Tian smiled faintly.
After taking the troop deployment token and the imperial decree from the desk, he paid no further attention to Luo Feng.
If he were truly the loyal Imperial Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire, Luo Feng's words would indeed warrant serious consideration.
Pan Song's corruption was a minor issue—the real problem was giving the Four Great Kingdoms leverage.
But now...
The Four Great Kingdoms were nothing!
Without the Spirit Hall's approval, even if the Four Great Kingdoms were given ten thousand times the courage, they wouldn't dare rebel.
"Alas, the empire is on the brink of chaos!"
In the office, watching Ye Tian's carefree departing figure, Luo Feng's face twisted into a deep frown.
Pan Song was indeed guilty, but the actions of the new emperor and the Imperial Preceptor were far too reckless.
The late emperor hadn't even been buried, yet they were already moving against his old ministers.
Rushing things would only lead to them shooting themselves in the foot.
But Luo Feng was merely a general.
Interfering in politics had always been a taboo for military men.
All he could do was sigh inwardly.
"If executing Pan Song can serve as a lesson for His Majesty, perhaps it won't be a bad thing for the Heaven Dou Empire," Luo Feng consoled himself.
...
...
Shrek Academy.
Dean's Office.
Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and the others had all gathered.
The office wasn't just filled with people from Shrek Academy.
Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was also present.
And there was even an unexpected guest.
"Nephew Yu Tianheng pays his respects to Uncle."
Yu Tianheng approached Yu Xiaogang and bowed respectfully.
This was something Yu Yuanzhen had specifically instructed him to do before coming to Heaven Dou City.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had indeed wronged Yu Xiaogang over the years.
Yu Xiaogang, however, was prideful. But one doesn't slap a smiling face—especially since the grievances of the older generation shouldn't be taken out on a junior like Yu Tianheng.
So he reluctantly acknowledged with a grunt.
"Gathering everyone here wasn't actually Dean Flender's idea," Ning Fengzhi said, sweeping his gaze across the room.
"Haha, yes. We were mainly worried about leaks," Flender chuckled.
Flender held great respect for Ning Fengzhi. After all, the latter was the patriarch of one of the Upper Three Sect, a figure of immense status.
So when Ning Fengzhi suggested borrowing his identity for the meeting, Flender agreed without hesitation.
"Let me share some news," Ning Fengzhi said, his expression grim. "The Clear Sky Clan's sect has been breached."
"Patriarch Tang Xiao is severely injured and doesn't have long to live."
"Half of their disciples have also been lost."
Hearing this, Dai Mubai clenched his fists tightly. "So the Spirit Hall is finally showing its true colors?"
Xiao Wu's eyes burned with fighting spirit. "It's better if they drop the pretense. That way, I can openly slaughter those Spirit Hall dogs."
"The Spirit Hall is far more powerful than it appears," Ning Fengzhi said solemnly.
"If we can't set aside our differences and unite, the Spirit Hall will pick us off one by one."
"Patriarch Ning, rest assured—the Star Luo Empire will be the first to join an alliance against the Spirit Hall!"
Dai Mubai thumped his chest.
He and his father understood the principle of mutual survival all too well.
The Spirit Hall could never be a friend.
The Star Luo Empire couldn't remain neutral in the coming continental conflict.
If they didn't go all out from the start, they'd only face the Spirit Hall's slow, suffocating grip.
Sooner or later, the Star Luo Empire would fall to the Spirit Hall.
"On behalf of my grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, I support Patriarch Ning's proposal."
"However, there's one condition—Patriarch Ning must personally persuade the new Heaven Dou emperor to revoke the empire's arrest warrant against me."
Yu Tianheng tightened his fists.
Back in East Sea City, he'd only intended to assassinate Ye Tian.
He never expected to accidentally wound the Heaven Dou Crown Prince instead.
As a result, the Heaven Dou Empire seized all the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's assets within its borders and issued a permanent warrant for his arrest.
This time, he'd only made it to Heaven Dou City in disguise.
"That won't be a problem," Ning Fengzhi nodded. "The four vassal kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire, swayed by the Spirit Hall, have long since grown disloyal."
"So the Heaven Dou Empire is under greater pressure than any of us."
"I'm confident the new emperor will agree to a defensive alliance with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
There was one more thing Ning Fengzhi didn't mention.
Xue Qinghe was his student.
He'd been Xue Qinghe's teacher for five years now.
Ning Fengzhi believed he could influence Xue Qinghe to some extent.
"Patriarch Ning, have you discussed the alliance with Xue Qinghe yet?" Dai Mubai asked, glancing up.
The Heaven Dou Empire was undoubtedly a critical piece.
He'd scanned the room earlier but saw no representative from Heaven Dou—hence the question.
"Not yet," Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "With the recent passing of Emperor Xue Ye, Qinghe is busy with funeral arrangements. I plan to approach him in a few days."
"I see," Dai Mubai nodded in understanding.
Indeed, Emperor Xue Ye's death was still fresh.
Even if Xue Qinghe wasn't overwhelmed by grief, the sheer volume of administrative tasks would keep him too occupied to focus on external matters.
"...However, I can try to sound out Ye Tian first," Ning Fengzhi mused, lowering his head before looking up again. "Ye Tian and I are... acquaintances."
"Now that he's the Heaven Dou Imperial Preceptor, he holds great sway with Xue Qinghe."
"Freshly appointed, he's eager to consolidate his position with achievements."
"If I hand him the credit for brokering this alliance, he'll push for it wholeheartedly."
"That'll also reduce resistance on our end."
"Father is right," Ning Rongrong said with a faint smile. "I believe Ye Tian can see the bigger picture in matters of such importance."
"That's an excellent approach. I agree," Dai Mubai nodded emphatically.
"Ye Tian... became the Heaven Dou Imperial Preceptor?" Yu Tianheng's face twisted in disbelief at Ning Fengzhi's words.
No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't believe Ye Tian had risen to such heights—second only to the emperor himself.
And in the Heaven Dou Empire, no less! Not some petty kingdom!
Seeing Yu Tianheng's stunned expression, Xiao Wu curled her lip.
"Don't underestimate Ye Tian. He may not be a spirit master, but he's no less capable than you, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's prized grandson."
"I admit that," Yu Tianheng said. The past year had changed him greatly, stripping away much of his former arrogance.
He no longer bristled at others' strengths—or even insults.
"...But you might not know this—I once saw Ye Tian with Bibi Dong."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "You mentioned that back in East Sea City."
"I know you and Ye Tian have history."
"But our priority now is uniting as many forces as possible, not pushing potential allies away."
"Even if Ye Tian was once close to Bibi Dong, so what?"
"He's now the Imperial Preceptor."
"How many positions rank higher than that?"
"Can the Spirit Hall offer an ordinary person such a lofty status?"
Position determined perspective. Ning Fengzhi refused to believe Ye Tian would abandon the wealth and status he'd already attained.
"Ye Tian might've been deceived by Bibi Dong," Xiao Wu also dismissed the idea of Ye Tian having ties to the Spirit Hall.
She spoke up, "I was the one who personally brought Ye Tian back to Heaven Dou City from the outskirts of Spirit City."
"He was nearly drowned then."
"If Ye Tian were with the Spirit Hall, he wouldn't have been in such danger."
"After all, my passing through there was pure chance. Bringing him to Heaven Dou City was also a coincidence."
"Perhaps," Yu Tianheng didn't argue further.
He knew nothing he said would convince them.
Truthfully, he'd rather not believe it himself.
After all, Ye Tian's current status was incomparable to before.
...
...
"You... are planning to confiscate his property?"
Following behind Ye Tian, Bo Saixi glanced at the soldiers in uniform silver armor and couldn't hide her surprise.
Ye Tian's expression was stern. "Correct."
"Pan Song's existence threatens His Majesty's rule."
"But aren't you aligned with the Spirit Hall? The enemy of your enemy is your friend!"
Bo Saixi looked baffled, then seemed to grasp something.
"Unless... the Heaven Dou emperor is also..."
She covered her mouth, then grew excited.
Staying by Ye Tian's side was far more thrilling than being stuck on that godforsaken Seagod Island.
"You're not afraid I'll leak this critical information?"
"What, to your admirers?" Ye Tian smirked.
Bo Saixi pursed her lips. "I only mentioned meeting them yesterday out of nostalgia. But after hearing your stories about them, they don't seem so remarkable anymore."
"Some things fade with time. After returning to the mainland, they all started families, didn't they?"
"Since we've already missed our chance, should I spend the rest of my life wallowing in regret?"
"Let's not bring up the past—it's tiresome."
Compared to her divine demeanor on Seagod Island, Bo Saixi now seemed far more unrestrained, like a wild horse galloping freely across the plains.
Her words carried a newfound boldness.
"Fine, no more talk of the past," Ye Tian agreed lightly.
After a while, they arrived at Duke Pan Song's residence in Heaven Dou City's eastern district.
Gazing at the gilded plaque, Ye Tian didn't hesitate. He waved to the two lieutenants behind him.
"Seal all exits. Arrest everyone in the estate!"
"Yes, sir!" The two silver-armored lieutenants spurred their horses forward, each leading a detachment toward the mansion.
As a duke, Pan Song likely had private guards.
The troops would inevitably face resistance.
But Ye Tian didn't need to worry about that.
With three thousand soldiers at his command, Pan Song had no chance of escape.
Bo Saixi, also on horseback, watched the mansion coolly, arms crossed.
"I'm curious—how will you deal with his family?"
Though inexperienced in politics, she knew the fate of officials who fell out of imperial favor: execution of the entire clan.
She tilted her head, studying Ye Tian.
Would he carry out Xue Qinghe's orders with brutal efficiency?
(End of Chapter)