Chapter 363: Three Tasks
In the days that followed, Dai Yao, now in disguise, slipped into the imperial palace, blending in as an enigmatic figure with black-dyed hair and a face-concealing mask. With Xue Qinghe's protection, Emperor Xue Ye did not insist that Dai Yao remove his mask, though the Emperor remained puzzled by the mystery man's presence.
Following Qian Daoliu's orders, Xue Qinghe accelerated her plans. First, she increased the dosage of poison administered to Emperor Xue Ye. Second, she began systematically replacing the palace guards, ensuring that all communications in and out of the palace would be severed when the coup was finally underway. Third, she rallied key ministers to consolidate support. And lastly, she devoted herself to the ailing Emperor's side, ready to seize his final decree and secure her ascension.
Within half a month, Emperor Xue Ye was bedridden and barely able to move. Word spread of the Emperor's deteriorating health, and soon all courtiers were abuzz, anticipating Xue Qinghe's rise to the throne. For many in the court, it seemed they had already turned their backs on the dying Emperor.
Not everyone was indifferent, however.
Prince Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing, seeing the Emperor's worsening condition, were in growing distress. Should Xue Qinghe ascend the throne, the Tian Dou Empire would plunge into chaos. Xue Qinghe's coronation would be a death sentence for them.
Inside the palace, Xue Beng fixed his gaze on Xue Qinghe, who sat by the Emperor's bed, feeding him his medicine with an air of filial devotion. The sight sent chills down Xue Beng's spine, and his body trembled as he struggled to hold back his horror. Xue Qinghe's ruthlessness was beyond what he could have imagined. Despite plotting to poison the Emperor, she maintained her guise of a loving child, leaving the Emperor proud and at ease with his decision to entrust the empire to her.
As the Emperor drank the medicine from Xue Qinghe's spoon, he looked up, eyes weary and dim. Just as Xue Qinghe lifted another spoonful, the Emperor shook his head weakly, his voice devoid of vitality.
"Qinghe, enough. I am just a dying old man. There's no need to waste your efforts… coughcough…"
Qian Renxue put on an anguished expression, her hand trembling slightly as she held the spoon, feigning a desperate resolve.
"Father, you will get better. This medicine will help you recover."
Nonsense. If you don't drink it, how am I supposed to poison you?
The Emperor sighed, a resigned smile crossing his face, and finished the medicine. The maid hurried to wipe away the residue from his lips, and the Emperor lay back weakly, shifting his gaze between Xue Qinghe and the scowling Xue Beng, sighing in disappointment.
Seeing the Emperor's look of disappointment, Xue Beng's heart wrenched. It wasn't that he wanted to let his father down, but his sole focus was survival. The grand vision he had for the kingdom was one his father would never see, nor would he likely live to see another day himself. At his side, Prince Xue Xing gently gripped Xue Beng's hand, subtly calming his nephew with a warning glance. Now was not the time to challenge Xue Qinghe directly, or they might not even live to see the next morning.
Suppressing his inner turmoil, Xue Beng composed himself, murmuring a farewell to the Emperor before slipping out of the room. Both he and Xue Xing knew they had to find a way to survive.
By now, Dugu Bo had washed his hands of royal affairs, yet he would grant Xue Xing refuge if he fled to him. But their only remaining hope rested on Tang San and the hidden strength of the Haotian Sect. If they could rally to their cause, there might still be a way to turn the tide.
As they exited, Xue Xing cast a long, meaningful look at Tang San, standing guard along the palace walls, with the masked man newly added to Xue Qinghe's retinue standing beside him. Both knew this was their last chance to reach out for help.
Inside, Emperor Xue Ye mumbled something softly. Xue Qinghe's expression darkened as she motioned for Tang San and Dai Yao to leave.
"Both of you, step outside," she ordered.
Obediently, they withdrew from the chamber. Standing in the corridor, Dai Yao scanned the palace grounds, noting the presence of countless guards who, unbeknownst to most, were loyal to the Spirit Hall. A single command could grant them total control of the palace.
Throughout this time, Dai Yao had observed Qian Renxue's meticulous and ruthless strategy, each step masterfully executed. Had it not been for the intervention of forces unseen in the original story, there was no way Qian Renxue's plan could fail. Her methods reminded him of Bibi Dong's, bearing the same cold efficiency.
Tang San, his white hair gleaming, was also alert to the new, unfamiliar faces around the palace, as well as the appearance of the masked man by Xue Qinghe's side.
"Who is this masked stranger?" he thought. "Why does Xue Qinghe trust him so much? What is Xue Qinghe planning?"
Tang San's expression was unreadable as he scrutinized the stranger. Since the masked man's arrival, Xue Qinghe's attitude toward him had grown noticeably more distant, casting a shadow over his revenge plans. Without Xue Qinghe's support, he could never exact his vengeance against the Spirit Hall, nor against Dai Yao.
"Friend, I understand the mask, but don't you think you owe me a name at least?" Tang San prodded.
Dai Yao, through the slits of his mask, glanced at Tang San coolly, aware that this was merely a ploy to gauge him. Before long, Tang San would be a defeated man. For now, all he had to do was string him along.
"You can call me Li Feiyu," Dai Yao replied, voice low and even, ensuring his identity remained untraceable.
"Li Feiyu…" Tang San murmured, mulling over the name. He felt there was more to it than met the eye.
"Brother Li, may I ask how you came to be in the prince's service? Surely you must have unique abilities," he continued, probing.
"Classified," Dai Yao replied simply before turning on his heel and walking away.
Tang San's eyes narrowed. He was certain now that Li Feiyu was concealing something. Xue Qinghe, too, seemed increasingly guarded since Li Feiyu's arrival, and an unshakable sense of foreboding crept into Tang San's mind.
For years, his instincts had guided him, allowing him to narrowly escape death countless times. The oppressive shadow hanging over him now was something he could not ignore. In the past, he would have patiently investigated Li Feiyu's true identity, but with Xiao Wu's death, caution had given way to a reckless resolve.
Tang San's lifeless eyes flickered with a hint of bloodthirst, and a suffocating killing intent surged from him like a tidal wave, sweeping over the area.
The guards around him recoiled, collapsing in terror under the weight of his Killing God Domain. Yet Li Feiyu, unaffected, continued forward with an air of indifference.
"How is this possible? He's unaffected by the Killing God Domain?"
Tang San's pupils shrank, realizing that this could only mean one of two things: either Li Feiyu's strength far surpassed his own, or he, too, possessed the Killing God Domain.
"Who is this Li Feiyu?" Tang San wondered, sinking into deep thought.
Upon returning to the crown prince's quarters, Xue Qinghe spent the evening conferring with key ministers, planning the succession. Though Emperor Xue Ye had not yet passed, these discussions took place openly in her private chambers, where protocol was less rigid.
As the night wore on, the ministers finally took their leave, bowing deeply as they exited.
Despite all her years of infiltration, Xue Qinghe's face showed no trace of fatigue. She had long since adapted to her identity as Xue Qinghe, to the point where she sometimes questioned whether she was still Qian Renxue or had truly become Xue Qinghe.
After dismissing the attendants and washing up alone, Xue Qinghe changed into loose-fitting clothes and headed to the side hall adjacent to the Crown Prince's quarters.
Dai Yao had been staying here during this time.
Pushing the door open, Xue Qinghe saw Dai Yao standing by the window, lost in thought.
"Dai Yao, you've been staying here for some time now. Are you satisfied with the arrangements?" Xue Qinghe asked with a smile.
Hearing her voice, Dai Yao turned around and replied with a light chuckle: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm more than satisfied. It's just that I'm not used to this level of luxury. Back in Spirit Hall, I only lived in a small wooden hut. Now, staying in such a grand palace with so many attendants feels a little strange."
Xue Qinghe was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Dai Yao to have lived so modestly in Spirit Hall. Given how highly Spirit Hall regarded him, Bibi Dong would never have treated him poorly when it came to his living arrangements.
It was clear that Dai Yao's austere lifestyle was his own choice—a way to discipline himself, focus on cultivation, and avoid distractions. This self-restraint raised Xue Qinghe's opinion of him even further.
"It seems Dai Yao's talents extend beyond his abilities," she thought to herself.
"By the way, Dai Yao," Xue Qinghe began, "you've spent these days observing my plans and arrangements. You were once the Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire, so your perspective must be unique. Have you noticed any flaws?"
Though she asked the question, Xue Qinghe didn't believe Dai Yao could offer any constructive criticism. She was confident in her mastery of the situation, having utilized all available resources to their fullest extent. Her years of studying the art of rulership had made her plans flawless—even Emperor Xue Ye himself might not match her strategic prowess.
Her question was more about giving Dai Yao face.
After all, he had been sent by Qian Daoliu and was no weakling. Offering him respect was appropriate.
Dai Yao pondered for a moment before cupping his hands and saying, "Your Highness, I'm humbled. From my perspective, your arrangements are impeccable. However…"
"However what?" Xue Qinghe asked, her brows furrowing slightly.
Dai Yao exhaled softly and said, "Your Highness, while your plans are indeed flawless, have you perhaps overlooked two individuals?"
"Who?"
"The first is Tang San. Though he has sworn loyalty to you, he remains a twin martial soul genius, a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, and the son of the legendary Clear Sky Douluo. If he learns of your plans, he will surely break away. Knowing this, it might be wiser to eliminate him early."
As Dai Yao spoke these words, he felt a commotion in his spiritual world—the rabbit was restless again.
Xue Qinghe smiled faintly. "Tang San is no threat. Dai Yao, you worry too much."
Dai Yao opened his mouth to argue but ultimately sighed and let it go. Qian Renxue, if only you knew how things unfolded in the original story—how Tang San's refusal led to your downfall—you would never make such a dismissive statement.
Sighing, he continued, "The second person is Xue Beng. Your Highness may not know this, but Xue Beng has been deliberately hiding his abilities, feigning incompetence while biding his time to one day make a dramatic comeback. It would be prudent to eliminate him as soon as possible."
Xue Qinghe looked at Dai Yao with intrigue.
"To think you've seen through Xue Beng in just a few days. You're right—Xue Beng is indeed a talented individual. But I'm keeping him around intentionally. Without Xue Beng, how could I identify those who oppose me?"
Her slight smile carried a chilling coldness.
Dai Yao realized her intent. "You're saying you're keeping Xue Beng alive so that those who oppose you will rally around him, exposing themselves?"
It was a brilliant move, forcing all dissenters into the open. However, Dai Yao knew that in the original story, Qian Renxue's arrogance and overconfidence had cost her dearly.
"Exactly. Xue Beng's wings are underdeveloped. Even if he harbors rebellious thoughts, he cannot pose a threat to me. Dai Yao, your talents are undeniable, but you're too cautious. A true powerhouse who dominates their era must possess the confidence to stand above all others," Xue Qinghe lectured.
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and asked, "I've heard you've created a secret plan for escaping the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Dai Yao felt slightly embarrassed. The constant surveillance of various forces had left him feeling unsafe, reminding him of his two narrow escapes from the Star Luo Empire. If the coup failed, he wanted to be prepared for the worst.
"Your Highness," Dai Yao admitted, "it's true. Perhaps it's a case of 'once bitten, twice shy.' Having twice narrowly escaped the Star Luo Empire, I couldn't shake the fear, so I devised a plan to escape the Heaven Dou Empire as well."
Xue Qinghe sighed and massaged her forehead. Dai Yao is excellent in every way, but his excessive caution is exasperating. The coup has no chance of failure.
"Fine, do as you like," she said, waving him off.
After some more casual conversation, Dai Yao sipped his tea and nonchalantly said, "Your Highness, I've heard that among the three great treasures of the Heaven Dou Empire, there is one called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. Is that true?"
A flicker of sharpness passed through Xue Qinghe's eyes.
"Oh? Dai Yao, are you interested in the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?"
Dai Yao smiled casually. "I've heard of it and was curious, so I asked."
Xue Qinghe, being astute and experienced, saw through Dai Yao immediately. With a playful smirk, she teased, "Dai Yao, don't bother pretending. You want the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, don't you?"
Dai Yao was momentarily startled, impressed by Qian Renxue's perceptiveness. Realizing there was no point in denying it, he admitted, "Indeed, I'd very much like to have it. If Your Highness would grant me the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, I would owe you three favors—three tasks that wouldn't go against my conscience."
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