Chapter 368: The Storm Begins
Within the imperial palace of Heaven Dou, Tang San moved cautiously, feeling a strangeness in a place he had entered countless times before. The palace, which had once felt familiar, now seemed like a lurking beast ready to devour anyone bold enough to uncover its secrets. Breathing in the icy air, he proceeded, carefully observing the guards around him.
As expected, the guards were new faces. Though dressed in standard armor, each of them emanated an aura that revealed them as spirit masters—powerful ones at that, all at least above the fiftieth rank. This kind of force was rare in Heaven Dou, a nation known for its limited spirit master resources. Yet here were fifty unknown spirit masters, all high-ranking and all gathered in secret. The only organization with such resources was the Spirit Hall.
A barely noticeable smirk crossed Tang San's face as he confirmed his suspicions. "So, Xue Qinghe truly is from Spirit Hall," he thought, a spark of fury igniting within him. "A crown prince, admired by all, secretly aligning with Spirit Hall. What a grand scheme. Spirit Hall must have placed spies within the two empires long ago, biding their time to rise in unison. At the right moment, they'd rally the continent, possibly even achieving their goal of unification."
He clenched his fist. "For selfish power, they would plunge the land into endless war, causing unimaginable suffering. Today, I, Tang San, will stand for the people of Heaven Dou and all its nobles to end this corrupt force!"
Thinking of Xue Qinghe's cultivated, refined persona almost gave him pause. But he pushed those thoughts aside—between him and Spirit Hall, there could be no peace. This was a fight to the end, a fight where one of them would not leave the palace alive.
With his resolve stronger than ever, he took his first step toward Emperor Xue Ye's chamber.
Upon entering, Tang San found Xue Qinghe standing devotedly by the Emperor's bedside, the picture of filial loyalty. Had he not known better, Tang San might have been deceived by the act. His gaze shifted to the two elders behind Xue Qinghe—no longer the masked man from before, but two plainly dressed old men. The masked man himself leaned against the window, arms crossed. When Tang San entered, he cast him a fleeting glance, unreadable before turning his gaze back outside.
The two older men wore simple robes, but the aura they projected made Tang San's chest feel constricted. It was an aura he recognized from his encounters with Titled Douluo in the Clear Sky Clan, and he realized with a chill that both were indeed Titled Douluo.
Tang San's heart sank. He had expected Spirit Hall to send powerful figures, but this… Seeing him, Xue Qinghe sighed, holding Emperor Xue Ye's withered hand in a display of sorrow without turning to look at Tang San.
"You're here, Tang San?"
Tang San's unease deepened as he forced himself to bow and reply calmly, "Apologies for my delay, Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe, now sure of her imminent success, didn't believe that Tang San could hinder her plans at this final stage.
"Just stay aside and keep watch."
The crown prince spoke dismissively, paying him no further attention. Tang San complied, standing beside the masked man at the window.
At that moment, as if by some miracle, Emperor Xue Ye stirred, opening his eyes to reveal a look of awareness that surprised everyone. He coughed, seemingly revitalized.
Xue Ye's gaze flickered to Tang San by the window before focusing on Xue Qinghe and the two men behind her. Recognition dawned, and his pupils contracted upon seeing the two elders. He knew these faces from long ago: Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo of Spirit Hall.
The appearance of these two men behind Xue Qinghe made everything clear.
The deaths of his two sons, the subtle hints that Xue Xing had given him, the toxins that had slowly built up in his system… He could finally see the truth. The tragedies that had shadowed his reign and his family had all been orchestrated by the one he called son.
Holding his composure, Emperor Xue Ye asked in a weak voice, "Qinghe, who are these men?"
Xue Qinghe smiled slightly. "Father, I think you know who they are."
Xue Ye's face paled as he realized Xue Qinghe's act had ended. Desperately, he tried a different approach, his voice weighted with sorrow.
"Qinghe, you're the crown prince of Heaven Dou. What have you to gain by allying with these people? They might seem friendly now, but once they're done using you, they'll devour you whole. It's not too late—step back and save yourself."
Xue Ye's words held genuine pain. Though she remained silent, Xue Qinghe—no, Qian Renxue—could sense his fatherly love even now. She had never known a father's care before, her own mother viewing her as a tool of vengeance. The love Xue Ye showed was alien but alluring.
Yet, she knew her true duty. She was a descendant of the Seraphim Clan, and such emotions were a luxury she could not afford.
Snake Spear Douluo, sensing her momentary hesitation, stepped forward with a cold smile, cutting through Xue Ye's words.
"Emperor Xue Ye, save your breath. Your words mean nothing. You think the young lord can be turned so easily? Don't be so foolish."
The title "young lord" struck Xue Ye like a blow. He looked at Xue Qinghe with an expression of betrayal and fear, his voice breaking.
"They… they called you 'young lord'? Who… who are you really?"
The fleeting warmth in Qian Renxue's expression faded, replaced by icy resolve.
"I owe you the truth. After all, you raised me. My real father was Qian Xunji, the former Pope of Spirit Hall. And I am the rightful heir to the Seraphim Clan, Qian Renxue."
The revelation shattered Xue Ye. The one he had loved like a son was, in reality, the child of his greatest enemy. The shock left him numb, the emotional wound almost as deadly as the poison in his veins. He bit down on his tongue to stay conscious, determined to keep fighting for Heaven Dou's survival.
The Emperor's voice trembled as he forced himself to ask, "Then… what happened to my true son, the real Xue Qinghe?"
His question was a mere stalling tactic. As long as he lived, there was hope, however slim. If he perished, Heaven Dou would face inevitable ruin, torn apart by internal strife.
Tang San stood nearby, close enough to aid Emperor Xue Ye. Although he couldn't fully trust Tang San, the Emperor knew he was his only hope now.
Qian Renxue, in her guise as Xue Qinghe, chuckled coldly.
"Of course, the real Xue Qinghe died long ago."
Emperor Xue Ye fell silent, devastated by this confession, yet Qian Renxue, assured of her victory, didn't rush to finish him off.
Beside him, Tang San was equally shaken, finally understanding Xue Qinghe's true identity. In that moment of realization, he discreetly flicked his wrist, sending a signal flare darting out toward the window, aiming to launch it high into the sky.
The truth was now fully exposed to Emperor Xue Ye, and Tang San had gained his support. With the Emperor's endorsement, the noble houses of Heaven Dou Empire would rally to resist Spirit Hall's schemes. He had intentionally lured Qian Renxue into revealing her identity, which she had done out of arrogant disdain for her opposition. Now, as soon as the signal flare exploded, reinforcements outside the palace would storm in to save the Emperor and end Spirit Hall's conspiracy.
Clear Sky Clan had sent five Titled Douluo to assist him, while Spirit Hall only had two. With such numbers, they held a clear advantage.
However, just as the flare reached the window, the masked man he had always been wary of moved. In a flash, the man's hand caught the flare, and with a mere squeeze, he extinguished it as effortlessly as one deflates a balloon.
Everyone was momentarily drawn to Tang San's abrupt action. Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo glanced at him dismissively, treating his attempt as the futile gesture of a desperate fool.
Emperor Xue Ye glanced briefly at Tang San, disappointment evident in his gaze. Tang San's sudden act had seemingly doomed them both.
Qian Renxue shook her head with a soft sigh, looking at Tang San with an air of regret, her tone gentle and laced with disappointment.
"Tang San, I never intended to kill you, but why must you court death? Couldn't you have simply stayed out of this?"
But Tang San wasn't looking at her. His eyes were fixed on the masked man, filled with shock and fear.
The flare technique he had used was a Tang Sect skill, a subtle, lightning-fast move even a typical Titled Douluo would struggle to intercept without warning. Yet not only had this man seen through it, but he had also stopped it with ease, as if anticipating his every move.
The sense of being thoroughly outmaneuvered was unnervingly familiar to Tang San, a haunting reminder of the feeling he experienced every time he faced Dai Yao. But now wasn't the time for doubt. He calmly turned to face Qian Renxue, his composure unshaken despite the dire situation and the failed signal.
"Whether you're Xue Qinghe or Qian Renxue, you may be clever, but you're naïve. Not everyone is motivated by profit as you are. With all that Spirit Hall has done—to my parents, to Xiao Wu—how could I ever compromise with you? Spirit Hall will forever be my enemy."
His voice grew steely, resonant with the unwavering resolve of his past life.
"Better to be shattered like jade than survive as mere tile."
The final words were like hammer blows, resolute and unyielding. With that, Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor shot forth, six soul rings of yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, and black shimmering around him as his frigid killing intent filled the palace chamber.
Standing tall, he cast a disdainful look at Qian Renxue.
"The Six-Winged Angel is supposedly the embodiment of the Angel God, and your grandfather Qian Daoliu is revered for wielding it. But you? You're unworthy."
"You're nothing but a rat skulking in shadows, scheming and manipulating, yet lacking the true heart of a strong soul."
Behind his mask, Dai Yao's eyes flickered in surprise.
Tang San's strategy was now apparent. He was baiting Qian Renxue, goading her into a duel. Dai Yao knew her pride wouldn't allow her to decline, as she would be determined to meet the challenge. While Tang San's strength was indeed weakened, Qian Renxue wouldn't find it easy to defeat him quickly.
This was Tang San's attempt to stall.
Dai Yao saw no need to interfere; he understood that Qian Renxue, in her mind, likely regarded both him and Tang San as equally inconsequential. His only concern was the Sea God's Heart, Hanhai Qian Kun Zao.
Even if Tang San had reinforcements, they couldn't match two Titled Douluo. Clear Sky Clan was unlikely to break free of Golden Crocodile Douluo's blockade, meaning Tang San's allies would consist only of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Golden Iron Triangle. Two Titled Douluo against Snake Spear and Porcupinefish Douluo would not be enough.
Enraged, Qian Renxue's temples throbbed as she leveled a piercing gaze at Tang San.
"You reject Heaven's grace only to charge through Hell's gates. I know you're trying to delay me, hoping for a duel, and I must admit—it's working." Her voice was laced with venom. "I'll give you that chance, Tang San. A fair fight."
Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo were uneasy, wishing to caution her. Their mission wasn't something to be taken lightly, and every delay increased the risk of unforeseen complications. But seeing the fury in her eyes, they both knew that only Tang San's death would quell her wrath.
With everyone's attention fixed on them, Qian Renxue ascended slowly, her three pairs of angel wings unfolding behind her like an omen of judgment.
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