Chapter 426: Rest in Peace, Father
The Title Douluo immediately nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."
With that, he swiftly left. As the current Regent of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran naturally had a group of loyal Rank 9 Soul Engineers under his command. With their protection, his safety was well assured.
Of course, even if an unimaginably powerful enemy appeared, he still had no reason to fear. After all, there was another guardian present in the imperial palace these past few days Long Xiaoyao.
This man would act accordingly, stepping in to ensure Xu Tianran's safety if necessary.
Truth be told, if it weren't for Ye Xishui agreeing to cooperate with him, someone like Long Xiaoyao would never have come to personally protect him.
However, not just any random opponent would warrant Long Xiaoyao's intervention. Typically, only powerful figures like Du Busi or Xuanzi could force him to take action.
As for Kong Deming, Xu Tianran never expected the Rank 10 Soul Engineer to protect him.
Kong Deming had already reached a level comparable to an Ultimate Douluo, making him extraordinarily powerful. However, as the head of the Sun Moon Empire's Worship Hall, he had no ambition for the throne.
He only stood by the emperor's side.
Although Xu Tianran was the Regent, holding immense power, he was still not the emperor so Kong Deming naturally had no reason to protect him.
"But with Elder Kong's current strength, if he had been guarding my father, he surely would have captured those attackers by now.
Yet, based on my reports, the Royal Soul Engineer Legion is still pursuing the intruders. That means… Elder Kong isn't there.
Most likely, he's locked away in his laboratory, obsessed with his soul tool research."
Xu Tianran's thoughts raced, but he quickly regained his composure and signaled for Ju Zi to push his wheelchair forward, escorting him to his father's residence.
"Hahaha! Just as I expected!"
"All the Sun Moon Empire's experts have been lured here! Everyone, retreat with me immediately! We must hurry if we get surrounded by a horde of strong enemies, we'll be in serious trouble!"
Elder Song's voice echoed through the minds of the black robed intruders via sound transmission.
At this moment, she was immensely pleased with herself.
Her plan was flawless.
As long as the Sun Moon Empire's strongest fighters were distracted, her allies would have the perfect opportunity to escape.
Although they were now being chased by the Royal Soul Engineer Legion, she remained completely unfazed.
The Royal Soul Engineer Legion was the Sun Moon Empire's strongest military unit on the surface, but her team was no pushover either.
Escaping from their encirclement wasn't a difficult task.
Yes, the Royal Soul Engineer Legion possessed lethal Rank 9 stationary soul cannon shells.
But this was the imperial palace.
If they recklessly used Rank 9 soul cannon shells here, there was a high chance they could accidentally kill key imperial figures.
Even though there were Rank 9 defensive soul barriers protecting certain areas, the imperial palace was enormous.
Not every corner of the palace had such defenses.
And the important figures didn't always stay within protected zones.
Inside the palace, Xu Tianran sat in his wheelchair, gazing at the unconscious Sun Moon Emperor.
His expression was one of deep concern.
Of course, this was only for show.
In truth, he desperately wished for his father's death.
Because only then could he claim the throne.
To Xu Tianran, even his own father was nothing more than a stepping stone a mere tool for his ambitions.
Yes, they shared a father son bond.
But when faced with the ultimate temptation of power, such ties became meaningless.
Xu Tianran knew his father's health was deteriorating rapidly it was only a matter of time before he died.
If he simply waited patiently, the throne would eventually be his.
But he didn't want to wait.
He had hoped those assassins would finish the job but they had failed.
If they had succeeded, he would already be emperor.
After all, the empire cannot be left without a ruler.
And as both the Crown Prince and the Regent, he was the most suitable successor.
Even better, he could blame the assassination on the Three Douluo Nations or Shrek Academy.
By exploiting his father's death, he could turn public opinion against them, deepening the empire's hostility toward the Douluo Nations and accelerating the war.
With this propaganda, his war efforts would proceed even more smoothly.
At this moment, he seethed with frustration.
"Useless assassins."
"They couldn't even kill an unconscious old man."
"And they dare call themselves elite operatives?"
Xu Tianran turned toward a royal guardian, who was still standing by his father's bedside.
"Have you identified which faction these assassins belong to?"
The guardian was one of the imperial worshippers stationed to protect the emperor.
Since the Royal Soul Engineer Legion still hadn't reported back, it was clear the intruders were proving difficult to handle.
And given their exceptional strength, they couldn't have been mere rogue Soul Masters.
They must have been backed by a powerful faction.
The worshipper immediately responded, "Your Highness, we have gathered some information. The attackers may be connected to the former Crown Prince, Xu He."
"Xu He?"
Xu Tianran's brows furrowed.
"What does this have to do with Xu He?"
The worshipper explained, "When the attackers launched their assault, they shouted the phrase 'For His Highness Xu He!'
However, something feels off.
It's almost **too deliberate **as if they want us to think it's related to Xu He.
But I have no concrete evidence to prove otherwise, which is why I can only report that they might be connected."
As a Rank 9 Soul Engineer, his intelligence far exceeded that of ordinary people.
And he had immediately noticed that something about this situation didn't add up.
Xu Tianran fell silent for a moment.
He agreed.
There were too many inconsistencies.
After some thought, he said, "Indeed… this almost seems like an attempt to mislead us.
You should assist the Royal Soul Engineer Legion in capturing these intruders.
They are taking far too long."
"Your Highness, but… the Emperor "
The worshipper hesitated.
He was assigned to protect the Sun Moon Emperor.
"Do not worry. I have brought my own elite guards.
No one will harm my father while I'm here."
Xu Tianran spoke with absolute confidence.
The worshipper nodded.
"Understood, Your Highness."
With that, he left to reinforce the pursuit.
He still trusted Xu Tianran.
After all, this was his own father.
It was only natural for a son to ensure his father's safety.
With the elite guards present, there should be no reason for concern.
As soon as the worshipper left, Xu Tianran issued another command.
"Everyone, except for Ju Zi, leave. Stand guard outside let no one disturb me or my father."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The remaining guards exited.
Now, the palace fell into eerie silence.
Xu Tianran clenched his father's hand, his gaze filled with murderous intent.
In his heart, he whispered:
"Father, for me to unite the Douluo Continent and become a legendary emperor… I must ascend the throne immediately.
That is also the wish of our ancestors.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity… and I cannot waste it.
So, I must ask you… to rest in peace."
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