The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace was a masterpiece of architectural arrogance. As Fu Ye walked through the main gates, he was greeted by a sight of overwhelming opulence. Golden beams supported a ceiling painted with intricate cloud-dragon patterns, their bodies winding and coiling as if ready to leap down and devour any commoner who dared look up. The air was thick with the expensive scent of aged sandalwood, intended to instill a sense of divine authority in all who entered.
Fu Ye, however, just tilted his head, calculating the structural integrity of the place. It looks fancy, he thought with a smirk, but I wonder if this whole grand hall could even withstand one casual punch from me?
Walking beside him was Dugu Bo, the once-feared Poison Douluo, who now looked more like a nervous servant than a Title Douluo. Fu Ye didn't care about the manicured gardens or the statues of legendary heroes lining the corridors. To him, the "invitation" Dugu Bo had extended was nothing more than a summons for a lecture. He didn't quite grasp the concept of being "invited" to be interrogated, so he was fully prepared to show Emperor Xue Ye a new definition of the word "discussion."
The luxury of the palace wasn't entirely new to him. He had "visited" a few times in the past—usually "incognito" to trade barbs with that stubborn little sister, Qian Renxue.
Thinking of her, Fu Ye felt a wave of helplessness. Her affection level for him was still stubbornly low, likely because he kept "accidentally" running into her while she was seeking comfort in Bibi Dong's boudoir. In those private chambers, draped in purple silk and smelling of a intoxicating floral perfume, Qian Renxue would be act like a vulnerable child, begging her mother for a hug.
And then Fu Ye would arrive.
Bibi Dong would immediately stand up, her regal robes fluttering, and gracefully suggest they "go settle some official business" together, leaving Renxue fuming in the shadows. To Renxue, it felt like Fu Ye was a "bad brother-in-law" who had stolen her mother's affection.
A daughter jealous of her mother's special friend? Classic drama, Fu Ye mused. He could almost see her pouting face and crossed arms right now. That tsundere little brat really needs a lesson in sharing.
As they walked deeper into the palace, the long corridors were bustling with palace maids and eunuchs. When they saw the legendary Dugu Bo—the man whose very name could stop a child's crying—following submissively behind a handsome young man, the shock was palpable. Trays of fruit nearly slipped from trembling hands.
"Where are we going exactly? Are we going to kill that old man Xue Ye first?" Fu Ye's voice was casual, as if he were discussing the weather.
"Or should I take a detour to find my 'little sister' for a chat?" - Fu Ye though.
He was already thinking about his plans for the night. According to his internal schedule, it was time to "play" with Bibi Dong again. He relished the thought of snatching her away right under Qian Renxue's arrogant nose once more.
"Ahem... that depends entirely on your mood," Dugu Bo whispered, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow. "I'm just the guide here. Once I drop you off, I'm making myself scarce. Whatever you do to him is none of my business."
Dugu Bo was genuinely terrified. He remembered all too well the feeling of being suppressed by Fu Ye until he couldn't even lift a finger. Yet, he was also grateful; Fu Ye had cured the poison that had plagued him and his granddaughter for generations, even evolving their spirits in the process.
"Tsk, fair enough," Fu Ye said, looking relaxed. "Maybe I'll just have that dim-witted Emperor kowtow to me three times. If he doesn't satisfy me, I'll just remove a few of his 'spare parts.' He's a monarch, after all; it would be such a waste to just end him right away."
Dugu Bo felt his heart skip a beat. Brother, that's even more terrifying than just killing him! "Uh, look, directly killing him would cause... a lot of political trouble. The fallout would be massive, so..." Dugu Bo tried to counsel him, remembering that Prince Xue Xing had once saved his life. He didn't want to see the empire collapse into total chaos if he could help it.
"Hmm? Can't kill him directly? Fine then. Why don't you help me give him a slow-acting poison? Something that takes, say, three days to work?"
Dugu Bo froze. I shouldn't have opened my mouth. He had tried to save the Emperor, and now Fu Ye wanted to turn him into the executioner. You're even more of a scoundrel than I am! Dugu Bo thought, feeling the weight of the upcoming regicide.
┭┮﹏┭┮
"Tsk, look at you. The famous Poison Douluo, scared of poisoning one mediocre Emperor?" Fu Ye mocked him. Dugu Bo was a slippery one, always talking about "imperial debts." He'd already spared Xue Xing once—that should have been "an eye for an eye," right?
"Three days is too short! People will trace it back to me instantly!" Dugu Bo argued, his survival instincts kicking in.
"Fine, fine. Let's make it three years then. You must have some colorless, odorless slow poison in that bag of yours. If not, I can ask my 'silly girl' to fetch some top-tier stuff for you."
Fu Ye was determined. For the sake of "peace and justice," the old Emperor had to go. Fu Ye hated being targeted; it was better to strike first than to wait for a thousand days for a thief to attack. Besides, what if hundreds of Limit Douluos suddenly sprouted from the palace and hurt his wives?
As the ancients said: the probability of being killed by a falling raindrop is 0.0000001%, but it's never zero. Only absolute caution could ensure the safety of his family.
"Three years... I can do that. No one will ever know it was me," Dugu Bo agreed, his eyes gleaming with a newfound sense of "cooperation."
"Then what was all that trash talk earlier? 'The imperial family has been kind to you'..."
"Ahem... a wise man knows when to follow the trend."
乛乛
In the imperial court, the atmosphere was suffocating. As Fu Ye and Dugu Bo walked in together, the ministers began to whisper feverishly. Dugu Bo, who was supposed to leave after delivering the prisoner, had followed him in like a loyal dog, mostly because he wanted to see the show.
Old man, I am truly a genius, Dugu Bo thought to himself. By siding with Fu Ye, I get to watch the Emperor fall and keep my own head.
Fu Ye walked in front, head held high, while Dugu Bo followed. This strange sight sparked intense curiosity among the eunuchs and officials. They wondered if this young man was on a suicide mission, especially with the "horrifying" Poison Douluo right behind him.
"So, it's you? The one who killed my imperial relatives and crippled my brother, Prince Xue Xing?"
Emperor Xue Ye sat on his throne, his face red with fury, exuding a heavy aura of imperial authority that filled the hall.
Fu Ye just nodded slowly, looking at the Emperor with total indifference.
"And? Why aren't you kneeling and kowtowing to this Seat to show your respect yet?"
Snap!
In an instant, a plush, luxurious sofa appeared behind Fu Ye (straight from the system). He sat down with a flourish, crossing his legs comfortably.
Xue Ye had sent the "weakest" Title Douluo to bring him here for judgment? Now, it was time to see who was actually judging whom.
"You arrogant brat! You truly seek death!" "Boy, don't be so conceited! Your Majesty, we beg you to execute this villain!" "Your Majesty! This person mocks your divine authority! He must be put to death!"
Several ministers were screaming the loudest, their faces twisted with rage. It seemed some of them were relatives of the nobles Fu Ye had "erased" earlier. They were practically begging Fu Ye to send them down to join their family members.
"Mhm. Want to go down and see those pieces of trash? Very well. I shall grant your wish."