Chapter 376: Eight Carriages, the Duel of Wits between Dai Yao and Tang San
"An escape plan from Heaven Dou?" Qian Renxue froze, a mix of surprise and complicated emotions crossing her face. She recalled how Dai Yao, with the resources of the Wuhun Hall, had devised a plan to escape Heaven Dou Empire safely without relying on any high-level powerhouses. At the time, she had dismissed it as overkill. Yet now, that plan was her only hope amid this desperate situation.
Lowering her head and clutching her chest, Qian Renxue asked quietly,
"Can this plan still work, given the Wuhun Temple is already surrounded?"
Dai Yao looked up at the two Haotian Clan elders hovering over the Wuhun Temple and replied with a slight smirk,
"Of course. A true last-resort plan accounts for even the most extreme circumstances. But if we delay any longer, it'll be too late."
Qian Renxue forced herself to stand despite the pain, gritting her teeth.
"We can't afford to waste time. Let's move…now."
Dai Yao nodded, supporting her as they left the vicinity of the Wuhun Temple as inconspicuously as possible. After a while, Dai Yao led Qian Renxue to a discreet residence near Shrek Academy.
He knew that with the Heaven Dou Palace Coup failing, Tang San would undoubtedly mobilize Shrek Academy's forces. The surrounding area would thus be less guarded than other parts of the city. And given that Shrek Academy was Tang San's home base, the old saying applied: the most dangerous place is often the safest one.
Sure enough, security around the academy was notably lighter.
"Along the way, we've seen the soldiers increasing in number, and order's already being restored. That must mean someone has taken control of the empire. But with Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing gone, who could be the successor?" Dai Yao frowned, wondering.
Qian Renxue, fighting through the agony of her injuries, replied,
"Likely Xue Ke. If I were Emperor Xue Ye, with all heirs gone, the best course would be to entrust the throne to Tang San, have Xue Ke become empress, and betroth her to Tang San."
"This way, with the Haotian Clan's support, internal unrest in the empire would settle rapidly, and Heaven Dou would finally have the strength to stand against Wuhun Hall."
Dai Yao gave her a look of genuine surprise—she had a remarkable understanding of the empire's politics. Without her arrogance, Qian Renxue likely wouldn't have suffered defeat at Tang San's hands. But by killing Xue Beng, he had inadvertently delivered Heaven Dou Empire into Tang San's hands. He had calculated every step, except for the emperor's final decision. That one move had undone all his plans.
A deep respect for the emperor rose in Dai Yao's heart.
"Things are worse than I thought. We can't delay. We need to leave now."
With Tang San in power, he would never allow them to escape easily. Now, while the city was still in chaos, was their best chance.
Inside the residence, a humble-looking carriage awaited. The driver, noticing Dai Yao's arrival, seemed surprised and said,
"My lord, I've been waiting for you."
He cast a puzzled glance at Qian Renxue, still in her Xue Qinghe disguise, and asked,
"And who is this?"
"No need to worry about that," Dai Yao replied. "Once we're on the road, drive without stopping until I say otherwise."
The driver nodded, and Dai Yao helped Qian Renxue into the carriage, drawing the curtains shut behind them.
Sitting cross-legged to try and stabilize her condition, Qian Renxue glanced at Dai Yao and asked in a low voice,
"Can we trust the driver?"
Dai Yao gave a slight nod, replying,
"He's with Wuhun Hall."
Understanding this, Qian Renxue nodded back.
Dai Yao then retrieved a device from his storage—a small button-like item. Curious, Qian Renxue asked,
"What's that?"
"It's a signal transmitter," Dai Yao explained. "When I press this, those within a three-kilometer radius will receive the signal. This is what triggers the people I've stationed nearby to act."
Since Lou Gao joined Qinglian Sect, Dai Yao had used his connections in the Blacksmiths' Association to set up a technology division, introducing ideas from his past life, like telecommunication. Through their research, they had produced prototypes, and this transmitter was one of the latest developments. Although limited in range and only capable of sending a one-way signal, it was perfect for this situation.
Dai Yao pressed the button, releasing a faint soul power pulse.
Within three kilometers, the signal reached operatives stationed in seven different houses. Silent until now, the hidden soul masters boarded carriages scattered throughout the city and sped toward the various city gates. Explosions then rang out across Heaven Dou City, fires erupting as soldiers abandoned their posts to contain the chaos.
"Go!" Dai Yao commanded after waiting a moment.
The driver snapped the reins, and the carriage lurched forward, racing toward the north gate. With the fires pulling soldiers away from their patrols, they encountered minimal resistance. Any guards who dared stand in their way were quickly dispatched by the driver's soul skills.
In unison, eight carriages hurtled through Heaven Dou City, each aimed at a different gate.
The rhythmic pounding of hooves echoed through the streets.
Dai Yao lifted the curtain slightly, watching the scenery flash by, his face unreadable, even as the flames cast flickering light upon him. Though this escape was fraught with danger, it was safer than his last harrowing experience in Star Luo Empire.
Across from him, Qian Renxue winced, forced to stop her healing attempts as the carriage's motion aggravated her injuries. Dai Yao noticed her discomfort, reached into his storage, and pulled out a stalk of spiritual ginseng.
"This should help ease your injuries," he said, handing it to her. "It has mild healing properties, which will help stabilize your internal damage for now."
Qian Renxue had endured the brunt of the Fifth Elder's ninth soul skill. It would take a lengthy recovery to heal completely, but this ginseng would at least offer temporary relief.
Knowing her condition, Qian Renxue didn't refuse, quickly swallowing the ginseng. After a moment, her pale face regained a hint of color.
As they sped through the city, explosions continued. Dai Yao's team had strategically used soul tools to create diversions and buy time.
Soon, almost simultaneously, the eight carriages arrived at their designated gates.
Seeing the incoming carriages, the gate guards readied themselves, confident they could stop a single carriage. However, just as they braced for impact, a powerful blast shattered the main gate, leaving a gaping hole and flinging the unprepared soldiers backward.
The horses whinnied in terror but, under the driver's firm command, galloped through the breach, hooves pounding against the ground.
They sped onto the main road outside the city.
"You won't escape that easily!" one of the guards shouted, scrambling to pursue. But before he could move, blades pierced his back, wielded by his fellow guards—now revealed as Wuhun Hall loyalists.
"Who…are you?" the wounded guard asked in disbelief, staring at the faces he once trusted.
They responded with cold smiles,
"Long live Wuhun Hall!"
Then, they leapt from the city walls, following the carriages into the wilderness.
This delay left the gate guards unable to pursue, helplessly watching the carriages disappear down the road.
Similar scenes unfolded at multiple gates. Five carriages managed to escape, while three were intercepted and stopped.
In the Heaven Dou Palace, Tang San clenched the latest report in his trembling hands: Five of the eight carriages had escaped Heaven Dou City during the brief chaos after his ascension as the new Blue Hao King.
"Damn it! The Shura King and Qian Renxue must be in one of those five carriages!" Tang San muttered angrily. "How did a single carriage manage to breach the heavily guarded gates of Heaven Dou City? Are all these guards utterly useless?!"
Five carriages, five directions—where should he begin the chase?
For a moment, the imperial officials around him exchanged worried glances. One of them spoke up, trying to calm him.
"Your Highness, Blue Hao King, claiming the throne takes priority. Surely, this matter can be delayed a little?"
Tang San's cold expression softened as he looked at the duke, his face warming into a smile.
"Thank you, Duke, but compared to this matter, the succession can wait."
As the duke opened his mouth to further protest, Tang San's tone turned steely.
"This is not a suggestion. It's an order."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Feeling the prickling intensity of his authority, the gathered nobles quickly fell silent.
At that moment, several figures entered the hall—among them, the Second Elder and Titan, the chief of the Strength Clan and head of the Tang Sect's Strength Hall.
Nodding briefly at the Second Elder in greeting, Tang San immediately asked Titan,
"Senior Titan, what's the situation?"
He had dispatched Tang Sect disciples to gather intelligence, and as always, they had met his expectations, gathering crucial information in record time.
Titan's face was somber. Casting a wary glance at the noble officials, he waited until Tang San nodded his approval before reporting,
"We've learned that a total of eight carriages attempted to break through the gates. Three were intercepted, but the drivers were ordinary folk—none of them soul masters. They had no idea what they were even transporting."
"But at five other gates, the drivers were not only soul masters but had accomplices inside the city. At several gates, these insiders were even at the Soul Emperor level."
Tang San's mind sparked with insight. Soul Emperors at the gates could only mean one thing—the Shura King's true escape route. A Soul Emperor would be the level of support required to ensure a safe escape from the city.
"Which gates had Soul Emperors?"
Niu Gao replied,
"Two gates to the south and one to the west had Soul Emperor-level soul masters. The northern and eastern gates, however, were breached with minimal resistance."
The southern route led to nearby principalities, then to Wuhun Hall, and finally to the border of Star Luo Empire. If the Shura King and Qian Renxue were indeed heading for Wuhun Hall, this would be their quickest path. The presence of Soul Emperors seemed to confirm it. Yet Tang San couldn't shake a feeling of unease. Wasn't this all too simple? Setting up eight decoy carriages suggested a strategy meant to mislead. Could this be a classic false front?
But he couldn't risk assuming so.
Turning to the Second Elder, he asked,
"Second Elder, any other news?"
The Second Elder replied gravely,
"Spear and Pufferfish have escaped. Though they were injured by Third and Fourth Elders, it's still hard to stop two Title Douluo who are determined to get away."
Tang San's face darkened. Although he had expected as much, he hadn't anticipated Spear and Pufferfish abandoning Qian Renxue and the Shura King so decisively. Nevertheless, the real threat lay with those two, not with Spear and Pufferfish.
Without delay, Tang San issued orders,
"Second Elder, head south and cover the southern areas. Third Elder, take the west. Fourth Elder, the east. Fifth Elder and I will head north. No matter the cost, we must intercept the Shura King and Qian Renxue. If they're spotted, don't alert them—notify everyone immediately."
The appearance of Soul Emperors in the south and west strongly suggested that the Shura King and Qian Renxue could be fleeing in one of these directions. Thus, Tang San assigned the powerful Second and Third Elders to cover these routes. However, he still doubted that the Shura King would choose such obvious escape paths.
To cover all possibilities, he sent Fourth Elder east, took Fifth Elder with him north, and reserved the final pursuit for himself.
Before the Second Elder departed, Tang San cautioned,
"Be careful, everyone. The Shura King's abilities are formidable, powerful enough to threaten even a Title Douluo. Although we know his tactics, we must remain vigilant."
The Second Elder nodded solemnly.
Tang San then turned to the Seventh Elder, instructing,
"Seventh Elder, please stay here at the palace with my teacher. Guard the palace well and take the opportunity to recover from your injuries."
The Seventh Elder nodded in agreement.
With a final order, Tang San commanded,
"Inform all surrounding cities to lock down immediately. Apprehend anyone suspicious on sight!"
Messenger pigeons were promptly dispatched, soaring in all directions. The towns encircling Heaven Dou City soon entered lockdown, the air of peace giving way to a palpable tension that gripped the entire empire.
Just then, a palace maid entered, looking around before approaching Tang San excitedly.
"Your Highness, Blue Hao King, Princess Xue Ke requests your presence."
Tang San paused, surprised.
"Princess Xue Ke?"
The maid nodded.
Tang San's expression turned icy, and a cold aura radiated from him.
"Inform the princess that I am occupied with pressing matters and cannot see her."
Though he was now betrothed to Xue Ke, it was merely a political maneuver. His heart belonged to Xiao Wu. How could he marry Xue Ke and betray his feelings for Xiao Wu?
Feeling the weight of his dismissal, the maid's face fell. She nodded quietly and withdrew, not daring to press further.
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