Chapter 294: Xue Ye's Critical Illness, Tang Hao's Return!
A few days later, news that shook the entire Heaven Dou Empire spread from the depths of the imperial palace.
Emperor Xue Ye had suddenly fallen seriously ill, and his condition was critical!
In an instant, the entire empire was filled with panic, and undercurrents surged in the court.
Everyone knew that the moment of changing the throne might be imminent.
At this moment, in a secluded but heavily guarded hall in the imperial palace,
Qian Renxue stood with her hands behind her back by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky outside, her eyes gradually turning cold. Behind her stood two figures respectfully, namely the Serpent Spear Douluo and the Porcupine Douluo.
The Porcupine Douluo bowed slightly, his tone carrying a hint of smugness, and whispered, "Young Master, that old bastard Xue Ye has been poisoned by a mixed poison that I carefully concocted. The poison has already penetrated deep into his lungs and internal organs, and there is no cure. In my opinion, he will die in three to five days at most."
At this point, his tone changed, and a trace of worry appeared on his face.
"However... even if Xue Ye passes away, the succession to the throne may not be smooth."
"That Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, may seem like a playboy, but he's not simple at all, and he has Prince Xue Xing backing him. Most importantly, Marshal Ge Long, who holds military power in the empire, has always been on good terms with Prince Xue Xing, and his army only recognizes the legitimate royal family... With them around, Young Master, if you want to smoothly ascend the throne, I'm afraid... there will still be some twists and turns and obstacles."
Serpent Spear Douluo nodded in agreement, clearly agreeing with this view.
Although the obvious obstacles are about to be cleared,
the potential rivals and the military's attitude remain a huge hidden danger.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue slowly turned around. Her gentle face, which belonged to Xue Qinghe, was now covered with frost, and a cold, ruthless smile appeared on her lips.
"Setbacks? Obstacles?"
She repeated softly, as if savoring the words, then let out a disdainful sneer, saying, "Hmph, then why not... wipe them all out in one fell swoop?"
"Wipe them all out in one fell swoop?" Serpent Spear Douluo paused, asking with some doubt, "Young Master, you mean...? Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing also have guards, and Ge Long is often stationed in the army. To capture them all at the same time... I'm afraid it won't be easy."
Qian Renxue walked to the table, her fingers lightly tapping the smooth surface, a calculating glint flashing in her eyes, and said in a deep voice,
"What's so difficult about that? Find a suitable opportunity, for example... under the pretext of visiting the seriously ill Emperor, or under the pretext of discussing urgent national policies, and invite them all to the palace for a meeting.
Once they enter this palace, and come to our completely controlled territory, their life or death will be entirely in our hands, won't it?
As long as we eliminate all these potential contenders for the throne, and their most important supporters, in one fell swoop, who in the court will dare to oppose me? The throne will naturally be within my grasp!"
This plan was simple, direct, yet incredibly ruthless and effective!
Using his identity and the opportune moment, he would lure his political enemies to a meeting, trapping them in a desperate situation.
Then, he would use absolute force to physically eliminate them, eradicating all obstacles at their root!
Upon hearing this, Serpent Spear Douluo and Porcupine Douluo exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of excitement and a hint of ruthlessness in each other's eyes. They knew that their Young Master's courage and ruthlessness were in no way inferior to Pope Bibi Dong's.
"Yes! We understand! We'll make the arrangements immediately," they replied in unison.
...…
At the same time, outside Heaven Dou City, deep within a quiet forest.
Two equally robust and powerful figures were embracing tightly!
The force was so great that it seemed they wanted to knead the twenty years of separation and all the lingering attachments into each other's bones and blood.
One of them was none other than Tang Xiao, the sect leader who had descended from the Clear Sky Sect.
The other was Tang Hao, weathered and worn.
After a long while, the two brothers slowly separated, their eyes both red-rimmed.
Tang Xiao patted Tang Hao's still strong arm forcefully, his voice choked with emotion, and said, "Brother Hao! These past years... you've suffered so much!"
Tang Hao looked at his elder brother's face, which was much older than he remembered, yet still dignified. His resolute lips moved, but in the end, it only turned into a deep sigh. He said,
"Brother, I have let down the sect, I have let down Father..."
The two brothers found a flat spot under a tree root and sat down. Tang Xiao poured out his heart about the sect's isolation over the years, the elders' resentment, the disciples' oppression, and his longing for Tang Hao.
Tang Hao listened silently, his once domineering eyes filled with complex and indescribable emotions—guilt, pain, and reminiscence of the glorious past.
"Brother Hao." Suddenly, Tang Xiao's tone shifted, becoming solemn and earnest. "Come back! Come back to the Clear Sky Sect with me! The situation on the continent has changed drastically. The Spirit Hall's wolfish ambitions are now blatantly obvious. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have already been destroyed!
Our Clear Sky Sect has decided to ally with the Heaven Dou Empire, reopen our gates, and fight against the Spirit Hall! The sect... needs you! I... need you too!"
However, Tang Hao slowly shook his head, a bitter and self-deprecating smile on his face. He said,
"Brother, I understand your intentions. But... I, Tang Hao, am no longer the Tang Hao of yesteryear. I am crippled and a sinner to the sect. I have dragged the sect down to this point. I... what face do I have to return to the sect?"
His voice was slightly low, filled with despair and despondency.
Ah Yin's death and the sect's closure
were like two mountains, crushing this once spirited man.
Seeing his younger brother's state, Tang Xiao felt both heartache and anxiety. After a moment, he suddenly stood up, his voice rising sharply, filled with a harsh tone of disappointment, and said,
"Brother Hao! You're confused!
Yes! You're wrong! But now, are you just going to stay depressed and run away like this?!"
"Do you know that your other son, Tang Chuan! He not only acts strangely, but he's also incredibly audacious. He secretly infiltrated the sect, impersonated me and the elders, and stole our Clear Sky Sect's supreme secret technique, the Ring-Breaking Technique, passed down through generations!!"
"What?!" Upon hearing this, Tang Hao suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with disbelief, and said incredulously, "The Ring-Breaking Technique... was... stolen by that rebellious son?"
"That's right!" Tang Xiao's voice was filled with immense pain and anger as he said,
"Such acts of betraying one's ancestors and disloyalty to one's master are an unprecedented disgrace in the history of our Clear Sky Sect! He is your son, and now he has committed such a heinous crime. As his father, are you really prepared to stand idly by and not cleanse the sect of its corruption?!"
As he spoke, he stepped forward, his tone filled with grief and indignation, his words piercing Tang Hao's very soul.
"Brother Hao! If you continue to evade responsibility and allow that rebellious son to defile the sect's treasures and ruin its reputation, tell me, after you die, what face will you have to face your father in the afterlife? What face will you have to face the ancestors of the Clear Sky Sect?!"
"How am I, as his elder brother, supposed to face our ancestors in the future?!"
This series of questions, especially the last one about having no face to face the ancestors, exploded in Tang Hao's mind like thunder!
His body trembled violently, and a complex flame suddenly ignited in his previously dim eyes. It contained pain and struggle, but ultimately, a sense of responsibility dormant for many years, along with the pride and fighting spirit of the Clear Sky Douluo, was completely ignited at this moment!
Slowly standing up, Tang Hao's tall figure seemed to straighten again, and a mountain-like aura emanated from him once more. He looked at Tang Xiao, his voice incredibly firm:
"Brother… you're right.
I… was confused for too long.
The disgrace to the sect, the regret of our father… I, Tang Hao, have an inescapable responsibility!
I… will go back with you! And then find that rebellious son and clean house!"
Hearing Tang Hao finally nod, a light of joy instantly flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes, and he hugged his younger brother tightly again. "Good! Good! Good! Brother Hao, with us brothers joining forces, what fear is there of the Spirit Hall! We will definitely restore the prestige of our Clear Sky Sect!"
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[end of the chapter]