Chapter 234: Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi’s Deceptive Pleasantries
Chapter 234: Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi’s Deceptive Pleasantries
Xue Qinghe walked with steady steps and an upright posture, a perfectly measured gentle smile on his face.
Walking to the center of the great hall, he bowed deeply to Ning Fengzhi in the main seat, his movements respectful and beyond reproach.
"Teacher, Qinghe has taken the liberty of visiting today, disturbing your quiet cultivation."
Xue Qinghe’s voice was clear and bright, carrying the clean tone unique to youth, along with a heartfelt respect for his elder.
Ning Fengzhi raised his hand in a gesture of support, the teacup in his fingertips rotating half a circle, his tone elegant and peaceful:
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, there is no need for such formalities. Between us, such empty pleasantries are unnecessary. Please, take a seat."
A maid stepped forward quickly, serving Xue Qinghe a cup of freshly brewed Pre-rain Longjing Tea.
She bowed and retreated to the corner of the hall, standing silently with her head lowered.
Xue Qinghe sat down in a side chair, his fingertips resting on the rim of the teacup.
His gaze fell upon Ning Fengzhi, his tone carrying a hint of earnestness:
"Teacher, I have come today because there is a matter I simply cannot understand."
"In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, only you, Teacher, can guide me through this confusion."
A faint smile played on the corners of Ning Fengzhi’s lips as the white mist rose from his cup once more:
"Your Highness may speak freely. As long as I know the answer, I will tell you everything."
Xue Qinghe sat up straight and raised his hand, signaling for all the maids and guards in the hall to withdraw.
Once the hall doors were closed again, leaving only him, Ning Fengzhi, and the sword-straight Sword DouluoChen Xin nearby.
The gentle smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a heavy solemnity.
"Teacher, you must have heard about Spirit Hall’s recent movements."
Xue Qinghe lowered his voice slightly, his tone carrying obvious anxiety.
"In just half a year, Spirit Hall has established thirteen new Branch Halls within the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Each Branch Hall is garrisoned by no less than a hundred Spirit Masters."
"The number of registered Spirit Masters under their command is nearly catching up to the total of the Empire’s Royal Spirit Master Corps."
As he spoke, Xue Qinghe’s fingertips tightened slightly within his sleeve.
Disguised as Qian Renxue, her gaze fell on Ning Fengzhi’s face, but a cold sneer rose in her heart.
The selection of these Branch Hall sites, the personnel allocation, and even the timing of their opening were all finalized through her secret communications with the Supreme Pontiff Palace of Spirit Hall.
No matter how perceptive Ning Fengzhi was, he would never imagine.
That the Disciple before him, asking for advice on how to deal with Spirit Hall, was actually the deepest pawn Spirit Hall had planted in the Heaven Dou Empire.
The person who would overthrow the entire Heaven Dou Empire in the future.
Holding his teacup, Ning Fengzhi’s gaze drifted toward the Sect’s gardens outside the window.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Trees in the garden were flourishing, their leaves shimmering with a glazed luster under the sunlight.
His tone was indifferent, revealing no emotion: "Oh? Then how does Your Highness think we should respond?"
Xue Qinghe’s visit today was certainly not just to ask for advice.
The struggle for the throne among the princes of the Heaven Dou Empire was intensifying.
Although Xue Qinghe, as the Crown Prince, seemingly held the advantage of legitimacy, it was actually not enough.
His visit today was perhaps to test Ning Fengzhi’s bottom line and also to seek the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Qian Renxue sighed, her tone carrying a perfectly measured helplessness, while a trace of subtle guidance was hidden in the depths of her eyes.
"Teacher, I know you have always been wary of Spirit Hall."
"But in the current situation, Spirit Hall is powerful. Among the Upper Three Sects, the Clear Sky Sect is in seclusion, having provided no news for years after sealing their mountain; the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is far to the south, thousands of miles away, making it difficult to coordinate."
"With only our Heaven Dou Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, if we were to have a direct confrontation with Spirit Hall now, I’m afraid it would only end in mutual destruction."
As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, putting on a show of sincerity while calculating in her heart.
As long as Ning Fengzhi agreed with her strategy of gradual progression, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School wouldn’t act rashly when Spirit Hall made further moves in the future.
Once she completely controlled the Heaven DouImperial Court and held military power.
The top-tier support capabilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would naturally fall into Spirit Hall’s hands.
Even if Ning Fengzhi refused to submit.
By then, with the entire Heaven Dou Empire in her grasp plus Spirit Hall’s million Spirit Masters.
Destroying the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would be as easy as lifting a finger.
Ning Fengzhi turned his head, his gaze falling on Xue Qinghe’s face with a faint scrutiny, as if trying to see right through him.
He set down his teacup, the bottom meeting the white jade tabletop with a soft click.
Not far away, Chen Xin’s eyes, which had been lowered, opened slightly.
The sharp aura of the Seven Kill Sword brushed past Qian Renxue almost imperceptibly, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up involuntarily.
"Then does Your Highness mean to allow it to continue expanding?"
Ning Fengzhi’s tone remained peaceful, yet it carried an underlying sense of pressure.
Qian Renxue quickly stood up and bowed deeply to Ning Fengzhi.
Her tone was full of sincerity, as if she were terrified of being misunderstood by her teacher.
"Teacher, you misunderstand!"
"I am not allowing it; I want to proceed slowly and strategically."
"Currently, the Empire’s treasury is empty, military readiness is neglected, and the princes have formed their own factions. The court is fragmented. With internal troubles unresolved, how can we repel external threats?"
"It is better to first maintain deceptive pleasantries with Spirit Hall to stabilize the current situation."
"Once I have complete control over the court, rectified the military, and consolidated military power, I will slowly reclaim the authority of the Branch Halls."
"At that time, with the full support of you and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, why should we worry about being unable to balance Spirit Hall?"
She bowed very low, her posture humble enough, while she sneered in her heart.
This old fox Ning Fengzhi valued the stability of the Heaven Dou Empire above all else.
Because only if the Heaven Dou Empire was stable could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School be stable.
Her words struck right at Ning Fengzhi’s weakness; she didn’t believe he wouldn’t be moved.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.
He raised his hand again to signal her to sit, his tone carrying both guidance and a warning that could not be ignored.
"It is a good thing for Your Highness to have such a heart for endurance."
"However, you must remember that raising a tiger will eventually lead to being harmed by it."
"Spirit Hall’s ambition has never been to share the world with the Empire, but to replace it."
"Your concessions today will only make them think you are weak and easily bullied, and will only make their fangs grow faster and sharper."
He paused, his tone becoming heavier.
His elegant voice now carried a significant weight.
"Does Your Highness know that the total number of registered Spirit Masters in Spirit Hall now exceeds twice the combined number of Spirit Masters in both the Heaven Dou and Star LuoEmpires?"
Qian Renxue’s body stiffened slightly, her face showing a perfectly timed expression of shock.
Her tone was full of disbelief: "What? How... how is that possible?"
"Even if Spirit Hall develops rapidly, it’s impossible for them to have so many Spirit Masters!"
Qian Renxue took a deep look at Ning Fengzhi.
This old fox had indeed investigated deeply.
However, this number was still a full thirty percent less than the actual number of Spirit Masters in Spirit Hall.
The Spirit Master Legions Spirit Hall had cultivated in secret, as well as those Titled Douluo living in seclusion in the Enshrinement Hall, were not included in the public figures at all.
When the day comes that Spirit Hall truly reveals its fangs.
The entire continent will know just how terrifying Spirit Hall’s strength truly is!
(End of Chapter)
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