Besides, Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi had a master-disciple relationship. Even if Ning Fengzhi were to arrive at that time, as long as he remained unaware of the truth, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would undoubtedly support her unconditionally.
It was precisely because she had taken the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan into consideration that Qian Renxue did not mobilize the forces of the recently rebuilt Heaven Dou Martial Soul Hall, but instead turned to her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, for help, dispatching an additional three thousand soul masters to secretly infiltrate Heaven Dou City in support.
Moreover, there were also four Titled Douluo elders, including She Long and Ci Xue, acting as a final safeguard.
Of course, unless the plan failed, the four elders would not act rashly, so as not to expose their identities before the "usurpation plan" was fully executed.
It could be said that Qian Renxue had made thorough preparations for launching this palace coup.
Ever since the news of Emperor Xue Ye's critical illness spread from the imperial palace, the streets of Heaven Dou City were lined with fully armed patrolling soldiers.
By dusk, after leaving Moon Pavilion, Mu Yang took Shui Bing'er for a stroll along the street, heading toward their mansion two or three miles away.
Yes, it was a mansion, not a small courtyard.
Qian Renxue truly lived up to being his "good big brother." Generous with wealth and extremely hospitable, the last time she visited, upon seeing that the two of them were merely renting a small courtyard, she had immediately waved her hand and gifted them a luxurious mansion not far from Moon Pavilion.
"Huh? Did something happen in Heaven Dou City? We've only been walking for a few minutes since leaving Moon Pavilion, and we've already seen two patrol squads."
Seeing another squad of patrolling soldiers approaching from the opposite side of the street, Shui Bing'er couldn't help but ask Mu Yang curiously.
Compared to normal days, there were clearly many more patrol soldiers in the city today.
Mu Yang shook his head. "No idea. Anyway, it's none of our business."
Heaven Dou City currently looked like it had entered a state of martial law, most likely due to an emergency or perhaps some expert causing a major incident. But none of that concerned him. Mu Yang had no intention of meddling in others' affairs.
"That's true."
Nodding, Shui Bing'er dismissed the "minor interlude" and brought up a serious topic: "Mu Yang, now that we've already learned to control the Killing God Domain, how much longer do we need to stay at Moon Pavilion to keep studying?"
After three months of calm cultivation, along with the aid of Tang Yuehua's domain power, the two of them now showed none of the overwhelming killing aura they had possessed three months ago. In fact, their current temperaments even surpassed how they looked before their training at Slaughter City.
"What's wrong, tired of learning?"
Mu Yang asked with a smile.
Hearing that, Shui Bing'er's expression froze for a moment. Then she put on a stern look, her beautiful ice-blue eyes fixed on Mu Yang as she enunciated each word clearly: "Mu Yang, we're soul masters being good at playing music is useless!"
"Yeah yeah, just being good at playing doesn't mean much. But Bing'er, are you sure what you're doing can be called 'playing'?"
Mu Yang replied with a teasing look on his face.
In terms of soul power cultivation and learning powerful techniques, Shui Bing'er was undoubtedly a genius. But for some reason, this girl had absolutely no talent when it came to music.
Despite both of them having studied under Tang Yuehua for three months, and even without using any cheat-like deduction abilities, Mu Yang could already play beautifully perhaps not a music master, but definitely at a professional level.
As for Shui Bing'er… forget professional—she could barely be considered a beginner.
For an ordinary person with no music theory background, three months of piano practice and just barely reaching the entry level was actually quite normal. It only meant she didn't have much musical talent.
But Shui Bing'er wasn't an ordinary person. With her powerful spiritual strength, her learning efficiency should have been far beyond that of a normal person.
"And you're still mocking me?"
Shui Bing'er glared angrily at Mu Yang.
"Hahaha~"
Looking at his fiancée's puffed-up face, like a little steamed bun, Mu Yang couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"You think it's funny, huh? Hmph~ Tonight, don't even think about sleeping—you're going to listen to me play all night!"
Shui Bing'er unleashed her ultimate trump card enough to destroy both friend and foe.
"Uhh~ Bing'er, maybe let's not… we still have to cultivate tonight!"
Mu Yang choked and immediately put on a serious face.
From the looks of it, she was planning to hurt the enemy by 800 and herself by 1,000!
"No, you really want to listen."
Shui Bing'er said with a completely serious expression.
Mu Yang: "…"
Night fell, and under the veil of darkness, Heaven Dou City seemed filled with a chilling, murderous atmosphere.
Outside the city, a mighty army was advancing.
With the cooperation of the city's defense commanders, the Heaven Dou Empire's Third Army Corps—one hundred thousand soldiers strong—used the crown prince's decree and the emperor's oral edict to take control of all four gates of Heaven Dou City.
Afterward, the Third Army split into two groups: fifty thousand soldiers remained to guard the four gates and city walls, while the remaining fifty thousand marched to the imperial palace and completely surrounded it.
At the same time, numerous soul masters surged from various mansions within Heaven Dou City, quickly gathering into a single force that rushed straight toward the eastern gate of the imperial palace.
Half an hour later, atop the eastern gate tower of the Heaven Dou imperial palace, Qian Renxue looked down at the massive army below, banners fluttering in the wind, along with the three thousand elite soul masters in position. She nodded in satisfaction, her heart surging with heroic pride.
Sixteen years—it had been sixteen years since she went into hiding in the Heaven Dou Empire, and finally, the day had come for the flower to bloom and bear fruit.
"Bibi Dong, just watch. I, Qian Renxue, will one day make you regret everything!"
Raising her head to gaze at the starry sky, Qian Renxue silently made a vow in her heart.
Elsewhere, deep within the palace in the sleeping quarters of Emperor Xue Ye.
"How is the situation outside?"
On the bed, Emperor Xue Ye, who had been declared critically ill earlier that morning, turned to ask Barton, commander of the Imperial Palace's Guard Corps, standing beside him.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's forces are far stronger than we anticipated. The Third Army Corps stationed outside the city had already fallen under his command.
After taking over the city defenses of Heaven Dou, the Third Army Corps split into two, with fifty thousand soldiers surrounding the palace.
And apart from the Third Army Corps, the Crown Prince somehow managed to bring in several thousand soul masters, who have now gathered at the palace's east gate, ready to launch an assault at any moment."
Commander Barton reported in a deep voice.
"Wretched child! Cough, cough, cough..."
Emperor Xue Ye slammed his hand down on the bed, shouting angrily, only to be overtaken by a coughing fit in his fury.
As the saying goes, "You can guard against anything except betrayal from within." Emperor Xue Ye had never expected that the Third Army Corps stationed outside Heaven Dou City had long since been taken over by his good son, Xue Qinghe.
"Father, please calm down."
Seeing his father almost cough himself breathless, Xue Beng hurried forward to gently pat his back and help him catch his breath, his face full of concern.
But while his expression was anxious, Xue Beng's heart was surging with joy.
He knew very well that only the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and himself, the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng, held legitimate claims to the imperial throne.
But now, his elder brother Xue Qinghe had turned traitor, conspiring with outsiders to commit treason his Crown Prince status was undoubtedly abolished.
And he, the Fourth Prince Xue Beng, would ascend as the new Crown Prince of the empire!
No not just the position of Crown Prince. His father, Emperor Xue Ye, had been poisoned with a fatal and incurable toxin, and the poison had already spread deep. It wouldn't be long before he kicked the bucket. This… this was practically the throne dropping from the sky!
The surprise had come so suddenly that Xue Beng could hardly believe it. He almost wanted to kneel down and kowtow to his dear brother, just to express the gratitude swelling in his heart.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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