Heaven Dou City. At the invitation of the Heaven Dou Empire, Ning Fengzhi brought Dugu Bo and Gu Rong to the palace to treat Emperor Xue Ye.
In the past, Ning Fengzhi would have been warmly welcomed by all officials, but today, their attitude was cold. If not for the three of them being top-tier Titled Douluo, they would likely have been mocked openly.
The reason the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was now unwelcome at court was wholly due to Ning Fengzhi and Tian Lin's identities—one was Xue Qinghe's teacher, the other his sworn brother. Many suspected that the sect was in league with the Spirit Hall.
But since the Spirit Hall had ruthlessly attacked the sect during the soul-hunt, and the sect killed several Spirit Hall Titled Douluo in return, with no evidence, they could only suppress their suspicions.
Still, Ning Fengzhi could never regain his former influence.
For an empire, nothing was more unforgivable than regicide, rebellion, or usurpation. The fake Xue Qinghe had committed all three. So, the closer anyone had been to him, the more they were considered guilty by association.
Ning Fengzhi ignored the hostile stares and went straight to Emperor Xue Ye's chambers, where Xue Beng was already waiting.
"Master Ning, I've been waiting a long time. Please hurry and save my father. The poison he suffers from can only be cured by Poison Douluo." Xue Beng acted anxious, but Ning Fengzhi could tell he was not worried at all.
He was now the only imperial prince left. If the emperor died, he could ascend immediately. But for appearances, he had to act as a dutiful son.
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. I'll do my best!" Dugu Bo promised.
They went to the emperor's bedside. Dugu Bo examined him—indeed, it was a rare and deadly poison.
But since receiving the Yuheng Herbal Scripture from Tian Lin, Dugu Bo's poison skills had advanced greatly. He could now cure Emperor Xue Ye without any loss to himself.
However, remembering Ning Fengzhi's instructions, he said, "Your Highness, His Majesty suffers from a terrifying chronic poison that has been in his body for at least three years, penetrating his very bones. I can only remove seventy percent of it. Whether he awakens depends on his fate."
"What? Even Poison Douluo can only remove seventy percent? Damn the Spirit Hall for poisoning my father so!" Xue Beng punched the wall in anger, his five soul rings flaring up. The ministers all sighed in admiration at his filial piety.
"Your Highness, I do have a way to guarantee His Majesty's recovery," Ning Fengzhi said hesitantly. "Our sect has a secret art that can stimulate a person's life force, but at the cost of their lifespan. Even if His Majesty awakens, he will only have five to seven years left."
"No! His Majesty is blessed by the heavens—how can we use such a method? Sect Master Ning, are you trying to harm His Majesty? What are your intentions?" General Ge Long, who had rushed from the frontier, immediately objected. Other ministers followed his lead, all opposing Ning Fengzhi's idea.
In the end, Xue Beng overruled them and chose to support Ning Fengzhi—not out of filial piety, but because the empire could not afford chaos. The Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall would seize any opportunity.
Although Xue Beng had noble support, his reputation as a playboy ran deep. He needed time to change that image—three to five years was just right. As long as the emperor remained on the throne, he would have more time to consolidate his power.
For example, the Clear Sky Sect had leaned toward Star Luo in the past, but after years in seclusion, their ties had faded. Now, if they reemerged, they would need allies to oppose the Spirit Hall. Xue Beng was confident that through Tang Hao and Tang San, he could win their support.
As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Xue Beng loathed them. Over ten thousand of his soldiers had died at their hands, and Tian Lin had repeatedly offended him. Once the Spirit Hall was dealt with, the sect would be useless and he wouldn't spare them.
The emperor's condition was the perfect excuse—Ning Fengzhi could take the blame for shortening his life.
Ning Fengzhi, seemingly oblivious to Xue Beng's schemes, focused solely on treating the emperor with his secret art.
Sure enough, the technique that traded lifespan for vitality was extraordinary. After Dugu Bo detoxified the emperor, Ning Fengzhi used his secret art and awoke the emperor within half a day. He wasn't even weak—he looked as vigorous as ever.
In truth, Ning Fengzhi's secret was simply extending the moment of final radiance before death via lifespan. For example, if the emperor could have lived fifty years feebly, now he would only live five years, but those five years would be healthy.
Upon waking, the emperor learned from Ge Long and Xue Xing what had happened. He was shocked to find that his most trusted son was a spy and that his real eldest son had long been murdered.
It was only thanks to Xue Beng, his overlooked fourth son, that the empire was saved. Suddenly, the emperor felt sorry for him—so many years pretending to be a wastrel, enduring injustice, living by drinking, gambling, and bullying just to survive. It had been hard on him.
"Father, Xue Beng doesn't mind. For the Heaven Dou Empire, I'm willing to endure any hardship!" Xue Beng knelt, weeping with emotion.
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. The emperor and Xue Beng were father and son. Ning Fengzhi and the others couldn't understand—what was so hard about a life of drinking, gambling, and womanizing? The real sufferers were the commoners harmed by Xue Beng's act.
The emperor got up and thanked Ning Fengzhi, but there was a trace of resentment in his gratitude. After all, because of Ning Fengzhi, he now had only five years left. If the sect wasn't so powerful and the empire didn't need them, he would have charged Ning Fengzhi with regicide.