Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong stood at a distance, watching Wang Meng leap with joy.
"Big Brother Tianchen, do you think he'll go?"
Ning Tianchen shook his head. "I don't know either. His life is pretty good right now—he's happier living in a small city."
"Going to Tian Dou City might change his life, but it's not necessarily the life he wants."
Ning Rongrong nodded, though she only half understood.
Although Wang Meng had been ingratiating himself these past few days, his attention to detail wasn't an act. People like him were worth recruiting.
"Big Brother Tianchen, where will we go next?"
Ning Tianchen thought for a moment and looked into the distance. "Let's visit our alma mater."
The alma mater he referred to wasn't Seven Treasures Academy—it was Shrek Academy.
Back then, they had studied there for a few days. Though they left later due to Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, it couldn't be denied that they were once part of Shrek Academy.
Since the Soul Master Tournament, they hadn't paid attention to Shrek Academy's situation. This trip would be like revisiting old haunts.
They traveled slowly, stopping along the way.
…
Meanwhile, the power struggle within the Star Luo Imperial Palace had reached a fever pitch.
Dai Weisi knew he couldn't match Dai Mubai in strength. With the duel approaching, he could only resort to desperate measures.
Dai Mubai's blind trust in Duke Xi Lu would inevitably lead to his downfall.
That night, Dai Weisi secretly visited Duke Xi Lu's residence.
As the foremost duke, Duke Xi Lu's stance could influence the political situation to some extent.
More importantly, he was Dai Weisi's great-uncle.
According to the Star Luo royal family's ancestral rules, the Zhu and Dai families had intermarried for generations—but this only applied to the main line of descendants, while the collateral branches had no restrictions.
Duke Xi Lu's eldest sister had married into a collateral branch of the Zhu family.
After the death of the main line's heirs during their training, her family's status was elevated to the main line, and her daughter Zhu Caiyun became the current empress.
Of course, Duke Xi Lu was also Dai Mubai's uncle, though the latter had never known about this relationship or visited Duke Xi Lu.
For Duke Xi Lu, whether it was Dai Weisi or Dai Mubai, it didn't matter much to him.
But Dai Weisi recognized him as his great-uncle and maintained a close private relationship with him.
Inside the inner hall of the Duke's residence, Duke Xi Lu couldn't help but ask, "Weisi, why have you come?"
"I've already joined Dai Mubai's camp according to your arrangements. Do you have any actions that need my cooperation?"
Dai Weisi spoke frankly, "Uncle, this time I need you to step in."
To win this succession battle, Dai Weisi had no choice but to reveal his risky plan.
For Duke Xi Lu, if he acted, he had to completely crush Dai Mubai—otherwise, the repercussions later would be unbearable.
"Uncle, that ungrateful brat Dai Mubai hasn't shown you respect even once during festivals. Do you really intend to stand by him?"
Pausing, Dai Weisi added, "You know very well that Mubai is useless. He knows nothing about policy matters."
"The last time he got away with it was purely because someone behind him was plotting for him."
"If Mubai becomes emperor, he won't even have the ability to handle state affairs independently. At that point, the imperial power will inevitably fall into others' hands. Do you really want such a waste to inherit the throne?"
Duke Xi Lu was well aware of Dai Mubai's incompetence.
These past few days, Dai Mubai had sought his advice on everything and followed his strategies exactly.
An emperor who was both incompetent and indecisive would undoubtedly be a disaster for the empire.
However, unless he could deal a fatal blow to Dai Mubai's chances in one fell swoop, the retaliation from the Tang Sect and Tang Xiao would be more than the Duke's residence could bear.
Seeing Duke Xi Lu wavering, Dai Weisi pressed further, "Uncle, what are you hesitating for? Time waits for no man."
"I have a way to make Dai Mubai appear as the true culprit behind the assassination attempt on Father Emperor."
Though news of Dai Tianfeng's poisoning hadn't spread, the princes and ministers had already caught wind of it.
Duke Xi Lu didn't know the identity of the poisoner. "Are you saying that the poison came from Dai Mubai?"
Dai Weisi shook his head.
He naturally wouldn't admit that he was the one behind it.
If forced to choose between Dai Weisi and Dai Tianfeng, Duke Xi Lu would surely side with Dai Tianfeng.
Admitting that he poisoned Dai Tianfeng would mean being arrested tomorrow.
"Uncle, does it matter who the real culprit is? I'll definitely uncover the truth later. But for now, why not shift the blame onto Dai Mubai? Tomorrow…"
Hearing Dai Weisi's plan, Duke Xi Lu appeared hesitant.
If no evidence was left behind, it might work. But if exposed, the crime of framing a prince would be enough to doom the entire Duke's residence.
While hesitating, a middle-aged man's voice came from outside the door. "Father, Dai Mubai has sent another letter. Please take a look."
Dai Weisi's eyebrows rose—it was as if someone had delivered a pillow just as he was feeling sleepy.
"Uncle, Dai Mubai is seeking your opinion. Why not use this as a reason to meet with him tomorrow?"
"Afterward, you can speak well of him—he probably won't suspect your motives."
After a long silence, Duke Xi Lu finally nodded in agreement with Dai Weisi's plan.
…
Early the next morning, upon receiving Duke Xi Lu's invitation, Dai Mubai and his group headed to a teahouse in the city.
He indeed faced a dilemma. Yesterday, Dai Tianfeng had given him a policy question. Without Tang San, how could Dai Mubai possibly know how to handle it?
Thus, he sent the letter to the Duke's residence, hoping for an answer.
On the way, Yu Tianheng smiled and said, "Mubai, His Majesty testing your insights into state affairs must mean he's grooming you deliberately."
"It seems His Majesty has already decided that you have a significant advantage in the upcoming duel with Dai Weisi."
"Of course!" Dai Mubai said confidently. "The Sea God has given us such strength—how could I possibly lose the duel?"
At the mention of the Sea God, the four sighed deeply.
Tang San had vaguely explained the Sea God's plight, but they didn't know the specifics.
But even the Sea God could be framed—they couldn't help but marvel at how cutthroat the divine realm was.
Meanwhile, inside the palace.
In his study, Dai Tianfeng felt a severe discomfort in his body.
He was certain the poison was somewhere in the imperial study.
After a careful search, he noticed wisps of white smoke rising from the incense burner on the desk.
Frowning, he enveloped himself in soul power and cautiously approached the incense burner to inspect it.
Not long after, the voice of a palace attendant came from outside the study. "Your Majesty, this servant has urgent matters to report."
Dai Tianfeng concealed his expression and casually waved his hand. The study door opened, and the attendant entered with small steps.
"Your Majesty, Prince Dai Weisi has left the city. According to reports below, his destination may be the White Tiger Camp. This servant is worried—"
The White Tiger Camp was the strongest unit of the imperial guards. If a prince contacted them, it would inevitably raise suspicions of rebellion.
However, Dai Tianfeng felt there was something amiss.
As the emperor and a Title Douluo, how could the White Tiger Camp betray him?
Moreover, even if Dai Weisi managed to win over a few generals, he couldn't possibly mobilize the White Tiger Camp to surround the entire imperial city.
Dai Tianfeng didn't take the palace attendant's words seriously but instead grew suspicious.
Bringing up Dai Weisi out of nowhere—the attendant was highly questionable.
Seeing Dai Tianfeng give no reaction, the incense in the burner burned out just then. The attendant eagerly replaced it with a new stick.
The scent of the two sticks of incense was identical—enough proof that the guilty party was none other than the attendant before him.
Dai Tianfeng suddenly asked, "Why are you on duty today? Where's Chief Wang?"
The attendant quickly replied, "Chief Wang has been unwell recently and is resting in his quarters. Your Majesty, has his leave expired?"
Dai Tianfeng waved his hand, not wanting to tip off the attendant.
No one would believe a mere palace attendant dared to poison him. There had to be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.
After the attendant left, Dai Tianfeng immediately dispatched shadow guards to investigate. At the same time, another team of shadow guards was sent to keep a close eye on Dai Weisi.
...
Dai Mubai met with Duke Xi Lu at the teahouse, and the two engaged in an in-depth discussion about the question posed by Dai Tianfeng.
However, throughout the entire conversation, it was Duke Xi Lu who expressed opinions, while Dai Mubai merely nodded along in agreement.
Such a crown prince was truly disappointing.
After finishing their discussion, Duke Xi Lu excused himself and left, while Dai Mubai and his group remained at the teahouse, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a figure hurried over to them from outside.
"Eunuch Zhang, what brings you here?" Dai Mubai asked curiously.
To keep track of Dai Tianfeng's movements, bribing palace attendants was necessary—a tacit understanding in the imperial court.
This Eunuch Zhang was one of the targets Dai Mubai had bribed.
Fortunately, this teahouse was part of Duke Xi Lu's property. If outsiders discovered that Dai Mubai was meeting privately with a palace attendant, impeachment documents would surely appear on Dai Tianfeng's desk by tonight.
"This humble servant is here to report on the matter you entrusted me with, Your Highness."
Dai Mubai was puzzled—he hadn't assigned the man any tasks, had he?
Normally, he only asked for updates on Dai Tianfeng's activities, nothing more.
However, Tang San had done quite a few things during his time in the palace.
Perhaps this was something Tang San had arranged.
"Oh, I see. Tell me, how did it go?" Dai Mubai asked casually.
Little did he know, his subconscious response just played right into the trap.
Eunuch Zhang pretended to glance around cautiously before leaning close to Dai Mubai's ear. "Your Highness, you instructed me to add some poison to His Majesty's incense burner."
"Doesn't the dose seem too small? Should I—"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai was shocked.
When had he ever ordered someone to poison Dai Tianfeng?
At the same moment, shadow guards burst through the door. Their leader shouted, "Your Highness, to avoid misunderstandings, please don't move or resist. This matter will be decided by His Majesty."
Knowing his fate was sealed, Eunuch Zhang immediately swallowed poison and committed suicide on the spot.
…
All of this, naturally, was a well-orchestrated performance by Dai Weisi.
Having cultivated his network in the imperial court for so long, his foundation of connections far surpassed anything Dai Mubai could match.
Getting Duke Xi Lu to call Dai Mubai out had all been preparation for what was happening now.
The sudden appearance of the shadow guards caught Dai Mubai and his group completely off guard.
After being thrown into the dungeon, Dai Mubai's mind was reeling, still unclear about what had transpired.
…
Dai Tianfeng's shadow guards were composed of Soul Emperors and Soul Sages, so the content of Eunuch Zhang and Dai Mubai's conversation had naturally been overheard.
Moreover, Dai Mubai hadn't explicitly denied responsibility but instead tacitly acknowledged the act.
Dai Tianfeng would undoubtedly believe the shadow guards' report, coupled with the clues he had uncovered himself—Dai Mubai's imprisonment was inevitable.
As for how to deal with Dai Mubai, further investigation was needed, and he would remain detained for now.
The guards in the dungeon focused their investigation on Yu Tianheng and the others.
For a long time to come, they would endure the darkness of the dungeon.
As for Dai Weisi, he hadn't gone to the White Tiger Camp but had simply left the city to clear his mind.
Since Dai Weisi showed no signs of rebellion and Dai Mubai had been imprisoned, Dai Tianfeng issued an announcement across the continent declaring his intention to name Dai Weisi as the crown prince.
Dai Mubai's alleged regicide attempt was treated as a royal scandal but remained undisclosed.
…
Arriving in Suotuo City, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong learned about the events in the Star Luo Empire.
"Big Brother Tianchen, isn't Dai Mubai utterly incompetent?" Ning Rongrong couldn't help but comment.
The happenings within the Star Luo Imperial Palace had been detected by both the intelligence department and the covert operatives.
However, Dai Weisi had covered his tracks well, and there was currently no evidence linking him to the incident.
As for Dai Mubai, without Tang San by his side, his incompetence was laid bare. Such a fool—how could he possibly compete for the throne?
Even if he somehow succeeded, whether the Star Luo Empire would still bear the surname Dai or change to Tang was worth pondering.
Dai Mubai's imprisonment wouldn't affect Ning Tianchen's future plans, so there was no need for him to worry.
However, Dai Weisi wasn't someone who would stay idle—there would surely be more major moves in the future.
Knowing the effects of the poison and with the throne within reach, could Dai Weisi resist the temptation?
"Let's not concern ourselves with them. This trip is purely for relaxation. The chaos in the Star Luo court isn't enough to warrant our intervention yet."
After wandering around Suotuo City for a while, Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong left the city and headed toward the former location of Shrek Academy.
By now, Shrek Academy no longer existed. The land it once occupied had been rented by merchants and converted into temporary warehouses.
The academy had changed so much that there was no point in reminiscing about the past.
Before leaving, Ning Tianchen extended his spiritual power to scan the surroundings.
From Zhao Wuji's information, after Shrek Academy was disbanded, Flender had returned to Suotuo City with Ma Hongjun.
Yu Xiaogang harbored deep resentment toward Flender and hadn't disclosed his whereabouts.
Flender had only two possible places to stay in Suotuo City: the former site of Shrek Academy or the small shop he once ran in town.
Earlier, while wandering through Suotuo City, Ning Tianchen had noticed that the shop had already been sold to someone else.
Thus, Flender's current residence had to be near the academy.
Spreading out his spiritual power, Ning Tianchen located Flender's presence in a small shop near the village.
By now, Flender had turned into an elderly man with white hair and a stooped back.
Considering his relatively young age and status as a Soul Douluo, it was impossible for him to have aged so drastically.
Sensing Ma Hongjun's condition, Ning Tianchen suddenly understood.
Ma Hongjun was now little more than a shell of his former self—essentially like a fool. Flender likely felt immense guilt over this, causing his mental state to deteriorate and accelerating his aging.
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