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"Oh? And how can Brother Ye Lan be certain that his understanding of what it means to be king is correct?" Qian Renxue asked.
She had never truly understood the purpose of becoming a king. Her intent in toppling the Heaven Dou royal family was solely to accomplish her mission and fulfill the plans of Spirit Hall.
The Xue Qinghe she impersonated was wise, gentle, and just—balanced in reward and punishment.
Xue Qinghe viewed both nobles and commoners equally, and because of this, he gained broad support across the empire. Even Emperor Xue Ye deeply trusted the version of the Crown Prince that Qian Renxue portrayed.
But that was only the role she played as the virtuous Heaven Dou Crown Prince. In reality, to achieve her goals, she was willing to sacrifice anyone who wasn't among the few she deemed worthy.
This was the first time Qian Renxue had heard of the kind of king Ye Lan described—a king who bore the burdens of all people.
The king Ye Lan envisioned was very different from her own understanding. To her, the Heaven Dou royal family were nothing more than parasitic nobles—soul masters clinging to power, sucking the lifeblood from the masses.
"Brother Xue, have you ever heard the legend of the Angel God?" Ye Lan suddenly asked.
"The Angel God? I don't know much—what are your thoughts, Brother Ye Lan?" Xue Qinghe replied. Of course, Qian Renxue was intimately familiar with the legend, but she didn't know why Ye Lan had brought it up. Could he somehow be aware of her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul?
"It's said that tens of thousands of years ago, the Douluo Continent was shrouded in darkness. Evil soul masters and spirit beasts rampaged unchecked. Countless innocent and kind people were slaughtered in sacrifices or devoured by spirit beasts. Humanity wandered in despair, praying for salvation. Perhaps their prayers were heard—for a king was born.
This king answered their call, drove away the evil soul masters and spirit beasts, and protected humanity's gathering places. In return, the people offered him their most sincere and devout faith. He became known as the First Angel God."
"The First Angel God is what I would call a true king," Ye Lan said solemnly.
"I see," Xue Qinghe nodded, falling into deep thought.
So that is what it means to be a king?
Her grandfather had placed high hopes on her, training her to become the next Angel God. But she never understood what it truly meant to be one—she had always seen it as nothing more than a title representing immense power.
Though her destiny was to inherit the mantle of Angel God, her heart was never in it. All she ever wanted was the approval of a certain someone—so she had eagerly joined the plot to usurp the throne.
Yet the longer she played the role of Xue Qinghe, the more confused and lost she became.
The desire for recognition that once burned in her childhood heart had long since been shattered by that person's repeated indifference. Now, all she wanted was to finish this damned plot and return to Spirit Hall to be with her grandfather.
It was only after hearing Ye Lan's explanation that Qian Renxue realized—becoming a king meant carrying the weight of the people.
"Then... how do I become a king? What is it that the people desire today?" Qian Renxue asked urgently.
Ye Lan only shook his head and said, "The king I spoke of is merely my own interpretation. How to become one... that is something you must discover on your own."
"I was too caught up in appearances, Brother Ye Lan," Xue Qinghe admitted.
Ye Lan waved it off, indicating it was nothing.
Before long, with the conversation momentarily paused, Xue Qinghe and Ye Lan arrived at the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace within the Heaven Dou Imperial City.
Looking at the vast palace complex, Ye Lan couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
This sprawling palace was far more magnificent and majestic than anything he had seen in his previous life.
And this was merely the Eastern Palace of the Crown Prince—he couldn't even imagine what the emperor's own residence might look like.
Guided by a group of maids, Xue Qinghe and Ye Lan arrived at a secluded pavilion called the Jade Snail Pavilion.
Outside the pavilion bloomed an ocean of white lotuses, layered one over another.
"Brother Xue, you truly have refined taste. This floral sea is beyond anything I could've imagined," Ye Lan praised sincerely.
"Please, have some tea," Xue Qinghe said as he poured a cup and handed it to Ye Lan.
Qian Renxue regarded Ye Lan with growing admiration. His interpretation of kingship had thoroughly changed her worldview.
"This scenery is merely the result of servants' upkeep," Xue Qinghe said, taking a sip of tea. "If anything has truly exceeded my understanding, it's you, Brother Ye. I never expected that beyond martial soul theory, you also had such profound views on other matters."
Ye Lan shook his head. He didn't think himself so exceptional—he simply believed that people in this world focused all their energy on cultivating martial souls.
As for himself, he stood atop the shoulders of countless giants from five thousand years of civilization from another world.
The two continued discussing various topics. With each new insight Ye Lan shared, Xue Qinghe nodded repeatedly—like an obedient student hanging on every word.
When their conversation reached its peak, Xue Qinghe finally revealed his true purpose.
"I wonder, Brother Ye, would you consider serving the royal family? Both His Majesty and I hold you in the highest regard. Your theory of the 'New Martial Soul Core Competitiveness' has broadened the vision of many. It's no exaggeration to say that your work will influence the future of hundreds of millions across the continent.
In that sense... perhaps not even the gods can compare."
"If you were to serve the royal family, I would propose that His Majesty bestow upon you the title of Earl of Blue Silver. And should I one day ascend the throne—I will name you the King of Blue Silver!"
King of Blue Silver?
Being named a King by the Heaven Dou Empire was no mere gesture. The title came with a substantial fiefdom—within which the titleholder would be a true king, ruling over a kingdom within the kingdom.
Ye Lan hadn't expected Xue Qinghe to value him so highly. But he had no intention of accepting—after all, he knew the truth: Xue Qinghe was actually Qian Renxue.
He didn't know if this offer came from genuine appreciation... or a calculated test from Qian Renxue.
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Lan said, "Brother Xue, I must decline. I'm only fifteen years old. All of my energy is focused on cultivation. I can't spare any to govern the lives of millions."
"Oh? So that's your concern. That's easily solved—if you're short on time, I could manage your fiefdom on your behalf for now," Xue Qinghe offered seriously.
Ye Lan shook his head again and replied, "Brother Xue, if your invitation comes from the royal family's perspective, then I must decline. We both know the current state of the people under imperial rule. Let's not even speak of the remote regions—just within Heaven Dou City alone, I've heard troubling things about the Fourth Prince, your younger brother, Xue Beng. He behaves like a tyrant—arrogant and unrestrained. The commoners avoid him like the plague, fearing their daughters might fall victim to his cruelty."
Xue Qinghe's expression darkened with frustration. "So my Fourth Brother's unruly behavior has even reached your ears... I'll have to discipline him myself."
Ye Lan nodded and continued, "As for you, Brother Xue—I hold great admiration for you. It's rare for a Crown Prince to treat people equally and reward and punish fairly. If this invitation had come solely from you, I still wouldn't accept—but I would be honored to call you a friend."
He admires me?
Good… at least I've done well over these years. The impression he has of me is excellent, Qian Renxue thought to herself.
(End of Chapter)