💖 If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon! I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
About fifteen minutes later, on the top floor of the Moon Pavilion, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Sword Douluo Chen Xin arrived silently, appearing as sharp and cold as a blade. He brought urgent news regarding the sudden upheaval within the imperial palace.
After listening to Chen Xin's brief but heavy report, Tang Xiao and the accompanying Elders of the Clear Sky Sect felt the weight of the situation. They had been discussing internal sect affairs, but now their expressions changed drastically as the gravity of the news sank in.
What?! Emperor Xue Ye is under house arrest? Have the palace guards really been replaced? How can School Master Ning's Guest Elder Golden Tablet be invalid? The fiery-tempered Seventh Elder stood up abruptly. His hair and beard seemed to bristle with rage as he roared. This isn't a case of the Crown Prince simply overseeing the state. It's clearly a palace coup to usurp power!
It must be the work of Spirit Hall. The Second Elder, who was much more composed, furrowed his brows in deep thought. He tapped his fingers on the table rhythmically and spoke in a deep, serious voice.
Only Spirit Hall has the resources and the stealth to take over the core area of the palace so quietly and quickly. They even replaced the Royal Knights without anyone noticing. It's possible that the Crown Prince has also been taken hostage or is working with them.
Tang Xiao took a deep breath, trying to push down the shock he felt. He looked directly at Sword Douluo and asked, what is School Master Ning's intention regarding this crisis?
The Sect Master hopes that the Clear Sky Sect can act immediately. We need to intervene with thunderous momentum. At the very least, we must ensure Emperor Xue Ye's safety and break the current blockade of the palace. Sword Douluo's tone was solemn as he continued. The Heaven Dou Royal Family and our sect are about to form an official alliance. If anything happens to Emperor Xue Ye now, the Empire will fall into total chaos. The alliance will become nothing but empty talk, and it will only make Spirit Hall more arrogant.
As soon as he finished speaking, a wave of heated debate erupted in the hall.
We must fight! We need to force our way in right now! The Third Elder slammed his hand on the table and stood up. Since our Clear Sky Sect has decided to come out of hiding and confront Spirit Hall, how can we just sit here while our ally is in trouble? We should use this chance to show the world the power of Clear Sky and crush the spirit of Spirit Hall! Let's get our elites together and launch a direct attack on the palace to save the Emperor!
We can't be reckless about this! The Fourth Elder immediately objected to the idea. The palace has become a trap set by Spirit Hall. Our enemies are hiding in the shadows while we are out in the open. We don't know how many troops they have or how many experts are waiting for us. A direct attack is far too risky.
If they have an ambush ready, our sect's elites could suffer heavy losses that we can't afford! We should try to contact Marshal Ge Long and other military leaders loyal to the king first. We need to coordinate an attack from both the inside and the outside. That is a much better plan.
Is there really time to wait? The Seventh Elder stepped forward to argue back. Emperor Xue Ye's life is hanging by a thread! Marshal Ge Long is far away at the border. He's way beyond our reach right now! We don't have the luxury of time!
But we can't just throw away the lives of our sect disciples to fill that gap! The Fourth Elder didn't back down. Spirit Hall is full of tricks and schemes. How do we know this isn't a tactic to lure the tiger away from the mountain? They might be trying to get our main force to go deep into the palace so they can surround and destroy us!
Maybe we could send a small group of elite experts? Someone else proposed a compromise. The Sect Master could lead them to infiltrate the palace and investigate. Then we can act based on what we find.
Infiltrate? The palace is like an iron bucket right now. How are we supposed to sneak in? If we get caught, it means certain death.
Everyone in the hall had their own opinion, and they argued back and forth without stopping. Not far away, Tang Xiao listened in silence. He rubbed the edge of his teacup with his fingers, lost in thought. After a moment, he looked at the emotional Elders, then at Sword Douluo Chen Xin. Chen Xin stood quietly, a faint aura of Sword Qi flickering around him. Finally, Tang Xiao looked out the window toward the direction of the palace.
The sound of the argument slowly died down. Everyone turned to look at Tang Xiao, waiting for his final decision as the Sect Master.
Everything you Elders have said makes sense. Spirit Hall has been planning this move for a long time. The palace is definitely a dangerous place right now, like a dragon's pool or a tiger's den. A direct assault would be unwise. Tang Xiao slowly stood up.
His tall figure cast a long shadow on the floor. He spoke in a steady, firm voice. However, the life of Emperor Xue Ye is vital to the survival of the Empire and our alliance. The Clear Sky Sect cannot just stand by and do nothing. Marshal Ge Long is too far away to help us now, and School Master Ning needs time to gather support. But His Majesty might not have any time left.
He took a deep breath and looked at his people. We can't wait, and we can't just blindly rush in. But we can beat the mountain to shake the tiger!
The Elders looked up, their spirits lifting as they listened closely.
I suggest we gather every disciple in Heaven Dou City who is at the level of a Spirit Saint or higher. I will personally lead them to the main gate of the palace. We won't attack directly, and we won't try to sneak in. We will go there openly and honorably as the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect and an ally of the Empire. We will request an audience with Emperor Xue Ye to check on his health! If those guards still try to block us using the Crown Prince's name, then they are proving they have something to hide.
It will confirm their treason. At that point, we will have every reason to strike. Even if a fight starts, we will be on the side of justice. That will help us gain the support of other forces in the city who are currently waiting to see what happens.
If they actually let us through... Tang Xiao let out a cold laugh. Then we will go in and see His Majesty with our own eyes. We will confirm he is safe. As long as we can reach him, we will have room to move and change the situation.
We can act as the opportunity arises. This plan allows us to either move forward or retreat if necessary. It shows everyone where we stand without being too risky. It also buys time for School Master Ning and Marshal Ge Long to arrive. It puts pressure on the people inside the palace from the outside.
Finally, Tang Xiao looked at Chen Xin. Sword Douluo, please go back immediately and tell School Master Ning our plan. Ask him to help us from the outside. He needs to build momentum and contact any force he can to put more pressure on the palace.
That is a brilliant move, Sect Master Tang. I will go now! A flash of respect appeared in Chen Xin's eyes. He cupped his fists and disappeared.
After Sword Douluo left, Tang Xiao looked at the Elders. Everyone, get ready immediately. In a very short time, we will meet at the palace's main gate! Remember, we are not going for a sneak attack. We are going to visit a sick friend and fulfill our treaty! Someone, bring out the Clear Sky Sect's flag!
Yes, Sect Master! The Elders shouted together.
Meanwhile, at Tianxing Academy, Dugu Bo sat in a quiet room. The air was filled with the faint smell of medicine. He held a small note in his fingers that Ning Fengzhi had sent through a secret channel.
His face was as still and serious as deep water. The message was short, but the news was world-shaking. It said that Emperor Xue Ye was under house arrest and that the Heaven Dou Empire might be taken over.
Grandpa, what did School Master Ning say? Should we go join the people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? We need to find a way into the palace! Dugu Yan stood by his side. Her face was full of worry and anxiety.
She knew very well that Tianxing Academy and the two of them were seen as enemies by Spirit Hall. This was because of their choices and their close relationship with Tang Chen. Now that the Royal Family was in trouble, she felt the danger coming closer.
Dugu Bo slowly stood up. He held the note over a candle flame and watched it burn until it was only ash.
Yan Yan, don't be in such a hurry. What Ning Fengzhi said is likely the truth. The palace has probably become a very dangerous trap by now. Spirit Hall must have placed many troops and experts there.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School just survived a major attack and hasn't recovered its strength yet. Even though the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo are very powerful, they can't do everything alone.
Them contacting us now is a request for help, but it's also a test to see where we stand. If we just jump in without thinking, we won't save anyone. We will only get ourselves killed and become an easy target for Spirit Hall to get rid of.
Yu Xiaogang would agree that we need to be careful. We cannot act without a clear understanding of the enemy's strength. We must wait for the right moment. Spirit Hall is playing a deep game, and if we move too early, we lose everything.
We need to see how the Clear Sky Sect reacts before we make our move. The fate of the Empire depends on our next steps, and a single mistake could lead to total destruction. We must stay calm and watch the situation develop.