In the blink of an eye, several days passed. The events of that night seemed like nothing more than a dream. Lin Xiao did not encounter such a situation again; he only felt lingering fear and avoided going near the seaside.
Emerging from a hotel in Dongyang City, Lin Xiao glanced at Ju Zi beside him. Over the past few days, they had visited many places, but they had not seen anyone else. He wondered where the others arranged by Ju Zi had gone.
"Where are we going today?"
"No more places. We'll wait here." Ju Zi suddenly turned her head. "Haven't you always wanted to know what we're out here for this time?"
Lin Xiao nodded.
"Then do you know that a duke in the north is rebelling, attempting to establish his own duchy?"
Lin Xiao looked at Ju Zi in surprise and shook his head. He knew that a duke in the Sun Moon Empire would rebel, but in his memory, this was supposed to happen several years later.
At that time, Ju Zi had already left the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and would lead troops to the north to suppress the rebellion. Wasn't this a bit too early now?
"With the Sun Moon Empire's military strength, suppressing the rebellion should be easy, right?"
In Lin Xiao's impression, if it weren't for deliberately letting Ju Zi gain battlefield experience, just one of the Sun Moon Empire's soul engineer legions would be enough to resolve the situation here.
"Yes, for the Sun Moon Empire, this duke's so-called rebellion is more like a merit than anything else."
Ju Zi's tone turned cold, completely devoid of her usual demeanor.
"But this merit cannot fall into the hands of anyone other than His Highness the Crown Prince. He is a tool, and also a knife—a knife used to deal with those who obstruct His Highness."
Ju Zi spoke calmly, as if discussing the most ordinary matter, causing Lin Xiao to unconsciously glance at her again.
From Ju Zi, he sensed a momentum that had been absent over the past few days, faintly resembling the shadow of the Empress who would one day rule the Sun Moon Empire in his memories.
"Ever since the Second Prince died, the other princes of the empire quieted down for a while. But since His Majesty fell seriously ill, these people have started stirring again."
"War is blind. Since someone wants this merit, they must naturally bear the risks it brings."
Ju Zi did not spell things out clearly, but Lin Xiao already understood why Xu Tianran had Ju Zi summon people from the Holy Spirit Cult.
Just like that night several years ago, he was going to eliminate another prince vying for the throne.
Sending Ju Zi here was probably to provide cover. The news received in Mingdu would likely be that the prince died at the hands of the rebels. Even if the dispatched individuals were exposed, it would be the actions of evil soul masters, unrelated to Xu Tianran.
No one would think—or even consider—that the young girl by Xu Tianran's side had planned and participated in the entire affair.
Lin Xiao also somewhat understood why a mere ducal rebellion, given the Sun Moon Empire's strength, had dragged on for several years.
As long as this duke remained, many matters could be resolved more easily.
"Because it involves imperial secrets, you kept it from me? Then why tell me now?"
"Your Holy Spirit Cult is cooperating with His Highness. Your Cult Leader already knows the full story from beginning to end. What is there for me to hide?" Ju Zi said, turning her head.
"But if I had told you earlier that we didn't need to come so soon, and that I just wanted you to accompany me for a few days of fun, would you have agreed?"
Without waiting for Lin Xiao's answer, Ju Zi checked the time and led him out of the city to a secluded spot.
In no time, another figure clad in black robes hurried over. Just from the black cloak, his origin was clear.
"Greetings, my lord, Holy Envoy."
Upon hearing this, Ju Zi glanced at Lin Xiao, only to find that at some point he had donned a mask to conceal his appearance.
Without asking further, Ju Zi turned to the newcomer. "How are the preparations?"
"Reporting to my lord, the plan is proceeding very smoothly. They will launch the assault tonight, and our people are ready to act."
Ju Zi had not lied. The people she sent ahead were already in position, and from the newcomer's tone, the events here were also within Ju Zi's expectations.
"Good. Notify everyone to proceed according to the plan." Ju Zi's tone was icy.
"Yes, my lord!" The man arrived quickly and left just as fast, cupping his fists toward Ju Zi and Lin Xiao before departing swiftly.
"What kind of plan have you arranged?" Lin Xiao looked up at the distant, fading figure of the Holy Spirit Cult disciple.
"It's not an overly elaborate plan—just drawing away the target's guards, sneaking in, and killing with one strike."
"The more intricate the plan, the more likely it is to go wrong. Your Holy Spirit Cult members are best at this sort of thing. Simple arrangements suffice; the rest can be left to their improvisation."
Ju Zi did not reveal too many details, but Lin Xiao knew that Xu Tianran must have contributed significantly. Otherwise, just confirming the prince's itinerary would have taken the Holy Spirit Cult considerable time.
"Let's go, Holy Envoy. We'll head over too. If something unexpected happens, we'll still need you to act."
Hearing Ju Zi's address, Lin Xiao's figure paused slightly, but he still stepped forward to follow.
Though he lacked a soul skill like spiritual detection, Lin Xiao had other means of scouting. From atop a hill, he and Ju Zi observed the distant camp from afar.
According to the earlier Holy Spirit Cult disciple, once night fell, the rebel army led by the duke would launch their assault. Coupled with the assassination of the Sun Moon Empire's commanding general at that time, the army's casualties would likely be severe.
Time ticked by. With a boom, the glow of soul guidance devices illuminated the night once more.
Borrowing the vision of distant residual souls, Lin Xiao took in the entire battlefield, feeling the thick aura of death. The soul power within his body faintly began to boil again.
After entering the Soul Sage realm, his cultivation speed had slowed compared to before. In a year, his soul power level had only reached seventy-seven. Yet at this moment, the soul power in his body showed signs of a breakthrough once more.
A night wind carrying the scent of blood blew past, lifting the fur cloak on Ju Zi's body. Her complexion looked unwell, and the hand holding the observation soul guidance device trembled slightly.
But she still did not lower the device, enduring the discomfort as she quietly watched the distant scene of carnage.
Within the Sun Moon Empire's camp, an almost imperceptible shadow personally witnessed the birth of a fresh residual soul. Lin Xiao immediately understood that there was no need for him to act in this matter.
However, just as he was about to recall the souls he had sent out, a streak of light arced through the sky from afar.
That overwhelming aura could be clearly sensed by Lin Xiao even from a great distance.
Titled Douluo and more than one.
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