Xue Qinghe remained seated, his posture effortlessly composed as he sipped his tea. The golden strands of his hair caught the light, and his warm smile never wavered. But I could feel the weight of his scrutiny behind those sharp eyes, dissecting every word, every movement.
"So, Ryan," Qinghe began, placing his cup down with practiced grace. "Your arrival in Heaven Dou has been... eventful, to say the least. Even my teacher seems quite taken with you."
I smirked. "I tend to have that effect on people."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "It's rare for someone so young to draw the attention of powerful figures so quickly. Your background must be extraordinary."
"Oh, I'm just a traveler with an interest in rare herbs and strong fighters," I said casually. "I go where the fun is."
His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. "Rare herbs and strong fighters, you say? An interesting combination. And where do you call home?"
I leaned back, my expression laced with amusement. "Home is wherever I decide to set up camp."
Qinghe hummed thoughtfully, clearly aware that he wouldn't be getting any real answers out of me. "Well, I hope you find Heaven Dou to your liking. Perhaps in the future, we can work together on matters of mutual interest."
"I'd be open to that," I replied smoothly. "Who knows what the future holds?"
After a bit more light conversation, Xue Qinghe eventually rose, offering a polite nod. "I'm afraid duty calls, but I look forward to our next meeting, Ryan."
"Likewise, Your Highness," I said with a grin.
As he departed, a chuckle rumbled beside me.
"You sure know how to keep your cards close to your chest, kid," Dugu Bo remarked, his eyes glinting with amusement.
I shrugged. "It's more fun that way."
The old poison master laughed heartily before settling back into his seat. "You've certainly caused a stir already. Not that I mind—I rather enjoy watching people scramble."
"I aim to please," I said, sipping my tea.
Dugu Bo shook his head with a grin. "Well, if you ever tire of all this noble nonsense, my home is always open. You've helped me more than you realize. The least I can do is offer you a place to stay."
"I appreciate that," I said sincerely. "I might take you up on that sometime."
We continued chatting for a while, discussing poisons, cultivation techniques, and the latest political gossip. It was an unexpectedly enjoyable conversation, but eventually, even Dugu Bo had duties to attend to.
As the room finally emptied, I leaned back and stretched.
"Well, that went about as expected."
Xue Qinghe entered his private chambers, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click. The carefully maintained facade of the composed Crown Prince slipped, replaced by a look of quiet contemplation.
Reaching into his robes, he pulled out the letter I had given him.
As his eyes scanned the words, his breath hitched.
His hand tightened around the parchment.
Xue Qinghe—no, Qian Renxue—stared at the letter, heart pounding with every line she read. This wasn't just information. It was a direct bombshell that could upend everything.
Tang Hao didn't kill her father. Bibi Dong did.
Bibi Dong was undergoing the Rakshasa God Trials, and they were corrupting her mind.
Her mother's goal wasn't just to strengthen Spirit Hall—she sought to eradicate the Qian family entirely.
Her final trial required her to sacrifice Qian Daoliu, her grandfather.
A chill crawled up her spine.
This wasn't speculation. The details were too precise.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she folded the letter. It wasn't just the content that disturbed her—it was the source.
Ryan.
That man knew who she really was.
Her disguise—one she had spent years perfecting, her careful infiltration into the Heaven Dou Empire—had been seen through as if it were nothing.
How?
Had someone betrayed her? Was he working with Spirit Hall? Did he possess an information network more formidable than she had anticipated?
Or… was he something else entirely?
Her hands curled into fists. If this knowledge spread, it would ruin everything.
She took a slow breath, forcing herself to think rationally.
First, verify the information.
Some of it she could confirm herself, but for the truth about her father's death, her mother's trials, and her grandfather's looming fate—there was only one person who could give her the answers she needed.
She had to go to Spirit City.
But before that… Xue Beng.
The letter also confirmed her lingering suspicions—Xue Beng's idiotic playboy persona was an act. He wasn't a fool; he was biding his time, playing weak to avoid elimination.
Her expression turned glacial.
He has to die.
She had always intended to deal with him, but now that she knew he was scheming in the shadows, the timeline had to be accelerated. There was no place for another hidden snake in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Slowly, methodically, she moved to a hidden compartment in her room, tucking the letter inside before sealing it away.
Then, she sat down, mind racing.
Ryan was dangerous.
He wasn't just an unknown—he was an enigma. And in the world of power, unknowns were the greatest threats.
She had spent years crafting the perfect deception, securing the trust of nobles, and even forging bonds with Ning Fengzhi. Yet, Ryan had seen through her instantly.
How?
And why hadn't Ning Fengzhi told her more about him?
Her teacher admired Ryan's strength and respected his wisdom, yet he had never elaborated on his origins or true motives.
That would change.
Her course of action was clear:
1. Verify the letter's claims. She would go to Spirit City and speak with Qian Daoliu. If Ryan's intelligence was accurate, then Spirit Hall itself was in greater danger than she had realized.
2. Extract information from Ning Fengzhi. Her teacher had withheld details about Ryan. She would carefully question him, ensuring she understood exactly who Ryan was, what he wanted, and where his allegiances lay.
3. Eliminate Xue Beng. He was a loose end. If he was biding his time to strike, then she would remove him before he ever got the chance.
4. Gather intelligence on Ryan directly. He was unpredictable. If he could be an ally, she needed to confirm it. If he was a threat, she needed a contingency plan to eliminate him.
Her golden eyes burned with determination.
She wasn't just the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou.
She was Qian Renxue, the rightful heir to the Seraphim God.
And she would not allow anyone—not Ryan, not Bibi Dong, not even fate itself—to stand in her way.
Rising with deliberate grace, she moved to prepare for the journey ahead.
The game had changed.
And now, she would make her move.
[Here's another chapter for y'all, I'm going to have lunch. Send dessert money! Cashapp Ryantheholy]