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*****
"What's all this noise? Don't you want to work anymore?"
The office door suddenly swung open, revealing Lingxi's angry face. But the moment she saw Tang San, she froze in surprise, then broke into a joyful smile. "Count, is it really you?"
"Ahem." Tang San coughed lightly. "It's not appropriate to talk here, is it? The Crown Prince seems to be in the office too."
"Um... I got a bit excited." Lingxi quickly composed herself and stepped aside to let Tang San and Gu Yuena in.
"Tang San, it's been a long time! You didn't even send a message, making me miss you." Xue Qinghe, sitting at a tea table, stood up and greeted Tang San with a smile. He moved as if to hug him but stopped short, laughed heartily, and guided Tang San to a seat.
Yet, Tang San could detect a hint of resentment in his eyes.
Lingxi, meanwhile, stood nearby, pouring tea and serving snacks for the three of them, her face naturally lit with a smile. She had thought Tang San wouldn't return from Spirit City for at least five years, but here he was, back in just two. This genuinely delighted her.
"I've been busy with cultivation and research. This time, I returned after completing a mission to hunt a group of fallen ones. Passing through Tian Dou City, I decided to stop by," Tang San briefly explained, then praised Xue Qinghe. "You, Crown Prince, have grown more mature. I'm sure the Emperor is pleased to see such a capable successor."
This wasn't just flattery. Compared to two years ago, Xue Qinghe had heavier dark circles, looking perpetually tired.
Tang San guessed that over the past two years, with the Emperor gradually relinquishing power, Xue Qinghe had taken on more responsibilities. On top of that, he had to monitor the developments in Spirit City and cooperate with Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company. Such a workload would understandably exhaust him, especially given his royal duties.
However, it remained uncertain how tired Xue Qinghe truly was. After all, the Six-Winged Angel was a divine-level martial spirit, and a hexagonal warrior wouldn't be worn out by mere imperial affairs, right? Probably.
"Sigh, speaking of my father, his health has been deteriorating lately. He worked too hard when he was younger, and it's taken a toll," Xue Qinghe sighed deeply.
"Being an emperor isn't easy," Tang San replied, knowing well that Xue Qinghe was likely behind the Emperor's declining health. It seemed Xue Qinghe, now familiar with state affairs, was eager to ascend the throne. "There are always so many matters to attend to."
"Indeed," Xue Qinghe agreed, nodding earnestly, seemingly oblivious to Tang San's underlying implication—that he needed to cultivate more reliable supporters truly loyal to him.
"So, has the Crown Prince taken a wife this year?" Tang San changed the topic, asking about Xue Qinghe's personal life. "For a royal family member, being unmarried and childless at your age is often criticized."
This was a well-intended reminder. A prince not interested in women under eighteen could be seen as disciplined, but over eighteen, people might suspect issues with his sexual orientation or physical condition.
For the royal family, this was a serious concern.
"My father has mentioned it too, but when I think about how many people in the empire struggle with hunger, poverty, and finding spouses, how can I justify taking a wife and starting a family?" Xue Qinghe expressed concern, showing a demeanor of selflessness that made Gu Yuena, who was eating snacks, roll her eyes.
How can a woman take a wife and have children? Are you planning to borrow a man to conceive, or find a woman and adopt a child? If the latter, it wouldn't even be your own child, so would you truly care?
Oh, right, royalty doesn't care about familial affection. No big deal.
For Qian Renxue, this was indeed troubling. As Tang San had pointed out, her situation invited suspicion. Continuing to pose as the Crown Prince was exhausting enough—finding a woman to play along would require even more effort. And who would be suitable?
Hmm... Actually, Qian Renxue had an idea: Ling Yuan, the new head of the Tian Dou Spirit branch, a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse. They were already close. Claiming love at first sight could work.
Moreover, to Emperor Xue Ye and others, she could justify it with reasons like gaining Spirit Hall's intel, undermining Spirit Hall, and acquiring advanced soul guide research.
Most importantly, Ling Yuan was favored by Bibi Dong and aware of Qian Renxue's true identity, which would be reassuring.
"Impressive," Tang San praised. "To hold yourself to the same standards as others and to worry about their troubles is truly admirable. If you become the Emperor of Tian Dou, the empire will surely prosper."
"Thank you, Tang San," Xue Qinghe felt a twinge of guilt, knowing full well that his ambitions were far from pure.
"So, what brings the Crown Prince here?" Tang San asked.
"Mainly to discuss the future replacement and maintenance of soul-powered steam locomotives. I want to further our cooperation. Transportation is vital for an empire. I envision establishing tracks throughout Tian Dou Empire to facilitate communication and logistics," Xue Qinghe explained, outlining his vision for the future. Expanding his influence within Tian Dou would ensure that even after revealing his true identity, the people would still accept him.
For a woman bold enough to pull off the "switching the prince" act, especially one with the Six-Winged Angel martial spirit, there was no doubt she intended to reveal her true self to the world.
Regarding why she abandoned her plans after being defeated by the protagonist in the original story, it's likely due to her immense pride. As Qian Renxue, the inheritor of the Angel God and possessing the Six-Winged Angel martial spirit, she couldn't allow herself to be overshadowed by anyone, even if it meant giving up everything she had built.
This pride is a common issue among the major powers on the Douluo Continent. Family members often develop arrogant personalities. However, there is a difference between confidence and arrogance. The Clear Sky Sect, for instance, had arrogance that bordered on hubris.
"I see," Tang San thought deeply about many things before refocusing on Xue Qinghe. "This is a good thing. Lingxi will undoubtedly fully cooperate."
"Rest assured, Your Highness," Lingxi echoed, "If steam locomotive tracks are established throughout the Tian Dou Empire, Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company will definitely provide the necessary technical support."
"Thank you," Xue Qinghe smiled. After chatting with Tang San for a bit longer, he prepared to leave, as he had many affairs to handle as the Crown Prince.
After escorting the Crown Prince out of Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company, Tang San, Lingxi, and Guang Ling returned.
"Count, the Crown Prince's idea is good, but establishing steam locomotive tracks across the entire Tian Dou Empire is unrealistic. At best, it can be done in major cities. Connecting two cities might take decades," Lingxi said. She was well aware of the situation in the Tian Dou Empire, where the wealth gap between towns and cities was vast, and the roads between cities were not always smooth.
Tang San understood that building a convenient transportation system on the Douluo Continent was not easy. Besides the reasons Lingxi mentioned, they also had to consider soul beasts and soul masters.
Soul beasts, even if the Spirit Hall and local city lords cleared them out, would still be a threat. But compared to soul masters, soul beasts were easier to handle, as most lacked human intelligence and would flee from loud noises.
Soul masters, however, were a different matter.
Especially those with power and background, many families and sects wouldn't want to see the tracks built, as it would lead to population movement, not benefiting their interests.
Moreover, soul masters could easily sabotage the tracks. In a world where extraordinary powers existed, without a stable society and a force to suppress chaos, development was challenging. Without external enemies, internal strife was inevitable.
Visionaries knew that cooperation and development were necessary for a brighter future, but personal ambitions often got in the way. Many wanted to dominate others rather than work together.
Despite this, Xue Qinghe's proposal to build tracks connecting major cities showed she had a glimpse of the future. She recognized the importance of "trains," a soul-guided transportation tool not yet invented, for moving goods within an empire.
From this perspective, Qian Renxue's political thinking wasn't entirely brainwashed by Tian Dou royal education. Before her disguise, Spirit Hall had little political thinking, relying mostly on ancestral rules and experience, letting local branches manage themselves.
"If she insists on building them, just cooperate. We only provide technical support; they still have to pay," Tang San said, then asked about the company's progress. "Tell me about the new soul tools and business developments of Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company in the past two years."
"Yes, Count," Lingxi's expression became serious. "For soul tools, we mainly replicate products sent by Miss Guang Ling, making slight exterior modifications for custom orders from nobles."
"Our research capabilities are limited. Experimenting with soul tool patterns requires soul power. Although we can use soul power batteries, progress is slow, and any mistake, like an explosion, is dangerous for ordinary people."
"We tried recruiting young soul masters, but they are interested in soul tools, not their research. Those who haven't reached Soul Elder by thirty are willing to try, but as you know, people over thirty, though in their prime, have declining memory and rigid thinking. They aren't suited for research."
"A year ago, we recruited some soul masters and grand soul masters over thirty, but their research ability was inferior to ordinary people's. They could only serve as living soul power batteries and had bad tempers, often bossing non-soul master staff around. Ordinary people didn't dare oppose them, fearing injury or death, which would disrupt our progress despite any compensation."
Tang San knew that soul masters still held their identities in high regard and disliked being ordered around.
After pondering for a moment, Tang San said, "Then stop actively seeking soul masters unless they are genuinely interested in soul tool research."
Regarding the slow research progress of Ling Tang Technology Unlimited Company, Tang San didn't see it as a major issue. Like Xue Qinghe's proposed track construction, it couldn't be achieved overnight.
Currently, the company's main business was assembling, manufacturing, and selling household soul tools. Research could wait until the continent was more stable. He suggested holding recruitment fairs at academies, especially civilian ones, to generate interest in soul tools among young soul masters through speeches and videos.
"Will this work?" Lingxi was uncertain. "Will the academies agree?"
"I have enough influence, and we can pay them some fees," Tang San replied. "Academies should teach students how to earn a living, not just cultivate. We're helping their graduates find jobs! Otherwise, how will they survive after graduation?"
"Join a faction or become free soul masters?"
"We're just offering them more choices."
"We can even collaborate with the academies... Except for Shrek Academy. While high-level academies encourage competition, Shrek's teaching methods are too extreme. They cause trouble and bully the weak, which isn't good."
Lingxi nodded. "I'll take care of it."
"If we still can't recruit enough young soul masters, don't worry. It takes time to change mindsets... By the way, what's your soul power level now?" Tang San asked about Lingxi's cultivation.
(End of Chapter)