"Ye Tian, your words are rather alarmist." Qian Renxue looked at Ye Tian and commented, "The force behind Slaughter City is unimaginable. I can't think of anyone besides the two empires and Spirit Hall who could rival it."
Ye Tian sighed lightly and replied, "Even the largest elephant can be killed by ants. Though Slaughter City is powerful, it is not without weaknesses. Its destruction is entirely possible."
In the original work, Tang San destroyed Slaughter City with just a single heavenly treasure. Hearing this, Qian Renxue nodded slightly. Regardless of whether Ye Tian's reasoning was sound, it mattered little to her. While she might not delve into why Slaughter City was destroyed, she could not ignore the potential movements of the evildoers within.
Slaughter City had housed countless heinous criminals, a place like a sturdy cage that kept these villains tightly bound. Now that it no longer existed, these criminals might spread across the continent, wreaking havoc. When an opportunity arises to communicate with Spirit Hall, this information must be relayed to her grandfather. He would need to send people to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Knock, knock.
Just then, the door was knocked upon. Ye Tian raised his gaze and saw Ning Fengzhi entering. Walking up to Qian Renxue, Ning Fengzhi showed concern and asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"
Qian Renxue smiled faintly and shook her head. "It's similar to last time's injury, though I'll need a few more days to recover." She didn't disclose the full extent of her injury to Ning Fengzhi, avoiding unnecessary concern that might hinder her subsequent actions.
After mentioning her own injury, Qian Renxue inquired about Ning Rongrong. Hearing this, a trace of coldness flickered in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. Bowing slightly, he replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Rongrong is fine and has woken up."
Ning Fengzhi had been able to visit the Crown Prince only because Ning Rongrong was awake. Mentioning her injury filled Ning Fengzhi with anger. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is truly audacious! They dared to assassinate even you, Your Highness!" He flung his sleeves in frustration and speculated, "I fear this isn't the clan's action alone—perhaps the Star Luo royal family is involved."
Though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan ranked among the top three sects, it wouldn't dare oppose the Heaven Dou Empire alone. The empire's strength far surpassed that of the sect, and the family undoubtedly understood this. If they still executed an assassination attempt despite the risks, it suggested a greater power was backing them—likely the Star Luo Empire, an equal rival to Heaven Dou.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's anger, Qian Renxue refrained from throwing more accusations at the Star Luo Empire. Instead, she suggested, "Perhaps someone is merely impersonating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Impossible." Ning Fengzhi waved his hand, firmly denying it. He looked at Qian Renxue solemnly and said, "I was present during the assassination. Most of the attackers used the Tyrant Dragon spirit. Identities can be faked, but spirits cannot be changed. It's certain they were members of the clan."
He then revealed another piece of information. "After the battle, I summoned imperial spies nearby and received confirmation. The clan's young master, Yu Tianheng, is currently in East Sea City. It's highly likely he led the assassination."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. "He's a key figure. We should apprehend him immediately." Capturing Yu Tianheng would spark a diplomatic crisis, even if the assassination attempt turned out to be a misunderstanding. This would disrupt relations between the two empires, granting Spirit Hall a period of safety. This buffer time would allow Spirit Hall to implement its policies smoothly.
"I've already sent Sword Douluo to handle this," Ning Fengzhi confirmed.
Ye Tian casually praised, "As expected of Sect Master Ning, you act swiftly." Inwardly, though, he was amused, considering Ning Fengzhi's actions counterproductive. To prevent Qian Renxue from exposing too much, Ye Tian suggested, "Sect Master Ning, let us leave. The Crown Prince needs rest after the surgery."
"Indeed, rest is crucial." Ning Fengzhi glanced at Qian Renxue, nodded, and agreed. He preferred spending time with his daughter over the Crown Prince anyway.
The two men exited the room, with Ye Tian gently closing the door. They descended the stairs together, where Ning Rongrong was reclining on the sofa, frowning. The power of bloodlust wreaking havoc in her body was unbearable, though the acupuncture array on her ankle alleviated some of it.
Seeing her father and Ye Tian descending, Ning Rongrong struggled to sit upright. She disliked showing any sign of weakness in front of others. Upon waking twenty minutes earlier, she had learned from her father that Ye Tian had saved her life.
Though she felt no gratitude—believing Ye Tian only acted because she was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's young mistress—she understood the importance of manners. Her raspy voice conveyed, "Thank you for saving me."
"No need to thank me," Ye Tian replied dismissively, indifferent to the disdain in Ning Rongrong's eyes. He said no more and didn't even spare her another glance.
Evening.
Strolling outside the villa, Ye Tian noticed Sword Douluo returning on horseback in the distance. "Your Eminence, did you apprehend the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's young master in East Sea City?" he inquired.
Sword Douluo shook his head regretfully. "Yu Tianheng fled swiftly. By the time I arrived, his residence was empty."
Ye Tian sighed in relief. If Yu Tianheng had been captured, he might have exposed something detrimental. His escape, however, conveniently cast suspicion upon him.
After a brief exchange, Sword Douluo entered the villa to report to Ning Fengzhi. Ye Tian, meanwhile, continued his stroll, lost in thought. Reflecting on the assassination attempt, he deduced its motive: his refusal to halt potato promotion caused losses for the Lightning Commerce Guild, angering Yu Tianheng, who retaliated with an assassination attempt.
Despite the misunderstanding leading Ning Fengzhi to believe the attack targeted the Crown Prince, Ye Tian saw little reason to dwell on it.
However, recent events prompted him to reconsider. Yesterday, while comparing letters from his sister, he noticed a stark contrast in handwriting, suspecting the sister at Butterfly Farm was actually Bibi Dong.
This revelation reframed the entire assassination in a new light. Among all involved parties, the greatest beneficiary wasn't Heaven Dou Empire or Ye Tian—it was Spirit Hall.
Indeed, as the saying goes: "When the snipe and the clam struggle, the fisherman profits." The rift between the two empires served Spirit Hall's interests perfectly.
(End of Chapter)
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