"Were you thinking of fallen angels?"
"Uh..." Dugu Yan looked at Ning Rongrong's knowing smile before the latter continued without waiting for an answer,
"Could these so-called angels representing order and justice themselves be considered evil?"
"Your justice versus my justice."
"Whether gods or humans, the greatest difference may simply be power disparity and opposing standpoints."
"Which book did you dig that up from?" Dugu Yan couldn't help retorting.
"Ah, how did you know?"
Dugu Yan: "..."
With you randomly spouting inexplicable things, how could I not know?
Seeing Dugu Yan's silence, Ning Rongrong organized her thoughts: "Regardless, Qian Renxue's affairs don't concern Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"One thing surprises me though - I thought Father and Emperor Xue Ye were close friends, turns out they're just drinking buddies."
Ahem - Sword Douluo's cough drew their attention.
"Rongrong, while Fengzhi and Emperor Xue Ye share good relations, such bonds pale before clan interests."
"And such relationships aren't 'drinking buddies' but mutually beneficial alliances."
Hearing Ning Rongrong describe their connection so flippantly made Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan seem downright vulgar.
"Essentially the same." After three seconds' thought, Ning Rongrong concluded, "Ultimately it's allies who'd stab each other in the back mid-conversation."
Sword Douluo: "..."
Where do you learn such absurd notions?
"What about Qian Renxue?" Sword Douluo changed topics awkwardly. "Frankly, even after observing closely, I can't discern her true form."
By all appearances, this was clearly the male Xue Qinghe - nothing like the golden-haired beauty Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong described.
"Uncertain." Ning Rongrong rested her chin in hand. "She mentioned returning to Spirit Hall - no idea why she came here instead."
"Perhaps she promised Emperor Xue Ye to visit before leaving Heaven Dou Empire."
"Then complications arose, making direct return difficult - hence coming here to avoid disappointing the Emperor." Dugu Yan suggested.
"Logical." Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. "Explains why she's staying days rather than waiting for Father's return."
Following this thread, the situation clarified:
Qian Renxue first obtained leave from Emperor Xue Ye, ostensibly to hunt soul rings with two Title Douluos.
After obtaining rings, she'd visit Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan directly, but...
Unexpected events led to their encounter with Qian Renxue.
Then Ci Xue's severe injuries delayed her visit, prompting letters citing the Emperor's illness.
Likely Ci Xue's recovery allowed Qian Renxue to make this token visit before returning to Spirit Hall.
Such was the probable sequence.
Therefore...
Her guards were likely Spirit Hall personnel rather than original imperial retinue.
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong's scalp prickled.
"What's wrong?" Dugu Yan and Sword Douluo noticed her abrupt expression change.
"A terrible premonition..."
Hopefully no eavesdroppers, or catastrophe might ensue.
No no - someone as principled as Qian Daoliu wouldn't stoop to such dishonorable acts!
Meeting their concerned gazes, Ning Rongrong shook her head:
"Nothing. Just have the Soul Tool Pavilion secure their prototypes - those can't be revealed yet. Other matters are fine."
Regardless, if Qian Daoliu wished to eavesdrop, they couldn't stop him!
Best assume the busy Limit Douluo couldn't spare time to visit.
In reality, Qian Daoliu indeed hadn't come.
At Qian Renxue's insistence.
He personally escorted the severely injured Ci Xue and She Long (who couldn't infiltrate the clan) back to Spirit Hall.
Having saved his granddaughter at mortal risk, Qian Daoliu considered this appropriate.
He merely hoped Qian Renxue would remain cautious visiting alone.
...
Meanwhile.
Within Xue Qinghe/Qian Renxue's guest villa.
As Qian Daoliu's granddaughter, worldly luxuries held little appeal.
"Having Meng Shenji conceal Xue Beng's incident... was indeed to avoid disrupting the apprenticeship ceremony rather than ulterior motives."
Qian Renxue's repeated probing had elicited seemingly genuine responses from Ning Rongrong.
"So I'm not disliked after all?" A faint smile appeared. "Though that child isn't as naive as imagined."
She shook her head.
Who was she to judge?
Having infiltrated Heaven Dou as Xue Qinghe's maid at Ning Rongrong's current age.
"Once I become Emperor, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan can be fully co-opted."
"If Ning Fengzhi objects, replace him with Ning Rongrong."
"Ten years should suffice."
Gazing calmly at the night sky, she contemplated.
Recently, she'd proposed utilizing Spirit Hall and Worship Hall forces.
Loyal soul masters would be inserted into military ranks under Xue Qinghe's authority.
Next would be eliminating Three Armies Marshal Ge Long.
Provoking conflict between Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires - but Star Luo must appear the aggressor.
Then have Ge Long lead defenses before eliminating and framing Star Luo for his death.
Accuse Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing of colluding with Star Luo to usurp the throne.
Ge Long's loyalty lay with Emperor Xue Ye and by extension Xue Qinghe - never herself. He served only Heaven Dou.
Currently, Ge Long remained Xue Qinghe's "most trusted" subordinate.
"Being suspected means I can't directly eliminate Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing."
"But leaving them risks future complications."
Qian Renxue sighed inwardly.
As a Seraphim martial soul wielder, she should eradicate evil and uphold justice.
Yet here she schemed shamelessly without remorse.
Studying her flawless hands, they seemed stained with endless blood, phantom wails of the dying echoing faintly.
"My veins indeed carry that woman's wicked blood."
"Foul as a spider's venom."