Chapter 62: A Crown of Thorns
The people from the Spirit Hall were overwhelmingly powerful.
They showed no regard for the dignity of the Tiandou royal family. Without permission or formal announcement, they barged directly into the temporary palace.
No one could stop them.
"Prince Qinghe…"
"Oh—pardon me. I suppose I should now call you the new Emperor of Qinghe. Are you sure you won't come out to see me?"
Though his tone was polite, every word was laced with mockery.
Qian Renxue's expression turned dark and cold.
Even Prince Xuexing, who was about to pull the young prince Xue Beng aside, looked equally grim.
The Spirit Hall had become increasingly audacious.
"What is it that you want?" Qian Renxue asked, her voice icy and distant. "If you've come to offer sacrifices or prayers for my father, now is not the time. I ask the envoy from the Spirit Hall to leave."
"The empire is in mourning, and we are overwhelmed with disaster relief efforts. No one has the time for ceremonial visits."
A cold chuckle answered her.
The Spirit Hall envoy finally revealed himself—Platinum Bishop Saras, the official stationed in Tiandou City.
"We in the Holy Temple can wait for Tiandou to finish patching itself back together," Saras said as he strolled in and casually sat down, his voice echoing through the vast hall.
"But what about Xingluo?"
He leaned back slightly, his tone more arrogant than before.
"I believe the Xingluo Empire has already received word of the chaos here. What do you think they'll do, new Emperor Qinghe?"
Prince Xuexing's face turned pale.
What would Xingluo do?
They were Tiandou's longstanding rival—always watching, always ready to pounce.
This was the perfect opportunity for them to strike.
Qian Renxue's heart grew heavy. She, too, had considered this possibility.
"If Xingluo dares to exploit our vulnerability and invade Tiandou's borders, then when we recover, we will demand tenfold compensation," Qian Renxue declared.
She turned to Prince Xuexing with steady confidence. "Uncle, do not worry. Two days ago, I already sent Marshal Gelong to reinforce the border. I believe the situation will remain under control."
She paused. Her next words carried a sharp edge. "Besides… isn't the Spirit Hall still here?"
"Isn't your Temple always boasting about maintaining peace and balance on the continent?" Her gaze fixed on Saras. "Will you stand idle while two empires go to war, dragging innocent civilians into suffering?"
Saras smirked. "Of course not."
Prince Xuexing, oblivious to the sarcasm, let out a visible sigh of relief. "Good, good… then we have hope for peace."
"The Temple has mediated many conflicts before," Saras continued, "and this time, the Xingluo royal family has made a very simple request."
"They just want their prince back—Dai Mubai."
"As long as Prince Dai returns safely, Xingluo promises to withdraw their troops immediately and avoid further conflict."
"His Majesty has already agreed to this."
Qian Renxue inhaled deeply. So this was the true reason for the envoy's visit.
But…
She knew they weren't truly offering help. This was coercion, cleverly veiled.
"You can see the situation for yourself. The heart of the empire has been devastated. We currently lack the personnel to arrange such an escort," she said flatly.
Prince Xuexing quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes. Perhaps, after a few days, once things have stabilized, we can send someone to escort Prince Dai Mubai back to Xingluo."
"Heh…"
Saras sneered.
"Who said anything about you sending someone?"
"The condition set by Xingluo is quite specific—whoever captured Dai Mubai, must be the one to personally return him."
"What?!"
Qian Renxue's sleeve whipped through the air as she stood, her anger barely contained.
Her father, Emperor Xue Ye, had just passed. As the rightful new emperor of Tiandou, they now wanted her to deliver Dai Mubai—like a gift?
It was nothing short of public humiliation.
A blatant act to force Tiandou to bow before Xingluo.
If she agreed to this outrageous demand, her prestige as ruler would be crushed before it even began.
How could she govern the empire with any authority afterward?
"Then perhaps you'd prefer to negotiate with the Xingluo army yourselves," Saras said, rising with a mocking chuckle, preparing to leave.
"Bishop Saras, please wait a moment!"
Prince Xuexing rushed to stop him.
"There may still be room for discussion. Please don't be so hasty…"
A strange glint flickered in his eyes. No one could guess what he was plotting.
"Oh?" Saras turned back, smiling faintly. "Is there something else?"
"Perhaps… Qinghe and I could have a private discussion?" Prince Xuexing suggested.
"Fine, but give me your answer before sunset today," Saras warned. "Otherwise, the Temple won't be able to intervene anymore."
His smile deepened, and then he departed, leaving a heavy silence behind.
After a long pause, the fourth prince Xue Beng finally spoke. "The Spirit Hall is going too far!"
Even he could tell—this wasn't diplomacy. This was pressure. A calculated move.
It was obvious the Spirit Hall and the Xingluo Empire were aligned in this matter.
Together, they were forcing Tiandou to yield.
And the timing couldn't be worse.
The empire was already falling apart from within, and now faced an external threat.
Prince Xuexing's eyes shifted subtly. "Qinghe… perhaps you could make the trip yourself?"
"I can oversee matters here in the capital while you go. When you return, you may resume control."
He spoke gently, testing the waters—but Qian Renxue saw through him immediately.
So that was it.
Prince Xuexing still harbored ambitions.
If she left now to escort Dai Mubai in person, her authority would vanish the moment she turned her back.
All it would take was one slip—a false rumor, a convenient "accident"—and her reign would be over.
"Does the Emperor's uncle truly wish Qinghe to make this trip?" she asked, her gaze sharp.
The killing intent in her eyes was barely concealed.
Prince Xuexing stammered for a while, then sighed. "My brother has just passed. The empire is in crisis, both internally and externally. This is no time for war…"
"Especially with the Spirit Hall siding so clearly with Xingluo."
"Then… is the emperor's uncle trying to make Qinghe bow to them?" she replied coldly.
"I understand the situation perfectly."
"But don't forget—I am now the crown prince of the Tiandou Empire. Even without the formal coronation, I hold that position. Are you truly suggesting that the crown prince personally surrender to our enemy?"
Prince Xuexing fell silent.
"Uncle, please take the fourth prince to rest."
"I wish to be alone."
"…Very well."
With a glance at the still-quiet Xue Beng, Prince Xuexing reluctantly led him away.
The moment the two had disappeared from sight, Qian Renxue's fury erupted.
She grabbed the teacup in front of her and smashed it to the ground.
Porcelain shards and scalding tea scattered across the floor.
"Someone—go to the prince's mansion and summon Qin Chuan!"
She barked the command without turning her head.
Meanwhile, in Tiandou City.
On a street cleared through the ruins of what was once a thriving capital…
Someone blocked the path of Bishop Saras as he exited the imperial palace.
"Saras," the man said, his voice deep and steady, "you shouldn't have come this way."
A tall figure stood amidst the debris, dressed in black, unmoved by the dust or devastation around him.
Saras frowned. "Who are you?"
He was only a regional bishop. He didn't recognize the man standing before him.
"I've never seen you before."
The man didn't answer.
Instead, he looked up.
A gentle breeze stirred the silence.
And he said calmly—
"Look. The wind is blowing."