Chapter 68: The Murderer Revealed
"Master Ning said that he probably knows who killed Prince Xuexing and the Fourth Prince."
As the little eunuch's voice fell, the entire temporary palace instantly fell into silence.
Prince Xuexing and Fourth Prince Xue Beng were assassinated at the entrance of the imperial city.
This incident caused a massive uproar in the capital.
Although Qian Renxue had been actively suppressing rumors and cleaning up loose ends behind the scenes, many factions were still investigating in secret.
Especially the remnants loyal to Prince Xuexing's original faction.
They had never truly given up.
But all of this had nothing to do with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—until now.
Ning Fengzhi's sudden arrival? What did it mean?
Qian Renxue's gaze turned cold.
"Take Master Ning to the imperial study. Tell him I'm aware of his visit, and I'll meet him after court."
The little eunuch left as if he had been granted amnesty.
The court assembly continued to revolve around the Longxing City matter.
The Tiandou court was riddled with pessimism—from civil officials to military generals.
They believed Qin Chuan had acted too recklessly, blatantly offending the entire Star Luo Empire.
Though he was a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse, in the face of a state's full military might, a single Titled Douluo was not worth mentioning.
Many predicted that within ten days, they would hear of the annihilation of the 100-man team—perhaps even of Star Luo's imminent invasion.
In the end, it was only due to Qian Renxue's supreme imperial authority that the court reluctantly abandoned the idea of surrendering Longxing City.
After the meeting, Qian Renxue felt drained. She pressed her fingers gently against her temples.
She had once seen Emperor Xue Ye handle the court with ease and grace.
But now, with the weight on her shoulders, she found the reality exhausting.
No!
If the empire was truly to be unified one day, she could not remain its ruler.
Qian Renxue couldn't help but feel regret.
Let Brother Qin Chuan be the emperor of this unified super-empire.
As for herself?
She would simply manage his harem and serve loyally by his side.
Her thoughts began to wander as she stepped down from the throne and walked toward the imperial study.
Then, suddenly, she froze—her pretty face flushed red.
What was she thinking about?
What harem?
No! Brother Qin Chuan could only have her!
She tried to suppress the sudden intrusive thought.
But another idea crept in.
Which emperor didn't have three concubines and six wives, and three thousand beauties in his harem?
Would she really be able to control Brother Qin Chuan then?
Shaking her head, Qian Renxue felt a wave of frustration.
She didn't want to be emperor anymore, but she was even more afraid of Qin Chuan becoming one with a harem like Emperor Xue Ye's.
What should she do?!
What should she do?!
What should she do?!
Qian Renxue felt more distressed by this personal dilemma than the entire court argument earlier.
Unknowingly, she had arrived outside the imperial study.
Though the temporary study was modest in size, its walls were still lined with bookshelves.
This was where the emperor would meet key ministers in private.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi was calmly drinking tea at the desk.
Dressed in elegant white robes, he carried himself with natural poise.
Seated on his left was Sword Douluo Chen Xin, also in white.
His eyes were closed as if meditating, breathing slow and steady, fully centered.
The room was quiet, almost serene.
Until the sound of footsteps echoed outside.
Chen Xin opened his eyes. A faint sword light flashed within them.
Ning Fengzhi rose slightly and bowed as Qian Renxue entered.
"Fengzhi greets Your Majesty."
Once teacher and student—now monarch and minister.
Despite their past, etiquette had to be observed.
"Master Ning is too polite," Qian Renxue said calmly.
Yet her tone carried a strange chill, signaling clearly that she was displeased with his actions in recent days.
Ning Fengzhi naturally understood.
Since the Tiandou disaster, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had remained neutral—on the sidelines.
This may have deeply disappointed the new empress.
But he offered no excuses. Instead, he smiled and got straight to the point.
"I heard Your Majesty has been investigating the real murderer of His Highness and the Fourth Prince. Have there been any results?"
Qian Renxue looked up from behind the imperial desk.
"Master Ning, did you come here merely to ask questions?"
"Or… was that just an excuse?"
"Qinghe, watch your tone."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin spoke mildly, lifting his gaze.
Qian Renxue's arm stiffened. A violent surge of murderous intent flashed in her eyes.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect… is getting bolder!
"Senior Chen Xin, how should I speak?"
Her voice was cold.
"With the Tiandou disaster just past, I must act decisively. A moment's hesitation could mean thousands more lives lost."
"You lured me here with a false premise?"
"Do you truly think that because I have just taken the throne, I can be bullied for my youth?"
Chen Xin's gaze turned cold.
Ning Fengzhi's expression also darkened.
They hadn't expected Qian Renxue to speak so bluntly—almost ripping off all pretense.
Even if their sect had done nothing during the disaster, their relationship with Qian Renxue should have prevented such hostility.
Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly, a mix of frustration and reflection clouding his heart.
Gu Rong had advised him to send aid to the Tiandou court for relief and rebuilding.
But every time he recalled his conflict with Qian Renxue over Qin Chuan, and their parting—
He had refused.
He wanted Qian Renxue to understand: it wasn't that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect couldn't leave the Tiandou Empire.
It was that the Tiandou Empire couldn't do without them.
He wanted her to recognize her place.
But he hadn't expected that she wouldn't care at all when they stayed out of relief efforts.
Had she truly severed ties with them?
That was why, after hearing this small piece of intelligence, he rushed to test her reaction.
Only to find himself nearly slapped in the face.
After returning, he would have to send aid immediately.
"…Your Majesty, Fengzhi has indeed uncovered something."
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath.
Qian Renxue's heart stirred. She watched him silently.
Could something truly have been overlooked?
"We discovered that shortly before Prince Xuexing and the Fourth Prince were killed, Salas—the branch hall master of Spirit Hall—was also found dead outside the imperial city."
"All three of them died within two minutes of one another."
Qian Renxue nodded.
"We're aware of that."
"And we've confirmed that all three were killed by the same person. Could it be that Sect Master Ning knows who the killer is?"
"Prince Xuexing and Prince Xue Beng died tragically. Their bodies were blown apart—beyond recognition."
Ning Fengzhi inhaled deeply.
"And in Longxing City, we've learned that the Yu Clan—who attempted to ambush His Majesty Qin Chuan and his entourage that day—died in exactly the same way. Their bodies were all similarly obliterated."
"Therefore, I suspect…"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The murderer… is His Majesty Qin Chuan!"
Boom—
Qian Renxue's expression changed drastically.
So the leak had come from there.