Xue Xing plots to seize power?

Chapter 339 Xue Xing's Attempt to Seize Power? (7000-word Chapter)

In the Star Luo Empire, the capital city of Star Luo City boasts vermilion palace walls stretching for miles. The glazed tiles melt into a golden glow in the afterglow of the setting sun. The evening breeze carries the sweet fragrance of osmanthus, drifting over the majestic threshold of the Crown Prince's residence, yet it cannot dispel the stagnant atmosphere in the side hall.

The side hall is the most secluded place in the entire Crown Prince's residence, far away from the noise of the front yard. The bluestone floor is so smooth it reflects light, and the walls are adorned with landscape paintings by famous artists from previous dynasties, their brushstrokes vigorous and their artistic conception profound.

Davis sat upright in the pearwood armchair behind the desk, his fingertips repeatedly stroking the gilded visiting card in his hand.

The visiting card was made of cloud brocade, unique to the Heavenly Dou Empire, with cloud patterns woven in. It felt warm to the touch, and the edges were outlined with intricate coiled dragon patterns in red gold embroidery. In the center were nine seal characters that read "Xue Xing, Regent of the Heavenly Dou Empire," written with strong, powerful strokes that seemed to penetrate the paper.

Davis was dressed in a black brocade robe, with the corners embroidered with a dark gold Starry Sky royal totem—a white tiger of the underworld roaring with its head held high. He wore a jade belt around his waist, with a pigeon blood ruby ​​embedded in the belt buckle, its shimmering light highlighting the noble bearing of a crown prince in his eyes and brows.

But in those deep eyes, there was a hint of confusion that was hard to hide, as if he were carrying a tangled mess that he couldn't untangle.

Beside him, near the window, sat an elderly man with white hair and beard. The old man was hunched over, and his gray cloth robe was faded from washing, with even the collar and cuffs worn and frayed, making him completely out of place in this magnificent side hall.

He half-closed his eyes, seemingly asleep, his chin resting on the back of his withered hand. His loose skin was covered with deep wrinkles, but his cloudy eyes occasionally flashed with a sharp glint, like a hawk lurking in the shadows, taking in everything around him.

This old man was the most senior member of the royal family, his name long forgotten by time; everyone in the palace simply called him "Old Duke".

He had served two emperors, witnessed three court upheavals in the Star Luo Empire, personally overthrown a vassal king who intended to rebel, and helped the previous emperor consolidate his rule.

Although his strength is not comparable to the mysterious old man who has always protected the emperors of the Star Luo Empire, he is the strongest person in the Star Luo Empire on the surface, a level 95 Super Douluo.

Although he no longer concerns himself with politics and lives in seclusion in a secluded courtyard of the Crown Prince's residence, tending only to his vegetable garden and tending to flowers and plants, he always manages to see through people's hearts and understand the intricate web of interests and entanglements.

"Great-Uncle." Davis finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with urgency. He gently placed the visiting card on the table, then pushed it forward, placing it in front of the old man. His fingertips inadvertently traced the cold surface of the table. "Look at this. What is Prince Xuexing's intention in sending a visiting card at this time? He is the Regent of the Heavenly Dou Empire, holding supreme military and political power. He can shake the Heavenly Dou court with a stomp of his foot. If he wants to send a visiting card, he should send it to Father Emperor's study, but instead, he has sent it to my Crown Prince's residence?"

He looked at the old man with a thirst for knowledge and a earnest gaze. Although he had been in the position of crown prince for more than ten years and had seen his fair share of open and covert battles and intrigues in the court, he was still somewhat powerless when it came to the undercurrents involving the relations between two countries.

Xue Xing is known in the Douluo Continent court for her shrewdness and meticulousness. She never makes a deal without a profit. This move must be hiding a hidden scheme.

The old man slowly opened his eyes, and his cloudy eyes suddenly became clear, like a bright moon washed by rain. The sharp light swept over the visiting cards on the table and then fell back on Davis's face.

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse yet clear: "Your Highness, in my opinion, Regent Xuexing's actions have three profound implications."

"Triple?" Davis's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward unconsciously, resting his elbows on the table. He eagerly asked, "What are the three layers? I hope Uncle will teach me!"

Over the years, although he had thoroughly studied history books and was familiar with the rise and fall of previous dynasties, and had also handled many government affairs with his father, he still felt that he was not up to the task when faced with such a turbulent situation.

"This first step is to show you goodwill and express my support."

The old man picked up the celadon teacup beside him, his fingertips tracing the fine cracks on the cup's surface. His movements were slow and unhurried. Wisps of white steam rose from the Biluochun tea in the cup, blurring his features. "He is telling the world that the Heavenly Dou Empire strongly supports your succession to the Star Luo throne, extending an olive branch of goodwill to you."

Davis frowned slightly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table, producing a crisp tapping sound. A hint of confusion appeared on his face: "But my position as crown prince has already been decided. The crown prince's seal, personally bestowed by my father, is hidden in a secret compartment in my study. It's carved from thousand-year-old warm jade, and everyone in the court knows it. After my father passes away, the throne will naturally be mine. Why should a mere regent like him need to go to such lengths to make a statement?"

Upon hearing this, the old man chuckled softly twice, his laughter carrying a hint of deeper meaning. This startled the smoke in the incense burner, causing it to sway and drift away gracefully.

He took a small sip of the warm tea before slowly saying, "Your Highness, you are blinded by a single leaf and cannot see Mount Tai."

Upon hearing this, Davis immediately sat up straight, his back ramrod straight, the folds of his black brocade robe perfectly smoothed out. His confusion deepened, and his tone became even more respectful: "I hope Uncle can enlighten me!"

He knew that the old man's words were not unfounded; they must have struck at a crucial point that he had not seen through.

The old man put down his teacup, his eyes gleaming with wisdom, and slowly analyzed, "The position of crown prince, determined within the royal family, is ultimately confined to the deep walls of the palace. Ordinary people are unaware; they only know that there are emperors in the empire, but they don't know who the crown prince is, let alone whether he can hold onto his position. The regional princes are also questionable. The Wolf Mountain Prince in the north commands 100,000 iron cavalry and has countless fierce generals under his command. The Linhai Prince in the south controls the entire empire's maritime trade and is incredibly wealthy. Aren't these people all ambitious? They may be respectful to you, but who knows what they're plotting behind your back? Even those old foxes in the court may not be truly subservient. What they value is never bloodline, but who can bring them the most benefits."

He paused, brushed a strand of white hair from his forehead, looked at Davis's still bewildered face, and continued, "The Regent of Snow Star sending a visiting card at this time is ostensibly to pay you a visit, but in reality, it's to build momentum for you!"

"Think about it, you haven't even ascended the throne yet, but you already have the strong support of the Regent of the Heaven Dou Empire. Once this news gets out, how will the world view you? They will think that the Crown Prince of Xingluo is deeply recognized by neighboring countries, and his future imperial throne is as secure as Mount Tai; how will the vassal kings of the four directions weigh things? They will be wary of the power of Heaven Dou and dare not easily harbor any disloyal thoughts; what will those wavering courtiers choose? They will rush to get close to you in order to gain future glory and wealth."

"This recognition from a neighboring country is a hundred times more effective than a word of praise from Father Emperor in court! It will be of great benefit to you in governing the country and winning over the hearts of the people when you ascend the throne in the future."

Upon hearing this, Davis's pupils contracted sharply. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he instantly understood the situation. It turned out that Xue Xing's actions were paving the way for him; this favor was truly brilliant.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "So that's how it is—he's using the pretext of visiting me to establish my authority in front of the world, making those who are eager to make a move think twice about their own worth."

But then a new doubt arose in his mind, and his brows furrowed again, his confusion deepening: "Why would Xue Xing go to such lengths to help me? Although Tian Dou and Xing Luo are neighboring countries, they have always been outwardly friendly but inwardly hostile, and border clashes have never ceased. What benefit would this bring to his Tian Dou Empire?"

There is no such thing as a free lunch. As the regent, Xue Xing is a shrewd and calculating man who would never do anything that would be a loss for him.

The old man smiled slightly, twirling his sparse yet resilient white beard. A knowing glint flashed in his eyes, as if he had already seen through Xue Xing's thoughts: "This is the second deeper meaning I want to convey: he intends to use your visit as a pretext to put pressure on the Spirit Hall."

"Pressuring the Spirit Hall?" Davis abruptly stood up, the hem of his black brocade robe sweeping across the table, causing the teacup to sway slightly, spilling a few drops of emerald tea onto the rosewood surface, leaving a small damp patch. His face was filled with disbelief. He paced back and forth a couple of times, his steps slightly hurried, his tone full of confusion: "This is clearly a matter between me and Xue Xing, how did it involve the Spirit Hall? The Spirit Hall is located far in the center of the Douluo Continent, with immense power, forming a three-way balance of power with our Star Luo and Heaven Dou kingdoms. Is Xue Xing trying to drag our Star Luo kingdom into opposing the Spirit Hall?"

The Spirit Hall's reputation is known throughout the entire Douluo Continent. They command countless Soul Masters, including dozens of Title Douluos, and their eight Elders are all top-tier experts. Even the two great empires treat them with deference. To oppose the Spirit Hall is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.

Moreover, the Spirit Hall now has three Limit Douluo, making it a completely transcendent force.

The old man looked up at him, slowly shook his head, and spoke in a calm voice as if stating a trivial matter: "Your Highness, do you remember three months ago, when Dugu Bo defected from the Spirit Hall and submitted to the Heavenly Dou?"

Davis nodded heavily upon hearing this, a hint of satisfaction on his face, his tone becoming increasingly impassioned: "Of course I remember! This is the biggest upheaval in the Soul Master world in the past six months! Dugu Bo is an elder of the Spirit Hall, known as the Poison Master," possessing unparalleled mastery of poison techniques, ranking among the top figures among Title Douluos. His open defection is a severe slap in the face to the Spirit Hall! I heard that to save face, the Spirit Hall even dispatched three Title Douluos to hunt down Dugu Bo across thousands of miles, vowing to grind him to dust as an example!"

Speaking of this, Davis couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. In recent years, the Spirit Hall's power has grown exponentially, running rampant across the continent and interfering in the affairs of various countries. Even the Star Luo Empire has to give it some leeway.

They had previously trespassed into the Star Luo Royal Hunting Grounds under the pretext of investigating spirit beasts, and killed the spirit beasts raised by the empire. Although the Emperor was furious, he could only swallow his anger. Now that the Spirit Hall had suffered such a great loss, he was naturally happy to see it happen.

"Now that you know about this, you should understand Xuexing's intentions."

The old man spoke slowly, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as an ancient well, seemingly able to see through all the schemes of the world. "The Spirit Hall dispatched three Title Douluos to hunt down Dugu Bo with great fanfare, clearly intending to show no mercy to the Heaven Dou Empire. Although Dugu Bo has submitted to Heaven Dou, the power of the Heaven Dou Empire's spirit masters is ultimately no match for the towering tree that is the Spirit Hall—the Spirit Hall has dozens of Title Douluos under its command, and its Elder Hall is filled with experts. If they were to clash head-on, the Heaven Dou Empire would only end up with mutual destruction. As the Regent of Heaven Dou, how can Xue Xing sit idly by?"

Davis stopped and stared blankly at the old man, as if he had vaguely grasped something, yet it was veiled by a thin layer of gauze, making it impossible to see clearly. He frowned, racking his brains for the key point, but still couldn't grasp it.

Seeing this, the old man continued to patiently persuade him, his voice gentle yet every word profound: "Have you ever considered that the Regent of Snow Star, instead of visiting the Emperor of Star Luo, chose to come to you, the Crown Prince, precisely to leverage his influence?"

Davis's pupils constricted sharply, as if struck by lightning. A look of sudden realization crossed his face, and he blurted out, "You mean, Xue Xing is trying to use the guise of befriending me to send a signal to the Spirit Hall—that Heaven Dou and Star Luo have already secretly formed an alliance?"

The old man nodded slowly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. He stroked his beard and said, "This child is teachable. The Spirit Hall acts tyrannically, always believing that those who obey will prosper and those who oppose will perish. Xue Xing's actions are a way of telling the Spirit Hall that if they insist on pursuing Dugu Bo, they are disrespecting the Heavenly Dou Sect and, even more so, the Star Luo Sect. With the Star Luo Sect watching them like tigers, the Spirit Hall will have to be more cautious in its actions."

"After all, if they push too hard and force the Heavenly Dou and Star Luo to join forces, it will not be a good thing for the Spirit Hall. Even if the Spirit Hall is powerful, it will not gain any advantage if the two great empires join forces."

Davis's eyes gradually brightened, and he felt the fog in his heart being lifted layer by layer. Those things that he couldn't understand before were now completely clear.

He paced excitedly, his steps becoming much lighter, his voice tinged with excitement: "So, Xue Xing came to me for two reasons: first, to build momentum for me and win over people's hearts; second, to use Xing Luo's influence to intimidate the Spirit Hall and prevent them from ruthlessly killing Dugu Bo!"

This move was truly killing two birds with one stone—brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

But then he thought about it again, frowned, and stopped in his tracks. Confusion resurfaced in his eyes: "Why doesn't he just go to Father? Father is the Emperor of Star Luo. Wouldn't it be more powerful for Father to represent the Star Luo Empire in establishing relations with him?"

Upon hearing this, the old man chuckled softly, a chilling glint of political cunning in his voice, clashing with the gentle warmth of the sandalwood incense: "Your Highness, you must understand that pushing the Spirit Hall too far is not a good thing. The Spirit Hall's influence is deeply entrenched; a single move can have far-reaching consequences. Their spirit masters are scattered throughout the continent, and they have people in every industry. If we truly anger them, the Heaven Dou Empire may never have peace."

He paused, his gaze sharp as a knife, and said, word by word, "Dugu Bo has just submitted to Tian Dou, and Xue Xing is already rushing to visit the Star Luo Emperor. That would be a blatant declaration of war against the Spirit Hall, too ostentatious, and could easily backfire, prompting the Spirit Hall to act against Tian Dou prematurely. Coming to you is the safest choice. You are the Crown Prince, representing the future of Star Luo. Befriending you is neither overstepping boundaries nor hindering the friendly relations between Tian Dou and Star Luo." This way, it avoids enraging the Spirit Hall to the point of overturning the table, while still serving as a deterrent, making them hesitant to act. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?

These words struck Davis like a thunderbolt, instantly enlightening him. He stood there, stunned, feeling a thin layer of sweat seep down his back, cool and refreshing, sliding down his spine and soaking the lining of his brocade robe. He realized that this seemingly simple visiting card concealed such profound calculations and such complex entanglements of interests.

Xue Xing's every step was so precise and flawless, truly deserving of the title of shrewd and calculating.

"I see—I see!"

Davis muttered to himself, his face filled with shock. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his fingertips icy cold. His tone carried a hint of melancholy. "I used to think that after more than a decade of navigating the political landscape, I was well-versed in the ways of power and could be considered a competent politician. But after hearing my great-uncle's words today, I realize how far, far behind I am. Compared to Xue Xing, my methods are nothing but child's play."

Seeing his dejected expression, the old man waved his hand, his tone softening and carrying a hint of consolation: "Your Highness, you need not belittle yourself. You are only twenty-five, yet you have such awareness, which already surpasses most of the veteran officials in the court. When I was your age, I was still struggling in the military camp, and I didn't even know which way the court's doors opened."

He paused, his gaze softening with a hint of expectation: "When you ascend the throne in the future, I will certainly assist you, offer you advice and strategies, and help you overcome all obstacles so that you can become a qualified emperor who commands respect throughout the land."

These words were like a reassuring pill, settling firmly in Davis's heart. Looking at the old man's aged yet resolute face, a warm feeling welled up within him. The eight characters engraved on the Imperial Seal—"By the Mandate of Heaven, may your reign be long and prosperous"—were the ultimate goal that countless royal descendants had dreamed of. And he, he was only one step away from that supreme position, from that unparalleled pinnacle.

The thought of ruling the world, commanding all nations, and having all countries pay tribute to him filled Davis with excitement. His breathing became rapid, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his palms.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and looked intently at the old man, his tone urgent: "Great-uncle, what is the third profound meaning you just mentioned? The first two meanings are already so exquisite, this third one must be even more earth-shattering!"

Upon hearing the words "the third profound meaning," the old man's smile slowly faded, his eyes became serious, and even the aura around him suddenly subsided.

He remained silent for a long while, his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of his teacup, his fingertips turning slightly white, as if he were carefully choosing his words. The sandalwood incense in the side hall still wafted gently, but the atmosphere suddenly became oppressive, and even the sound of the wind outside the window seemed to carry a chill, making the windowpanes creak.

After a long silence, the old man finally spoke, his voice carrying a mixture of uncertainty and certainty, as if squeezed out from between his teeth, each word carrying immense weight: "This third level—I am merely speculating, it should not be taken seriously. The Regent of Snow Star's actions may be paving the way for his own usurpation."

"What?! Usurpation?!"

Davis was struck as if by lightning, and sprang up from his chair. The chair legs scraped against the bluestone slab with a jarring sound that was particularly jarring in the quiet side hall.

His face was filled with disbelief, his eyes wide like saucers, his mouth slightly agape, unable to utter a word for a long time. He staggered back two steps, pointing at the visiting card on the table, his voice trembling with fear: "Uncle, you—you really mean this? How could this be!"

This is simply unbelievable.

Throughout the entire Douluo Continent, everyone knows that Prince Xue Xing and Crown Prince Xue Beng of the Heaven Dou Empire are blood-related uncle and nephew.

Xue Xing was the late emperor's younger brother, and Xue Beng was the current emperor's eldest son. Their close relationship was the envy of many. When Xue Beng was young, he was unruly and uneducated. Many people in the court looked down on him, considering him a good-for-nothing playboy.

It was Xue Xing who stepped forward and, with her own strength, argued vehemently in the court, refuting all opposing voices. She also personally taught Xue Beng to read and practice martial arts, guiding him onto the right path. Only then did she clear away all obstacles and firmly push Xue Beng to the position of Crown Prince.

Some even suspect that the deaths of Emperor Xueye and Xue Qinghe were related to Xue Xing, with the aim of pushing Xue Beng to the throne.

Seeing Davis's shocked expression, the old man slowly shook his head, his tone tinged with a sense of vicissitude and a bittersweet understanding of the world: "Your Highness, you needn't be so surprised. In this world, how many can resist the allure of the throne? That dragon throne, high above, grants the power to decide life and death, honor and disgrace, and to survey the vast land below. Throughout history, how many fathers and sons have turned against each other, brothers have killed each other, and husbands and wives have become estranged because of it?"

His gaze drifted out the window, landing on the deep twilight. The last rays of the setting sun were slowly sinking below the horizon, dyeing the clouds in the sky a blood-red hue, like splashed vermilion.

His voice was hoarse and cold, as if it had been tempered with ice: "The most ruthless are those in the imperial family. Although Xue Beng is now the emperor, he is weak-willed, indecisive, and unfit for important tasks."

Xue Xing has held immense military and political power in Tiandou for many years, with his protégés and former officials scattered throughout the court, and numerous generals in the army remaining fiercely loyal to him. If he so desired, usurping the throne would be as easy as turning his hand.

The old man withdrew his gaze, looked at Davis with a solemn expression, and said in a serious tone: "His visit to befriend you this time may also be paving the way for his own future. If he does succeed in usurping the throne one day, with your support as the Crown Prince of Xingluo, his throne will be more secure."

After all, the Star Luo Empire is a powerful nation on the continent. With Star Luo's approval, the voices opposing him would be much smaller. Of course, this is just my own speculation. Perhaps I'm just getting old, and my mind has become darker, making me think too badly of people.

Davis stood there, stunned, for a long time without saying a word.

His eyes shifted, a mixture of shock, doubt, disbelief, and sudden realization, a tangled mess of emotions that tightened his heart.

He looked at the gold-embossed invitation card on the table and felt that the crimson gold embroidery on the brocade was now like a poisoned dagger, flashing with a cold light that stung his eyes.

The sandalwood incense in the side hall was still wafting, but Davis felt a chill that shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, making him feel cold all over and even causing his teeth to chatter slightly.

He looked at the old man's aged face, the deep wrinkles revealing too many stories and too many calculations.

He suddenly realized that he had never truly understood his great-uncle. He lived in seclusion in a remote courtyard, detached from politics, yet he possessed such a profound understanding of the world's affairs and such a precise grasp of human nature. Was this man genuinely loyal to him, or did he harbor ulterior motives?

The most ruthless imperial family.

The old man spoke these words casually, yet they were like a cold dagger, piercing Davis's heart and sending chills down his spine. He suddenly remembered that the royal family of the Star Luo Empire was no different.

The power struggle between him and his younger brother, Dai Mubai, for the position of crown prince never ceased. Dai Mubai was exceptionally talented, surpassing him in ability.

If it weren't for his ruthless methods, deeper cunning, and the numerous hidden measures he had taken to suppress Dai Mubai and cut off his path forward, he probably wouldn't be the one sitting in the side hall of the Crown Prince's residence right now.

At this thought, Davis's eyes suddenly turned deep, like a bottomless, icy pool. He lowered his head, concealing the fleeting suspicion and wariness in his eyes, his fingers clenched tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, a sharp pain shooting through him, but it only made his mind clearer.

Was what this great-uncle said to me today a sincere piece of advice, or did he have ulterior motives?

No one knows.

Only the gilded invitation card on the table reflected a cold light in the flickering candlelight, illuminating Davis's unpredictable face, and also reflecting the endless power struggles and schemes within this imperial family.

The wind outside the window grew stronger, carrying the lingering fragrance of osmanthus, sweeping over the vermilion palace walls, and swirling into the deep night, as if to devour all the secrets within this deep palace.

As night deepened, Xingluo City was shrouded in darkness. Only in the side hall of the Crown Prince's residence did the candlelight still flicker, illuminating two silent figures that lingered for a long time.

"Xuexing is coming tomorrow, so get ready. I'm going to rest."

77

After the old man finished speaking, he left the Crown Prince's palace, leaving Davis alone, gazing wistfully at the flickering candlelight.