Indifferent to the plight of others, Xue Xing was more concerned about how Emperor Xue Ye planned to deal with him.
However, even though he pondered this, a sense of foreboding grew within him.
After all, Emperor Xue Ye was frail and unable to manage everything himself, and had bestowed upon him an abundance of power.
If Xue Qinghe were to succeed the throne, it was very likely that his power... would be jeopardized.
"Uncle Wang, you'd better be prepared," Avalanche suggested earnestly.
"It's alright, just say it, I can take it," Xue Xing waved his hand, signaling Avalanche to continue.
"According to Father Emperor's exact words: 'These years I've been weak and sickly, and Xue Xing has managed many affairs for me, but now that you've grown up and are capable of standing on your own, it's naturally time for you to take on greater responsibilities. He has toiled for the Empire for many years, it's time for him to enjoy some peace at last.'"
Avalanche repeated Emperor Xue Ye's words verbatim to Xue Xing.
He didn't exaggerate or add anything.
In fact, there was no need.
The original words of Emperor Xue Ye already carried a high level of animosity, sufficient to provoke anger in Xue Xing's heart.
"Hahaha, what a way to 'enjoy some peace'..."
"The Crown Prince still cares about me so much," Xue Xing laughed heartily, but his face was utterly devoid of mirth.
All that was there was endless coldness and fury.
"'The imperial family is the most heartless,' indeed, this phrase couldn't be truer."
"Back then, when he was contending for the throne, weak and unsupported, wasn't it I who helped him wholeheartedly to ascend to the position of the Crown Prince?"
"Over these years, as his health worsened, wasn't it I who tirelessly worked in front and behind the scenes, managing the troublesome affairs?"
"Did I ask for these powers? Weren't they given to me willingly by his hand? And now that Xue Qinghe has grown strong, he wants to take back what was given to me and bestow it upon Xue Qinghe?"
"Wishful thinking, that has become mine. To ask for it back is to rob me!"
Xue Xing became more and more agitated, "Bullshit 'enjoying peace', this is nothing but betrayal after crossing the river, killing the donkey after the grinding is done. The Crown Prince truly deserves to be the ruler of the Empire, weak in body he may be, but he certainly possesses a strong and powerful ambition!"
Good, very good.
The angrier you are, the more it benefits me.
Whether or not you can obtain the throne, it all depends on you!
Compared to this, Avalanche was not content with being sent to a fief to gain experience...
What he coveted was the throne above ten thousand people!
"Uncle Wang, Father Emperor has already issued his decree, the overall situation is fixed, we are powerless to change it now. It seems we have no choice but to accept our fate," Avalanche said with a bitter face, looking resigned.
He had to continue to fan the flames, to make the fire in Xue Xing's heart burn even more intensely.
"Accept our fate?"
"How could I possibly accept my fate?"
Xue Xing shook his head, "You might be alright, maybe you can still be a 'king' in your own domain. But what about me? To retire in Tian Dou Imperial City...
"But without the protection of power, could I really live out my days in peace? I'm nothing but meat on the chopping block, at the mercy of others. Now, I can already foresee my tragic end."
Avalanche clenched his teeth, his face set with determination, "Uncle Wang, rest assured, as long as I am here, no one will be able to touch you."
"You?"
Xue Xing paused for a moment, then let out a sardonic laugh, "You can't even protect yourself, how are you going to protect me? Relying on you, I might not even know how I died."
Upon hearing this, Avalanche's face instantly fell.
This wasn't an act; wasn't Xue Xing openly looking down on him?
It was heartbreaking.
"Ahem."
Xue Xing seemed to realize something and couldn't help but cough lightly.
He explained somewhat awkwardly: "Avalanche, Uncle Wang's words are harsh but true, aren't they?
"Over the years, in your effort to play the role of the prodigal, you haven't saved a dime besides squandering, wanting to help me is nothing but a joke."
Phew...
Having heard this, Avalanche exhaled a long breath.
"It's my incompetence," he admitted, deeming himself indeed worthless.
But secretly, he made a vow: the day he became strong, he would certainly make Xue Xing pay.
To grovel at his feet.
Thinking this, Avalanche then asked, "So, Uncle Wang, what do you plan to do to break the current situation?"
How can we break the current impasse?
It must be said,
Avalanche's question hit the nail on the head.
Xue Xing suddenly fell into silence.
However, Avalanche could tell from Xue Xing's flickering gaze that his heart was anything but calm.
After a long while,
a determined look flashed across Xue Xing's eyes, and he finally made up his mind.
"Since my imperial brother is heartless, he can't blame me for being unrighteous."
Upon hearing this, Xue Xing felt a chill run down his back and a coldness rising in his heart.
The word "rebellion" involuntarily emerged in his mind.
"What, are you afraid?"
At that moment, Xue Xing noticed Avalanche's abnormality, and looked over coldly.
"Afraid?"
Avalanche paused for a moment, then hurriedly shook his head, "What have I got to be afraid of? If I really get banished to the fief, I will truly have nothing left."
"Avalanche is willing to follow all of Uncle Wang's commands!"
He said respectfully to Xue Xing.
He was well aware that both of them were grasshoppers on a string; neither could escape alone.
"Good, to have such determination is really impressive,"
"It wasn't a waste of the years of careful guidance and strong support I have given you."
Xue Xing was very satisfied with Avalanche's attitude, "If you are ready now, come to the imperial palace with me to face His Majesty."
"Now?" Avalanche was taken aback, "Shouldn't we prepare first?"
"What else do we need to prepare?" Xue Xing laughed, "In fact, I have been preparing for this day for years, just didn't expect it to come sooner than I imagined."
"Come with me," he said,
leading the way to the door and out onto the open ground outside the house.
Avalanche did not hesitate and followed closely behind.
"All of you, come out,"
Xue Xing said in a deep voice.
The moment his voice fell, Avalanche saw twenty or thirty figures in black clothes soar into the air.
Swish swish swish.
They landed in front of Xue Xing, kneeling on one knee.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
they said in unison.
An overwhelming aura of iron and blood filled the air.
Thump thump thump.
Avalanche instinctively stepped back several paces before he could steady himself.
"Uncle Wang, who are they?" he asked, still unable to suppress his shock as he looked at the people before him.
"They are the devoted warriors I've cultivated for decades!"
"Five Soul Douluos and twenty Soul Sages!" Avalanche said lightly.
Hiss...
"So many strong fighters!"
Avalanche drew in a breath of cold air.
"That's not all, there are others whom I've assigned to different tasks,"
said Xue Xing, his voice even prouder.
But then,
he noticed a look of hesitation on Avalanche's face.
"Do you have any other thoughts?"
He looked coldly at Avalanche.
"But within the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, the security is extremely tight. If we force our way into the palace like this, do we have enough strength? Shouldn't we also call Du Gu Bo?"
Avalanche expressed his worries.
"Humph, what's the point of thinking so much at this juncture?"
"Besides, the Imperial Guards in the palace have long since been on our side. With our strength to launch a surprise attack, no one can stop us."
Xue Xing said coldly, "Furthermore, Du Gu Bo's personal combat power is not outstanding. Having him or not doesn't make a big difference."
Of course, he knew that it would be more prudent to bring Du Gu Bo along.
But...
He was now essentially estranged from Du Gu Bo, not far from parting ways...
Avalanche hesitated no more. "Avalanche is willing to serve Uncle Wang before and behind the saddle!"
With a grand wave of his hand, Xue Xing commanded, "Let's move!"
...
Meanwhile.
A letter had also reached Qin Xiao's hands, signed by Xue Qinghe.
The content was simple.
It was an invitation to a banquet in the imperial palace, asking Qin Xiao to attend.
He muttered to himself, "This couldn't be a trap, could it?"
Only...
Qin Xiao glanced outside at the sky, noticing there was still time before the banquet began.
He wasn't in a hurry.
...
The setting sun was as red as blood.
Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, a chilling aura pervaded.
In front of the Imperial Palace Hall, corpses lay everywhere.
Blood pooled together, trickling in streams.
In front of the hall.
Only four people remained.
Dream Divine Machine, Zhi Lin, Bai Baoshan, and an exhausted-looking Xue Qinghe.
In front of them.
Xue Xing and Avalanche stood side by side.
Behind them were five individuals, standing like statues in black attire.
Beyond that, there were more in black mixed with the Imperial Guards in silver armor, surrounding the four people, facing Xue Qinghe and the others.
The process had gone smoother than expected.
Xue Xing and Avalanche leading their men could be said to have struck directly at the heart!
"Xue Xing, ask yourself, has His Majesty ever treated you unfairly? Yet, you commit such an atrocity, such rebellious and unforgivable actions."
Dream Divine Machine questioned coldly, and then he pointed at Avalanche, "And you, you ambitious wolf, to actually conspire with Xue Xing to rebel?"
"President Meng, you are mistaken. How His Majesty treated me, wasn't it witnessed by all?"
"If I hadn't saved up a bit over these years, I'd already be like a fish on the chopping board, at the mercy of my royal brother."
Xue Xing laughed coldly, "Stripping me of all my rights and imprisoning me for life in Tiandou City, what a splendid idea. I, Xue Xing, have worked hard for so many years, served with great contributions, and even if I'm not to be the Regent, isn't it justified for me to be the ruler of a principality on my own?"
In his voice, there was strong dissatisfaction.
And even a bit of grievance.
It was too sorrowful!
"Ha ha, Regent, ruler of a principality?"
Suddenly, Xue Qinghe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, laughing, "My dear Uncle Wang, you really dare to dream. Look at the powerhouses behind you; how could Father ever entrust you with such great authority?"
"If you were as diligent and devoted as you claim to be, even if you didn't want these things, Father would have given them to you."
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