Chapter 131: Zhu Zhuqing's Reason
Qi Tian was a little confused.
Although he was indeed greedy, he hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to voluntarily speak up for him, much less suggest that he should "deal with" Zhu Zhuyun.
Zhu Zhuqing continued analyzing calmly.
"When you told me a few days ago that you planned to impersonate Dai Mubai and seize the throne of the Star Luo Empire, I already thought it through."
"To seize the throne, you must win over and take control of the Star Luo aristocracy, the military, and the powers of the three subordinate sects."
"You and I are both aloof by nature—we're not good at social dealings. But my sister is different. She's absolutely capable of handling these matters flawlessly."
"So you must win her over and have her work for you. Only then can you slowly erode the Star Luo Empire's power and influence."
Qi Tian suddenly understood— So this was Zhu Zhuqing's reasoning.
He truly hadn't considered how to control the Star Luo Empire's power structure; he had only come here for Bibi Dong's sake.
If he failed to manage things properly, he might end up just like the original Qian Renxue—losing everything at the final step.
If the Star Luo Empire's power wasn't firmly under his control, then even assassinating the Emperor and Empress wouldn't allow the empire to be subdued quickly. Instead, it would only cause Spirit Hall heavy casualties.
But if he successfully seized the throne, the Star Luo Empire would become just like those small principalities—collapsing instantly and falling in line with Spirit Hall the moment they made their move.
"Zhuqing, you really think things through better than anyone," Qi Tian praised.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head lightly.
"Actually… I also have selfish reasons. I just want to save my sister."
She understood perfectly—Zhu Zhuyun had been raised from childhood under the Zhu clan's indoctrination for their legitimate daughters. Her loyalty to the Dai family was extremely high.
If Dai Weisi died, Zhu Zhuyun would very likely do exactly what she herself once wanted to do—commit suicide to follow him in death.
That was the nature of the Zhu family women.
Even if they had never met their betrothed, even without a shred of affection, they would still willingly die for them.
If Zhu Zhuqing hadn't met Qi Tian, she too might have become just as extreme.
"Don't worry. Your sister will be fine," Qi Tian assured her.
Just then, two people suddenly appeared at the door. Qi Tian took a closer look and immediately recognized them both.
One was Yang Wushuang, whom he had seen while possessing Qian Renxue.
The other was Ling Yuan, whom he had met while possessing Bibi Dong.
The moment Zhu Zhuqing saw them appear out of nowhere, she reacted like a startled kitten, her fur standing on end as she prepared to attack, watching them warily.
Qi Tian gently patted her shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. They're from Spirit Hall—they're here to help us."
"Ling Yuan, Yang Wushuang, greet the young friend!"
Neither of them showed the slightest arrogance due to their cultivation level or age. Instead, they bowed respectfully toward Qi Tian.
Qi Tian pretended not to recognize them and asked,
"And the two of you are…?"
"Young friend, I am Spirit Hall's Protector Elder Ling Yuan. This is Yang Wushuang. His Holiness the Pope sent us to ensure your safety."
Qi Tian asked,
"I heard the Yang family excels at alchemy and poison. Since His Holiness sent you… Could it be that you're planning to poison Dai Weisi and the Emperor?"
Yang Wushuang nodded.
"Yes. My poisons are extremely subtle. Even if someone discovers them, they can hardly be cured."
Qi Tian frowned.
Wouldn't that make it easy for suspicion to fall back on them?
This method worked in the Heaven Dou Empire only because the Xue family was weak and lacked powerful soul masters.
But the Dai and Zhu families were different—they possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Technique capable of unleashing Titled Douluo-level power.
"No—here's what we'll do. These next two days, Dai Weisi will definitely challenge me. I will defeat him—and completely humiliate him."
"When he cannot accept his failure, Elder Yang, you will approach him, gain his trust, and provoke him into poisoning the Emperor and poisoning me as well."
"And afterward, you will make the truth 'accidentally' surface. That way, I may just benefit from the resulting chaos."
"What?" All three stared at Qi Tian in shock.
None of them expected him to come up with such a scheme.
"And if Dai Weisi refuses to poison the Emperor?" Yang Wushuang asked.
He wasn't worried about infiltrating Dai Weisi's faction. As a poison expert and a Soul Saint second only to Yang Wudi, any power would treat him with caution—and respect.
Qi Tian replied, "Then I'll beat him a few more times—hard enough that he sees no hope of ever becoming crown prince."
"Zhuqing, you should go speak with your sister. Bring her over to our side. Once that happens, poisoning the Emperor becomes Dai Weisi's only path forward."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
"Alright. I will."
Qi Tian then used voice transmission to tell her he had an immortal herb perfectly suited for Zhu Zhuyun—something to use as leverage.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes brightened.
With an immortal herb in hand, she was far more confident that she could persuade her sister.
Yang Wushuang and Ling Yuan exchanged a glance, clearly contemplating whether Qi Tian's plan was feasible.
If Yang Wushuang were to poison the Emperor directly, once exposed, all blame would fall upon Qi Tian himself.
The Dai and Zhu family soul masters would never allow Qi Tian to ascend the throne afterward.
But if Dai Weisi were exposed as the poisoner, then all blame would fall upon him, and Qi Tian would be the one to benefit.
"Then we'll follow your plan. I will defect to Dai Weisi's side, while Elder Ling Yuan protects your safety," Yang Wushuang said.
Ling Yuan nodded.
"Yes, but there is still a loophole to address."
"What loophole?" Yang Wushuang asked.
"Your Yang family needs a new clan head."
Yang Wushuang's eyes burned with intensity. He instantly understood.
They intended for him to kill Yang Wudi—
allowing him to ascend as patriarch and bring the entire Yang family fully under Spirit Hall's command.
He had originally been forced to defect to Spirit Hall—but after enjoying the benefits, he had simply embraced it.
Now he realized that Spirit Hall's resources far surpassed those of the Yang clan.
For someone who loved concocting medicine, Spirit Hall was paradise.
When he first joined, Spirit Hall had been wary of him in every way. After more than ten years of dedication, he had finally earned their full trust.
"Thank you, Elder Ling Yuan!" Yang Wushuang said sincerely.
Although Yang Wudi was his own elder brother, joining Spirit Hall meant gaining far more benefits.
And from Bibi Dong, he could obtain something even more valuable— her constitution, immune to all poisons, an irresistible treasure for any poison master.
"You should thank His Holiness the Pope. Without her approval, you could never become patriarch of the Yang family," Ling Yuan added.
"Yes, yes—many thanks to His Holiness!" Yang Wushuang bowed toward Spirit Hall.
Then he took out a bottle of pills and handed it to Qi Tian.
"This is the antidote to our Yang family's deadly Seven-Color Venom. Only I and my elder brother, Yang Wudi can make it. Please keep it safe."
Though Qi Tian was immune to poison, he still accepted the Seven-Color Venom antidote.
From the miniature Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well within the Sea Calming Pearl's internal space, Qi Tian took out an unfamiliar poisonous herb and offered it to Yang Wushuang as a gift.
"Thank you, Elder Yang. I found this poisonous plant by chance—please accept it."
Yang Wushuang had been somewhat dismissive at first, but once he saw what Qi Tian held, his expression changed instantly.
"Hh—this is a three-thousand-year-old Bone-Corroding Grass!?" Yang Wushuang blurted out in shock.
Even the Yang family's treasure vault had never possessed poisonous herbs of such ancient age. He never imagined Qi Tian would carry such a treasure.
Yang Wushuang carefully stored the precious herb away, staring at Qi Tian with burning excitement.
He was now absolutely convinced— defecting to Spirit Hall had been the best choice he ever made.
—
End of Chapter