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Heaven Dou City, Tang Sect.
The light of day was perfect, and the Tang Sect's main hall was filled with bright sunshine. Tang San sat on the main seat, holding a pink and white rabbit in his arms, his slender fingers gently stroking its soft fur.
Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows on his handsome profile. His lowered eyelashes were almost transparent in the sunlight, and his eyes were filled with an unresolvable tenderness and longing. The rabbit's ruby-like eyes blinked, and it affectionately rubbed against his wrist.
In the bright morning light, Tai Tan's towering figure appeared at the hall entrance. He looked at his Sect Master, who was lost in thought while holding the white rabbit, and a hint of heartache appeared in the corners of his wrinkled eyes. Ever since returning from the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sect Master would always sit alone for a long time, holding that rabbit every day.
Tai Tan deliberately lightened his steps, his heavy body casting a shadow in the sunlight. He wiped his rough large hands on his clothes and lowered his voice, saying, "Sect Master."
Tang San's fingertips paused, and he returned from his trance. When he looked up, the sunlight happened to fall on the slight upturn of his lips, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "Senior Tai Tan, is there something you need?"
The white rabbit in his arms seemed to sense something, perking up its ears and rubbing against his wrist.
Tai Tan bowed slightly, a hint of worry appearing on his rugged face: "Sect Master, the raw materials supplied to us by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School have been decreasing recently." His rough fingers unconsciously rubbed the iron hammer at his waist, "They claim it's for their own Hidden Weapons manufacturing, plus the Heaven Dou Imperial Family has increased their procurement. Sect Master, we also need to find our own channels and cannot solely rely on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Imperial Family's support."
Sunlight filtered through the window lattices, casting dappled shadows at Tang San's feet. His fingers, stroking the rabbit's ears, paused slightly, and a hint of sharpness flashed in his eyes.
"Senior Tai Tan is right." Tang San's voice was as calm as water, yet it seemed to lower the temperature in the hall by a few degrees. "The Tang Sect should indeed establish its own material channels." He gently placed the white rabbit on the soft cushion beside him, and as he stood up, his robes stirred a gentle breeze, "We cannot always rely on others."
Tang San frowned slightly upon hearing this, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, producing a crisp sound: "Senior Tai Tan, has this matter been verified? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's actions…" His gaze deepened, "Could it just be an excuse?"
Tai Tan crossed his thick arms over his chest and slowly shook his head: "Sect Master, although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is said to be as rich as a nation, the Heaven Dou Empire's appetite for equipping its entire army with Hidden Weapons is truly enormous. The amount of refined iron consumed by the military alone each day is enough to double the market price of iron ore in the entire Heaven Dou City."
Tang San's eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward slightly: "Senior Tai Tan has been managing manufacturing in Heaven Dou for many years, do you have any good strategies?"
Tai Tan stroked his grizzled beard and said in a deep voice: "Since raw materials within Heaven Dou are tight…" His rough finger drew a line on the table, "Then we can only procure them from the Star Luo Empire. It's just…" He frowned slightly, "The price will probably increase by more than 30%, plus transportation, the cost will greatly increase."
Tang San chuckled softly upon hearing this, his fingertips lightly brushing the Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges: "Money is merely external to oneself." He stood up, his tall shadow stretching behind him in the sunlight, "Sell all the Tang Sect's inventory of Hidden Weapons, retaining only the necessary amount for self-use."
As he turned, the Hidden Weapons pouch at his waist made a crisp clinking sound: "Let all funds and Hidden Weapons flow." His eyes, looking at Tai Tan, sparkled with brilliance, "This is the Tang Sect's way of survival."
His experience as an outer disciple in the Tang Sect in his previous life had long made Tang San thoroughly familiar with the business of Hidden Weapons. His fingertips gently traced the patterns on the Hidden Weapons pouch at his waist, and a hint of reminiscence flashed in his eyes.
"Yes, Sect Master." Tai Tan cupped his fists in salute, but a hint of worry appeared in his eyes.
Tai Tan's thick fingers unconsciously rubbed the iron hammer at his waist, looking at Tang San as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Sunlight filtered through the window lattices, casting dappled shadows on his wrinkled face.
Tang San keenly sensed his hesitation and slowly said, "Senior, do you still have concerns?"
"Sect Master is wise." Tai Tan took a deep breath, his tower-like body leaning slightly forward, "Recently, Spirit Hall has been making frequent moves, and our four single-attribute Sects have always been united…" He deliberately lowered his voice, "According to custom, the biennial gathering is this year."
Tang San's eyes moved slightly, and he tapped his fingertip lightly on the table: "Senior, if I wish to accompany you…" His voice paused, and a glint flashed in his eyes, "I wonder if it would be convenient? I would like to take this opportunity to interact with a few Seniors."
Upon hearing this, Tai Tan's grizzled eyebrows raised slightly. His rough large hand slapped heavily on his knee: "Of course!" His voice was like a grand bell, shaking dust from the beams.
Sunlight filtered through the window screen, casting fine specks of light between the two of them. Tai Tan looked at the increasingly steady young man before him, his heart filled with emotion. He knew better than anyone what the current Tang Sect needed—it needed strength, it needed allies. Although with Tang San's current age and cultivation, it would be extremely difficult to gain the recognition of those old stubborn guys…
Good things take time, and with the continuous growth of his young master, Tai Tan believed that one day the Tang Sect would gain the recognition of his old brothers.
"Don't worry, Sect Master." Tai Tan stood up and cupped his fists, his armor clanking. "Even though the old brothers are stubborn, given time, they will surely witness the strength of the Tang Sect." He gave Tang San a meaningful look.
Tang San nodded slightly, the sunlight casting a faint golden halo on his handsome profile: "Then it's settled." His fingertips gently stroked the Hidden Weapons pouch at his waist, "Just let me know when you're leaving, Senior."
His gaze shifted to the busy Tang Sect disciples outside the window, and he continued: "During this time, internal Sect matters…" His voice was steady and powerful, "Will be fully handled by Uncle Tai Nuo, focusing on the two crucial tasks of Sect construction and Hidden Weapons management."
Tai Tan bowed with cupped fists, his armor glinting with metallic luster in the sunlight: "This old man understands." As he turned to leave, the heavy sound of his footsteps echoed on the bluestone slab, like the surging anticipation in his heart at that moment.
Tang San stood still, watching Tai Tan's towering figure gradually recede. Sunlight filtered through the window lattices, casting fragmented specks of light in his deep blue eyes, where an undercurrent seemed to surge.
He lowered his head and gently stroked the soft fur of the white rabbit in his arms, his fingertips almost transparent in the sunlight. The rabbit's ruby eyes blinked, and it docilely rubbed against his wrist.
"Xiao Wu…" His voice was as light as a sigh, yet it carried an etched-in-bone determination, "Those who harmed you…" His knuckles were slightly white from gripping, "I won't let a single one of them go."
Outside the window, a fallen leaf whirled past, casting a fleeting shadow on the bluestone slab.
Heaven Dou Prince's Mansion, the scorching sun was like fire.
Xue Beng paced back and forth in the main hall, his brocade boots making hurried sounds on the golden nanmu floor. He constantly wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
"Creak—"
The hall door was suddenly pushed open, and Prince Xue Xing strode in, his purple python robe still stained with dust from his journey. He closed the door behind him, casting a shadow in the hall.
Upon hearing this, Xue Beng immediately stepped forward and tightly gripped Prince Xue Xing's sleeve, his knuckles slightly white from the force: "Royal Uncle, how are things?" He asked urgently, his voice filled with unconcealed anxiety, "Is Senior Dugu willing to help?"
Prince Xue Xing sighed heavily and raised a hand to brush off the morning dew clinging to his python robe: "I personally went to Sunset Forest…" He shook his head, his brows deeply furrowed with gravity, "Dugu Bo explicitly stated he would not interfere in imperial family disputes."
Changing the subject, he pressed down on Xue Beng's trembling shoulders: "However, he promised…" His gaze was like a torch, "He will ensure your life is safe in times of crisis."
Xue Beng's eyes suddenly turned cold, the previous anxiety receding like a tide, replaced by a biting chill: "Save my life?" He scoffed, his voice like ice, "If he could truly save a life, why did he entrust Dugu Yan to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan back then?"
He turned abruptly, his gilded cuff cutting a sharp arc in the air. The sunlight from outside the hall filtered through the window lattices, casting dappled shadows on his sinister profile.
"Royal Uncle…" Xue Beng's fingertips dug deep into his palm, "Now, on the imperial court, those fence-sitters have all sided with Xue Qinghe." Every word seemed squeezed from between his teeth, "The Crown Prince's power is growing stronger, and us…"
He looked back at Xue Xing, his eyes surging with unwillingness and anger: "Besides you, who else is there?"
The tea cup on the table had long since grown cold, its surface reflecting Xue Beng's distorted face.
Xue Xing silently watched his agitated nephew, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He slowly stroked his grizzled beard, his heart as clear as a mirror—even with Dugu Bo's help, Xue Beng's hope of shaking that position remained slim.
Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows within the hall. Xue Xing's gaze fell on the cold tea on the table, its surface reflecting his tired face.
Xue Beng had too few bargaining chips.
Pathetically few.
Compared to Xue Qinghe, who had the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School behind him, it was like a firefly compared to a bright moon.
"Royal Uncle…" Xue Beng's voice pulled him back to reality.
Xue Xing closed his eyes, ultimately not uttering the cruel truth. He reached out and patted his nephew's shoulder; where he touched, he felt only the boy's painfully thin body beneath the luxurious brocade robe.
Xue Beng suddenly straightened his back, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes: "Royal Uncle, come with me to Moon Pavilion." His voice was low and firm, as if he had made some sort of resolution.
Upon hearing this, Prince Xue Xing's eyes gleamed. His aged fingers unconsciously rubbed the jade pendant at his waist: "You mean to…" His voice trailed off, but the unspoken understanding between them permeated the air.
A decisive flame ignited in Xue Beng's eyes, his face beneath the gilded crown revealing a desperate ruthlessness: "Since he can win over the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School…" His finger tapped heavily on the table, making the teacup clink, "Then I need to find an equally matched opponent."
He turned to look out the window, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of palace walls, directly at the distance: "Even if it costs everything, I must gain the support of the Clear Sky Sect."
Xue Xing looked at his nephew's tense back and suddenly realized that this once frivolous young man had transformed. Xue Beng was right—although the Clear Sky Sect had sealed itself off, its hidden influence, through Moon Pavilion and the Tang Sect, had never truly withdrawn.
No one would be willing to remain dormant forever.
As long as the stakes were high enough…
Prince Xue Xing's brows were tightly furrowed, his aged fingers unconsciously rubbing the jade pendant at his waist: "Even with the Clear Sky Sect's help…" His voice was heavy, "Now, inside and outside the imperial palace, there are Xue Qinghe's informants everywhere, and the Royal Knights are also under Xue Qinghe's control. How will you…"
Xue Beng suddenly raised a hand to interrupt, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Does Royal Uncle truly believe that the deaths of my eldest and third brothers…" He lowered his voice, every word laced with poison, "And Father Emperor's illness, were merely coincidental?"
Outside the hall, the sun shone brightly, casting eerie shadows on Xue Beng's sinister face.
"Ning Fengzhi, that old fox…" Xue Beng toyed with the jade paperweight on the table, "If he were truly devoted to Xue Qinghe, how could he tolerate us living until today?"
Prince Xue Xing's sharp gaze swept over Xue Beng like a knife, his voice low: "Do you have concrete evidence?"
Xue Beng unhurriedly straightened his cuff, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips: "Not yet." He looked up, his eyes gleaming with ambition, "But as long as I win…"
"Evidence will naturally appear."
He slowly walked to the window, sunlight flowing over his luxurious brocade robe: "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is destroyed, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School dominates Heaven Dou…" As he turned, the jade pendant at his waist made a crisp clinking sound, "Using the Clear Sky Sect to counterbalance them is precisely in Heaven Dou's best interest!"
Xue Xing looked at his nephew's blurred outline in the halo of light, and his heart couldn't help but be startled. Although he knew in his heart that his nephew had been hiding his true capabilities, he never expected him to be so well-versed in the art of power today.
Xue Xing was silent for a long time, a subtle hint of relief flashing in his aged eyes. He slowly stood up, the folds on his python robe faintly gleaming in the sunlight.
"These things…" He patted Xue Beng's shoulder, his voice carrying a hint of emotion, "Let's talk about them later."
As he turned, the jade pendant at his waist made a clear, ringing sound: "Let's go, let's… give it our best shot."
Prince Xue Xing raised his hand as a signal. When the two arrived at the mansion's main gate, attendants immediately led over a low-key yet exquisite agarwood carriage. The prince's emblem was engraved on the carriage shaft, but cleverly concealed with dark patterns, appearing faintly in the sunlight.
Xue Beng bent down to enter, his gilded crown casting a shadow inside the carriage. Xue Xing followed, the hem of his python robe sweeping across the step, raising faint dust.
"To Moon Pavilion," Xue Xing commanded in a deep voice.
The coachman lightly shook the reins, and four pure white snowfield steeds set off with synchronized steps. The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a muffled sound, and the guards along the way bowed in salute.
Inside the carriage, Xue Beng looked out at the street through the gauze window, a vast ambition hidden within his gloomy eyes.
Before long, the carriage stopped steadily in front of the Moon Pavilion.
Xue Beng lifted the carriage curtain, and what greeted his eyes was the Moon Pavilion's distinctive aristocratic patterned gate. In the morning light, the gilded door knockers gleamed with a soft halo, and although the lamps on either side were extinguished, they still emitted a faint scent of sandalwood.
Prince Xue Xing dismounted first, his purple python robe swaying slightly in the breeze.
"We've arrived," Xue Xing said softly, tapping his jade pendant at his waist.
Xue Beng straightened his attire and raised a hand to brush the jade pendant at his waist. He took a deep breath and headed towards the Moon Pavilion's main gate.