"Serve the Crown Prince?"
The three board members exchanged bewildered glances. Had they heard correctly? Lin Mu was actually willing to serve the Empire!
In their eyes, Xue Qinghe was the future emperor, and Lin Mu's willingness to serve Xue Qinghe was practically the same as serving the Empire.
However, one thing puzzled them: Lin Mu had previously resisted joining any faction, so why had he suddenly changed his mind?
Immediately, Board Head Meng Shenji suppressed his excitement and said with a serious expression, "Teacher Lin Mu, are you truly willing to serve the Empire?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince has granted all my requests, so naturally I must reciprocate. As long as His Highness ascends the throne, I will certainly serve the Empire."
As he spoke, Lin Mu's eyes shone brightly, and his tone was incredibly sincere, without a trace of ulterior motive.
Hearing this, Meng Shenji was so excited he almost fainted.
If they had Lin Mu as their Great General, what need would their Heaven Dou Empire have to fear the Spirit Hall?
Before Lin Mu broke through to the Titled Douluo level, he was already able to single-handedly challenge the Supreme Pontiff's Palace. Now that he has broken through to the Titled Douluo level, his strength has undoubtedly increased significantly, and he has probably become one of the strongest people in the world.
"Teacher Lin Mu, I will go to the palace immediately to discuss this matter with His Majesty. With His Highness the Crown Prince's abilities, plus your assistance, he will surely be able to lead the empire to greatness."
In order to completely bind Lin Mu to the Heaven Dou Empire, Meng Shenji no longer cared about anything else.
This was the last chance.
To him, it didn't matter who became emperor, as long as the empire could be led to a brighter future.
Moreover, Emperor Xue Ye was getting old, and his health was declining, so it was perfectly reasonable for him to pass the throne to the Crown Prince ahead of schedule. Not only was Meng Shenji so anxious, but Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin were the same, both claiming that they would go together to speak to His Majesty. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were going to force the emperor to abdicate.
With Xue Qinghe and Lin Mu managing the empire, they both have bright futures.
Watching the three board members hurriedly leave, Lin Mu's lips curled slightly. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Emperor Xue Ye would definitely choose to abdicate.
Inside a side hall of the palace, the three board members knelt in the center of the main hall.
Meng Shenji looked up at Emperor Xue Ye and called out, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
"Cough, cough—"
Emperor Xue Ye coughed violently a few times, looked down at the three board members below, and said weakly, "Please rise, three board members. You've come to see me together; there must be something important. Please speak."
Seeing Emperor Xue Ye's dejected appearance, a strange light flashed in Meng Shenji's eyes, further solidifying his resolve.
Then, Meng Shenji led the two to their feet and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, Lin Mu has returned, and he has expressed his willingness to serve His Highness the Crown Prince."
"What?!"
Hearing this good news, Emperor Xue Ye, seemingly drawing strength from nowhere, suddenly stood up from his seat.
Now that his injuries are worsening, he has considered passing the throne to Xue Qinghe, whose abilities would certainly be sufficient to manage the empire.
However, a knot remains in his heart: the deaths of the Second and Third Princes.
This matter is very likely related to Xue Qinghe.
Unlike the Star Luo Empire, the competition in the Heaven Dou Empire is relatively harmonious. Even in his serious illness, Emperor Xue Ye has not passed the throne to Xue Qinghe, possibly because of suspicion of fratricide.
In reality, Xue Qinghe did not commit fratricide; it was all Qian Renxue's doing, but Emperor Xue Ye is unaware of this.
However, compared to strengthening the empire, the so-called suspicion of fratricide seems less important.
As long as Lin Mu could be bound to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, Emperor Xue Ye wouldn't care about the previous suspicion of fratricide, or even about Xue Qinghe taking action against Xue Beng after his ascension to the throne.
All of this was for the bright future of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Having thought it through, Emperor Xue Ye sat back down and said in a deep voice, "Since Lin Mu is willing to assist the Crown Prince, it's time for me to abdicate."
Hearing this, Meng Shenji was overjoyed; His Majesty had finally made the right choice.
Just then, Prince Xue Xing entered with Xue Beng and advised, "Your Majesty, you absolutely mustn't! Lin Mu's sudden change of mind must have some unspeakable secret!"
Seeing Prince Xue Xing stirring things up again, Meng Shenji was furious.
This guy had ruined such a good opportunity last time, and now he dared to jump out again, willing to hinder the empire's growth for his own selfish gain, it was utterly despicable.
Immediately, Meng Shenji dropped a bombshell: "Your Majesty, there's another crucial piece of news: Lin Mu has broken through to the Titled Douluo level!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye, Prince Xue Xing, and Xue Beng were all stunned.
This guy's cultivation speed was simply too fast!
In just two short years, Lin Mu had already broken through to the Titled Douluo level, and with his extraordinary strength, probably few could rival him.
Soon, Emperor Xue Ye was the first to recover, scolding, "Xue Xing, it was your terrible idea last time that almost caused us to miss out on such a peerless genius!"
Having been blamed for this, Prince Xue Xing was truly speechless.
Who could have imagined that Lin Mu's talent would be so terrifying, especially since he had only made the suggestion? The final decision was made by Emperor Xue Ye.
"Your Majesty, this Lin Mu..."
"You don't need to say anything more. I've already decided to pass the throne to the Crown Prince in a few days!"
Seeing Emperor Xue Ye's resolute decision, Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng were completely dumbfounded. He had thought he could persuade him to come back this time, but unexpectedly, Lin Mu broke through to the Titled Douluo level. With his support, Xue Qinghe's ascension to the throne was practically guaranteed.
Seeing his years of hiding his talents go to waste, Xue Beng was anxious but helpless; he was no match for Xue Qinghe and Lin Mu.
After leaving the palace, Prince Xue Xing led Xue Beng to a secluded spot.
"Xue Beng, judging from my brother's expression, he definitely intends to pass the throne to Xue Qinghe. Once Xue Qinghe ascends the throne, we two will surely be purged!"
Prince Xue Xing's face was so dark it could drip water.
Hearing this, Xue Beng trembled in fright, filled with resentment, and said, "It's all that bastard Lin Mu's fault! He's been gone for two years, why did he come back?"
"That's right, Lin Mu!"
Prince Xue Xing's eyes suddenly lit up. "The reason why my elder brother was willing to pass the throne to Xue Qinghe is because of Lin Mu. Since Lin Mu is willing to support Xue Qinghe, it means he still cares about power. As long as you acknowledge him as your adoptive father, I believe he won't be unmoved."
"Adoptive father? But he's my peer."
Suddenly having another father, Xue Beng couldn't accept it.
Seeing this, Prince Xue Xing slapped him hard, saying with exasperation, "Do you even want to be emperor?"
"I want to be emperor! I... I dream about it! I... I want to be emperor so badly!"
Upon hearing about becoming emperor, Xue Beng immediately became excited. He didn't care about having another father anymore. As long as Lin Mu could help him seize the throne, he would even acknowledge Lin Mu as his grandfather.