Chapter 13: Meeting Qian Renxue

Chapter 13: Meeting Qian Renxue

"Oh? I didn't expect that you would still care about that little girl?"

After the maid left, a strange voice, jarringly out of place, echoed through the room.

"Who's there!"

Wang Si instinctively grew alert, scanning his surroundings warily. However, not only did he see nothing, but he also felt a chill on the back of his neck.

"It seems you've been doing quite well for yourself in Heaven Dou City, but have you forgotten that you're actually an undercover agent for the Spirit Hall, sent to infiltrate this very place?"

Hearing this, Wang Si's furrowed brows gradually relaxed.

"So it's a senior from the Spirit Hall. Since arriving in Heaven Dou City, I've diligently carried out tasks for the Spirit Hall. May I ask why you suspect me?"

A cold snort sounded from behind Wang Si, and along with it, he felt a slight sting on the back of his neck, as if a sharp blade had grazed his skin.

"Of course, I've seen your efforts. But because of you, many of our undercover agents have been exposed and captured, including some who had been embedded in Heaven Dou City for over a decade! What do you have to say for yourself?"

Apparently wary of attracting attention with the scent of blood, the dagger at Wang Si's neck was slowly withdrawn, replaced by a palm.

Wang Si was stunned by the size of the palm; he had assumed that a Title Douluo was standing behind him, but this small hand betrayed the person's age.

The hand was about the same size as Xue Qinghe's. Sometimes, Xue Qinghe would casually sling an arm around his shoulders, as if brimming with heroic spirit.

During those times, Xue Qinghe's palm had also rested on his neck.

"Why aren't you making any excuses now? Is the kindness shown to you by a stranger over a few days worth more than the six years of nurturing you received from the Spirit Hall?"

As Wang Si stood there dumbfounded, the small hand clutching his neck began to exert force, while a Soul Ancestor's soul power restrained him, causing him to feel a strong sense of suffocation.

"Senior, I haven't forgotten the Spirit Hall's grace. It's just that the situation at the time didn't allow me to act otherwise.

I did indeed sense your warning, but perhaps you're unaware that there's a Soul Douluo-level elder by the First Prince's side.

My presence has already made both Xue Qinghe and that Soul Douluo wary. It wouldn't have been appropriate to contact you or arrange for other undercover agents during this time."

Wang Si spoke quickly, feeling that if he didn't, he might never get another chance to explain.

As Wang Si's words trailed off, the hand on his neck slowly released its grip.

"I didn't expect you to be so quick-witted, realizing that your cover as an undercover agent had already been blown."

With his neck freed, Wang Si quickly took two steps forward and leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.

"Are you so frightened by just one Soul Douluo that you would neglect your mission? Do you know how many long-cultivated undercover agents we've lost because of your interference?"

Wang Si remained silent, still leaning against the wall. He had already guessed who was behind him—Qian Renxue, most likely, but definitely not alone. There was surely a Title Douluo helping her conceal her presence.

Being an undercover agent was tough, Wang Si sighed inwardly.

"So you think we've come to dispose of you because you've betrayed the Spirit Hall?"

After catching his breath, Wang Si straightened up but didn't turn around as he inquired about his fate.

"You're quick to assume we're here to 'dispose' of you. Do you really think that's something we, the Spirit Hall, would do?"

His neck may have been spared, but Wang Si now felt a chill at his waist.

Wang Si didn't answer this question, and as he expected, his silence was met with a sharp sting.

"Not answering is as good as admitting it. In your heart, is the Spirit Hall's conduct truly so despicable?"

Wang Si remained silent, yet it felt like he had said everything.

You hold a knife to my back and ask me if the Spirit Hall's conduct is so despicable? If you put down your knife, I could shake my head and deny it against my conscience.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."

Wang Si felt a tremendous force on his shoulder, and his entire body was pulled around.

Standing behind him was a young girl who looked to be eight or nine years old. Behind her stood a man he didn't recognize.

The girl nonchalantly walked over to a table and sat down, while the man, presumably a Title Douluo, kept his eyes closed, seemingly sensing something.

"Who are you?"

Wang Si eyed the two warily, his gaze finally settling on the man.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master and the Bone Douluo are both in the Imperial Palace. Aren't you afraid of being so blatant about your actions?"

Hearing Wang Si's reminder, the girl chuckled lightly.

"You don't have to worry about that. There are only two Title Douluos in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, whereas in our Spirit Hall, elders are all Title Douluos."

Qian Renxue introduced the Spirit Hall's situation to Wang Si while observing his reactions.

When she mentioned "Title Douluo", she keenly noticed a slight change in Wang Si's expression.

Although your martial soul is mediocre, you awakened your first soul ring at the age of six and recently obtained a soul bone, so your future prospects are still bright.

Secondly, you can continue to remain in Heaven Dou City as a spy, but you'll need to cooperate with me so that I can get close to Xue Qinghe.

This path is risky because your cover as a spy was blown early on, and the Heaven Dou Royalty is using your identity as bait.

My plan may be exposed, but I'm confident I can escape unscathed. However, the Heaven Dou Empire has their eyes on you, and it's unlikely you'll be able to get away."

Qian Renxue laid out the two possible paths that Wang Si could take, leaving the choice to him.

Coming to the Heaven Dou Imperial City had been his mission, so how could he possibly return to the Spirit Hall now? However, he couldn't let his intentions show too clearly.

"In Heaven Dou City, I am Xue Qinghe's honored guest. He can provide me with the resources and cultivation environment that I desire.

But if I return to the Spirit Hall, I will be nothing but a waste of potential—an individual with full innate soul power but no martial soul. The Spirit Hall has no shortage of useless individuals like me, right?"

Hearing Wang Si's analysis, Qian Renxue nodded, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes.

This guy might seem ordinary, but whenever his life was on the line, he always managed to surprise her.

"It seems you've decided to choose the second option?"

Qian Renxue stroked her chin, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she regarded Wang Si with newfound interest.

"Let me reveal our ultimate plan to you first. After hearing it, you can decide which path you want to take."

Without giving Wang Si time to react, Qian Renxue stood up, walked behind him, and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Her red lips moved close to his ear.

"My mission as a spy is to kill Xue Qinghe and take his place. So, have you really decided which path you want to take?"

In that moment, Wang Si felt three sets of eyes on him.

The intense pressure made his scalp tingle, and he lost his ability to think rationally. Instinctively, he answered from his heart.

…………

After seeing Wang Si out of the room, the Spear Douluo slowly opened his eyes.

"Young Master, he's just a waste who hasn't even awakened his martial soul yet. Why did you feel the need to tell him about our plans? If we wanted to get rid of him, it would have been easy."

Very few people in the Spirit Hall knew about the plan to assassinate Xue Qinghe and assume his identity. Those who did were either eliminated or highly trusted.

The Spear Douluo was feeling a bit frustrated. Could it be that the Young Master thought that guy was trustworthy?

Qian Renxue propped her chin on her hands, curiously examining the disguised cultivation field that the Heaven Dou Royalty had developed.

Hearing the Spear Douluo's words, she let out a light chuckle.

"Back in the Spirit Hall, my mother once pressured him to give up his student status, but he cleverly avoided that life-or-death crisis by volunteering to come to Heaven Dou City as a spy.

When Ghost Douluo sent him to the Heaven Dou City to participate in the Royal Soul Hunt, the Royal Family's honored instructors immediately suspected that something was amiss. Yet, not only did this kid survive, but he also gained Xue Qinghe's favor.

This morning, you intended to kill that maid, and I didn't stop you. But he managed to escape thanks to his quick wit."

As she spoke, Qian Renxue glanced at the Spear Douluo.

"Don't tell me you had other considerations at the time, but if your concerns were also anticipated by that kid... then he's truly terrifying."

The Spear Douluo fell silent at his Young Master's words, deep in thought.

Qian Renxue stroked her chin thoughtfully and shook her head.

"That kid is a bit crafty. You can tell just by looking at him once. Some people may scoff at him, but his quick thinking can save his life in critical moments.

I have a feeling that even if I successfully assassinate Xue Qinghe and infiltrate the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, it will still be difficult to take over the Heaven Dou Empire. There may even be some unexpected events that disrupt my plans.

I need someone who won't mess up at a critical moment, regardless of their loyalty."

Qian Renxue nonchalantly stroked her chin.

"Initially, he swore allegiance to my mother to save his life. Then, to survive, he came to Heaven Dou City. To continue surviving, he cultivated a good relationship with Xue Qinghe. And now, to live, he has joined my camp.

His loyalties are flexible, so how can we expect him to be loyal to anyone?"

"You may look down on his style, but it's undeniable that he has climbed to heights that others could never reach in their entire lives..."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end