**Chapter 376: What a Character**

**Chapter 376: What a Character**

No one expected that Qian Renxue would make such detailed plans to eliminate all the other princes during the royal hunting event. To avoid suspicion, she arranged for an assassin to stab her in the abdomen.

As a result, she suffered serious injuries and was saved only after emergency treatment.

This is because Qian Renxue is cruel to others and even crueler to herself.

Her plan did not arouse suspicion from Emperor Xue Ye or other high-ranking officials of the Tiandou Empire.

At the same time, she instructed the assassins to leave behind a unique symbol of the Spirit Hall, clearly marking it as their work. This was done to make it obvious at first glance that the Spirit Hall was involved.

Of course, she didn't want the Tiandou Empire to direct its full wrath towards the Spirit Hall. Instead, she toyed with the concepts of reality and illusion, truth and falsehood, and secretly planted elements of the Star Luo Empire in hidden locations.

These elements were so few and so well-hidden that the officials investigating the matter almost missed them. Fortunately, the officials were diligent, and they eventually concluded that these assassins were most likely from the Star Luo Empire.

This conclusion enraged Emperor Xue Ye and Prince Xue Xing, prompting them to deploy troops to the border. They then sent an envoy to the Xingluo Empire to question why the Xingluo Emperor had allegedly sent assassins after the prince of the Tiandou Empire.

Emperor Xingluo was just as puzzled by this sudden accusation.

If multiple princes were assassinated within your own territory, it was due to your own incompetence. Why target the Xingluo Empire? Why assume we are easy prey?

I believe you've miscalculated. My Xingluo Empire is no weaker than your Tiandou Empire in terms of military strength.

Thus, Emperor Xingluo expelled all the Tiandou envoys and ordered the Xingluo army to remain on high alert. If Tiandou made any further moves, he would march his forces north.

The reactions from both sides made the relationship between Tiandou and Xingluo extremely tense, and war between the two empires seemed imminent.

Fortunately, at this time, Xue Qinghe, disguised as Qian Renxue, dragged his seriously injured body to meet Emperor Tiandou.

By appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him, explaining the pros and cons of a potential war, Xue Ye eventually abandoned the idea of using force.

However, Emperor Xue Ye was even more convinced that the assassinations were indeed related to the Xingluo Empire, fueling his grudge against them.

As for "Xue Qinghe," the only prince and crown prince of the entire Tiandou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye increased his protection for "him." He couldn't afford to let the prince be threatened again.

"Xue Qinghe" persuaded Emperor Xue Ye to give up the idea of using force, which resulted in his reputation among court officials and even the people rising sharply.

There aren't many good princes like him, willing to act for the benefit of both nations. Has there ever been such a prince in the entire history of the Douluo Continent?

The last time Zhao Ling returned to Tiandou Imperial City after five years of "seclusion," he heard Qian Renxue, who had come to his house as a "guest," mention this matter.

He couldn't help but give a thumbs-up to Qian Renxue, admiring her for becoming even more capable than in her previous life after her rebirth.

This was definitely a plan that killed three birds with one stone. First, she eliminated all the princes of Emperor Xue Ye in one fell swoop. Even Prince Avalanche, who had survived to the end in her previous life, couldn't escape and met his demise without any possibility of survival.

Secondly, it strained the relationship between the Tiandou Empire and the Xingluo Empire, making the tension between the two empires extremely high. Any small incident on the border could easily lead to war.

Finally, Qian Renxue's intervention compelled Emperor Xue Ye to abandon the idea of war, causing "Xue Qinghe's" reputation to soar among the people and officials.

It's no exaggeration to say that once Emperor Xue Ye dies, the entire Tiandou Empire will fall completely into Qian Renxue's hands. By then, if the Wuhun Empire is established, she could declare Tiandou a vassal state and change its name accordingly.

As long as the Wuhun Empire gains control of Tiandou's army, territory, and wealth, they would be able to easily march south and conquer the Xingluo Empire.

This would unify the entire Douluo Continent, and it would be a bonus if they could standardize the writing system and build railways.

Perhaps Bibi Dong, as the Pope and the first Empress of the Wuhun Empire, will go down in history, but that's a story for later.

The conversation then shifts to Zhao Ling, Qian Daoliu, and Qian Xunji.

Qian Daoliu picked up a teacup with a pair of wooden tongs, scalded it with boiling water, poured it three-tenths full, and handed it to Zhao Ling.

"Demon Suppression Douluo, Xue'er has been in the Tiandou Empire for so many years. Thank you for taking care of her."

"We are all family now. Why should we be so formal?" Zhao Ling picked up the teacup, took a sip, and shook his head.

"You, kid…" Seeing Zhao Ling acting completely unafraid of him, Qian Xunji was furious. This was just too shameless.

Zhao Ling grinned, teasing, "What's wrong, father-in-law? Don't be so angry. Being angry all the time will hurt your heart and liver. Take care of your health."

Zhao Ling loved the way people disliked him but couldn't rid themselves of him, especially Qian Xunji, who, for his own reasons, had never been a Secret Room Douluo again in this life.

But Zhao Ling took pleasure in seeing him so frustrated.

Qian Daoliu calmly asked, "Since the Demon Suppression Douluo considers himself my grandson-in-law, I will not refuse. Grandson-in-law, please call me Grandpa. I've always envied Tang Chen for having a grandson, but my rebellious son only gave me a lovely granddaughter. Now, someone is rushing to come to my house to be my grandson. He's a Demon Suppression Douluo with strength and aptitude far surpassing mine. I am overjoyed."

"Uh…" Zhao Ling suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Why does this old man, Qian Daoliu, want him to call him "grandpa," just like Dugu Bo did?

With their current relationship, couldn't they just call each other by their names? Why did his generation need to keep dropping lower and lower?

"What? You don't think I'm worthy of being called 'Grandpa' by you?" Qian Daoliu asked teasingly, taking a slow sip of tea.

Zhao Ling was about to curse. This old man really goes too far! He wants me to call him grandpa? Not going to happen!

He coughed a few times and glanced at the sky.

"Oh no, it looks like it's about to rain. I've hung clothes out to dry in the yard. Let's stop talking for now. Bye..."

With that, Zhao Ling vanished.

Even with the power of Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji, they couldn't detect how he left, leaving them stunned...

(End of this chapter)