The grand hall of Tiandou Palace had gone still as a blade's edge.
From the dense crowd of officials, a single figure broke away: a young man in a tall court hat, clad in plain C-rank official robes that marked him as a lesser servant of court. Yet his back trembled not with fear… but with barely contained excitement.
He stepped forward to the report dais, hands shaking so violently his sleeves quivered. The man's gaze shone feverishly toward the emperor seated high upon the dragon throne.
At last… This is my chance. Complete this task for His Majesty, and my life will change forever. Promotion, wealth, nobility—all within reach. Even a place by the emperor's side!
The man nearly toppled with the weight of his obsession.
From beneath his mask, Subei tilted his head and studied the scene, his bright eyes flashing. If not for the task bar of my system, I might not have noticed the emperor's hand behind this. Such a deep trap…
Here he finally glimpsed the ruthless truth: Qian Renxue's throne was not built overnight. Her path into the East Palace was lined with peril, each step a dance with knives.
No wonder she lingered years behind Tang San, only reaching divinity later. Her soul power was not weak, but her life was shackled by these endless palace schemes. Distractions. Delays.
And yet—this was exactly where she honed herself sharper than Tang San ever could.
A tiny smile tugged at Subei's mouth. Xuemei, your game is brutal… but I'll play it with you.
His thoughts flickered briefly toward Tang San. I wonder what that kid is doing now with Yu Xiaogang… If he stays on that path, if he insists on being the Master's disciple, then one day he and I will be enemies. Best to end such hidden dangers early.
His lips curled at the memory of his small experiments. A single drop of paraquat mixed into water had been enough to fell entire clusters of century-old plants in minutes. How much more might be done in larger scale…?
Yes, even the Blue Silver Emperor would wither beneath such weapons. Tang San… don't force my hand.
At his side, Liu Erlong broke the murmur of his scheming with a bittersweet smile. Her crimson eyes softened as she bent nearer.
"Bei'er, do you see now? This is the nature of court. Ministers quarreling with schemes, danger and advantage in every step. Even in such grandeur, it is all smoke."
Her hand brushed gently through his hair. "Don't join this mire. This world belongs to soul masters, not squabbling old men. Their pettiness will be washed away by time."
Subei raised his head, smirking faintly. "And yet… doesn't this empire need a strong, capable ruler all the same?"
Erlong stiffened slightly. "You mustn't say that out loud, especially here, in the Imperial Palace. If anyone hears such words, sovereignty itself may turn against you."
"I'm not afraid." Subei burrowed against her chest, his boyish warmth pressing into her. "After all, aren't you here to protect me, godmother?"
Her arms trembled, tightening around him. For a breath, Liu Erlong nearly wept.
And upon the dais, Qian Renxue felt the tide tilted sharply against her.
The ministers encircled like wolves, slavering for her fall. She knew all too well this was her father's trap—the Snow Night Emperor above, who demanded her rise yet feared giving her power in truth. His chosen lackeys stirred the court as scapegoats.
If I act rashly, I lose everything. No matter what card I play, it may anger Father. With or without the Seal… the result is unstable.
Her golden eyes swam briefly across the hall… and caught upon the masked youth leaning against Liu Erlong.
At the same moment, Subei's gaze lifted. Mischief glittered there, sharp as knives behind silk. He winked.
Xuemei's breath caught. For an instant, she nearly betrayed herself. What is he plotting?
Subei's heart thrummed. My goddess, let me lend you a hand.
"Xiao Ai," he whispered within. Activate puppet power. Choose my target…
The system's voice chimed crisp.
[Puppet Rights Available. Select from current targets: Provincial Minister / Military Minister / Household Minister.]
Subei didn't hesitate. "Household minister. The rotten accountant."
Finance was Tiandou's bleeding artery, drained by corruption and collapse. Of all scapegoats, the Household Ministry was ripe for plucking.
His puppet strings wrapped swiftly around a middle-aged official standing near the corrupt treasurer. The man's eyes glazed over briefly—and then, under Subei's subtle command, he jerked forward.
Startled gasps echoed as the official stepped out of the line of ministers and pointed directly at the eager accuser.
"Your Majesty!" His voice rang sharp, controlled only by Subei's will. "This man spouts nonsense! He dares accuse the Crown Prince baselessly, fabricating rumors! Such treachery cannot be tolerated in the court of Heaven!"
The hall gasped as one.
"What?!"
"Turned against his own?"
Even the trembling accuser froze, hands outstretched mid-bow. Shock drained the eagerness from his face, leaving only naked panic.
The emperor's brows knit as he stared down the sudden challenger, lightning flashing in his eyes.
In the crowd, Xue Qinghe's chest loosened a fraction. No one in the hall could see her relief, masked beneath her solemn smile. But inwardly, her golden gaze flickered back toward that masked child once more…
You.
So it truly was you just now. Helping me, watching me, in the middle of the dragon's pit itself.
Heat spread faintly along her ears. Imperial Brother…
And on the floor of the great hall, war drums of politics had only just begun to beat.
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