thefictionvixens Chapter 201 The Zhongli Brothers' Plan
Chapter 201 The Zhongli Brothers' Plan
Chapter 201 The Zhongli Brothers' Plan
When Qian Duoduo sought refuge with him, the first person to approach him was not Xu He, but Kong Deming.
The situation in Mingdu is already chaotic enough. The infighting between Xu Tianran and the Prince's forces has never stopped in secret.
For example, the soldier who self-destructed in Mingdu Square had already had his head taken by Shadow Douluo.
After Xu He returned to the capital, Kong Deming immediately sought out Xu Tianran, wanting to know whether the rumors circulating in the capital about his infertility were true or false.
A crown prince who cannot have children is not eligible to inherit the throne.
Faced with Kong Deming's persistent questioning, Xu Tianran had no choice but to reveal the truth.
However, Xu Tianran said that he would soon become a Title Douluo and wanted to use the power he gained when breaking through the barrier to try to reopen that meridian.
This is also the biggest reason why Kong Deming has been hesitant to make a choice between Xu Tianran and Xu He.
Upon hearing of Lin Yi's existence, Kong Deming's first reaction was that Xu Tianran's hidden illness could be cured.
However, after witnessing Lin Yi's talent, Kong Deming hesitated again.
Lin Yi's talent is far too important to the Sun Moon Empire; whoever he supports will be able to achieve great things.
One is Xu Tianran, who is powerful and resourceful but unpopular with the people.
One was Xu He, who was popular with the people but was being used as a puppet.
Regardless of who Lin Yi chooses, Kong Deming is confident he has the means to eliminate the negative impact of that party.
The situation in Mingdu had been gradually becoming clearer, and the Prince's faction was completely thrown into disarray in front of Lin Yi.
But the appearance of Qian Duoduo, who brought three Title Douluos to join Xu He, instantly complicated the situation.
Kong Deming realized that Xu and his own power might be on the rise.
The fact that Qian Duoduo and his three companions sided with Xu He carries far more weight than those princes who are ambitious but lack the means to achieve their goals.
Xu He, who was originally a puppet, now has the power to step onto the stage.
Xu He's rise to power will inevitably bring about a fierce counterattack from Xu Tianran and the Prince's faction.
When the three Zhong brothers joined forces, their strength surpassed that of Shadow Douluo in the Sun Moon Empire, firmly placing them eighth.
"The remnants of Shrek Academy have actually appeared at this critical juncture."
Kong Deming looked intently at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.
The magnificent academy, constructed of steel, seemed shrouded in an invisible cloud at this moment.
Judging from his interactions with Qian Duoduo and the three Zhong brothers, they had absolutely no problems and even expressed their willingness to hand over Shrek Academy's secret method for creating soul bones.
"Qian Duoduo suspects that the destruction of Shrek Academy was caused by the Three Limits of the Heavenly Soul Empire."
"Therefore, he wanted to use the power of the Sun Moon Empire to destroy the Heavenly Soul Empire."
Kong Deming frowned.
Even if Lin Yi hadn't appeared, this was still a time for a major reshuffling of the various forces in Mingdu.
The timing of Qian Duoduo's appearance was too perfect.
Kong Deming could hardly help but suspect that Qian Duoduo had a powerful backer.
After returning from overseas, Qian Duoduo did not go to the Star Luo Empire or the Dou Ling Empire to look for any remnants of Shrek Academy, but instead went directly to the Sun Moon Empire. His motives were too abnormal.
For some reason, Kong Deming thought of Long Xiaoyao, who hadn't appeared in the chaotic battle of the Soul Master Competition.
No one knows better than the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire whether Long Xiaoyao is a member of the Holy Spirit Cult.
However, Long Xiaoyao later appeared as the honorary dean of Shrek Academy, which left the people of the Sun Moon Empire completely baffled.
Could it be that Long Xiaoyao betrayed the Holy Spirit Cult?
If Long Xiaoyao hadn't received Mu En's affirmation, Kong Deming would definitely now believe that Qian Duoduo had been brainwashed by the Holy Spirit Cult, and that the three Zhong brothers were evil soul masters of the Holy Spirit Cult.
What troubled Kong Deming the most was Long Xiaoyao's disappearance.
The relationship between this Limit Douluo and Shrek Academy, as well as the Holy Spirit Cult, is shrouded in mystery.
Long Xiaoyao disappeared without a trace, while Qian Duoduo suddenly appeared with three titled Douluo who were quite powerful but whose origins were questionable.
Kong Deming dared not delve too deeply into the connection between them, yet he had to be wary of it.
Nobody knows what the Holy Spirit Cult is doing overseas right now.
The Sun Moon Empire was unaware of the power of Seagod Island, but they knew it was the place where Tang San achieved godhood.
However, the Holy Spirit Church also has a Holy Emperor who occasionally manifests his divine power.
Whether the Holy Spirit Cult and Seagod Island actually met at sea, no one in the Sun Moon Empire knew.
Kong Deming felt an immense headache: "No, we have to be prepared for the possibility that Qian Duoduo might be brainwashed by the Holy Spirit Cult."
"Old Wang."
Kong Deming looked at Wang Changming: "Once Lin Yi comes out of seclusion, you and Commander Wang should immediately take him to the Mingdou Mountains and keep him away from the strife in Mingdu."
"And I will go to Starry Sky Douluo's place."
"He originally planned to present the Sun and Moon Divine Needle as the champion prize in the underground Soul Guidance Competition a few years later. However, given the current situation on the mainland, the plan to hold the Soul Guidance Competition in conjunction with the Soul Master Competition will have to be abandoned."
"In that case, why don't we let him give the Sun and Moon Divine Needle to Lin Yi for self-defense?"
Wang Changming instantly understood Kong Deming's deeper meaning.
Dai Hao has now been transferred away from the Mingdou Mountains by Xu Jiawei.
Although there are still frictions there now, it is no longer as dangerous as it used to be.
Sending Lin Yi there would allow him to escape the turmoil of Mingdu, and also allow him to accumulate military merits under the protection of the two level-nine soul masters, so that he could return to Mingdu in glory in the future.
Wang Changming nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Elder Kong, I will absolutely not let Lin Yi get involved in this mess."
After he left, Kong Deming did not linger in the ancestral hall, but went directly to Ye Yulin's residence.
If possible, Kong Deming would actually prefer to accompany Huo Yuhao to the Mingdou Mountains in person.
However, the current situation in Mingdu is entirely dependent on his presence.
If Kong Deming does not appear in Mingdu for an extended period of time, this place will immediately become a battleground for Xu Tianran and the Prince's faction.
After obtaining the Sun and Moon Divine Needle from Ye Yulin, Kong Deming gave Donggong a meaningful look.
"If the Zhong brothers are really evil soul masters, then they will definitely contact Xu Tianran."
The biggest leverage the Holy Spirit Cult has over Xu Tianran is the bloody night in the palace and the old emperor's illness.
If these two things become known to the common people, Kong Deming will be unable to protect Xu Tianran's position as crown prince, no matter how hard he tries.
Kong Deming could vaguely guess the answer to the truth behind the bloody night in the palace and the old emperor's illness.
However, at that time he was in seclusion, focusing all his efforts on upgrading the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield.
By the time Kong Deming emerged from the pass, the Ming capital had already been transformed.
As for the old emperor's illness, by then the Sun Moon Imperial Family had already cooperated too deeply with the Holy Spirit Church, and it was impossible to completely cleanse themselves of it.
If anyone dares to touch the Holy Spirit Cult, the Holy Spirit Cult will fight to the death, spreading the news and triggering the biggest rebellion within the Sun Moon Empire.
Therefore, even knowing that Xu Tianran was collaborating with the Holy Spirit Cult to poison the old emperor, Kong Deming could only turn a blind eye.
Because he knew Xu Tianran's ambition and that he would inevitably try to eliminate the Holy Spirit Cult afterward.
Therefore, Kong Deming tacitly approved of Xu Tianran's actions.
But now, with Xu He as the potential heir apparent, Kong Deming is no longer afraid that Xu Tianran's affair will be exposed.
"We must be wary of the Crown Prince's palace."
Kong Deming was in a state of utter confusion: "And then there's the Prince; we need to spread some false information on each of us."
"The rivalry between the two princes cannot continue."
Kong Deming had already decided to spread different false rumors among Xu Tianran and the other princes.
If Qian Duoduo really becomes a member of the Evil Soul Master, then Lin Yi will inevitably become a target of the Holy Spirit Cult.
Kong Deming plans to use Lin Yi's future whereabouts to set a trap. We'll see which side slips up in the false information.
Meanwhile, at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, in Xu He's residence.
Qian Duoduo and the three Zhongli brothers left the place thoughtfully.
They arrived at the temporary accommodations that Jing Hongchen had prepared for them.
After Qian Duoduo carefully checked the room and confirmed that there were no listening soul devices, the three Zhongli brothers were still not at ease.
The three of them used Qian Duoduo as the focal point of the formation and worked together to set up a layer of soul power barrier.
Not content with all that, they even took out a phoenix feather containing Ye Xishui's power.
"Brother," Zhong Li looked towards the direction of the ancestral hall, "that guy named Lin Yi is probably our target."
"A furnace that can perfectly fuse the two attributes of near-ultimate ice and fire is definitely the power that the Supreme Master needs."
"Not to mention that he can also refine soul tools and pills."
"As long as we can bring him back to the Holy Church, we will definitely become Super Douluo under the blessing of the Holy Emperor."
Zhong Liren continued, "Moreover, his Ice and Fire Creation Furnace can evolve into a dual-extreme system in the future."
"Given the current state of the Holy Church, he is fully capable of becoming a Title Douluo in a very short time."
"Lin Yi, a titled Douluo who perfectly combines the two extremes, can definitely become our trump card."
Zhong Litian didn't speak, but frowned in thought.
He was well aware of what Zhongli Di and Zhongli Ren were saying.
However, Lin Yi is now being protected too well by Kong Deming and Wang Changming, so they have no chance of succeeding.
Their purpose in coming to the Sun Moon Empire was not to disrupt Mingdu, but to find a way for Ye Xishui to fuse her martial soul.
Now that the Ice and Fire Creation Furnace is right in front of them, they must do everything they can to get their hands on it.
As for the concerns of Kong Deming and others about muddying the waters, the three Zhongli brothers had no such idea at all.
"Lin Yi is currently at level 27."
Zhong Litian hesitated and said, "With the Ice and Fire Creation Furnace and the pills provided by the Sun and Moon Empire, he should be able to become a Quasi-Soul Venerable after he comes out of seclusion. At that time, he will definitely go to hunt souls."
"This is the only time he will leave Mingdu, and it is also our only chance to make a move."
"But that old guy Kong Deming is someone we can't beat."
Zhong Li pointed in the direction of the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
"Brother, we can make use of Xu Tianran."
"The Holy Church still has evidence of his cooperation with us in poisoning the old emperor, so we're not afraid that he won't cooperate with us."
"He was disabled, and he had hoped to regain his manhood with our help."
"It seems that his biggest goal in winning over Lin Yi is nothing more than restoring this. As long as we guarantee that he can start refining pills in the future, there is a possibility that we can cooperate with Xu Tianran again."
Zhong Litian was still hesitating.
Using this incident to threaten Xu Tianran into revealing all of Lin Yi's whereabouts is highly feasible.
"Using the internal strife of the Sun Moon Empire to threaten Kong Deming will not work."
"Judging from the fact that he allowed Wang Yiheng and Lin Yi to become sworn brothers, this old guy sees Lin Yi as the future of the Sun Moon Empire."
Zhong Litian's voice was low and hoarse: "Xu Tianran is a venomous snake; cooperating with him is too risky."
"But Lin Yi's value makes it worth the risk."
"Third brother," a ruthless glint flashed in Zhong Litian's eyes, "go and contact our deepest mole in the Eastern Palace."
"You only get one chance; you can only succeed, you can't afford to fail."