I’ve already become a titled Douluo, and only now the system arrives?

Chapter 188: Star Luo Empire Changes Hands, Zhu Zhuqing the Empress

"Is the hope you speak of Dai Weisi?" Qin Xiao asked.

"Hmph," the Star Luo Emperor snorted heavily, refusing to answer Qin Xiao's question.

"If it is indeed Dai Weisi, then I can tell you clearly, there is no hope left," Qin Xiao continued, unconcerned with the Star Luo Emperor's thoughts.

Suddenly, the Star Luo Emperor's heart skipped a beat. Qin Xiao's attitude gave him a bad feeling.

"Could it be, could it be that Weisi..." The Star Luo Emperor didn't dare to continue his thought.

The Dai family was not prosperous, and their tradition of raising only one heir per generation meant that Dai Weisi was his only remaining son.

Dai Mubai was already dead.

Now, Dai Weisi was his only hope.

Half a year ago, he had sent Dai Weisi out of the Star Luo Empire.

Could something have happened to him?

"Father!"

At that moment, a shout came from afar.

The Star Luo Emperor's heart trembled.

He blindly looked in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar figure.

With just one glance, the Star Luo Emperor was stunned.

"Weisi!"

He was absolutely certain that the figure in the distance was the only prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Weisi.

Behind Dai Weisi were several other figures, including Duke Zhu and his two daughters, along with some strong members of the Zhu Clan.

"Father, it's me!"

Dai Weisi cried out as he reached the Star Luo Emperor, throwing himself into his father's arms without a second thought.

"You were supposed to be gone! Why did you come back?"

"Do you know what you bear on your shoulders? It's the hope of the entire empire!"

The Star Luo Emperor's heart was filled with anger.

Dai Weisi, crying even harder, said, "Father, you misunderstand me. I didn't come back on my own; I never left."

"Never left?" The Star Luo Emperor was puzzled.

"Your Majesty, I can testify that Dai Weisi is telling the truth. He has been at my mansion for the past six months."

Duke Zhu stepped forward and spoke to the Star Luo Emperor.

"You!"

The Star Luo Emperor's eyes flashed with surprise.

Immediately, he was overwhelmed with rage.

"Duke Zhu, you have a lot of nerve. You dared to imprison the prince." He realized what had happened. "I treated you with loyalty, and this is how you repay me!"

The Star Luo Emperor felt deeply betrayed.

And the betrayal hit him hard.

"Your Majesty, I had no choice."

"Because of Dai Mubai, I had to be prepared."

Duke Zhu shrugged helplessly.

He then looked at Qin Xiao and asked, "Your Majesty, are you satisfied with my actions?"

Qin Xiao nodded slightly. "You served your emperor well; now, please send him on his way."

Hearing Qin Xiao's words, Duke Zhu's eyes flickered.

His emotions were complex and surprised.

While he wanted to sever ties with the Star Luo Emperor, he had never intended to kill him.

"Do you have any other thoughts, Duke?" Qin Xiao asked with a half-smile, watching Duke Zhu.

"No, no!" Duke Zhu quickly shook his head.

He knew that the man in front of him was ruthless and merciless.

And he always targeted the strong.

The Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were perfect examples.

With all the chaos in the Star Luo Empire over the past year, he had pretended not to see or hear anything, just to distance himself.

"It seems that capturing only one prince, Dai Weisi, isn't enough to ease Qin Xiao's concerns.

He had no choice but to use the Star Luo Emperor as a peace offering."

At this moment, Duke Zhu made his decision.

He stepped forward.

"After all I've done for you, now you want to kill me?"

"The Zhu Clan is truly ungrateful!"

The Star Luo Emperor's voice was filled with anger.

"Your Majesty, you are mistaken. Is it us who are ungrateful, or you who have always been wary of us? We both know the truth."

"Now, let me send you on your final journey."

Duke Zhu's eyes flashed coldly. He reached out, and a sharp dagger slashed across the Star Luo Emperor's neck.

The Star Luo Emperor felt a chill on his neck, but before he could react, his head had already fallen to the ground.

Thus, the reign of an emperor ended.

"You... you killed my father!"

It wasn't until a gush of warm blood splattered on him that Dai Weisi woke up from his daze.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll send you to join him."

As the voice fell, another flash of cold light appeared.

Dai Weisi met the same fate as the Star Luo Emperor.

"What do you think, Your Majesty?" Duke Zhu looked at Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao pointed at Huyan Zhen, who was barely breathing. "Take care of that one as well."

"No problem." Duke Zhu, now with a taste for blood, swung his blade again, and another head rolled to the ground.

Only then did he remember to ask, "By the way, who was that?"

Zhao Wuji, standing nearby, shrugged. "Huyan Zhen."

"Huyan Zhen? Sounds familiar."

Duke Zhu muttered under his breath.

Suddenly.

His eyes flashed with a peculiar look, and he said uncertainly, "Huyan Zhen? The Sect Leader of the Elephant Armor Sect, Huyan Zhen?"

"Congratulations, you got it right. Your prize is Huyan Zhen's head."

Zhao Wuji shrugged.

"Ah, this..."

Duke Zhu stood there, dumbfounded.

He hadn't expected to kill such a significant figure so casually.

"Don't worry, relax. We're all on the same side now."

Qin Xiao patted Duke Zhu's shoulder, comforting him. "The Elephant Armor Sect is nothing. We'll just wipe them out."

"Yes, that's right." Duke Zhu nodded repeatedly.

Since they had provoked such a powerful enemy, the only solution was to eliminate them.

Qin Xiao smiled. "Great minds think alike. I'll leave this matter to you. I await your good news."

"Okay."

"Wait, no."

Duke Zhu initially nodded instinctively but quickly realized something was wrong.

"Are you saying I should destroy the Elephant Armor Sect?"

"Yes, but not just that."

Qin Xiao's eyes glinted as he turned to Yu Luomian, "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will assist you."

"In addition, the Wind Sword Sect, the Fire Leopard Sect, and other soul master sects and families should also be punished. What do you think, Clan Leader Yu?"

Yu Luomian was taken aback.

Then he felt a surge of joy.

He understood Qin Xiao's implication: this was an opportunity for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Moreover, whether it was the Elephant Armor Sect, the Wind Sword Sect, or the Fire Leopard Sect, most of their strong members were already dead. The remaining ones posed little threat.

Calling it a cleanup wouldn't take much effort.

"Ahem." Liu Erlong coughed lightly, reminding Yu Luomian that Qin Xiao was still waiting for a response.

Without further hesitation, Yu Luomian replied, "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will not disappoint you."

Duke Zhu, seeing Yu Luomian's response, quickly added, "The Zhu Clan will also serve you with utmost loyalty."

Qin Xiao nodded in satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, what are your plans next?"

In the crowd, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and asked Qin Xiao.

Looking at the mess around him, Qin Xiao frowned slightly. "That is indeed a problem."

"Qin Xiao, do you intend to become the emperor yourself?" Liu Erlong asked.

"I have no interest in being an emperor. The throne is nothing but a shackle to me."

"Besides, being an emperor isn't easy."

Qin Xiao raised his eyebrows, expressing his disinterest.

For him, the throne held no allure.

Moreover, a change of dynasty was never easy.

Then Qin Xiao's gaze shifted to Duke Zhu, and his eyes brightened. "The Zhu Clan has deep roots in the Star Luo Empire and controls significant territory and power. I assume many people are loyal to you?"

"Of course."

Duke Zhu nodded vigorously. "Our clan's nobility has been inherited for generations, so our territories have remained unchanged for thousands of years. The people under us are extremely loyal, even more so than to the Star Luo royal family."

Duke Zhu puffed out his chest proudly.

After listening to Duke Zhu, Qin Xiao nodded slightly. "Good, very good."

"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Duke Zhu asked boldly.

"The concept of an emperor is deeply ingrained in the minds of the Star Luo Empire's people. If an unfamiliar person were to become the emperor, it would cause significant resistance. It would lack legitimacy."

Qin Xiao said, giving Duke Zhu a deep look, "But if someone from the Zhu Clan became the emperor, the resistance would be much less, and they could mobilize loyal followers to gain broader acceptance."

Qin Xiao's words brought a sudden silence to the crowd.

Everyone's eyes were filled with complex emotions.

Qin Xiao's meaning was clear: he wanted the Zhu Clan to take control of the Star Luo Empire.

"This... this..."

Duke Zhu was so excited that he trembled all over.

He wasn't a fool and understood Qin Xiao's implication.

Thud!

Knowing it was the moment to express his loyalty, he knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and said with utmost respect, "Your Majesty, on behalf of the Zhu Clan, I swear allegiance to you. You are the true master behind the Star Luo Empire. I will do everything in my power to help you govern the Star Luo Empire."

Yu Luomian was filled with envy.

"Why is there such a big difference between people?"

Yu Luomian couldn't help but think. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had paid a heavy price, only to gain Qin Xiao's forgiveness. Meanwhile, the Zhu Clan hadn't done much but were being heavily favored.

After all, it's an entire empire's resources.

Even as a puppet emperor, the benefits were undeniable.

"I trust you."

Hearing Qin Xiao's words, Duke Zhu felt a warmth in his heart.

Just as he was about to express his gratitude, he noticed a meaningful smile on Qin Xiao's face.

Then Qin Xiao continued, "I believe that with your support, Zhuqing will make an excellent empress."

Who?
Zhuqing?

As Qin Xiao's words spread through the crowd, everyone looked at Zhu Zhuqing with astonishment.

People like Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Liu Erlong all fixed their gazes on Zhu Zhuqing.

Shock, confusion, envy...

Zhu Zhuyun was also taken aback, filled with disbelief. "How can this be?"

She never expected her sister to become the empress of Star Luo Empire!

The one most shocked was Duke Zhu.

He slapped himself, and as his cheeks began to sting, he realized he wasn't dreaming.

Qin Xiao had indeed said that Zhu Zhuqing would be the empress and that he would support her.

As the person in question, Zhu Zhuqing quickly snapped out of her shock.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider. I can't possibly be the empress," Zhu Zhuqing protested, shaking her head vigorously.

Qin Xiao frowned, "Why can't you be the empress?"

"But I really can't do it."

"I say you can, and you will."

With that, Qin Xiao waved his hand, signaling Zhu Zhuqing to stop talking.

"Duke, what do you think of my arrangement?"

"Reasonable, very reasonable."

Duke Zhu nodded repeatedly. "Zhuqing, you must trust His Majesty's judgment. With your father's help, you will certainly become a great empress of Star Luo Empire."

Though he said this, Duke Zhu felt a bitterness in his heart.

He hadn't become emperor, but instead, he was directly made a grand tutor.

However, the only consolation was that being a grand tutor was still a prestigious position.

"Your Majesty, does this mean I won't be able to stay by your side?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, looking down and fidgeting with her clothes.

"Of course not."

Qin Xiao shook his head slightly. "Once everything here is settled, we will still travel overseas. For now, Duke Zhu will have to manage Star Luo Empire."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded solemnly. "I understand."

Duke Zhu also replied firmly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not disappoint you."

"Good, then everyone, get to work."

"I'll be exploring Star Luo City. Don't worry about me."

With that, Qin Xiao walked away.

Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing followed him.

Then Liu Erlong, Zhao Wuji, Flender, and the others followed suit.

"Zhuyun, you should go too."

Duke Zhu gave Zhu Zhuyun a meaningful look.

After Zhu Zhuyun left, Yu Luomian approached, saying meaningfully, "Duke, you have a wonderful daughter."

Duke Zhu responded calmly, "Clan Leader Yu's daughter isn't bad either. Otherwise, who knows what kind of crisis the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would be facing now."

Meanwhile.

In the City of Slaughter.

Returning to this familiar place, Tang San felt a wave of emotions. "I didn't expect to come back here."

"Yes, we are back."

Tang Chen's voice was also filled with complexity. "When I left here the first time, I was on a path of no return. Returning again, I am still on a path of no return. Life is truly unpredictable."

Between hope and despair, his journey had been tumultuous.

"Ancestor, how should I take the first step this time?" Tang San asked, puzzled.

He was eager to know Tang Chen's plan.

Tang Chen looked down solemnly and said, "The first step is to start with the Road to Hell. Only by reaching the end of the Road to Hell and obtaining the Killing God Domain can you qualify to officially take the God Tests."

The Road to Hell, the Killing God Domain, and starting the God Tests!

Tang San's thoughts became clear. "Alright, I am willing to accept the challenge!"

(End of chapter)

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