Reborn as Ning Rongrong, So What?

Heaven Dou City.

Ning Fengzhi and his group did not immediately go to see Xue Qinghe. Instead, they stayed at a hotel owned by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and gathered information about recent events.

After listening to the report, Ning Fengzhi's expression revealed that he had expected as much.

He waved his hand, signaling the intelligence personnel to leave.

"I'm somewhat surprised that Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing managed to escape," Ning Fengzhi remarked with a sigh.

"Perhaps Xue Qinghe let them go on purpose," Ning Rongrong mused. "Given Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng's situation, their escape target might be the Balak Kingdom."

"Why the Balak Kingdom?" Dugu Yan asked, puzzled.

Ning Rongrong explained, "Among the four great kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Balak Kingdom possesses the strongest military power. It can be considered the empire's gateway, as it borders the Star Luo Empire."

"Additionally, the king of the Balak Kingdom is a cousin of Emperor Xue Ye. If Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing want to achieve their goals, the best way would be to rely on the Balak Kingdom's strength."

"Are they trying to incite the Balak Kingdom to rebel?" Dugu Yan blinked.

"Perhaps," Ning Rongrong shrugged. "Currently, Xue Qinghe's policies aren't very favorable toward the nobility."

"All about interests," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Speaking of which, Marshal Ge Long's troops are stationed in the Fasnuo Province. Perhaps their purpose from the beginning wasn't to deal with the Star Luo Empire but to restrain the Balak Kingdom, ensuring they don't act recklessly."

"None of this concerns us," Ning Rongrong pondered for a moment. "Given Qian Renxue's temperament, Ge Long probably doesn't have long to live."

"Why?" Dugu Bo asked, confused.

Ge Long was one of the few commoners in the Heaven Dou Empire who had risen to the rank of marshal through sheer effort.

Having reached the Soul Douluo level himself, Ge Long was unparalleled in both martial soul cultivation and military leadership within the Heaven Dou Empire.

Even as a Title Douluo, Dugu Bo held a certain degree of respect for Marshal Ge Long.

"Ge Long was personally promoted by Emperor Xue Ye. The so-called 'gratitude for recognition'..." Ning Rongrong didn't continue.

"I see," Dugu Bo sighed after hearing this. "Given his personality, that's indeed possible."

Just as Ning Fengzhi was about to speak

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in."

A plainly dressed man who looked like a hotel attendant quickly entered the room.

"Clan Leader, Chief Instructor Meng Shenji requests an audience."

"Understood." Ning Fengzhi nodded, signaling for the attendant to leave.

After the attendant exited, he considerately closed the door behind him.

"Xue Qinghe's people are here," Ning Rongrong curled her lips.

"It's only natural. We didn't hide our tracks when we arrived, so it's no surprise we were discovered. But Meng Shenji… has he joined the Spirit Hall?"

Dugu Yan was no stranger to Meng Shenji.

Having studied at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for many years, it would be absurd not to recognize the headmaster.

Back when Ning Rongrong had clashed with Xue Beng, she and her grandfather Dugu Bo had appeared outside Xue Beng's dormitory.

Led by Ning Fengzhi, the group left the hotel.

As soon as they reached the entrance

Meng Shenji hurried forward.

He bowed respectfully to Ning Fengzhi, Bone Douluo, and Dugu Bo.

"Chief Instructor Meng Shenji, what brings you here so late?" After exchanging brief greetings, Ning Fengzhi inquired about the matter.

"Indeed. His Highness Xue Qinghe has invited Clan Leader Ning to the palace for a discussion regarding Emperor Xue Ye's affairs." Meng Shenji looked anxious but did not directly state that Emperor Xue Ye had died suddenly.

"Very well."

After a moment of consideration, Ning Fengzhi did not refuse.

As for whether Xue Qinghe wanted to kill him that was unthinkable.

With their current lineup, unless someone of Qian Daoliu's caliber intervened, they could traverse the entire Douluo Continent without fear.

Qian Daoliu had recently engaged in a fierce battle with Tang Chen, leaving both severely injured. It was unclear whether he had recovered yet.

Moreover, Sword Douluo had now mastered the Soul Ring Fusion skill. While he might not be a match for Qian Daoliu at his peak, if he seized the right moment, an ambush against the already injured Qian Daoliu wasn't entirely impossible.

On the way to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace

"Chief Instructor Meng Shenji, I have something to ask you. Would it be convenient?" Ning Rongrong's voice suddenly broke the silence of the night as the group walked briskly toward the palace.

"What would the Young Clan Leader like to know?"

"Are Prince Xue Xing and His Highness Xue Beng also in the palace now?"

Hearing Ning Rongrong's question, Meng Shenji's expression shifted slightly.

Then, after glancing at Ning Fengzhi, he sighed. "The two of them left Heaven Dou City a day ago. As for where they went, I do not know."

"Additionally, it seems Princess Xue Ke has also departed."

"Xue Ke?"

"Correct." Meng Shenji nodded, his gaze shifting to the silver-haired girl. Hearing the familiar voice, he seemed puzzled and uncertain. "Might this be…?"

"I'm Dugu Yan. It's been a while, Chief Instructor Meng Shenji."

"Dugu… Yan?"

Meng Shenji's face filled with astonishment as he looked back and forth between Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.

Dugu Bo's green hair was as vibrant as ever.

But Dugu Yan's silver-white hair cascaded over her shoulders, giving her an ethereal, natural aura.

Though their facial features were similar, Meng Shenji couldn't reconcile the woman before him with the former Dugu Yan a girl with purple hair, an intimidating presence, and a somewhat gloomy demeanor.

"Sister Yan's martial soul underwent an unexpected evolution, which caused some changes in her body."

Ning Rongrong explained.

"I… I see." Meng Shenji nodded in understanding. Since it involved martial souls, he didn't press further.

"Did Princess Xue Ke leave the capital willingly with Xue Beng?"

Ning Rongrong steered the conversation back.

"No." Meng Shenji let out a long sigh. "Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng took Princess Xue Ke by force when they fled. Because of this… His Highness Qinghe was furious."

Royal affairs were something Meng Shenji preferred not to discuss. But since these were members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and Ning Fengzhi was Xue Qinghe's teacher, he figured Xue Qinghe wouldn't blame him for speaking up.

Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing kidnapping Xue Ke what kind of bizarre move was that? Did Xue Beng intend to use Xue Ke as leverage against Xue Qinghe?

Qian Renxue had treated Xue Ke well, perhaps seeing traces of her former self in the princess.

But that didn't mean Xue Ke held any great importance to Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue), who shared no blood ties with her.

Truth be told, Xue Qinghe might even worry that one day, Xue Ke would discover her true identity as Qian Renxue.

She killed her father and seized her empire.

That would inevitably lead to a life-or-death enmity.

"Chief Instructor Meng Shenji, has His Majesty passed away?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

"This…" Meng Shenji hesitated.

"Rest assured, Elder Sword has set up a barrier. No one outside our group can hear us."

"Ah!" Seeing Ning Fengzhi's assurance, Meng Shenji sighed deeply and answered, "His Majesty departed this world yesterday morning."

"However, His Highness ordered us to keep it secret until Clan Leader Ning arrived, so we could discuss how to proceed."

"Did Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing leave after His Majesty's death?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

"More or less. Prince Xue Xing took advantage of the chaos while His Highness was sealing off the news and fled Heaven Dou City with his men."

"That's also why His Highness didn't realize Princess Xue Ke had been kidnapped until later."

As the group conversed with Meng Shenji, they soon arrived at the palace under his guidance and met Xue Qinghe, whom they hadn't seen in days.

Xue Qinghe looked haggard.

Gone was the radiant demeanor from before. Instead, he appeared sleep-deprived, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, exuding an air of sorrow.