bookpub Chapter 216 Difference Between Father And Son, Infernal Affairs
Chapter 216 Difference Between Father And Son, Infernal Affairs
The third prince also showed a look of surprise, doubting whether this guy was setting himself up.
Could the box contain someone's head?
Given Duan Ming's character and methods, he could do such a thing.
"Lord Duan's gift, this palace will accept it with a smile. Please come in!"
Duan Ming chuckled and accepted the gift box, extending his hand in invitation.
However, Duan Ming didn't move and calmly said, "Your Highness, don't you plan to open and see what gift I've sent?"
The third prince's expression twitched slightly, and Lie Mang squinted at Duan Ming, wondering what this guy was up to.
The courtiers looked at the gift box in the third prince's hand, also curious about what was inside. Could it be some incriminating evidence that the third prince didn't want to be seen? That would be really exciting!
After hesitating for a while, the third prince opened the gift box. Instantly, a brilliant light and dazzling radiance emanated from the box.
"A Rank Six Primordial Origin Pill?"
Everyone present showed a look of astonishment.
This was a Rank Six Apex Level Medicine Pill, which had a great amplifying effect on the Venerable Cultivation Base in the Fusion Void Realm. It had no side effects and demanded extremely high standards from pill refining masters. Even in the Divine Dream Dynasty, it was considered exceptionally precious.
The third prince breathed a sigh of relief and also felt somewhat delighted. He didn't expect Duan Ming, who was usually indifferent, to give him such a precious Medicine Pill. Could this be his way of showing goodwill?
He subconsciously glanced at Lie Mang beside him.
Lie Mang, at this moment, was also frowning and observing Duan Ming, equally surprised.
"What does Duan Ming mean by this? Does he want to take sides?"
"It's possible. Otherwise, why would he suddenly show such goodwill towards the third prince?"
"His identity in the court is extremely sensitive. If he dares to show goodwill towards a prince, His Majesty won't let him off easily."
The courtiers couldn't help but secretly discuss, unable to figure out what Duan Ming's intentions were.
"Thank you, Lord Duan, for the gift. I really like it!" The third prince smiled and put the gift box into his storage ring, extending his hand again. "Please!"
Only then did Duan Ming throw off his cloak and stride in.
"Uncle, what does Duan Ming mean?" The third prince and Lie Mang walked behind, frowning and communicating through voice transmission. "Could he have discovered our secret?"
Lie Mang stared at Duan Ming's back and stroked his beard. "It's unlikely. You and I only communicate through a single line, and we haven't done anything. Although Duan Ming is ruthless and indifferent, he always emphasizes evidence and won't act recklessly."
Duan Ming's actions puzzled everyone, and this matter quickly spread, attracting the attention of others.
"His Majesty is here—"
Above the Nine Heavens, Lie Huan arrived with Empress Luo Xiang in a dragon carriage.
The courtiers quickly went out to greet them.
"Yao'er!"
Lie Huan laughed heartily, his eyes shimmering with satisfaction towards his son. "You've reached the Fusion Void Middle Stage so quickly. You haven't disappointed me. Well done!"
Empress Luo Xiang flipped her jade hand and took out a gift box, smiling. "Yao'er, this is the gift that His Majesty and I prepared for you. You must cultivate well and strive to break through to the Heavenly Venerable Realm as soon as possible!"
The third prince quickly bowed and accepted the gift box, firmly saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Mother!"
Lie Huan swept his gaze and landed on Lie Mang, narrowing his eyes slightly and smiling. "The eldest brother is here too!"
Lie Mang smiled and said, "The Crown Prince's cultivation has made great progress, and I happened to be in the imperial capital, so I should come and take a look."
Lie Huan remained noncommittal, then turned his gaze to Duan Ming. His expression turned slightly cold as he said, "The Inspectorate seems to have a lot of leisure time and interest."
Duan Ming cupped his hands in a gesture of respect but did not speak.
With the officials present, Lie Huan did not say much and went straight to his seat.
Before long, the grand mansion was filled with music and dance.
...
One day later, Duan Ming, who had received a summons, walked briskly into Lie Huan's study.
"Your Majesty!" Duan Ming respectfully bowed.
Lie Huan held a scroll made of an unknown animal skin and said lightly, "What were you doing at Yao'er's place?"
I knew you would ask.
Duan Ming fell silent for a moment and said, cupping his hands, "Your Majesty, I received intelligence that the Third Prince has been getting close to Lord Mang recently, and they seem to have had secret interactions multiple times..."
A burst of sharpness flashed in Lie Huan's eyes. He put down the scroll in his hands and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean? Weren't you saying before that they had nothing going on?"
Duan Ming said, cupping his hands, "Last time, the Empress was present, and it was inconvenient for me to speak openly. In fact, the Inspectorate has long obtained intelligence in this regard."
A prince, especially a talented one, getting involved with a powerful lord, what good could come out of it?
I reckon any emperor would involuntarily make associations.
It should be noted that Lie Mang himself is also a Self Union Heavenly Venerable, and he also has a Self Union Heavenly Venerable under his command. If it weren't for the need for him to guard the southern border against the attacks of the Yuanxu Dynasty, Lie Huan would never have given him such great power.
"So, you went to congratulate Yao'er this time to find out the truth?"
Lie Huan slowly sat back down, his gaze flickering.
Duan Ming said, "Yes and no. I also don't want the Third Prince to have any rebellious thoughts and cause discord between Your Majesty and the father and son. So, I wanted to verify it."
Lie Huan narrowed his eyes and asked, "What did you find out?"
Duan Ming said, "From the intelligence I currently possess, the Third Prince and Lord Mang only have personal interactions and no other actions. Your Majesty need not worry."
Lie Huan sneered, "No other actions? Do they have to wait until they start raising troops before it counts as action? My third son has always been ambitious. I'm afraid he has long been dissatisfied with me, the father emperor, always controlling the imperial power. Lie Mang has also repeatedly proposed to me to attack other dynasties, expand the territory of the empire, and unify Yongzhou, but I have rejected him every time. It seems that the two of them really hit it off..."
Duan Ming hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is overthinking. Perhaps it's just a deepening of the relationship between uncle and nephew..."
Lie Huan's suspicion had already arisen, and it was not something that could be easily dispelled. He stared at Duan Ming coldly and said, "Do we have to wait for Yao'er to break through to the Heavenly Venerable level before we consider it not an overthinking? Their camp has three Self Union Heavenly Venerables. Only when they raise troops and rebel, will you say it's not an overthinking!"
Lie Huan stood up, took a deep breath, and said, "Keep a close eye on Yao'er and Lie Mang. Report to me immediately if there is any movement."
"Yes!"
"You may leave!"
Lie Huan closed his eyes and waved his hand.
As he walked out of the study, Duan Ming turned his head and a cold smile slowly appeared on his lips.
---
Inside the Inspectorate's sleeping quarters.
Duan Ming's heart trembled as he sat in the Lotus Position, flipping through the Jade Slip. He looked towards the corner, where a figure in a black robe slowly walked out.
"My Lord!"
Duan Ming quickly bowed in greeting, his heart shaken. The leader of the alliance truly had vast supernatural powers. His own place was heavily guarded, with various powerful formations layered upon each other, yet the leader was able to silently intrude without a sound!