Douluo: Reincarnation of Leosli, punishing the evildoers

Ning Fengzhi whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty, be careful not to let a wolf into the house."

Xue Qinghe waved his hand: "Imperial Tutor, there is no need to worry. I know what I'm doing."

As soon as she finished speaking, the wind outside the palace suddenly picked up, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. The candlelight inside the palace flickered, casting long, distorted shadows that reflected on Xue Qinghe's cold, stern face. Her fingers lightly traced the armrest of the dragon throne, the cold touch causing her to squint slightly.

Ning Fengzhi stood still, his gaze lowered, his expression calm and serene. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the texture of his sleeves, as if he were pondering something, yet no one could detect it. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and he appeared composed even in this tense atmosphere.

Outside the hall, a series of hurried footsteps broke the brief silence. A guard strode into the hall, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head to report, "Your Majesty, an urgent report from Jialing Pass!"

Ning Fengzhi stood tall and straight like a pine tree, remaining calm and composed even in the tense atmosphere. His hands remained tucked into his sleeves, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the texture of his garments, as if waiting for something. The candlelight in the hall flickered, casting swaying shadows at his feet, like a silent storm brewing.

The guard knelt on one knee, head bowed, and continued in a slightly hurried voice, "Jialing Pass has been breached by the Xingluo army. King Barak has betrayed us and ordered the city gates to be opened. The enemy army has now entered the pass and is advancing into the heart of Tiandou."

Xue Qinghe's fingers tightened abruptly, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force. Her eyes instantly sharpened like knives, as if she wanted to pierce through the battle report. The air in the hall seemed to freeze, even the sound of breathing became clearly audible.

Xue Qinghe said coldly, "Barak... he really is an ungrateful dog."

"Where is Marshal Golong? Why did he fail to defend Jialing Pass?"

The guard glanced up at Xue Qinghe, then quickly lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, Marshal Ge Long led his troops in a fierce resistance when the enemy attacked the city, but due to the disparity in troop strength and the covert support from within the city, the defenses collapsed. According to reports from the soldiers who escaped, Marshal Ge Long was seriously wounded in the battle and unfortunately died for his country."

"According to intelligence, Emperor Dai Mubai of Xingluo has personally arrived at Jialing Pass, and his strength has increased by leaps and bounds. Marshal Ge Long is no match for him."

Xue Qinghe's fingers trembled slightly on the armrest of the dragon throne, her knuckles turning white as she gradually increased her pressure, as if she wanted to crush the cold wood. Her gaze was fixed ahead, a sharp, cold glint flashing in her eyes, like a winter wind, biting and piercing. The candlelight in the hall flickered, and in the interplay of light and shadow, her face appeared even more stern and profound.

The guards remained kneeling on the ground, their foreheads pressed against the earth, barely daring to breathe. The atmosphere inside the hall was oppressive and suffocating, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Ning Fengzhi stood to the side, his hands still tucked into his sleeves, his fingertips lightly tracing the delicate texture of his garments. His gaze was lowered, his expression calm and serene, seemingly unmoved by the sudden bad news. However, the barely perceptible furrow in his brow betrayed his inner worry.

Ning Fengzhi spoke softly, his tone steady: "Your Majesty, things have come to this point. The most urgent task is to quickly mobilize troops to stop the Xingluo Army from advancing further."

Ning Fengzhi's voice, though soft, was exceptionally clear in the silent hall. As his words fell, the air in the hall seemed to move slightly, easing the heavy oppressive atmosphere. His gaze remained lowered, but a thoughtful light flickered in his deep eyes, as if he were weighing every possible solution. Xue Qinghe's fingers slowly loosened, the pressure between her knuckles gradually dissipating. Her gaze shifted from the distance to Ning Fengzhi, a scrutinizing look in her eyes. Her lips were slightly pursed, as if considering his suggestion; after a moment, her voice rang out again, calm and resolute.

"Issue the order: immediately mobilize all elite forces within the Heaven Dou territory, and command Sword Douluo Chen Xin to lead the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School disciples to reinforce the front lines. Simultaneously, notify the Spirit Hall that their reinforcements must arrive at Jialing Pass within three days, otherwise—"

As soon as Xue Qinghe finished speaking, the air in the hall suddenly tensed, as if even time itself had been compressed. Her voice was as cold as ice, each word resounding and echoing in the empty hall, stirring up layers of chill. Her hand remained on the armrest of the dragon throne, her fingertips trembling slightly, as if suppressing the surging emotions within her.

The wind outside the palace blew even more fiercely, swirling up fallen leaves from the courtyard and pattering them against the vermilion window frames with a soft rustling sound. The candlelight flickered in the wind, casting dappled shadows that elongated Xue Qinghe's figure, projecting it onto the wall behind him, making him appear aloof and majestic.

Ning Fengzhi stood quietly to the side, his hands still tucked into his sleeves, his fingertips gently tracing the edges of his sleeves. His gaze was lowered, his expression still indifferent, but his slightly furrowed brows revealed a hint of imperceptible seriousness.

Ning Fengzhi kept his hands tucked into his sleeves, his fingertips gently stroking the edge of his sleeves, his tone low and respectful: "Your Majesty, the movements of the Spirit Hall are still unclear. If we allow them to get too involved, it may be inappropriate."

Xue Qinghe's gaze was icy, his fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne, his voice cold and unyielding.

“What the Imperial Tutor says is quite right, but the situation is critical right now, and we can’t worry about anything else. Send an order to Chrysanthemum Douluo, telling him to arrive at Jialing Pass within three days. If he is even a moment late, he will come back with his head.”

The guard knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and accepted the order, his voice trembling slightly.

"According to the order."

Ning Fengzhi slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Xue Qinghe's face before lowering them again. His voice was calm but contained a profound meaning: "Your Majesty, the disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School are fully prepared and ready to go to the front lines at any time."

"That's settled then, court adjourned." Xue Qinghe was about to wave goodbye when he suddenly remembered something and asked the departing guards, "Where did the Duke go?"

The guard was about to leave the hall when he heard Xue Qinghe's question. He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and knelt on one knee to answer, "Your Majesty, after leaving Tiandou City a few days ago, the Duke went to the Star Dou Great Forest. There are reports that there are some noises coming from the depths of the forest, but nothing else."

Xue Qinghe's gaze sharpened slightly, and she tapped her fingers lightly twice on the armrest of the dragon throne, producing a crisp sound. A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly concealed. She said nothing more, only nodded slightly, signaling the guards to leave.

Seeing this, the guards quickly rose, bowed their heads, and hurried out of the hall. The candlelight inside still flickered, illuminating Xue Qinghe's cold and profound face. Her gaze passed through the threshold of the hall, looking into the distance, as if she could see through the layers of palace walls to the smoke-filled battlefield. (End of Chapter)