Douluo Dalu: Immortal Dragon Clan

Inside the offering hall, as soon as Jing Hongchen stepped into the place, he keenly sensed that several gazes were focused on him.

He steeled himself and walked up to Kong Deming, then slowly sat down.

"Master Hongchen, how long has it been since you last visited me?" Kong Deming had already brewed tea and gently placed the teacup in front of Jing Hongchen, asking with a smile.

Since bringing Jin Tianming here that time, Jing Hongchen has rarely set foot in this place.

Although it is normal for the head of Mingdetang not to come to the offering hall often, the fact that he had not come more than a few times in several years inevitably revealed something strange.

Upon hearing Kong Deming's question, Jing Hongchen picked up her teacup, took a sip, and explained, "Elder Kong, I have been busy researching the tasks assigned by the country these past few years and have really been unable to find the time. I hope you will understand."

"I see." Kong Deming also took a sip of tea, then refilled the tea for the two of them. The gentle smile on his face vanished instantly, and his expression became serious. "Where exactly did the Crown Prince go? Rumors are flying everywhere now, saying that you killed Xu Tianran. His Majesty the Emperor even sent someone to look for me a few days ago."

His gaze was piercing, fixed directly on Jing Hongchen. "I expect you to give me an explanation, Master Hongchen!"

Although Jing Hongchen and Jin Tianming had close ties, Kong Deming usually didn't bother to ask questions. However, when it came to matters of principle, he couldn't just sit idly by.

After all, the person in front of him was able to take the position of head of Mingde Hall, and he deserves some credit for it.

If such a thing were to happen, where would he, the chief retainer of the Sun and Moon Empire and the former head of the Mingde Hall, put his face?
Finally getting to the point, Jing Hongchen looked at Kong Deming, whose expression was extremely serious, and asked curiously, "Elder Kong, do you know about the Crown Prince's collusion with those rats?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Deming raised an eyebrow.

He wasn't completely oblivious; he just felt that as long as the safety of the sun and moon wasn't threatened, he couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

Could it be that the Crown Prince's disappearance was truly the work of rats?
If that's the case, then Jing Hongchen can be ruled out as a suspect.

But who exactly could take the Crown Prince away right under the nose of a level nine Soul Master?

Kong Deming looked at Jing Hongchen with suspicion: "Sect Master Hongchen, who exactly was able to take the Crown Prince away right under your nose, a level nine Soul Master? You'd better not make up a name to fool this old man."

"Death God Douluo!"

Upon hearing this, the two fell silent instantly. Kong Deming narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at Jing Hongchen, as if trying to see right through him.

However, after looking for a long time, he found no flaws and then confirmed that what Jing Hongchen said was true.

He broke the silence: "That's not surprising. That woman was a madwoman. It's understandable that the Crown Prince would dare to make a deal with her and now she's suddenly disappeared."

Kong Deming knew Ye Xishui very well; she was not only powerful but also exceptionally talented in the Soul Guidance System.

It's a pity he's a madman; I heard he went insane because of a broken heart.

Indeed, true strong people do not need to indulge in romantic love; he himself is the best example.

“In that case, I will report the truth to His Majesty. You may go back now,” Kong Deming said to Jing Hongchen.

"You're just letting me go like that?" Jing Hongchen looked surprised.

Kong Deming looked at Jing Hongchen, who had a surprised expression, and said helplessly, "Otherwise what? I don't believe the emperor is completely unaware of the Holy Spirit Cult's affairs."

He allowed his ministers to gossip about you, probably hoping to use me to give you a warning.

Kong Deming lowered his voice, his tone solemn: "I'll ask you one last time. Will you betray the Sun Moon Empire?"

"I will never betray you!" Jing Hongchen said firmly. "That's good." Kong Deming nodded and waved for him to leave.

Not long after Jing Hongchen left the Hall of Offerings, the other elders hiding in the shadows looked puzzled and asked, "Elder Kong, why didn't you ask more about Jin Tianming? That kind of armored soul tool was a major breakthrough in the history of soul tools!"

They simply couldn't understand it. If they could obtain that technology, the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology would surely reach a new level, and Elder Kong might even break through to level 95.

However, Kong Deming never mentioned this matter from beginning to end, and only talked about things that were unimportant to the Crown Prince.

These worshippers adhered to the belief that as long as the Sun and Moon Empire existed, it didn't matter who was emperor, so they were completely indifferent to Xu Tianran's situation.

Hearing his old friends' questions, Kong Deming chuckled and said, "Even if I told him, he might not give it to me, or he might not even have it on him."

Over the past few years, I've come to a pretty good understanding of what kind of genius Jin Tianming is.

"Can"

"Alright." Kong Deming interrupted the worshipper and said slowly, "Some things can't be obtained by forcing them. Just let nature take its course. You've been too impatient these past few years."

The worshippers looked at each other, then nodded to indicate that they understood.

Seeing that the old folks had all quieted down, Kong Deming shook his head helplessly. How could he not understand what these old men were thinking?
But Jin Tianming is no ordinary person; he has a powerful family backing him!
Inside the Emperor's bedroom of the Sun and Moon Empire.

The Emperor of the Sun and Moon leaned against the bed embroidered with golden dragons, his bony fingers clutching the bright yellow brocade quilt.

It is unclear when it began, but he has become terminally ill and now lacks even the strength to get up, let alone attend court to govern.

"Perhaps this is the price of ruling the world," he murmured to himself, gazing at the intricate cloud patterns on the tent ceiling.

Suddenly, the beaded curtain rustled softly, and an old eunuch, his back hunched, hurried in, kneeling and bowing: "Your Majesty, the Master of the Red Dust Hall has met with Master Kong."

The emperor slightly raised his eyelids, a cold smile curling at the corners of his pale lips: "I understand."

He allowed the undercurrents among the court officials to run rampant, simply to take this opportunity to give the Red Dust Hall Master, who was already showing signs of disloyalty, a good warning.

Suddenly a dark figure appeared and respectfully handed an envelope to the eunuch.

The eunuch took the envelope, opened it, read it quickly, and immediately went to report to the Emperor.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of the Sun and Moon took a deep breath and asked in a solemn voice, "Is what the Crown Prince reported true?"

"Your Majesty, the Holy Spirit Church has vouched for this matter, so it is probably true."

"I see." The Sun and Moon Emperor took another deep breath, calmed himself down, and sneered, "Send out the order to expand this public opinion storm and involve the original Three Kingdoms as well. I want to see how they and Shrek Academy will deal with it!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The eunuch bowed and accepted the order, then quickly left.

The candlelight flickered in the hall. The Emperor watched the eunuch's departing figure and murmured to himself, "Xu Tianran, just how many things have you been hiding from me?"

“If it were before, I would have thoroughly investigated you, the Crown Prince, but now,” he closed his eyes and sighed wearily, “I am truly exhausted.”

(End of this chapter)