bookbashuk Chapter 336 Renxue Has Grown Up
Chapter 336 Renxue Has Grown Up
Chapter 336 Qian Renxue has grown up
"So, in these six months, we've basically sidelined the Heaven Dou Empire? Xue'er, you're amazing!"
Huo Yuhao's voice was full of surprise. He turned his head sharply to look at Qian Renxue beside him, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
Huo Yuhao originally thought it would take several months after his return to hollow out the deeply rooted Heaven Dou Empire. But he never expected that Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu would act so swiftly and decisively, and in just half a year, they had already rendered the Heaven Dou Empire powerless.
Bibi Dong, standing to the side, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, her gaze falling on Qian Renxue with a hint of barely perceptible surprise and relief.
In her memory, this daughter was always proud and impulsive. Although she was sharp in her actions, she always lacked composure and strategy. In the past, when faced with problems, she mostly rushed forward with a surge of courage and rarely calmed down to plan carefully.
But now it seems that letting her take charge of the Spirit Hall's covert operations in the Heaven Dou Empire during this period has allowed her to grow so rapidly. In her every move, she has already developed a certain air of strategic planning and decisive victory.
Hearing Huo Yuhao's undisguised praise, Qian Renxue felt a sweet warmth welling up from the deepest part of her heart. She straightened her back, slightly raised her delicate chin, and her beautiful face was filled with undisguised pride: "Of course. Just three months ago, Emperor Xueye's body was already on its last legs, reaching the limit of its lifespan. That old fellow has been bedridden for months and is no longer able to handle state affairs. The power in the court has already been largely devoured by the people we've placed there."
"As soon as he passed away, we immediately followed the plan you left behind and swiftly pushed Xue Beng onto the throne, thus obtaining the military defense map that marked the mountains and fortresses of the entire Tian Dou Empire."
As Qian Renxue spoke, she affectionately reached out and took Huo Yuhao's arm, nuzzling it against her. She continued, "While Xue Beng was busy purging dissidents, winning over court officials, and stabilizing the government, we weren't idle. All the major military strongholds of the Heaven Dou Empire, from Xue Ling Pass in the north to Wang Yue City in the south, from Luo Ri Pass on the western front to Lin Hai Camp on the eastern front—every place guarding the empire's lifeline—we quietly replaced everyone from the commander-in-chief to the deputy commander, to the mid-level captains, and even the scout commanders responsible for relaying military intelligence. Now, those stationed there are all our carefully cultivated trusted assassins from the Spirit Hall. Every single one of them is utterly loyal to the Spirit Hall and obeys my every command."
Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao raised an eyebrow, already understanding the situation. He gently patted Qian Renxue's hand, his gaze filled with approval. After a moment's thought, he couldn't help but ask, "Didn't Xue Beng and Xue Xing take any countermeasures?"
Upon hearing this question, Qian Renxue couldn't help but laugh smugly, her smile bright and arrogant: "He wouldn't dare. The vast majority of nobles in the Tiandou Empire have either already accepted our bribes and are willing to be our lackeys, or they have something on us—corruption, treason, or other serious crimes that could implicate nine generations of their families. We have them firmly under our control, and they don't even dare to breathe a word."
"Moreover, the entire empire's economic lifeline is already firmly in our grasp. The rise and fall of grain prices, the mining of mineral veins, the flow of trade routes, and even the sale of government-mandated salt and iron—all are under our control. If Avalanche dares to even consider a counterattack, we can simply flick a finger and cause the Heavenly Dou Empire's grain prices to skyrocket tenfold, forcing mines to shut down..."
The disruption of trade routes caused the entire empire's economy to collapse instantly.
"At that time, the people will be displaced, and the dead will be everywhere. The court and the country will inevitably be in chaos. His throne, which he only secured with our support, will probably be unstable, and he may not even be able to protect his life and property."
"Now," Qian Renxue said with a strong sense of sarcasm, a disdainful smile playing on her lips, "that Xue Beng has long since completely given up. He spends his days hiding in the harem, indulging in pleasure and living a life of debauchery. He doesn't even bother to attend court or handle state affairs, let alone step out of the palace gates. The shrewdness and might he feigned when he first ascended the throne have long since vanished in the face of absolute power and temptation. He has become a complete and utterly useless person, addicted to wine and women."
Huo Yuhao listened quietly to Qian Renxue's eloquent speech, his gaze falling on her radiant face, and a gentle smile slowly crept onto his lips.
He vaguely remembered that when he first met Qian Renxue a few years ago, she was a proud young girl who acted impulsively and lacked cunning.
But now, she stands before me, calmly analyzing the situation of the entire Heavenly Dou Empire. Her words are clear and logical, and her every move exudes composure and competence, demonstrating that she is already capable of handling things on her own.
Time is indeed like the silent spring rain, nourishing things without a sound, and sculpting a completely new appearance without anyone noticing.
The little angel who once needed his protection has now grown into a powerful figure who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him and look down upon the world together.
As Qian Renxue was engrossed in her story, she suddenly noticed Huo Yuhao's gaze. His gaze was so gentle it seemed to melt anyone's heart, filled with deep satisfaction and doting affection. A blush crept onto her pretty face, even tinging her ears with a faint pink. She turned her head away uncomfortably, avoiding Huo Yuhao's gaze, and said coquettishly, "Why are you looking at me like that? It's so awkward."
Looking at her shy expression, Huo Yuhao felt a surge of tenderness in his heart. He smiled slightly and said in a low, gentle voice, "I just feel that our Xue'er has really grown up."
These simple words made Qian Renxue feel incredibly sweet inside, but she remained stubborn, slightly pursing her lips and saying with feigned disdain, "Tch, you're clearly just a little kid, a few years younger than me, yet you insist on acting all mature and composed. It's so awkward."
Seeing Qian Renxue's pouty expression, so charming and childlike, Huo Yuhao felt his heart melt. He couldn't help but reach out and pull her into his arms, tightly holding her slender waist, feeling the warmth and softness of her body. His tone was incredibly doting: "Okay, okay, you're right. You're the older sister, and I'm your younger brother, alright?"
Qian Renxue leaned against his warm chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and the smile on her lips could no longer be contained, blooming freely.
She nestled in Huo Yuhao's arms, remained silent for a moment, then looked up at him intently and asked seriously, "So what should we do next? Now that the Heaven Dou Empire is in our grasp, and we have complete control over the military and political power, should we press on and take it all down, completely incorporating the Heaven Dou Empire's territory into the Spirit Hall's domain?"
Huo Yuhao looked down at her, a deep light flashing in his eyes, a light that carried a calm and wise demeanor, completely different from his gentleness just moments before.
He shook his head slightly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, his tone firm and steady: "No. Although with our current strength, we could easily swallow up the Heavenly Dou Empire in one fell swoop, without even breaking a sweat, that's not the best way."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue was puzzled. She frowned, her eyes filled with confusion, and asked, "Isn't this the best way? Then what is the best way? With our current strength, what could we possibly be worried about?"
Huo Yuhao lowered his head and gently kissed her smooth forehead. Then he slowly raised his head, gazing at the vast sky outside the window, as if he could see the boundless rivers and mountains beyond the Heavenly Dou Empire through layers of palace walls. He said, each word resounding and firm, "The best way, of course, is—to use one wolf to devour another!"