Chapter 148 Rumor, Qin Xiao Really Died_2

"So that's how it is," Qian Renxue nodded, "Elder, you need not blame yourself, it's not your fault."

"However, based on the extent of destruction on the battlefield, I can confirm that the strength of the opponent, if not surpassing the Great Priest, is nearly the same," said Porcupine Douluo, remembering the abnormalities he found at the scene gravely.

"A strength that does not fall short of Grandfather's?"

A complex light flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, and she couldn't help but mutter softly, "There really are hidden dragons and crouching tigers in this Soul Land."

Seeing this, Porcupine Douluo did not disturb Qian Renxue.

"Your Majesty, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi, and Bone Douluo request an audience."

Some time passed when suddenly, someone outside the hall reported.

"Ning Fengzhi, what does he want?"

Porcupine Douluo mumbled to himself, and with a flash of his figure, he had already vanished into the darkness.

Qian Renxue then channeled her Soul Power, and in the short span of two breaths, changed her appearance to that of Xue Qinghe.

After all this, she addressed the guard outside in a deep voice, "Let Sect Master Ning enter."

"Yes."

The guard outside replied and left.

Not long after.

The doors to the Imperial Palace Hall were pushed open.

Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo walked into the hall, one after the other.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Ning Fengzhi clasped his hands together and bowed slightly.

Qian Renxue even feigned an eager expression.

"Teacher, what brings you here?"

As she spoke, she quickly descended from the throne and came before Ning Fengzhi, returning the greeting with a clasped fist.

"Your Majesty, I come bearing important news," said Ning Fengzhi, without beating around the bush.

"Oh?"

With a light 'oh,' Qian Renxue's expression became serious, "What important matter has occurred that requires you to personally convey it, Teacher?"

"It involves Qin Xiao."

Ning Fengzhi started with four words, watching closely for any abnormality on 'Xue Qinghe's' face.

As expected.

He saw a look of shock on 'Xue Qinghe's' face.

"Teacher, what happened to Qin Xiao..."

Before she knew it, Qian Renxue's voice had already become somewhat hoarse.

"Ah, Qinghe, you need to be prepared..."

Ning Fengzhi let out a deep sigh and paused for a few seconds before continuing, "Qin Xiao, he may have already died!"

"What!"

"Died!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue was shocked to her core.

Her mind was like thunder exploding, causing her to feel a moment of emptiness.

Thump, thump, thump.

Her body uncontrollably retreated several steps until her heels hit the steps behind her, where she finally steadied herself.

"Teacher, what you said, is it true..." Before she realized it, Qian Renxue's voice had become somewhat hoarse.

"Although it's hard to accept, this is the truth," Ning Fengzhi declared with a hidden sigh, noticing that 'Xue Qinghe's' friendship with Qin Xiao seemed to run deep.

But thinking about it, it's not hard to understand.

Qin Xiao had assisted Xue Qinghe in ascending to the throne without asking for any reward; such a huge favor.

"Sect Master, let me relate it..."

At that moment, Bone Douluo said in a low voice beside Ning Fengzhi.

"Alright, then you do it."

Ning Fengzhi nodded his head, caught between his partner and his accomplished disciple, finding some things hard to say outright.

"Here's what happened..." With Ning Fengzhi's consent, Bone Douluo related the events that had occurred and their findings when they arrived at the scene in detail.

Qian Renxue listened attentively.

When Bone Douluo mentioned the discovery of blood-stained clothing fragments that belonged to Qin Xiao, he even produced the fragments found at the scene.

Qian Renxue stretched out trembling hands to receive them.

"Truly Qin Xiao's..."

After confirming, Qian Renxue felt as if an invisible hand had grasped her heart tightly, causing pain so intense she couldn't breathe.

With a quivering voice, she ventured, "Is there a possibility that Qin Xiao is just injured?"

She was willing to cling to even the slightest hope that Qin Xiao had not encountered disaster.

In contrast, Bone Douluo shook his head firmly, "There's no chance. Before Sect Master and I came here, we visited Blue Tyrant Academy and did not find Qin Xiao returned. Even those close to him were taken away by Du Gu Bo..."

"Du Gu Bo should have had some grievances with Qin Xiao in the past, likely he got wind of something and retaliated against Qin Xiao. Of course, not daring to do so while Qin Xiao was alive, he could only take it out on his close ones after his death."

"Du Gu Bo actually did such deeds?" Upon hearing Bone Douluo's words, surprise filled Qian Renxue's voice.

They say that Poison Douluo is the true petty man.

He would do anything to achieve his goals.

Now it seems it is indeed so.

"Your Majesty, I've said all I need to say, I only hope you can moderate your grief,"

"Uncle Bone and I won't disturb you any further."

After saying what he needed to say, Ning Fengzhi also felt it was time to leave.

Not to mention, he should go back to the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect to make arrangements, in case old enemies come knocking.

Like the survivors of the Hao Tian Clan.

After all, there was still Tang Hao, the one that got away.

Who knows, without Qin Xiao, whether he would seek revenge on the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect like Poison Douluo.

"Teacher, since you've come all this way, how about Qinghe prepare a feast, and we drink to our heart's content?"

Qian Renxue tried to retain him.

"Ah, forget it, even if you prepared hundred-thousand-year soul beast meat, I wouldn't be able to eat,"

Ning Fengzhi waved his hand, refusing Qian Renxue's suggestion.

"Farewell, Teacher."

Seeing this, Qian Renxue did not insist further and bowed respectfully to Ning Fengzhi.

"Take care, Your Majesty."

Ning Fengzhi bid farewell, then turned and left with Bone Douluo.

Soon after,

only Qian Renxue was left in the great hall.

She just stood there quietly, looking out of the hall.

Even though it was a clear day, she felt overwhelmed by darkness.

Unable to see the path ahead.

In her mind, memories of her interactions with Qin Xiao flashed uncontrollably, like slides in a projector.

Even some vague memories started to become clear.

"I'm helping you, simply because I don't want Avalanche to become the emperor..."

"Title alongside King, I don't care for it..."

"You must look beautiful in a dress...."

"...."

Words once spoken by Qin Xiao unconsciously surfaced in her mind.

It was in that moment Qian Renxue realized her heart had been shadowed by so many imprints left by Qin Xiao.

It must be said, whether in appearance or personality, Qin Xiao was a very charming person.

"But just as I've recognized my own feelings, you've already gone."

"There are so many, many things, I didn't get to tell you."

Qian Renxue's eyes unconsciously reddened.

"Young Master, please restrain your grief,"

At this moment, the voice of Porcupine Douluo floated over.

He knew he could no longer remain silent.

At the same time, he hadn't imagined that Qin Xiao, that overbearing and arrogant fellow, could leave such a deep imprint in the Young Master's heart.

In fact,

he could never understand, that a person like Qian Renxue most admired those who were indifferent to her...

In other words,

she admired those whom she couldn't conquer.

"Porcupine Elder, I believe you heard the conversation just now. Now I need you to report every single word of what Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo said to grandfather,"

"And ask grandfather to investigate, which soul beast killed Qin Xiao."

"Such a big incident has occurred, I don't believe not even a trace can be found."

"I, Qian Renxue, swear that I will slay it!"

Qian Renxue, with her back to Porcupine Douluo, wiped her cheeks with her hand.

"Young Master, please calm down."

Upon hearing her words, Porcupine Douluo's heart skipped a beat.

He repeatedly said, "Although that young fellow Qin Xiao was indeed of great help to you, he's already dead, and it's not worth it for you to make such a sacrifice."

His words were cruelly realistic.

Once someone is dead, they're useless.

No matter how brilliant they were in life, death is like the snuffing of a lamp. Is the lost Qin Xiao really worth Qian Renxue going to such extremes for?

Of course, the answer is no.

It's not worth it.

But Qian Renxue shook her head, "Elder, you're wrong. Some people, some things, whether they're worth it or not, aren't about their value, but about this."

As she spoke, Qian Renxue tapped her chest over her heart.