Hearing Tang Yuehua's advice, Emperor Xue Ye fell into thought. He knew moving the capital was the only way. Otherwise, if Spirit Hall reached the palace, Heaven Dou would truly be destroyed.
But if he did, his name would be forever marked by shame in the empire's history.
"Is there really no other way?" Xue Ye asked hesitantly.
Suddenly, Tai Tan had an idea and asked Tang Xiao, "Right, Clan Leader Tang, how are the Sun Crystal and Cold Heart Frost Crystal left by the Grandmaster? It's been a year—surely you could have ground them into needles by now, especially with the Clear Sky Hammer. If possible, I can forge the Ice-Fire Meteor Needle right away—it might threaten Bibi Dong. If she dies, we'll have a chance to counterattack."
Tang Xiao was embarrassed. He had given those two stones to Tianlin as compensation long ago. No one had asked before, so he hadn't mentioned it.
"Um, Tai Tan, sorry, I lost those two stones a while ago. Really sorry."
Tang Xiao was embarrassed. In the past, he'd never have spoken so politely to a former Clear Sky Sect servant, but now, he was in the wrong. At least he still had some dignity.
"You lost them?" Tai Tan's eyes widened. "Such important things—how could you lose them? Do you know what that means to us?"
Tai Tan was so angry he forgot about rank and questioned his former master.
Tai Tan thought to himself, "No wonder only Master Tang Hao is worth following in the Clear Sky Sect. The rest are useless."
Hearing Tai Tan's tone, Tang Xiao frowned. He was still a Super Douluo and Heaven Dou's top fighter. Even if he made a mistake, others weren't qualified to question him. He already apologized; for someone like Tai Tan, that was quite an honor.
"Tai Tan, are you questioning me? Do you think you have that right?" Tang Xiao said coldly.
"Hmph, why not? I'm no longer one of your Clear Sky Sect. You're not my master. I'm now commander of the Tang family army, equal in rank to you," Tai Tan retorted, unafraid.
Tai Tan's loyalty was only to Tang Hao, not Tang Xiao.
"All right, brother, Mr. Tai Tan, now's not the time for infighting," Tang Yuehua quickly intervened. One was the top fighter, the other the top army commander. Internal conflict was fatal now.
"Hmph!" Tai Tan snorted and said no more.
The situation was already set—nothing could be done about the lost materials. Now the Ice-Fire Meteor Needle couldn't be made. He could only focus on making the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus and the Torrential Pear Blossom Needle—easier to find materials for but much harder to craft. He had spent the year researching and could now barely make one or two.
"Your Majesty, because of Clan Leader Tang's blunder, I also support moving the capital. Once I finish making top-level hidden weapons, we'll have a chance to counterattack. Before that, we must buy time."
"You!" Tang Xiao glared at Tai Tan. The sarcasm shifted all blame to him. If not for needing Tai Tan now, and knowing he was in the wrong, he'd have smashed him with a hammer.
"Ahem!" Emperor Xue Ye suddenly coughed violently—he was so angry. The two people he relied on most were so unreliable. He felt chest pain, and not just from anger—the life Ning Fengzhi had prolonged for him with a secret technique was about to end.
Xue Ye suddenly missed Ning Fengzhi. At least he was reliable, and his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could resist Spirit Hall. Sadly, after falling out with Heaven Dou, the sect had withdrawn from continent affairs and now focused only on self-preservation.
Xue Ye was angry at Ning Fengzhi's lack of action—didn't he understand that great power meant great responsibility? He lacked loyalty and care for the people.
Seeing Xue Ye's mixed feelings, Tang Yuehua suggested, "Your Majesty, using the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's power is the best way. Now is the time. No matter how aloof Ning Fengzhi is, he can't let Spirit Hall destroy Heaven Dou. If that happens, his sect will also suffer. They can defend themselves, but the sect's development would be greatly limited."
"So we don't need to move the capital?" Xue Ye asked hopefully. He really didn't want to be a figure of shame.
"Father, we still need to move," Xue Beng said. "Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect helps, they won't go all out. For them, self-preservation is most important. If they lose too much fighting Spirit Hall, their own sect will suffer. So they'll only stall for us."
"But that's enough. For us, time is everything. Star Luo sent word—they'll take Gengxin City within a month and send reinforcements. We need time to craft hidden weapons. Then, with our hidden weapon army and Star Luo's million troops, attacking Spirit Hall from two sides, that will be our chance to counterattack. Now, no matter the cost, we must get the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to help us."
"Sigh, all right!" Emperor Xue Ye sighed, suddenly seeming decades older. "Xue Beng, you go see Ning Fengzhi. No matter what he wants, as long as he'll help, give it to him. From now on, you decide national affairs."
"Yes, Father, don't worry. I won't fail you!" Xue Beng promised. He could tell Xue Ye was near death. As crown prince, he had to step up.
Xue Beng's character wasn't great, but he had a sense of responsibility. In times of crisis, he wouldn't run away, but would bear the burden. Unfortunately, his policies were the opposite of Tianlin's—they were not on the same path and would remain opponents.
The next day, Xue Beng prepared lavish gifts and, with three deans from Heaven Dou Academy, set off for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.