Douluo: Steal Tang San's luck and become stronger!

She paused, her gaze sharpening further.

"You really trust Tang Lan of the Tang Clan so much? You believe the intelligence he provides? You believe that his mobilization of forces from all sides to besiege Dongyang City is solely for the purpose of eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path, and that he has no other motives?"

Yun Su's voice was not loud, but every word was like a needle, pointing directly to the core of the emperor's mind.

"You must understand, this emperor's throne, though gleaming with gold, is built upon the ambitions, blood, and bones of countless people. Countless eyes across the land are eyeing this chair, and countless individuals dream day and night of pulling you down to sit on it themselves. The Tang Clan is currently at the height of its power, and Tang Lan himself is even more enigmatic; his strength and influence are growing far too rapidly."

He may be your ally today, helping you fight the Holy Spirit Cult, but what about tomorrow? What happens when this common threat of the Holy Spirit Cult diminishes?

The old woman's tone carried a warning born of experience.

"As the ruler of a country, you must always remember that there are no permanent friends in the arena of power, only permanent interests. Even current allies must be guarded against."

Preserving strength, leaving room for maneuver, and maintaining a balance of power—this is the way of an emperor. Is it... too risky to entrust so many elite troops to the trust of one person and a piece of information that is not yet fully verified?

Yun Su's words were wise and insightful, filled with deep concern for Xu Sanshi's safety and the future of the empire. They also represented the views of some conservative forces in the court and even within the Xuanming Sect—who worried that Xu Sanshi's over-reliance on and trust in the Tang Sect might ultimately benefit others or even lead to disaster.

Xu Sanshi listened quietly to his master's teachings, his face showing no displeasure, only deep contemplation. After Yun Su finished speaking, he did not immediately refute her, but instead let out a long sigh, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

He walked to the window, gazing at the magnificent palace outside and the distant, faintly visible cityscape of the capital. His voice carried a sense of helplessness and clarity, as if he had seen through the harsh realities of life.

“Master, how could I not know what you are saying? The art of rulership and the way of checks and balances, how could I possibly forget them?”

He turned around and looked at Yun Su, his eyes becoming extremely serious.

"But Master, have you ever considered that without the Tang Clan's covert support during this period, without Tang Lan's provision of those pills, soul tool blueprints, and even some key intelligence and business channels... our Douling Empire would probably not be what it is now, and might even... have already been defeated."

Xu Sanshi's tone became heavy.

"Look at the situation we are facing. To the west, the Heavenly Soul Empire is eyeing us covetously. Although there is no large-scale war for the time being, border frictions have never stopped. Their national strength, military strength, and soul master strength are still stronger than ours overall."

To the north, the Holy Spirit Cult's evil spirit masters are like leeches, constantly eroding our border cities, creating panic, developing followers, and plundering resources—the tragedy of Black Iron City is proof of this! Internally, remnants of the previous dynasty, local powerful figures, and ambitious individuals bewitched by the Holy Spirit Cult are also stirring with restless ambitions…”

He spread his hands, a look of helplessness on his face.

"This is a situation of internal and external troubles, surrounded by enemies, with almost no hope of breaking the deadlock... a doomed situation! With the strength of our Douling Empire alone, and with the support of the Xuanming Sect alone, we may be able to hold on for a while, but how long? Five years? Ten years? In the end, we will either be swallowed up by the Tianhun Empire, slowly devoured by the Holy Spirit Sect, or fall apart in internal strife."

Xu Sanshi's gaze hardened again as he looked at Yun Su and spoke each word clearly.

"It was Tang Lan and Tang Sect that gave us hope for breaking the deadlock and provided tangible assistance. The resources they provided strengthened our army and the combat power of our Soul Masters; the technology they shared enhanced our national strength and foundation."

They diverted some of the Holy Spirit Church's attention, easing our border pressures; even some of their ideas and systems have inspired us to reform our domestic policies.

He walked up to Yun Su, his tone sincere.

"Master, to be honest, it might sound discouraging, but it's the truth—without Tang Lan's help back then, and without the Tang Clan's subsequent support, I, Xu Sanshi, probably wouldn't be sitting here peacefully as emperor. The Holy Spirit Cult has long since set its sights on the royal family."

They'll use even more drastic methods to overthrow the empire. Even with you, Uncle Yin, and the full support of the Xuanming Sect... can we really deter them? Can we withstand the Holy Spirit Sect's endless stream of bizarre methods and the possibility of them sending out super Douluo?"

These words struck Yun Su like a hammer blow, leaving her speechless. She opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn't immediately refute them.

Because she knew that what Xu Sanshi said was very likely true. The terror and cunning of the Holy Spirit Cult far surpassed that of ordinary sects. While the Xuanming Sect certainly had a profound foundation, Yun Su and Yin Hong were both powerful figures among the Title Douluo, and the sect leader Chen Zhen was even more unfathomable.

However, the Holy Spirit Sect has a long history, numerous experts, and ruthless methods. If it is truly determined to overthrow the Douling Royal Family and concentrate its forces on decapitation or large-scale destruction, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the Xuanming Sect alone to completely protect Xu Sanshi and the imperial center.

Yun Su fell silent, and had to admit that Xu Sanshi's analysis was closer to the harsh reality.

She could indeed withstand a Title Douluo, and Yin Hong could also withstand one. If the sect leader were to emerge from seclusion, he might be able to deal with an even stronger opponent... but what if the Holy Spirit Sect sent out multiple Title Douluos at the same time?

Or what if we resort to bizarre and unpredictable forbidden methods like the "Bloody Bird"? The Xuanming Sect excels in defense, but how effective can an individual's power be against an evil formation that targets the fate of a nation and the lives of hundreds of millions of people?

Xu Sanshi saw that his master was silent and knew that she had taken his words to heart.

His tone softened, but remained firm.

"Therefore, Master, I am not blindly trusting Tang Lan, nor am I easily entrusting the fate of the empire to him. I have made the choice that is most beneficial to the survival and development of the empire after careful consideration of the situation. Forming an alliance with the Tang Sect to jointly fight against the Holy Spirit Cult, the most imminent and dangerous enemy, is our only and best way out under the current circumstances."

This operation in Dongyang City is not only for revenge and to demonstrate the majesty of the Empire, but also to showcase the resolve and strength of our Douling Empire to the Tang Sect and the entire continent, thus consolidating this alliance. Only by thoroughly inflicting a heavy blow on the Holy Spirit Cult can we buy ourselves time to regroup and develop.

He paused, then added.

"Of course, I will keep Master's reminder in mind. I will make arrangements for checks and balances and defenses in secret. But with a formidable enemy at hand, we must first concentrate our forces and win this battle. The Tang Clan wants prestige, and we want survival and stability; our goals are aligned for the time being. As for the future... let's talk about other things when we both have sufficient strength and resources."

Looking at Xu Sanshi's calm yet sharp face, and listening to his clear analysis and determination, Yun Su's worries had not completely dissipated, but her stubborn opposition had melted away by more than half.

She had lived far longer than Xu Sanshi, witnessing the rise and fall of countless powers and the betrayal of allies. She habitually examined everything with the utmost caution, even pessimism. But she also had to admit that her disciple, now the ruler of a nation, possessed a height, faced complex situations, and held information that perhaps even she, a long-time hermit living in the sect and far removed from worldly affairs, could not fully comprehend.

She remained silent, but involuntarily, following Xu Sanshi's words, she contemplated another, more extreme possibility—a worry she had never explicitly stated before, yet which had always lingered in her heart like a shadow.

"Sanshi."

Yun Su's voice rang out again, lower and slower than before, carrying a deep sense of solemnity.

"I understand your considerations. Joining forces with the Tang Clan to fight against a powerful enemy is indeed the wisest choice at present. However..."

She raised her head, her clear eyes staring directly at Xu Sanshi, as if trying to see into the deepest part of his heart.

"Have you ever considered that those madmen in the Holy Spirit Cult often act unpredictably and irrationally? If they sense the Empire's determination to join forces with the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy, they might even act when you've mobilized your entire army, deployed all your elite troops, and left the capital relatively undefended..."

Yun Su paused for a moment, as if each word weighed a ton.

"What if they choose not to confront you directly in Dongyang City, but instead... send several, or even more, top experts to infiltrate the capital secretly, or even launch a full-scale attack, with their sights set on the imperial palace, all for one purpose—to kidnap you, the emperor of the Douling Empire?"

This hypothesis, cold and cruel, is like a poisoned dagger, pointing directly at the most vulnerable and fatal point of the empire's core. If the emperor were to be taken hostage or even killed, the newly formed imperial will would instantly collapse.

The frontline army will fall into chaos without a fight, and the alliance with Tang Sect and Shrek Academy may collapse in an instant, plunging the entire Douling Empire into an abyss of utter chaos! The Holy Spirit Cult is entirely capable of taking such a reckless and desperate move, aiming to "capture the king first"!

"But what if the Holy Spirit Cult mobilizes all its experts just to kidnap the emperor of his Douling Empire?"

This thought was not only on Yun Su's mind, but also a hidden worry that many high-ranking officials in the court and military generals dared not openly express. With Xu Sanshi dispatching even a close bodyguard like Yin Hong, the capital's top-tier defensive capabilities would indeed be weakened.

Upon hearing this, Xu Sanshi's expression became more serious.

He had considered this issue. As an emperor, his own safety was always a sword hanging over his head.

He remained silent for a moment, not answering immediately, seemingly weighing the worst-case scenario.

A brief silence fell over the imperial study, broken only by the faint sound of patrolling palace guards outside the window.

After a long while, Yun Su looked at Xu Sanshi, who was deep in thought, and sighed softly. This sigh contained too many complex emotions—worry about her disciple's dangerous situation, a helpless understanding of the situation, and perhaps a trace of self-reflection on her previous overly conservative approach.

She spoke slowly, her tone no longer filled with doubt, but with more approval and a deeper sense of planning.

"Perhaps... you are right. As someone who has been out of the world for a long time, my view of the situation is inevitably somewhat closed-minded, focusing too much on potential threats and neglecting the opportunities at hand."

Her gaze drifted into the distance.

"Looking back on these years, the empire has been teetering on the brink of collapse, beset by internal and external troubles. The reason why the Douling Empire has survived to this day, without collapsing as quickly as many dynasties in history, upon closer examination, is indeed..."

Thanks to the Tang Clan, especially the mysterious and powerful Sect Master, for the numerous help and checks and balances he provided at crucial moments. If he truly harbored ulterior motives, the empire would likely have already changed hands or become a puppet state long ago, without having to wait until today.

Yun Su withdrew her gaze and turned it back to Xu Sanshi, her eyes becoming solemn and serious.

"Sanshi, remember what I'm about to say. You must firmly protect your identity as an 'Elder of the Tang Clan.' You must not disregard or abandon it just because you've ascended the throne. This identity is not just an empty title, but also a protective talisman, an important link, and a unique stance."

She took a step forward and lowered her voice.

"With this identity, it will be much easier for you to make decisions in many delicate and sensitive moments in the future. You can do things that are inconvenient for you to do directly as the 'Dou Ling Emperor' as an 'Elder of the Tang Clan'."
Through this relationship, you can gain a deeper understanding of the Tang Clan's movements and intentions; and when necessary, this identity can even become an important bargaining chip for you to communicate with the core members of the Tang Clan, or even to negotiate.

It represents another solid bond between you personally and the Tang Sect, beyond national interests. The Empire and the Tang Sect are allies of the nation and the sect, while your personal relationship with the Tang Sect is that of an elder and the sect's enduring bond. Only with both combined can the bond be truly secure.

Yun Su's words were shrewd and insightful, highlighting from another perspective the importance of maintaining close personal ties with the Tang Clan for Xu Sanshi.

This is not just a matter of trust, but also a matter of political wisdom.

Seeing his usually strict and cautious master's attitude finally change significantly, from initial strong skepticism to current acceptance and deeper planning, Xu Sanshi couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. He knew that persuading someone like his master was not easy, and gaining her understanding and support was of great significance to him.

He bowed respectfully to Yun Su.

"Master's teachings are etched in my mind. I will cherish my status as an elder of the Tang Clan. I will also diligently maintain my relationship with Brother Tang Lan and with the Tang Clan. Master, rest assured, I have made arrangements for the defense of the capital. I will not put all my eggs in one basket. I have secretly adjusted the deployment of the core forces of the Xuanming Sect and the old elders of the Imperial Hall of Worship."

Xu Sanshi paused, his tone becoming more relaxed, conveying a sense of genuine trust.

"As for the Tang Clan, in my opinion, there is absolutely no need to be overly wary of them. Although I dare not say that I fully understand Brother Tang Lan's character and ambitions, after getting to know him over the years, I can be certain that his ambitions lie elsewhere, and what he seeks is much greater and more... unfathomable."

Rather than wasting energy guarding against an ally who may have no intention of vying with us for worldly power, we should focus our efforts on how to better leverage their strength to enhance ourselves and confront our true mortal enemy.

Looking into Xu Sanshi's eyes, Yun Su finally nodded slowly and said nothing more. Some trust needs time to prove itself, and her disciple had already made his choice. (End of Chapter)