Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 372: Bone scraping to cure poison
……

"Pass down the order," Bibi Dong's icy voice clearly reached Ghost Douluo, who was guarding outside, through the secret chamber, "Proceed according to plan. Everyone on the list... leave no one alive!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ghost Douluo's voice was filled with suppressed excitement and murderous intent.

A bloody purge targeting corrupt elements within the Spirit Empire, personally orchestrated by Pope Bibi Dong, has suddenly begun!

This storm will be closer to everyone's life than Xuanming's world-destroying power, and it will be even more... terrifying!
Because this time, the one wielding the butcher's knife is the one they once revered, but now think they can do whatever they want... the supreme ruler!
The sharp blade was not pointed at external enemies, but rather mercilessly slashed at those "own people" who had been corrupted by power and desire.

……

Wuhun City, outside the Pope's Palace.

Ning Fengzhi stood in the square in front of the palace, looking at the streets in the distance that still smelled faintly of blood, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

In just a few days, Wuhun City experienced an unprecedented storm.

Pope Bibi Dong, with overwhelming force, personally took action and, together with the elders loyal to her, carried out a bloody purge of the corrupt officials and tyrannical Soul Master nobles within the empire who had been completely exposed after the Xuanming intimidation.

Those on the list, regardless of their rank or background, were almost entirely wiped out! Many once powerful governors and bishops were reduced to ashes under the judgment of the Asura Demon Sword!

The entire upper echelons of the Spirit Empire experienced a major upheaval!

The brutality and thoroughness of this purge terrified even Ning Fengzhi.

In the short term, the empire's operations will inevitably be greatly affected, and turmoil is unavoidable.

But Ning Fengzhi knew even better that a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one. If these malignant tumors were allowed to continue to fester, the Martial Soul Empire would truly be in imminent danger. He was truly surprised that Bibi Dong had such courage to take such a risky move.

What he found even more unbelievable was that the trigger, or rather the catalyst, for all of this was Xuanming!
It was Xuanming's earth-shattering power that completely ignited the internal conflicts and created the best opportunity for Bibi Dong to take action.

This made him re-examine the relationship between Xuanming and Bibi Dong.

He knew the Spirit Hall of the past all too well. That top-down arrogance and greed were practically ingrained in their very bones.

The higher-ups are not unaware of the corruption at the lower levels; often, they even tacitly approve or condone it, because they are the ultimate beneficiaries. The wealth and resources plundered from the lower levels will eventually flow into the hands of the upper levels through various means.

How could such a deep-rooted problem be easily changed by a few words or actions from an outsider? Moreover, how could a ruthless pope like Bibi Dong be willing to shake the foundations of the empire to carry out such a thorough purge?

He had never considered the possibility of romantic love. Firstly, Bibi Dong's image as an iron-blooded pope was completely unrelated to love. Secondly, Xuan Ming had many beautiful women around him, and given Bibi Dong's domineering and powerful personality, how could she tolerate any secret affair? But if it wasn't that kind of relationship, how could Xuan Ming exert such a decisive influence on her?

"Sect Master Ning." Xuan Ming's calm voice rang out quietly, interrupting Ning Fengzhi's thoughts.

Ning Fengzhi composed himself and bowed, saying, "Lord Xuanming."

Xuanming looked at him and said, "You don't need to be so polite with me."

Ning Fengzhi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then gave a wry smile. Indeed, given Xuanming's current strength and influence, as well as the complex relationship between them, maintaining overly polite formalities would only seem distant.

“I was being too rigid,” Ning Fengzhi relaxed his posture somewhat, but his tone still carried respect. “However… this upheaval has far-reaching consequences, and the entire empire is filled with unease. His Majesty’s ruthless methods have deterred the villains, but the subsequent appeasement and reconstruction will likely be…”

“I know.” Xuanming interrupted him, his gaze calmly sweeping across the somewhat desolate street. “Scraping the bone to remove poison will always be painful for a while. But if this poison is not removed, the empire will eventually perish from within.”

He looked at Ning Fengzhi, "She has her own decisions and methods, but you know her style of doing things. Stabilizing the situation, selecting new people, and balancing all parties—these things require time and patience, and that's up to you."

Ning Fengzhi understood. Xuanming was clearly telling him that he needed to play the role of "stabilizer" and "builder," and that after Bibi Dong violently destroyed the old order, he would assist in establishing a new one.

“I understand.” Ning Fengzhi nodded solemnly. “I will do my best to stabilize the situation and restore the empire to normal operation as soon as possible.”

Xuanming nodded slightly. "I'm going back to Seagod Island. Is there anything you want to say to Rongrong?"

Upon hearing his daughter's name, Ning Fengzhi's eyes immediately revealed affection and concern. After a moment's thought, he took out a pre-prepared letter and an antique-style brocade pouch from his bosom.

"Lord Xuanming, please give this letter to Rongrong." Ning Fengzhi handed over the letter, his tone gentle, "Tell her that everything is fine at home, so she doesn't need to worry and can focus on her cultivation on Seagod Island."

He paused, then handed the brocade pouch to Xuanming, his expression becoming more serious: "Please give this pouch to her as well. Let her... open it when she feels most confused or faces a difficult decision." Xuanming took the letter and the pouch, nodded, and didn't ask any further questions. He could sense a faint spiritual imprint of Ning Fengzhi on the pouch, clearly meant for Ning Rongrong.

"And..." Ning Fengzhi looked at Xuan Ming, his tone serious, "Rongrong is a stubborn child at times, and... she's been spoiled a bit too much by her Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa. If she's willful in any way, or if she encounters any trouble, please... be understanding."

Xuanming raised an eyebrow slightly. "Do you really need to be so polite with me?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled wryly, "You are now a peerless Douluo, and you are only one step away from the legendary level 100 of the Dou Tian realm. I am being polite out of respect for powerful Soul Masters."

Upon hearing this, Xuanming's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness. He had never been used to such formalities, but he could understand Ning Fengzhi's feelings at this moment.

It's better than those guys in the Elders' Hall who get weak in the knees just looking at him.

“Rongrong is doing well on Poseidon Island,” he said simply. “She’s stronger than you think.”

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes flashed with a hint of relief. As a father, he was well aware that his daughter was growing up, but he couldn't help but worry.

"That's good." He nodded gently. "This child has never been away from me for long since he was little, this time..."

“Everyone has their own path to walk,” Xuanming interrupted his lament. “You can’t protect her forever.”

These words were blunt, yet they caused Ning Fengzhi to pause slightly. He understood this principle perfectly well, but…

"I understand." Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath, his expression returning to its usual composure. "In that case, I won't keep you any longer."

"Goodbye."

High in the sky, amidst a sea of ​​clouds.

Xuanming and Gu Yuena flew side by side at a slow speed, as if admiring the vast and boundless blue ocean below.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, couldn't dispel the subtle solemnity between Xuanming's brows.

He gazed at the faint outline of the island on the distant horizon, remaining silent.

Gu Yuena glanced at him sideways, her silver-purple eyes calm and unwavering, her cool voice breaking the silence: "Worried about Poseidon?"

Xuanming did not deny it, and simply hummed in agreement.

"We must tell Tang Chen about this."

"But... I haven't figured out how to say it yet."

The image of Poseidon's gentle and tolerant sea-blue eyes came to mind.

The high priestess of Poseidon Island had taken great care of him since his arrival, in many ways exceeding the scope of her duties as high priestess. He remembered this kindness.

Now, he has to tell her that the person she has waited for half her life died at his hands.

Even if Tang Chen had already fallen into depravity, even if it was a choice he had to make to save Bibi Dong and seize the power of the Asura God, the result would not change—Tang Chen died because of him.

How would Poseidon react? Grief? Angry? Or... hatred?
Would she want to avenge Tang Chen?
What should I do if she really takes action?
Standing still and letting her beat him up to vent her anger? That seems too pretentious, and it might not be what Poseidon wanted.

To actually fight her? That would be utterly absurd. Poseidon was the high priest of Poseidon Island, the sea god's most loyal servant, and a friend who had been kind to him. To confront her in battle was absolutely not his wish.

Furthermore, Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing are undergoing the Sacred Pillar Trial on Poseidon Island. Although the content of the trial is determined by Poseidon, the specific implementation and evaluation criteria are largely in the hands of Poseidon.

If Poseidon were to take her anger out on them because of their own actions, and this affected their assessment, that would be even more troublesome.

Thinking about all this, Xuanming felt a sense of unease.

What he fears most are these issues involving emotions, especially when he feels indebted to the other person.

(End of this chapter)