Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

Page 292

Therefore, Si Kou Shisan vaguely sensed something from Xiao Fan's questioning earlier. He probably discovered something, otherwise he wouldn't have asked him such a question.

That's why he became even more panicked.

All his schemes are based on the principle of strength above all else! If he is not strong enough, no matter how he schemes, he will not succeed.

Now, with two Dou Huangs, Xiao Fan and Yun Yun, he could easily disrupt his plans. Moreover, judging from the relationship between Xiao Fan and Tian Du Nu, if a battle were to break out, Tian Du Nu would probably have to be added to the mix.

In that case, what's the point of talking about resisting the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect? They might as well just wash themselves clean and wait to be beaten.

The Sikou family of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect was already a formidable opponent, even one that was difficult to turn the tide. With the added strength of Xiao Fan and his group, the Sikou family had no chance of making a comeback.

"Thump thump thump..."

Just as Sikou Shisan was lost in thought, footsteps came from the stairs, and then Sikou Ning, wearing a bright yellow dress, came up.

Si Kou Ning looked at the people sitting on the sofa, smiled, lifted her skirt and gave a graceful bow to Xiao Fan and the others. Then she walked excitedly to Xiao Yi Xian's side and sat down next to her.

With Si Kou Ning's interruption, the atmosphere in the room was finally less serious. Xiao Fan didn't say anything more, just watched Si Kou Ning and Little Fairy Doctor talk.

However, most of the time, it was Si Kou Ning who recounted her experiences and feelings, while Little Fairy Doctor sat listening attentively, nodding occasionally and offering a few words of advice, just like a kind older sister next door.

Not long after, Sikou Ning invited Xiao Yixian and the others to visit the palace. Xiao Fan also wanted to meet the emperor of the Chuyun Empire, who was also the elder brother of Sikou Shisan and the others, so he readily agreed.

Seeing that Xiao Fan and the others agreed to go to the palace, Si Kou Ning acted carefree, chatting and laughing with Little Fairy Doctor, while Si Kou Shisan instructed a subordinate to go to the palace in advance to inform them.

After all, Xiao Fan and his group are quite powerful, and the royal family places great importance on etiquette. They should at least welcome Xiao Fan and his group.

However, Xiao Fan didn't care about these formalities, and Yun Yun and Little Fairy Doctor weren't people who cared about these things either, so they organized a grand welcome for Si Kou Thirteen.

However, in the end, Si Kou Shisan still notified the Izumo Empire's royal family that at least one prince should be sent to the palace gate to greet them.

On their way to the palace, as they passed the residence of an important official, they saw several squads of imperial guards escorting a large number of people out of the Marquis of Qi's mansion.

Xiao Fan glanced around and guessed that this must be the family of the current empress.

When they first entered the city, Xiao Fan and his group witnessed Si Kou Shisan directing the army to capture Qi Li. Now it seems that Qi Li has been completely controlled by the Si Kou family.

After all, according to the information obtained before, Qi Li's daughter married the emperor of the Chuyun Empire and became the queen mother of the country, while his second son joined the Wanxie Sect and became a disciple of an elder. It is not difficult to see that there must be a special relationship between the Qi Hou Mansion and the Wanxie Sect.

Moreover, if Qi Li truly had nothing to hide, why would he have directly engaged in battle with Si Kou Shisan in the first place?

However, Xiao Fan and his companions didn't pay much attention to these things; the victor is king and the loser is villain, it's all the same.

As they walked to the palace gate, to Xiao Fan's surprise, although there was no particularly grand welcoming ceremony, the person standing at the front was a middle-aged figure wearing a five-clawed dragon robe.

The fact that someone could wear a five-clawed dragon robe at the palace gates meant that this person was none other than Sikou Qingtian, the emperor of the Chuyun Empire.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." X2

When Si Kou Qingtian came out to greet Xiao Fan and his group in person, both Si Kou Shisan and Si Kou Ning showed a hint of surprise on their faces.

Normally, Si Kou Qingtian is truly elusive, spending all his time handling government affairs.

After all, the entire burden of the country rests on his shoulders. He also has to constantly think about how to overthrow the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect and be wary of emerging forces, such as the Qi Marquis's Mansion, which want to replace the Sikou family.

Si Kou Qingtian's time was always squeezed in, so seeing him waiting for Xiao Fan at the palace gate surprised both Si Kou Shisan and Si Kou Ning.

"Ah."

In response to Si Kou Shisan and Si Kou Ning's greetings, Si Kou Shisan looked at them and nodded slightly. Then he looked at Xiao Fan with a serious expression.

Si Kou Qingtian looked very dignified, wearing a dragon robe. He naturally exuded an inexplicable aura of authority, not to mention that he had been in a high position for a long time, which naturally cultivated his own imposing presence.

However, when Si Kou Shisan looked at Xiao Fan, a smile appeared on his face.

"Mr. Xiao, I've heard so much about you. Please."

Ignoring the surprised gazes of the surrounding ministers and Sikou Shisan and Sikou Ning, Sikou Qingtian cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Fan, and then personally led Xiao Fan and the others into the palace.

"Little Thirteen, is my brother possessed by an evil spirit?"

Si Kou Ning watched Si Kou Qingtian, Xiao Fan, and the others depart, her expression still showing surprise. She stared blankly at their receding figures, then reached out and nudged Si Kou Shisan, who was also standing there in a daze, and said something.

Upon hearing Si Kou Ning's words, Si Kou Shisan's expression also changed.

It's no wonder they were so shocked.

Perhaps because he was exposed to the throne too early, after the fall of the previous emperor of the Chuyun Empire, the great responsibility of the country fell on Sikou Qingtian, who was only about twenty years old at the time. Although he was the elder brother of Sikou Shisan and Sikou Ning, he was much stricter with them, just like a father.

Therefore, among all the brothers, no one was unafraid of Sikou Qingtian, but despite their fear, they also knew that Sikou Qingtian treated them extremely well, so they all wanted to help Sikou Qingtian share some of the pressure.

This led to the creation of Tianxianglou by Sikou Shisan.

Although they already knew that Xiao Fan was very important, Si Kou Shisan and Si Kou Ning were still momentarily stunned to see how much Si Kou Qingtian valued him.

Chapter 93 Scorpion Biyan visits

However, before the two could have time to think, Xiao Fan and his group had already entered the palace at Si Kou Qingtian's invitation.

The last time Xiao Fan and Yun Yun came in, it was to see Si Kou Ning. They followed behind the Imperial Guards the whole way and didn't see much of the scenery.

This time was different. Si Kou Qingtian set up a banquet in the royal garden, which was reserved for the imperial family, and invited Xiao Fan and others to take their seats.

Although he had been living in this world for several years, Xiao Fan was still curious about the life of the royal family and did not refuse Si Kou Qingtian's invitation.

However, when he saw the scenery of the Imperial Garden, Xiao Fan's heart was still stirred.

Xiao Fan couldn't help but recall that it was no wonder so many emperors in his previous life enjoyed strolling through the imperial garden.

At least in the royal garden of the Izumo Empire, the sight of hundreds of flowers blooming in profusion was truly delightful for Xiao Fan.

Turning his head to look at Little Fairy Doctor and Yun Yun beside him, Xiao Fan felt a surge of joy.

As for the food inside the palace, Xiao Fan didn't pay much attention to it. Sure enough, when they were halfway through the meal, Si Kou Qingtian cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Fan and then quietly left the garden.

Xiao Fan was not surprised by this. After eating some more food, he chased after Si Kou Qingtian.

As for Sikou Shisan and Sikou Ning, they naturally saw it too, but without Sikou Qingtian's orders, they dared not rush forward, and Xiao Yixian and Yun Yun ignored them.

They knew that Xiao Fan and the Sikou royal family definitely had something to discuss, and neither of them were the type to interfere. As far as they were concerned, they only cared about Xiao Fan.

After leaving the Imperial Garden, Xiao Fan and Si Kou Qingtian went to a study.

After gesturing for the surrounding palace maids to leave, Si Kou Qingtian bowed to Xiao Fan and said, "Qingtian is here to apologize to Mr. Xiao."

"Oh?"

Xiao Fan knew that Si Kou Qingtian would put aside state affairs to wait for him at the palace gate, which meant he must have something important to discuss. However, he did not expect that before he could say anything, Si Kou Qingtian would bow down and apologize to him.

It should be noted that Sikou Qingtian, as the emperor of a country, does not bow to everyone he meets, let alone take the initiative to admit his mistake.

"An apology? I don't know what you mean by..."

Xiao Fan was puzzled, but his face showed a hint of curiosity as he scrutinized Si Kou Qingtian.

Si Kou Qingtian's expression remained unchanged upon hearing Xiao Fan's words. He then straightened up, looked Xiao Fan in the eye, and said, "Previously, the Si Kou family disregarded the safety of the Heavenly Poison Woman and attempted to use her to completely annihilate the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect. We hope Mr. Xiao will forgive us."

Upon hearing Sikou Qingtian's words, Xiao Fan seemed to only then learn of the news. His face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table beside him, glaring at Sikou Qingtian as he said, "Hmph! A mere 'forgive me'—do you think you can just let this matter go?"

Si Kou Qingtian felt the pressure emanating from Xiao Fan, and a look of shock appeared on his face.

"A... Dou Zong!?"

Si Kou Qingtian never expected that Xiao Fan, who was only at the Dou Huang level in the previous intelligence, had actually broken through to the Dou Zong level without anyone noticing.

Thinking about this, Si Kou Qingtian couldn't help but feel a little fortunate for what he had just done.

He hadn't originally intended to confess to Xiao Fan. As the emperor of a nation, how could he bow down to an outsider? However, considering the awkward situation of the Izumo Empire's royal family, he had no choice but to speak to Xiao Fan.

However, upon discovering that Xiao Fan's strength had already broken through to the Dou Zong level, he was actually somewhat glad that he had made that choice.

"I wonder what Mr. Xiao's requirements are? Please feel free to speak up."

Facing Xiao Fan, who possessed the strength of a Dou Zong, Si Kou Qingtian dared not utter a single complaint.

After all, they only had one trump card: Xiao Fan and Tian Du Nu, two Dou Zongs, plus Yun Yun, the former sect master of Yunlan Sect who was at the peak of Dou Huang. This was enough to make him lower his stance.

Xiao Fan looked at Si Kou Qingtian, who was cooperating so well, and his expression did not change. However, he felt a little uneasy. If the punishment was too lenient, Xiao Fan would not be happy. But it seemed impossible to punish the other party severely, since they now had a common enemy, the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect.

"Of the royal collection, 70% of the medicinal herbs belong to me."

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Fan looked at Si Kou Qingtian and spoke coldly.

"Okay, I'll arrange for someone to count and deliver them right away."

Although Xiao Fan spoke up, he also thought that Si Kou Qingtian would at least try to persuade him.

After all, a country's accumulated resources over hundreds of years, with 70% of its medicinal herbs in stock, could drive countless people crazy.

Seeing that Sikou Qingtian agreed so readily, Xiao Fan couldn't help but curiously sized up Sikou Qingtian, and his opinion of Sikou Qingtian rose to a new level.

He took over the throne at a young age and secretly developed his power amidst the covetousness of many powerful figures. He was capable, cunning, and resourceful. When facing Xiao Fan, he took the initiative to win him over, apologize, and greet him with a smile. He knew how to be patient and understood the big picture.

After all, Si Kou Qingtian was well aware that if the Wanxie Sect made a move, the royal family of the Chuyun Empire would not be able to withstand it. Without Xiao Fan and the others' help, Xie Biyan alone would probably be enough to destroy them.

Therefore, Sikou Qingtian did not care about Xiao Fan's request. After all, what he cared about most now was to lead the Sikou family through the current crisis and prevent the Chuyun Empire from falling into his hands.

Even if Xiao Fan had asked for all of the medicinal herbs, he would have given up 70%.

After all, if the Sikou family is wiped out, there will be nothing left, let alone medicinal herbs.

From beginning to end, neither Xiao Fan nor Si Kou Qingtian mentioned how they were targeting Little Fairy Doctor.

After all, they might have guessed Little Fairy Doctor's constitution, but they all tacitly remained silent.

Not long after, a member of the Imperial Guard walked up behind Sikou Qingtian and handed him several storage rings.

Si Kou Qingtian glanced at it, then handed the storage ring to Xiao Fan and said, "Mr. Xiao, this is 70% of all the royal family's medicinal herbs."