21: Chapter 21 The Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan's Desperate Measures

The Crown Prince's palace.

"Young Lord, Dugu Bo seems to have gone missing."

Snake Lance Douluo appeared quietly beside Qian Renxue.

"Dugu Bo..." Qian Renxue pondered to herself. After a moment, she said, "Elder Snake Lance, you should also go and investigate secretly."

"Yes, Young Lord."

Snake Lance Douluo immediately vanished from where he stood.

A meaningful smile curled the corners of Qian Renxue's lips.

She had been secretly poisoning Emperor Xue Ye all along, but because of Dugu Bo's presence, the dosage each time was very small, as she feared Dugu Bo would notice the clues.

If... Dugu Bo really had met with misfortune, then the plan might be completed ahead of schedule.

On the other side, following Emperor Xue Ye's instructions, Meng Shenji mobilized the Imperial secret guards to begin operations, while the remaining two committee members returned to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

The two committee members first informed Dugu Yan of Your Majesty's decision, and then began their operations.

Upon learning of Emperor Xue Ye's arrangements, the heart Dugu Yan had been holding in suspense relaxed slightly.

However... five days passed.

Whether it was the Imperial secret guards or the people from the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, none were able to find any valuable clues.

Dugu Bo seemed to have evaporated into thin air, leaving no traces behind.

During this period, Yu Tianheng also utilized the power of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to inquire secretly, but likewise found nothing.

Watching Dugu Yan's increasingly haggard expression, he felt anxious, yet powerless to do anything.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was not united; the faction led by his second grandfather, Yu Luomian, was eyeing the position of the next Clan Master like a tiger eyeing its prey.

And for his own branch, there were already clan Elders who had begun to re-examine the relationship between him and Dugu Yan.

After all, having lost her grandfather, a Titled Douluo, Dugu Yan's value in the eyes of those clan Elders had been greatly diminished.

It was of no help to his future competition for the position of Clan Master.

That day, after training ended, Yu Tianheng found Dugu Yan sitting alone in the lounge.

"Yanzi," Yu Tianheng sat beside Dugu Yan and asked softly, "Is there still no news from the Imperial Family?"

Dugu Yan shook her head, her face pale, her eyes dim and devoid of light at that moment.

Her parents had passed away early, and her grandfather Dugu Bo was her only relative. Since she was little, she and her grandfather had relied on each other to survive. If her grandfather really had met with misfortune, what would she do...

Dugu Yan rested her head gently on Yu Tianheng's shoulder, her voice choked with sobs, "Tianheng, I'm so scared... so scared that Grandfather really has met with misfortune..."

Yu Tianheng turned his head to look at the dejected Dugu Yan, his heart aching. He reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, "Yanzi, Senior Dugu possesses extraordinary strength; he will definitely be fine."

Yet, the ominous premonition in Yu Tianheng's heart grew heavier as time passed.

If Dugu Bo truly met with an accident, it would not only be a devastating blow to Dugu Yan.

The landscape of the Heaven Dou Empire, and even his future with Dugu Yan, would be completely changed.

Another five days passed, and there was still no news.

The search by the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had gradually slowed down; after all, the academy also needed to operate normally and could not spend a long time on this matter.

Only Meng Shenji and the Imperial secret guards in the Sunset Forest were still searching.

But everyone knew it without saying.

Dugu Bo had been missing for over a month; it was likely that he was in grave danger.

That evening, Yu Tianheng was urgently summoned back by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Inside the magnificent Sect main hall, the atmosphere was solemn.

Clan Master Yu Yuanzhen sat upright in the main seat, with several clan Elders on both sides.

"Tianheng," Yu Yuanzhen said in a calm voice, getting straight to the point, "You should be clear in your heart about the matter of Dugu Bo."

Yu Tianheng's heart tightened, and he lowered his head to reply, "Grandson knows, but they are still searching at the moment, and if by any chance..."

"There is no need to deceive yourself anymore." An Elder interrupted Yu Tianheng, "Both the Imperial Family and we have done our best. In the current situation, Dugu Bo has likely already fallen."

Yu Yuanzhen nodded slightly, his gaze like lightning as he looked at Yu Tianheng:

"When the Family asked you to pursue Dugu Yan, it was because we valued the Poison Douluo standing behind her. Now that Dugu Bo is likely no longer here, this marriage holds no meaning."

Yu Tianheng suddenly looked up, "Grandfather! My relationship with Yanzi is based on genuine feelings, not entirely because of..."

"Foolish!" Yu Yuanzhen scolded sternly, "You are one of the future successors of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; how can the major matter of marriage be treated like a game?"

"Dugu Yan has lost her grandfather, a Titled Douluo. She is alone; how can she help you in your future competition for the position of Clan Master?"

"Do you mean to say! You want to yield the position of Clan Master to your second grandfather's faction!!"

"But..."

"There are no 'buts'."

Yu Yuanzhen's tone was unquestionable, carrying the decisiveness of the head of the Family:

"From this day on, you shall cut off all contact with Dugu Yan, and you do not need to go to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy anymore."

"The Family will scout new marriage candidates for you. The daughter of Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, or the direct descendants of other great Sects, are all suitable choices."

Yu Tianheng felt as if he had been struck by lightning, freezing in place, his hands clenching tightly.

He knew well that the will of the Family was difficult to defy, and his current power and status were far from sufficient to resist such a decision.

The image of Dugu Yan surfaced in Yu Tianheng's mind, and he couldn't help but feel a sharp pain in his heart.

His feelings for Dugu Yan were not just because of the Family's interests; he truly liked her.

At almost the same time, the two committee members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy called Dugu Yan to the Academic Affairs Office.

Zhilin looked at the haggard Dugu Yan before him, a trace of reluctance flashing in his eyes, but he still said in a deep voice, "Young Miss Dugu, the Academy... has decided to stop the large-scale search."

Dugu Yan's body swayed, and her face instantly turned deathly pale.

Bai Baoshan added, "The Heaven Dou Imperial Family has not given up. Committee Member Meng and the Imperial secret guards are still searching in the Sunset Forest. Your Majesty promises that as soon as there are any clues, he will notify you immediately."

Zhilin sighed, his tone gentle yet carrying the cruelty of reality, "Young Miss Dugu, Senior Dugu offended quite a few people in the past; your situation may become difficult. In the future, when you are out and about, you must be extra careful."

"I understand." Dugu Yan lowered her head, biting her lower lip tightly, almost to the point of drawing blood.

Dugu Yan turned and left the Academic Affairs Office...

She did not know how she walked back to her dormitory.

Closing the dormitory door, she leaned her back against the cold door panel and slid powerlessly to the floor.

Immense sorrow and unprecedented panic engulfed her.

"Grandfather, where did you go? If something happened to you, what will Yanyan do?"

"Sob..."

Dugu Yan's tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking her collar.

Sunset Forest.

Meng Shenji and thirty Imperial secret guards carefully searched all the way from the outer perimeter.

By now, they had approached the core area.

"Committee Member Meng, there is a high mountain ten miles ahead, but it is covered by a patch of dense poisonous miasma; we dare not approach it."

An Imperial secret guard reported to Meng Shenji.

"Poisonous miasma?"

Meng Shenji pondered upon hearing this; that patch of poisonous miasma might truly be related to Your Excellency Dugu.

"Recall the others and go there to take a look."

"Yes." The secret guard acknowledged the order and left.