Chapter 378 - 75

Chapter 75: Xu Jiujiu's Temptation, Dai Youheng's Counter-SchemeHaving finished, she said no more, only watching Dai Youheng with her beautiful and shrewd eyes, awaiting his response, awaiting the glint of desire and excitement in his eyes, awaiting his eager pledge of loyalty.However, Dai Youheng's reaction once again exceeded her expectations.He did not immediately express his excitement; instead, he slowly set down the teacup in his hand, producing a faint clinking sound.He raised his eyes, calmly meeting Xu Jiujiu's calculating gaze, and in a steady tone, asked a question that precisely hit the core."Your Highness, such profound affection and generous assistance are truly moving. However, Youheng is dull-witted and still has one matter unclear: if the Imperial Family so wholeheartedly supports me, helping me secure the position of Duke and control the Western Legion—then, for me, what exactly are the concrete benefits?"He tilted his head slightly, as if genuinely puzzled, "After all, even if I assume that position, the Western Legion will still be Star Luo's legion, subject to the Empire's command. And I, it seems, would merely be moving to a different place to continue serving the Empire. Besides a seemingly honorable, yet in reality responsibility-laden and constrained, title and military power, what else can I truly gain from what Your Highness calls 'mine'?"These words, calm to the point of coldness, instantly tore away the veil of warmth and national righteousness wrapped around Xu Jiujiu's speech, directly addressing the most fundamental exchange of interests: 'You want me to be your Puppet; what tangible benefits can I receive?'A faint stiffness appeared on Xu Jiujiu's face. She hadn't expected Dai Youheng to be so direct, even 'greedy,' in demanding specific benefits.This completely deviated from her imagined scenario where he should have been overwhelmed with gratitude.But soon, she recomposed her expression, a cold sneer forming in her heart. 'As expected, he is still that illegitimate son who only yearns for her, just better at hiding and bargaining now.'Very well, since he desired a more 'concrete' promise, she would give him one he couldn't refuse.She leaned forward again, this time closer to Dai Youheng, the faint scent of royal incense wafting over him.She gazed into Dai Youheng's eyes, her red lips parting slightly, her voice dropping even lower, carrying a hint of ambiguity, as she meticulously articulated her perceived ultimate and most lethal bargaining chip."Youheng, why do you feign ignorance?" Her eyes sparkled with charm, her tone becoming utterly seductive. "Those past years, running to the Imperial Palace daily, what was it for? Have you forgotten the affections you repeatedly declared to me?"She paused, seeing a subtle shift in Dai Youheng's gaze, and a sense of triumph rose in her heart. Finally, the dagger was revealed. "Actually, after all this time, how could I not be moved by your sincerity? It's just that Imperial Brother previously disapproved. I promise you, the day you officially inherit the position of White Tiger Duke and firmly secure the command of the Western Legion—""That will be the day I, Xu Jiujiu, as a Princess of the Star Luo Empire, adorned in a Phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, with the Imperial Family's blessings and supreme glory, grandly marry you and become the mistress of your Dukes Mansion!""Isn't this the greatest benefit?" Her breath was like orchids, her eyes filled with confident light, as if she already saw Dai Youheng overwhelmed by this immense'surprise,' completely becoming her subordinate.The fragrant tea aroma still lingered at his nostrils, but Dai Youheng's inner World had already stirred with entirely different ripples.Xu Jiujiu's words, laced with temptation and condescension, were like stones dropped into a deep pool, yet they failed to create the expected ripples in his heart. Instead, they allowed him to see the icy rock of ambition at the bottom of the pool.If he were the impulsive youth of the past, his heart would likely be pounding, his face flushed, dizzy from this sudden 'favor,' eager to confess his feelings, pledge allegiance, and offer his entire Dukes Mansion and even his Soul, just to earn a smile from the Princess.But the current Dai Youheng's Soul had long since transformed. Xu Jiujiu's beauty was merely superficial in his eyes, pleasant to behold, but far less alluring than absolute power and supreme authority.A honey trap? His face remained as still as an ancient well.Youheng decided to counter-scheme?A thought flashed like lightning through his mind, instantly illuminating a deeper and grander Dao. Xu Jiujiu wanted to use him as a Puppet, leveraging him to control the Dukes Mansion, and in turn, restrain the Western Legion, consolidating Imperial power.Why couldn't he, in turn, exploit this seemingly alluring trap?Star Luo Empire—Xu Family—A cold plan rapidly took shape in his mind.If, one day in the future, the direct heirs of the Star Luo Imperial Family Xu, including the esteemed Emperor Your Majesty and even this beautiful Princess, were to fall one after another due to various 'accidents'.At that time, as the legitimate husband of the Empire's only Princess—Xu Jiujiu—and outwardly possessing the Bloodline of the White Tiger Dai Family, the founders of the Star Luo Empire ten thousand years ago, wouldn't he become the most rightful heir to the Empire by legal principle?The Star Luo Empire itself originated from the Dai Family! This would not be usurpation; to some extent, it would even be setting things right!At that time, factions loyal to the current Imperial Family might struggle in the Imperial Court, but those forces hidden in the shadows of history, who always remembered the former masters and hoped for the Dai Family to regain control, wouldn't they all be usable by him?The combination of righteous cause and strength would generate unimaginable power.His Spirit, the Evil Shadow Demonic Tiger, was the king of beasts, destined to rule! The Golden Adamant Evil Warding Body he cultivated was the grand and domineering Dao of an Emperor, requiring the Luck of the World to nurture his invincible physique!His fate reversal heavenly demon pill Spirit could even mass-produce Titled Douluo loyal to him, forging a terrifying force of absolute loyalty!With such talent and ability, if he were merely content with a Duke's position, content to stay in one corner, wouldn't that be a waste of Heaven-Defying Opportunity and a betrayal of his own ambition?He had a strong premonition, deep within him, that his path to God Position was not merely about arduous cultivation and accumulation; it was inevitably intertwined with this Mortal World and the position of supreme ruler.The only thing to be wary of was Tang San in the God Realm, who seemed to always look down on Douluo and loved to stir up trouble on the continent. But as his thoughts reached this point, Dai Youheng's mind suddenly echoed the promise made by that mysterious and grand voice when he descended to this World: within five years, Tang San could not directly interfere with this World's affairs!As if he had taken a calming pill, Dai Youheng's last trace of doubt vanished.Five years might not be long! But for him, this was already a golden time window, sufficient for his schemes!Since that was the case, why not go all out? Why not make a big gamble?To sweep across the six directions, engulf the eight wastes, unify the World, and assault that supreme God Position!By then, with his Foundation established and the general trend on his side, and his God Body condensed, even if the Sea God himself arrived, what would he have to fear? He would have enough power and confidence to contend with him!Thousands of thoughts, yet they occurred in the blink of an eye. In the depths of Dai Youheng's gaze towards Xu Jiujiu, a flicker of ambition, cold to the extreme yet as fervent as magma, flashed and vanished, too quickly for the confident Princess to catch.He accepted this game of chess.And if he was going to play, he would play for even higher stakes! However, the one calling the shots in this game would no longer be this self-satisfied Princess Your Highness.Even the most beautiful and dazzling Princess on the chessboard was merely a pawn that could be discarded at any time.Thinking of this, in the deepest part of his eyes, he deliberately revealed an extremely faint trace of panic at his sudden exposure, followed by a surge of suppressed ecstasy.Then his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he swallowed with great difficulty, his voice deliberately slowed, carrying a barely perceptible, slightly trembling quality born of extreme desire. Each word was like carefully measured bait."Princess Your Highness, you—you truly mean it?"That tone, that demeanor, perfectly replicated a lovesick fool who had suddenly received his long-desired object, portraying the uncontrollable excitement and disbelieving longing with utmost precision.Seeing this, Xu Jiujiu's smile, indicating everything was under control, deepened and became more alluring, and her last shred of doubt vanished.See, he still can't escape my grasp.She seemed to already envision the beautiful blueprint of the future: by controlling Dai Youheng, she would firmly hold Star Luo's most elite legion and most influential Dukes Mansion in the Imperial Family's hands.She had no idea that the promise she had so casually made had, with her own hands, opened not a shortcut to consolidated power, but a Pandora's Box so deep it could devour herself and even the entire Star Luo Xu Imperial Family.What would be released from the box was a ravenous, ambitious tiger, intent on devouring the World.