Chapter 37: Hey—Do You Two Even Treat Me Like a Human?!
Star Luo Imperial Palace.
Wang Li slowly swept his gaze across the surroundings, finally settling on the Star Luo Emperor.
The emperor's compromise had genuinely exceeded his expectations.
This was the Star Luo Imperial Palace—his home turf.
With so many people present, he didn't even try to test the waters?
Not only did the Star Luo Emperor compromise, but he also offered an empty title—King of a Different Surname?
That was some impressive breadth of mind!
Unfortunately—
Wang Li didn't like it.
"Your Majesty should keep that King of a Different Surname title for yourself."
"My objective today has already been achieved, so I won't stay any longer."
"If any of you are dissatisfied with my actions of barging into the imperial palace, feel free to say it openly."
"I am a very magnanimous person!"
Wang Li rejected the Star Luo Emperor's "recruitment" and casually tossed out a metaphorical time bomb.
A King of a Different Surname with no land, only honor and salary—wasn't that basically the Heavenly Court giving the Monkey King the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven?
He didn't want it.
Since the Star Luo Emperor could compromise once, he could compromise a second time.
As long as he didn't dare to start a war, he would always find reasons to persuade himself.
If it were an ordinary Titled Douluo, the Star Luo Emperor would never have compromised.
But Wang Li—
He was anything but ordinary.
They didn't know the age of those three golden soul rings.
But six black soul rings?
That alone had already shattered everyone's understanding.
The Star Luo Emperor's face darkened as he stared fixedly at Wang Li.
He had already given Wang Li enough respect, even offering to recruit him with a king's status—yet he was still rejected!
Thinking carefully, the fact that Wang Li dared to storm the Star Luo Imperial Palace for the sake of a Zhu Clan girl already said a lot.
If he had simply explained his purpose—even if he were just an ordinary Titled Douluo—with a bit of compensation and a promise, would he have refused?
Charging straight in like this—this was unprecedented.
After a brief moment of thought, the Star Luo Emperor waved his hand, signaling the royal knights and guards to make way.
"Evil God Douluo—the position of King of a Different Surname in Star Luo will always be open to you."
"There is no need for you to give me an answer so quickly."
The Star Luo Emperor found himself a way out, offering an explanation to the ministers.
The ministers' faces were dark, yet none of them dared to speak.
General Li's death was still vivid in their minds.
Wang Li nodded, then turned around directly, waving casually at the Star Luo Emperor as he walked out of the palace.
"I'll be waiting for you to announce today's events to the world."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Marquis Zhu. In the end, she lowered her head and followed Wang Li away.
From this day forward, she was no longer a daughter of the Zhu Clan—nor was she Dai Mubai's fiancée.
For her, this was something she wouldn't even dare to dream of.
Yet her Brother Li had accomplished it so "easily."
As for Ning Rongrong, she followed behind Wang Li with her usual carefree attitude, completely unconcerned.
The Star Luo Emperor, the ministers, and the royal knights and guards all "watched" Wang Li's group leave.
Shame flickered across their faces, yet there was nothing they could do.
Wang Li was simply too powerful!
"Minister Zhu, you really did give birth to a good daughter."
The Star Luo Emperor glanced sideways at Marquis Zhu and spoke with a double meaning.
He didn't make things difficult for himself—he was just extremely displeased.
If Zhu Zhuqing had been of one mind with the Star Luo Empire, the empire might have recruited an unparalleled powerhouse because of her.
Unfortunately, Zhu Zhuqing was not of one mind with the empire.
How much affection she even had for the Zhu Clan was still unknown.
"Your Majesty…"
"I have no intention of making things difficult for you. Draft the decree."
"Announce the two matters he mentioned to the world."
"And while you're at it—send a copy to Dai Mubai."
As for how Dai Mubai would compete with Dai Weisi after losing Zhu Zhuqing, that wasn't something he needed to consider.
If he couldn't even keep control of his own fiancée, he deserved it.
The Star Luo royal family is just that ruthless.
As for compensating Dai Mubai with another fiancée, let alone whether the Zhu Clan would agree, the Star Luo royal family certainly wouldn't.
Why didn't Zhu Zhuyun run away?
That was Dai Mubai's problem!
Outside the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
"So? Feeling lighter now?"
Wang Li held Zhu Zhuqing's hand and asked with a smile.
Hearing this—
Zhu Zhuqing finally snapped back to reality.
"Brother Li… you did all this just to make me feel better?"
"Exactly."
Wang Li nodded and continued,
"Otherwise, do you think I traveled all this way just to show off in the imperial palace?"
Wang Li liked Zhu Zhuqing. From the way he treated her compared to Ning Rongrong, the difference was obvious.
In the simulation, she had died for love.
In reality, she risked everything for love—failing to poison, then reporting it instead, all for the sake of revenge.
She was a little dull, a little foolish—
Yet that was exactly what made her so heart-wrenching.
That was why, whether in the simulation or reality, Wang Li chose to go all out.
For this woman, it was worth it!
Even if it meant charging into fire and water!
A blush spread across Zhu Zhuqing's usually cold face.
Without a word, she tiptoed up and left something on Wang Li's cheek.
"Hey! Do you two even treat me like a human being?!"
Ning Rongrong stomped her foot, furious beyond measure!
She was clearly the one who came first, okay?!
Why did it turn out like this?!
So annoying—really, really annoying!
Wang Li and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, then looked at Ning Rongrong.
They ignored her completely.
Hand in hand, they continued walking toward Star Luo City.
Ning Rongrong stood there, dumbfounded.
These two really didn't treat her like a human at all!
The three of them were partners now… no, companions, right?
So why was she being excluded like this?
There were only three people, yet two of them had united to isolate her!
Ning Rongrong felt like crying but had no tears. Gritting her teeth, she ultimately followed after them anyway.
The next day.
Two imperial decrees departed from Star Luo City, gradually spreading throughout the Star Luo Empire.
Another verbal edict headed toward the Heaven Dou Empire, destined to reach Dai Mubai.
"The Star Luo Emperor really was straightforward—he didn't go back on his word."
Aside from the people directly involved, no outsiders knew what had actually happened inside the imperial palace the day before.
There was no need to issue any gag order—they all knew that if this matter spread, no one would end well.
When Zhu Zhuyun received the news, she was completely stunned.
Those three actually succeeded!
She went to Marquis Zhu and asked about the process.
After some thought, Marquis Zhu decided to tell her what had happened. He trusted that his eldest daughter wouldn't do anything foolish.
"Father… is there something wrong with your eyes?"
"That kid is actually a Titled Douluo?"
Hearing this—
Marquis Zhu's eyelid twitched. Then, as if recalling something, he asked:
"You've met him before?"
"Yesterday, when they entered the city, I went to see them once."
"I wanted to isolate Zhuqing and force her to leave, but I ended up getting dealt with by that kid instead."
Marquis Zhu: "..."
"I don't want you sisters to kill each other. This outcome… is good. Very good."
"But what about His Majesty?"
"Do you think His Majesty doesn't know what I'm thinking?"
"He knows everything—but he needs us."
"As long as we don't collectively rebel, he'll choose to forgive us, or simply pretend not to see."
"After all, this is something the Dai Clan owes us!"
—
End of Chapter