...
As for that avalanche...
Although that guy was a spoiled brat pretending to be crazy, he was, after all, a prince, and an extremely vengeful scoundrel.
He lost face so badly today, having his hand broken in the street. He will definitely not let this go.
But someone as useless as him certainly wouldn't dare bring his own men to their deaths again.
The only powerful backers he could find, besides Emperor Xueye, were his uncle, Prince Xuexing, who had always supported him.
Prince Xuexing's greatest reliance is Dugu Bo, the titled Douluo who is unparalleled in the world for his "poison".
That old fox Xue Xing will definitely ask Dugu Bo to come out of seclusion, either to avenge his nephew or to test his background.
This forms a perfect closed loop.
What he desires most right now is the immortal herb from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire.
But he can't go directly to Dugu Bo; that would be too abrupt, too dangerous, and too inexplicable.
But what if Dugu Bo himself comes to cause trouble?
That would then become "legitimate self-defense," and his subsequent retaliation would be perfectly justified.
He may not be able to beat Dugu Bo, but can't he beat Dugu Yan?
If that old poisoner dares to bully the weak, then don't blame him for being unethical.
...
Meanwhile, at the Prince's Mansion.
"Uncle! You must do justice for me!"
With one arm in a sling, Xue Beng knelt before Prince Xue Xing, sobbing uncontrollably.
"That scoundrel... he not only broke my arm, but also publicly humiliated the royal family!
Even my elder brother... my elder brother sided with that outsider!"
"My brother is trying to win people's hearts! He doesn't care about the royal family's reputation at all!"
"Qinghe... he's becoming more and more unpredictable."
Prince Xuexing snorted coldly, "For some wild boy of unknown origin, he actually embarrassed you in public."
"Uncle, that kid is still staying at the Tiandou Royal Hotel!
We're going to catch him right now!"
Xue Beng said through gritted teeth.
"I'm going to break his arms and legs! And sell his sister to a brothel!"
"Shut up! You idiot!" Prince Xuexing glared at him. "How are you going to arrest him in broad daylight?
Qinghe has already said he won't pursue the matter.
If I lead troops to arrest him now, that would be slapping the Crown Prince in the face!
Who will take responsibility when His Majesty blames us?"
"Then... what should we do?
Just give up like this?" Avalanche asked unwillingly.
"Forget it?" Prince Xuexing sneered. "
You broke the prince's hand and still want to live a carefree life in Tiandou City? Dream on!"
"Since Qinghe wants to win him over, then we'll destroy him!"
"Isn't this kid arrogant?
Doesn't he even put the Imperial Guards in his eyes?
Well, I'd like to see if he can still be arrogant in front of a Title Douluo!"
At this point, Prince Xuexing turned to his attendant and instructed:
"Get the car ready! Let's head to Sunset Forest!"
"I must go and invite Master Dugu to come out of seclusion!"
"Tell Mr. Dugu that a young man with a top-tier dragon-type martial soul has come to Tiandou City.
He not only severely injured the Fourth Prince, but also boasted that his poison was a joke!"
"Mr. Dugu hated it most when people looked down on his poisons."
"I refuse to believe that kid can remain so tough under the deadly poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent King!"
...
Wuhun City, Papal Palace.
As expected of a Title Douluo, Yue Guan traveled at full speed and crossed most of the Heaven Dou Empire in just one day, returning to Wuhun City dusty and weary from his journey.
At this moment, he was kneeling on the ground, giving a passionate and detailed report, following the script that Xuan Hao had taught him.
"Your Majesty... I am incompetent. Although I found Xuan Hao in Tian Dou City, he absolutely refuses to come back with me!"
Yue Guan's alluring face was filled with "heartache" and "helplessness," and she even managed to squeeze out a few tears:
"You didn't see what the young master looked like… He'd lost a lot of weight, his eyes were sunken, and his clothes were all torn at the edges.
When I found him, he was huddled in a corner of a small inn, eating dry rations.
When he saw me, he was trembling all over, grabbing my sleeve and crying, 'My teacher will definitely kill me!'…"
On the high platform, Bibi Dong, whose face was originally as cold as frost, loosened her grip on the scepter slightly upon hearing this description, and the sharp killing intent in her eyes also quietly dissipated by more than half.
"snort."
Bibi Dong sneered. Although her tone was still tough, it was noticeably less aggressive: "Now you know fear?
Back when he was pushing away the 100,000-year-old soul beast, I thought he was incredibly bold!"
"Yes, yes, he really knows he was wrong."
Yue Guan pressed on while the iron was hot. "He said he has no face to come back and see you.
Unless… unless he can find a treasure that can make up for your loss, or make a great contribution, he would rather die outside than come back and offend your eyes."
"Make up for the losses?
Make a contribution?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. "Him?
How can he make up for the loss of two 100,000-year-old soul beasts? Stew himself up?"
Although she said that, Bibi Dong felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.
Since she knows fear and wants to make amends, it means that this child still sides with the Spirit Hall and with her as his teacher.
As long as it's not a real defection, there's still room for maneuver.
"And…" Yue Guan carefully observed Bibi Dong's expression before throwing out his last trump card, "I have investigated.
During the past half month that the young master has been in Tian Dou City, he has kept a low profile and has not mentioned a word about that…that Crown Prince.
He has not even inquired about it."
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's previously tense shoulders completely relaxed, and she leaned back in her chair, letting out a long breath.
It's good that I didn't go looking for Qian Renxue.
As long as you don't get involved with that woman, this isn't the worst thing that can happen.
"Alright, get up." Bibi Dong said calmly, "Since he wants to hide outside, let him hide for a few days, so as not to bring him back and cause us trouble."
She couldn't think of a way to deal with the boy for a moment; being too harsh would be inappropriate, and being too lenient would be even more inappropriate.
Yue Guan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly got up from the ground:
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!"
However, Bibi Dong's brows did not completely relax; she tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest, lost in thought.
"However, Tiandou City is, after all, the core of the Tiandou Empire, and it's a melting pot of all sorts of people.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School, and even the reclusive Haotian School... all have spies there."
"That kid's talent is too dazzling. What if those forces discover it, or Qian Renxue finds out..."
A hint of worry flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.
Whether it's to win over a genius or to disgust her, Qian Renxue will definitely target Xuan Hao.
What if that kid really gets corrupted by sweet talk and is won over?
"Your Majesty, you can rest assured about this!"
Yue Guan quickly straightened his back and analyzed with a confident expression:
"Although Xuanhao may seem unserious at times, he is a man of great loyalty and righteousness.
Look at what happened in the Star Dou Great Forest this time.
Although the young master caused trouble, in the end, it was because that transformed soul beast saved his life."
"Even a soul beast he had only met once, he was willing to risk his life to repay a debt of gratitude."
"You've been incredibly good to him these past two years, and he remembers it all!
Given his personality, unless you really want to kill him, he would never betray you, much less switch sides for some petty gain!"
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's gloomy expression lessened considerably, and she nodded slightly.
Indeed, although this kid is a troublemaker, he is impeccable when it comes to loyalty and righteousness.
This is the fundamental reason why, even when she was furious, she couldn't bring herself to actually kill him.
Within the Spirit Hall, interests are everywhere, but the concept of loyalty and righteousness...
Yue Guan continued, "Old Ghost is already keeping a close watch there, never leaving his side!
Moreover, we've kept Xuan Hao's information very well under wraps; the outside world has no idea that the Spirit Hall even has such a person.
As long as he doesn't do anything reckless, he should be fine."
"Besides, although Xuanhao is usually mischievous, he's actually quite wise!
That kid is clever and never suffers a loss.
Right now, he's focused on making amends, so maybe..."
At this point, Yue Guan suddenly stopped, and the expression on his face instantly became extremely stiff.
Bibi Dong seemed to have thought of something as well.
Her relaxed brows instantly furrowed into a knot, and she suddenly sprang up from her throne.
"To atone for your sins through meritorious service?!"
"etc!"
Bibi Dong pointed at Yue Guan, her voice trembling, "You just said... this kid is determined to find a great achievement to appease me?"
"Yes...yes..." Yue Guan stammered.
"broken!!"
Bibi Dong slapped her forehead, and felt her vision go black.
"If he thinks... helping Qian Renxue complete her plan to seize the country is the greatest atonement and filial piety he can show me..."
"Wouldn't that mean he'd be offering himself up to get involved with Qian Renxue?!"
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
Yue Guan's mouth gaped open, and cold sweat poured down his face instantly.
This...this script is wrong!
Xuanhao only taught him how to put out fires, he didn't teach him this part!
But upon closer reflection... given that little darling's ruthless and eccentric nature...
He seems capable of doing something like that!
"Yue Guan! Go to Tian Dou City and keep an eye on him.
If he tries to contact Qian Renxue, knock him out and bring him back immediately!"
Read 50+ chapters ahead at Patreon
patreon.com/TaroYamato
patreon.com/TaroYamato