Xue Beng was someone who cared deeply about social hierarchy. Hidden within his various policies was a belief in the infallibility of the nobility: whenever a noble and a commoner had a dispute, it was always the commoner's fault.
There was only one situation where a noble could be wrong—when they offended a more powerful noble.
This was easy to exploit. For example, back then it was Chen Xin, and now it was Tianlin. As Titled Douluo, everything they said was considered correct.
"Xue Beng, with me as a living witness here, what else do you have to say?" Tianlin questioned sharply. "You'd better not deny it. Do you really think I, a dignified Titled Douluo, would frame you?"
"Exactly! Just admit it. My little brother here is a Titled Douluo—he's not like you, shamelessly lying with his eyes open. I was also present at the time, secretly meeting with him, so I'm a witness too," Shui Yue'er added, fanning the flames as she looked at Xue Beng's ugly expression. She loved nothing more than stirring things up.
Tianlin, exasperated, grabbed her by the collar and tossed her backward. "You! If you haven't learned your etiquette lessons, stop trying to help! I have a family. 'Secret meeting' basically means an affair—you're ruining my reputation! Go away!"
"Ah!" Shui Yue'er flew back, landing right in her mother's arms, feeling utterly wronged for her good intentions being misunderstood.
"You, just stay with me and stop causing trouble for him," Shui Qingwu said helplessly. Although Shui Yue'er wasn't her biological daughter, she had loved her as her own for years, and with her sister Shui Bing'er's constant care, she'd probably spoiled her a bit too much.
"He's right. We can also testify. Prince Xue Xing tried to cover up the truth and even sent people to threaten us, warning us not to interfere," said the two deans of Blazing Academy and God Wind Academy, making their final choice.
They understood that since Shui Qingwu had kicked up such a fuss, the Heaven Dou Empire would now hold all the elemental academies in contempt. Rather than wait for retribution, it was better to side with Tianlin, especially since he had just said he'd take in anyone willing to follow Shui Qingwu.
"Thank you!" Shui Qingwu said quietly to the two, never having hated them. They'd compromised before, but it was for the sake of hundreds of students at their academies. She understood.
Now that they'd stood up for her, regardless of their reasons, she would remember their kindness.
"Sorry, Qingwu. We should have stood up sooner," the deans said, feeling guilty. "From now on, you and your nieces stand behind us. Let's see who dares touch you."
"It's about time!" Huo Wu, Xue Wu, Feng Xiaotian and others, having been stifled, saw their deans take a stand and no longer hesitated.
"Brother Jun, let me lend you a hand. I know I'm no longer qualified to fight alongside you, but as your peer, let me help deal with a few of these small fry," Feng Xiaotian said, standing by Tianlin, his Twin-Headed Wind Wolf already possessed.
"Then, Brother Feng, if it comes to a fight, these royal knights are yours," Tianlin replied with a smile. "Though I doubt they have the courage to fight now."
Tianlin looked at Xue Ye, Xue Beng, and Xue Xing. Even if they weren't terrified out of their wits, they were certainly full of fear toward him.
Xue Ye had a million-strong army, but most were stationed at the borders, not in the capital. The capital had only a hundred thousand imperial guards.
But judging by Tianlin's current strength, he could probably slaughter all of them single-handedly. Using high-ranking soul masters to surround and attack him was a joke. Already, one Titled Douluo and four Soul Douluo had fallen to him. Xue Ye simply did not have enough high-end power to confront Tianlin.
So, as Tianlin expected, Xue Ye did not dare to fight and had to find an excuse to stop the conflict.
"Jun Tianlin, after hearing your and Xue Beng's explanations, I understand now. This was all a misunderstanding. Shui Bing'er never directly rejected my son, so he mistakenly thought she liked him, leading to the rumors. Shui Bing'er also misunderstood Xue Beng as threatening her, so she agreed. As long as both sides talk it out, things will be fine," Xue Ye said.
The old emperor wanted both parties to compromise—nobody at fault, just a misunderstanding.
Seeing this, Tianlin smiled calmly. "Fine. For the sake of the three elders, I've already promised that if you let me leave with my people, I won't kill anyone. So let's call it a misunderstanding. But what about the wedding?"
"Naturally, it's canceled. Our Heaven Dou Empire is just and fair. We would never allow forced marriages!" Emperor Xue Ye, though furious inside, had to compromise in front of Tianlin.
This was the world where strength was everything, and power brought authority.
"Very well. In that case, I'll also be taking the rest of the Element Academy's people. Since your empire is so just, you won't force them to stay, right?"
"Jun Tianlin, don't push your luck!" Xue Beng snapped. He had schemed so hard to get Shui Bing'er—not just for her, but to bring all the Element Academy's elites under his control.
But now, he'd lost both the bride and the troops—everything had been snatched away by Tianlin. How could he accept that?
"Er… Lord Tianlin, we can understand if you take one person. But Element Academy has been living at our Royal Academy for over a year. Taking them all away suddenly isn't appropriate. We've provided a good environment for them, and the empire has spent a lot," Prince Xue Xing interjected. He was telling the truth: supporting so many people was a considerable expense, and Element Academy did owe the Royal Academy a favor.
Tianlin scoffed, "You're not wrong. But Shui Bing'er led your academy to second place in the Soul Master Tournament—that repays your favor. Even if you don't care, are you seriously talking to me about money?"
Xue Xing froze. He realized he'd made a huge mistake: talking about money with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? The wealthiest sect in the land, which had only gotten richer in recent years. Their various branches sold intelligence, medicines, weapons, and even offered mercenary services. Their treasury was probably fatter than the empire's.
"Xue Xing, for all the money Element Academy spent this year, my sect will cover it. Anything else to say?" Tianlin asked, exuding killing intent.
"No…nothing!" Xue Xing, infamous for bullying the weak and fearing the strong, was completely cowed by Tianlin.
"In that case, Your Majesty, Crown Prince, Prince—I'm leaving. You can continue the wedding, but there's no bride! Hahaha!" Tianlin mocked openly.
"Wait, Jun Tianlin." Just as he was leaving with the others, an angry female voice called out. It was Tang Yuehua. "You killed our sect's Seventh Elder. When I report this to my brother, he will demand justice!"
"Go ahead. You're welcome to come find me anytime. In fact, you can bring Tang San and Tang Hao's accounts as well. I'll be waiting." Tianlin no longer bothered to hide the deaths of that father and son—he now feared no one. Even if Tang Chen returned, he might not be able to defeat him.
Tang Yuehua was startled. Did Tianlin mean he was involved in the disappearances of her brother and nephew?
Tianlin smiled slightly. "Oh, and so you don't look for the wrong person, I'll declare my title right here. My martial souls are the Holy Spirit Pearl and the Demon Suppressing Sword. So I'll take one word from each."
"Listen up! From now on, I, Jun Tianlin, am the Holy Demon Douluo. Remember it—don't get your revenge targets wrong!"