"Return word to His Majesty—I will fulfill my mission!"
Zhu Zhenyuan agreed readily when the messenger came. His lips curved in satisfaction: Beat Martial Soul Hall? Why not?
Their Zhu Clan, their Star Luo Empire, had no affection for that organization. If anything, generations of the royal family had spat curses at the so-called Pope's faction. This time Martial Soul Hall had been the one to pick a fight. If they were beaten, they could hardly complain.
More importantly: Martial Soul Hall had been forced to retreat in disorder. With reinforcements pouring in from sects, clans, and even mysterious new powers, the empire had smelled weakness. To slap Martial Soul Hall now was absolutely glorious.
Martial Soul Hall Retreats
Lordiala's feathers drooped. His face was sullen, but his eyes brimmed with panic. He could already imagine the lash of blame waiting in the Papal Palace.
"My lord, we cannot hold. Let us retreat before we all perish here!"
Even Ghost Douluo, silent figure shrouded in shade, scanned the battleground. Their officers were scattered, the soul emperors were wrecked, Yueguan was gasping under Sword Douluo's pressure, and Dugu Bo's poison had already immobilized half the field.
His quiet command slipped into the night: "Withdraw."
The order went down the chain instantly. Martial Soul Hall's men scattered like rabbits chased by hounds, spirit power dissolving into streaks of light as they fled the battlefield.
The oppressive aura finally loosened around the Zhu family manor. Zhu Zhuqing and Bai Chenxiang, free from their binds, bolted to Lu Yuan's side.
Chenxiang fumbled in panic but quickly pulled free the bright red "Refreshing" pill blessed by Yang Wudi. She crushed it against Lu Yuan's lips, letting the misty medicinal powder sink into his lungs.
Seconds later, his trembling steadied. The black flame dimmed back from roaring madness. His eyes regained recognition.
Both girls sighed relief.
Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo
"Smelly brat…"
Chen Xin descended, his silver robe fluttering loosely as his feet touched the courtyard stone. There was weariness under his refined bearing, but also unmistakable pride.
His gaze flicked to Lu Yuan and did not look away. "You've improved again."
Lu Yuan grinned, half-empty jar in hand, and shoved it toward him. "Old man, you're not bad yourself! Drink!"
Chen Xin snorted, but his lips curved faintly as he accepted.
Across him, Dugu Bo's serpentine glare softened. "Chen Xin, today… not bad. You've still got sharpness left."
Chen Xin chuckled lightly. "And you—old poison—you weren't half as unbearable as before. Fight like this again, I might actually stop beating you on sight."
Dugu Bo's smile froze, his face slipping into pale disbelief. Wait. Was that actually a compliment or just another wound?
"…This Sword Douluo—what a bastard."
Soul Bone Temptation
"I seem to recall Yueguan muttering… something about chopping your head off to get a soul bone?" Chen Xin tilted his brow thoughtfully, rubbing his forehead.
Dugu Bo twitched. His hand twitched harder. "Chen Xin…"
The silent specter of temptation hung there. Everyone knew the allure of soul bones—even Title Douluo trembled at the prize. Tonight's battle had only roused the hunger deeper.
Zhu Family Hospitality
Later, they gathered inside the Zhu family's main hall. The storm winds still battered the roofs outside, but within, hot tea and heavy cushions lent tense calm.
Zhu Zhenyuan bowed crisply. "Honored crowned douluo, His Majesty the Xingluo Emperor wishes to know the truth of these events. Please, tell me—what was the Martial Soul Hall's purpose?"
Chen Xin and Dugu Bo exchanged a glance.
"It was for him," Chen Xin admitted, nodding toward Lu Yuan. "Yueguan's actions proved it. They wanted him alive."
Dugu Bo agreed. "It seems the Pope herself ordered it. But why? Who can say? For a Soul King—yes, an extraordinary one—but still, to dispatch such forces…"
Zhu Zhenyuan stroked his beard, troubled. Even if every word was true, he still didn't believe Martial Soul Hall fully revealed their hand. To rattle four Title Douluos, shaking the royal capital into chaos, just to seize one youth?
He exhaled. "Unreasonable. Unless…"
From the side, Lu Yuan tipped another swallow. Then he beamed suddenly, drunken cheeks flushed. "Oh, I understand it now!"
All eyes turned sharply toward him.
"The Pope…" he slurred with absolute confidence, "…the Pope likes me. Ahahaha! The Pope fell in love with me!"
The silence was deafening.
Everyone in the hall: "…"
The Pope… in love with you? Do you even hear yourself?!
Chen Xin buried his face in his sleeve. Dugu Bo spat out his tea. Zhu Zhenyuan twitched so hard he nearly toppled.
"Brat, you're drunk!" one muttered.
Lu Yuan only smiled, raising a jar toward the dark rafters. "It's fine! If she wanted me, why didn't she just ask? What's with all the ambush squads, titles, flashy flowers? Afraid I won't say yes? Hahahaha—she's shy!"
The two Zhu girls groaned, burying their red cheeks in their hands.
Davis's Proposal
When midnight passed and the hall emptied, one figure quietly rapped on Zhu Zhenyuan's chamber door.
"Father-in-law. A good thing has happened."
It was Davis. His eyes glowed strangely, his face tight but triumphant.
Zhu Zhenyuan frowned. "What good can come of today? My estate still shakes like a collapsed barn."
"You saw it!" Davis said firmly. "Martial Soul Hall is strong, yes. Terrifying. But who forced them to retreat? Who brought Sword Douluo, Poison Douluo, the Dragon and Snake duo into alliance?"
Zhu Zhenyuan's face grew darker. "…Lu Yuan."
"Exactly," Davis pressed. He leaned closer, voice low as if whispering some taboo. "All of them have granddaughters connected to him. Ning Rongrong. Dugu Yan. Meng Yiran. Each one tied to him by bond or rumor. Tonight's battle only bound them closer—by heart, by battle, by bloodline. Do you not see? He has formed an alliance stronger than any empire. Perhaps stronger even than Martial Soul Hall."
Zhu Zhenyuan rubbed his brow.
"Why don't we join them?" Davis asked. "Hand Zhu Zhuqing fully to him. Break the marriage with Dai Mubai." His voice sharpened. "The man is worthless anyway. He fled here, abandoned his fiancée. Meanwhile this one? He shook heaven itself today. He will stand at the peak of this continent."
Silence filled the chamber.
Half an hour later, Davis's heart nearly broke under waiting. Did Zhu Zhenyuan not understand? Did he not see the future dangling before them?
Until finally, the Patriarch exhaled and chuckled softly. He pointed at Davis with a wry smile. "So. That's what you've been building toward, hm? Sense in it, certainly… but not easy. A royal marriage contract is not string you cut with scissors. Dai and Zhu clans have bound themselves together for generations…"
"Then let me persuade," Davis said firmly, eyes alight, sharing his plan in detail.
Zhu Family Decision
The next morning.
"Enough. We'll do it."
Zhu Zhenyuan slapped the table, voice decisive.
"Lu Yuan wants Zhu Zhuqing? Then give her. Dai Mubai fled like a coward, his worth is nothing, his loyalty gone. How will he fight you, Davis, for the throne?"
Zhu Zhenyuan's lips twisted into a smile.
"Zhu Zhuyun remains the heir of our family. Zhu Zhuqing is talented but will never threaten that seat. Yet if Lu Yuan becomes a peak existence of the continent—and all signs point that way—then to tie ourselves to him is to place armor around the Zhu family. No clan or sect will dare lean lightly upon us again."
His gaze hardened. "Let it be done."
Above the courtyard, the dawn sun broke over a city still trembling after gods' battle. And inside the Zhu family hall, another decision had been cast onto the board of the continent.
Lu Yuan had become more than a prodigy.
He had become impossibly, absurdly—
The national grandson-in-law.
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