Heaven Dou Empire, Prince's Residence.
"Xiao Xuexue, come, have a drink with me!"
It was early morning, but Lu Yuan was already half-drunk, swaying into Qian Renxue's study as if it were his own courtyard. A fresh jar of wine was clutched tightly in one hand, his smiling face filled with mischief and unrestrained satisfaction.
The reason for his sudden appearance was simple—yesterday, Princess Xue Ke had whispered to him that the Barak Kingdom had robbed another shipment of royal tribute. The moment he heard, Lu Yuan had thought: drink first, plan later. And who better to drink with than his "Xiao Xuexue"?
Qian Renxue, seated gracefully behind her desk, lifted her eyes at him. Her lips tightened. "Brother Lu Yuan, you didn't come here just to drink, did you?"
Lu Yuan chuckled loudly. "Ha, as expected—Xiao Xuexue understands me best!"
With that, he fished out a thick, rumpled stack of papers from his soul guide. He slapped them onto her table importantly.
Qian Renxue blinked. She leaned forward. "…Brother Lu Yuan, since when did you start practicing talismans?"
The pages were covered with strange scribbles and characters that looked more like drunkard doodles than writing.
"These aren't charms," Lu Yuan said proudly, "they're names! People I need to invite. You'll help me organize them—your handwriting's prettier."
"...List?" Qian Renxue was dazed, picking up one sheet.
"Of course. Look, you're on here too."
At his words, she lowered her gaze. Her scalp tingled. He was pointing at the place he'd scrawled "Xue Qinghe."
Her whole body stiffened. You actually dare write my current name like this? Idiot!
"I… just happen to be free today," she muttered, quickly bringing out blank papers to copy them onto neatly. "…but your writing looks like chicken scratches. Only you could still recognize it."
"What are you inviting all these people for?" she asked suspiciously, though her hand moved anyway.
Lu Yuan took a bold gulp of wine, eyes sparkling. "I'm going to be a father! Of course I need to prepare a grand banquet!"
The Shocking News
The brush in Qian Renxue's hand froze midstroke. Her jaw tightened involuntarily.
He's… a father?
Her mind reeled, blankly repeating the words.
Lu Yuan? A father? When? With who?
Zhu Zhuqing? Ning Rongrong? Ning Fengzhi's daughter? Or… Shui Bing'er, the Tianshui Academy goddess he'd been strangely close with lately?
"Xuexue? Xuexue!"
Lu Yuan waved his hand before her eyes impatiently. "Why are you spacing out? Write faster!"
She blinked rapidly, forcing composure back into her face. "…Oh."
Her brush began moving again, but her thoughts had already flown far away.
This man… careless, drunken, rash Lu Yuan… is actually becoming a father before me?
Her heart twisted oddly.
Secrets Exposed
Lu Yuan, despite his drunken sway, was still sharp. His golden eyes flicked under the desk, noticing a rolled-up map partly exposed. Red circles had been hastily marked across several mountain ranges.
"Xiao Xuexue," he said slyly, "been going out a lot lately?"
"No."
Her denial was crisp, straight-faced.
"Don't pretend," Lu Yuan said with a grin. "Those red circles, isn't that the 'action' you hinted at before?"
Qian Renxue lowered her lashes calmly, but inside her heart beat faster.
Lu Yuan stepped closer, grin widening. "Don't tell me? Fine, I'll just keep asking."
Half an hour later—under his relentless pestering and drinking breath that fogged across her desk—Qian Renxue finally relented.
She explained how one of her scouting parties had vanished without trace in that mountain range. Another sent after them also disappeared. The conclusion was clear—someone powerful was erasing her trail. Most likely Tang Hao.
Following that, she locked down her suspicion: Tang Hao and the Blue Silver Emperor were hiding there. The Blue Silver Emperor was no small matter. If Tang Hao was guarding her… this could be a critical chess piece.
But as she explained, she ended firmly, "Lu Yuan, you won't go this time. It's too dangerous."
Her tone trembled slightly with genuine worry. "Even the Pope of those years fell before Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer. You… you are strong, but you're only a Soul King. Facing him could mean death."
Lu Yuan tilted his jar, draining half in one breath. Then he staggered to his feet and grinned.
"Not go? How could that be! I haven't had a real fight in ages. This is the best time to test my Martial Soul changes and long sword."
Qian Renxue's voice rose, frustrated. "I said—no!"
Lu Yuan swayed, smile still playful yet firm. "Xiao Xuexue, every jar of wine I drink must be paid for. If I don't fight, if I don't earn back the taste, it feels wrong. I've decided."
Her chest clenched tightly. "…At least promise me this: if you can't win, you run. Do you hear me?"
Finally, she sighed. There was no breaking through his stubbornness.
Reinforcements
Half an hour later, she handed him a detailed action plan.
"In this operation, Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupine Douluo will accompany you. Their job will be to cover you. Be careful, and again—run if you can't win."
Lu Yuan waved a hand carelessly. "Relax, Xuexue. How could anything happen? I'm going to be a father, after all. Fate wouldn't dare cut me short."
His grin was dazzling as he slipped another jar into his soul guide. "Oh, and before I leave—I'll borrow two jars of royal wine from your cellar!"
"…"
Qian Renxue simply massaged her forehead. Watching his back vanish, her lips tightened unconsciously.
Father? With who…?
She could hardly focus on the mission anymore. Instead, her mind whirled with names. Zhu Zhuqing? Ning Rongrong? Shui Binger? That clingy girl Meng Still?
Her intel had repeatedly hinted at Shui Binger secretly visiting Lu Yuan nights at a time. It was likely her. But what if it wasn't?
No matter what, she would quietly order confirmation. She needed to know.
Doubt Among Douluo
That evening.
"Miss summoned us—perhaps to cancel tomorrow's action?" Porcupine Douluo muttered hopefully as he and Snake Lance Douluo trudged together.
"…Cancel?" Snake Lance gave him a side glare. "In your dreams."
The two of them had both once agreed—under heaven-knows-what wind—that they'd take part personally in this operation against Tang Hao. And now, as the moment drew close, both privately regret it bitterly.
Tang Hao—the terrifying reckless man, wielder of the Clear Sky Hammer. Even the Pope had suffered under him. Were they suicidal?
"Maybe we should plead again with Miss." Porcupine Douluo's lips trembled as he spoke. "My cultivation took decades of sweat and pain. If I get smashed into paste by that hammer… what an injustice!"
"Shut up! Don't ever say that aloud!" Snake Lance hissed. "If Qian Daoliu ever hears we fear Tang Hao more than guarding her Highness, he won't even need Tang Hao to kill us—the Hall of Worship would finish us!"
They shivered together at the thought.
Trying to comfort themselves, Porcupine added weakly, "Besides… maybe Tang Hao didn't even kill those scouts. And even if he's there, our goal is the Blue Silver Emperor. If we seize her, Tang Hao will hesitate—he won't dare fight full strength when protecting his woman."
Snake Lance snorted, but said no more. At that moment, Qian Renxue entered, her expression cold and serene.
Strict Orders
"Tomorrow, Lu Yuan will accompany you both."
"Yes, Miss!" they answered, but the corners of their mouths twitched painfully.
Lu Yuan's talent was monstrous, yes—but his strength compared to a Title Douluo? He was far from it. Now, not only did they have to fight, they had to protect him.
Qian Renxue's golden eyes sharpened dangerously. "Listen well. If something happens to Lu Yuan, then don't bother coming back."
Both old Douluo drew sharp breaths, their muscles stiffening in horror.
"Yes… Miss."
Her tone brooked no refusal.
"If it is only Tang Hao himself, you don't need me to say more," she added faintly.
Of course they understood. If Tang Hao came alone—the only correct action was to run. What kind of joke would it be to try and capture him?
Finally, she handed them a sealed note.
Before leaving, Snake Lance cracked a peek. Name after name of young women jumped out: Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Shui Bing'er…
He blinked hard. "…Miss, what exactly are we checking?"
"Pregnancy."
The word nearly made him choke on his own spit.
"Wh-what?!"
Check if the girls were pregnant?
For the first time in his long career as Spirit Hall's sharp weapon, Snake Lance stared blankly, questioning every life choice he'd made.
When did Spirit Hall's job expand to… prenatal investigations?
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