Chapter 249: Tang Hao Moves Against Luo Ling
"Congratulations to you both on your advancement," Tang Hao said with a cupped-fist salute.
Yu Yuanzhen laughed heartily. "It's all thanks to the power of the ritual. You, Haotian Douluo, can achieve the same!"
After a few pleasantries, they got to the point.
"Haotian Douluo, has there been any progress regarding our alliance since your return to the Clear Sky Sect?" Yu Yuanzhen asked.
Emperor Xue Ye also looked on expectantly.
Tang Hao didn't hedge. "The elders have agreed to the alliance, but on two conditions."
At his words, both Yu Yuanzhen and Emperor Xue Ye visibly brightened. "What conditions?" they asked at once.
"First, the Clear Sky Sect will ally with you in secret; unless the Spirit Hall openly declares war, our sect will not act. Second, our sect has been in seclusion for years and requires material support."
He spoke the Second Elder's terms plainly.
Yu Yuanzhen and Emperor Xue Ye both relaxed. These were not excessive demands.
They had planned to keep things covert anyway, and as for the second point—money—they could handle it. Though not as wealthy as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Heaven Dou royal family could still support the Clear Sky Sect.
"We can agree to both," Yu Yuanzhen said immediately.
Tang Hao nodded, then after a moment's thought added, "There is one more thing that requires your help."
"I need you to join me… in killing Luo Ling."
He stated it directly.
Tang San's eyes flickered.
Killing Luo Ling was the condition for their return to the sect, not a term of the alliance—yet Tang Hao had just passed this task to the Blue Lightning Clan and the Heaven Dou royal family.
Clever—perhaps a touch opportunistic—but Tang San didn't expose it.
At the request, both Yu Yuanzhen and Emperor Xue Ye frowned.
"Brother Tang Hao, Luo Ling is a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," Yu Yuanzhen said first. "Are you suggesting we go to war with them?"
He had no desire to cross the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Two of the Upper Three Sects had finally united, with the Heaven Dou royal family added besides—they now had the foundation to confront the Spirit Hall. If they provoked the Seven Treasure Sect, they might push it straight into Spirit Hall's arms.
Emperor Xue Ye also looked reluctant. Just yesterday, Xue Qinghe had come to see him; he was even considering passing the ritual to him to ease their strained relationship—and through Xue Qinghe, funnel it to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. With their strength and wealth, the chances against Spirit Hall would rise significantly.
Seeing their hesitation, Tang Hao felt stuck. If the alliance fell apart because of this, and he failed to secure support for the Clear Sky Sect, he would have no way to answer to the Second Elder.
If it came out that this was his doing, where would the Haotian Douluo's face be?
To deal with a Spirit Sage and still seek help from two Titled Douluo—how humiliating.
"Previously, Luo Ling used the alias 'Enigmatic Sorcerer' at the Soto City Great Spirit Arena to slander the Clear Sky Sect," Tang Hao pressed on, watching their faces. "Our sect's disgrace must be washed away with blood."
After a long silence, Yu Yuanzhen said with difficulty, "Luo Ling is a Spirit Sage—the youngest on the continent. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is likely grooming him as their successor. If we act against him, they will not let it rest."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded. "We must still be cautious of the Spirit Hall. If attacking Luo Ling drives the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect into their fold…"
He trailed off. The Spirit Hall was already formidable; add the Seven Treasure Sect's wealth, and the prospect was terrifying.
Tang Hao sighed. He understood the logic. But killing Luo Ling was the task the Second Elder had given him.
The Clear Sky Sect could afford to make an enemy of the Seven Treasure Sect while remaining secluded. The Blue Lightning Clan and the royal family were different.
"Very well," Tang Hao said at last. "I won't involve you in Luo Ling's matter—but the first two conditions stand."
Yu Yuanzhen and Emperor Xue Ye exchanged a smile and nodded. "Rest assured, Brother Tang Hao. Whatever the Clear Sky Sect needs, tell us—we will see it done."
Tang Hao inclined his head without further comment, already calculating how to strike at Luo Ling.
…
By now, Luo Ling had returned to Qian Renxue's Crown Prince residence with Ah Yin in tow.
Seeing him bring back another beauty, Hu Liena and Qian Renxue reacted very differently.
Hu Liena wilted like an abandoned little fox, looking lost and disheartened—until Luo Ling explained that Ah Yin was his servant. Only then did she grudgingly forgive him.
Qian Renxue, meanwhile, looked at him as though he were a degenerate.
One way or another, Ah Yin settled into the Crown Prince's residence as a maid—responsible only to Luo Ling.
Soon enough, Luo Ling found himself face-to-face with Ah Yin in a maid outfit, an expression of wicked amusement flickering in his eyes.
Ah Yin stood awkwardly. As the Blue Silver Empress, she knew little of human customs; most of what she knew had been taught by Tang Hao. This "maid outfit" was entirely foreign to her.
Feeling Luo Ling's burning gaze, she shifted uncomfortably. Though not particularly revealing, the attire still felt deeply humiliating.
"Not bad," Luo Ling said with a smile. "You'll wear this when you accompany me out."
"I'm going out?" Ah Yin froze.
It was shameful enough to dress like this within the residence. To be seen outside by others—
Color flooded her cheeks. She wanted to refuse, but the words died in her throat.
"All right, little maid," Luo Ling said, lifting her chin with a teasing hand. "Just do as you're told. Leave everything else to me."
He had to admit—Ah Yin's bearing was unique. What a waste, he mused, to have been left to Tang Hao.
Still, the revived Ah Yin was effectively a new body grown from a seed—a fresh system installed on new hardware, so to speak.
Luo Ling nodded to himself, already anticipating the moment he would parade Ah Yin before Tang Hao.
And Tang San—what would he do, seeing his mother become the servant of his enemy?
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Bankai10