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"Hey! What are you doing—Ouch!"
"Every time I get mad, you just kiss me!"
Dai Weisi laughed. "What? Don't like it? If you don't, I'll just kiss someone else!"
"You dare! Other than Zhu Qing, the only lips you're allowed to kiss in this lifetime are mine!" Zhu Zhuyun replied with a teasing pout, then took the initiative to kiss Dai Weisi on the lips.
Nearby, Anna munched on dog food* while watching the couple with a mischievous grin.
"Your Highness! Something's happened!"
Just as the romantic moment reached its peak, Li Hu suddenly burst into the courtyard in a panic—only to see the couple locked in a passionate kiss. He froze on the spot, dumbfounded.
"Uh… did this old servant come at a bad time?"
"Ack! Weisi, why are you sneaking kisses again?!"
Zhu Zhuyun's face turned crimson. She quickly broke away from Dai Weisi and deflected by accusing him of initiating the kiss.
Dai Weisi: "Meow meow meow???"
Zhuyun, that's low! You're acting like some heartless playboy—use me and toss me aside?
Ahem. "Uncle Li, you said something happened. What's going on?" Dai Weisi composed himself and asked.
Li Hu quickly explained, "Your Highness, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo from Spirit Hall launched a surprise night attack on the Alchemist Association, attempting to assassinate President Yang Wudi.
Thanks to the soldiers' valiant defense, the president is safe. The Grand Ancestor has already driven off Ghost Douluo and captured Chrysanthemum Douluo. His Majesty the Emperor commands you to report to the palace immediately!"
"What?!"
Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's expressions changed drastically. A Titled Douluo had actually infiltrated Star Luo City? Fortunately, Yang Wudi was unharmed—Dai Weisi still needed his help to refine medicinal pills.
"I'll go immediately. Uncle Li, prepare the carriage!"
Dai Weisi couldn't afford to delay. If this matter wasn't handled properly, it could easily escalate into a full-scale war between Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire.
Spirit Hall had over a dozen Titled Douluo. Their Grand Priest, Qian Daoliu, was a Rank 99 Peerless Douluo. If it came to a head-on clash, Star Luo might not be their equal. At best, it would end in mutual destruction.
And with the Heaven Dou Empire lurking nearby like a hungry tiger, if Star Luo and Spirit Hall weakened each other, Heaven Dou would never let such an opportunity slip by. They could very well take the chance to eliminate both major threats in one stroke.
This was no small matter. Zhu Zhuyun quickly asked, "Weisi, should I go with you?"
"No need." Dai Weisi shook his head, kissed his wife on the forehead, and smiled. "Leave this to me. It's already late—you're probably tired. Nana, take good care of your sister Zhuyun."
"Don't worry, Brother Weisi, I'll take good care of Sister Zhuyun."
"Don't jinx it like that..." After flicking Anna's forehead, Dai Weisi departed with Li Hu for the palace.
Upon entering, he saw Yue Guan—bound tightly. The man had regained consciousness and stared at Dai Weisi in shock.
He could feel his own martial spirit trembling—the kind of tremor that came from its very source. Yue Guan instantly understood: Dai Weisi must have obtained the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. His eyes lit up with intense interest.
"Grandfather, Father, I'm here," Dai Weisi greeted respectfully. Then, turning to Yue Guan, he gave a slight bow and said with a smile, "You must be the esteemed Chrysanthemum Douluo, Lord Yue Guan?"
"You brat. You've actually consumed the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum? And it seems not just that—there's energy from other immortal herbs too. I didn't expect your luck to be this good."
"Hehe, thank you for the praise, Lord Yue. I've long heard that you're the Titled Douluo who understands flowers best. Meeting you today, your reputation is well-deserved."
Dai Weisi smiled. If only he knew those herbs came from his sworn enemy, Dugu Bo's territory—what would his face look like then?
"From what I can see, you've consumed at least three immortal herbs. Interesting. Kid, would you like to become my disciple? My martial spirit is also the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum. Only I can help you unlock its true power…"
"Hmph! Chrysanthemum Douluo, give up that idea. My grandson doesn't need your guidance," snorted Dai Tianxing coldly.
"You only need to answer me this—why did you attack the Alchemist Association? Was it under orders from Her Holiness the Pope?"
"Night raid on the Alchemist Association? Did I do that? I only heard that Star Luo's liquor is rich and potent, so Old Ghost and I came to sample some. Who knew it would be that strong? We both got drunk—everything after that… I don't remember a thing!"
Yue Guan feigned ignorance and then had the audacity to push back, saying, "In fact, I should be the one asking questions here. Dai Tianxing, what's the meaning of this? Why have you tied me up? Let me go at once! If Her Holiness the Pope finds out how you've treated me, she'll never let the Star Luo Empire off the hook.
How about this—hand your grandson over to me for training, and we can just call it even. What do you think?"
Upon hearing that, Dai Tianxing flew into a rage. "Weisi, did you hear that? What a shameless man! He launched a night raid on the Alchemist Association, killed hundreds of my Star Luo warriors, and now, as a prisoner, he still dares to speak so brazenly!"
Yue Guan tugged at the corner of his mouth. Of course he had some sense of shame—but between pride and survival, he valued his life more.
If he exposed Bibi Dong's plans, even if Dai Tianxing spared him, Bibi Dong definitely wouldn't.
"I already told you, I was just drunk…" Yue Guan stuck to his story, insisting he had blacked out from alcohol and couldn't control his actions. No matter what, he refused to admit to the assassination attempt on Yang Wudi.
"Yue Guan, do you really think I don't dare kill you—"
Before Dai Tianxing could finish his sentence, Dai Weisi grabbed his arm and said with a smile, "Grandfather, leave this to me."
Dai Tianxing was momentarily stunned but then nodded. He also wanted to see how Dai Weisi would handle the situation—after all, as the future emperor of Star Luo, strength alone wasn't enough. Strategy and finesse were equally important.
"Uncle Li," Dai Weisi asked calmly, "according to the laws of our Star Luo Empire, what is the punishment for committing murder within our borders—especially for killing hundreds of our soldiers?"
Li Hu's eyes flickered in confusion. He wasn't sure what Dai Weisi was getting at but answered truthfully.
"Your Highness, according to our laws, such a crime warrants execution by dismemberment!"
"Well said! Guards! Take Chrysanthemum Douluo away, throw him into the dungeon, and when autumn comes, execute him by dismemberment. Also, parade him through the streets for public humiliation!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
With Dai Tianxing's approval, two soldiers dragged Yue Guan to the imperial prison. Yue Guan tried to say something, but a filthy rag was shoved into his mouth, muffling him to a string of "mmmphs."
"Weisi, you're not actually going to have Yue Guan dismembered, are you?" Dai Tianxing asked in amazement. Executing a Titled Douluo in such a brutal way and publicly parading him—no one had dared do such a thing in hundreds of years.
If they really did kill Yue Guan, Spirit Hall could easily use it as justification for all-out war against the Star Luo Empire.
"I just didn't want to waste words with that sissy," Dai Weisi said with a smirk. "It's also to scare him a bit—can't have anyone thinking our royal dignity is something to be trifled with."
He paused, then added, "There's no need to ask—we all know Chrysanthemum Douluo was acting on the Pope's orders. His target was clearly Senior Yang.
As for the reason? Most likely, she fears the Four Great Clans aligning with the Star Luo Empire and boosting our strength. After all, in terms of overall national power, Star Luo already far surpasses Heaven Dou!
If we gain the support of the four single-attribute clans, our potential and strength will exceed even that of the old Clear Sky Sect!"
(End of Chapter)