Meeting the Crown Prince

"Thanks for letting us win."

Ming Lunyu approached the two members of the Cold Spirit Combination, though he kept a safe distance, and spoke calmly.

"Young heroes indeed. We did not lose unjustly. One day, you will stand at the pinnacle of the continent. I have faith in you!"

Since Hua Chu was already lying on the ground, unable to get back up, Wu Zhishu answered on their behalf.

Ming Lunyu nodded amicably, then turned and left the stage with Ma Hongjun.

He was fairly satisfied with this pair of opponents. At the very least, they had let him stretch his muscles, while also allowing him to roughly gauge the limits of his actual combat strength.

He was probably comparable to an ordinary six-ringed Soul Emperor. After all, he had not used his full strength even when defeating the two high-level Soul Kings of the Cold Spirit Combination, and he still had an External Soul Bone hidden away, unused. As for seven-ringed Soul Saints, their Martial Soul Avatars were such devastating trump cards that Ming Lunyu conservatively estimated he could not handle one yet. So, taking the middle ground, six rings was about right.

After collecting the thousand Gold Soul Coin reward for the two of them from Supervisor Li You, the group of four prepared to head home.

The moment Ming Lunyu stepped out of the Great Soul Arena, a servant hurried after them.

"My master sincerely invites you honored guests to visit and have a chat," the servant said respectfully, lowering his head.

Ming Lunyu understood at once. This was most likely someone sent by the Crown Prince. Although the arena was filled with informants from forces large and small, the first to approach them could only be the Crown Prince—or rather, the imperial family. This was an unspoken understanding, a gesture of respect toward the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Ming Lunyu agreed immediately without much hesitation. He also wanted to see whether he could forge a good connection with the Heaven Dou Crown Prince. After all, connections might come in handy someday.

"Lead the way," Ming Lunyu said blandly.

Led by the servant, the four boarded a carriage.

The carriage's interior was lavishly decorated, but its exterior bore no markings that revealed its owner's identity.

About a quarter of an hour later, the carriage stopped before a tea house in a relatively secluded location.

"The Crown Prince's property," Dugu Bo said after lifting the curtain and taking a glance outside.

"Looks like this Crown Prince is pretty cautious," Ma Hongjun remarked.

"Honored guests, we have arrived," the servant's voice came from outside.

Following the servant's guidance, the four entered the tea house, went straight up to the top floor, and arrived outside a quiet, elegant room.

A handsome and refined young man, noble in bearing, was personally waiting at the door.

The moment he saw the four arrive, he stepped forward to greet them.

"I am Xue Qinghe. It is my honor to have invited you distinguished guests here. Please, join me inside for a talk."

Every gesture and word of his was graceful and elegant, making others feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze.

"This commoner is Ming Lunyu. Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Though Ming Lunyu referred to himself as a commoner, his attitude was neither servile nor overbearing.

"Ma Hongjun. Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince," Ma Hongjun added.

Tang Fu'er and Dugu Bo, meanwhile, said nothing and pretended to be mere maids.

Yet anyone could see that neither of them was truly a maid. Still, since they did not say otherwise, Xue Qinghe pretended not to notice.

The three took their seats one after another, while Tang Fu'er and Dugu Bo continued playing the part of maids and stood behind Ming Lunyu.

Xue Qinghe secretly assessed them.

This Ming Lunyu is undoubtedly the leader of the group. His bearing is extraordinary; he remains neither humble nor arrogant even before the powerful and noble. His talent is monstrous. If he does not die young, he will surely become a peerless powerhouse renowned across the world! I must try to bring him under my command. Then, that woman...

Ming Lunyu frowned, sensing something. When he turned his head, he saw Xue Qinghe secretly staring at him.

Even more strangely, when Xue Qinghe saw Ming Lunyu looking over, his face actually reddened, and he awkwardly shifted his gaze away.

The others noticed this as well, and all felt that something was subtly off.

"This Crown Prince looks decent enough. Don't tell me he's actually gay?" Ma Hongjun muttered under his breath, his gaze toward Xue Qinghe turning strange as well.

Dugu Bo, meanwhile, thought, See that? Young Master's charm works on both men and women! That's why this old man hasn't become a woman at heart—I'm merely attracted to Young Master's temperament...

Although Dugu Bo's mentality had changed somewhat after her gender transformation, she would not easily admit such things. For example, liking men was something she still could not accept on a conscious level.

Tang Fu'er, whose cultivation was the highest among them, sensed something unusual from Xue Qinghe's unnatural expression.

She immediately circulated her Soul Power and secretly activated the soul skill of her head soul bone.

Tang Fu'er deliberately investigated him, and given the chasm-like gap in their strength, she quickly uncovered everything about Xue Qinghe. A strange smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

But I'd better not tell Brother for now. It wouldn't do to disrupt his plans.

Xue Qinghe also frowned, vigilance rising in his heart.

What was that just now? Where did that feeling of being seen through come from?

Was it Ming Lunyu? Or Ma Hongjun? Impossible. Not even a Titled Douluo can see through my disguise.

Those two "maids"? Impossible, absolutely impossible! To see through my disguise, one would need to be at least rank ninety-eight. Even Spirit Hall has only two such powerhouses. They could not possibly appear so casually.

But why does that green-haired "maid" feel familiar? Emerald-green hair, emerald-green eyes... Is she related to Dugu Bo?

Looks like I've been exhausted lately from having too many affairs to handle.

Although doubts filled his heart, Xue Qinghe remained refined and easygoing on the surface, conversing naturally with Ming Lunyu.

"Yes, I came from a small place."

"Is that so? For common folk to produce geniuses such as you two is truly a blessing for the empire!"

"Perhaps. But there is something I do not know whether I should say..." Ming Lunyu put on a hesitant expression.

Xue Qinghe said kindly, "Please, speak freely."

Ming Lunyu let out a deep sigh. "When I was very young, the village where I lived was slaughtered by wandering Evil Soul Masters. My Grandpa was murdered as well. And as far as I know, that culprit has yet to be brought to justice..."

Hearing this, Xue Qinghe immediately showed sympathy and said shamefully, "Brother Ming—I may call you that, yes? I am deeply saddened by what happened to you. This was indeed caused by the empire's internal institutions being riddled with corruption and their abysmal efficiency. Rest assured, once I return, I will personally arrange for people to investigate this matter and seek justice for you!"

"In that case, I thank Your Highness the Crown Prince." Ming Lunyu revealed a moved expression and cupped his fists.

"Think nothing of it..."

The two then exchanged another round of largely meaningless conversation. Between the lines, Xue Qinghe repeatedly hinted at his admiration for Ming Lunyu and Ma Hongjun and his hope that they might serve him.

But Ming Lunyu kept playing dumb, fencing verbally with Xue Qinghe until Xue Qinghe ground his teeth inwardly, helpless to do anything about it.

He eventually realized that the fellow before him would not commit without seeing tangible benefits first.

Left with no choice, Xue Qinghe took out his token.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this is?"

"I have spoken with Brother Ming at length today and feel as though we met too late. Consider this token a testament to my friendship with Brother Ming. With this token, Brother Ming may visit the Crown Prince's residence to find me at any time. Should you encounter any difficulties, I, Qinghe, will certainly give you my full support!"

Ming Lunyu smiled faintly and accepted the token.

"Then I thank Your Highness the Crown Prince. My family is poor, and I have nothing of value to offer Your Highness in return, so I will not embarrass myself. Your Highness will not blame me for that, I hope?"

"It is no matter, no matter at all." Xue Qinghe smiled.

"I have greatly enjoyed speaking with Your Highness today, but all feasts under heaven must eventually end. It is getting late, so please allow me to take my leave."

"Of course... It is also my fault for keeping Brother Ming so long..."

"Not at all, not at all..."

"My mistake, my mistake..."

Ma Hongjun watched coldly as Ming Lunyu and Xue Qinghe traded courtesies back and forth, appearing like host and guest who had both thoroughly enjoyed themselves, while inwardly complaining like mad.

After nearly ten minutes of polite formalities, the four finally left the tea house under Xue Qinghe's reluctant gaze.