Competing for the Heir to the Throne

At this moment, news of Dai Weisi's death had not yet spread throughout the Douluo Continent, and even among the upper echelons of the Star Luo Empire, not everyone knew about it.

Just as the disappearance of the Zhu sisters Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, from the Zhu Family for a period of time went largely unnoticed, it will take some time before the news of Dai Weisi's death is fully revealed.

How did a down-on-his-luck marquis's family learn of such news almost immediately?

A playful smile appeared on Zhu Lanyan's face.

Zhu Lanyan's smile displeased Zhu Zhuqing. Faced with her mother's questioning, she simply replied, "So what if it is?"

Zhu Lanyan was less than 30% certain that the Casas Family already knew about Dai Weisi's death, but seeing Zhu Zhuqing agree without hesitation after her probing questions, her confidence rose to 50%.

This is already an extremely high probability.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "As far as I know, among the current male members of the Casas Family, there isn't a single one capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities. How could they possibly win in such a struggle? Most importantly..."

Zhu Lanyan tapped the armrest lightly and said with a smile, "Zhu Zhuqing, you haven't forgotten that you still have a fiancé outside, have you?"

If Zhu Zhuqing was able to obtain information about Dai Mubai at the Shrek Academy, there's no reason why the Zhu Family and Dai Family wouldn't know.

After Dai Weisi's death, Dai Mubai became the first in line to inherit the throne.

However, people's hearts are different.

Dai Mubai's "disappearance" occurred several years ago. Unlike Dai Weisi, who had connections with many nobles in the empire, Dai Mubai had no supporters behind him.

No, it's not entirely true that there isn't any...

Dai Mubai's biggest and only supporter right now is naturally the current Star Luo Emperor.

It was clearly more in line with his wishes and interests for his son to inherit the throne than to hand it over to other members of the collateral family.

However, this is clearly not an easy task.

The Dai Family does not have Titled Douluo. Their greatest strength lies in the imperial elders whose Martial Soul compatibility is high enough to form Martial Soul Fusion Skill and summon the Hell White Tiger.

When two Soul Douluo, one male and one female, team up, they can both possess strength approaching that of Super Douluo, reaching the limit of an ordinary Titled Douluo.

But such a foundation and national strength are clearly not suitable for use in this kind of power struggle.

Unless it truly involves a crisis of regime collapse, national ruin, or family destruction, these clan elders will not take action.

In other words, the strongest force the Star Luo Empire has on the surface is at the Soul Douluo level.

In other words, the Star Luo Emperor did not possess enough military strength to overwhelm other collateral branches.

The current Crown Prince has died suddenly, and the second prince has nominally disappeared... Such an opportunity that seems to fall from the sky is something that even the collateral families with Soul Douluo combat power would be eager to seize, let alone those families with Soul Sage combat power.

The life-or-death competition among the Dai Family bloodlines is entirely in accordance with the rules and traditions of the Star Luo Empire, and the elders of the Star Luo Empire will not interfere.

In this situation, as long as they unite and keep Dai Mubai out of the capital before the Crown Prince is confirmed, or even kill Dai Mubai directly, everything will be settled once the Crown Prince position is established.

At the very least, they all have the right to directly compete with Dai Mubai, who is nominally the current first in line of succession.

Even the Star Luo Emperor was troubled by this situation.

Naturally, he immediately contacted his younger sister, Zhu Lanyan, the current head of the Zhu Family.

This is also why Zhu Lanyan has been feeling somewhat tired lately.

When Zhu Zhuqing burst into the study, she was carefully considering her reply to her brother.

According to Star Luo Emperor, the Zhu Family should provide their full assistance at this time to find Dai Mubai, who had been stranded in the Heaven Dou Empire, and then establish a new marriage agreement between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuyun.

In the Star Luo Empire, the Dai Family is the most powerful, followed by the Zhu Family. If the two join forces, there is a high probability that they can quickly quell this turmoil.

However, the royal family was the most detached in their feelings.

Zhu Lanyan is not only the younger sister of the Star Luo Emperor, but also the head of the Zhu Family.

Even the Star Luo Emperor couldn't determine Zhu Lanyan 'Zhu Lanyan current stance, or whether some powerful and well-connected families had already contacted her, offered her substantial benefits, or even formed an alliance directly.

If the Dai Family gains the support of the Zhu Family, the turmoil can be quelled immediately. Conversely, if other collateral families gain the support of the Zhu Family, they also have a great chance of ascending to the throne.

In fact, Zhu Lanyan had already received letters from several noble families besides the Star Luo Emperor.

The reason why the Star Luo Empire does not have the title of Prince is self-evident.

Therefore, dukes and marquises were the highest nobles in the empire.

Some of these prominent families were as wealthy and powerful as the current royal family.

They did indeed offer Zhu Lanyan substantial benefits.

However... Zhu Lanyan still intends to stand on the side of the Star Luo Emperor, who is only playing the family card.

It wasn't because she still cared about her sibling relationship, but because the Zhu Family didn't need to rely on such benefits to become stronger.

As the saying goes, too much of a good thing can be bad. Once the Zhu Family becomes more powerful than the imperial family, the consequences will be unpredictable.

Zhu Lanyan had no ambition to advance further; stability suited her tastes better.

Therefore... she was very dissatisfied with the possibility that Zhu Zhuqing might have already placed a bet with the Casas Family!

That's why she specifically mentioned Dai Mubai's matter, to warn Zhu Zhuqing and make her change her mind!

However...

"That person has nothing to do with me anymore."

Zhu Zhuqing responded calmly from the still well.

Zhu Lanyan raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Zhu Zhuqing, is this a serious matter of marriage that you can just abandon like that?"

She deliberately emphasized her words, slammed her hand on the armrest, and said coldly, "Your marriage is not up to you, but to me. Remember that!"

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zhu Lanyan, who was using her status as a mother and the head of the family to coerce her, and slightly curled the corners of her mouth. "Zhu Lanyan, even now, do you still think you can control me?"

As she spoke, Zhu Zhuqing paused for a moment.

She didn't want to say what followed unless absolutely necessary, but now that things had come to this, there was no turning back.

She spoke in a low voice with a smile, "So what if you tell His Majesty the Emperor that you intend to support him? Once I publicly express my support for the Casas Family, do you think he'll believe you? A cold-blooded monster called the Emperor, do you think he'll believe in so-called brotherly and sisterly affection, or suspect you have ulterior motives? Unless you kill me, there are some things you can't change. And kill me?"

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at the silent You Xing and said meaningfully, "If you can do it, then give it a try."

"You!?"

Zhu Lanyan's eyes were bloodshot as she watched Zhu Zhuqing You Xing.

She didn't think she couldn't do it, but... even if she could, so what? Was she really going to support those collateral descendants of the Zhu Family?

Just as if Dai Weisi hadn't died, with Dai Mubai gone, Dai Weisi would have been the sole Crown Prince.

Zhu Zhuqing is currently the only candidate for Empress, and only her death will initiate the next round of life-or-death competition.

Zhu Zhuqing returned to her bedroom.

She noticed that You Xing had disappeared again, so she called out to the air, "Young Alliance Leader..."

Swoosh.

The scene in the main hall was replicated once again, with You Xing emerging from the shadows.

Of course, this is just a smokescreen, a picture created to give others the preconceived notion that "the You Xing emerges from the shadows."

In reality, You Xing had been by Zhu Zhuqing's side the whole time, but he had removed his Aura Concealment Art and used the Stardust Illusion to create the aforementioned false scene.

Zhu Zhuqing trembled and her brows twitched when she saw You Xing suddenly appear.

She suppressed her startled heartbeat and asked, "Young Alliance Leader, why are you here?"

Surely he couldn't have actually come here to be her bodyguard, could he?

You Xing calmly replied, "I'm here to be your bodyguard."

Zhu Zhuqing raised an eyebrow.

I thought to myself that I've always been good at controlling my facial expressions, so why is it so easy for people to see through my inner thoughts today?

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is this inappropriate?"

She lowered her head silently, her heart beating faster than usual.

"What's inappropriate?"

You Xing shook his head. "You should know that Amona also holds a high position in the Beast Soul Alliance and is also required to undertake overseas missions. I am no different. Your safety is very important to the Beast Soul Alliance, and I am the most suitable candidate at present, so naturally I will be your bodyguard."

As if sensing Zhu Zhuqing's nervousness, he paused for a moment and added, "During the mission, just treat me as an ordinary guard."

Seemingly influenced by You Xing's calm demeanor, Zhu Zhuqing's emotions gradually calmed down as well.

But then, another question came to her mind.

"By the way, Young Alliance Leader... you won't stay in my shadow forever, will you?"

Is there a problem?

"..."

Zhu Zhuqing remembered something, paused for a moment, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and asked, "Um... what about when you take a bath?"

You Xing paused for a moment, then said, "I definitely slipped out quietly back then. You... you don't suspect I was spying, do you?"

Under You Xing's stern gaze, Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks instantly turned red, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no, no, I was just thinking that since you are going to be my personal bodyguard, there must be similar questions. Yes, I was talking about your bathing situation!"

As she said this, Zhu Zhuqing indeed thought of another aspect that needed attention, and quickly asked, "By the way, about your accommodation—"

You Xing interrupted directly, saying, "Of course I'll share a room with you."

"Huh?" Zhu Zhuqing was a little stunned.

You Xing said casually, "It's only natural to separate situations like using the toilet, taking a shower, and changing clothes, but considering your safety, I will stay by your side at all times except in these situations."

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at her spacious bed, which was the only one in her boudoir.

She said immediately, "I'll go and tell the servants to bring another one..."

"No need."

You Xing interrupted, "If you bring another bed into this room, it will be too crowded. I'll just sleep on the floor."

Zhu Zhuqing quickly shook her head. "Why should I let you sleep on the floor? Or you can sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the floor."

Beyond You Xing's status and position, in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, he was also her savior. How could she let her benefactor sleep on the ground?

"I said it's not necessary, so don't make me say it a second time."

You Xing's voice turned slightly cold, and the icy tone made Zhu Zhuqing's expression stiffen slightly.

Then You Xing continued, "Zhu Zhuqing, seeing your expression, I must make this clear to you. During a mission, orders are absolute. To complete the mission, all etiquette, customs, and humble words must be set aside!"

His gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing from head to toe, and the way he looked at her as if she were an object made Zhu Zhuqing feel slightly uncomfortable.

You Xing said calmly, "Weren't you worried about me seeing you bathing? Let me tell you now. If necessary, you'll have to accept it even if you take off all your clothes and bathe in front of me. You'd better be prepared to be naked in front of me at any time!"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened. "How could this be—!?"

You Xing's tone grew increasingly forceful, each word carrying an undeniable authority. "This is the duty and obligation of all Soul Arena Beasts! From the moment you joined the Beast Soul Alliance, the organization's orders superseded your life! Remember that!"

Zhu Zhuqing's breath hitched, and she wanted to refute something.

But faced with You Xing's cold demeanor and recalling her own resolve, she felt that cooperating with the Beast Soul Alliance's arrangements did indeed seem to be the right thing to do.

After all... she also understood that You Xing's so-called "being mentally prepared to be naked" was probably just talk.

Just like when the Star Luo Empire trains soldiers, they also prepare them to sacrifice themselves when they enlist.

But that doesn't mean they should just go and die without any reason.

"Yes."

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and finally nodded in agreement.

She secretly glanced at You Xing's cold profile, feeling a strange flutter in her heart amidst the discomfort of being oppressed by power.

If those almost humiliating words had come from someone else, from an ordinary-looking, unremarkable man, Zhu Zhuqing would have shown her icy indifference and ruthlessly turned him away.

However, when these words were spoken by her savior, the man who possessed both godlike handsomeness and heroic spirit, and was as cold and ruthless as a demon— You Xing —Zhu Zhuqing's state of mind and attitude changed drastically.

She could hardly imagine herself rebelling.

She had revealed her most wretched and ugliest self to this person she secretly admired and revered, displaying naked madness and malice.

Naturally, all her pride and insistence became incredibly fragile in front of this man.

Even... if she actually did as the other party said, she would feel more ashamed than humiliated.

It was as if under You Xing's deep, unfathomable gaze, she had nowhere to hide, and even her secret joy at hearing that he would be by her side for a long time to come was seen through.

Therefore, they had no choice but to obey and atone for their sins.

These subtle and complex emotions are Zhu Zhuqing's deepest subconscious, which even she herself finds difficult to grasp.

They were like undercurrents, subtly influencing her judgment and choices.

It was these vulnerabilities and contradictions in human nature that made her willingly accept You Xing's CPU.

And this subtle influence will continue.