What Must Come Will Eventually Come

Xu Yu had Zhu Zhuyun take the Twins outside to wait for him while he went alone to meet Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.

During the talks, Zhu Zhuyun hid behind a screen and listened in. Naturally, she could not appear openly. Even if Dai Mubai failed to recognize her, her younger sister Zhu Zhuqing and their mother would still become suspicious, even with Zhu Zhuyun wearing a mask and shrouded in a black robe.

The Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire was, in fact, a rather unusual family.

Throughout the generations, the heads of the family had mostly been women. The husbands of Zhu Family women were all imported... all men who married into the family. Women also made up the majority of the family. Even when male children were born, they were either frail by nature or died young, the complete opposite of the imperial Dai Family.

Although the women of the Dai Family were less talented than the men, their talent still far surpassed that of ordinary soul masters. Occasionally, there would even be an exceptionally gifted princess. Unlike the Zhu Family, where the men had been thoroughly crushed and could not rise at all.

"Elder Xu truly is young and accomplished!"

The moment she saw Xu Yu, the mother of Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing praised him.

Though the Yun and Qing sisters were indeed far more mature than ordinary women, they still paled in comparison to Mother Zhu.

Her loose robes could not conceal her perfect curves. With her exquisite features and icy aura, even her praise for Xu Yu was delivered in a cold tone. Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing's aloof demeanor was probably deeply influenced by their mother.

"You flatter me." Even though Mother Zhu was a beautiful mature woman, she could not sway Xu Yu's judgment.

He had long passed the age of thinking with his lower half.

Trying to use a honey trap on him?

At the very least, she had to take off her clothes.

Once the pleasantries were over, Xu Yu sat down. On the other side, Mother Zhu sat with Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and another woman from the Zhu Family.

Although that woman was not as beautiful as Zhu Zhuqing or Zhu Zhuyun, her figure surpassed theirs, rivaling even her mother's. Xu Yu glanced at her and found her somewhat familiar, but he could not recall where he had seen her before.

Seeing this, Mother Zhu said, "This is my third daughter, Zhu Zhuqiu. She happens to be around Elder Xu's age. If Elder Xu does not mind, you may interact with my daughter more in private. Between two young people, anything can happen. Don't you agree, Elder Xu?"

Those words were no longer a hint, but a blatant declaration.

Xu Yu smiled without saying anything.

Trying to recruit him as a son-in-law in public—if he showed even the slightest interest, Bibi Dong would probably hear about it immediately. This beautiful mature woman dressed in black like a widow clearly had ill intentions.

Although Xu Yu showed no reaction, Mother Zhu's words made Zhu Zhuqiu give him several curious looks. Xu Yu smiled at her, then ignored her.

This outcome also made Zhu Zhuyun behind the screen secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She truly did not dare imagine what would become of her if Xu Yu could not resist the temptation and joined the Zhu Family.

"Patriarch Zhu, let's cut the nonsense. You may take the people back. We will even give you a generous gift, but you must agree to Spirit Hall's conditions."

"Oh? A generous gift? Would Elder Xu care to reveal what exactly this gift is?" Mother Zhu clearly did not believe Spirit Hall would kindly offer her a gift. It was obviously up to no good, so she had to be on guard.

"You'll find out." Xu Yu gave a mysterious smile and left it at that. Take it or leave it.

The Zhu Family did not press the matter, and Xu Yu laid out his conditions.

"Two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, ten million Gold Soul Coins, and a hundred large mines."

"Do you think that's possible?" The moment his words fell, Mother Zhu's face turned icy.

Protecting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? So what? Did he think the Star Luo Empire feared Spirit Hall? Just because they were protecting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, they dared make such an outrageous demand?

"Twenty million Gold Soul Coins. Everything else is non-negotiable." Soul bones and mineral resources were both scarce resources. There was no way she could give them away.

If she agreed to such conditions, she would be cursed by the people when she returned to the Star Luo Empire.

"Fine." Xu Yu nodded calmly, neither pleased nor angry.

"This..." Mother Zhu felt that she had been too generous.

Twenty million was an enormous sum even for the entire Star Luo Empire.

But to ransom back two heirs of the Star Luo Empire, that price was still within an acceptable range.

Mother Zhu said nothing further and immediately tossed over more than ten Storage Spirit Devices along with several Gold Soul Coin cards. Before coming to Spirit City, the empire had already prepared the ransom for her.

In truth, they could have accepted soul bones below the ten-thousand-year level as well. But money could be earned again once it was gone, while soul bones might not be found again once lost—especially suitable ones. Furthermore, the family's allocation of soul bones was insufficient. Any problem that could be solved with money was not a problem, so there was no need to use soul bones.

Xu Yu calmly took a sip of tea. Twenty million Gold Soul Coins was nothing worth making a fuss over.

It was just money. It was merely equivalent to tens of billions in cash from his previous life. It was not as though he had never seen such figures on television.

The more Mother Zhu looked at him, the more satisfied she became. A young man like this was perfect son-in-law material.

"Elder Xu, are you truly unwilling to reconsider? My third daughter has a figure, looks, temperament, and talent no weaker than Zhuqing's. What's more, she will succeed me as the next head of the Zhu Family. If you become her husband, you will stand above everyone but one person in the Star Luo Empire. Why suffer indignities here in Spirit City? Am I right?"

"Whether I suffer indignities is not something Patriarch Zhu needs to worry about. Besides, perhaps your daughter already has someone she likes. Isn't that right, beautiful?" The "beautiful" Xu Yu addressed was Zhu Zhuqing's third sister, Zhu Zhuqiu.

"I don't have anyone I like. I'm quite interested in you. I wouldn't mind making you my man."

"Cough, cough!" The girls of Douluo were all so bold.

Being openly confessed to like that was a first for Xu Yu.

But Mother Zhu, who had made the remark as a joke, began to give it serious thought. If her third daughter truly had feelings for Xu Yu, then they really needed to make plans. Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai merely furrowed their brows slightly and said nothing.

If Xu Yu, their enemy, became their brother-in-law because of this, how awkward would things be in the future?

Of course, Xu Yu had already become their brother-in-law—the eldest brother-in-law, at that.

Xu Yu was having a wonderful time.

"Enough, Patriarch Zhu. Take your people and go." Xu Yu waved his hand, too lazy to keep spouting nonsense with them.

He needed to head to Sunset Forest and attend to his grand ambitions. Where would he find the time to play house here?

"Wait, where are my other companions?" Dai Mubai asked hurriedly.

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze tightened as well.

Xu Yu smiled. "Don't worry, they're fine."

As long as they were fine. Dai Mubai felt relieved, but when he met the strange look in Xu Yu's eyes, his heart tightened. He had a bad feeling.

What was going to happen?

That grand gift?

Would it be good news or bad? Dai Mubai felt tormented and took the initiative to ask, "May I ask what grand gift you were referring to?"

"Oh? Hahaha. Prince Dai is quite impatient. Don't worry, you'll be very happy."

Xu Yu laughed heartily. Mother Zhu inwardly cursed. This old fox was definitely plotting something.

Although Mother Zhu had not dealt with Xu Yu many times, his smooth, calculating nature had left a deep impression on her. She wanted to stop this, but unfortunately, it was already too late.

"Come out!"

Three women and a timid child emerged from behind the screen.

The black-robed woman wearing a mask caused Mother Zhu's eyes to flicker slightly with confusion. What exactly was Spirit Hall trying to do?

But upon seeing those twin sisters, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's expressions changed instantly.

Dai Mubai's face darkened. Why were they here?

Zhu Zhuqing's face turned pale. Was what was meant to come finally here?