City Lord's Mansion.
Compared to Nuoding City, Fasnuo City's City Lord's Mansion was far more imposing.
The hall floor was paved with polished marble, and the pillars on either side bore exquisite carvings. Outside the windows lay a meticulously tended garden, where the fountain refracted rainbow-like halos beneath the sunlight.
Xue Qinghe sat in the seat of honor, while Yu Cheng sat at the lower right. Several officials stood respectfully to one side.
"These are the city affairs officers the Empire has prepared for you. They will arrange everything, from your inauguration ceremony and territory inspection to tax audits..."
Xue Qinghe pointed at them as he introduced them.
"As for the city defense force, the Empire will not interfere. You will need to organize it yourself."
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness." Yu Cheng nodded.
At the same time, a hint of understanding dawned on him.
Heaven Dou Empire's administrative system somewhat resembled the Zhou Tianzi and the feudal states from his past life.
The royal family dispatched civil officials solely to collect taxes. They did not care about anything else, allowing the nobles to develop as they pleased.
No wonder there were so many duchies and kingdoms that refused to follow orders.
Xue Qinghe raised his teacup and took a light sip. "I have other matters to attend to and must return to Heaven Dou City as soon as possible, so I will not be going to Nuoding City."
"Oh? That truly is a pity."
Yu Cheng shook his head.
Yet inwardly, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue—put him under no small amount of pressure.
Yu Cheng found the attendant beside the fake crown prince somewhat familiar. After speaking with him, he learned the man's name was Long She.
It was a false name, but after giving it some thought, Yu Cheng immediately recalled Snake Lance Douluo from the original story.
If this Title Douluo followed him back to Nuoding City, would he discover Xiao Wu's identity?
If Tang Hao showed himself and two Title Douluo began fighting in Nuoding City...
As the newly appointed city lord, Yu Cheng would probably be hammered to death.
Xue Qinghe set down his teacup and suddenly smiled. "I am a few years older than you. In private, how about we address each other as brothers? Calling each other Your Highness and Viscount all the time feels too distant."
Yu Cheng froze. "This... I would not dare."
"What is there to fear? Do you look down on me because I am the crown prince?" Xue Qinghe asked half-jokingly.
"Though I am the crown prince, I am also a Soul Master. Your theories have benefited me greatly. How about I call you Master Yu?"
Yu Cheng smiled bitterly inwardly.
If he did not know Xue Qinghe's true identity, it would have been one thing.
But he knew Xue Qinghe was a woman. Calling her his brother felt strange no matter how he thought about it.
"Then... Brother Qinghe."
Yu Cheng spoke.
"Brother Yu Cheng."
Xue Qinghe's smile was brilliant, as if she were genuinely delighted.
She rose and patted Yu Cheng on the shoulder. "Once you have settled matters in Nuoding City, report to the Royal Academy as soon as possible. I will be waiting for you in Heaven Dou City."
"All right. I wish you a smooth journey, Brother Qinghe."
Yu Cheng cupped his hands.
Night.
Yu Cheng lay on a broad, soft couch, staring at the exquisite crystal chandelier on the ceiling, unable to sleep for a long while.
"I still underestimated Whale Rubber's influence."
"I thought at most I would receive some rewards or be recruited by some major power. I never expected to be directly granted a title and territory, rising to the top in one step."
Yu Cheng grumbled to himself.
"Tsk, tsk. If you want to laugh, then laugh, Lord Viscount of Nuoding."
A familiar voice sounded in his mind.
The corners of Yu Cheng's mouth rose unconsciously. "Why do I feel like your tone is a little sour?"
"Sour?"
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng snorted.
"Would I envy you?"
"When I was your age, I was already slaughtering my way through Slaughter City. Ordinary people had to take a detour whenever they saw me."
"A mere viscount, a territory no larger than a palm..."
He paused, his tone becoming even more disdainful. "I am not jealous at all."
"All right, all right. What's yours is mine, and what's mine is still mine."
Yu Cheng reined in his smile, his tone sincere.
"Brother, without the two levels of Soul Power you sacrificed for me, without you teaching me how to cultivate, I might still be figuring out how to steal Soul Bones. Or I might have fallen off that waterfall and died long ago."
"Half of this title belongs to you."
The sea of consciousness fell silent for a moment.
"At least you have some conscience."
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng's voice softened.
"But seriously, your plan was not bad. Yu Xiaogang's theory has been shattered. He probably is not having an easy time now."
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng laughed.
Watching Yu Cheng's experiences over the past few years, he increasingly felt that he had been too reckless in the past.
Perhaps it had come from a transmigrator's arrogance. Back then, he had looked down on everyone.
As a result, before he had even left the beginner's village, someone had plotted against him.
What a regret!
"Yu Xiaogang's backing runs too deep, so dealing with him directly is somewhat difficult. But one day, I will send him to meet you."
Yu Cheng spoke with absolute certainty.
"That will not be necessary. If a person's convictions collapse, living is no different from dying."
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng spoke calmly.
For Yu Xiaogang, theory was his life. With his theory shattered, perhaps he was already questioning the meaning of life.
At that moment, Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng watched the dancing candlelight in the room, and an unusual peace welled up within him.
The obsession that had trapped him, his desire to take revenge on Yu Xiaogang, seemed to dissipate at that moment.
"You mean I do not need to keep helping you fulfill your final wish?" Yu Cheng asked.
"Correct. I know you still have ways to strike at Yu Xiaogang, but I do not have much time left. Besides, there is nothing else I can teach you."
"You have already learned the Blood Sacrifice Array. As for those combat experiences, you will need to explore them constantly on your own."
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng sighed softly.
"Are you going to disappear?"
Yu Cheng said regretfully, "I really am a little reluctant to see you go."
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng smiled calmly. He could sense Yu Cheng's genuine sincerity.
As expected of his past self.
He still possessed kindness.
He had remained in Slaughter City for so long that no one had truly cared about him in a very long time.
Yu Cheng continued, "What exactly is the relic you left me? A handful of ashes?"
"Honestly, I do not know." Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng spread his hands.
"I did have some good treasures when I was alive, even Soul Bones. But logically speaking, Tang San took them all."
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng said uncertainly, "My guess is that after opening the Ash Box, you can fuse with my remnant soul. At the very least, your spiritual power should surge by a significant amount."
"As for other attributes, such as vitality and Soul Power, that is uncertain."
Yu Cheng asked, "Are all Ash Boxes like this?"
According to Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng, he could keep opening boxes and stacking attributes.
As long as he had enough Ash Boxes, he could still make something of himself.
Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng smiled bitterly. "When I died, there was not even anyone to collect my body. How could I possibly have specially prepared relics for you?"
Yu Cheng nodded. "In that case, I will open the Ash Box after returning to Nuoding City. That way, you can experience what it feels like to be a city lord too."
Yu Cheng believed good brothers shared blessings and hardships alike.
"Tch! Who cares!"
The corners of Evil Soul Master Yu Cheng's mouth lifted.
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