Suicide Is Out of the Question

At Dugu Yan's urging.

Dugu Bo, an old man, actually walked up to Tang Xuan with the bashfulness of a young girl, fidgeting as he said, "Uh, Tang Xuan, I'm sorry."

"Er, Senior Dugu, what did you say?" Tang Xuan scratched his head.

It was as though Dugu Bo's tongue had gotten tangled in a sock.

Tang Xuan had not heard the last few words at all.

Dugu Yan turned and shot her grandpa a dangerous look.

Just like Hu Yifei's Laser Eye.

Dugu Bo's old face flushed red again. He squeezed his eyes shut and, seemingly out of embarrassment, shouted, "I said I'm sorry! I shouldn't have bullied the young with my seniority! Please forgive me!"

His voice was so thunderous that Tang Xuan's ears hurt.

"Er, Senior Dugu, there's no need for that. My hearing is quite good," Tang Xuan said with a wry smile, rubbing his ears. "As for forgiveness, it wasn't a big deal to begin with. It was all because of that Fatty Fish, Xue Xing."

That was right.

It was all because of Xue Xing.

As if he had found an outlet for his anger, Dugu Bo fixed Xue Xing with an icy, sinister stare.

Xue Xing was scared out of his wits, but he forced himself to remain calm. "A misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding, Dugu! There must be some misunderstanding here!"

Dugu Bo ignored him completely. "Don't tell me that. Tang Xuan is the main character today."

"Yes, yes, yes." Xue Xing wore an ingratiating smile. "Tang Xuan, perhaps there was some misunderstanding in today's matter. This king apologizes for my earlier rudeness. Could we let this matter go?"

What had seemed like a flawless open scheme today.

Had been utterly ruined by Dugu Bo's last-minute defection.

Not only had they failed to pin a charge on Xue Qinghe.

Even their attempt to drive a wedge between Tang Xuan and Xue Qinghe had only been half completed.

As for how effective it had been, no one but Tang Xuan himself knew.

And most importantly.

Dugu Bo had even dragged all of his plans out into the open.

Once this matter reached His Majesty's ears.

The charge of harming one's brother and the condemnation of being heartless and unrighteous would fall upon this uncle-nephew pair.

"Wuwuwu..."

Before Tang Xuan could say anything.

Xue Beng, dressed like a Mummy, had already begun struggling first.

To frame Xue Qinghe and get revenge on Tang Xuan.

He had nearly been beaten senseless.

If this matter was settled just like that, he would not rest easy even in death.

Of course, Xue Xing knew what his nephew was thinking.

But now was not the time to act on impulse.

"Tang Xuan, look, Xue Beng also knows that he was wrong. How about we leave things at this for today? Another day, this king will certainly prepare generous gifts and personally apologize to you." Xue Xing lied through his teeth.

"Oh? If Senior Dugu hadn't come to his senses, you would have crippled me. What generous gift could possibly compare to my talent?" Tang Xuan's narrowed eyes were filled with coldness.

Xue Xing's expression stiffened at those words.

Given Tang Xuan's talent.

Even a Hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring and Soul Bone might not be enough to compensate for it.

"Then... what do you want?" Xue Xing asked after struggling with himself for a moment.

Tang Xuan's anger had to be quelled.

Otherwise, Xue Qinghe could use the excuse of standing up for Tang Xuan at any time.

To openly "take revenge" on him and Xue Beng.

When that happened, even if Xue Qinghe killed them, he would only earn the reputation of a benevolent ruler.

"Hah? You want me to name the terms? If I told you to kill yourself right here, would you do it?" Tang Xuan sneered.

The moment those words came out.

Not only Xue Xing and his nephew.

Even Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Yu Tianheng could not help but shudder inwardly.

No matter how grave the uncle and nephew's mistakes were, they were still members of the royal family.

The Heaven Dou Empire's million-strong army was not something even a Titled Douluo could necessarily contend against.

Even Dugu Bo would not dare Act Ruthlessly against members of the royal family.

How many lives did Tang Xuan have to throw away? How could he act so recklessly?

"Ahaha, Tang Xuan, you really know how to joke." Xue Xing gave a dry laugh, but when he saw that Tang Xuan's expression had not changed in the slightest, a chill suddenly ran through his heart. "Y-you're serious?"

Tang Xuan wore an amused expression. "You tell me."

In truth.

Tang Xuan had never intended to do anything to Xue Xing and the other one.

Those two were perfect for diverting Xue Qinghe's attention.

But setting aside their lack of brains for the moment.

Their ambitions were greater than the other's.

If they were not properly taught a lesson, there was a risk of backlash.

And the broken windows effect was precisely an excellent means of disciplining them.

Xue Xing's face shifted between green and red, like a traffic light.

Whether Tang Xuan was serious or not.

There was no way he would kill himself.

He had only chosen to show weakness to Tang Xuan because he feared death.

If Tang Xuan insisted on killing him, then what was the point of showing weakness at all?

At that thought.

Killing intent gradually rose in Xue Xing's heart.

But the moment he remembered Tang Xuan's terrifying combat strength, he calmed down again.

He had assumed Dugu Bo would protect him on this outing, so he had not brought any guards.

Even the two men carrying Xue Beng were merely ordinary attendants.

And although Xue Xing was a four-ring Soul Ancestor.

His aged, frail body, combined with a Swan Martial Soul that had almost no strengths besides flight.

Along with a lifetime of scarcely any combat experience.

Meant that taking down Tang Xuan would require no small amount of effort.

And judging by Dugu Yan's attitude toward Tang Xuan, the chances of her standing by and watching were practically zero.

Once they joined forces, he would certainly lose, and might even die.

As for running, that was even more absurd in front of a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo.

Suddenly.

Xue Xing caught sight of Ning Rongrong, who stood pressed close to Tang Xuan's side, from the corner of his eye.

According to the intelligence, although this girl had never displayed her Martial Soul.

She seemed to be merely an auxiliary-type...

"Tang Xuan, I think suicide is still far too extreme. How about you first hear the compensation I have to offer? Believe me, you won't refuse." Xue Xing used his words to distract him.

Yet his steps quietly moved toward Tang Xuan's side.

Or at least, quietly in his own mind.

Xue Xing's body was already shaped like a squat earthen jar.

Coupled with his somewhat bloated physique from years of neglecting exercise.

Even the slightest movement from him appeared exceptionally conspicuous.

Tang Xuan noticed Xue Xing's abnormal behavior immediately.

Yet he did not expose him.

He merely gathered Sword Momentum in secret, the Level Mountain Style poised to strike.

"Oh? Is that so? Let's hear it."

"My manor possesses a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, best suited for strength-type Spirit Masters. I'll give it to you as an apology. What do you think?" Xue Xing tossed out the Blood River Treasure as bait.

Trying to divide everyone's attention.

Sure enough.

At the mention of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone.

Everyone except Tang Xuan.

Even Dugu Bo, could not help but lapse into a brief daze.

Though everyone present possessed extraordinary backgrounds.

Any Soul Bone was enough to stir a Spirit Master's greed.

Especially a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, which was precious beyond measure.

While everyone was distracted.

A vicious glint flashed through Xue Xing's eyes.

His slightly plump body suddenly sprang up.

In an instant, he transformed into a rather comical humanoid swan.

Just as he was about to flap his wings and charge at Ning Rongrong.

The corner of his eye suddenly caught Tang Xuan staring straight at him.

Xue Xing froze on the spot.

He could neither move nor stay still.

"Your Highness, what are you doing? Don't tell me you were planning to launch a sneak attack while everyone was distracted?" A dangerous glint shone in Tang Xuan's eyes.

Xue Xing was stunned.

I haven't even started, and you saw right through me.

What are you, a damn tapeworm?

"Ahahaha, how could that be?" Xue Xing said with a dry laugh. "I heard that there is an exceptionally unique dance in the western part of the continent. It is incomparably elegant and is often used to offer apologies. I was thinking of performing it for you as well, to demonstrate this prince's sincere repentance."

Tang Xuan really couldn't hold back his laughter.

Xue Xing could even come up with such a lousy excuse.

"Sure. Then dance. I really would like to see this dance that is specially used for apologizing."

Even Dugu Bo and the others became interested.

They all looked at Xue Xing expectantly.

Even if Xue Xing cursed Tang Xuan's ancestors for eighteen generations back to life in his heart, he still had to dance through gritted teeth.

Otherwise, it would confirm that he had intended to launch a sneak attack.

At that point, even Dugu Bo might not let him off.

After all, who could say whether the person he had wanted to ambush was Dugu Yan?