A Revelation, Xu Tian's Disguise as a Man

Meanwhile, in the main hall of Hongchen Mansion.

The atmosphere was solemn and dignified, with a suffocating heaviness permeating even the air itself.

Jing Hongchen, the usually imposing Hall Master of Mingde Hall, now stood slightly bowed at the lower end, his demeanor reverent to the extreme.

Seated in the place of honor was a young man in bright yellow casual robes.

His features were handsome, his expression gentle, but between his brows lurked a royal majesty that commanded respect without anger.

The most striking feature was the specially crafted Soul Tool Wheelchair beneath him.

The Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, the future ruler of the realm—Xu Tianran.

Behind him, two black-robed elders stood like statues, not a trace of aura leaking from them, yet the brief opening and closing of their eyes gave the illusion of space tearing apart.

Two peak Soul Douluo, or even... half-step Title Douluo.

"Hall Master Hongchen, you said earlier that you encountered a... rough jade in the Extreme North?"

Xu Tianran toyed with two warm jade walnuts in his hands, his tone casual, yet no one dared show the slightest negligence.

"Your Highness, not just rough jade, but a sword sharp enough to pierce the heavens."

Jing Hongchen weighed his words carefully, each one deeply considered.

He knew this Crown Prince's appetite; ordinary mediocrity would never catch his eye.

For the Hongchen Family to secure its footing in the future power shift, it had to demonstrate sufficient value.

And Gu Yuejin was the grand gift he offered.

"This young man is named Gu Yuejin, hailing from the original Three Kingdoms of Douluo."

"Under twenty, yet already a Seven-Ring Soul Saint."

"What?!"

Xu Tianran's hand movements abruptly halted. With a crisp crack, the two priceless Thousand-Year Warm Jade Walnuts were crushed to powder in his grip!

The once calm, well-like eyes instantly burst with startling brilliance.

It was the greed of a starving wolf seeing flesh, mixed with... a trace of barely perceptible envy.

"A Soul Saint under twenty? Hall Master Hongchen, are you certain you're not joking with This Lonely One?"

Xu Tianran stared hard at Jing Hongchen, his voice low. "You know the consequences of deceiving This Lonely One."

"Old Minister dares to vouch with his head."

Jing Hongchen bowed even lower, his voice heavy. "Not only is this young man terrifyingly powerful, but he also shows no rejection of Soul Tools like Traditional Soul Masters do; instead, he has a keen interest."

"If we can bring him into the fold and nurture him slightly, he will surely become a trump card in Your Highness's hand, or even..."

Jing Hongchen paused, then dropped the final bait:

"Or even become the foundation to counter the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy!"

Hearing this, Xu Tianran smiled.

The smile was warm and refined, yet inexplicably sent chills down one's spine, like a viper flicking its tongue.

"Good, very good."

"Interesting, truly interesting."

Xu Tianran brushed the jade dust from his hands, a mad gleam of what could be called "control" flickering in his eyes.

"This Lonely One wants to see him."

Half an hour later.

Gu Yuejin, accompanied by Huo Yuhao, stepped into the main hall again under Jing Hongchen's personal guidance.

The moment he entered, Gu Yuejin's gaze fell on the man in the wheelchair.

No surprise at all.

Oh, isn't this the famous 'strong-willed despite disability,' 'brotherly and fraternal' Crown Prince?

This wheelchair, this fake smile, this vibe of being ready to off the whole family at any moment... the flavor is too strong.

Though his mind was a torrent of sarcasm, on the surface, Gu Yuejin remained composed, neither humble nor arrogant, giving a slight bow with cupped hands.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xu Tianran did not respond immediately. Instead, his deep eyes swept over Gu Yuejin from head to toe.

Young, handsome, upright, bursting with explosive vitality.

Looking at Gu Yuejin's spear-straight legs, a deeply hidden shadow flickered in the depths of Xu Tianran's eyes.

"Sir Gu Yue need not stand on ceremony."

Xu Tianran maneuvered his wheelchair forward, a spring-like smile instantly spreading across his face, as if the shadow had never existed.

"I've long heard Hall Master Hongchen speak of you as a paragon of the age. Meeting you today, the reputation is well deserved."

"Such bearing, such cultivation—even in my Sun Moon Empire, one like you is as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns."

"His Highness flatters me."

Gu Yuejin smiled faintly. "I merely encountered a few strokes of fortune. Nothing worth taking seriously."

The two took their seats as host and guest.

After exchanging a few pleasantries of hollow nonsense, Xu Tianran cut straight to the point.

"I hear you intend to join the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy as a teacher?"

"That is correct."

Gu Yuejin nodded. "This Humble One has long admired your nation's Soul Tool Technology. I hope to take this opportunity to learn a thing or two, while also instructing my unworthy disciple."

"Ah, you are far too modest."

Xu Tianran waved a hand, leaning slightly forward. In that instant, a pressure befitting one in power radiated faintly, as if the very airflow in the hall had congealed.

"With talent as great as yours, merely serving as a teacher would be a grave underuse of your abilities."

"I have always cherished talent."

Xu Tianran stared directly into Gu Yuejin's eyes, his tone sincere yet domineering:

"If you are willing, I would hire you as the Chief Retainer of the Crown Prince's Mansion, second only to me in status."

"Whether it be rare metals, Rank Nine Soul Tools, wealth and glory, or titles for your wife and children—name it, and I shall grant it without exception."

"In this Sun Moon Empire, there is little I cannot give you."

This was a blatant recruitment.

And one laced with the arrogance of "It is your honor that I have taken a liking to you."

Beside them, Jing Hongchen kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, as if in meditation, clearly unwilling to intervene.

Faced with this overwhelming fortune, Gu Yuejin remained expressionless.

He picked up his teacup, took a gentle sip, his movements elegant and unhurried, as if he had not heard the imperial heir's promises at all.

Painting a pie in the sky?

That trick won't work on me.

And work for a ruthless man like you, who might stab me in the back at any moment?

I'm not tired of living.

Setting down the teacup, Gu Yuejin's face took on an apologetic yet resolute smile.

"His Highness's favor leaves This Humble One both flattered and overwhelmed."

"However..."

Gu Yuejin shifted his tone, beginning his performance:

"This Humble One has grown accustomed to the life of a carefree cloud and wild crane, unable to bear constraints."

"My purpose in coming to Sun Moon was originally only to pursue knowledge and to let my disciple see the world."

"As for the storms of the court, I truly lack the wits for it, nor do I wish to meddle."

"Thus, I can only disappoint His Highness's kind intentions."

These words were watertight.

He neither directly refused with "I won't follow you," nor agreed, instead using "I want to learn," "I love freedom," and "I am a fool" as shields.

His main tactic was to play tai chi.

To muddle through.

Xu Tianran's smile stiffened slightly.

He had not expected that, even after offering terms of "second only to me," this man would still dare to refuse.

"Gu Yue, won't you reconsider?"

Xu Tianran's voice cooled by a few degrees. "In this world, only with sufficient power can one possess true freedom."

"Many thanks for His Highness's guidance."

Gu Yuejin remained impervious. "But This Humble One feels that teaching and nurturing talent suits me better."

"..."

Xu Tianran gave him a long, deep look. A shadow flickered in his eyes before he burst into loud laughter.

"Hahaha! Good! A fine 'carefree cloud and wild crane' indeed!"

"You truly have the bearing of a lofty master, viewing fame and fortune as fleeting clouds."

Xu Tianran smiled, seemingly unbothered by the refusal, and resumed his posture of humbly seeking talent.

"Since your ambition lies in scholarship, I shall not force the matter."

"However, the doors of the Sun Moon Empire will always remain open to you."

"If you ever grow tired of the academy, you're welcome to come to the Crown Prince's Mansion anytime and Drink Tea with This Lonely One."

With that, Xu Tianran turned his wheelchair around.

Though the smile still lingered on his face, his retreating figure exuded an unyielding coldness and ruthlessness.

Only when Xu Tianran's silhouette had completely vanished at the end of the corridor did Gu Yuejin's smile slowly fade, his gaze turning deep and thoughtful.

"Tsk, no wonder he's the ruthless one who sent his own father and siblings packing."

He stretched lazily, mentally tagging Xu Tianran with a label.

"That need for control, that skill of hiding a knife behind a smile—ordinary people really can't handle it."

"Was that an offer of alliance just now? More like: 'He who follows me prospers; he who defies me perishes.'"

"Looks like the food in the Sun Moon Empire isn't so easy to swallow after all."