Meanwhile, at Hongchen Mansion, in the main hall.
The atmosphere was solemn and oppressive, and even the air seemed to weigh heavily on everyone.
Jing Hongchen, the Hall Master of Mingde Hall, who usually cut such an imposing figure, stood below the main seat, bowing slightly with the utmost respect.
Seated above him was a young man dressed in a bright yellow robe.
He was handsome, with a gentle expression, but his brows carried the imperial bearing of someone who commanded respect without even trying.
Most striking of all was the specially made Soul Tool Wheelchair beneath him.
The Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, and its future ruler—Xu Tianran.
Two black-robed elders stood behind him like statues. Not a trace of their auras escaped them, yet whenever their eyes opened or closed, it gave the faint impression that space itself was being torn apart.
Two peak Soul Douluo—or perhaps even... half-step Titled Douluo.
"Hall Master Hongchen, you said you encountered a... rough jade in the Extreme North?"
Xu Tianran toyed with two smooth jade walnuts in his hand. His tone was casual, but no one dared show him the slightest disrespect.
"Your Highness, he is more than just a rough jade. He is a sharp sword capable of piercing the heavens."
Jing Hongchen chose his words carefully, weighing each one.
He knew what the Crown Prince was looking for. Ordinary mediocrities would never catch his attention.
If the Hongchen Family wanted to secure its position in the coming struggle for power, they had to prove their worth.
And Gu Yuejin was the perfect gift to present.
"His name is Gu Yuejin, and he hails from one of the original Three Kingdoms of the Douluo Continent."
"He's not yet twenty, but he has already reached the cultivation of a Seven-Ring Soul Saint."
"What?!"
Xu Tianran's hand suddenly stilled. With a sharp crack, the two priceless Thousand-Year Warm Jade Walnuts were crushed to powder in his grip!
A dazzling gleam flashed in his eyes, which had been as still as a well.
It was the greedy look of a wolf spotting fresh meat—and... a hint of jealousy, so faint it was almost impossible to notice.
"A Soul Saint under twenty? Hall Master Hongchen, are you sure you're not joking with me?"
Xu Tianran stared hard at Jing Hongchen, his voice low. "You know what happens to those who deceive me."
"This old servant would stake his head on it."
Jing Hongchen bent even lower and said gravely, "Not only is his strength terrifying, he also doesn't reject Soul Tools the way Traditional Soul Masters do. In fact, he's deeply interested in them."
"If we bring him into our ranks and give him some guidance, he'll become a trump card in Your Highness's hands. He might even..."
Jing Hongchen paused, then offered his final bait:
"He might even become a cornerstone in the fight against Shrek's Sea God Pavilion!"
Xu Tianran smiled at that.
His smile was warm and refined, yet sent a chill down one's spine, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
"Good. Very good."
"Interesting. This is truly interesting."
Xu Tianran brushed the jade powder from his hands, his eyes shining with a madness that could only be called "control."
"I want to meet him."
Half an hour later.
Gu Yuejin brought Huo Yuhao back to the main hall, with Jing Hongchen personally escorting them.
The moment he entered, Gu Yuejin's gaze fell on the man in the wheelchair.
He wasn't surprised in the slightest.
Well, if it wasn't the famous Crown Prince—the one who was "physically disabled but mentally strong" and "a model of brotherly affection."
The wheelchair, the fake smile, the air of someone ready to wipe out his entire family at any moment... It all fit perfectly.
Though he was ranting furiously in his mind, Gu Yuejin kept his expression composed. He cupped his hands slightly, neither servile nor arrogant.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Xu Tianran didn't reply right away. Instead, he sized Gu Yuejin up with his deep-set eyes.
Young, handsome, tall, and brimming with explosive vitality.
As he looked at Gu Yuejin's legs, straight as a pair of spears, a shadow of resentment flickered deep in Xu Tianran's eyes.
"Mr. Gu Yue, there's no need for formalities."
Xu Tianran rolled forward in his wheelchair, instantly putting on a smile as warm as a spring breeze, as if the shadow had never been there.
"I've heard Hall Master Hongchen speak of you many times, Mr. Gu Yue. He says you're a remarkable talent, and seeing you today, I can tell he wasn't exaggerating."
"With your bearing and cultivation, you'd be a rare talent even in my Sun Moon Empire."
"Your Highness is too kind."
Gu Yuejin smiled faintly. "I've simply had a few lucky breaks. It's nothing worth mentioning."
They took their seats as host and guest.
After a few meaningless pleasantries, Xu Tianran got straight to the point.
"I hear you intend to teach at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?"
"That's right."
Gu Yuejin nodded. "I've long admired your country's Soul Tool Technology. I hope to take this opportunity to learn a thing or two, and, while I'm at it, teach my foolish apprentice."
"Come now, you're too modest."
Xu Tianran waved a hand and leaned forward slightly. In that instant, the pressure of a man in power seemed to spread through the hall, as if the air itself had frozen.
"Given your talents, becoming a mere teacher would be a waste."
"I've always cherished talented people."
Xu Tianran met Gu Yuejin's gaze, his tone sincere yet domineering.
"If you're willing, I'd like to appoint you Chief Retainer of the Crown Prince's Mansion, second only to me."
"Rare metals, Rank Nine Soul Tools, wealth and honor, a title and a legacy for your family—whatever you ask for, I'll grant it."
"There's very little in this Sun Moon Empire that I can't give you."
It was an outright attempt to recruit him.
And one made with the domineering air of "you should consider it an honor that I want you."
Beside them, Jing Hongchen kept his eyes down, as if meditating. Clearly, he had no intention of getting involved.
Faced with such a windfall, Gu Yuejin didn't so much as blink.
He picked up his teacup and took a small sip, his movements elegant and unhurried, as though he hadn't even heard the Crown Prince's promises.
Empty promises?
That wouldn't work on him.
And work for someone ruthless enough to stab him in the back at any moment?
He wasn't eager to die.
Setting down his teacup, Gu Yuejin offered an apologetic yet resolute smile.
"Your Highness honors me too much. I'm overwhelmed."
"But..."
Gu Yuejin changed his tone and began his performance:
"I've always been used to a free and easy life. I can't stand being tied down."
"I came to the Sun Moon Empire to study, and to let my apprentice see more of the world."
"As for the intrigues at court, I simply don't have the brains for them, and I don't want to get involved."
"So I'll have to turn down Your Highness's generous offer."
His reply was watertight.
He didn't directly say, "I won't work for you," nor did he accept. Instead, he used "I want to study," "I love my freedom," and "I'm an idiot" as his shields.
He was all about dodging the issue.
And smoothing things over.
Xu Tianran's smile stiffened slightly.
He hadn't expected that even after offering him a position second only to his own, Gu Yuejin would dare to refuse.
"Mr. Gu Yue, won't you reconsider?"
Xu Tianran's voice turned a little cold. "In this world, only those with enough power can enjoy true freedom."
"Thank you for the advice, Your Highness."
Gu Yuejin remained unmoved. "But I think teaching is more suited to me."
"..."
Xu Tianran gave him a long look. A shadow flickered across his eyes, then vanished as he burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha! Good! What a free and easy man you are!"
"Mr. Gu Yue truly has the bearing of a great man, treating fame and fortune like drifting clouds."
Xu Tianran smiled, seemingly unconcerned by the rejection, and once more took on the manner of a ruler who valued worthy men.
"Since your heart is set on scholarship, I won't press you."
"Still, the Sun Moon Empire's doors will always be open to you."
"If you grow tired of the academy, you can always come to the Crown Prince's Mansion for tea."
With that, Xu Tianran turned his wheelchair around.
He still wore a smile, but his back radiated a hard, murderous resolve that brooked no dissent.
Only after Xu Tianran had disappeared completely at the end of the corridor did the smile finally fade from Gu Yuejin's face. His gaze grew deep and thoughtful.
"Tsk. No wonder he was ruthless enough to get rid of his own father, brothers, and sisters."
He stretched, mentally tagging Xu Tianran.
"That need for control, that talent for hiding a blade behind a smile—not many people could handle it."
"Was that really an attempt to recruit me? He was basically saying, 'Follow me and prosper, oppose me and perish.'"
"Looks like earning a living in the Sun Moon Empire won't be so easy."
Before you continue