Douluo: Ruo Tuo Save Me

Zhong Li asked Zhu Zhuqing beside him. He was quite curious—were all nobles like this?

If they were, perhaps he ought to stage an otherworldly version of the Geo God's campaign. A thousand years from now, storytellers might still be telling tales of him.

What Zhong Li did not know was that, a thousand years later, there really would be storytellers recounting his deeds. It was just that the stories were somewhat convoluted...

"Although the Star Luo Empire was known for its military might and its fierce customs, the Star Luo Empire's nobles were no better than those of the Heaven Dou Empire..."

Zhu Zhuqing said quietly.

The Star Luo Empire's military strength far surpassed that of the Heaven Dou Empire. Every generation of the Star Luo Imperial Family emerged after brothers slaughtered one another, and their martial strength far exceeded that of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. This had led the people of the empire to worship strength.

Yet the conduct expected of nobles was no different from that of Heaven Dou Empire's nobles...

"I see."

After hearing this, Zhong Li felt that he ought to do something. Create a world without oppression, where everyone was equal...

Having inherited Morax's legacy, he did not even need anything else to become the strongest being in this world.

The faith of mankind? It was truly useless to him. Morax did not need faith. He was an innately born Demon God, an innately born supreme powerhouse.

If Morax's strength as the Geo God was one hundred percent, then even after losing the Gnosis, Morax still retained ninety-nine percent of his strength. Whether he had it or not made little difference.

"That handsome young man over there..."

"..."

"..."

Just as Zhong Li was considering how to rally everyone with a single call, gather the "All Adepti," punch the two great empires, and kick Spirit Hall, he heard the voice he least wanted to hear right now...

The man wore luxurious Heaven Dou Imperial Family attire and had seven or eight lackeys beside him. They were also nobles from their respective families, though their cultivation was not particularly high.

The corners of Zhong Li and Zhu Zhuqing's mouths twitched. Half a month had nearly made them forget those two "disgusting" people, Gu Qingcheng and Gu Qingguo. But that one phrase, "handsome young man," instantly reminded them...

Xue Beng had brought seven or eight lackeys out for a stroll today. To his surprise, he spotted someone from that faction—and a young man at that.

That bearing was even more elegant and imposing than his eldest brother, Xue Qinghe. As the Fourth Prince, he immediately felt the urge to befriend him.

If he could gain that faction's support, heh, hehehe... Xue Qinghe would be nothing to fear! He did not know the man's name, so he could only call him "handsome young man."

Normally, he might have teased Zhu Zhuqing a little and put on the act of a foppish young master, but was he an idiot? Could he not tell what mattered? Even his father, Xue Ye, had ordered that they were not to casually offend that faction. If he stupidly charged in...

Seeing Zhong Li and Zhu Zhuqing stop, Xue Beng hurriedly dismissed the young dandies and sent them back home.

Young dandies: You think you're the only one acting? If it weren't to have something in common with you...

He then quickly walked over to Zhong Li, performed a noble's greeting, and said:

"I am Xue Beng, Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. May I ask how I should address you, brother?"

After approaching and getting a clear look at Zhong Li's face, he promptly changed his address from "handsome young man" to "brother."

So this was Xue Beng? In the original story, he had pretended to be a useless dandy to escape disaster, and in the end, with remarkable luck, became the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Xue Beng respectfully bowed to him, with none of the air of a dandy on his face. To avoid suspicion, he had not even looked much at the breathtakingly beautiful Zhu Zhuqing.

"Zhong Li."

Zhong Li was not the petty sort who would beat someone up just because they called him a handsome young man. Besides, the other party's attitude was simply too good...

"So it is Brother Zhong Li. Zhong Li? You're the Zhong Li from My Soul Saint Father? The first Support Type Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power in ten thousand years on the continent!"

Upon hearing Zhong Li's name, Xue Beng froze for a moment before speaking.

The name Zhong Li was incredibly famous. When My Soul Saint Father first came out, even the Heaven Dou Imperial Family was shaken, and Xue Qinghe had personally gone to invite him...

If he had merely been a Support Type Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power, it would not have been enough. But his father had become a Soul Saint at such a young age. Given twenty more years, he might even break through to the rank of Title Douluo.

What the Heaven Dou Imperial Family lacked most was top-tier combat power. How could this not tempt them? That was why Xue Qinghe, the crown prince, had personally gone to invite him!

After Xue Qinghe returned empty-handed, the imperial family had originally intended to eliminate Zhong Li and his father. If they could not have him, then they would destroy him.

Yet before Xue Ye could issue the order, they received news that Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi had been ambushed. Then that faction directly stepped into the open...

How could they still dare make a move? Xue Ye immediately issued an order overnight: do not lightly offend anyone from that faction. It was not that they feared them, but they truly could not afford to offend them. If Heaven Dou offended them, they could run to Star Luo in minutes and join forces with the Star Luo Imperial Family...

It was worth mentioning that the Star Luo Imperial Family was thinking roughly the same thing...

They had revealed far too many high-level powerhouses! They were not afraid of a direct confrontation. What they feared was assassination. If a Title Douluo truly wanted to flee, ordinary soldiers would have no way to stop him...

Xue Beng, You...

Even the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire was his "fan"? Was that something a dandy like him should know?

He should have come up to provoke him, gotten slapped in the face, then gone to call people back for revenge, only to be... dealt with again. That was what he was supposed to do!

Acting like this, was he not afraid that his eldest brother Xue Qinghe—no, Qian Renxue—would discover that he was only pretending to be a dandy and then kill him?

As for being tied to My Soul Saint Father, when he got the chance later, he absolutely had to have a good talk with its author. How exactly had that person published a book under his name without him even knowing...

Zhong Daoming: ...

"If there isn't another Support Type Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power named Zhong Li, then that should be me."

Zhong Li nodded and spoke to Xue Beng.

He was quite helpless too. Every time he spoke with someone, as soon as they heard the name Zhong Li, they had to mention My Soul Saint Father. It made him wonder whether he should change his name. Perhaps to My Soul Fighting Douluo Father?

The moment Xue Beng heard this, he was stunned rigid. His mouth hung so wide open that it looked as though he could swallow an apple. He had never imagined that the young man before him was Zhong Li, the very man who had rejected Xue Qinghe.

Judging by the timeline, he should only be twelve, not yet thirteen, this year. How had he grown like this? And the young girl beside him did not look old either, yet her figure was far too exaggerated...

The two of them did make a good match standing together.

"I never expected Brother Zhong Li to be standing before me. Xue Beng failed to recognize you. Please forgive me."

After speaking, Xue Beng bowed to Zhong Li again, his eyes filled with apology. How much of it was genuine was a matter of opinion.

Zhong Li and Zhu Zhuqing were both somewhat surprised by Xue Beng's behavior. They had not expected the dignified Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire to be so humble and courteous toward talent.

There was a reason he had once accepted someone far younger than himself as his teacher. If his scheming and cunning had not run deep, how could he have survived under Qian Renxue's watchful eye?

Zhong Li did not avoid the bow. If Xue Beng liked bowing, that was his own business. Zhong Li could not control that.

When Qian Renxue had come to find him, she had appeared to value him greatly and had acted very humble and courteous. Yet the arrogance and disdain in her bones had been impossible to conceal.

When her Martial Soul Awakening had occurred, she had possessed Innate Soul Power at level twenty. As such a prodigy, why would she truly regard a Support Type Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power?

What she pursued were people with greater talent and greater strength than her own. How could a Support Type Spirit Master like Zhong Li enter her eyes...

That was why she had merely gone through the motions and given Zhong Li one of her own tokens. A Support Type Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power was not bad to recruit for her own use, but he was not worthy of her true regard. That was only human nature.

"Fourth Prince, you are too polite. May I ask why you sought me out today?"

The imperial family and the nobles were likely birds of a feather. Who knew what this Fourth Prince was plotting?

Noticing the slight distance in Zhong Li's tone, Xue Beng did not get angry. Years of swallowing humiliation had improved his temperament considerably. It was also their first meeting, so some distance was only natural.

Besides, his reputation had long been ruined. If Zhong Li knew of him, he might even be thinking, Why has Xue Beng changed so much? He doesn't match the rumors at all.

Thinking of this, Xue Beng even felt a little excited. He needed to strike while the iron was hot and build a relationship with him. If he could truly gain Zhong Li's support, then after enduring another ten or so years, once his father became a Title Douluo...

"Xue Beng has no important matter. I merely noticed that Brother Zhong Li seemed to be visiting Heaven Dou City for the first time. Do you two have a place to stay? If not, I can arrange one for Brother Zhong Li. I have no ulterior motive. I simply feel as though I have known you for ages, as if an old friend has returned..."

Xue Beng spoke without blushing or gasping, calmly explaining his first impression of Zhong Li. His gaze was exceptionally sincere, without the slightest trace of pretense.

Zhong Li: ...

Your character setting has collapsed, Xue Beng. You were not supposed to collapse your character setting.

Zhong Li gave Xue Beng a strange look and said:

"There's no need to trouble the Fourth Prince over this. We only came to experience the customs of Heaven Dou City. If the Fourth Prince has no other business, we shall take our leave first."

Since there would be no scene of showing off and slapping faces, there was no need to chat further with the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Just as Zhong Li was about to leave with Zhu Zhuqing, Xue Beng hurriedly said:

"Brother Zhong Li must have only just entered the city. I presume you have not eaten yet. Why not let me show you two around Heaven Dou City and fulfill my duties as a host?"

If he did not say it now, he would lose his chance. Once Zhong Li left, who knew whether Xue Qinghe would recruit him? If that happened, he might as well wait for death. His chance to rise again would truly become minuscule.

Xue Beng was frantic inside, terrified that Zhong Li would refuse. Without waiting for them to agree, he hurriedly stepped in front of Zhong Li and Zhu Zhuqing and began introducing the history of Heaven Dou City like a guide.

With his eloquent speech and scholarly manner, how was there even the slightest trace of a dandy about him?

Since Xue Beng had gone this far, Zhong Li found it difficult to refuse. Holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand, he followed behind this guide.

Before long, the three arrived at a hotel. The waiter seemed very familiar with Xue Beng and quickly ran over.

"I was wondering why the magpies had been chirping nonstop outside today. So it turns out the Fourth Prince has come! Please, please come in. The private room you like has always been kept for you..."

Before the waiter could continue, Xue Beng waved his hand and said:

"Enough. Hurry and bring out all your best dishes. I am hosting distinguished guests."

This hotel was an investment by Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng, and everyone inside was one of their own.

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately dropped that manner of speech and turned serious and proper. He said nothing more. After bowing to Zhong Li and the others, he ran toward the kitchen.

Zhong Li and Zhu Zhuqing were distinguished guests of the Fourth Prince. How could a mere waiter dare neglect them? Moreover, this was the first time the Fourth Prince had said he was inviting distinguished guests!

Xue Beng often came here before to "eat, drink, and have fun," putting on a show for Xue Qinghe. Whenever he brought people over, he simply dismissed them casually. This was the first time he had been so formal.

Looking at Zhong Li's attire, hmm?... He understood! The Fourth Prince was going to join forces with that faction!

Xue Beng did not yet know that the news of him chatting pleasantly with Zhong Li and Zhu Zhuqing on the street had already been placed on the desk of his "eldest brother, Xue Qinghe."

Qian Renxue had never stopped keeping an eye on him, the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire!

Qian Renxue had never expected that Xue Beng would actually...

To be continued

After instructing the waiter, Xue Beng led Zhong Li and Zhu Zhuqing into a private room.

The room was not luxurious, but it possessed an antique elegance that left an excellent first impression.

At the center of the room stood a table made from some unknown wood, along with several stools. Around it were vases, calligraphy, paintings, books, and other decorations.

This was also Xue Beng's first time bringing distinguished guests into this private room. Since the day it had been built, he had never imagined that he would host honored guests here. Only here could he return to his true self.

Outside, he did not dare reveal even the slightest hint of it. The deaths of his second and third brothers had most likely been Xue Qinghe's doing. At the time, he had still been young. Only under the guidance of his uncle, Prince Xue Xing, had he managed to survive.

After so many years, he had finally encountered someone capable of competing with Xue Qinghe. How could he possibly let this chance go?

Xue Qinghe had the support of some ministers and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but so what? As long as that faction supported him, he would have a chance to force Xue Qinghe off the throne in minutes!

If not for the fact that the faction had too few people at its foundation, Xue Beng would not have dared to seek an alliance with a tiger. But as long as he became crown prince, and later emperor...

"I never expected the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire to be so unlike the rumors."

Zhu Zhuqing, who had remained silent until now, sighed. Back when she was in the Star Luo Empire, she had heard of the romantic exploits of the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. At the time, people had even compared him with Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai's deeds were real. She had never expected Xue Beng's to be an act. And he had acted so convincingly that even stories of his debauchery had spread abroad...

"If you two do not mind, just call me Xue Beng. As for the rumors, I had no choice but to resort to such measures. Please forgive the poor impression."

Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's sigh, Xue Beng smiled freely. The spread of his reputation was due in no small part to the efforts of himself and Prince Xue Xing.

Who would dare spread nonsense about an imperial prince for no reason? No matter how much of a dandy he was, it made no sense for even commoners to know about it...

Zhong Li understood what Xue Beng meant. Revealing such a secret so openly was nothing more than an attempt to ask something of him, or recruit him for his own use.

Otherwise, why would he be so enthusiastic, practically exposing his "true nature" entirely? Was he not afraid of being assassinated by "Xue Qinghe"? No, he had found a lifeline and wanted to take a gamble.

However, Zhong Li was still considering this matter. If he used Xue Beng to get rid of "Xue Qinghe," then used his army...

But even if it succeeded, would Douluo Continent ultimately become the way he envisioned? Probably not...

It seemed he still had to gather the "All Adepti" himself and build an army. Morax was indeed powerful enough to sweep across the continent without issue, but who would govern afterward? Who would enforce the laws? In the end, it still had to rely on people... This matter could only be planned slowly...

"Your Highness Xue Beng is too polite."

Seeing Xue Beng act so forthrightly, Zhu Zhuqing could not help but regard him more highly. It seemed the Heaven Dou Empire was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."

Zhong Li truly did not stand on ceremony with Xue Beng. He was merely a prince of an empire. It was not as though Zhong Li had never dealt with one before. Dai Mubai had nearly received his death sentence directly, let alone Xue Beng.

"Haha, Brother Zhong Li is right. There's no need for formality. I felt an instant connection with you..."

Zhong Li: Could you not say something else?