14: Shopping, Listening to Music. Is That What Respectable People Do?

Say what you will, but it was true!

Spirit Hall had even sent out their own Saintess.

And she had Innate Level 20 Soul Power!

There she was, standing right before Xue Ye!

"Qinghe, what do you think Mr. Zhongli's personality is like?"

Many powerful people had rather eccentric personalities.

Dugu Bo was solitary, disliked noise, and preferred being alone.

Other than that, there was nothing much to mention.

At those words, "Xue Qinghe" sank into thought, and the corner of her eye twitched.

Inviting someone to dinner and forgetting to bring money?

"Mr. Zhongli's personality..."

"In this son's opinion, Mr. Zhongli is very talkative. He knows astronomy above and geography below."

"Whether it concerns soul masters, soul beasts, people's livelihoods, military affairs, or other matters, Mr. Zhongli can always offer some unique insights."

"That was also why this son initially recruited Mr. Zhongli."

"At the time, this son did not know that Mr. Zhongli was actually a Titled Douluo..."

Xue Ye only needed to investigate a little to learn the truth of the matter.

"Xue Qinghe" had no intention of concealing anything either.

It was fine if she did not hide it. If she did, the old man might overthink things, which would be detrimental to her future plans.

Besides, she had not exposed her identity yet. Telling the truth would instead earn Xue Ye's trust.

Xue Ye nodded, and the trace of gloom in his eyes vanished.

In fact, before "Xue Qinghe" arrived, he had already investigated the entire matter.

He even knew that Dugu Bo had given Zhongli a luxurious residence.

Dugu Bo was rather close to Xue Xing and Xue Beng. There was no way he would introduce "talent" to Xue Qinghe.

Especially not such extraordinary talent!

"Convey My decree. Bestow upon the Crown Prince's Mansion Guest Official one million Gold Soul Coins, ten chests of jewelry, and..."

"By the way, Qinghe, does this Your Excellency enjoy women?"

"???"

"Xue Qinghe" froze, her lips twitching. How was she supposed to know whether Zhongli liked women?

After considering it briefly, she shook her head and said, "In reply to Imperial Father, this son does not know."

She truly did not know...

Then, as if she had recalled something, her eyes lit up.

During their meals, she had gotten quite a bit of information from the simple-minded little Paimon. She did know a little about Zhongli's preferences.

Xue Ye had just been about to scold "Xue Qinghe" for neglecting proper duties. He had interacted with a male powerhouse, yet failed to grasp even such a basic preference.

Just then, "Xue Qinghe" spoke again.

"Imperial Father, this son learned from Mr. Zhongli's martial soul that Mr. Zhongli usually enjoys collecting antiques, calligraphy and paintings, famous singers..."

"As well as strolling the streets, listening to music, drinking tea..."

Honestly, after learning Zhongli's hobbies, "Xue Qinghe" had briefly thought Paimon was right. Zhongli really was a street loafer!

What powerhouse did not diligently cultivate in hopes of breaking through to higher realms?

The Worship Hall's worshippers were powerful enough, weren't they?

One had to reach at least Level 96 to enter the Worship Hall!

Yet which of those people was not in seclusion cultivating all day?

Strolling the streets and listening to music?

Was that what respectable people did?

"Uh..."

Xue Ye fell silent, feeling his head buzz.

According to the intelligence reports, after Zhongli and his "martial soul" arrived in Heaven Dou City, those really did seem to be the things they did every day...

It seemed the intelligence was not wrong.

Antiques?

The Heaven Dou Empire had been founded for over ten thousand years. There were so many antiques that warehouses had to be used to store them!

Among them was one particularly precious "antique" that even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master greatly coveted.

He had requested to exchange for it several times.

Xue Ye was no fool. The relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire had already reached its peak. Whether they made an exchange or not, their relationship would remain the same.

From the perspective of resource utilization, that was a waste!

Using this resource to obtain stronger, more useful resources was the reasonable way to use it.

That was the way of governing subordinates.

"Qinghe, I believe you can handle the matter of treating worthy people with respect."

"However, if you wish to tie such a powerhouse to the Empire's chariot, what you have done is still not enough!"

"Give the national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, to Mr. Zhongli!"

At those words, "Xue Qinghe" trembled all over. Had old Xue Ye gone mad?

That was something Ning Fengzhi had requested several times, yet Xue Ye had never relented!

"Twin Martial Souls and a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring—such a powerhouse is worth it!"

"Qinghe, you still have a long road ahead of you!"

"Imperial Father, this son understands!"

Xue Ye was teaching her through this.

Though she did not need Xue Ye's instruction, his words were not wrong. She still had a long road ahead!

Fortunately, she was Spirit Hall's Saintess, not the real Xue Qinghe!

If Zhongli had been recruited early by Xue Ye using such heartfelt methods, Spirit Hall and the Spirit Hall Empire would be in danger!

Perhaps things would turn out just like in her dream!

No, absolutely not!

If that had not been a dream, but an opportunity to start over, she would never allow such things to happen. Never!

"Xue Ye, for all your calculations, you failed to calculate that I am not Xue Qinghe!"

The corners of "Xue Qinghe's" lips rose slightly, her gaze incomparably resolute.

No matter what methods she used, she would tie Zhongli to herself... Ah, no!

Tie him to her side...

Heaven Dou City, Martial Soul Saint Hall.

Salas, the Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall and master of the Saint Hall, wore a gloomy expression.

He had learned about what happened at Heaven Dou City's gates several hours ago.

And he had remained silent for several hours.

"A great enemy!"

"If this man adds soul rings to his Second Martial Soul, he will become an unprecedented great enemy!"

For Spirit Hall's sake, Salas had worried himself sick.

Though his personal conduct left much to be desired, he was extremely loyal to Spirit Hall. One could say that he had devoted his entire life to Spirit Hall.

Such a powerhouse was not someone who could be casually killed.

If a Titled Douluo was determined to flee, two or three Titled Douluo would be unable to stop him.

Moreover, this powerhouse might not necessarily flee. What if several of their Titled Douluo could not defeat him?

Do not forget Tang Hao!

He also possessed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, and his battle record...

"Wait, the young lady..."

As if recalling something, Salas's eyes lit up, and wild joy instantly appeared on his gloomy face.

As a high-ranking member of Spirit Hall stationed in Heaven Dou City, he knew Qian Renxue's identity.

It was simply that Zhongli had been so terrifying that he had trembled in fear and panic, causing him to forget this detail.

Zhongli was the Crown Prince's Mansion Guest Official, which meant he was effectively the young lady's guest official, did it not?

He had worried for so long, only to discover that Zhongli was one of their own?

"Should I go approach Your Excellency?"

"If I do not go, will old Xue Ye suspect that Mr... Your Excellency is from Spirit Hall?"

"If I go..."

"If I pretend not to know about such an important matter, would that not be covering my ears while stealing a bell, making others even more suspicious?"

"I'll go. Not only will I go, I'll go openly! I'll invite Your Excellency!"

"Why should Spirit Hall explain its actions to anyone else!"

"Hahaha..."