Wu Yuan's Thoughts

"Commander Wu, don't you want to seek justice for the deceased Tianxing King?"

When Wu Yuan spoke of words like "Tianxing King" and "fairness," his eyes reddened slightly.

Years of suppressed humiliation and indignation were deeply stirred at this moment.

He looked at Fu Shiyan, then couldn't help but glance at Dai Tianyu, his eyes burning with a flame that had been suppressed for many years. In that flame, the desire for revenge and the hope for the Young Master's future were intertwined wildly.

He took a small step forward, his voice trembling with excitement, speaking to Fu Shiyan, but also as if speaking to Dai Tianyu:

"He said something even more outrageous! He said: 'The rules that Dai Yuanfeng couldn't break back then, his son might be able to.'"

"But the prerequisite is... he has to live. He has to have power!"

After saying these words, Wu Yuan's chest heaved violently. He used almost all his strength to control his emotions and repeat Zhu Moyuan's last words, which were both a temptation and a warning:

"He gave me time to think it over, but before he left, he stood at the door without turning around and said, ' The Zhu Family can be friends, or they can be enemies. It all depends on your choice.'"

"He also asked me to tell the Young Master, ' The Zhu Family will not force him to do anything, but if he ever wants to return, the Zhu Family will be his staunchest supporter.'"

That's all I have to say.

Wu Yuan seemed to have exhausted all his strength, standing still and breathing slightly.

But his eyes were fixed on Fu Shiyan, filled with lingering fear and deep worry, but even deeper, surging with a burning hope that was about to burst forth from the ground!

That was the hope of avenging the Lord, the hope of seeing the bloodline of the former Lord reach the pinnacle and wipe away the shame.

He knew that the Young Master was of a detached nature, so he conveyed all these complex emotions, this heavy choice, and the pressure concerning the future and even life and death, to the only person who could make the decision— Fu Shiyan— through his narration and his eyes.

Dai Tianyu fell completely silent.

The meaning behind Wu Yuan's words, along with his heavy thoughts of revenge, were like a tangled, heavy thread, binding his seven-year-old mind.

He understood the danger involved and vaguely sensed the pressure from Wu Yuan's fervent expectations, but he didn't know how to sort things out or what choice to make.

He felt completely helpless.

So he stopped trying to think for himself. He simply raised his head, his clear eyes reflecting a hint of unease, but even more so, complete trust.

He gazed at Fu Shiyan's serene profile, silently entrusting everything to her.

Master will understand, Master will make the decision.

The hall fell completely silent.

The few rays of sunlight moved slowly, illuminating Fu Shiyan's hand resting on the armrest.

Those fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles, and were resting there gently in a very stable posture.

He accepted all of Wu Yuan's attention and also embraced Dai Tianyu's complete reliance.

A moment later, Fu Shiyan's lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly into a subtle expression that seemed to convey a profound understanding and even a hint of satisfaction.

That expression flashed by so quickly that it seemed like an illusion.

Then, he spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly breaking the suffocating silence:

"Zhu Moyuan..." He repeated the name, his tone unreadable, simply stating the fact:

"He wants to meet because he wants to place a bet!"

After saying this, Fu Shiyan slowly stood up from the ebony chair, the hem of her robe brushing against the chair surface without making a sound.

He walked steadily and went straight to Wu Yuan, where he stopped.

The two were no more than three feet apart.

Wu Yuan could even sense the other person's aura—calm as an abyss, yet seemingly capable of seeing through everything.

He instinctively wanted to back away, but forced himself to stay rooted to the spot, only his head unconsciously lowered even further.

Fu Shiyan's gaze fell on Wu Yuan's face. Her gaze was not sharp, but it was so deep that it made people uneasy, as if it could see through the skin and flesh and directly illuminate the most hidden corner of the heart.

He gazed intently at Wu Yuan and slowly began to speak:

"Commander Wu, there are two reasons why you rushed here overnight."

He paused briefly, then continued:

"Firstly, Zhu Moyuan's visit was unexpected, and he directly exposed Tian Yu's identity and Martial Soul."

"This terrified you and left you feeling helpless."

"What you fear is not only that the Zhu Family knows, but also that if the Zhu Family can find out, then has the Emperor of Xingluo in the Star Luo Palace, your former master's brother, the current Star Luo Emperor Dai Yuanbin, also discovered this?"

Has Tian Yu been exposed to real danger?

"This is one aspect: loyalty as a subject and the utmost care to protect one's lord."

Wu Yuan's body trembled slightly; every word Fu Shiyan struck his heart like a hammer blow.

He didn't dare to look up; the veins on his tightly clenched fists were visibly prominent.

Fu Shiyan continued, her tone remaining calm:

"And secondly..." he drawled slightly, "I'm afraid that Zhu Moyuan's arrival, and his words, were like a Core Flame ignited in the depths of your heart, a place that has been suppressed for six years, a place filled with revenge and resentment."

Wu Yuan suddenly raised his head, his lips moving as if he wanted to deny or defend himself, but when he met Fu Shiyan's eyes, which seemed to reflect his soul, all the words stuck in his throat.

That gaze was calm and unwavering, yet it made him feel that all his thoughts—his sorrow for the dying of Tianxing King Dai Yuanfeng, his grief for the early death of Princess Fu Qingxue, his frustration at being powerless for six years, and his uncontrollable, burning desire for his Young Master to reclaim everything and clear his parents' names when he saw that the Young Master possessed a legendary Martial Soul and when the Zhu Family extended an olive branch—were all laid bare and exposed to that gaze.

Fu Shiyan didn't need his answer and continued speaking:

"You may seem to be backed into a corner, but deep down, you might actually have a sliver of a desire to go with the flow, or even a long-awaited thought."

"You're calculating that if you have the full support of a top-tier clan like the Zhu Family, plus the loyal former subordinates of Tianxing King whom you can contact, and the forces that once bet on Tianxing King, the combined forces will be a force not to be underestimated."

"You believe that this might be... the beginning of destiny, the opportunity for your Young Master to embark on that path and compete for the supreme position."

"Am I correct, Commander Wu?"

"I..." Wu Yuan opened his mouth, but only managed to utter a breathy sound.

The muscles in his cheeks twitched slightly, and a fine layer of cold sweat even appeared on his forehead.

Under Fu Shiyan's direct and incisive questioning, any pretense or pretense appears pale and laughable.

In the end, he could only lower his head deeply and remain silent.

And this silence, at this moment, is the most thorough and truthful answer.