Heaven Dou City, Crown Prince's Residence.
"Xue Qinghe" was reviewing memorials when a steward hurried in and bowed, speaking in a low voice.
"Your Highness, something's happened at the Ye Family Medical Clinic. Fourth Prince Xue Beng went there with a group of men to cause trouble, and the Spirit Hall's Holy Son has detained him in the street."
"Xue Qinghe" set down his pen, unhurried.
"Oh? Tell me everything."
The steward recounted what he'd witnessed in the street, including Qin Yao giving his name and Ye Shutang's appointment as a Red-Clad Archbishop.
After hearing the report, "Xue Qinghe" smiled. This really had fallen right into his lap.
That idiot Xue Beng usually threw his weight around, sheltered by Xue Xing. This time, he'd finally kicked an iron plate.
Qian Renxue saw it clearly. Of all people, Xue Beng had picked a fight with someone Xiao Yao protected. Wasn't that just asking for death?
Besides, Qin Yao had handled it perfectly.
Detaining a prince in the street seemed reckless, but in truth he'd seized the initiative and forced the imperial family to step in.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, the only one who didn't take him seriously was Prince Xue Xing, who was so full of himself.
Today, Qin Yao would surely trample Prince Xue Xing's dignity underfoot.
As Crown Prince, he could wait until the two sides reached a stalemate, then step in to mediate. On the surface, he'd win Xiao Yao's favor while also using the opportunity to suppress Xue Xing. Two birds with one stone.
"Have our people keep a close watch. The moment Uncle makes a move, report it to me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Meanwhile, in front of the Ye Family Medical Clinic.
The atmosphere was tense, ready to erupt.
A burst of hurried hoofbeats and clanking armor announced the arrival of a group of Prince's Mansion Guards in fine armor, escorting a luxurious carriage.
The curtain was lifted, and Prince Xue Xing stepped out, his plump frame bristling with anger.
He immediately spotted his nephew Xue Beng, looking utterly disheveled as the Spirit Hall guards held him in their midst.
"Outrageous!" Prince Xue Xing roared. "Who gave you the nerve to detain a prince in Heaven Dou City?"
Qin Yao turned and regarded the furious prince calmly.
"Prince Xue Xing?"
"I am indeed!" Prince Xue Xing said, clasping his hands behind his back and raising his chin.
"No matter what Xue Beng did, he is still a prince of the Heaven Dou Empire! It isn't Spirit Hall's place to teach him a lesson. Release him at once, and I'll let this pass!"
Qin Yao looked as if he'd heard a joke.
"I don't quite understand what you mean, Your Highness."
He took two steps forward. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly down the entire street.
"Do you mean that Prince Xue Beng's actions today represent him personally, or the entire Heaven Dou Empire?"
The anger on Prince Xue Xing's face faltered.
"What difference does it make?"
"A great deal."
Qin Yao's tone remained mild.
"If he acted on his own, then by trying to abduct the biological daughter of a Red-Clad Archbishop of Spirit Hall in the street, he showed contempt for Spirit Hall. Detaining him was entirely justified."
Qin Yao paused. "But if he represents the Heaven Dou Empire, then your empire is trying to slap Spirit Hall in the face?"
Never mind the details—slap on the accusation first, then take a stand!
Prince Xue Xing was left speechless.
Did he dare admit this was the Heaven Dou Empire's intention?
He didn't.
If he gave Spirit Hall an excuse like that, the Star Luo Empire could receive a large shipment of supplies from Spirit Hall as soon as tomorrow.
But he couldn't bring himself to back down in front of so many people, either.
"You... You're twisting words!" Prince Xue Xing finally managed to squeeze out.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure approaching from the end of the street.
Long, dark green hair, a slender, lanky frame—who could it be but Poison Douluo Dugu Bo?
Salvation had arrived!
Prince Xue Xing was overjoyed. Dugu Bo owed him a favor, and he was a Titled Douluo. With him stepping in, surely this brat couldn't turn the whole world upside down.
"Your Excellency, Poison Douluo!"
Prince Xue Xing clung to him like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline and shouted,
"You've come at just the right time! Please, Your Excellency, help me bring this arrogant wretch to heel!"
The onlookers stretched their necks to get a better look.
Poison Douluo's name was known to everyone in Heaven Dou City.
However, Dugu Bo only glanced at him indifferently, then walked right past without the slightest pause.
As Prince Xue Xing stared in disbelief, Dugu Bo went to Qin Yao and bowed respectfully.
"Your subordinate, Dugu Bo, pays his respects to Your Highness the Holy Son!"
The entire street fell silent.
The joy froze on Prince Xue Xing's face. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
Dugu Bo had called that young man "Your Highness the Holy Son"? And called himself his subordinate?
His mind buzzed. In an instant, he understood.
Dugu Yan!
Dugu Yan was by this Holy Son's side. It was only natural that Dugu Bo had joined Spirit Hall!
Cold sweat beaded on Prince Xue Xing's forehead.
His last trump card had turned out to be on the other side!
"Your Highness, can we talk this over now?" Qin Yao's voice rang out.
Prince Xue Xing took a deep breath, forcing down the turmoil in his heart, and nodded stiffly.
"Tell me, what exactly do you want?"
"Simple." Qin Yao raised a finger. "Compensation."
"What compensation do you want?"
"I've heard the Heaven Dou Imperial Family possesses a national treasure called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."
Qin Yao spoke at an unhurried pace.
"Unfortunately, no one has known its purpose for many years. I happen to be quite interested in such curiosities. If Your Highness is willing to offer it as compensation, we can let today's matter rest."
"Impossible!" Prince Xue Xing flatly refused without a moment's hesitation.
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was passed down by the founding emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire. How could I give it to you?"
"Is that so?"
Qin Yao wasn't angered. He simply called out,
"Grandpa."
As soon as he spoke, a towering figure appeared silently behind him.
It was Fourth Worship Qin Xiong!
"Boom!"
A terrifying aura erupted from Qin Xiong. Two yellow, two purple, and five black Soul Rings blazed to life, and a mountain-heavy pressure engulfed the entire street!
Prince Xue Xing felt as if a mountain had crashed down on him. His knees buckled, and he nearly fell to the ground. The Prince's Mansion Guards behind him fared even worse, stumbling over one another and unable to stand.
Thankfully, the pressure lasted only an instant before withdrawing.
Prince Xue Xing gasped for breath, staring at Qin Xiong's back in terror.
Nine rings!
Another Titled Douluo!
And his aura was more than a match for Dugu Bo's!
Just as the scene reached another stalemate, a clear voice rang out from the end of the street.
"Stop!"
The crowd parted on its own as a team of Royal Knights escorted a magnificent carriage, the symbol of the Crown Prince's status, slowly down the street.
The carriage came to a stop, and "Xue Qinghe" stepped down in a blue-green robe.
He first glanced at the disheveled Xue Beng and the ashen-faced Prince Xue Xing, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. Then he turned to Qin Yao with a warm smile.
"Brother Qin Yao, it's been a long time."
Qin Yao smiled back. "Your Highness."
"Xue Qinghe" stepped between them and sighed.
"Xue Beng was in the wrong today, and Uncle failed to keep him in check. On their behalf, I apologize to Brother Qin Yao and Spirit Hall."
He lowered himself considerably, taking full responsibility on behalf of the imperial family.
"But this incident has, after all, damaged the dignity of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Letting the stalemate continue won't do anyone any good."
"Xue Qinghe" looked at Qin Yao, his tone earnest.
"Would you do me the favor of releasing him for now? Another day, I'll personally bring the imperial family's sincere apologies to your door and give you an answer you'll be satisfied with."
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