The Crown Prince's Recruitment, I Grant Everything

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that when you're looking for trouble, it's best not to get too close to your target?"

Tailong's expression froze for a split second upon hearing this, and then a sharp, searing pain erupted from his crotch.

Men, after all, always share remarkably similar weaknesses.

At this distance, with his guard completely down, Tailong was nothing more than a sitting duck to Fang Xuan.

With a swift lift of his leg, Fang Xuan sent him crashing to his knees.

Watching Tailong on the ground, clutching his crotch and grimacing in agony, Fang Xuan calmly straightened his collar, which had been wrinkled during the scuffle.

He then turned and walked away without a backward glance.

He wasn't in the habit of bickering with fools; otherwise, that strike alone would have ensured the man would never have children, leaving him unable to rise from the floor.

However, Fang Xuan had only taken two steps when he sensed a whistling sound of wind behind him.

"Why bother?"

He stopped, spun around, and delivered a flying kick.

The movement was fluid and seamless, landing squarely on the chest of the charging Tailong and sending him flying backward.

The commotion naturally drew the attention of many onlookers.

Fang Xuan sighed helplessly. He had only stepped out for a stroll; it shouldn't have been a big deal.

Now, thanks to this lunatic, he was being treated like a pushover.

I should have just stayed home.

Regret was useless now; he had to resolve the situation first.

Soon, the patrolling soldiers arrived, surrounding both of them.

Fang Xuan didn't resist, allowing the soldiers to encircle him.

"Private fighting is prohibited within Heaven Dou City. You are disturbing the peace—take them all away!"

The lead commander shouted, moving to make an arrest, but was stopped by a voice from the distance.

"Wait."

Looking toward the sound, they saw a dignified, middle-aged man walking toward them.

His gaze swept over the crowd before finally resting on Fang Xuan.

"Mr. Fang Xuan, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence. Please accompany me to the East Palace."

As he spoke, he produced an official token and displayed it to the commander.

The commander's expression shifted instantly, and he hurriedly ordered his men to withdraw from Fang Xuan.

They dared not neglect anyone summoned by the Crown Prince. Looking at the middle-aged man who had suddenly appeared, Fang Xuan's expression flickered.

What is Qian Renxue playing at? I barely stepped out and I'm already being watched. I'm her husband, for heaven's sake—could she be a little more subtle?

Of course, he only grumbled this to himself; she certainly didn't have that kind of intention in mind.

It was most likely that she had taken an interest in his talent.

An eighteen-year-old Soul King was considered a genius in any era, and since he was an independent cultivator, it would be strange if she didn't try to recruit him.

Especially with Spirit Hall; they had likely dug up every detail of his background by now.

Born with level one Soul Power and reaching the rank of Soul King by eighteen—it would be a miracle if Qian Renxue wasn't curious.

She had hinted at it during their wedding a few days ago, and this time, she was likely ready to lay her cards on the table.

"Lead the way."

If it's a blessing, it's not a disaster; if it's a disaster, it cannot be avoided. He had intended to find her anyway, so this saved him quite a bit of trouble.

Soon, Fang Xuan left the scene with the middle-aged man.

Tailong, meanwhile, was taken away and detained by the patrol.

According to the regulations of Heaven Dou City, those who fought privately were to be detained for three days, with commoners receiving thirty strokes of the cane and Soul Masters receiving twenty lashes.

However, given Tailong's current state, it would be better to send him to a clinic first; that kick from Fang Xuan had been no light matter.

Not far from the scene, in a quiet tavern, Fang Xuan was led inside.

In a private room, Xue Qinghe sat quietly, with a small table in front of him set with pastries and fruit.

Fang Xuan sat opposite him, watching him in silence.

"What instructions does Your Highness the Crown Prince have for me?"

Without wasting time on pleasantries, Fang Xuan cut straight to the point.

"Instructions? We don't need to be so formal. I've never stood on ceremony with geniuses."

Xue Qinghe looked at Fang Xuan with a smile, his eyes bright, as if trying to see right through him.

"However, I do have some private matters I'd like to discuss with you."

"Private matters?"

Good heavens, is she preparing to have a showdown with herself? Fang Xuan was very curious whether she intended to continue using the identity of Xue Qinghe to approach him, or to be honest and open with her true identity, Qian Renxue.

"No need to be nervous, I just wanted to ask what plans you have for the future."

"A man should have a career, especially a genius like you."

Xue Qinghe was being very gracious, but it seemed she had no intention of revealing her true identity.

But that made sense; perhaps he wasn't yet qualified enough for her to expose her identity to recruit him.

"Then, according to Your Highness the Crown Prince, what do you mean..."

Fang Xuan played along; after all, since she had already made it so obvious—following him and then proactively recruiting him—he might as well give her some face.

They were both adults, so he decided to skip the coy games of playing hard to get.

"Are you interested in assisting me? I happen to be lacking a young, trusted official by my side."

Seeing that Fang Xuan understood her intentions, Xue Qinghe laid her cards on the table.

She wanted to recruit Fang Xuan in her own name, rather than that of the royal family or the empire.

"What benefits would I receive?"

"And Your Highness the Crown Prince, do you value me as a person, or do you value my status as the disciple of Poison Douluo?"

Some questions needed to be asked clearly so he could gauge his weight in her eyes and act accordingly later.

"Both, but personally, I think quite highly of you as an individual. After all, a man of such deep devotion as you is quite rare."

Hearing this, Fang Xuan smiled; her answer caught him off guard.

"If Your Highness values me because of that matter, I advise you to re-evaluate me."

"Actually, I wanted to give up at the time. You should know that from any perspective, I wouldn't have been at a loss."

"I won't be afraid of you laughing at me, but the only reason I persisted was because I didn't want my previous efforts to go to waste."

"I had already knelt for so many days; wouldn't it be embarrassing to give up then? Besides, I was already there—I couldn't just quit halfway, could I?"

Faced with such a sincere answer from Fang Xuan, Xue Qinghe was stunned for a moment, but she quickly returned to normal.

"This answer truly surprises me, but doesn't it just prove that your character is not bad? Otherwise, why would you tell me all this?"

"By the way, I heard your mother-in-law intends for you to remarry. My younger sister is of a similar age to you, I wonder..."

"Stop right there. I have no such thoughts for the time being, so I ask Your Highness the Crown Prince to reconsider."

Fang Xuan was startled by this move from Xue Qinghe.

Damn it, his mother-in-law hadn't even made a move yet, and here she was doing it first.

The key was, is Xue Ke even your sister? How could you say something like that?

Using someone else's sister to recruit talent for yourself—you really are something else.

"Also, this is my private business, so I won't trouble Your Highness the Crown Prince to worry about it."

He had to skip this topic immediately, or what if she really tried to use a honey trap on him?

He was no upright gentleman, and the facts had already proven that he really couldn't resist that.

Seeing that Fang Xuan seemed to reject the idea, Qian Renxue revealed a faint smile.

"It was my recklessness. In that case, let us discuss other matters."

"I wonder what benefits Brother Fang Xuan desires? As long as I can provide them, I will grant them without hesitation."