Douluo: A Fake God in Peerless

At the same time.

The young man had indeed brought Su Luoheng to a medical clinic.

After the old physician carefully examined him, he discovered that it was merely exhaustion from excessive physical exertion. Given Su Luoheng's physical constitution, he would be perfectly fine after a night's rest.

"Are you sure there are no other issues?"

"Yes, the child will be fine after resting for the night."

"I told you there wouldn't be a problem..."

Having received a professional confirmation, Su Luoheng spread his hands helplessly.

Seeing this, the young man smiled gently.

He found the little fellow in front of him quite interesting.

"Can I go now?" Su Luoheng yawned, his eyes bleary. This night of twists and turns had worn him out, and he wanted nothing more than to return to his hotel bed and get a good night's sleep.

The young man gave a mysterious smile and said, "No rush, wait a moment longer."

"Hm?"

Just as he was feeling puzzled, the guard who had left earlier returned, holding an item wrapped in an oil-paper bag with both hands. "Young Master, this is what you requested."

The young man took it from the guard and handed it to the bewildered Su Luoheng.

"This is for you. Open it and take a look, little brother."

"..."

Su Luoheng paused, took the oil-paper bag, and opened it to find ten glistening, crystal-clear candied hawthorns inside.

"Candied hawthorns!"

Su Luoheng's eyes lit up instantly, and he asked curiously, "How did you know I liked these?"

"I guessed."

The young man smiled brightly and explained, "I noticed your gaze never left them earlier, so I guessed you might like them and sent someone to buy some for you."

"It seems I guessed correctly."

"Thank you, big sister~"

As he spoke, Su Luoheng couldn't wait to pull one out.

Crunch. He took a bite.

The sweet and sour flavor filled his taste buds, making Su Luoheng squint his eyes in delight as he chewed contentedly.

"Big sister?"

Upon hearing the title "big sister," the young man suddenly froze.

A complex expression flashed across his eyes before he feigned helplessness, tilted his chin up, and said, "Little brother, look closely. You should call me 'big brother,' not 'big sister.'"

"Ah?!"

Su Luoheng was slightly stunned and began to examine the young man carefully.

With his beautiful features and the faint, delicate fragrance he had smelled when held earlier, Su Luoheng hadn't looked closely and had subconsciously assumed he was female.

But now, looking carefully, he finally noticed the difference.

Although his skin was fair, there was a prominent Adam's apple on his neck.

His brows and eyes also had sharper, more angular features.

If one didn't look closely, who could possibly tell?

For a moment, Su Luoheng felt as if ten thousand grass-mud horses were stampeding through his heart; even the candied hawthorn in his hand suddenly felt less delicious.

This was actually a man—he was really a man!

The beautiful "big sister" from before had suddenly turned into a man, and Su Luoheng's mood was very complicated.

How should he put it...

What a pity for such a pretty face~

Thinking of this, Su Luoheng couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

"What's wrong, little brother?"

"No, nothing. I'm just surprised by your... big brother's appearance."

Su Luoheng gave an awkward smile and took a skewer of candied hawthorns from the bag to offer him, trying to cover his embarrassment. "Big brother, would you like to try one? Candied hawthorns are delicious~"

The young man smiled gently and was about to refuse.

But in the end, he didn't turn down Luoheng's kindness and accepted the skewer.

"Come to think of it, why are you out on the streets alone at such a young age? Aren't your parents with you?"

"I came to the Ming Capital for school, and I snuck out tonight."

"I hope you get what you wish for."

"..."

For the sake of the candied hawthorn, Su Luoheng chatted with him as well.

After some conversation, the relationship between the two had drawn much closer.

As for Su Luoheng's claim that he wanted to attend the Ming Capital Soul Master Academy, the man didn't take it to heart, assuming it was just a child's joke. After all, as the capital of the Sun Moon Empire, the academy here wasn't something just anyone could attend.

A moment later, an attendant whispered a report.

"Young Master..."

"I know."

The young man nodded slightly, his expression turning visibly serious.

Looking down at Su Luoheng, he squeezed out a smile and said, "Little brother, big brother has some things to take care of. We shall meet again if fate allows."

"Goodbye, big brother."

"Goodbye~"

"..."

Soon, after a 'friendly' exchange, the young man turned and followed the attendant away with quick strides.

"You guy, if you dare touch my hair again, you'll regret it!" Watching the young man's departing back, Su Luoheng smoothed out his slightly messy hair and took a fierce bite of the candied hawthorn in his hand, feeling indignant.

Just before leaving, this guy had actually dared to mess with his hair.

If it had been a pretty young lady, he might have barely tolerated it, but a man—no matter what kind—was absolutely out of the question!

This was a matter of dignity!

The smiling look on his face before he left was truly asking for a beating.

If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't beat this guy...

No, that's not it—if it weren't for the sake of the candied hawthorn, he would have definitely shown him what's what!

Could this guy be into that, given how pretty he looks?

Eww—

Su Luoheng shuddered, goosebumps rising on his skin. He didn't dare think about it any further and quickly ate a few more candied hawthorns to calm his nerves.

He then walked quickly toward the hotel.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city.

The young man, already seated in a carriage, suddenly sneezed.

"Little Prince?"

"I'm fine, Uncle Chen."

The old man addressed as Uncle Chen breathed a sigh of relief, then, thinking of something, said with a smile, "Little Prince, this old servant has noticed that you seem much happier today than usual. It's almost as if... you've returned to how you once were."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, the Little Prince was stunned for a moment.

Suddenly remembering something, a blue light flashed in his hand, and the candied hawthorn appeared in his palm.

The Little Prince looked at the candied hawthorn and muttered to himself, then asked, "Uncle Chen, is this thing really that delicious?"

"Everyone's tastes are different; you should try it yourself," Uncle Chen replied with a smile.

"It does look quite good."

With the intention of just trying it out, he mimicked Su Luoheng and bit off a hawthorn. It melted in his mouth, the sweet and sour flavors perfectly balanced, with a faint, lingering trace of bitterness and sweetness echoing in his mouth.

It didn't taste bad at all~

The flavor was much richer than he had imagined.

The Little Prince made quick work of the rest of the candied hawthorn.

Thinking back, he realized that ever since he met that child today, things had indeed been different from usual. However, he wasn't sure why he had suddenly chatted so happily with a little boy he had never met before.

Perhaps it was because he had been isolated for too long without contact with outsiders?

Thinking of this, he gave a bitter smile and thought to himself: Perhaps that really is it...

Ever since that incident back then, he had completely closed off his heart. Since then, he had never truly revealed any emotions again.

Chapter 18: Sun Moon Soul Master Academy! [Seeking recommendations, investments, and bookmarks!]

Come to think of it, after chatting with that child for so long, he had forgotten to ask for his name. If there were a future... forget it. There probably wouldn't be another chance; meeting once in the vast sea of people was already difficult enough.

How could it be such a coincidence that they would meet again?

Composing his emotions, the Little Prince's expression returned to its usual state.

"Uncle Chen, what has happened?"

When the conversation turned to serious matters, Uncle Chen set aside his smile and grew grave. "Because the Old Prince has suddenly fallen bedridden with a severe illness, compounded by the influence of factions within the court, the Dreadclaw Soul Master Legion has begun to stir restlessly again. This time, I fear only your personal intervention will be enough to resolve it."

"Those fellows again?"

"Yes."

"Damn them!" Hearing this, the Little Prince's veins bulged as he slammed his hand against the table, the fury in his eyes no longer containable. "My father is still alive, yet they are already so impatient to pledge their loyalty to a new master!"

"Sigh..."

Uncle Chen shook his head with a soft sigh, his eyes filled with profound worry.

The Old Prince had long delayed choosing a side among the many princes, and since the Dreadclaw Soul Master Legion—one of the great protectors of the realm—was such a lucrative prize, the Old Prince's collapse had led many princes to scheme to win over the officers, causing deep rifts.

Furthermore, the Little Prince lacked the strength to take over the position, leaving the manor in a dire situation amidst internal strife and external threats.

It was truly hard on the Little Prince...

It had been this way in the past, and it remained the same now.

All the heavy burdens had been dumped squarely onto his shoulders.

After venting his frustration, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, "Uncle Chen, does Father know about these matters?"

"He does not."

The Little Prince visibly exhaled in relief and said in a low voice, "Uncle Chen, seal off all information immediately. Before this matter is resolved, Father must not find out under any circumstances."

"This old servant understands."

"Let's go. We are heading to the military camp now. The Dreadclaw Soul Master Legion is still under Father's name; I want to see if they can really turn the world upside down!" The Little Prince's voice was icy, a flicker of coldness flashing through his eyes.

"As you command."