Arriving at Heaven Dou City, Xue Beng Jumps the Face

The next day.

Han Yu and his party arrived in Heaven Dou City.

They were in no rush to head to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Having spent two years in arduous cultivation within the sect and several months at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Han Yu knew that burying his head in training was not the way forward. Following Chen Xin's suggestion, he decided to stay in Heaven Dou City for a while to relax.

Considering what he had to do next, Han Yu saw no point in hiding his identity; even if he did, those with ulterior motives would dig it up within days.

It was better to be open and save himself the trouble.

The group walked straight toward the central district of Heaven Dou City.

Following the friendly meeting between Ning Fengzhi and Emperor Xue Ye several months prior, and with Ning Fengzhi's appointment as the Crown Prince's tutor, the relationship between the two powers had grown intimate.

The Heaven Dou Empire had even specifically constructed a Crown Prince Tutor Mansion for Ning Fengzhi within Heaven Dou City.

Located in the second ring of the city, it was a luxurious estate covering a vast area.

When Han Yu and his group arrived, the steward of the Crown Prince Tutor Mansion had already received word and was waiting respectfully at the gate.

Han Yu found the steward somewhat familiar and asked in confusion, "Hm? Are you the deacon who handled the awakening ceremony back then?"

"It is my honor that Your Highness the Holy Son still remembers me." The steward's face was filled with ecstasy, his tone brimming with excitement.

Han Yu smiled. "Is this a mission assigned by the sect? Do be careful while out here."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness the Holy Son. I will be returning to the sect next month."

Han Yu nodded slightly and moved on.

With the two powers just beginning their cooperation, Ning Fengzhi had sent this man to act as the representative of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, clearly not forgetting the credit he had earned during that awakening ceremony.

"Hmph, the Heaven Dou royal family is certainly generous." Dugu Bo looked around, his tone tinged with envy.

This Crown Prince Tutor Mansion was even larger than the villa he had been given.

Qin Ming, standing to the side, appeared somewhat constrained. His body was tense as he stood in place, his gaze sweeping around with a look of bewilderment.

Chen Xin spoke slowly, "Let us rest for the day. We shall head to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy tomorrow."

The group was led to their respective rooms by maids.

The first thing Han Yu did was head to the bathroom.

Although he had soaked in the spring water for months, the constant alternation between freezing cold and searing heat could hardly be called comfortable. He closed his eyes, lying in the tub, and felt the fatigue in his body and mind ease significantly.

However, not long after, a knock sounded at the door.

Han Yu frowned slightly, grabbed a white bath towel to wrap around himself, and rose to leave the bathroom.

Inside the Crown Prince Tutor Mansion.

A youth with reddish-brown hair and luxurious attire arrived, flanked by two rows of guards.

"This Prince is the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. Must I wait to see your Holy Son?" Xue Beng said with an arrogant tone.

"Your Highness the Fourth Prince, I have already sent someone to announce your arrival. The Holy Son is resting, so I ask for your understanding." The steward's face was plastered with a smile, his posture extremely humble.

"Where did this stray dog come from? He doesn't even know the rules. How dare he stand straight in front of this Prince?" Xue Beng turned his head, looked the steward up and down, and curled his lips into a sneer.

He narrowed his eyes, raised his right palm to the side of the steward's cheek, and gave it a few light taps.

He felt a bit of doubt in his heart. He had clearly received intelligence that the Holy Son of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Sword Douluo had arrived at the Crown Prince Tutor Mansion, so why hadn't they appeared yet?

"Your Highness the Fourth Prince, I am the steward appointed by the Sect Master and a deacon of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I cannot comply with your request." The steward frowned and took a deep breath.

At these words, a fierce glint flashed in Xue Beng's eyes. He raised his right palm high and swung it down with force.

The steward sensed it, yet he kept his posture and remained rooted to the spot.

Slap—

A figure blocked the path in front of the steward.

Qin Ming stood straight between the two, and Xue Beng's slap landed on his face.

His expression remained unchanged, showing not a hint of anger. He bowed to Xue Beng and said, "Qin Ming, a teacher at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, greets Your Highness."

"It's you. Why are you here?" Xue Beng glanced at Qin Ming's eyes and sat back down on a chair as if nothing had happened.

"Replying to Your Highness, Qin Ming was saved by the seniors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and just returned from the Sunset Forest today."

"Oh? Since you're back, you don't go to the academy to report, but instead come here to act as a dog." Xue Beng squeezed a few mocking laughs from his throat.

He knew of this young Spirit King, Qin Ming, who often interacted with the Crown Prince. Whenever he bullied commoner spirit masters at the academy, Qin Ming would always obstruct him. No matter how good his talent or temperament was, he could never be used by him.

With Qin Ming blocking the way, he couldn't slap the steward's face anymore; it would be too obvious.

"Qin Ming will return to the academy now." Qin Ming bowed to the steward and Xue Beng, his expression calm.

He was all too familiar with this Prince's methods and did not want to remain here to be used as a pawn. He didn't care about himself, but he could not cause trouble for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, who had saved his life.

"Wait a moment."

Han Yu and Chen Xin walked in.

"Teacher Qin, no need to rush off. Han Yu still has important matters to discuss with you." Han Yu enthusiastically pulled Qin Ming past Xue Beng and sat in the main seat, his face full of smiles.

"Holy Son." The butler bowed respectfully and stepped to the side.

"You are the Holy Son of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Xue Beng looked toward Chen Xin, his throat bobbing as he shifted his gaze to Han Yu, forcing himself to remain calm as he spoke.

Han Yu wore an expression of sudden realization and turned his head. "Oh? And you are?"

"This Prince is the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Imperial family, Xue Beng," Xue Beng said, gritting his teeth.

Han Yu deliberately drew out the sound, letting out a soft chuckle. "Oh, the... Fourth Prince."

Bang.

Xue Beng slammed his hand onto the table, rising in a fury as he glared fixedly at Han Yu.

He was truly enraged; Han Yu had been ignoring him since the moment he walked through the door, and now he was intentionally humiliating him as nothing more than an insignificant, peripheral prince.

"Hmph, Qin Ming is a teacher at my Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and belongs to the imperial family's assets. If you have any important business, you can discuss it with me."

A flicker of disgust crossed Qin Ming's face at these words.

Han Yu smiled and tossed a token made of ninety-nine percent pure gold onto the table.

His eyes narrowed, and he spoke with a playful look on his face, "The Sect Master is not here, so I am the one who calls the shots for the sect. What? Is the Emperor of your Heaven Dou Imperial family not here either? Or perhaps... the decisions of Your Highness Xue Beng can represent the entire Heaven Dou Empire?"

"You!" Xue Beng gritted his teeth, unable to say anything more.

Han Yu's words were truly vicious; if he said another word, he would be branded with the accusation of regicide.

Han Yu gestured toward Qin Ming beside him and said with a smile, "Actually, it's nothing major. It's just that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has taken a liking to Teacher Qin Ming and a few students of commoner origin. Why doesn't Your Highness grant permission on their behalf?"

"Hmph, this matter will naturally be reported to the Emperor by the academy. Farewell."

Xue Beng dropped that sentence and hurried away, not daring to linger any longer. His goal had been achieved; the attention the imperial high command paid to him would drop by several levels.

Once he was gone, the smile on Han Yu's face vanished instantly. He said in a reproachful tone, "You didn't need to block that slap. If the butler had been hit, I would have used the opportunity to teach this prince a lesson."

Qin Ming smiled and shook his head, indicating it was nothing to worry about.

Han Yu took a deep breath, the corners of his mouth curling downward as he spoke with clear displeasure, "Acting like that only makes people think you're easy to bully. Only by baring your fangs can you earn the respect and fear of others. Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always been protective of its own. Butler, go and book me a slot at the Soul Fighting Arena for tomorrow."