The next day.
Han Yu and his group arrived in Heaven Dou City.
They weren't in a hurry to visit Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Han Yu had spent two years cultivating in the sect, then several months at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Keeping his head down and training nonstop wasn't good for him. At Chen Xin's suggestion, he planned to spend some time relaxing in Heaven Dou City.
Thinking about what he had to do next, Han Yu decided not to bother hiding his identity. Even if he kept it under wraps, someone would dig it up in a few days anyway.
Better to be open about it and save himself the trouble.
The group headed straight for the heart of Heaven Dou City.
After Ning Fengzhi and Emperor Xue Ye had held a cordial meeting a few months earlier, Ning Fengzhi became Crown Prince Tutor, and the two powers grew closer.
The Heaven Dou Empire had even built a Crown Prince Tutor Mansion in Heaven Dou City specifically for Ning Fengzhi.
It stood in Heaven Dou City's second ring, a luxurious estate sprawling across a vast area.
By the time Han Yu and the others arrived, the mansion's steward had already received word and was waiting respectfully at the entrance.
Han Yu thought the steward looked familiar and asked in surprise, "Huh? Weren't you the one in charge of awakenings back then?"
"I'm honored that Your Highness the Holy Son still remembers me." The steward's face lit up with delight, and his voice trembled with excitement.
Han Yu smiled. "Was this a task assigned by the sect? Be careful while you're out here."
"Thank you for Your Highness's concern. I'll be returning to the sect next month."
Han Yu nodded and didn't linger.
The two powers had only just begun working together. Ning Fengzhi had sent this man as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's representative, and he clearly hadn't forgotten the man's service during the awakening ceremony that day.
"Whoa, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family sure is generous." Dugu Bo looked around, his tone tinged with envy.
The Crown Prince Tutor Mansion was even larger than the manor they had given him.
Qin Ming looked a little ill at ease. He stood stiffly where he was, looking around with a bewildered expression.
Chen Xin spoke slowly. "Let's rest for a day. We'll visit Heaven Dou Royal Academy tomorrow."
The maids led everyone to their respective rooms.
The first thing Han Yu did was head into the bathroom.
He had spent months soaking in the springs, but the constant shifts between hot and cold had hardly been comfortable. He closed his eyes and lay in the bathtub, feeling the exhaustion in his body and mind ease.
But before long, someone knocked at the door.
Han Yu furrowed his brow, grabbed a white bath towel and wrapped it around himself, then got up and left the bathroom.
At the Crown Prince Tutor Mansion.
A young man with reddish-brown hair and luxurious clothes arrived, with two rows of guards standing outside.
"I am the Heaven Dou Empire's fourth prince. Do I really have to wait to see your Holy Son?" Xue Beng demanded arrogantly.
"Your Highness, the Fourth Prince, I've already sent someone to inform him. The Holy Son is resting, so I ask for your understanding." The steward wore an ingratiating smile and bowed low.
"What kind of stray cat or dog doesn't even know the rules? How dare you stand up straight in front of me?" Xue Beng turned and looked the steward up and down, a sneer on his lips.
His eyes narrowed. He raised his right hand beside the steward's cheek and gave it a few light pats.
He was puzzled. He had received word moments ago that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Holy Son and Sword Douluo had arrived at the Crown Prince Tutor Mansion. Why hadn't they come out yet?
"Your Highness, I'm the steward appointed by the sect master, as well as an officer of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I must respectfully decline." The steward frowned and drew a deep breath.
A flash of menace crossed Xue Beng's eyes. He raised his right hand high and swung it down with force.
The steward saw it coming but stayed rooted in place.
Smack—
A figure stepped in front of the steward.
Qin Ming stood rigidly between them, and Xue Beng's slap landed on his face.
His expression remained unchanged, and he showed no anger. He bowed to Xue Beng and said, "Qin Ming, teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, pays his respects to Your Highness."
"It's you. What are you doing here?" Xue Beng glanced at Qin Ming, then sat back down as if nothing had happened.
"Your Highness, Qin Ming was rescued by the senior members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. We just returned from Sunset Forest today."
"Oh? Since you're back, why not report to the academy? Instead, you've come here to play lapdog." Xue Beng forced a few mocking laughs from his throat.
He knew Qin Ming, the young Soul King, and knew he often interacted with the crown prince. Whenever Xue Beng bullied common-born Soul Masters at the academy, Qin Ming always interfered. So what if he had talent and good character? He could never be made to serve Xue Beng.
With Qin Ming in the way, he couldn't slap the steward without making his intentions too obvious.
"Qin Ming will return to the academy now." Qin Ming bowed to the steward and Xue Beng, his expression calm.
He knew this prince's methods all too well. He didn't want to stay and give Xue Beng more ammunition. He didn't care what happened to himself, but he couldn't bring trouble upon the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which had saved his life.
"Wait."
Han Yu and Chen Xin walked in.
"Teacher Qin, there's no need to rush off. Han Yu has something important to discuss with you." Han Yu warmly took Qin Ming by the arm and walked past Xue Beng. He sat in the seat of honor, his face wreathed in smiles.
"Your Highness the Holy Son." The steward bowed respectfully and stepped aside.
"You're the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Holy Son?" Xue Beng looked at Chen Xin, his throat bobbing slightly. Then he fixed his gaze on Han Yu and asked, feigning composure.
Han Yu looked as though he'd just realized something and turned to him. "Oh? And you are?"
"I'm the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's fourth prince, Xue Beng." Xue Beng gritted his teeth as he spoke.
Han Yu drew out the words, then chuckled. "Oh, the fourth... prince."
Bang—
Xue Beng slammed his hand on the table, stood up in a fury, and glared fixedly at Han Yu.
He was truly furious. Han Yu had ignored him from the moment he walked in, and now he had deliberately humiliated him as an unimportant, peripheral prince.
"Hmph. Qin Ming is a teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and he belongs to the imperial family. Whatever important business you have, you can discuss with me instead."
A look of disgust flashed across Qin Ming's face.
Han Yu smiled and tossed a nearly pure-gold token onto the table.
His gaze sharpened, and he spoke with an amused look. "The sect master isn't here, so I'm the one calling the shots. What, is the emperor of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family away too?
"Or does... His Highness Xue Beng's decision speak for the Heaven Dou Empire?"
"You!" Xue Beng gritted his teeth and said nothing more.
Han Yu's words were too vicious. If he said another word, he'd have treason pinned on him.
Han Yu gestured toward Qin Ming beside him and smiled. "It's nothing major. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is interested in Teacher Qin and a few students from commoner backgrounds. Why don't you approve it on the academy's behalf?"
"Hmph. The academy will naturally report this matter to my father. I take my leave."
Xue Beng tossed out the words and hurried away, not daring to linger. He had accomplished his aim: the imperial family's higher-ups would pay a few degrees less attention to him.
After he left, Han Yu's smile vanished. In a reproachful tone, he said, "You didn't need to take that slap for him. If the steward had been struck, I could've used the chance to teach this prince a lesson."
Qin Ming smiled and shook his head, indicating that it was nothing.
Han Yu drew a deep breath, his lips curling in displeasure. "All that will do is make people think you're easy to bully. Only by baring your fangs can you earn their respect and make them wary of you.
"Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always stood up for its own.
"Steward, book me a match at the Soul Fighting Arena for tomorrow."