Golden-Haired Qian Renxue (Please Bookmark!)

"Mr. Dugu, I heard you had returned. I came specially to see you."

Lu Li had just reached the doorway when he heard a smiling voice from outside.

Dugu Bo's expression changed when he heard that voice.

He naturally knew who its owner was: Prince Xue Xing.

It was not that he did not welcome Prince Xue Xing, but Lu Li was here now. If Prince Xue Xing came in, he would inevitably demand an explanation.

He would ask why a six-year-old child was in the main hall Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo, specifically used to receive guests.

Discussing a powerful expert in public—even if that expert had the best temper—was not something anyone could tolerate while others talked about him to his face.

But that was not the most important part. The crucial thing was that Dugu Bo had returned only a moment ago, yet Prince Xue Xing knew immediately and had come straight over.

Dugu Bo was confident that he and Lu Li had returned quickly and discreetly.

The news could not possibly have leaked so fast. That could only mean Prince Xue Xing had informants in Dugu Bo's residence!

As a Title Douluo, Dugu Bo considered this residence his private territory. Forget a prince placing spies here—even if Xue Ye, the current emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, tried to plant informants here, Dugu Bo would never allow it.

Lu Li also frowned.

He had not expected such a coincidence, running into Prince Xue Xing here.

Lu Li turned to Dugu Bo. "Later, just say I'm a distant relative who came to seek your help."

After saying that, Lu Li walked over to Dugu Yan's side and stood behind Dugu Bo with her.

If he went out now, he would inevitably run right into Prince Xue Xing. And if a child walked out of the hall where Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo, received guests, even an idiot would know something was wrong.

He did not want to have the slightest connection with anyone besides Tang San, at least not yet. Otherwise, all sorts of unnecessary trouble would come knocking.

Thinking of all that endless trouble made Lu Li's head ache, which was why he had come up with this method.

As Dugu Bo's relative, his presence in this hall was still reasonable.

In any case, it was far better than walking out directly.

Dugu Bo froze and looked back at Lu Li.

"Looks like he doesn't want to attract too much unnecessary attention."

With that explanation, Dugu Bo understood. This would indeed keep Prince Xue Xing from focusing on Lu Li or questioning who he was.

It was a good thing for both him and Lu Li.

Dugu Bo nodded, then took the seat of honor.

The instant Dugu Bo sat down, Prince Xue Xing entered.

As soon as he entered, Xue Xing first looked at Dugu Bo, then at Dugu Yan.

He knew Dugu Yan, so he was not surprised to see her here.

But when his gaze landed on Lu Li, Xue Xing was clearly taken aback.

"A child? Why would he be in Dugu Bo's reception hall?"

Xue Xing's gaze lingered on Lu Li for only a moment before shifting back to Dugu Bo.

"Mr. Dugu, may I ask who this is?"

Xue Xing wore a kindly smile. Judging by appearances alone, one might truly think he was a humble and courteous prince.

Dugu Bo coughed twice, then introduced Lu Li to Xue Xing as Lu Li had instructed.

"He is a relative of mine. He awakened his Martial Soul not long ago, so he came to ask me for some guidance."

Xue Xing gave an acknowledging sound and nodded. Hearing Dugu Bo's explanation, the trace of curiosity he had felt toward Lu Li immediately vanished.

Judging by his clothes, he was probably some poor distant relative of Dugu Bo's who had come to seek refuge because he could no longer get by.

Even if he possessed soul power, his talent was probably nothing special. Otherwise, he would not be here; he would be in the rear courtyard, at Dugu Bo's residence.

Lu Li was dressed only in coarse linen clothing, so it was perfectly normal for Xue Xing to think that way.

Dugu Bo did not want to keep talking about Lu Li at all, afraid that something might suddenly spark Xue Xing's interest in him.

"May I ask what brings Prince Xue Xing here today?"

In truth, Xue Xing had no business at all with Dugu Bo.

He simply had not met Dugu Bo for a long time and wanted to hurry over to maintain their relationship.

After all, the only trump card he and his nephew Xue Beng had against the crown prince, Xue Qinghe, was the Dugu Bo before him.

As long as they maintained their relationship with Dugu Bo, they would have better odds in their struggle against Xue Qinghe.

"I heard that Mr. Dugu had returned. I assume your cultivation has improved again, so I came especially to offer my congratulations."

Old fox!

Dugu Bo cursed inwardly.

Lu Li's gaze discreetly swept back and forth between Xue Xing and Dugu Bo.

"Although they seem to get along well, it feels more like basic social courtesy. I can't sense that they're especially close at all."

He had originally thought Dugu Bo and Xue Xing had a very good relationship.

But now, it seemed they merely respected each other. Their relationship behind the scenes was not nearly as good as it appeared.

The two continued exchanging compliments.

Lu Li was already getting bored listening to them when he suddenly felt someone watching him from his left.

Lu Li turned his head slightly and glanced at Dugu Yan.

The instant their eyes met, she immediately lowered her head.

Lu Li frowned.

Was he really that scary?

She could not even meet his gaze?

Just as Lu Li was puzzled, another voice came from outside the hall.

"Your Excellency Dugu, Father heard that you had returned and specially sent me to visit you."

The voice was full of warmth. Merely hearing it made one feel that its owner was a refined and courteous young gentleman.

Dugu Bo and Xue Xing frowned at the same time.

One Xue Xing was not enough, and now the crown prince had come too?

Dugu Bo suddenly felt that returning this time to collect Gold Soul Coins had been an utterly terrible decision.

As for Xue Xing, he was furious inside.

Damn it, why had he come too?

But anger was anger. He still rose to his feet and properly called out toward the doorway.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

At that moment, a youth with merely delicate features and a head of blond hair walked in.

The moment Lu Li saw him, he immediately guessed his identity.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe—no, that was not quite right. It should be the little golden-haired Qian Renxue.

When Xue Qinghe saw Xue Xing, she feigned surprise. "Uncle is here as well? It seems Uncle received the news even faster than Father did."

Xue Qinghe—or rather, Qian Renxue—wore a gentle smile as she played Xue Qinghe, but a faint, almost imperceptible sharpness hid deep in her eyes.

But in Xue Xing's eyes, combined with what she had just said, it did not sound gentle at all.

He was a prince, yet he learned news faster than the emperor? What, did Xue Xing have an extra head?

"Of course not. I merely happened to run into Mr. Dugu."

Xue Xing lowered his head, concealing the fleeting disgust in his eyes.

The Xue Qinghe played by Qian Renxue raised her brows.

Her people had long since told her the truth.

And coming to see Dugu Bo was not Xue Ye's order either. Although she had no intention of recruiting Dugu Bo, she would never let Xue Xing get his wish and make Dugu Bo completely stand on his side.

If Xue Ye had not already suspected her over the mysterious deaths of several previous princes, she would have killed that unruly prince Xue Xing long ago.

"Is that so? What a coincidence, then."

Qian Renxue casually passed Xue Xing and walked before Dugu Bo.

"Your Excellency Dugu, since you have returned this time, your cultivation must have improved by several degrees. Qinghe offers you congratulations once again."

Dugu Bo smiled, showing an extremely pleased expression.

"Your Highness flatters me. I was merely fortunate enough to make the slightest improvement in strength."

Xue Qinghe was the crown prince and the next emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire. Regardless of whether he could normally ascend the throne in the future, Dugu Bo naturally could not treat him the same way he treated Prince Xue Xing.