A Stir Caused, Xue Qinghe Comes Calling! [Please Keep Reading!]

The matter of Xue Beng publicly calling Chu Lan his master quickly spread throughout Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Xue Beng was, after all, the fourth prince of the Tiandou Empire, so the impact of this incident was undoubtedly enormous.

Before long, the news reached the ears of many members of the royal family, including Emperor Xue Ye and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

"Has Xue Beng lost his mind? He actually called someone else his master!"

As Xue Qinghe listened to his subordinate's report, his sword-like brows lifted slightly, his face full of surprise.

"Many people witnessed it. It is said that... His Highness the Fourth Prince even knelt in public. The matter has already spread throughout Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and it has likely reached His Majesty's ears by now," the subordinate reported respectfully.

"Interesting~" Xue Qinghe unfolded his folding fan and gently waved it, a teasing smile appearing on his face.

He had not yet planned to make a move against Xue Beng, yet Xue Beng had already caused such a huge disaster himself.

It could basically be confirmed that Xue Beng had completely lost his chance of ascending the throne. Emperor Xue Ye could never appoint a prince who called another person his master as heir apparent.

His position as crown prince was becoming more and more secure.

"Make arrangements. I want to meet this extraordinary person and see exactly what kind of charm he possesses, to make a spoiled brat like Xue Beng call him master!"

Xue Qinghe closed his folding fan, his starry eyes narrowing slightly.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Chu Lan had also realized that demonizing Xue Beng earlier would bring him trouble. Fortunately, he could now control Xue Beng and make him protect him to the death.

However—

For now, he still needed to leave for a while and lie low.

Heaven Dou City.

Chu Lan wandered aimlessly through the streets. He had previously remained in a remote little city like Nuoding City, whose surroundings naturally could not compare to an imperial capital like Heaven Dou City.

It was not until evening that Chu Lan returned to the academy.

Over the course of that half day, he had already seen the most important buildings in Heaven Dou City—the Tiandou Great Soul Arena, Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy, the imperial palace walls, the Strength Clan, Moonlight Pavilion, and so on.

Click!

Chu Lan sneaked back to the academy dormitory. Before he even turned on the lights, he sensed that something was wrong.

"I presume Your Excellency has been waiting for quite some time?"

Chu Lan turned on the light, his gaze falling on Xue Qinghe, who sat inside the dormitory with his golden hair.

Besides Xue Qinghe, there were also two soldiers in armor inside the dormitory.

"Impudent! This is the current crown prince!"

"Get on your knees!"

One of the soldiers shouted sternly.

"I forgot. My apologies." Chu Lan stared at Xue Qinghe, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. His body slowly tilted forward, looking as though he were about to kneel.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe raised a hand and said with a smile, "There is no need for that. I have never been particularly fond of these formalities of kneeling and bowing."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Chu Lan straightened up. A wise man did not fight when the odds were against him. If he truly knelt today, he would definitely find a chance to make Xue Qinghe kneel in return someday.

"You may all leave. I wish to speak with him alone." Xue Qinghe's gaze settled on Chu Lan as he carefully examined him from head to toe.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The two soldiers immediately left the dormitory, though they did not go far. After closing the door, they stood guard beside it.

Xue Qinghe smiled and asked, "My name is Xue Qinghe. And yours?"

Chu Lan answered with a smile as well, "Chu Lan."

For a moment, neither of them could see through the other's thoughts, and the atmosphere grew somewhat stiff.

However—

Xue Qinghe did not allow the atmosphere to remain awkward for long. He took the initiative and said, "Do you know... today, you did something that shook the court and the public, even the entire Tiandou Empire."

"I understand what Your Highness means, so... have you come to arrest me?" Chu Lan asked.

"This matter is not yet mine to handle. Father will likely send someone to arrest you personally. I was simply curious what sort of person could make Xue Beng call him master and kneel before him, so I came to take a look," Xue Qinghe frankly explained his motives.

Chu Lan maintained his smile and said, "I thought Your Highness had come to help me."

Xue Qinghe was greatly surprised. "You look about the same age as Xue Beng. Why are you not afraid at all? Are you confident that Father will not hold you accountable?"

Even if he were the one helping Chu Lan handle this matter, he was not confident that Chu Lan could emerge unscathed.

After all—

His current identity was the ruler of the Tiandou Empire!

Chu Lan moved a chair over and sat across from Xue Qinghe, saying calmly, "Xue Beng and I share a very deep friendship. I believe he will protect me even at the cost of his life."

Xue Qinghe asked in surprise, "How deep?"

Chu Lan gestured. "About thirty or forty meters deep, I suppose... Simply put, Xue Beng would die for me..."

At that moment, Xue Beng's furious cursing sounded from outside the dormitory door. "Open your dog eyes and look at who I am! I am the current Fourth Prince! You dare block my path? I think you bastards have eaten so much shit it has blinded you! You're courting death!"

Chu Lan and Xue Qinghe reacted differently upon hearing this. Chu Lan frowned slightly, unable to understand why Xue Beng had come to find him at this time, while Xue Qinghe calmly called out, "That is Xue Beng, isn't it? Let him in!"

With Xue Qinghe's order, the two guards finally stepped aside and cleared the way.

"Hmph!!"

Xue Beng glared viciously at the two soldiers, utterly unconcerned that they were Xue Qinghe's men.

He opened the door and walked straight in. Upon seeing Xue Qinghe, his expression immediately changed, and he called out with a beaming smile, "Big Brother, good evening!"

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly but did not respond. He wanted to see what important matter had brought Xue Beng to Chu Lan so late at night.

Xue Beng was about to kneel before Chu Lan, but Chu Lan frowned and raised a hand to stop him, taking the initiative to ask, "Xue Beng, what brings you to see me so late?"

After thinking for a moment, Xue Beng understood Chu Lan's meaning. He took out a golden crystal, translucent like amber, and handed it to Chu Lan. With a trace of respect in his tone, he said, "Brother Chu, I found what you wanted. It is ten thousand years old. I brought it here especially for you."

Chu Lan accepted it without ceremony and instructed, "Xue Beng, what happened at the academy gate today has caused quite a bit of trouble. You need to handle it properly so it does not cause misunderstandings, especially on your father's side."

Xue Beng nodded repeatedly. "Please rest assured. I will make those people spreading nonsense pay the price. I will also clear up the misunderstanding and ensure Father does not make things difficult for you."

Chu Lan began to send him away. "It is getting late. Go back and deal with this matter."

"I will go at once." Xue Beng then looked at Xue Qinghe and said respectfully, "Big Brother, I will take my leave first. I will not disturb you and Brother Chu."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, his expression unchanged, yet his heart was full of doubt. He could not understand the scene before him.

Xue Beng's obedience before Chu Lan far exceeded his expectations, as though they were truly master and servant.