When Cao Yu saw the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, his brows furrowed.
He had an imposing build and handsome features, without the slightest trace of age.
In terms of physical strength, Uncle Cheng Gang might have been the only person present who could surpass the White Tiger Duke.
Moreover, he faintly exuded a murderous presence that would make ordinary people give him a wide berth. His bearing marked him at a glance as a great general seasoned on the battlefield.
Dai Hao invited everyone into the mansion and said with a smile, "Young Master Cao, you're growing more handsome by the day."
"I've spent so much of these past few years on the battlefield that I haven't had much time to visit the Cao residence. Let me first offer you my apologies, Young Master Cao."
Xu Tianshui and the others laughed heartily. "Duke, what are you saying? How could we blame you for defending the empire? We couldn't be happier."
Before they had spoken for long, fragrant tea and fine wine were served.
Once everyone was seated, Dai Hao asked, "Young Master Cao, Your Eminences, what brings you here to see me today?"
Having said that, he waited for Cao Yu and the others to respond.
Seeing Cao Yu's indifferent expression, as though he were pondering something, he added, "Young Master Cao, say whatever is on your mind. Please, speak freely."
"It's nothing major. I just stopped by to see you, Uncle Dai."
"Haha, how thoughtful of you, Young Master Cao."
"I also came to ask you for two people..."
As soon as those words fell.
Dai Hao suddenly grew nervous and looked at Cao Yu with an odd expression.
Cao Yu continued, "Uncle Dai, do you know someone named Huo Yuhao? Oh, to be precise, it should be Dai Yuhao."
"Dai Yuhao? As far as I know, there's no one by that name in the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. I've spent most of these past seven or eight years on the battlefield. I only recently returned, and I'll be leaving again in a few days. Young Master Cao, let me ask my wife. She should know."
Cao Yu nodded.
"Uncle Dai, promise me first that once we find him, you'll let me take him away. Oh, right, his mother too."
"Since you've asked, Young Master Cao, how could I refuse? Provided, of course, that they're willing to leave the Duke's Mansion."
"I think they will be."
Dai Hao felt reassured. Presumably, this Dai Yuhao and his mother weren't anyone important, or his wife would have informed him long ago.
The fact that nothing had been reported in all these years meant Dai Yuhao was merely an insignificant servant in the Duke's Mansion who had been granted their surname.
Thus, Dai Hao didn't give it much thought.
Before long, a woman wearing a lavish long dress walked gracefully into the hall.
She bowed in greeting with a respectful air, looking ingratiatingly at Cao Yu and the others.
It couldn't help giving a false impression. She appeared to be a gentle beauty, but Cao Yu knew in his heart that the duchess was two-faced, with a heart as venomous as a scorpion. Before long, she would cause Huo Yuhao's mother's death.
Dai Hao asked, "My dear, is there someone in the mansion named Dai Yuhao?"
The duchess's heart tightened. She had concealed it for so long and thought her cover was seamless, yet Dai Hao had still found out. How was that possible?
She had never reported it, and ever since Dai Yuhao was born, the White Tiger Duke hadn't so much as glanced at him. There was no reason he should have discovered it!
Cao Yu chuckled, which naturally reached the duchess's ears.
She understood in an instant, knowing full well that she could no longer hide this matter, so she said, "There is indeed such a person in the mansion."
"Then bring him here. Oh, and his mother too."
"But... I'll go right away."
With a troubled expression, the duchess could only slowly withdraw.
A short while later, the duchess appeared again, this time accompanied by a nine-year-old child and a woman with an extremely sickly complexion.
The woman's legs made it difficult for her to move, so she could only sit on a cart and have someone pull her out.
Dai Hao recognized her at a glance.
Huo Yun'er?
When had she had a child?
And she looked so sickly, too.
Dai Hao trembled slightly as he said, "My dear, what's going on? Why has Yun'er become like this?"
"Yun'er, is this your child? How old is he?"
"Y-yes, he's my child. He's already nine."
Upon seeing the lover she had longed for day and night, Huo Yun'er couldn't stop her tears from falling. Years of grievances flowed in those tears.
Nine?
Dai Hao finally remembered what had happened between him and Huo Yun'er ten years ago.
Wasn't this his own flesh and blood?
Dai Hao looked warmly at the child and asked, "Child, your name is Dai Yuhao, isn't it?"
"I'm your father!"
The child raised his head.
His hands were clenched tight, his face filled with resentment.
He shouted, "No! My surname is Huo, not Dai, and you're not my father!"
Dai Hao didn't believe him. He felt deeply that this was his child. Both his appearance and build bore an extreme resemblance to his own, and nine years ago... there could be no mistake!
As he approached to take a closer look, the scars on Huo Yuhao's face jolted him awake.
"My dear, who did this?"
The duchess said, "He accidentally scratched himself while working."
Cao Yu, however, added fuel to the fire from the side. "Duchess, you really shouldn't lie."
"Those marks were clearly made by a whip. How can you call them scratches?"
At those words, she was immediately struck speechless.
Anyone with eyes could naturally see what was going on. The duchess was lying!
Cao Yu paid no heed to any of that and said flatly, "Uncle Dai, now that we've found them, shouldn't you let me take them away?"
"Family affairs can wait."
Dai Hao felt deeply torn.
At first, he had thought the people Cao Yu wanted were merely lowly servants.
He hadn't expected them to be the person he loved and his child.
Dai Hao could only shake his head. "Young Master Cao, I didn't expect him to be my child, so..."
"So what?"
"So I can't agree to your request now."
Yet Cao Yu gave him no chance, directly having his Shadow Clone step forward. Even the burly Dai Hao broke into a cold sweat. After all, this was a powerhouse who could take his life at any moment.
Xu Tianshui and the others could only speak up to dissuade him. "Duke, you gave your word. Why are you going back on it now? A distinguished general of the empire can't lose his dignity!"
Cheng Gang seemed to have caught the scent of gossip.
"Exactly! Didn't you say it was fine as long as they were willing?"
Cao Yu coughed and said, "He may be your son, but look at him. Can you raise him properly? His face is covered in injuries!"
"You didn't even know your own son had been born after all these years. You've certainly been negligent as a father!"
"I call you Uncle Dai out of respect for your many years fighting for the empire. Don't think I, Cao Yu, am so easily brushed off!"
Faced with Cao Yu's coercion.
And with Xu Tianshui and the others clearly not on his side.
If he refused, the powerhouse before him might very well strike him down immediately.
After all, before someone who didn't even give the Holy Spirit Cult a second thought, what did he, the White Tiger Duke, amount to?
He could only soften his stance. "As long as they're willing, I'll agree."
Seeing that his goal had been achieved.
Cao Yu asked Huo Yuhao, "Yuhao, would you like to leave this place? I can find you paying work. You won't have to worry about food or clothing from now on, and no one will bully you again. What do you say?"
"Really? Will no one ever bully me and Mom again?"
"Yes!"
"I want to!"
(End of chapter)