Xu Tianran's Adam's apple bobbed, and the chill on his neck made his whole body tense.
He never imagined that he, the crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, would be negotiating with a knife to his throat.
Moreover, it was in the Core Zone of his own mansion.
"The conditions on the note..." Xu Tianran tried to keep his voice steady, "The first condition concerns your identity. Since there have been no more reports of Soul Engineer being assassinated recently, and you haven't made any major moves, the Sun Moon Empire has relaxed its efforts to capture you a little."
"With my help, the most urgent task now is to launch a war against the Star Luo Empire. Your problem can be put aside for the time being. Just have a Level 9 Soul Engineer lead the most elite team to search for him."
My plan has been unanimously approved, so you are relatively safe for the time being.
"Hmm." Toji's blade remained completely still. "Continue."
As for your legal status...
Xu Tianran thought for a moment and said:
"I plan to appoint you as my personal chief guard advisor. What do you think?"
"Are you trying to tie me down with my identity?"
Toji raised an eyebrow.
"It seems His Highness the Crown Prince values his life very much."
"You only said you'd be given legal status, but you didn't say what you wanted it for."
Xu Tianran gritted his teeth and said.
"Don't forget, you Soul Engineer Killer. You caused such a commotion in Mingdu, and the fact that you're still alive and well, without being hunted down by a large number of Level 9 Soul Engineer, is already quite an achievement."
Toji the blade in his hand moved even further:
Are you threatening me?
"Of course not, Your Excellency."
Xu Tianran's back was soaked with cold sweat.
"I'm just curious whether you're an enemy or a friend of the Sun Moon Empire, that's all."
"If you are willing to work for the Sun Moon Empire, we are willing to offer you even greater rewards to recruit you."
What are your conditions? We will do our best to meet them.
Xu Tianran still had his eye on Toji's special abilities.
If such a formidable assassin could be put to his command, his chances of ascending the throne would be virtually guaranteed, and even achieving the feat of unifying the Douluo Continent would not be a problem.
Even if the entire Sun Moon Empire mobilized its forces, it would be difficult to find his whereabouts. So, wouldn't he be able to kill whomever he wanted on this Douluo Continent?
Aside from a very few Titled Douluo who he couldn't kill, all he needed to do was kill the high-ranking figures in various countries, shake the grassroots capabilities of those countries, and leave them without actual leaders.
In other words, this powerful assassin, in conjunction with their Sun Moon Empire operations, possesses the ability to destroy a nation.
"Oh, although what you said is very appealing, I don't want to say too much about it, because it's not the right time."
Toji smiled and loosened his grip on the blade slightly.
"Let's continue with what you said. What's the second point?"
"The second point..." Xu Tianran's voice was somewhat hoarse, "Regarding the Holy Spirit Cult... we haven't been able to find the candidate you mentioned who meets the criteria."
"Because of your interference, my cooperative relationship with the Holy Spirit Cult is not very deep now. It will take some time to investigate whether someone is a Soul Douluo with Ghoul Martial Soul, or Evil Soul Master who has fled from the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Besides, the Holy Spirit Cult is hiding like an insect in the shadows, very well concealed. Even with my power, there's absolutely no way I could find the answer within a month."
"Yes, I understand that. Please continue."
Toji suddenly sheathed his sword, flashed in front of Xu Tianran, and casually sat down on the desk.
Xu Tianran's pupils contracted slightly. This madman actually dared to sit on the desk of the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire?!
Toji toyed with the Blade of Life's Watch, the light of the blade flowing between his fingers.
What about the third one?
Xu Tianran reluctantly took out a Storage Soul Tool and handed it to Toji.
"These are the resources you requested. They contain some of the most exquisite and rare treasures of the Sun Moon Empire, their value beyond measure."
Toji took the Storage Soul Tool, and with a flick of his finger, the lid opened.
A surge of Soul Power, so dense it was almost tangible, instantly filled the entire room. A seven-colored halo swirled in the air, as if even space itself was slightly distorted by this energy.
"Nine-grade Dragon Blood Ginseng, Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Jade Marrow, Earth Core Fire Lotus..." A hint of surprise flashed in Toji's eyes, " The Sun Moon Empire's foundation is indeed richer than I imagined."
Xu Tianran suppressed his heartache and said in a deep voice:
"These are all royal treasures; if any one of them were to fall into the wrong hands, it would cause a bloodbath."
"Oh?" Toji closed the lid with a half-smile. "So His Highness the Crown Prince handed it over so easily?"
"Because I'm betting," Xu Tianran suddenly looked directly into Toji's eyes, "Betting you're worth the price."
A brief silence fell over the room.
The clanging of metal as guards changed shifts came from outside the window, and the halo of light from the distant soul-guided streetlights shone through the glass window, casting dappled shadows between the two.
Toji suddenly chuckled:
"Interesting."
He casually tucked the storage device into his robes and continued:
"However, Your Highness has made a mistake—"
Toji made another move, so fast that Xu Tianran didn't even see it before the cold blade was pressed against his neck again.
This time, the blade was close to his carotid artery, and he could clearly feel his pulse throbbing beneath the blade.
"These were originally mine." Toji's voice echoed like an abyss, "Isn't it naive to use my things as bargaining chips?"
Xu Tianran frowned slightly:
"In life, one should not be greedy; moderation is key."
Toji laughed arrogantly, "Yes, so, did you do the fourth thing on the note?"
"This is the information you requested about all Level 6 Soul Engineer and above in the Illustrious Virtue Hall." Xu Tianran took out another file and handed it to Toji.
"I don't know what you need this information for, but it's clear you intend to continue your assassination attempt?" Xu Tianran's expression turned calm. "How about this, will it save my life?"
"Certainly."
Toji sheathed the knife and got down from the desk:
"You and I are indeed the most loyal partners, Your Highness. Remember this: if you treat me well, I will treat you well in return. The transaction will continue."
"I'll give you an extra piece of information: your brother is plotting how to kill you."
"Oh?" Xu Tianran narrowed his eyes.
"Which of my brothers would have such a terrible thought?"
"Should it be number two or number three?" Toji chuckled. "That's all I know. After all, you're my good partner, and I don't want you to die like this."
"Does Your Excellency have a solution?"
Xu Tianran humbly sought advice.
"Go out more often; someone might save your life."
Toji his words were very vague, his voice disappeared into the air along with his figure, leaving only a lingering echo:
"I'm leaving. Once you're ready, contact Shanggong Wei'er, and we'll head to the Illustrious Virtue Hall together."
Xu Tianran sat there blankly for a long time before he realized that his palms had been dug into by fingernails and blood was being drawn, and cold sweat was slowly sliding down his forehead.
He knew that from this day forward, a sword of Damocles was hanging over his head.
This top assassin is much more troublesome than I thought; it seems that no matter where I hide, he can easily find me.
"Go out more often, maybe someone will save my life?" Xu Tianran repeated what Toji had said.
"That's too mysterious; I don't understand what he means."