It was truly strange; the stewards and maids of the White Tiger Duke's Estate all knew the true identities and circumstances of Huo Yuhao and his mother, not to mention the Duchess, Dai Huabin, and Dai Yueheng. Yet, why was it that the master himself, the White Tiger Duke Dai Hao, remained completely ignorant?
Another unsolved mystery.
Since ancient times, imperial power and powerful officials have been two incompatible forces. One must remember that throughout history, there has only been one Zhuge Liang.
Would the Emperor of the Star Net Empire truly feel at ease with Dai Hao guarding the frontiers?
It was impossible—absolutely impossible.
If one were to name the person Star Net Emperor Xu Jiawei wanted dead most in his dreams, aside from the emperors of other nations, Dai Hao was the undisputed number one.
Appointing the former dynasty's royal family as a top military commander—just how rusted must a brain be to perform such a maneuver? Xu Jiawei had cursed the shortsightedness of the Xu ancestors in secret countless times.
Yet, Xu Jiawei currently could not move against Dai Hao, because the bastard was far too good at crafting his public persona.
From time to time, he would harass villages and towns on the border of the Sun Moon Empire, seizing supplies or taking the heads of a few civilians to advertise a "great victory" and boost his military record. He further cultivated the image of a loyal, virtuous man—claiming to be "highly disciplined regarding female charms" and stating that "if a man cannot control his lust for women, he will never achieve greatness." He had deeply etched the image of a righteous "White Tiger War God" into the hearts of every citizen of the Star Net Empire.
To topple this "White Tiger War God," one had to find an alternative path.
Upon realizing that Huo Yuhao and his mother were likely the trump card for dealing with Dai Hao, Xu Jiawei issued secret orders to keep their identities strictly confidential and dispatched Xu Jiujiu to make contact with them.
However, after a few interactions, "Little Huo" and this Princess Jiujiu had become quite well-acquainted. The books on soul tools that Huo Yuhao read were actually sourced by Xu Jiujiu, as such technical literature was rarely sold on the open market and required special channels.
As for whether the Princess had any other motives, that remained unknown.
Xu Jiujiu spoke solemnly: "My people have scouted information from the White Tiger Duke's Estate. They are currently mobilizing personnel—mostly soul masters below the Soul Saint level—claiming that the second young master, Dai Huabin, who is currently studying in Shrek City, has a need for them."
Huo Yun'er's spirit jolted. Though she was a romantic at heart, she was no fool. Given the past conflict between Little Huo and Dai Huabin, combined with the fact they were at the same academy, she could easily connect the dots.
Could it be...
Xu Jiujiu raised a hand to her chest and nodded slightly, saying earnestly: "Aunt Huo, please remind young master Yuhao to be careful. If necessary, the Empire can provide assistance."
Huo Yun'er nodded silently, thinking for a moment before replying, "I will inform Yuhao. Thank you for the intelligence, Princess Jiujiu. We mother and son will never forget the Empire's kindness."
She did not state whether they would accept the Star Net Royal Family's help. She didn't want young Huo Yuhao to touch politics so early—which was also why she hoped he would go to Shrek Academy rather than the Star Net National Academy.
Favors are things that can only be repaid with favors. Although the condition was opposing the White Tiger Duke's Estate, if they accepted further benefits from the Star Net Royals, it would likely be difficult to settle the debt in the future.
There are no fathers or sons in a royal family... That place was far more terrifying than a battlefield without smoke.
Xu Jiujiu, clever as she was, naturally understood the meaning behind Huo Yun'er's words and said no more.
The royal family was willing to help Huo Yuhao and his mother not only to bring down White Tiger Duke Dai Hao, but also because of Huo Yuhao's talent.
Although the Star Net Empire was the most attentive toward soul tools among the three original nations of the Douluo Continent, its start had been late. Coupled with the suppression from the great noble class, a transport-type soul tool like the one Xu Jiujiu rode—a Star Net Class 6 standard—might only be rated as Class 5 or even Class 4 in the Sun Moon Empire.
To reduce the resistance to reform, Star Net Emperor Xu Jiawei even went so far as to personally learn soul tool manufacturing despite his status as a sovereign. Under his influence, many members of the Star Net Royal Family held soul engineer qualification badges.
Then, Little Huo had given them a massive surprise. By occasionally reading books for a few months, he had tested into a Class 3 soul engineer. This left Princess Jiujiu—who had forgotten food and sleep, utilizing her cultivation as a Soul Ancestor or even Soul King to study hard for two and a half years to barely reach Class 3—feeling utterly defeated.
While the standards for soul engineer rankings differed between the original three nations and the Sun Moon Empire, there was little difference in the first three classes. Little Huo's talent had effectively shattered the records even over in the Sun Moon Empire.
Xu Jiawei naturally refused to let such talent go. He had proposed countless times for Huo Yuhao to enter the Star Net National Soul Master Academy, but Little Huo had always remembered Baili Du's requirement: go to Shrek Academy to pick up girls... no, to use his own eyes to see what that so-called "Holy Land of Soul Masters" was like.
After chatting with Huo Yun'er about domestic matters for a while, Xu Jiujiu rose to take her leave.
In her mind, she couldn't help but recall Huo Yuhao's exquisite, handsome face and his serious expression while working on soul tools.
In her view, though Huo Yuhao was still young, he had strong ideas of his own. He likely wouldn't be brainwashed by Shrek Academy's rhetoric of glory and faith.
...
White Tiger Duke's Estate.
In the main hall, the Duchess, dressed in a magnificent gown, stood up from her seat in excitement after finishing the letter sent by Dai Huabin.
Her hands couldn't help but crumple the paper. From those vivid, sexy red lips came words filled with murderous intent: "...That little bitch's brat has finally appeared. He certainly made me search long enough!"
Although killing someone within Shrek City would very likely offend the Shrek authorities, the White Tiger Dai family and the Nether Zhu family were great clans with deep roots in Shrek Academy. Neither side would sour their relationship over the life of a single student; it would simply be a matter of offering more compensation afterward.
In an instant, the Duchess's mind wove at least a dozen ways to torture Huo Yuhao to death.
Because of his martial soul's ability, her own son had developed heart disease and struggled in pain for so many years. Now that she had finally found him, how could the Duchess possibly let him die so easily?
Of course, this matter could not let Dai Hao know. Although the Duchess didn't believe her bedmate of several decades would do anything to her over a bastard, the fury of being deceived and played for so many years was another matter entirely.
Furthermore, those nobles who usually disliked the Dai and Zhu families—especially the royal family—would certainly use this as an opportunity to make a big scene.
Afterward, she, as the Duchess, might lose all the status she currently possessed, or even her life!