But what should be done?
If Huo Yuhao remained holed up inside Shrek Academy, no matter how bold the White Tiger Duke's Estate was, they couldn't simply charge in and hack the boy to death. Doing so would be equivalent to slapping the faces of those madmen who valued "Glory" above their own lives; there was no telling what kind of catastrophe that would trigger.
Bribe a chef to poison his meals?
No, that wouldn't work. Shrek Academy would certainly investigate afterward. Her eldest son, Dai Yueheng, had already established a firm footing in the Inner Courtyard. As long as he completed his studies smoothly, he would return to inherit the family estate. Unless absolutely necessary, the Duchess did not want to cast a shadow over her son's bright future.
"By the way, have you found the location of that wench Huo Yun'er?"
"Forgive me, Madam, but we have yet to find any information regarding Huo Yun'er near Shrek Academy."
Surprisingly, the Duchess did not get angry. Instead, she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You haven't found her? That means... that wench Huo Yun'er isn't at Shrek Academy, right?"
"In that case, can we use our connections to find the little brat's enrollment information at the academy?"
The Soul Emperor subordinate stepped forward, respectfully handing over a folder. "Yes, Madam. His enrollment information is right here."
The Duchess nodded with satisfaction as she took the folder. She was pleased with the efficiency of her subordinates. These loyalists from the Zhu Family were her greatest reliance. As for her husband, Dai Hao? They were merely a political couple. While there was some affection, it was sparse; she couldn't count on him for matters like this.
Opening the folder and scanning it quickly, she found exactly what she was looking for.
It was written clearly: Place of Origin: Star Net City; Family Status: Parents Divorced.
The Duchess's cat-like eyes narrowed. Her figure—possessing the legendary beauty passed down through the Zhu Family—trembled slightly as she struggled to suppress a laugh.
The fool that Huo Yun'er gave birth to was still far too young.
Isn't this basically telling me to my face that his mother is still alive?
But strangely, why hadn't she found a single trace of these two over the years?
[Baili Du: Yeah, why indeed? It's truly a difficult riddle to solve...]
No matter. Kill the little brat first. Huo Yun'er is a mere commoner and can't cause much trouble; besides, once her son is dead, what meaning would her life have left?
A plan she considered perfect had already taken shape. However, she never imagined that her enemies weren't just the mother and son, but several others as well.
...
"Mhm, Mom, I understand. Don't worry, I'll be careful."
On the soul tool light screen of the [Douluo World] interface, Huo Yun'er's concerned eyes and worried voice were displayed.
"Yuhao, the things your uncle left behind are indeed miraculous, but you're all alone in Shrek City. Maybe you should just come home."
Huo Yuhao shook his head calmly, acting unbothered. "Don't worry on your end, Mom. I'll be fine. In fact, it's about time I fulfill the oath I made back then. It's you who needs to stay safe."
Huo Yun'er smiled. "I'm fine. Before we lose our 'utility' to them, the Star Net Royal Family won't let anything happen to me."
The mother and son chatted for a long time before hanging up. Huo Yuhao then clasped his hands behind his head and lay back on his bed.
He was dressed simply in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, convenient for sleep and exercise.
The second young master, Dai Huabin, huh... To be honest, he had almost forgotten the guy. This random roadside mob actually wanted to find trouble with him again.
Then again, Princess Jiujiu's intelligence and analytical skills were as sharp as ever... to be able to deduce their goal just from the personnel movements of the White Tiger Duke's Estate.
No, perhaps the fundamental reason was that the Star Net Royal Family had been wary of the White Tiger clan for a long time.
Having been looked after by them for so many years, he really ought to pay them back a little.
Just then, there was a knock on the dormitory door. Huo Yuhao sat up. With his perception, he didn't even need Mental Detection to know who was outside.
As Huo Yuhao opened the door from the inside, the sexy and enchanting figure of Ma Xiaotao appeared before him.
While the Shrek Outer Courtyard rules stated that boys weren't allowed on the fourth floor where the girls were, there was never a rule saying girls couldn't visit the boys' floors—besides, who would dare stop a "Flaming Demon" like Ma Xiaotao?
Though she still wore the red uniform of an Inner Courtyard student, her overly stunning figure filled out the uniform to the point of bursting, making it hard to look away.
Furthermore, the pink in her eyes was beginning to deepen, taking on a hint of malevolent deep purple.
Huo Yuhao tried his best to keep his eyes from wandering to certain places and stepped aside. "Sister Xiaotao, please come in."
Ma Xiaotao didn't walk in; instead, she pulled him into a tight embrace.
"..." Although I'm somewhat used to it, Sister Xiaotao's 'smothering hug' is still as powerful as ever.
"You brat! I haven't seen a sign of you all day. Where on earth did you run off to?"
Ma Xiaotao had originally planned to treat Huo Yuhao to a grand feast to celebrate his first win in the freshman competition, but she couldn't find him anywhere in the academy. When she asked Yan Shaozhe, even he didn't know.
Of course, she hadn't seen Zhang Lexuan either.
This made Ma Xiaotao feel nervous for the first time. Not knowing where they went, she could only wait anxiously outside the Outer Courtyard gates.
To avoid making a scene, Zhang Lexuan hadn't used the main gate. She had quietly brought Huo Yuhao back to the Inner Courtyard to create cenotaphs for their eleven fallen companions before bringing him back to his dorm.
Having happened to spot the anxiously waiting Ma Xiaotao near the gate, Zhang Lexuan told her where he was, and Ma Xiaotao had rushed over immediately.
After Ma Xiaotao had hugged him enough, they entered the room. Huo Yuhao explained the whole story of his trip to the Star Constellation Great Forest with Zhang Lexuan.
Hearing the story, Ma Xiaotao breathed a sigh of relief and pinched his nose. "You must tell your sister the next time something like this happens, okay? Never go off and take risks like a fool."
"Mhm... though it wasn't much of a risk..." Huo Yuhao paused. The fact that he could leave the Star Constellation Great Forest alive seemed to be largely due to luck—and the things Baili Du had left him.
Huo Yuhao thought for a moment, then looked at Ma Xiaotao. "I want to ask Sister Xiaotao for a favor. Is that okay?"
Ma Xiaotao affectionately stroked his soft blue hair. "Whatever it is, just say it."
"Well... it's not a big deal. I just want you to help me witness a good show."
"A good show?"