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Although Zhu Fan didn't understand why Dai Chengfeng suddenly mentioned Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Tian Dou Empire, at this moment, seeing Dai Chengfeng's serious expression, he nodded solemnly. "Leave it to me!"
"My safety depends entirely on you, Uncle!"
With that, Dai Chengfeng reiterated his instructions, emphasizing, "Remember! It must be done quickly. Make sure the message reaches her before I arrive at the Spirit Hall, and give her enough time to react…"
"At the very least, leave her enough time to write and send a letter."
"Got it!" Zhu Fan nodded firmly. "Once you leave, I'll have Elder Dugu Bo cross the Great Star Dou Forest personally to head to Tian Dou. It should only take a few days for Xue Qinghe to receive the news."
"Mm, I'll intentionally delay my journey along the way. It'll probably take about ten days to reach Spirit City…"
Then, Dai Chengfeng turned to Zhu Fan with a reassuring smile. "Tell Father and Mother not to worry about me. I'm leaving now."
With that, Dai Chengfeng stepped down from the carriage.
As the carriage curtain was lifted, a gust of cold wind blew in, ruffling his golden hair.
Before him stood Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan, their delicate faces etched with deep concern. Their brows were slightly furrowed, and their expressions radiated tension and unease.
"Chengfeng, I want to go with you."
Before Dai Chengfeng could respond, Ye Lingling spoke first, her voice trembling with barely concealed anxiety.
Dugu Yan quickly chimed in, her tone urgent. "Exactly! The Spirit Hall is known for its ruthless tactics. We're… we're really worried about you going there."
"Take me with you. At the very least… I can look after you."
Looking at the two worried girls, Dai Chengfeng gave a relaxed smile and softly reassured them:
"The Pope just wants to see me. I'll be fine on my own. Don't worry—nothing will happen to me. I might even return in a few days."
As he spoke, he gently pulled both girls into his arms, one in each arm.
"Be good. Once you arrive in Star Luo City, I'll have Father arrange for you to stay at my residence."
"For schooling, you'll attend the Star Luo Imperial Academy—it has excellent teachers who can help you improve your strength."
"And finally…"
"Wait for me to come back!"
At this moment, the two girls, enveloped by the pleasant scent emanating from Dai Chengfeng, were momentarily stunned. Their faces flushed red with embarrassment, but they ultimately didn't resist.
After all, they understood deeply.
Dai Chengfeng's journey to the Spirit Hall was akin to a lamb entering a den of wolves—fraught with danger—yet there was nothing they could do to stop him.
Not far away, Ye Renxin and Dugu Bo, witnessing this scene, opened their mouths as if to say something, but their words dissolved into a sigh of resignation.
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with helplessness.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still, leaving only Dai Chengfeng and the two girls whispering quietly.
Until Yue Guan approached with light steps, his soft and effeminate voice cutting through the silence: "Prince Dai Chengfeng, though I hate to interrupt…"
"But… your ten minutes are up."
"Hmm!"
Dai Chengfeng nodded, releasing the two girls. "Wait for me to return!"
With that, he turned to Yue Guan and shrugged. "Let's go. However…"
"I don't possess the strength of esteemed elders like yourselves, and I'm used to living comfortably—I'll need to ride in a carriage."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance but did not object.
After all, Wu'an City wasn't far from Spirit City. Even by carriage, it would only take a few days.
Moreover, with their abilities, they weren't concerned about any potential incidents along the way.
Soon, Dai Chengfeng boarded one of the carriages, while Gui Mei sat on the driver's seat, holding the reins.
Yue Guan, with a graceful leap, landed lightly on the carriage like a feather, sitting opposite Dai Chengfeng to "accompany" him.
Creak creak…
The carriage slowly began to move, heading in the opposite direction of Star Luo City, resuming its journey.
Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan stood rooted in place, watching the carriage disappear into the distance. A gentle breeze caressed their skirts.
Ye Lingling murmured softly, "Chengfeng, please stay safe…"
Her hands were tightly clasped, her nails nearly digging into her palms, her eyes brimming with worry and concern.
Dugu Yan silently prayed as well, hoping for Dai Chengfeng's safe return.
And only after Dai Chengfeng's carriage had completely vanished from sight did Zhu Fan suddenly turn to Dugu Bo, his expression grave as he gave a slight bow.
"Elder, I have a request. It's also Dai Chengfeng's most important arrangement before he left!"
"Speak!"
Dugu Bo nodded, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. In this perilous situation, every single arrangement made by Dai Chengfeng could be critically important.
"Please, Elder, hurry to Tian Dou City…"
...
Seven days later
Tian Dou Empire, Crown Prince's Residence in Tian Dou City.
Inside the study, Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Tian Dou Empire, slumped dejectedly over an intricately carved pearwood desk, staring blankly at the exquisite bracelet on the table.
His eyes were unfocused, his mind clearly elsewhere.
"By now, Dai Chengfeng should have returned to Wu'an City for quite some time. News from Wu'an should have arrived by now…"
Qian Renxue murmured softly, her brows unconsciously furrowing. "But why hasn't there been any news yet?"
Just then, the study door creaked open, and a red-haired man with three distinctive marks at the corner of his eye walked in slowly.
"Young Master!"
The man gave a slight bow. "Latest news from Wu'an City has arrived!"
In an instant, Qian Renxue's eyes lit up, but she quickly cleared her throat, feigning indifference.
"Frankly, I wasn't planning to read it, but since you've brought it personally, I suppose I'll reluctantly take a look at the news about Dai Chengfeng."
Upon hearing this, Porcupinefish Douluo standing across from her was utterly speechless.
He knew full well who had been incessantly urging for faster intelligence delivery, even at the expense of the horses.
Though irritated, he dared not utter a word outwardly.
With utmost respect, he took out a scroll and handed it to Qian Renxue.
Seeing this, Qian Renxue carefully picked up the bracelet from the desk and slipped it onto her slender wrist before extending her hand to accept the scroll.
"Dai Chengfeng, what will you do? I hope…"
Qian Renxue murmured softly, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
As the scroll slowly unrolled, Qian Renxue began reading. Soon, her eyes widened in amazement. "Incredible! Even after being gone for three years, he managed to win over eleven thousand soldiers in Wu'an City without spilling a drop of blood?!"
"Is this how you, Dai Chengfeng, command troops?!"
Her face was filled with awe and admiration. She shook her head slightly. "I thought you'd face a hard battle to barely take Wu'an City this time, but I never expected…"
"I underestimated you!"
Immersed in astonishment, Qian Renxue continued reading until she came across…
"Dai Xuan, killed with a single halberd strike?!"
Qian Renxue's entire body jolted. Previously, she had been certain that Dai Chengfeng would weigh the pros and cons and choose to compromise with Dai Tian.
After all, in her view, Wu'an City was just a small territory, and those soldiers were insignificant pawns whose lives held little value.
As for Dai Tian, he was a powerful duke in the Star Luo Empire and a staunch supporter of Crown Prince Dai Weisi.
If Dai Chengfeng could gain Dai Tian's favor by sparing Dai Xuan—or at the very least ensure his neutrality in the power struggle within the Star Luo Empire—it would significantly bolster Dai Chengfeng's chances of ascending to the throne.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the position of Emperor of Star Luo would be within easy reach.
Little tiger, you truly haven't disappointed me!
Though Qian Renxue realized her guess was wrong, she felt inexplicably pleased for some reason.
At this moment, Porcupinefish Douluo, observing Qian Renxue, suddenly spoke again.
"Oh, Young Master, I received another piece of news today—also about Dai Chengfeng."
"Hmm?"
Hearing it was about Dai Chengfeng, Qian Renxue closed the scroll, her eyes brimming with curiosity. "Tell me."
"I heard that the Pope personally dispatched two elder disciples, Chrysanthemum and Ghost, to capture Dai Chengfeng and bring him to the Spirit Hall."
"What?!"
Qian Renxue abruptly stood up. "Is she trying to steal my man… I mean, Dai Chengfeng?!"
As she spoke, a flicker of worry flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes. The next moment, she turned to Porcupinefish Douluo. "Prepare to leave. We're returning to the Spirit Hall."
"But, Young Master, what about Tian Dou Empire?"
"Just say I'm ill. All the princes capable of competing with me for the crown are already dead, and I haven't seen Grandfather in a long time…"
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