novelhk Chapter 195 Preparing for the Two-Year Seclusion Agreement
Chapter 195 Preparing for the Two-Year Seclusion Agreement
Chapter 195 Preparing for the Two-Year Seclusion Agreement
After the incident, Dai Youheng did not, as everyone expected, either return to the Duke's mansion to stage a drama of vying for the throne, or move into the Princess's mansion to enjoy tender affection.
He still did not set foot in the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, which symbolized the core of the Dai family's power.
By personally killing Zhu Shu, he had completely torn away the last veil of pretense. The mere nominal warmth between him and his stepmother Zhu Man, his elder brother Dai Yueheng, and even his father Dai Hao had long since vanished, leaving only naked hatred and irreparable rifts.
Dai Hao had considered using his authority as the head of the family to expel his rebellious and arrogant son from the family.
Once removed from the list, Dai Youheng would completely lose his legitimate status as the heir to the dukedom. For the royal family, a pawn that cannot rightfully take over the Western Army Group would be greatly diminished in value.
However, Dai Hao rejected the idea after it only briefly crossed his mind.
Firstly, the timing was wrong. Half a year ago, he personally made Bai Wanning his secondary wife, and Dai Youheng's status as an illegitimate son had been removed. Given that Dai Youheng was clearly in the right and had not committed any other wrongdoing, expelling him from the family without cause would only make the White Tiger Duke's mansion a laughingstock and damage the Dai family's long-standing reputation and prestige. Xu Jiawei's statement, "Zhu Shu attacked Dai Youheng; Youheng can't just let her kill him," already firmly established the logic.
Self-defense is justified and not a crime!
Secondly, and most importantly, Dai Youheng is no longer the useless sycophant he once was; he is now a young tiger king that no one can ignore! A sixteen-year-old Soul Emperor, he possesses a 100,000-year-old Soul Ring and Soul Bone, has awakened a super Martial Soul, and boasts the terrifying feat of killing peak Soul Douluos even when his level is higher!
Such unparalleled talent and strength have long surpassed the scope of those within the family. Which power wouldn't want such a genius to serve them? Even if he weren't the heir of the Dai family, he would still be a genius coveted by every power.
If Dai Hao were to expel him from the family today, Xu Jiawei would be happy to invite him into the palace tomorrow. Indeed, without the status of heir, his value would be somewhat diminished, but a top-tier pawn is still a top-tier pawn even with a diminished value.
Even later, the Xu family had countless ways, openly or secretly, to get rid of Dai Yueheng, and then, under the pretext of being "the only bloodline of the Dai family," forcibly put Dai Youheng back to take over the Duke's mansion.
His expulsion today is not only meaningless, but also like cutting off his own arm, handing over the family's strongest future fighting force to his biggest political enemy!
Dai Hao would never do something so foolish.
No matter how bad the situation is now, Dai Youheng still has Dai Hao's blood flowing in his veins, and this father-son relationship is an unbreakable bond.
Having a father-son relationship is better than having none.
His only, and final, hope now is that Dai Youheng's ambition, as revealed to him that day, was genuine. That ambition to control the Duke's mansion, and even to covet higher positions, stemmed from his true nature.
As long as Dai Youheng's goal is power itself, rather than simply being captivated by Xu Jiujiu's beauty and becoming a puppet of the Xu family, then there is still a possibility of turning things around.
Dai Youheng was certainly not a fool to be used. Although he did not return to the Duke's mansion, he also did not move into the Princess's mansion. Instead, during a time when he was alone with Xu Jiujiu, he made a decision that surprised her.
"Jiujiu, I need to leave Xingluo City and go out to cultivate in seclusion for a while." His voice was calm but firm.
Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu's beautiful eyes were filled with surprise. "Seclusion? You Heng, you just broke through not long ago and your strength has greatly improved. Why do you suddenly want to go into seclusion again?"
In her view, this was a crucial moment for him to consolidate his position and expand his influence.
Dai Youheng gazed at her intently, his eyes deep, his tone carrying a resolute determination to do anything for her, "Everything is for you, for our future."
He gently took her hand, his voice deep and infectious, "Didn't you say that only when I demonstrate enough value to match you can I openly and legitimately marry you? Dai Hao also said that between Dai Yueheng and me, whoever becomes a Soul Douluo first will be the sole heir to the Duke's mansion."
"Therefore," he said resolutely, "I'm going into seclusion! I need to break through to the Soul Douluo realm as quickly as possible. Only in this way can I stand proudly beside you and ensure that no one in the entire Star Luo Empire dares to criticize our marriage!"
I want to give you an impeccable future!
These words, like a warm current, instantly touched the softest part of Xu Jiujiu's heart.
Looking at the man before her who had fought for her, cleared her name, and was now going to challenge the limits of cultivation for her sake, her eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.
Yes, wasn't all his efforts and transformation over the past two years all for her?
From being a ridiculed "simp" to a shining star who commands attention across the continent, his source of motivation has always been her.
Even though in her heart, the interests of the Star Luo royal family and the power of the Xu family always came first, at this moment, Dai Youheng's figure had firmly occupied that important position second only to the imperial power, and it was incredibly real and fervent.
"Youheng—" She grasped his hand in return, her voice choked with emotion, "Why the rush? I can wait, I'm willing to wait no matter how long it takes."
"But I can't wait." Dai Youheng shook his head, his eyes incredibly serious. "Two years, two years at most! Jiu Jiu, wait for me for two years. After two years, I will make the entire continent tremble with awe for my name!"
His confidence was like the blazing sun, scorching and dazzling. Deeply moved by his passion and promise, Xu Jiujiu stopped trying to dissuade him. She simply gazed at him affectionately and nodded emphatically, "Okay! I'll wait for you, whether it's two years or longer, I'll wait for you!"
Dai Youheng left Xingluo City alone once again, his figure resolute.
Standing on the city wall for a long time, watching his figure disappear into the distance, my heart was filled with anticipation and sweetness, though I felt reluctant to part with him.
She hesitated for a moment, then gently waved her hand. Two ghostly figures silently swept down from the city wall and chased after Dai Youheng in the distance.
She was still worried, and she needed to know where he had gone to cultivate. She even arranged for two Soul Saint-level guards to protect him in secret and ensure that he would not be disturbed.
However, less than ten miles outside the city, the two experienced Soul Saints who were following him suddenly felt everything go black!
It was as if I had suddenly fallen into the deepest midnight, where I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, and I couldn't feel a sound or a breeze. Even my own soul power perception was compressed to the limit.
They struggled in the absolute darkness like headless flies for about ten seconds, and just as they panicked, the darkness suddenly receded like a tide.
The sunlight shone down again, and the surrounding scenery remained the same, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.
But ahead, Dai Youheng's figure had vanished without a trace, leaving no trace whatsoever.
This is actually Nana's newly acquired Dark Domain skill. Dai Youheng's cultivation method is somewhat special, and she doesn't want anyone to follow her or be disturbed.
The two Soul Saints exchanged bewildered glances, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. They couldn't even comprehend what they had just experienced. Left with no other choice, they had to steel themselves and return to the palace to apologize to Xu Jiujiu.
After listening to their report for a long time, he was first taken aback, then seemed thoughtful, and finally let out a soft sigh, with a helpless yet knowing smile on his lips.
"Fine, I don't blame you. It seems he truly doesn't want anyone to disturb him." She waved them away, walked alone to the window, and gazed at the distant horizon. "Youheng, since that's the case, I'll wait for you for two years in peace. I only hope that after two years, you will truly return as promised, stunning the world!"
>