Peerless: Tang San, this time Huo Yuhao is the attacker.

Xu Jiawei couldn't understand it for a long time, but one thing he was very clear about was that this opportunity was hard-won and must be cherished.

Dai Hao has long led troops in campaigns to protect the borders of Xingluo and to wipe out roaming evil spirit masters. His prestige among the people has been growing ever higher.

Unfortunately, Xu Jiawei was unable to suppress him. Dai Hao had made outstanding contributions, and suppressing him would not only damage Xu Jiawei's reputation as a monarch, but would also give the old royal faction a handle to use against him.

Distribute military power?

Xu Jiawei had brought up this matter more than once, but without exception, Dai Hao had always brushed it off with various excuses.

Defending the border requires sufficient troops, and eliminating evil spirit masters requires sufficient troops, so the number of troops cannot be changed. This is the reason Dai Hao uses most often.

Therefore, Xu Jiawei stopped mentioning transferring part of the army to Xingluo City and instead proposed sending talent to Dai Hao's Western Frontier Army.

However, Dai Hao rejected the proposal, arguing that the number of generals in the army was already saturated and that each general had enough merits.

If he were to appoint a commander out of thin air, it would be difficult to gain the support of the people. He suggested that the talents sent by Xu Jiawei should start from the grassroots level, and he would gradually promote them to the high-ranking positions in the military.

Xu Jiawei would certainly not agree. The Western Frontier Army Command was Dai Hao's stronghold, and the promotion of meritorious service was entirely his decision.

Deliberately make things difficult by assigning an impossible task; it's incredibly easy to block a promotion.

If they later turn around and say that the person Xu Jiawei sent was the one with the problem, he won't be able to refute it.

The plan to infiltrate the western frontier and command the army was difficult to advance, and Dai Hao's prestige was rising day by day. Xu Jiawei was always worried about how to weaken Dai Hao's power and prestige.

Xianlin'er's information was like a pillow delivered to someone who was sleepy, exactly what he wanted.

"It's highly likely related to this three-person team. Among these three people, there should be someone connected to Xian Lin'er, possibly her disciple or a junior she values."

Xu Jiawei's words dispelled some of the doubts in Xu Jiujiu's mind, and this was the most reasonable explanation at present.

"Regardless of who Xianlin'er is standing up for, this is a good thing for us. The White Tiger lineage is growing stronger and stronger. I wonder how long Xingluo can remain stable."

Xu Jiawei sighed softly, and Xu Jiujiu's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. "Brother, do you mean that Baihu plans to make a comeback in this generation?"

"I can't be sure." Although Xu Jiawei was shaking his head, the unquestionable tone in his voice was extremely clear.

"It's either Dai Hao's generation or his direct descendants. The White Tiger lineage has reached its peak in four thousand years. If they want to make a comeback, this is their best chance."

Twenty years ago, the Western Frontier Army still had members of the royal family. However, since the old White Tiger Duke passed the throne to Dai Hao, twenty years have passed and various wars have broken out frequently.

Coincidentally, all members of the royal family perished in the war, their true intentions becoming crystal clear.

"The Sun Moon Empire has been embroiled in frequent conflicts in recent years, clearly indicating its intention to go to war. With such a formidable enemy at hand, the White Tiger lineage actually dares to dream of establishing its own independent power and returning to the royal family—this is nothing short of treason!"

After a long while, Dai Hao looked worried and spoke with indignation. He had been stationed in the Mingdou Mountains and knew better than anyone else the Sun Moon Empire's wolfish ambitions.

But in the face of this national crisis, Dai Hao not only did not settle down, but instead made a series of small moves.

In Xu Jiujiu's view, Dai Hao had gone mad and was obsessed with the throne of Xingluo Kingdom.

"The White Tiger lineage has been biding its time for many years, and it was only a matter of time before it erupted. Now it just so happens to be the right time for the Sun Moon Empire to start another war."

Compared to Xu Jiujiu's anger, Xu Jiawei was much calmer, his tone tinged with a hint of wistfulness.

"It's just that we realized the power of the soul tool too late, which is why we were so passive when facing the Sun Moon Empire."

Hopefully, this auction will successfully persuade Mingde Hall to produce a level-nine soul tool, thus quickly narrowing the gap in soul tool technology.

"Don't worry, brother. That's a 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo. The Hongchen siblings of Mingde Hall will definitely be interested."

Upon hearing Xu Jiawei mention the auction, Xu Jiujiu's anger instantly turned into confidence.

She couldn't afford to be insecure; a 100,000-year-old soul beast embryo was a first-time occurrence on the entire continent, and its value was immeasurable.

Xu Jiawei also revealed a smile, "I hope Jing Hongchen will like this gift. No matter how powerful the Sun and Moon Soul Tools are, they will still have a headache facing those lunatics from the Body Sect."

"Jiujiu, you're in charge of spreading Dai Huabin's information and making Xingluo City 'lively'."

"Don't worry, bro, I guarantee I'll make Dai Hao's fame even greater."

That night, Xu Jiujiu used all the information channels of the Starlight Auction House, including not only the brothels frequented by Soul Masters, but also the taverns and markets frequented by ordinary people.

Early in the morning, Old Zhao left through the side gate of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion and went to the market as usual to buy ingredients for the coming week.

After all, the White Tiger Duke's Mansion is fifty miles away from Xingluo City, so naturally they buy more supplies each time they go shopping.

Given Old Zhao's status, it was impossible for him to purchase medicinal herbs and soul beast meat intended for the Dai family's bloodline. He purchased ordinary vegetables and meat for his servants.

Although he was buying food for servants, there was still a considerable amount of money to be made from it. The money he had made over the years was enough for him to live a comfortable life for the rest of his days.

Stepping into the market street, the sounds of various vendors hawking their wares filled the air. Old Zhao skillfully walked along the street, storing the ingredients from each vendor into his storage soul tool.

This was his entire week's workload. Old Zhao walked into the bar, ordered his favorite ale, and listened to his fellow drinkers around him talking about the interesting things that had happened recently while enjoying the chilled ale.

"Have you heard? The second young master of the White Tiger family almost got expelled from Shrek Academy!"

"Tell me more about it."

"My daughter works at Starlight Auction House, and she said the news came from Shrek Academy yesterday."

The second young master of the White Tiger family was expelled from class for being disobedient, but for some unknown reason, he didn't leave Shrek Academy; he was simply placed in a different class.

"Tch~ What else could it be? It must be because of the Marshal. Shrek Academy must have spared his expulsion because of the Marshal."

Listening to the conversation around him, Old Zhao was shocked. Young Master Hua Bin was almost expelled from Shrek Academy.

He quickly focused his attention on listening to their conversation.

"Not only that, according to my daughter, one of the Shrek Academy students fused with a soul bone, and this second young master coveted that soul bone, so he proposed a bet."

If you win, that person can have their leg cut off and the bone taken; if you lose, they'll also have their leg cut off and you'll have to pay compensation with a soul bone. Guess what happens next?

"Stop keeping me in suspense! This drink is on me!"

"Hehe! That second young master lost the bet, but he hasn't dared to fulfill his promise. Not only did he not cut off his leg, but he also didn't give him his soul bone."

"No wonder he got expelled by the teacher, what a coward!"

"How could the Marshal have such a son? He's a disgrace to the Marshal!"

After listening for a long time, Old Zhao finally understood what had happened.

He returned to the White Tiger Duke's mansion with a complicated expression, intending to confide in someone, but found that the entire mansion was in a strange and oppressive atmosphere.

The waiters coming and going were all serious and unsmiling. Those familiar faces were completely different from usual. He quickly went into the kitchen to find his childhood friend and ask him about it.

"What's going on at the manor?"

"Don't you know? The second young master is in trouble!"