Douluo Continent: The Legend of the Gods

Western border.

Empire of the Sun and Moon.

Yun Qinglin mentally went over the two words.

In its early stages, the Sun and Moon Empire did not launch any large-scale offensives, at most some small-scale harassment, and there was no need for the White Tiger Duke to be stationed there for a long time.

Dai Hao knew in his heart that once he left the western border and returned, it was hard to say whether that army would still belong to Dai.

Yun Qinglin's guess was correct.

Xu Jiawei has been placing his own people in the military for years, not in big ways, but he has never stopped.

Dai Hao didn't leave because he was afraid to.

It wasn't that he was afraid the Sun Moon Empire would attack, but that Xu Jiawei would dismantle the Dai family army the moment he left.

This is a game of chess that has been played for decades.

The influence of the White Tiger lineage was already evident from the time the previous Xingluo Emperor took office.

Xu Jiawei is down, and Dai Hao is down. Neither dares to make the first move, and neither dares to let go first.

After Dai Hao finished reporting on the situation at the border, Xu Jiawei remained expressionless, nodded, and said sincerely, even with a touch of emotion: "The lineage of Duke Baihu has guarded Weixingluo for generations. With you guarding the west, I am at ease."

Dai Hao bowed slightly but did not reply.

Xu Jiawei's gaze fell on Dai Yueheng, and after examining her for a while, he suddenly smiled. "Is Yueheng six years old this year?"

"Yes," Dai Hao replied.

"Six years old, soul power level eleven." Xu Jiawei nodded. "This talent is top-tier even at Star Luo Royal Academy. Has the Duke considered sending Yueheng to the academy? I can arrange the best teachers; resources are not a concern."

He could also go to Star Abyss Pool. Although the Star Crown Sect's cultivation method wasn't suitable for his White Tiger Martial Soul, the nourishment of spiritual power by star power was universal.

He said this in a very casual tone, as if he were talking about something trivial.

But Yun Qinglin noticed that his fingers no longer turned the rim of the cup.

Dai Hao remained silent for a while. The silence was short, lasting only two or three breaths, but in those two or three breaths, the air in the side hall seemed to change, creating a very subtle atmosphere.

Dai Hao spoke, his tone equally casual, as if he were talking about something he had already thought about.

"Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated; I thank you on behalf of Yueheng." He said this first, as was customary.

"However, I would like him to first lay a foundation with the Soul Masters in the Duke's mansion. Although the Duke's mansion's cultivation methods are not as good as those of the Royal Academy, they are more solid. When he turns twelve, I plan to send him to Shrek Academy."

He paused, glanced at Dai Yueheng, and said, "I've already asked someone to put in a good word for him at Shrek Academy. With Yueheng's talent, getting into the inner academy shouldn't be a problem. Once he graduates from Shrek, I'll have him come to the Western Military Region to guard the border with me."

He spoke slowly, and each word was pronounced very clearly.

Yun Qinglin watched the confrontation between the two, and together with Xu Jiujiu, they stood like statues, like two scarecrows with fake smiles on their faces.

He mentally analyzed Dai Hao's words. Laying the foundation first in the Duke's mansion was a way of not wanting Dai Yueheng to leave his sight too soon.

Going to Shrek Academy at the age of twelve is just using Shrek's name to deflect Xu Jiawei's criticisms. The Star Luo Empire can't interfere with Shrek Academy students.

After graduation, he went to the Western Military Region, which tied Dai Yueheng's future to the Dai Family Army.

The whole thing translates to: My son isn't going to your college, he's not going to be a hostage. He's staying at the Duke's mansion, then going to Shrek, and finally back to the West.

After listening, Xu Jiawei remained silent for a while, a silence that lasted longer than Dai Hao's earlier.

He picked up his teacup, then put it down again, the lid tapping softly against the rim. He smiled, his smile as gentle as before: "The Duke has thought things through. Shrek Academy is indeed a better choice. It is an honor for Xingluo that Yueheng can enter the inner academy."

"In that case, I wish Yueheng all the best in shining at Shrek Academy."

Xu Jiawei and Dai Hao chatted for a few more minutes, talking about the weather and the security in Xingluo City... The atmosphere relaxed, as if the confrontation had never happened.

Dai Hao got up to say goodbye, and Dai Yueheng followed behind her father. When she left, she bowed to Xu Jiawei with perfect form.

Xu Jiawei stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Come visit often when you have time," his tone as friendly as if he were talking to a younger family member.

Dai Yueheng responded and turned to follow Dai Hao. When he reached the door, he paused and looked back. He wasn't looking at Xu Jiawei or Xu Jiujiu, but at Yun Qinglin.

Yun Qinglin didn't look away, but looked at him and nodded slightly. Dai Yueheng withdrew his gaze, turned around, and left.

The palace doors closed, and after a long while, he let out a long sigh and leaned back in his chair.

"I'm exhausted. Every time the Duke comes back, my brother insists that I accompany him, saying something like, 'Let the Duke see the princess's demeanor.' But I don't have that much demeanor to show him."

Xu Jiawei shook his head with a smile: "You little rascal, you're fine in front of outsiders, but you show your true colors as soon as the door is closed."

After a long pause, he pursed his lips, picked up his teacup, and took a large gulp: "That Dai Yueheng, Your Majesty, have you noticed?"

"What did you figure out?" Xu Jiawei asked.

"The way he looks at himself." After a long pause, he put down his teacup. "Standing there, his back ramrod straight, looking down at people, though outwardly respectful, you can't hide the arrogance in his eyes. Was that what his mother taught him?"

Xu Jiawei didn't respond to that question, but simply glanced at Yun Qinglin and asked, "Qinglin, what do you think?"

Yun Qinglin thought for a moment and said, "He is the eldest son of the Duke and has been pampered since childhood, so it's normal for him to be arrogant. It's difficult to change habits formed from childhood. Besides, he glanced back at me when he left just now, probably thinking, 'Why should I be treated differently by His Majesty and the Princess?'"

Xu Jiawei smiled and said, "That's right. It's said that he has innate level nine soul power, and the White Tiger Martial Soul is a top-tier Martial Soul. His arrogance is understandable."

He was far from calm. It seemed this child was quite politically astute; to be so insightful at six years old, he was bound to be extraordinary in the future.

"Hmph, I'm also level nine, and Qinglin has innate full soul power, so what?" Xu Jiujiu curled his lips. He didn't like Dai Yueheng's manner and stopped dealing with him afterward.

"That's right." Xu Jiawei nodded in surprise. Jiu Jiu was the most noble princess. So what if she was Dai Hao's eldest son? If he didn't want to have any contact with her, then he didn't need to see her anymore.

Dai Hao led Dai Yueheng out of the palace and into a carriage.

He remained silent the entire way until the carriage turned into the alley where the White Tiger Duke's mansion was located, at which point Dai Yueheng finally spoke.

"Father, that Yun Qinglin..."

Dai Hao leaned against the car wall, resting with his eyes closed. When he heard the name, he didn't open his eyes, but just hummed in response.

Dai Yueheng carefully considered her words: "He looks about my age. What makes him a royal retainer? Just because he's a disciple of the Healing Immortal Douluo?"

Dai Hao opened his eyes and looked at his eldest son. Dai Yueheng controlled his expression well and spoke calmly, but he knew his son too well—that bit of resentment, no matter how deeply he hid it, could not be hidden from him.

In his eyes, no one of his peers should be more valued than him.

"Do you know what the Emerald Swan Martial Soul is?" Dai Hao asked.

Dai Yueheng shook his head, somewhat puzzled. He hadn't formally started studying the theory of Soul Masters yet; he had mostly focused on training.

"Ranked fourth among the ten ferocious beasts, she is the strongest healing-type soul beast. It is said that when the Star Dou Great Forest first launched a beast tide, she alone saved hundreds of thousands of soul beasts."

Dai Yueheng stared wide-eyed in surprise.

"Yun Qinglin possesses the Emerald Swan Martial Soul, with innate full soul power. Do you understand now?"

"Um."

"A Soul Master with the Emerald Swan Martial Soul will be more valuable on the battlefield than any Super Douluo in the future." He paused, "Such a person should not be befriended."

Dai Yueheng lowered her head and replied, "Yes."

Dai Hao looked at him and said, "Yueheng, you are my eldest son. You have no shortage of talent or status, but you must remember that there are many geniuses in this world, and you are not the only one."

Why did His Majesty bring up Yun Qinglin? Isn't it to tell you, and to tell me—Star Luo City is not lacking in geniuses? You can be arrogant, but you can't let others see it."

Dai Yueheng raised her head and looked at her father. Dai Hao's gaze was calm, without blame or comfort, simply stating a fact.

"Your younger brother was born, and your mother is very happy." He suddenly changed the subject.

Dai Yueheng's back stiffened slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

He didn't reply, but his hand, resting on his knee, curled his fingers slightly.

Dai Huabin. He knew very well how much his mother valued his newborn brother.

The Duchess began preparing from the day she became pregnant, hiring the best midwives and preparing the best supplements.

She was so happy when she gave birth to a boy that she sent a message overnight to Dai Hao, who was far away on the western border.

Dai Yueheng knew from a young age that the position of Duke of Baihu was not necessarily held by the eldest son.

The most capable person should be in charge. This is the rule of the Dai family, and the reason why the Dai family has been able to continue to this day.

He has talent, status, and his mother's support, but his brother does too. No one can predict the future.

"I know about Yun Qinglin's matter," Dai Yueheng said, her voice more steady than before. "I will try to get to know him if I have the chance in the future."

Dai Hao nodded and didn't say anything more.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duke's mansion. Dai Yueheng got out of the carriage first and stood aside to wait for her father.

When Dai Hao came down, he patted him on the shoulder: "Remember, you don't need to compare yourself with anyone. What you need to do is make friends with more geniuses."

Dai Yueheng responded and followed her father into the mansion.