Chapter 134: Duke Zhu vs. Zhao Wuji

Liu Erlong was somewhat angry, feeling that regardless of what Qin Xiao called her, it should be more appropriate than being called "Dean Liu," given her relationship with Qin Xiao.

Seeing this, Qin Xiao's eyes flashed, and a playful smile appeared on his lips, "So, should I call you 'Liu Liu,' 'Er Er,' 'Long Long'?"

"You..." Liu Erlong stamped her foot in frustration.

She realized she had made a mistake.

Qin Xiao could come up with even more unpleasant names to call her on the spot.

"Just call me Dean Liu."

Liu Erlong looked utterly dejected.

Seeing this, Qin Xiao smiled.

Liu Erlong waved her hand, "Alright, enough with the laughter. I came to tell you that Zhu Zhuqing's father has arrived, and Zhu Zhuqing has gone to meet her father."

"Who? Zhu Zhuqing's father is here?"

Qin Xiao was startled.

It was quite unexpected. When did this high-ranking duke of the Star Luo Empire start caring so much about his less favored second daughter?

"Wait, it might not suddenly be about caring for Zhu Zhuqing."

Qin Xiao suddenly thought of a possibility, "It's more likely he's here to investigate due to Dai Mubai's death."

After all, Dai Mubai was a prince, not just anyone. It would be normal for him to have made arrangements to report back to the royal family of the Star Luo Empire.

"They are by the lake in the academy right now, they should have just met. If you go now, you will make it in time."

At this moment, Liu Erlong spoke again.

"The lake?"

"Alright, I'll go now. Thank you, Erlong."

As Qin Xiao's voice fell, he had already disappeared from the spot.

In contrast, remembering Qin Xiao's words, Liu Erlong's face flushed.

She stamped her foot on the spot, thinking, I didn't do it for your thanks.

Elsewhere.

By the lake.

Duke Zhu looked at the calm lake surface and suddenly said, "You're here."

"I am here."

With a cool voice, Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful figure walked out from behind the shade of the trees.

Duke Zhu didn't turn around but snorted, "Hmph, I didn't expect you'd dare to see me."

Zhu Zhuqing calmly replied, "Why wouldn't I dare? I haven't done anything wrong."

"I can't believe you're still so delusional!"

Duke Zhu turned around, frowning at Zhu Zhuqing, and said sternly, "Dai Mubai was a prince. You conspired with others to kill him, that's wrong!"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's face remained very calm, "Then do you know what Dai Mubai did to me?"

Duke Zhu was taken aback.

How would he know about that?

"You don't know, do you?"

"Then let me tell you, Dai Mubai ambushed me in the Star Dou Great Forest, and outside the forest, he hunted me for three days."

Zhu Zhuqing coldly smiled, "If it weren't for Teacher Zhao Wuji's selfless help, I wouldn't have lasted three days. If it weren't for the emperor's timely arrival, defeating the strong enemy and saving me, you wouldn't have the chance to reprimand me here."

"What, this happened?"

Duke Zhu was stunned. None of this was mentioned in Dai Mubai's will.

"Surprised?"

Zhu Zhuqing retorted.

Duke Zhu's expression turned ugly in an instant.

Zhu Zhuqing took out a letter from her space soul tool and tossed it to Duke Zhu, saying lightly, "Initially, I gave Dai Mubai a chance. After he signed this annulment letter, I let him go."

"Annulment letter!"

Duke Zhu's expression changed again, filled with surprise.

He suddenly unfolded the letter, and upon seeing the blood fingerprint left behind, he was so shocked he couldn't speak.

Zhu Zhuqing said, "Now you should understand. I didn't want Dai Mubai to die from the beginning. For his actions over the years, I chose to forgive him."

"Ah."

Duke Zhu sighed deeply.

Undoubtedly, just as Zhu Zhuqing said, she had given Dai Mubai a chance and spared his life. However, Dai Mubai was ungrateful and harbored resentment against Zhu Zhuqing, which led to his own death.

Duke Zhu looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a complicated expression, "It turns out there was more to the story. I was wrong to blame you."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."

She didn't want to stay for another moment.

A father who questions her without understanding the situation first has only deepened her disappointment.

Moreover.

What also disappointed Zhu Zhuqing was the Zhu clan, which sacrificed the lives of their descendants for the power of the Star Luo Empire.

"Wait!"

Suddenly, Duke Zhu called out to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing frowned, "Is there anything else?"

Duke Zhu said sternly, "You can't just leave like this."

"What do you want?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.

Duke Zhu solemnly said, "Return to the Star Luo Empire with me to explain everything to the emperor."

"What?"

Zhu Zhuqing's face was filled with surprise, "You actually want to take me back there? Do you know what I would have to face if I return to the Star Luo Empire?"

If Dai Mubai were still alive, it might have been a different story, but with Dai Mubai dead, the royal family of the Star Luo Empire would inevitably hold Zhu Zhuqing accountable.

Killing a prince of the Star Luo Empire is a capital offense.

Apart from death, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't imagine how else the royal family would deal with her.

"I will definitely protect you and ensure you are not harmed."

Duke Zhu solemnly promised.

"Heh, the existence of the Zhu clan is essentially at the mercy of others. Would you dare to oppose the royal family for me?

If you truly had the courage, you wouldn't have just watched as the women of the Zhu clan were sacrificed for the princes of the Dai family, right?"

Zhu Zhuqing did not hesitate to criticize Duke Zhu.

The Duke's expression changed.

In the end, his face was filled with uncontrollable anger, "Enough! For the sake of the family, you must return to the Star Luo Empire with me and give the royal family an explanation."

He even used his powerful soul force to pressure her.

His decision was clear; he wanted to use Zhu Zhuqing to provide an explanation to the royal family of the Star Luo Empire.

Zhu Zhuqing, under the pressure from the Soul Douluo, struggled greatly.

Humph!
She grunted, and her martial soul instantly manifested.

At the same time, four soul rings rose from beneath her feet.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple.

Especially the last purple soul ring, which was so dark it was almost black.

"Soul Ancestor!"

"How could you possibly be a Soul Ancestor-level powerhouse?"

"And such strong soul force fluctuations, proving you're not just any Soul Ancestor powerhouse!"

Duke Zhu's voice contained an undeniable surprise.

After all, when Zhu Zhuqing left home, she was merely a soul master of over level 20.

How much time has passed?
Only a few months, and Zhu Zhuqing's soul force level had risen by dozens of levels, crossing Soul Honor to reach Soul Ancestor!
"Considering the time, you're only thirteen and have already reached the Soul Ancestor realm, which is simply incredible."

Duke Zhu grew more and more shocked.
Zhu Zhuqing was defying the heavens.

He asked himself, at thirteen, he wasn't even a Soul Honor.

"Some things, even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand."

Zhu Zhuqing said while resisting the soul force pressure.

"Hmph, don't think that by showing such great talent, I will change my mind."

Duke Zhu said, suddenly increasing his soul force output.

What kind of person was he to tolerate his daughter's offense?

"Heh, to think the mighty Duke Zhu is just someone who bullies those within his reach and relies on his old age."

Suddenly, a voice entered the scene.

Then, Qin Xiao's figure appeared out of nowhere, standing between Zhu Zhuqing and Duke Zhu, instantly breaking the strange atmosphere between them.

Zhu Zhuqing breathed a sigh of relief, gasping for air.

In contrast, Duke Zhu's expression turned ugly.

"Who are you?"

He looked at Qin Xiao and coldly asked, "Why are you interfering in our family matter?"

"Who am I?"

Qin Xiao smiled, "Since you came here based on the information transmitted by Dai Mubai, he should have mentioned me, after all, I am the root of all evils."

"The root of all evils?"

Duke Zhu frowned, then his expression changed as if he had an epiphany.

"Wait! You are Qin Xiao, the Title Douluo-level powerhouse mentioned by Dai Mubai."

Certainly, here's the revised passage:

He was certain of it; only a Title Douluo-level powerhouse could easily dissolve his soul force pressure.

And only such a powerhouse would dare to face someone of his status and strength with such ease and humor.

But,
"You're so young?" The more Duke Zhu looked at Qin Xiao, the more shocked he felt.

However, Dai Mubai's will didn't describe much about Qin Xiao.

The information he and the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire received was limited to two things:

One was Qin Xiao's name.

The other was his Title Douluo cultivation level.

Of course,
They didn't know that Dai Mubai had already despised Qin Xiao deeply, and not speaking ill of him was already a sign of restraint.

Was he also supposed to proclaim that Qin Xiao, at eighteen, became a Title Douluo, killed the master of the Haotian Sect, and destroyed the Haotian Sect?

Although that was the truth,
Dai Mubai felt that would be glorifying Qin Xiao.

So, in the end, he didn't mention anything about Qin Xiao's deeds in his will.

"Indeed, I am Qin Xiao."

Qin Xiao nodded and added, "Now, while I still respect you as Zhuqing's father, I suggest you leave."

"You, you want to drive me away?"

Duke Zhu was taken aback.

"It's not driving away, it's a friendly reminder," Qin Xiao said with a slight smile, revealing his white teeth.

Duke Zhu took a deep breath and asked, "By what right do you do this, even if you are a Title Douluo, you can't just interfere in our family's affairs."

"Family?"

"Heh."

Qin Xiao chuckled, then put his arm around Zhu Zhujing's slender waist, "Even if you are Zhuqing's father, you don't have the right to interfere in our family's affairs."

"What, your family?"

Duke Zhu was astonished.

Zhu Zhujing's cheeks instantly flushed with a blush.

"Isn't it obvious? Zhuqing is mine now, part of my Qin family. Your Zhu family's rules can no longer bind her. So, I'll say it once, please leave."

Qin Xiao said to Duke Zhu, who stood there dumbfounded.

"Qin, a member of the Qin family!"

Duke Zhu came to his senses.

Qin Xiao intended to protect Zhu Zhujing.

"But if Zhu Zhujing doesn't return with me, how am I supposed to explain to the royal family?"

"Your mouth is your own, isn't it? I believe with your intelligence, you can surely find a suitable solution, right?"

Qin Xiao looked meaningfully at Duke Zhu.

What can I do... Duke Zhu's face suddenly changed, "Without Zhuqing, I can't explain to the royal family. Please, for the sake of the Netherworld clan, do not interfere in this matter."

Heh, still harboring ill intentions!
Qin Xiao frowned upon seeing this.

Zhu Zhujing noticed Qin Xiao's reaction and couldn't help but gently pinch his arm.

Truth be told, she was quite worried that Qin Xiao might accidentally kill Duke Zhu.

Although she was thoroughly disappointed with Duke Zhu as a father, she still didn't want to see him die by Qin Xiao's hand.

"Don't worry, I know what to do."

Qin Xiao raised his hand and gently stroked the girl's back, soothing her uneasy heart.

Uh, are you showing affection as if I'm not here?
Duke Zhu's face grew even uglier.

"Is this really okay?"

He asked with a steely face.

"Indeed, it's not. We should have sent you away first."

Qin Xiao nodded earnestly and then suddenly yelled, "Old Zhao, see the guest out."

Who is Old Zhao? Duke Zhu was stunned, but then his eyes widened.

A sturdy man fell from the sky.

Thump!
When the sturdy man landed, Duke Zhu felt the ground tremble beneath his feet.

"Old Zhao, I'll leave him to you. Don't hold back, send him off with all your strength."

Qin Xiao said behind Zhao Wuji, then, holding Zhu Zhujing close, turned to leave.

Closing the door and leaving Old Zhao to handle it, Qin Xiao felt this was a solid move.

"You, you're just leaving!"

Duke Zhu was stunned, wondering what was going on, being left behind like this.

"I am Zhao Wuji. Please, enlighten me."

Zhao Wuji greeted Duke Zhu with a fist salute.

"Zhao Wuji, you're the Immovable Vajra, Zhao Wuji?"

Duke Zhu suddenly recalled Zhao Wuji's identity.

"It's just a nickname given by others on the road, not worth mentioning."

Zhao Wuji smiled, showing his teeth.

He was being polite, but then saw Duke Zhu seriously nod, "Indeed, not worth mentioning. You're no match for me. Step aside, I still need to find Qin Xiao and take back my daughter."

Zhao Wuji, he had heard of him.

After so many years, at most, he would be at the Soul Saint level. He had been at the Soul Douluo level for decades; how could Zhao Wuji compare?

"The emperor said, let me see you off."

"Duke, please."

Yet, Zhao Wuji stood firm, making a gesture to Duke Zhu.

"Hmph, Qin Xiao is one thing, but do you also consider yourself a Title Douluo? Do you think you can stop me?"

Duke Zhu's eyes were filled with killing intent as he coldly questioned Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji replied with four words, "I want to try."

(End of Chapter)

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