Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 50: Dai Hengyu's Decision

The words of the bishop left Dai Yao with mixed feelings of gratitude.

At Star Luo Royal Academy, he was a figure that no one wanted to mention. His position was difficult, and in the competition for the throne, he was not favored. No one supported him, and even opportunists avoided him.

But here, in the far more powerful Wuhun Hall, he was shown respect.

"Since that's the case, after my duel with Dai Yaming, I will leave Star Luo Empire," Dai Yao declared his plans.

"Wuhun Hall will be waiting for Your Highness," Bishop Ferdinand promised.

...

On the way back.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Dai Yao, hesitating, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

She understood that Dai Yao had considered their future carefully. Even if it meant escaping to Heaven Dou Empire, she could understand, but what she couldn't understand was why he had to go to Wuhun Hall.

"If you have doubts, feel free to ask," Dai Yao, having already noticed her hesitation, said with a smile.

"Why does Brother Yao want to join Wuhun Hall?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.

"I'm not joining; I'm aligning with them," Dai Yao corrected her.

"Aligning with them?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, puzzled.

"Yes. Joining Wuhun Hall is a one-way road; there's no turning back. But right now, we have no other choice. Can we leave Star Luo Empire on our own? The Empress is watching in the shadows. Even though we might gain some freedom by leaving the Imperial City, it would put us in an even more dangerous position."

"To live safely, we must have a force to shield us from the Empress's pressure."

"Among all the forces on the continent, there are only a few capable of doing so. Due to hostile relations, Heaven Dou Empire will protect us."

"However, as a prince of a rival nation, Heaven Dou Empire will undoubtedly imprison us. In such a situation, what's the point of leaving Star Luo Empire?"

"Then there are the Three Great Sects. The Haotian Sect keeps to itself, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus Sect are both in Heaven Dou. Joining them would probably result in the same outcome as joining Heaven Dou Empire—freedom, but with limitations."

"But Wuhun Hall stands outside the two empires, and it is the most capable force to protect us. Besides, most people in Wuhun Hall are commoner soul masters, which makes them the most inclusive. Therefore, aligning with Wuhun Hall is the best choice."

Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment, realizing that while Dai Yao had explained why they should choose Wuhun Hall, he hadn't explained the significance of aligning with them.

She looked at him with widened eyes and tilted her head, asking, "But what does aligning mean?"

Dai Yao continued walking while explaining, "We leave Star Luo Empire, but that doesn't mean we have to completely sever ties with it. Do you really want to cut ties completely with your family?"

When Zhu Zhuqing heard this, she froze.

Thinking about her family, the Zhu Clan, would often send a shiver down her spine. But to completely sever ties with them? Zhu Zhuqing couldn't bring herself to say it.

Seeing her reaction, Dai Yao knew his assumption was correct.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't have the courage to sever ties completely with her family.

In the original story, Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai escaped to Heaven Dou Empire, where there was no hope of winning the throne, and they didn't resist their fate.

After becoming Title Douluo, they not only didn't seek revenge on their family, but they even forgave them. Dai Mubai even gave up the throne to Dai Weisi. This demonstrated their passive characters.

It was clear that their bloodline played a huge part in the decisions they made.

Therefore, Zhu Zhuqing would never completely sever ties with her family.

But Dai Yao was different. Not only was he a transmigrator with no feelings for his so-called family, but he also had a deep blood feud with the Empress.

He could say that if someone wanted to destroy the Star Luo Empire, he would be happy to lend a hand.

However, as Zhu Zhuqing's fiancé, he had to take her feelings into account. He couldn't unilaterally make decisions for her.

"I understand now, thank you, Brother Yao."

Zhu Zhuqing's emotions were mixed. She was sharp as ice, but Dai Yao's words had made her realize why he was aligning with Wuhun Hall. A sense of sweetness unexpectedly stirred in her heart.

But Dai Yao's words also reminded her that she had to prepare herself for the possibility of severing ties with her family if she truly joined Wuhun Hall.

For a moment, both bitterness and sweetness surged in her heart, leaving her in a complex state of mind.

...

After returning to the academy, Dai Yao remained in the training grounds.

He sat under the waterfall, continuing to train, resisting the pressure brought on by the waterfall.

Though only a few days had passed, he knew that in cultivation, there was no room for laziness.

At that moment, he noticed two figures approaching him.

The fiery red figure was naturally Feng Wutong, and the other was the long-missed Zhang Xiaofan.

Feng Wutong led Zhang Xiaofan to Dai Yao, exchanged a few pleasantries, and Zhang Xiaofan then stated the purpose of his visit.

"Your Highness, the Vice-President requests your presence."

"The Vice-President?"

There were several Vice-Presidents, and for a moment, Dai Yao wasn't sure which one it was.

"It's Prince Dai Hengyu."

Dai Yao's heart darkened. He thought to himself, It's finally come, after waiting for so long.

It was impossible to keep the visit to Wuhun Hall a secret from those who were observant.

And honestly, he hadn't intended to keep it hidden.

He walked into the Vice-President's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A voice called from behind the door.

Zhang Xiaofan opened the door, signaling Dai Yao to enter. After Dai Yao walked in, he quietly closed the door behind him.

Seeing Dai Yao, who had grown so much taller and more imposing, Dai Hengyu was pleased.

He thought to himself, Your mother would be able to smile in her grave now.

However, the news of Dai Yao's visit to Wuhun Hall had caused unease in his heart. No one in the Star Luo royal family dared to associate with Wuhun Hall.

Dai Hengyu asked directly, "Dai Yao, what were you doing at Wuhun Hall a few days ago?"

"Registering as a soul master," Dai Yao replied flatly, showing no expression.

"Registering as a soul master?" Dai Hengyu, as if he had heard a great joke, frowned and couldn't understand why a prince of Star Luo would go to Wuhun Hall to register as a soul master.

"Yes, Wuhun Hall offers a subsidy for soul masters under level 30 who register with them. A Great Soul Master gets ten gold coins per month."

"As a prince, the Elders' Association gives me 1,000 gold coins per year, but 1,000 gold coins is barely enough in the Royal Academy."

"Ten gold coins a month amounts to 120 gold coins a year. For me, that's not an insignificant amount. So, I went to Wuhun Hall to register as a soul master. Is there a problem with that?"

Dai Yao's explanation left Dai Hengyu speechless.

For every prince, the income from the Elders' Association was only a small part of their total income. The majority came from their maternal families. However, no one had expected someone like Dai Yao to have no maternal family.

Without a maternal family, he had no major source of income.

But these were just Dai Yao's excuses—his reasons for going to Wuhun Hall.

He had been training day and night. Aside from studying soul master knowledge, he had no other expenses. The Elders' Association's funding was more than enough to cover his needs every year.

(End of Chapter)

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