socalfunplaces Chapter 7 The Old and New Dai Youheng
Chapter 7 The Old and New Dai Youheng
In Xingluo City, within the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, in a courtyard that is somewhat secluded compared to the residences of Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin.
The former sycophant Dai Youheng still looked pale, leaning against the window, looking at the withered branches in the courtyard outside, his eyes empty and lost.
Although the palm print on his chest had faded thanks to the precious medicine applied both internally and externally, the humiliation of those three crushing defeats and the long-lasting, cold, disdainful gaze haunted his mind like a nightmare.
"Princess Jiu Jiu...she's about my age, so why is her soul power cultivation so much higher than mine..." he muttered to himself, his tone filled with resentment and self-doubt.
He is fourteen years old this year, and his soul power has just passed level thirty, while Xu Jiujiu, who is fifteen years old, is already a Soul King level expert! The difference between them is like an insurmountable chasm.
If it weren't for someone like Huo Yuhao, who possesses great fortune and multiple top-tier martial souls and soul spirit accessories, an ordinary Soul Venerable wouldn't even last three moves against a Soul King.
However, the immense sense of defeat did not bring him to a change of heart, nor did it make him refocus his energy on his own cultivation. Instead, it strengthened his resolve to cling to Huo Yuhao's coattails.
"It's alright, I still have Yuhao!" A flicker of hope rekindled in Youheng's eyes—a twisted expectation that completely entrusted his fate to someone else. "When we return to Shrek Academy, Yuhao will come back from the far north with his second martial soul, and he'll surely soar to great heights, shocking the entire academy! He acknowledges me as his brother! In a few years, when Yuhao becomes a Title Douluo, or even more powerful, I'll beg him to propose marriage to the Star Luo royal family on my behalf! At that time, to win over Yuhao, a future top expert, the royal family, even if unwilling, will most likely agree to marry Princess Jiujiu to me!"
He was immersed in his own beautiful dream, as if he could already see the day when he would marry Xu Jiujiu with Huo Yuhao's power.
But then a hint of distress appeared on his face. "But it was ultimately a political marriage... I truly love Jiu Jiu, and I hope she can truly love me too..."
So, just as his injuries had begun to heal and he was able to walk again, the sycophantic Youheng resumed his daily routine. He meticulously prepared some mild medicinal herbs and ornaments that were said to be beneficial to female Soul Masters' cultivation, and once again tried to get an audience with Xu Jiujiu.
The outcome was predictable. The gift was returned untouched, and the prince didn't even get to see the princess. He only received a cold reply from a servant: "Her Highness is busy with her cultivation and has no time to receive guests. Please, Young Master Dai, show some respect."
The sycophant Youheng held the returned gift and stood in the cold wind outside the palace, but his face showed a firm expression that said, "Princess Jiujiu is indeed hardworking, and I cannot give up on her."
He firmly believed that "sincerity can move mountains," and that his unwavering devotion would one day melt Princess Jiujiu's icy heart.
His stubbornness and lack of manly spirit were so bad that even his brothers couldn't stand it anymore.
On this day, Dai Yueheng, the eldest son who was also home for the college holiday, met him in the garden.
Seeing his half-brother's distraught appearance, yet with unrealistic fantasies lurking in his eyes, Dai Yueheng frowned.
Although he only valued Dai Huabin, who was born of the same mother, and didn't care about Dai Youheng at all, Dai Youheng was still a member of the Dai family and possessed a top-notch mutated martial soul. His depravity was a disgrace to the family.
"Youheng," Dai Yueheng spoke, his voice carrying the authority of an elder brother, "A man born into this world should base his strength on his own abilities. You possess a top-tier martial soul like the Evil Shadow Demon Tiger, and your innate soul power is at level nine, so why is your cultivation progressing so slowly? Hua Bin is younger than you, yet his soul power has already surpassed yours! You're wasting your energy on useless flattery and sycophancy; you've completely put the cart before the horse!"
Dai Huabin, who happened to be passing by, let out an undisguised sneer upon hearing this. "Brother, what's the point of talking to this good-for-nothing? He's hopeless! He's almost completely ruined the pride of our Dai family's White Tiger Martial Soul with his sycophantic behavior! I bet his Martial Soul has mutated, and he's probably gone stupid along with it!"
As a son born out of wedlock, he inevitably suffered suppression from the legitimate son. Dai Yueheng was alright; he just looked down on him, but he still managed to maintain some elder brother demeanor. Dai Huabin, on the other hand, bullied Dai Youheng quite a bit.
The sycophantic You Heng blushed with embarrassment after being lectured by the two, but dared not contradict his elder brother's authority, much less provoke Dai Huabin, who was more talented and valued by their father. He could only lower his head and obsequiously reply, "Brother is right, I understand."
However, deep within his lowered eyes lurked a hint of resentment and a hidden sense of superiority. "What do you know? You have no idea who stands behind me—a future god! When Yuhao grows up, you so-called legitimate sons will have to defer to me! You look down on me now, but you'll regret it later!"
He never considered that a position gained by relying on others was ultimately a castle in the air, nor did he consider whether Huo Yuhao would really be willing to forcibly interfere in the marriage of an imperial princess for his sake.
Meanwhile, in a high-end restaurant in the most bustling area of Xingluo City, there was a private room by the window.
Another Dai Youheng was sitting leisurely by the window, having ordered a pot of tea and several exquisite pastries. His gaze seemed to casually sweep over the bustling crowd downstairs, but his focus was always subtly locked on the majestic White Tiger Duke's Mansion in the distance.
He had been observing here for several days. With his ridiculously low profile, he could even swagger close to the outskirts of the Duke's mansion and eavesdrop on the servants' gossip to gather information about "himself".
The Snow Emperor in her mind seemed to be getting impatient. "Youheng, you've been observing him for several days now. When are you planning to make your move? I think he went out again today, heading towards the palace. I guess he's run into trouble again. This is a good opportunity."
Dai Youheng picked up her teacup, gently blew on it, and a playful smile played on her lips. "Sister Xue Di, why do you seem more anxious than I am?"
"Hmph!" Xue Di snorted coldly, her voice filled with undisguised disgust. "I just couldn't stand it anymore! You have the exact same face as me, yet your behavior is so completely different—humble, cowardly, placing all your hopes on others. It's utterly... utterly shameless! A simp deserves a terrible death!"
Since Xue Di had already entrusted herself to Dai Youheng, she naturally placed herself on the same side as Youheng.
She paused, her tone turning serious and practical. "Moreover, you are originally identical entities of the same origin. If you kill him, you might be able to directly absorb everything about him, including his level 30+ soul power cultivation and that part of his presence! In this way, you can live a normal life and instantly make up for the time you wasted in the past, your soul power level will skyrocket, and you can directly catch up with the progress of those so-called geniuses! You are only fourteen years old now, but your martial soul has just awakened. You have already missed the best foundation building period from six to twelve years old. You are starting far too late!"