At this moment, the news of Dai Weis's death had not yet spread across the entire Douluo Continent. Even among the upper echelons of the Star Luo Empire, not everyone was aware of it.
Just as the disappearance of the two sisters, Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, from the Zhu family had gone largely unnoticed, it would take some time for the news of Dai Weis's death to fully surface.
How did a down-and-out marquis's family manage to learn of it almost immediately?
A playful smile appeared on Zhu Lanyan's face.
Zhu Lanyan's smile displeased Zhu Zhuqing greatly. Faced with her mother's questioning, she merely responded indifferently, "So what if it is?"
Zhu Lanyan had initially been less than 30% certain that the Casas family had learned of Dai Weis's death. However, seeing Zhu Zhuqing's unhesitating response to her probing words, her confidence rose to 50%.
This was already a very high probability.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "As far as I know, among the current male members of the Casas family, there isn't a single one capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility. How could they possibly emerge victorious in this struggle? Most importantly..."
Zhu Lanyan lightly tapped the armrest and chuckled, "Zhuqing, you haven't forgotten that you still have a fiancé out there, have you?"
If Zhu Zhuqing could obtain news of Dai Mubai at Shrek Academy, there was no reason the Zhu and Dai families wouldn't know.
After Dai Weis's death, Dai Mubai became the first in line for succession.
However, people's hearts are fickle.
Dai Mubai's "disappearance" had occurred several years prior. Unlike Dai Weis, who had connections with many nobles of the empire, Dai Mubai had no supporters behind him.
No, it couldn't be said that he had none at all...
Dai Mubai's greatest and only supporter now was naturally the current Star Luo Emperor.
Compared to handing the throne over to other branches of the family, it was clearly more in line with his wishes and interests to have his own son inherit it.
However, this was obviously not going to be an easy task.
The Dai family did not have a Titled Douluo. Their greatest heritage lay in the elders of the imperial family, whose Martial Souls were compatible enough to form Martial Soul Fusion Techniques, summoning the Netherworld White Tiger.
When a male and female Soul Douluo joined forces, they could possess strength close to that of a Super Douluo, reaching the limits of an ordinary Titled Douluo.
But such heritage, the foundation of the nation, obviously couldn't be used in a struggle for the throne.
Unless it truly involved a crisis of political upheaval and the fall of the nation, these elders would not intervene.
In other words, the strongest force the Star Luo Empire had on the surface was at the level of Soul Douluo.
That is, the Star Luo Emperor did not possess overwhelming force to suppress the other branches of the family.
With the current crown prince suddenly deceased and the second prince officially missing... such a windfall opportunity would not only stir the hearts of the branch families with Soul Douluo combat power but even those of the Soul Saint families, who would likely be eager to act.
The life-and-death competition of the Dai family's bloodline fully complied with the rules and traditions of Star Luo, so the Star Luo elders naturally would not intervene.
In such a situation, as long as they united and kept Dai Mubai out of the imperial city—or even directly killed him—before the crown prince was confirmed, everything would be settled.
Then, at the very least, they would have the right to directly compete with Dai Mubai, the current nominal first in line for succession.
This situation was a headache even for the Star Luo Emperor.
Thus, he immediately contacted his younger sister, Zhu Lanyan, the current head of the Zhu family.
This was also the reason Zhu Lanyan had been somewhat fatigued recently.
When Zhu Zhuqing barged into the study, Zhu Lanyan was contemplating a reply to her brother.
According to the Star Luo Emperor's wishes, the Zhu family was to provide full support at this time, retrieving Dai Mubai, who was stranded in the Heaven Dou Empire, and then arranging a new marriage contract between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuyun.
In the Star Luo Empire, the Dai family was the most powerful, followed by the Zhu family. As long as the two families united, there was a high probability that this turmoil could be quickly quelled.
However, royal emotions are the most indifferent.
While Zhu Lanyan was the Star Luo Emperor's sister, she was also the head of the Zhu family.
The Star Luo Emperor could not be certain of Zhu Lanyan's current stance or whether she had already been contacted by certain families with powerful and smooth information channels, who might have offered her substantial benefits or even directly formed an alliance.
If the Dai family gained the support of the Zhu family, they could directly quell the turmoil. Conversely, if the other branch families gained the support of the Zhu family, they would also have a great chance of ascending to the throne.
In fact, Zhu Lanyan had already received letters from several dukes and marquis families, aside from the Star Luo Emperor.
The Star Luo Empire did not have the title of prince, for reasons that were self-evident.
Thus, dukes and marquises were the highest nobility of the empire.
Among them, certain prosperous families were nearly as wealthy and powerful as the current imperial family.
They had indeed offered Zhu Lanyan substantial benefits.
However... Zhu Lanyan still intended to stand on the side of the Star Luo Emperor, who was merely playing the family card.
Not because she still weighed the sibling bond, but because the Zhu family did not need to rely on such benefits to become stronger.
As the saying goes, "Too much is as bad as too little." Once the Zhu family's strength surpassed that of the imperial family, fortune and misfortune would be hard to predict.
Zhu Lanyan had no further ambitions, and pursuing stability was more in line with her wishes.
Thus... she was very dissatisfied with the possibility that Zhu Zhuqing might have already placed her bets on the Casas family!
That was why she specifically mentioned Dai Mubai, to warn Zhu Zhuqing and make her change her mind!
However...
"That person has nothing to do with me anymore."
Zhu Zhuqing responded with unruffled composure.
Zhu Lanyan raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "Zhuqing, can you just abandon a marriage contract so easily?"
She deliberately emphasized her tone, forcefully slapping the armrest, and said coldly, "Your marriage contract is not up to you; it's up to me. Remember that!"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zhu Lanyan, who was using her identity as both mother and family head to pressure her, and slightly curled her lips. "Zhu Lanyan, do you still think you can control me at this point?"
With that, Zhu Zhuqing paused.
Unless absolutely necessary, she didn't want to say what came next, but at this point, the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released.
She lowered her voice and said with a smile, "Even if you tell the emperor that you intend to support him, so what? If I publicly express my support for the Casas family, do you think he would believe you? A cold-blooded monster like the emperor, do you think he would believe in sibling affection or suspect that you have other plans? Unless you kill me, some things are beyond your control. And killing me?"
Zhu Zhuqing glanced silently at You Xing, who remained silent, and implied, "Come and try it if you can."
"You!?"
Zhu Lanyan's eyes widened in fury as she watched Zhu Zhuqing leave with You Xing.
She didn't think she couldn't do it, but... even if she could, what then? Would she really have to support those branch members of the Zhu family?
Just as Dai Weis's death had made Dai Mubai the sole heir in his absence, Zhu Zhuqing was now the only candidate for empress. Only her death would open the next round of life-and-death competition.
...
Zhu Zhuqing returned to her bedroom.
She noticed that You Xing had disappeared again at some point and called out into the air, "Young Alliance Master..."
Whoosh.
Replicating the scene from the main hall, You Xing emerged from the shadows.
Of course, this was just a trick, meant to create the impression in others that "You Xing emerged from the shadows."
In reality, You Xing had been by Zhu Zhuqing's side the whole time, simply deactivating the Aura Concealment Art and using a Stellar Mirage to create the illusion of the scene above.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at You Xing, who had suddenly appeared, and her body trembled slightly, her eyebrows twitching.
She suppressed her startled heartbeat and asked, "Young Alliance Master, why are you here?"
Surely, he wasn't really here to be her bodyguard, was he?
You Xing said calmly, "I'm here to be your bodyguard."
Zhu Zhuqing raised an eyebrow.
She thought her expression control was usually quite good, so why was it so easy for others to see through her thoughts today?
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated and asked, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
She silently lowered her head, her heartbeat quickening unnaturally.
"What's inappropriate about it?"
You Xing shook his head. "You should know that Amona holds a significant position in the Beast Soul Alliance and also needs to undertake external missions. I'm no different. Your safety is crucial to the Beast Soul Alliance, and I am currently the most suitable person for the job, so naturally, I will be your bodyguard."
As if sensing Zhu Zhuqing's nervousness, he paused and added, "During the mission, just treat me as an ordinary bodyguard."
Seemingly influenced by You Xing's calm demeanor, Zhu Zhuqing's mood gradually stabilized.
But then, she remembered another issue.
"By the way, Young Alliance Master... you won't be staying in my shadow all the time, will you?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing thought of something, fell silent for a moment, and then, with her eyelashes fluttering slightly, asked, "What about... when I'm taking a bath?"
You Xing also fell silent for a moment and then said, "I'll definitely come out quietly then. You... aren't suspecting me of peeping, are you?"
Under You Xing's stern gaze, Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks instantly turned red, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no, I was just thinking that since you're going to be my close bodyguard, there would inevitably be similar issues. Yes, I was talking about when you take a bath!"
As she spoke, Zhu Zhuqing indeed thought of another aspect that needed attention and quickly asked, "By the way, about your accommodation—"
You Xing directly interrupted, "Of course, I'll be staying in the same room as you."
"Ah?" Zhu Zhuqing was slightly stunned.
You Xing said matter-of-factly, "It's only natural to separate during situations like using the restroom, bathing, or changing clothes. But considering your safety, aside from those situations, I'll naturally have to stay by your side at all times."
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze shifted to her spacious bed. Her boudoir logically only had this one bed.
She quickly said, "I'll have the servants bring in another bed..."
"No need."
You Xing interrupted. "Adding another bed to this room would make it too crowded. I'll sleep on the floor."
Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly shook her head. "How can I let you sleep on the floor? Why don't you take the bed, and I'll sleep on the floor."
Not only was You Xing of high status and position, but in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, he was also her savior. How could she let her savior sleep on the floor?
"I said no need, so don't make me repeat myself."
You Xing's voice turned slightly colder, and the icy tone made Zhu Zhuqing's expression stiffen.
You Xing continued, "Zhu Zhuqing, judging by your attitude, I must make it clear to you. During the mission, orders are absolute. To accomplish the mission, all etiquette, customs, and polite refusals must take a back seat!"
His gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing's entire body, and the way he looked at her as if appraising an object made Zhu Zhuqing slightly uncomfortable.
You Xing said indifferently, "Earlier, you were worried that I might see you bathing, weren't you? Now I'll tell you. If the situation demands it, even if you have to strip naked and bathe in front of me, you must accept it. You'd better be mentally prepared to be completely exposed in front of me at any moment!"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened. "How could that be—!?"
You Xing gradually intensified his tone, each word carrying an air of unquestionable authority. "This is the duty and obligation of all Soul Arena Beasts! From the moment you joined the Beast Soul Alliance, the organization's orders have taken precedence over your life! Remember that!"
Zhu Zhuqing's breath caught, and she wanted to refute something.
But facing You Xing's cold demeanor and recalling her own resolve, she felt that cooperating with the Beast Soul Alliance's arrangements was indeed the right thing to do.
After all... she also understood that You Xing's so-called "mental preparation to be completely exposed" was probably just words.
Just as the Star Luo Empire would have soldiers prepare for sacrifice upon enlistment, it didn't mean they were to be sent to their deaths without reason.
"Yes."
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and finally nodded in agreement.
She secretly observed You Xing's cold profile, and besides the discomfort of being oppressed by authority, she felt an inexplicable stirring in her heart.
If those nearly humiliating words had come from someone else, from an average-looking, unremarkable member of the opposite sex, Zhu Zhuqing would have definitely displayed her icy demeanor and mercilessly shut them out.
However, when those words came from her savior, the man with the celestial beauty and heroic bearing, yet as cold and ruthless as a demon—You Xing—Zhu Zhuqing's mood and attitude were vastly different.
She could hardly imagine herself resisting.
She had exposed her most wretched and vile side, displayed naked madness and malice in front of the man she secretly admired and revered.
Naturally, in front of this man, all her pride and persistence became fragile.
Even... if she were to follow the implications of his words, the shame in her heart would outweigh the humiliation.
Under You Xing's deep, abyss-like gaze, she felt utterly exposed, even the secret joy of knowing that he would be by her side for a long time was seen through.
Thus, she had to submit and atone.
These subtle and complex emotions were deeply buried in the innermost part of Zhu Zhuqing's heart, a latent consciousness that even she found hard to grasp.
They flowed like undercurrents, quietly influencing her judgments and choices.
It was these vulnerabilities and contradictions in human nature that made her willingly accept You Xing's influence.
And this subtle influence would continue to persist.