Chapter 151 Grand Duke Amon
join the Church of MissRaven and become a Sequence 9: Reader p atreon.com/KeyofStars for more chapters
At night, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, their branches swaying and casting a dappled shadow on the ground under the moonlight.
In the darkness, a figure, half-human, half-spider, quietly materialized. Accompanying her were a person in white robes with a chrysanthemum martial soul and a vague, indistinct figure.
The half-human, half-spider figure brandished her scythe-like hands.
"Xiao Wu… run, run!" a hurried female voice cried out.
"Don't look back!"
"Mom!" Xiao Wu jolted awake from her nightmare, sitting up abruptly, her heart pounding.
Before her was a burning campfire, the flames crackling as they consumed the firewood, sending sparks flying into the air.
Taking a deep breath and wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, she realized it had only been a dream. She had dreamt again of her mother's death at the hands of Bibi Dong.
"You're awake?"
A deep and resonant voice spoke.
Tang Hao, clad in tattered clothes revealing his bronze skin and a somewhat sallow complexion, sat nearby, a wine flask in his hand, slightly intoxicated.
Xiao Wu looked around, unable to find the familiar figure she sought. "Where's Brother San?" she asked.
"He went to Shrek Academy, said he wanted to see his companions one last time… From a soul master's perspective, I should keep you penned up, waiting for Little San to need you, so he can kill you and obtain your soul ring and soul bone," Tang Hao said calmly, uttering cold and heartless words.
Xiao Wu's expression dimmed, her spirits sinking. She remained silent, simply staring at the fire, her eyes devoid of any light.
Tang Hao paid no heed to whether Xiao Wu was listening, continuing to speak in a monotone voice:
"But, from another point of view, there would be a different choice… Before, I always thought he was more like his mother, kind, considerate, and persistent.
"But when I saw him with you, I suddenly realized that he's actually more like me. Just as foolish as I am.
"Do you know… Tang San's mother, like you, was also a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. The difference is, she had reached maturity, while you are still in your infancy."
"What? Brother San's mother was also a soul beast?" A flicker of surprise finally appeared on Xiao Wu's face as she spoke.
Tang Hao nodded silently, then said, "You should leave. Staying by Little San's side right now will only bring him harm."
"Uncle… do you, do you disapprove of us being together?" Xiao Wu stammered.
Tang Hao chuckled, shaking his head. "No, it's just not the right time… You're really quite bold. If the first Title Douluo to meet you hadn't been me, if that flower hadn't concealed your aura, you would probably have become someone else's soul bone long ago.
"You both need time to grow. Little San mentioned a 'five-year agreement' with his classmates. Let's wait five years, then I'll let him come find you."
"I understand."
Xiao Wu departed, leaving Tang Hao alone to drink, appearing even more dejected.
Tears streamed down the corners of his eyes as he murmured, "Brother, I'm sorry…"
…
Inside a magnificent restaurant in Spirit Hall City.
"Xue Qinghe" had booked the entire restaurant, preparing a lavish feast, awaiting the arrival of distinguished guests.
"Wow, smells delicious." A head of fiery red hair peeked in from outside the door, crimson eyes scanning the large table in the center, settling on the sumptuous dishes.
As for the Crown Prince "Xue Qinghe" and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and "Sword Douluo" Chen Xin sitting beside him, she completely ignored them.
"Xue Qinghe" did not neglect her, for she was also a genius… even comparable to herself.
"Has Your Excellency Amon arrived?" "Xue Qinghe" asked with a smile, his tone gentle.
"Amon? He'll be here soon. He's too slow, so I came ahead to scout the way for him," Yan Jin said naturally as she sat down at the table, picking up a pork knuckle and devouring it.
None of the three present were angered by her rudeness, only smiling slightly.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Your Highness Crown Prince." A figure in a black robe with a pointed soft cap flipped in through the window.
The expression on "Xue Qinghe's" face froze slightly, then he smiled and said, "Good evening, Your Excellency Amon… You truly don't take the conventional path."
"Sometimes, trying a different path might lead to greater success," Amon said with a light chuckle, sitting down across from "Xue Qinghe."
Seeing Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, Amon was slightly surprised, but upon further reflection, he realized it was normal… Qian Renxue was staying as the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, and Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, as her protectors on this trip, would naturally be by her side.
After eating some dishes and exchanging pleasantries, "Xue Qinghe" cleared his throat and began, "Does Your Excellency Amon have any thoughts about your future path?"
Amon raised his right hand, adjusted his glasses, and paused for two seconds as if deep in thought before slowly saying:
"Spirit Hall is quite good, the Heaven Dou Empire isn't bad either, the Star Luo Empire… seems alright. Also, I've long admired the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
That's a complete lack of stance… "Xue Qinghe" thought to himself, organizing his words:
"Would you like to accept employment by the Heaven Dou royal family? I can promise you the title of Honorary Marquis, the royal library will be open to you, and any needs you have can be brought up, and we will do our best to satisfy them.
"You don't need to accept assignments, just declare to the outside world that you are a royal family retainer, and occasionally help us when we are in trouble. Of course, we will give corresponding rewards when you take action."
When she was in Heaven Dou City, Qian Renxue wanted to recruit Amon as her subordinate, but now she had completely abandoned that idea. A Heaven Dou Crown Prince was not qualified to have a Title Douluo-level expert be loyal to her.
Amon chuckled lightly: "Those are very generous conditions, but I have a question. I wonder if these conditions are given by Your Highness, wanting to gain personal friendship with me, or given by the Heaven Dou Empire, wanting me to serve the empire?"
Of course, it's the first one… "Xue Qinghe" glanced at Ning Fengzhi, not saying those words.
Ning Fengzhi was only vaguely standing on her side, the object he supported was always the Heaven Dou Empire, not simply a certain person.
The interests of the two were not completely aligned. If "Xue Qinghe" had a conflict with Emperor Xue Ye, then without thinking, Ning Fengzhi would definitely stand on Emperor Xue Ye's side.
"Xue Qinghe" pondered for a moment, saying against his will: "Of course, it's the second one."
In front of Ning Fengzhi, she couldn't show too much ambition, she had to maintain the gentle and refined image of the Crown Prince, and be a modest gentleman who was wholeheartedly thinking of the empire.
"Is it the empire… Then can the conditions be changed? I want the title of 'Duke', with actual fiefdoms, not just a simple title."
Amon leaned back slightly, resting against the back of the chair, and said softly.
"This…" A look of difficulty appeared on "Xue Qinghe's" face. "Your Excellency Amon, this is not very practical. The Heaven Dou Empire can no longer take out so much land to enfeoff an actual Duke."
For the Heaven Dou Empire, in addition to the two foreign enemies of Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire, the biggest destabilizing factor was the five enfeoffed duchies and kingdoms, so as long as Emperor Xue Ye didn't go crazy, he wouldn't agree to such outrageous conditions… even if it was to recruit a Title Douluo.
Amon adjusted his monocle and smiled: "I only accept this condition… But one thing, Your Highness, you misunderstood. Although I also want a fiefdom that matches the identity of a duke, I also know that the Heaven Dou Empire will not take out such a large piece of land, so… my requirements for the fiefdom are like this."
Amon moved his fingers slightly, took out a map from his space ring, spread it out, took out a pen, and casually drew a circle on it that was the size of two or three duchies.
Only a very small area on the circle, including the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family's residence, belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire, only equivalent to a slightly larger barony, and the rest was Star Luo Empire territory!
"Your Excellency Amon, you are…" "Xue Qinghe" was also slightly stunned by this strange request. How could anyone enfeoff territory of other countries to vassals?
"I only need the Heaven Dou Empire's official recognition of my possession of this land. As for whether the Star Luo Empire gives it or not, that's my business… They won't refuse."
"Xue Qinghe" understood his meaning, which was to directly bite off a piece of the Star Luo Empire's territory!
This would not be a loss to the Heaven Dou Empire, anyway, it was the Star Luo Empire that had a headache, but after all, it was an enfeoffment of an actual Duke, and Emperor Xue Ye had to agree.
"Xue Qinghe" smiled, "Personally, I would very much like to agree to your request, but I don't have that much power. This requires the consent of my father, who will most likely agree, and I will do my best to fight for you… If it is an enfeoffment of an actual Duke, you will definitely need to publicly swear allegiance to the Emperor, can you accept this?"
"Of course, believe me, I have always been loyal to the Empire and loyal to His Majesty, but I have been suffering from the lack of opportunity to serve," Amon said with a smile.
"Xue Qinghe" raised his glass and toasted Amon: "Then let us wish the Heaven Dou Empire will have another Grand Duke Amon, cheers!"
Ning Fengzhi also raised his glass and smiled, "Grand Duke Amon, please!"
"Cheers!"
Yan Jin grabbed a glass of juice and joined in, "Cheers!"
Next, "Xue Qinghe" and Amon talked about many details and finalized the cooperation intentions between "His Highness the Crown Prince" and "Grand Duke Amon."
Finally, "Xue Qinghe" reminded: "Your Excellency Amon, if you want to take action against the Star Luo Empire, our Heaven Dou royal family will at most offer support and provide some material support… As long as they don't attack other Heaven Dou territories, the royal family will not directly take action."
"I know… I don't want others to interfere either, this is my own business," Amon nodded.
After the meal, the group separated.
Amon walked out of the restaurant, the night wind blowing with a hint of coolness, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile: "Grand Duke Amon, interesting…"
join the Church of MissRaven and become a Sequence 9: Reader p atreon.com/KeyofStars for more chapters