Ning Bei secretly nodded as he watched Dai Weisi resolutely stand in front of his woman. From this alone, he could tell Dai Weisi was stronger than Dai Mubai.
"No hope of restoring your family, so you just hole up here in this manor, drinking all day?"
A flicker of struggle appeared in Dai Weisi's eyes. His fists repeatedly clenched and unclenched, and after a long moment, his shoulders sagged as if all the air had gone out of him.
"What else can I do now?"
The pervasive air of decadence emanating from him made Gu Yue, by the window, frown. She didn't understand what Ning Bei hoped to gain by specifically seeking out this good-for-nothing.
"Your younger brother hasn't given up yet. He and Tang San have already taken control of the entire Kville Kingdom, do you know that?"
"What?"
"That's impossible!"
Upon hearing news of Dai Mubai, Dai Weisi's eyes were filled with disbelief. Zhu Zhuyun, on the other hand, emphatically declared it impossible with a stern expression. In her eyes, Dai Mubai was a coward who feared death, and she had witnessed her sister's misfortune firsthand.
Ning Bei, of course, understood this. He shook his head, smiling, and said, "Whether you believe it or not, he's already done it. His next step is to win over the Spirit Cat Duke and take over the entire Nili Kingdom. At that point, including Spirit Cat City, nearly 20% of Star Luo's territory will be under his control."
Upon hearing that her own father would also be involved, Zhu Zhuyun's expression immediately changed. In her imagination, Ning Bei must be on the Heaven Dou Empire's side. Now, having insight into Dai Mubai's actions and coming to find the two of them, he must have an ulterior motive. Their answer would be crucial to the survival of the entire Zhu Family.
"What... what do you want? We have no intention of helping Dai Mubai. We're quite content to maintain our current status under Heaven Dou's rule."
Hearing his woman's words, Dai Weisi clearly understood the implications and quickly interjected. "Yes, yes, yes, we have no intention of restoring the kingdom. Dai Mubai's actions are his own initiative and have nothing to do with the Zhu Family."
"I know you haven't helped Dai Mubai, but his envoy will likely arrive in Spirit Cat City soon. You can guess Dai Mubai's intentions."
Upon hearing this, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's expressions simultaneously changed. Among the various feudal lords of the former Star Luo Empire, only the Star Luo Zhu Family hadn't reduced their military strength. Because of this, they had already faced considerable suspicion. If someone were to discover Dai Mubai's envoy had visited, even if the Zhu Family had no such intention, Xue Qinghe would not let them off the hook.
After a moment of changing expressions, Dai Weisi regained his composure. If Ning Bei wanted to eliminate future troubles, he wouldn't be wasting so much time talking to the two of them. They vividly remembered what happened to Dai Tianxing during the Soul Master Competition. Since Ning Bei hadn't acted directly, he must have a plan.
"Just state your intention directly. If it's something we can do, we will."
Facing Ning Bei, Dai Weisi genuinely couldn't muster any resistance. Those three blood-red Spirit Rings were etched in his memory. It could be said that Ning Bei was someone he would look up to for the rest of his life. Even if Dai Mubai's influence expanded greatly, in Dai Weisi's view, it would still be futile. Even though the current Dai Mubai impressed him, it didn't change this belief.
After all, there was currently not a single Titled Douluo in the Star Luo region, and Ning Bei was an invincible presence there.
A hint of admiration appeared in Ning Bei's eyes. Even in his current state of decline, Dai Weisi, as the crown prince, still possessed his wisdom and shrewdness, clearly discerning Ning Bei's intentions.
"You can support Dai Mubai in unifying the southwestern part of Star Luo."
"Wh-what?"
Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun simultaneously widened their eyes and looked at Ning Bei, thinking they had misheard something.
"You didn't mishear. I said you can help Dai Mubai complete his next actions, but when the time is right, I need you to replace him."
Upon hearing this, a hint of realization appeared in their eyes, followed by extremely complex expressions. In the end, the Star Luo Dai Family still couldn't avoid the fate of fratricide.
"Aren't you afraid I'll betray you after I replace Dai Mubai?"
After a moment of contemplation, Dai Weisi asked Ning Bei doubtfully, but what he received in return was Ning Bei's smile that didn't reach his eyes. This smile instantly sent a chill down his spine, and he secretly cursed himself for being foolish. Given the other party's strength, if he dared to let him do this, there must be a backup plan. His question was superfluous.
Seeing Dai Weisi understand, Ning Bei smiled contentedly and said, "Don't even think about restoring Star Luo. After it's done, I'll have the Heaven Dou Emperor enfeoff you as the White Tiger Duke. That should be considered a revitalization of the Dai Family."
"Is that true? Can you really make Xue... His Majesty the Heaven Dou Emperor listen to you?"
Hearing that the Dai Family truly had a chance to be restored, a golden light suddenly shot out from Dai Weisi's heterochromatic pupils, and he looked at Ning Bei with expectant eyes.
"Do you have a choice? If not, why not give it a try? Otherwise, your best outcome is simply to wither away in this manor."
Ning Bei didn't give Dai Weisi any guarantees. If the other party was sensible, he wouldn't mind letting him regain his noble status. After all, a small Dai Family couldn't stir up much trouble. On the contrary, the Dai Family's submission would completely put an end to the cautious thoughts of the traditional Star Luo nobility. At the same time, Dai Weisi could serve as a mole within the Tang-Dai alliance. Why not?
"Alright, from now on, I will obey your commands. I hope you will give my Dai Family a chance. We don't aspire to restore Star Luo; it would be enough to provide for our descendants."
"I will give you some assistance. The rest will depend on your own abilities. Don't tell me you can't defeat Dai Mubai, because if that happens, I'll have no choice but to erase both the Dai and Zhu Families from the continent."
Having accepted Dai Weisi's allegiance, Ning Bei decided to give him a little push, lest he think that swearing loyalty meant he could rest easy.
Upon hearing this, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun simultaneously trembled, then hastily nodded in affirmation.
"Understood. If I can't defeat Dai Mubai, I won't have the face to bring up the matter of restoring the Dai Family."
Ning Bei nodded and walked directly out of the manor with the Silver Dragon King.
"The people who will help you will arrive shortly. How you proceed is up to you."
"Yes."
After Ning Bei and the other person left, the two of them let out a heavy sigh. Zhu Zhuyun still had lingering worry in her eyes, but Dai Weisi's gaze was no longer as lifeless as before.
"Veis, do you think he's trustworthy?"
"Does it matter if he's trustworthy? We don't have a choice, do we?"
Dai Weisi gave his woman a self-deprecating smile. This was his only chance to revitalize the Dai Family, and he had to fight for it. He couldn't let Dai Mubai push both the Dai and Zhu Families to ruin.
"Sigh, you're right. Then let's fight Dai Mubai again. After all, it was always meant to be this way."
Having accepted her fate, Zhu Zhuyun quickly regained her capable demeanor. She even felt grateful to Ning Bei for rekindling Dai Weisi's fighting spirit.
"Alright, let's fight together again."
Leaving the manor, Ning Bei directly summoned Xiao Die from the Pill Tower. Her appearance caused the Big Mother Dragon beside him to be momentarily stunned.
"Phantom Dream Butterfly? You've actually managed to cultivate this Soul Beast to this extent?"
-----------
Machine Translation by: https://beta.randomtranslator.com/
Read 1400+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for free at: https://www.randomtranslator.com/