At a roadside tea stall, the entire street had been cleared of pedestrians—guards had driven everyone away to prevent witnesses for the Crown Prince's public apology.
Yun Chuan lounged casually, sipping tea, waiting silently for his long-awaited visitor.
Soon, a procession bearing lavish gifts approached. Leading was a well-dressed youth in his twenties, flanked by a young man shirtless, carrying a thorny vine, looking like a prisoner.
"Ha! The Snow Night actually resorts to coming with a slave apology," Yun Chuan chuckled softly, nearly spilling his tea. His gaze fixed on the youthful leader. The disguise's brilliance made seeing through impossible—even for him.
Without prior knowledge, Yun Chuan wouldn't have guessed the slightly handsome youth concealed the visage of an angelic beauty.
Thinking this, Yun Chuan realized he was still far from being a true master. The path to strength had just begun, and he hadn't yet discerned such subtle disguises.
The group soon arrived at the tea stall.
The faker "Xue Qinghe," Chiyan Xue, despite changed looks, immediately recognized Yun Chuan's warm, gentle eyes—the "little rascal" she'd long missed.
"Only been three months, yet you've grown so much…" she mused, then slightly irritably, "After all this time, no letters, no news… must be distracted by the outside world."
Growing angrier inside, she respectfully bowed and greeted: "Tiandou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe greets the Blue Silver Douluo!"
"You're the crown prince?" Yun Chuan feigned surprise. "So why come here with so many attendants?"
"You flatter me," "Xue Qinghe" smiled bitterly and then pulled Xue Beng's sleeve.
Xue Beng immediately knelt, tears streaming:
"I offended His Excellency before; Qinghe brings me to apologize. Please forgive me!"
The kneeling, thorn-vined Xue Beng wept uncontrollably:
"Xue Beng has been obstinate, unaware of the fault. Now he knows and begs forgiveness."
Yun Chuan was speechless, thinking how flexible this prince was. A noble kneeling without hesitation, grasping for survival.
"Prince, please sit," Yun Chuan invited, ignoring Xue Beng's continued kneeling. If he liked kneeling, he could stay there.
Seeing Yun Chuan ignore him, Xue Beng was enraged—how could this man overlook his humble apology? Yet outwardly he remained weeping and servile, as if unable to rise without forgiveness.
Across from Yun Chuan, "Xue Qinghe" sat politely as Yun Chuan poured tea and handed her a cup.
She accepted, feigning grace, and drank deeply.
Yun Chuan nodded:
"Since the royal family has come in apology, I am no fool to hold grudges. This matter is settled."
"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Xue Qinghe bowed repeatedly and motioned to Xue Beng, "Thank him, quickly!"
Xue Beng, roused from his reverie, bowed and said: "Thank you, Your Excellency."
Yun Chuan accepted the thanks and began chatting lightly with Xue Qinghe, while Xue Beng continued kneeling with his thorny restraints, quietly listening.
From their talk, Xue Beng learned that the young Blue Silver Douluo was remarkably young—only just over forty years old, breaking the record for the youngest Title Douluo.
Despite his youthful appearance of seventeen or eighteen, he was truly a middle-aged man whose martial soul complexion kept him looking young.
Surprisingly, this Blue Silver Douluo belonged to no great clan or faction—like the lone Poison Douluo Du Gu Bo—a solitary practitioner of great talent but low profile.
The more Xue Beng heard, the more amazed he grew, imagining winning favor by recruiting this wild Title Douluo into the royal household as a revered supporter.
His elder brother yearned for this power, even openly wishing to make Blue Silver Douluo the kingdom's guardian protector.
Though Yun Chuan hadn't agreed immediately, nor refused, Xue Beng saw great potential for allegiance.
Filled with despair, Xue Beng knew his older brother's support from three Soul Douluo elders at Tiandou Academy combined with a Title Douluo's backing would leave him utterly powerless.
He could do nothing but tremble under the mighty elder's shadow.
(End of Chapter 118)