"You want to see me?"
Dai Yao's brows furrowed deeply.
Uncle Hengyu wasn't restricted in his freedom, so what exactly was this so-called execution day? Could it be that Uncle Hengyu really betrayed him, using him to exchange for his own wealth and status?
He immediately dismissed the idea. If Uncle Hengyu truly wanted to betray him, a single word would send him rushing back to the Star Luo Empire. Then, wouldn't he be completely at the mercy of others?
"Dai Yao".
Zhu Zhuqing spoke softly, concerned about Dai Yao's condition.
"fine."
Dai Yao said in a deep voice. He then fell into deep thought again.
If Uncle Hengyu didn't betray him, then why did he use the pretext of execution to lure him back to the Star Luo Empire?
Following this line of reasoning, since Uncle Hengyu is about to be executed, I will definitely bring a group of strong people to rescue him.
A group of powerful individuals...
Thinking of this, a thought flashed through Dai Yao's mind: meeting with Uncle Hengyu wasn't safe, so he needed someone to protect him. Or rather, the person who wanted to meet him wasn't Uncle Hengyu, but someone else entirely.
Dai Yao suddenly felt enlightened.
Because Uncle Hengyu knew that someone had ill intentions towards him and wanted to use him to threaten him, but he was under surveillance and unable to convey this information to him, so he could only remind him in this way.
After understanding everything, Dai Yao raised his head and said to Ye Nantian:
"Brother Nantian, thank you for the news. I hope you can inform Prince Hengyu that I will personally go to Xingluo Royal Academy tomorrow."
Ye Nantian was taken aback for a moment, then immediately agreed.
······
The following day, the Azure Scale Douluo, Dugu Bo, arrived at the Star Luo Royal Academy in his official capacity. Countless people at the academy gave him a grand welcome.
Dugu Bo, acting as Dai Yao's bodyguard, was the first to enter the Star Luo Royal Academy, while Dai Yao, with the help of Lan Yuxuan, also slipped into the academy. It was with Lan Yuxuan's assistance that he had escaped the Empress's surveillance and fled Star Luo City.
Now, it was only with Lan Yuxuan's help that he was able to enter the Star Luo Royal Academy.
It's truly a cycle.
Before Dai Yao could thank Lan Yuxuan, he gave a quick nod and hurried toward the principal's office.
Before long, the principal's office was within reach. Looking at the nameplate on the door, Dai Yao felt a surge of fear. He took a deep breath, and after a moment, gently knocked on the door.
Thump thump thump—
Upon hearing the knock, a voice that was all too familiar to Dai Yao came from the principal's office:
"Please come in."
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat. Decades had passed since their last meeting, and now they were seeing each other again, which filled him with a myriad of emotions. He pushed open the door, and there was that familiar figure, bent over his work.
He raised his head slightly, and when he saw Dai Yao appear, he was startled, and then his face lit up with excitement and joy.
Upon seeing Dai Yao's face, although his appearance had changed a lot, there were still some familiar features. Dai Hengyu immediately stood up, rushed to Dai Yao's side, and exclaimed with joy:
"Dai Yao, is it really you?! You're back!"
Dai Yao was also filled with emotion, hugged Dai Hengyu tightly, and said deeply:
"Uncle, it's me, I'm back."
Dai Hengyu carefully examined Dai Yao's face, his expression excited. After a long while, he sighed and said:
"You've grown up and are a real man now. When you heard I was in trouble, you rushed back immediately. I want you to come back, but I also don't want you to come back."
Dai Yao composed himself; he had come here precisely to resolve this doubt, and asked:
"Uncle, what exactly is going on? Weren't you supposed to be executed? Why aren't you being restricted at all?"
Dai Hengyu glanced out the window, then at the dark green figure surrounded by thousands. He didn't directly answer Dai Yao's question, but instead asked:
"Azure Scale Douluo, he must be your helper."
Dai Yao nodded.
Dai Hengyu smiled with satisfaction: "It seems you understand what I mean. However, the Azure Scale Douluo is a bit weak. Why don't you find a strong expert from the Spirit Hall?"
Dai Yao sighed and said helplessly:
"Uncle Hengyu, this is a long story. Although I am now a member of the Spirit Hall, my relationship with the Spirit Hall is not as close as you think. However, even if the Azure Scale Douluo cannot protect me, I am confident that I can remain safe even in the hands of a Title Douluo."
Even if a Super Douluo were to arrive now, capturing Dai Yao alive would be a pipe dream. Back then, even when Di Tian personally intervened, Dai Yao still managed to escape.
Upon hearing Dai Yao's explanation, Dai Hengyu's face turned ashen, and he said with a bitter smile:
"I miscalculated, but there's no going back now. That old guy is on his way. But don't worry, even if things fall apart, I'll protect your life."
Dai Yao's expression darkened; he understood something from Dai Hengyu's words. He asked somewhat urgently:
"Uncle Hengyu, what exactly happened?"
Dai Hengyu poured Dai Yao a cup of tea, his gaze becoming distant, and slowly said:
"Actually, if I could, I would hope you would never come back. But I know your personality; when you are strong enough, you will definitely come back for revenge. Not only do I know this, but the Dai family knows this very well as well."
"Therefore, the ancestor of the Dai family, who is also the Grand Elder of the Elder Council, came to me, hoping that I could summon you back and then talk to you personally to resolve your grievances with the family. I could not refuse, and I also hope that you can settle your grievances with the Dai family."
"During the conversation, I had to consider the consequences of the talks breaking down, so I used the excuse that I was about to be executed."
"Because of what I know about you, I know you will definitely come to rescue me with a group of strong people. These strong people will not only protect your safety if the negotiations break down, but also help you take revenge if the negotiations succeed."
Dai Yao gazed at the reflection in the cup and fell silent.
Uncle Hengyu took advantage of his concern for him to make him travel thousands of miles to the Star Luo Empire, which disappointed him somewhat.
But he could also understand that Uncle Hengyu was, after all, a member of the Dai family and had his own stance. Seeing a glimmer of hope for reconciliation between him and the Dai family, he would do his utmost to make it happen.
He sighed softly. He and the Dai family were sworn enemies, so how could he possibly resolve this hatred? However, with Uncle Hengyu caught in the middle, if he insisted on going his own way, he would definitely put Uncle Hengyu in a difficult position.
Since that's the case, he either has to make Uncle Hengyu give up any thought of resolving the feud with the Dai family, or break ties with him. There is no third way.
Stroking the teacup in his hand, Dai Yao said softly:
"In that case, I'll go and meet him."
The conversation has ended, and the outcome will be finalized.
Dai Hengyu smiled gratefully. He understood that he had used Dai Yao in this matter. Looking at Dai Yao's familiar face, he said with relief:
"Dai Yao, you've really grown up. You look so much like your mother."
Dai Yao had a sudden thought. He had long wanted to know what had happened back then, the grudge between his mother and those guys. Dai Hengyu was one of the witnesses back then, and he could take this opportunity to find out what happened back then.
"Uncle Hengyu, what exactly happened back then? What grudge did Mother have with that vile woman in the palace? And why did Emperor Xingluo abandon us, mother and son?"
Dai Yao stared at Dai Hengyu and asked in a deep voice.
Dai Hengyu was taken aback. Meeting Dai Yao's persistent gaze, he sighed softly and said:
"Do you really want to know?"
Dai Yao nodded.
Dai Hengyu's gaze was unfocused as he drifted into memories, and he said:
"Then let me tell you a story. More than twenty years ago, I was training with the then Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire."
"While hunting soul beasts in the Soul Beast Forest, we encountered a beautiful young woman. My elder brother, having grown up in luxury, has seen all kinds of beautiful women, so naturally he didn't fancy that woman."
"But I'm different. Unlike my older brother, who was pampered and adored since childhood, I'm just an ordinary Soul Master in the family. I was only able to stay by the Crown Prince's side because of blood ties. I fell in love with the girl the moment I saw her."
Dai Yao's expression darkened slightly. Why were there two men and one woman again? This really fit the style of Douluo Continent.
Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Flander were like this; Tang Hao, A Yin, and Tang Xiao were like this; Tang Chen, Poseidon, and Qian Daoliu were like this; and now, even his parents' generation were like this.
That girl must be his mother, Bai Su.
But it was clearly Uncle Hengyu who fell in love with her mother, so why did her mother end up marrying the Star Luo Emperor?
He remained silent and continued listening.
Dai Hengyu continued:
"The Crown Prince's shrewd insight immediately saw through my thoughts, so he suggested that the three of us travel together. The girl was dressed simply, and it seemed that her family was not well-off, so she agreed after seeing the two of us powerful Soul Masters."
"Of course, the Crown Prince and I hunted soul beasts in front, while the guards hid in the rear."
"After spending some time together in the Soul Beast Forest, the Crown Prince created opportunities for me many times, but the woman kept her distance from us and said that she would give us a satisfactory reward after we helped her obtain a Soul Ring."
"Whenever we heard this, the Crown Prince and I would just smile. We wouldn't even consider the reward that a commoner woman could offer us."
"Days passed by, and finally, all three of us obtained the spirit rings we wanted. It was time to part ways. But I became increasingly agitated because no matter how I pursued her, she remained unmoved."
"But that girl's every smile and frown was deeply imprinted in my mind. Although she had the Fire Fox Martial Soul, and her smile and frown were incredibly alluring, she did not give people a vulgar feeling, but rather a kind of elegant and refined temperament. I felt very relaxed when I was with her. It was as if she could know my feelings. I was deeply infatuated with her."
"The woman's attitude of treating me as nothing also caught the attention of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince told me that he had seen many common women like this. Once she knew our true identities, she would definitely pounce on me like a madwoman and wouldn't leave no matter how hard he tried to get rid of her."
"Although I didn't believe that the woman I loved was that kind of person, I was already out of my mind at the time, so I agreed to the Crown Prince's proposal."
"When a group of Soul Emperor and Soul Saint level experts knelt on one knee and addressed me and the Crown Prince respectfully, the scene I expected did not appear. The woman was only surprised for a moment before she returned to her elegant demeanor. In her eyes, we two princes of noble status were just ordinary people."
"The woman's attitude completely caught the Crown Prince's attention."
"He had never seen such an expression of being ignored on a woman's face before. I could clearly see the desire on the prince's face, like that of someone who had seen a novel toy and wanted to possess it."
"You should know that as the crown prince of the Star Luo Empire, he was pampered and adored since childhood. When he encountered a woman who was not interested in him, it naturally aroused his desire to conquer her."
"The Crown Prince knows better than I whether that woman's attitude is genuine or not. He has known countless people since childhood, and some have tried to use methods that show they are not interested in him to provoke his rebellion and attract his attention, but he disdains them because he can easily tell whether those people are genuinely uninterested in him or just pretending."
"The Crown Prince frankly told me about this, saying he wanted to compete with me fairly. But how could I dare to compete with him? I wisely withdrew from the relationship."
"You can probably guess what happened next."
"No matter how the Crown Prince pursued her, the woman remained unmoved. But the Crown Prince's patience had its limits. Since he couldn't have her, he would destroy her."
"But things were different later. The Crown Prince's every move was naturally watched by countless people. After the woman's family learned about this, they immediately sent her to the Crown Prince's side."
"Subsequently, the two married naturally, and the woman became the crown prince's concubine. The crown prince doted on her, thinking that after the marriage, the woman would change her opinion of him, but he still could not feel even a little bit of love from her. So, he became completely furious."
"Afterwards, the Crown Prince ascended the throne, becoming the Star Luo Emperor, and that woman was banished to the Cold Palace. It was only while in the Cold Palace that it was discovered she was pregnant. But how could a great emperor be troubled by love?"
"Later she died, at the hands of the Empress. Leaving you all alone."
"Only then did I realize my cowardice. She was already dead, and I couldn't let you be harmed by the Empress again. So, for the first time, I defied the Emperor and tried to bring you out of the Cold Palace. But the Emperor refused me, but promised to spare your life."
"After risking everything, I gradually calmed down, followed by endless fear. Since the Emperor has promised that you will not be harmed, I feel as if I have been saved. Like a turtle, I retract my head into my shell and never dare to mention this matter again."
"Everything I have depends on the Emperor. If he despises me, I will have nothing."
After saying this, Dai Hengyu was already in tears, covering his face with his hands and sobbing softly. Watching his loved ones being sent to their deaths, and being powerless to stop it, the wounds that time had healed were torn open again, and the bloody wounds began to bleed once more.
Dai Yao looked at Dai Hengyu, his face expressionless.
He knew that this was not Dai Hengyu's fault. Dai Hengyu had risked everything to save him once, which was already an immense favor.
The real culprit is Emperor Xingluo!
Because of his own selfish desires, he took a woman as a concubine. As a result, because the woman had no love for him, he banished her to the cold palace and left her to fend for herself.
For ordinary nobles, this was no problem at all; there was nothing to blame. The only one to blame was the woman, who was ungrateful and remained unhappy after being married to the Crown Prince. Countless women in the world longed to marry the Crown Prince!
However, that woman was Dai Yao's mother!
To Dai Yao, that crown prince was the culprit who killed his mother! He didn't care who the crown prince was, or who the emperor was! The hatred for his mother's murder was irreconcilable!
So what if he's your biological father?!
She had been alone since childhood, never having had a father! Not to mention, she had nearly died at the hands of her family several times. What had that man ever said?! Now, the two of them were mortal enemies!
Even the Empress was merely a victim. Of course, to Dai Yao, the Empress was the direct murderer of his mother, and he had to send her down to make her apologize to his mother!
He looked deeply at Dai Hengyu and comforted him:
"Uncle Hengyu, this matter has nothing to do with you. Thank you for clearing up my confusion. I understand who my enemy is now." (End of Chapter)