Chapter 174 Confronting the Duchess
The Duchess frowned slightly.
"There's no need to pick and choose among the assassins. When they arrive, just send them all to the Sun Moon Empire. The price is negotiable.
But Huo Yuhao must die.
Otherwise, if he's allowed to grow, he will become a serious threat.
No matter what, he is Haoge's son.
If the Sun Moon Empire and Star Luo Empire go to war, and Huo Yuhao stands firmly on the Sun Moon side, then Haoge will inevitably be affected by him."
She trusted that Dai Hao would never betray Star Luo, but if he were to face Huo Yuhao on the battlefield, there was no doubt that his emotions would waver.
And that was not beneficial to Star Luo.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
The Duchess instinctively turned toward the noise.
A young servant in gray robes came rushing in, his expression filled with urgency.
Zhang Tieshan stepped forward, blocking the servant from approaching the Duchess.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Zhang Tieshan recognized the young man he was one of the gatekeepers of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
"Sir Zhang! A group of men in black robes has arrived outside! They claim to be the guests invited by the Duchess, and they wish to enter the mansion."
Zhang Tieshan's face lit up with a smile.
"Good. I was expecting them."
"Go back and bring them in," he ordered.
"Understood, Sir Zhang!"
The young servant quickly retreated.
Moments later, the black robed figures were led inside.
The gatekeeper, sensing the tension, discreetly excused himself and shut the door behind him.
The Duchess gazed at the black robed assassins with indifference.
"My request is simple kill Huo Yuhao.
All of you must go to the Sun Moon Empire."
In truth, she could have sent her own people to kill Huo Yuhao.
But aside from Zhang Tieshan, her forces were weak.
Most of her subordinates had been tasked with assisting Dai Huabin in bullying others.
But now that Dai Huabin was dead, there was no one left for them to oppress.
Of course, with Dai Huabin gone, she had redirected all her attention to her only surviving son, Dai Yueheng.
Her other guards had been sent to the Ming Dou Mountain Range to protect him.
Thus, she had no interest in calling them back just to deal with Huo Yuhao.
Zhang Tieshan, despite his reluctance to travel to the Sun Moon Empire, acknowledged the Duchess's authority and spoke.
"I will accompany you on this mission.
Rest assured, the Duchess will pay you handsomely for your services."
Ri Yao was a highly reputable assassination organization.
Many nobles worked with them, and it was rumored that they even had Titled Douluo within their ranks.
Because of this, Zhang Tieshan didn't dare act arrogantly.
Instead, he took a more diplomatic approach.
But then
A voice cut through the silence.
"Oh? So you really want Huo Yuhao dead, Duchess?"
The speaker was one of the black robed figures.
"Well, I have bad news for you.
Your plans… are about to fall apart."
The Duchess narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean by that?"
Her voice was sharp.
"As an assassin, you dare to curse my mission before it has even begun?
If you fail, don't expect to be paid!"
The figure chuckled.
"Oh, no worries.
Even if you die right here… I will still get paid."
As he spoke, the figure slowly pulled down his hood.
His calm gaze locked onto the Duchess.
Her expression froze.
"Y You're… Huo Yuhao?!"
Ever since the Soul Dueling Tournament, the Duchess had been keeping an eye on him.
After all, his words had caused tremendous damage to the White Tiger Duke's reputation.
But she never expected him to appear here.
Not only that…
He had disguised himself as one of the assassins.
That could only mean one thing
These people were his allies.
Her heart pounded in fear.
She staggered backward, realizing her life was in danger.
But she wasn't out of options yet.
"Zhang Tieshan!" she barked.
"Take them down!"
Zhang Tieshan moved immediately.
He knew time was short.
The Sun Moon Empire valued Huo Yuhao immensely.
There was no way he had come alone.
The only way to survive was to act first.
But before he could strike,
A short, stocky figure extended a hand
And effortlessly caught Zhang Tieshan's arm.
A calm, gentle voice followed.
"If Yuhao wants revenge,
Then you should step aside.
Besides…
If you want a fight, there are plenty of people here willing to entertain you."
Zhang Tieshan's eyes widened in shock.
The strength he felt from the grip was immense.
He glanced at the short man, his gaze quickly shifting to his hands.
His skin had a toad like texture.
And beneath him
Nine soul rings flickered.
A shiver ran down Zhang Tieshan's spine.
There was no doubt.
This was the Hall Master of Mingde Hall.
A Titled Douluo.
"Damn it," Zhang Tieshan cursed internally.
"The assassination plot must have been exposed!"
"Was there a traitor inside Ri Yao?!"
Meanwhile
Huo Yuhao ignored the commotion.
He stepped around Zhang Tieshan and pursued the Duchess.
He wasn't worried about her escaping.
The back exit was already blocked.
He knew the layout of the mansion perfectly.
Although the original Huo Yuhao had been relegated to the servant's quarters,
His mother, Huo Yun'er, had often spoken about the mansion.
And those memories had been passed on to him.
Because of that, Huo Yuhao knew the layout like the back of his hand.
Sure enough
The Duchess reached the back door.
She swung it open
Only to freeze in horror.
A black robed figure stood before her.
And beneath him
Nine soul rings glowed ominously.
An unbeatable foe.
As a Soul Emperor, she had no chance against a Titled Douluo.
But she wasn't out of options yet.
If she couldn't escape,
She could at least call for help.
Taking a deep breath,
She screamed at the top of her lungs.
"ENEMY ATTACK!"
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