Chapter 178: The Submission of He Caitou
If he agreed to Huo Yuhao's request, wouldn't that mean betraying the academy? The academy had always treated him well, especially Teacher Fan Yu. Even though Fan Yu had taken him to steal blueprints last time and they had both been caught, resulting in their expulsion from Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and losing the opportunity to continue their studies there, He Caitou never once resented Fan Yu. When he had escaped from the Sun Moon Empire to the Heavenly Soul Empire, it was Fan Yu who saved his life, took him in as his disciple, and gave him a place to belong. Fan Yu's kindness to him was immeasurable.
Because of that, the thought of betraying the academy left him feeling deeply conflicted.
"He Caitou, our interests are aligned," Huo Yuhao said, looking at the visibly troubled Xu He, speaking his true thoughts.
The tent they were in was covered by a soundproofing soul tool, ensuring that their conversation would not be overheard, making it a safe place to speak freely. Of course, if He Caitou agreed to his proposal, Huo Yuhao planned to ask Electrolux to place a restriction on him to prevent any leaks.
"Aligned interests?" He Caitou was confused, looking at Huo Yuhao. "You are the Sun Moon Empire's genius soul engineer, and I am from Shrek Academy. We have no common interests at all. Before coming here, I never expected that the person who wrote to me was you."
Huo Yuhao smiled and explained, "The current Sun Moon Imperial Family is our common enemy."
He Caitou was shocked. "Your parents were also killed by Xu Tianran and his people? That's not right. Your father is the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, and he has nothing to do with them at all. Don't tell me that your allegiance to the Sun Moon Empire is actually part of a plan by the Star Luo Empire? The father son conflict was just an act for the world to see? You never truly severed ties?"
Huo Yuhao thought He Caitou had quite the imagination and shook his head. "If your guess was right, that would mean I am a hidden Star Luo agent within the Sun Moon Empire. But I have long been a citizen of the Sun Moon Empire. Your theory doesn't hold up at all."
"Then why do you say the Sun Moon Imperial Family is our common enemy?"
"You don't need to worry about that," Huo Yuhao said in a deep voice. "I know you suspect that I have ties to the current Sun Moon Imperial Family, but in reality, I have nothing to do with them not even a single copper soul coin. If I were truly working with them, I would have killed you the moment you arrived here to prevent you, a so called former crown prince, from rallying forces and threatening the empire's stability. That's why our cooperation is based on real interests."
He Caitou paused. Huo Yuhao's reasoning made sense. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "If our cooperation requires me to betray the academy, I cannot do that."
Huo Yuhao looked at He Caitou. "He Caitou, think carefully. If you refuse to become a spy, I will have no choice but to hand you over to Xu Tianran . If he learns that you, the former crown prince, are still alive, he will not pass up the chance to kill you.
"Also, are you truly that loyal to Shrek Academy? If so, why have you been hiding your identity from them?"
"I did it for their own good!" He Caitou tried to defend himself.
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "For their own good? He Caitou, you can fool others with that, but do you really believe it yourself? If you were truly doing it for their good, you would have told them your true identity!
"I believe that the elders of the Sea God's Pavilion, in order to counterbalance the Sun Moon Empire, might even help you establish a 'government in exile' to influence the empire from within. Establishing a legitimate Sun Moon lineage within neutral Shrek Academy could be a powerful move.
"Or is it that you don't want to reclaim the throne that was originally yours? Don't you want revenge for your parents?"
He Caitou's expression darkened. His voice trembled as he said, "Of course I want revenge. Of course I want to take back my throne. But the time isn't right! Only when the time is right can I personally kill my enemies and avenge my parents."
"The time isn't right?" Huo Yuhao sighed. "He Caitou, you are already part of Shrek Academy's Ultimate Soldier Plan, and they value you immensely. This is already the perfect time for revenge.
"Shrek Academy has spent countless resources training you. Do you think they would let you throw your life away in vain? They would definitely protect you.
"And let me tell you something the Sun Moon Emperor's health is declining. I estimate that in a few years, he will die.
"What, are you planning to wait until he's dead and then spit on his grave? No way, no one would really think like that, right?"
He Caitou was silent for a moment. He hadn't expected Huo Yuhao to even know about the Ultimate Soldier Plan. That plan was supposed to be highly classified within the academy. Combined with the fact that the letter had mysteriously appeared on his desk, it made him feel like Shrek Academy was already riddled with spies.
Of course, he also found Huo Yuhao's words reasonable, though something still felt off. But when he thought about his parents' tragic deaths, he clenched his fists instinctively, his breathing becoming slightly rapid. The pain of losing his family had tormented him for years his hatred for the current Sun Moon Imperial Family was immeasurable.
"Teacher Fan Yu has been so good to me..."
Huo Yuhao stood up from his chair, walked to He Caitou's side, and patted him on the shoulder. "But Xu Tianran is an imminent threat, and it all depends on whether I decide to reveal your identity.
"He Caitou, you must find a way to avenge your parents! I promise you, as long as Fan Yu doesn't do anything wrong, we won't harm him. If war breaks out in the future and we capture Fan Yu, I will make sure he is treated well in prison."
He Caitou pondered this for a long time before finally nodding with difficulty. "Alright, I agree. But what exactly do you want me to do?"
Huo Yuhao smiled with satisfaction and began persuading He Caitou. "What should you do? First, focus on researching soul tools. Then, try to join the Star Luo Empire's military. Remember, you must climb the ranks step by step. You need to become like Zhao… no, your goal should be the White Tiger Duke. This is all for your own good."
"The White Tiger Duke…" He Caitou forced a bitter smile. "That's Dai Hao of the Dai family. I don't know anything about military strategy. Isn't aiming for his level a bit too ambitious?"
Huo Yuhao immediately responded, "I say this to motivate you. First and foremost, you are an outstanding soul engineer. Talents like you are respected wherever you go, and your martial soul and soul skills have significant strategic value in warfare.
"I believe that any intelligent general will recognize your potential. Even if you can't rise to Dai Hao's rank, the moment you join the Star Luo military and demonstrate your abilities, both for yourself and for Shrek Academy, your rapid promotion will be inevitable."
He Caitou's martial soul was a cigar, and in Ultimate Douluo, his role was akin to Oscar's in the past. Naturally, as a food type soul master, He Caitou was just as extraordinary.
Nearly every cigar he produced through his soul skills had critical strategic value, with their effects lasting for extended periods.
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