The battlefield quieted. Poison clouds thinned. Golden petals faded from the sky.
Ghost and Chrysanthemum cursed as they fled faster than startled rabbits, Soul Emperors scattering like dust. Even their agent Lordiala barely escaped Lucien's sword qi storm with wings smoking. Star Luo's Contra bishops pressed them all the way.
At last, silence.
In the courtyard, Bai Chenxiang ran instantly to Lucien's side, tipping a Refreshing Pill past his lips as Sword Qi faded. He shuddered, black haze thinning. "Phew, alive still…"
Chen Xin landed beside him with a sigh, silver blade still humming. "Smelly brat — even stronger than last time!"
Lucien grinned, offering his jug. "Drink? You weren't bad either, Old Sword."
Zhu mansion, later.
By dusk, Zhu Zhenyuan entertained half a dozen Titled Douluo in his residence, pouring tea with hands that still shook. Chen Xin and Dugu Bo trading barbs. Dragon Snake tangled together but proud.
Zhu Zhenyuan smiled nervously, but his mind reeled. The Zhu clan never hosted so many monsters together in one night. And all because of Lucien?!
"Gentlemen," he asked. "His Imperial Majesty Star Luo wishes clarity. Why target a Soul King like Lu Yuan?"
Chen Xin's tone was grave. "Yue Guan's barrier protected him mid-battle. The Hall wanted him alive. That much is obvious."
Dugu Bo agreed. "Strange, countless powerhouses deployed — for one youth? Not dead, but captured? What's in him they covet?"
Lucien suddenly tilted his jug, smirk crooked.
"Ohhh, I get it. The Pope's in love with me. Should've just said so — why send all this? Afraid I'd refuse her proposal?!"
The entire hall: "….."
Zhu Zhenyuan coughed so hard he nearly spat tea. Chen Xin nearly dropped his blade. Even Dugu Bo froze, poison mist leaking.
The Pope of Martial Soul Hall… in love with him?! You drunk fool—!
Later that night — private chambers.
Davis burst in, unable to contain his glee.
"Father-in-law! Do you not see? Sword Douluo, Poison Douluo, Dragon Snake couple — all declared Lucien as kin. Their granddaughters cling to him. After today's war, he is the hub of a super-alliance!"
Zhu Zhenyuan frowned. Davis leaned forward eagerly:
"Why not tie our Zhu Clan to it too? The Seven Treasure Glazed, Heaven Dou's powers, all backing this devil child. If we bar him now, we'll only make enemies. Better: divorcing Zhu Zhuqing from Dai Mubai, and give her to Lucien."
Morning.
Zhu Zhenyuan's hand slammed table.
"…Done!"
The elders stared.
"Zhu Zhuyun remains heir. Zhu Zhuqing already strayed from Mubai's collapsed path. If Lu Yuan stands at Douluo's peak someday, the Zhu clan's safety lies at his side. Dai Mubai abandoned her already… so hand her to this drunk demon who'll make the world bow."
Zhu Zhuqing… would be Lucien's, officially.
And so the title which Soul Masters already whispered across the continent… gained truth.
National grandson-in-law.
--
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