"That sword technique was taught to me by my late father. I never imagined it would have such a history."
Feng Piaoling feigned a sudden realization.
Xu Jiawei nodded and said, "Since we are practically family now, I won't beat around the bush. Piaoling, you are well aware that the relationship between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire is rather sensitive. I want to know where your ambitions lie."
"To eradicate the Evil Soul Masters," Feng Piaoling replied, sticking to his usual rhetoric.
The moment those words left his mouth, not only was Xu Jiawei stunned, but even the Duke of Netherworld and Princess Jiujiu were visibly taken aback.
Feng Piaoling continued, "I know what Your Majesty wants to ask, and I know what concerns you. However, both Teacher Xuan and I abhor war. From the very beginning, we have had absolutely no interest in the conflict between the Three Empires of Douluo and the Sun Moon Empire. We only harbor a deep and bitter hatred for the Evil Soul Masters. My parents died at their hands. I established the Spirit Hall partly to build a career, but mostly in the hope that one day, I can completely excise this malignant tumor of Evil Soul Masters from the Douluo Continent."
Xu Jiawei nodded inwardly. Though this answer was somewhat unexpected, it was actually better than he had anticipated.
After all, Feng Piaoling was currently studying at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy. If he were to look Xuan Ziwen in the eye and claim that he would side with the Star Luo Empire the moment war broke out, only a fool would believe him.
Remaining neutral sounded much more like a heartfelt truth.
He smiled and said, "So that is how it is. I don't mind you laughing at me, but despite being the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, I actually quite miss the Spirit Hall of ten thousand years ago. If the Spirit Hall were still around, how could those Evil Soul Masters be allowed to run amok like this?"
Feng Piaoling smiled without a word, offering no opinion.
Xu Jiawei continued, "Piaoling, I can see that your sect is still in its infancy. Since we belonged to the same family ten thousand years ago, we shouldn't let fertile water flow into outsiders' fields. If you ever wish to establish a mountain gate, the doors of the Star Luo Empire will always be open to you. Alright, let us leave it at that for now. I have official business to attend to, so feel free to look around on your own. As long as an item is listed in the inventory, you can take it at any time, completely on the house."
With that, Xu Jiawei left the VIP lounge.
Princess Jiujiu, who had remained silent the entire time, cast a deep glance at Feng Piaoling before quickly following her brother.
"Piaoling, this is the token of my Duke of Netherworld's estate. Seeing this token is as good as seeing me. If you encounter any trouble, you can present it. I have other matters to attend to now, so I shall take my leave first," the Duke of Netherworld said.
"Please suit yourself, Uncle Zhu," Feng Piaoling replied as he accepted the token.
"Piaoling, what did the Star Luo Emperor mean by that?"
The moment the Duke of Netherworld left, Xuan Ziwen immediately frowned.
"He simply recognizes the potential of our Spirit Hall and wants to win us over ahead of time. After all, the Star Luo Empire still has a Duke of White Tiger who is constantly eyeing his throne," Feng Piaoling sneered, before turning his gaze to Zhu Lu. "Zhu Lu, your father didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"
Zhu Lu shook her head. "Whether it is the Zhu family, the Dai family, or the royal Xu family, what they care about most in the end is profit. I am luckier than our ancestor, Zhu Zhuqing, was ten thousand years ago. The current Zhu family is no longer a mere vassal to the Dai family. In fact, more often than not, it is the Dai family that needs the Zhu family, not the other way around."
"Furthermore, because of what Dai Huabin did, the Dai family crossed a major line. A rift has already formed between them and my family. Combined with the appearance of the Boss and the royal family's overtures, the Zhu family will basically never invest in the Dai family again for at least three generations."
"You certainly see things clearly," Feng Piaoling smiled, lightly patting her head.
Zhu Lu's pretty face flushed. "Don't look at how quiet I usually am. Most of the time, it was simply because I had no choice. Now that I have the Boss backing me up, I naturally have to fight for my own future."
"The head of the Zhu family? Rest assured, in the future, let alone the head of the Zhu family, even if you want to be the Empress of Star Luo, I will help you ascend to that throne."
Feng Piaoling transmitted that final sentence using his soul power.
"No, I want even more," Zhu Lu said, unexpectedly pulling Feng Piaoling into the restroom before pressing her lips against his.
Feng Piaoling never claimed to be a saint, so he didn't hold back. While responding to her embrace, his hands began to wander.
Before long, Zhu Lu was panting heavily, leaning weakly into Feng Piaoling's chest.
Watching the two of them enter the restroom, Xuan Ziwen couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Ah, to be young again.
Upon leaving the VIP lounge, Xu Jiujiu finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Brother, that Feng Piaoling has no intention of helping us, and he is a remnant of the Spirit Hall from ten thousand years ago. Aren't you worried at all?"
"Speaking of Spirit Hall remnants, aren't we the same? Besides, sometimes whether he helps us or not isn't up to him to decide." A mysterious smile appeared on Xu Jiawei's face.
"Do you mean to say that the Sun Moon Empire is colluding with the Evil Soul Masters?" Xu Jiujiu asked, a look of shock washing over her face.
Xu Jiawei smiled and said, "As of now, it is basically confirmed that the lair of the Evil Soul Masters is not within the Three Empires of Douluo. Given that the Sun Moon Empire's crackdowns on them have always been the weakest, it is practically certain that the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire have already aligned themselves with the Evil Soul Masters."
"Am I right, Brother Zhu?" As he finished speaking, he turned around just in time to see the Duke of Netherworld walking out behind them.
The Duke of Netherworld smiled and replied, "Your Majesty is truly wise."
Xu Jiujiu felt a swell of joy and said excitedly, "It seems the Prime Minister has already made his choice."
"I apologize for making a fool of myself in front of the Princess," the Duke of Netherworld said with a polite smile to Xu Jiujiu. He then turned to Xu Jiawei, his expression instantly turning serious. "The boy from the Dai family truly went too far this time."
Xu Jiawei narrowed his eyes slightly. "For Brother Zhu to make such a grand resolution, it seems that young nephew Feng is even more outstanding than I imagined. In that case, I must congratulate the Duke in advance on securing such a fine son-in-law."
"Haha, it is all because the girl herself is capable," the Duke of Netherworld replied noncommittally.
The two men locked eyes and burst into laughter in perfect unison.
Feng Piaoling and Zhu Lu were acting thoroughly affectionate by the time they returned.
It had to be said that the Zhu family truly lived up to their reputation as the historic choice of the imperial family. If it weren't for their current ages, and the fact that Electrolux was residing inside his spiritual sea—and wanting to avoid getting blocked by the system or letting his woman be seen by someone else—Feng Piaoling would have claimed her right then and there.
After escorting Zhu Lu back to her room, Feng Piaoling returned to his own quarters and eagerly pulled out the Ominous Soul-Devouring Knife.
Electrolux wasted no time. He released a wave of grey spiritual energy, thoroughly purifying the malice and curses contained within the knife until not a trace remained.
"Alright, the purification is complete. You may now call it the Blade of Life's Guardian. Next, press it against your forehead. Remember, no matter what happens, do not panic. Leave everything to me."
Because Feng Piaoling had been practicing the Heaven-Reaching Demon Eye, Electrolux's voice did not sound as weak as it did in the original timeline after completing the purification; it remained full of vigor and strength.
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