...
Night falls in Tiandou City, at Qibaozhai.
The cool moonlight spilled into the courtyard, draping this ancient garden in a silvery veil.
"Teacher, I'm so sorry to bother you so late."
Xue Qinghe wore a perfectly appropriate expression of apology as he walked and said, "But my father just summoned me again, saying... he wants me to try to win over that young friend Xuan Hao."
"What Father means is that although there was a bit of unpleasantness, a young man with such extraordinary talent as Xuanhao has a limitless future.
If we can win him over to the royal family, the grievances that Xue Beng suffered before will be nothing."
"But..."
Xue Qinghe sighed, his brows furrowing slightly. "I know this can't be rushed.
After all, Xue Beng just offended them badly, and if I rashly approach them now, it might backfire.
So I wanted to ask you for advice, teacher."
"His Majesty is also eager to find talented people."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, not surprised.
Emperor Xueye was a competent ruler; when faced with real interests, things like face could be temporarily set aside.
"However, Your Highness is right, this matter should not be rushed."
Ning Fengzhi stopped and pointed to the pavilion in front of him.
"That child is arrogant and doesn't respond well to force. If you push him too hard, he'll just resent you."
"And you've come at just the right time. That young friend Xuan Hao is currently a guest here."
"oh?"
Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "What a coincidence?
Looks like I'm in luck today."
She had originally planned to go to the Royal Hotel to find Xuan Hao, but before she even left, she received news that Xuan Hao had come to Qibaozhai and was still inside.
Because Chen Xin was there, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were unable to get close.
She understood Xuan Hao's intentions even less.
They didn't intend to get involved, yet they stirred up trouble in Tiandou City, and now they're wandering around Ning Fengzhi's territory.
After thinking it over, she still headed towards Qibaozhai.
Anyway, Xuanhao's matter hadn't been resolved yet, and the old emperor still wanted her to keep an eye on the kid, so he wouldn't cause any more trouble.
Moreover, the old emperor had already hinted to her that she could try to win over Xuan Hao.
If she succeeded, then naturally no one would care about the humiliation she suffered in the avalanche.
That's why she went directly to their door and even revealed her identity.
She wanted Xuan Hao to cooperate with her and perform well in the upcoming scenes, but instead of cooperating, he was so dismissive.
The two walked through the flower path and arrived at the pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, Xuan Hao was sitting with Ning Rongrong and Na'er around a stone table.
Ning Rongrong clutched a white chess piece tightly in her hand, her face tense and serious.
Anyone who didn't know better would think she was contemplating some important national matter.
Meanwhile, Na'er sat obediently beside Xuan Hao, holding a plate of pastries and occasionally feeding him a piece.
"Rongrong?"
Ning Fengzhi was somewhat stunned to see his daughter, who was usually restless, so focused on playing chess.
"When did this girl learn to play chess?"
He walked forward curiously, wanting to see what kind of profound chess game the three children were playing.
However, when he saw the situation on the chessboard, he was completely dumbfounded.
On the crisscrossing Go board, black and white stones were placed haphazardly, without any discernible pattern.
It lacked both the momentum of encirclement and suppression, the strategic planning, and even the most basic "spirit."
What is this thing...?
Just as Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe were completely bewildered.
"Smack!"
Xuan Hao casually placed a black piece between two white pieces, then lazily shrugged:
"Five in a row, I won again."
"ah--!!"
Ning Rongrong let out a scream, threw down the white pieces in her hand, and slumped onto the table, utterly dejected.
"How did I lose again! I clearly saw this move coming!"
"What's the use of seeing it?
You'll miss out if you're too slow."
Xuan Hao tapped the table. "A bet's a bet. Pay up."
"Hmph! Fine, I'll give it to you!"
Ning Rongrong sat up angrily, pulled out a handful of gleaming gold soul coins from her storage soul tool on her wrist, counted out ten, and slammed them on the table.
"I've got plenty of money! Let's go again! I refuse to believe I can't beat you!"
"that..."
Ning Fengzhi couldn't hold back any longer.
He coughed twice, interrupting the "high-stakes gamble," and said, "Rongrong, what kind of game are you playing?
I don't think the game is over yet. How can you say there's a winner already?"
"dad?"
Hearing the noise, Ning Rongrong realized that her father and the Crown Prince had arrived.
She stuck out her tongue, but before she could explain, she was speechless.
"It's Gomoku." Xuan Hao put away the gold soul coins on the table.
"The rules are simple: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. Whoever connects five pieces in a line first wins."
"..."
Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe exchanged a glance, both seeing the speechlessness in each other's eyes.
This is really... a simple, straightforward game that's perfect for kids!
"Your Highness, did you come here so late to play chess with me?"
Xuan Hao asked Xue Qinghe.
"If you want to learn, I can teach you.
However... the tuition isn't cheap."
Xue Qinghe gritted her teeth inwardly as she looked at Xuan Hao's nonchalant attitude.
This kid is still pretending to be stupid!
We just met at noon, and I even treated her recruitment as a joke.
Now I can actually pretend to be nonchalant and joke with her?
"Hehe, young friend Xuanhao is joking."
Xue Qinghe maintained his gentle smile and sat down on the stone bench on the other side.
"I came here to discuss state affairs with my teacher.
I didn't expect to find you here, young friend. What a coincidence."
"Since we've run into each other, let's have a chat."
Xue Qinghe waved his hand, signaling the servants behind him to step back, then looked at Xuan Hao with sincere eyes:
"I have already informed Father about what has happened these past few days."
"Although Father Emperor was heartbroken by Fourth Brother's behavior, he also knew that this was all due to the lack of strict discipline within the royal family.
Father Emperor did not blame you, young friend; on the contrary, he greatly admired your talent and courage."
"Oh?" Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, still toying with the chess piece in his hand.
"So, the emperor doesn't intend to exterminate my entire clan?"
"Of course not," Xue Qinghe said with a smile. "My father is very fond of talent.
He specifically asked me to tell you that if you are willing, the gates of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy will be open to you at any time.
Moreover... if you don't mind, the royal family is willing to treat you with the respect due to a national hero.
As long as you nod, you can use all the resources of the Heavenly Dou Empire."
"real?"
Xuan Hao suddenly stopped playing with the chess pieces.
He raised his head, and his previously nonchalant sky-blue eyes now flashed with a sharp light that sent chills down Xue Qinghe's spine.
That look in his eyes was like a wolf that hadn't eaten for three days suddenly seeing a plump, roasted whole lamb.
"Of course it's true."
Xue Qinghe was taken aback by his sudden reaction, but he maintained his princely demeanor and smiled:
"A king's word is law. Since Father has spoken, his word is as good as gold.
The royal family will never be stingy with any resources that are beneficial to your cultivation."
In Emperor Xueye's view, exchanging some resources for the friendship of a future Title Douluo, or even a reclusive family, was an incredibly profitable deal.
The Heaven Dou Empire lacked many things, but it had no shortage of money and resources.
"Very good!"
Xuan Hao slapped his thigh and jumped up from the stone bench, instantly sweeping away his lazy demeanor.
He leaned closer to Xue Qinghe, rubbed his hands together excitedly, and asked with sparkling eyes:
"Since Your Highness says so, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."
"I've heard that the Heavenly Dou royal family's treasury is filled with countless rare treasures.
So... could you give me a pass so I can take a look around the treasury?"
At this point, Xuan Hao paused, then gave a shy and bashful smile, holding up two fingers:
"I'm not very greedy."
"I'll just go in and take a look. If I see anything I like or that catches my eye, I'll just grab a few pieces."
"The kind where...you can take whatever you want, until you've taken enough."
"..."
Click.
The expensive folding fan in Xue Qinghe's hand made a cracking sound as it could no longer bear the weight, and one of the fan ribs broke off.
She looked at the boy in front of her who was making outrageous demands while acting all "sensible," and her eyes twitched violently, her gentle smile almost crumbling on the spot.
The national treasury?
Do we still want to go inside and take a look around?
Take whatever else you like! Take as much as you want!
Do you think this is a trip to the farmers market to buy produce?!
Do you think the royal treasury is your backyard warehouse?!
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