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"Alright, Old White Bird, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go back and drink—come on!" Yang Wudi laughed, tugging at Bai He as they began to walk, calling out:
"Waiter! Bring out the finest wine and meats! Today, Old White Bird and I won't rest until we're completely drunk—ha ha ha!"
Before long, the table was laden with every delicacy imaginable: steamed venison, steamed bear paws, roast chicken, roast duck, spicy rabbit—an array of lavish meats, all of which were soul-beast flesh! Alongside the feast sat an assortment of exquisite wines, their rich aromas filling the air.
Bai He swallowed and thought to himself: It seems the Old Mountain Goat has been living quite well these years! Perhaps he can help support the Ming Clan. He sighed inwardly. Among the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans, the Ming Clan had suffered the most. The Li Clan excelled in forging, the Yu Clan in construction, and the Po Clan in alchemy—each had a trade to sustain themselves. But the Ming Clan's specialty was gathering intelligence, a skill useful only in wartime. Moreover, all its soul masters were pure Sensory-type, utterly lacking in combat power; when confronted by enemies, they could only evade.
This was why the Ming Clan had struggled for so long. If they possessed fighting prowess, they could hunt soul beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest and earn a decent livelihood. But alas, without any combat ability, they had to rely on the other three clans' charity for years.
Among them, the Po Clan's alchemy was renowned, and they fared best of all the Four Clans. Over the years, Yang Wudi had often aided the Ming Clan.
As they drank and chatted, Yang Wudi recounted his journey into the Star Luo Empire, emphasizing Prince Dai Weisi's name repeatedly. Both Bai He and Bai Chenxiang now remembered the name Dai Weisi.
After several rounds of wine, noticing Bai He's lingering gloom, Yang Wudi guessed the reason. He set down his cup with a sigh: "Old White Bird, you and I are brothers—let's be honest. You didn't come just to visit me, did you?"
"Heh heh, Old Mountain Goat, you see straight through me," Bai He admitted with a wry smile. "Indeed, our Ming Clan has grown increasingly destitute. I'm here hoping you might support us once more."
"Ha ha ha, that's no problem. After all, I have powerful allies now. There's truth in the old saying: 'It's cool under a big tree.'" With that, Yang Wudi produced a soul conduit device and handed it to Bai He. "Old White Bird, inside is one million gold soul coins. That should tide your clan over!"
"Old Mountain Goat, are you serious?" Bai He's eyes widened as he panted, momentarily breathless. With just over a hundred members, one million gold soul coins would sustain the Ming Clan for over a decade.
"Of course! We're brothers!" Yang Wudi smiled, then his expression turned serious. "But Old White Bird, constantly begging for funds isn't a solution. The Ming Clan must find a way to support itself."
Sighing, Bai He replied, "I understand, but what can we do? Our clan's skill is intelligence gathering and message delivery—useful only in wartime. Pure Sensory soul masters have no combat power."
At the word "war," Bai He's eyes brightened. He looked at Yang Wudi in surprise. "Are you suggesting I—join the Star Luo Empire just like you?"
Bai He had lived in the Star Luo Empire for years and knew it was warlike and fierce. Were it not for the Spirit Hall's restraint, the Empire would have waged conquest long ago. Such warmongers would surely welcome those skilled in reconnaissance and enemy movements. After all, battlefield intelligence often decides victory or defeat.
Take the recent attack by Ju and Gui Douluos on the Alchemists' Association: if they had known the black-clad assassins were rigged with explosives, they would never have acted so rashly—a testament to the power of good intelligence.
"Exactly," Yang Wudi nodded. "His Highness the Crown Prince has shown me great favor, and the Empire's soldiers saved my life. The Retired Emperor even helped me capture Ju Douluo. The Star Luo Empire has treated me well, and as a general, I owe something back."
He leaned forward, voice low. "The Spirit Hall fears the Four Single-Attribute Clans joining Star Luo and strengthening it. They even sent two Titled Douluos to assassinate me. So let's give them a shock: unite all Four Clans under the Empire. With our alliance, the Star Luo Empire's power will soar. When the time comes to clash with the Spirit Hall, we'll have far greater chances of victory."
"Let me add," Yang Wudi continued after a pause, "this will benefit the Ming Clan as well. I know you've struggled these past years, Old White Bird. Once you join the Star Luo Empire, the Ming Clan won't have to endure such hardship. What do you think?"
"Yes, Old Mountain Goat," Bai He replied, gazing at the sumptuous spread. "You make a strong case."
Seeing the feast before him, Bai He realized just how well the Empire treated Yang Wudi, and that joining Star Luo might indeed be a wise choice.
"All right, I'll agree to it. We'll pledge ourselves to the Star Luo Empire—though I'm not sure if the Celestial Sovereign will accept us."
"Ha ha ha, that's the spirit!" Yang Wudi laughed heartily. "Don't worry. Even if the Sovereign is reluctant, you can approach the Crown Prince. He's desperate for talent—when he hears you wish to join him, he'll welcome you without hesitation.
"It's late now. Tomorrow, I'll take you both to meet the Crown Prince! And let me tell you, the Crown Prince is the Empire's greatest prodigy. He's only twenty years old, yet he's already a Level 56 Soul King. His fourth soul ring is at the ten-thousand-year tier. Even Du Gu Bo, the Poison Douluo, is on friendly terms with him…"
The more Yang Wudi spoke, the more animated he became. But Bai He grew increasingly apprehensive. A twenty-year-old Soul King with a ten-thousand-year spirit ring—such talent would rank him first across the entire Douluo Continent, not just within the Star Luo Empire. And if he counts Du Gu Bo among his allies, that means the Empire effectively has three Titled Douluos in its service.
With three Titled Douluos backing the throne, Bai He finally felt confident: joining Star Luo truly could transform the Ming Clan's fate.
The next morning, Yang Wudi escorted Bai He and Bai Chenxiang to the Crown Prince's manor.
Meanwhile, Dai Weisi—woken and restless after a night of anticipation—immediately resumed his cultivation. He needed to break through to Level 60 as soon as possible.
Just as he entered deep meditation, his attendant Li Hu announced, "General Yang requests an audience." Dai Weisi halted his meditation, exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhuyun, and rose to greet his guest.
Having read both the anime and the original text, Dai Weisi recognized the two companions flanking Yang Wudi at once.
Bai He and Bai Chenxiang? What are they doing here? Have they come to pledge allegiance to me? he wondered. He knew Yang Wudi would not bring them without reason.
"Your Highness, I am Yang Wudi," Yang Wudi declared with a respectful bow. "We pay homage to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess!"
(End of Chapter)