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(T/N: The title is a bit confusing, let me explain. 'A Gentleman Should Adapt Like Wood and Geese, Yet Transform Like Dragons and Snakes' means a person should navigate life by balancing humility and capability while adapting to circumstances.)
More than a month had passed since Dai Chengfeng left the old woman's home.
Perhaps due to the massive battle that had occurred, tensions between the Tian Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire were incredibly high. However, the war that should have erupted immediately was ultimately halted by the Spirit Hall, leaving the three powers in a stalemate…
As a result, Wu'an City remained peaceful, with no further battles breaking out.
During this month, Dai Chengfeng questioned many people…
Finally, from one of Xu Feng's comrades, he learned why Xu Feng—despite being a centurion of the empire—lived in such dire poverty.
Most of his money had been given to the widows of his fallen comrades who had sacrificed themselves in battle alongside him.
His exact words were: "The ones who died are the true heroes in my heart, not me… The reason I receive such a large military salary is because the empire values me, but I feel unworthy compared to them!"
After obtaining this answer, Dai Chengfeng finally resolved his doubts. However, he felt even more strongly that since he had come to this world, he shouldn't merely remain an outsider, idly passing through.
Still, Dai Chengfeng understood clearly—
To forge the Sword of the Human Emperor and build a vast, unified nation, what he needed most was immense personal strength!
Without it, nothing could be achieved.
Therefore, Dai Chengfeng paid little attention to the political maneuvering between the Tian Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Spirit Hall. Instead, he focused entirely on improving his soul power.
After about a month of relentless cultivation, his soul power had successfully reached level 16.
Today, as usual, Dai Chengfeng was silently practicing the Innate Qi in his room…
Until Zhu Fan arrived.
"Chengfeng, regarding the widows of the fallen soldiers, including Xu Feng's mother—I've spent over a month arranging everything according to your instructions. I've ensured that none of them will live in dilapidated houses like Xu Feng's mother did."
"That's good."
Dai Chengfeng nodded in satisfaction.
"Also, here is a secret letter from His Majesty for you."
"A letter from Father?" A flicker of curiosity appeared in Dai Chengfeng's eyes. "Could it mean the final outcome of the three-way standoff has been decided?"
With that thought, he opened the envelope.
"Chengfeng, upon reading this, it is as if we meet face to face."
"I have agreed to the Spirit Hall's request for a temporary ceasefire. However, the Tian Dou Empire has privately offered compensation in the form of gold and silver soul coins, among which the most noteworthy item is a sixty-thousand-year-old spirit-condensed Wisdom Head Soul Bone."
"This rare head soul bone will be reserved for you. When you return to Xing Luo City, I shall personally award it to my prodigious son as a reward for saving tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Wu'an City."
"Yet, I do not know whether you can understand this decision to halt the conflict…"
"But regardless of whether you understand or resent it, I empathize with you."
"For I believe that when you one day stand at the same height as I do, you too will make such choices for the greater good."
"Weakness is the original sin!"
"Our Star Luo Empire may have defeated the Tian Dou Empire, but we are far weaker than the Spirit Hall. If not for the mutual checks between the Pope and the Enshrinement Hall, our Star Luo Empire might face annihilation."
"Therefore, for now, I still hope that you will follow the ancestral method to obtain your soul rings."
"After all, by following the established path, you are destined to become a Titled Douluo, and at that time, you can resolve the crisis facing our Star Luo Empire."
"If by some chance you ascend to the rank of Limit Douluo, our Star Luo Empire will no longer fear the Spirit Hall… Your talent is crucial to our empire!"
"Therefore, I order you to return to Xing Luo City before the end of the year. Your mother misses you."
"If you continue to act as recklessly as you did a month ago and refuse to return, do not blame me for resorting to force!"
Looking at the letter in his hand, Dai Chengfeng frowned slightly.
He clearly remembered—
The sixty-thousand-year-old spirit-condensed Wisdom Head Soul Bone was one of the three soul bones Tang San won from the Spirit Hall after leading Shrek Academy to victory in the "All-Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament" in the original story.
Later, Tang San fused it with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shrould, upgrading its quality to over a hundred thousand years.
"This is the era of Douluo, where soul bones are far from being commonplace."
"The fact that it's sixty thousand years old and called a spirit-condensed Wisdom Head Soul Bone… What a coincidence!"
"Judging from this, this so-called private compensation likely came from the Spirit Hall, not the Tian Dou Empire."
"Though, it's understandable!"
After all, under the propaganda of both the Tian Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall, the previous battle in Wu'an City was portrayed as a victory for the Tian Dou Empire over the Star Luo Empire .
If the victorious Tian Dou Empire were to compensate the Star Luo Empire, how could Qian Renxue maintain her position as Crown Prince?
"Exchanging a few gold and silver soul coins and a sixty-thousand-year-old head soul bone for Qian Renxue's stable position as Crown Prince? Now that's a good deal!"
After all, if Qian Renxue were to successfully usurp control and completely overthrow the Tian Dou Empire—
Forget a mere sixty-thousand-year-old head soul bone—even an eighty or ninety-thousand-year-old one… if Bibi Dong had it, she'd gladly part with it!
After all, as long as it didn't involve Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong was quite decisive .
However, soon after, Dai Chengfeng found himself deeply troubled…
Although he understood his father's concerns as the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, who prioritized the safety of the empire and its people and avoided unnecessary risks…
He only wanted Dai Chengfeng to follow the traditional path and steadily achieve the rank of Titled Douluo.
But!
Precisely because Dai Chengfeng also cared deeply about the Star Luo Empire, he couldn't agree with Dai An's demands.
In Dai An's eyes, a single Titled Douluo could save the Star Luo Empire from peril.
But as someone who had transmigrated into this world, Dai Chengfeng knew full well that even a Titled Douluo—or even a Limit Douluo or a second-tier god—wouldn't suffice!
After all, in the future, the emperor of the Star Luo Empire would bear the surname Xu!
Would Dai Mubai, a second-tier god, dare object? He was completely under Tang San's control, forced to watch helplessly as events unfolded.
"Six months remain until the end of the year…"
Dai Chengfeng had no doubt about his father's determination. If he continued to defy his wishes regarding soul ring acquisition, his father would resort to force.
"It seems I can't stay in the Star Luo Empire any longer. I'll set out for the Tian Dou Empire to obtain the immortal herbs!"
"After acquiring all three soul rings, I'll return."
Dai Chengfeng sighed bitterly. "Thankfully, the ancestors only specified the order of the first three soul rings; otherwise, I'd truly be unable to return home!"
"But what about my safety in the Tian Dou Empire?"
Dai Chengfeng stroked his chin. "I should be perfectly safe!"
After all, in the eyes of the Tian Dou Empire's higher-ups, the battle in Wu'an City was a 'victory' for the Star Luo Empire. Who would bother targeting a prince of the Star Luo Empire branded as useless?
However, soon after, a vein of frustration appeared on Dai Chengfeng's forehead as he thought of a certain love-struck individual.
"Alright!"
"And then there's Qian Renxue, who knows the truth…"
Dai Chengfeng stroked his chin again. "But if I sneak off secretly, she likely won't discover me."
"And even if she does…"
"Tang San posed such a significant threat, yet she chose not to assassinate him but instead attempted to recruit him. After all, she's arrogant and confident that she'll one day become the Angel God—how could a mere mortal surpass her?"
"In that case, she'll likely try to recruit me as well. I'll be safe!"
Naturally, Dai Chengfeng had no intention of accepting Qian Renxue's recruitment—they were enemies, and though he couldn't retaliate now, he wouldn't forget.
But…
A gentleman should adapt like wood and geese, yet transform like dragons and snakes.
Dai Chengfeng had his own destination.
For the sake of reaching that "vast, unified nation of eternal peace"…
He didn't mind traveling alongside an enemy for a while, at the right time.
"However, before I leave, I must settle the scores that can be settled!"
Dai Chengfeng couldn't forget Xu Feng, who had bravely sacrificed himself to protect the rivers, mountains, and people;
Bai Zhan, who had blocked a fatal blow for him, saving his life, but ultimately fell in battle before his eyes;
Yin Xu, who charged forward despite sustaining multiple wounds, refusing to retreat until his blood ran dry and he collapsed;
And countless other soldiers!
"If Father insists on maintaining the bigger picture and refuses to act personally, then I will!"
Dai Chengfeng's gaze turned icy as he stared northwestward—the direction of Wu Ping City!
"The blood debt of Xu Feng, Bai Zhan, Yin Xu, Yin Ming, Ye Songxing, Wang Xincheng… and three hundred fifty-two soldiers must be repaid in blood!"
"Youthful chivalry, befriending heroes from the five capitals. Our hearts beat as one, our hair stands on end at injustice. In fleeting conversation, we pledge life and death together—a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold!"
"I, I made a vow to you!"
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