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However, one thing Zhu Zhuyun's mind quickly grasped was that the person who had suddenly appeared before them at least bore no ill will toward her and her sister.
Otherwise, they too would have been forced to their knees just now.
Still, Zhu Zhuyun couldn't quite figure out the newcomer's exact intentions. Moreover, she had no recollection of this Title Douluo.
But she felt strangely familiar with his face. After pondering for a moment, it suddenly clicked.
"Master Ye Wen!"
But then she recalled his stance—he was supposed to be absolutely neutral. Why had he suddenly intervened in the affairs of the Star Luo Empire?
"There's no need to overthink it. Once I've dealt with Dai Weisi's men, I'll explain everything to you. Now, tell me—among these people, who belongs to Dai Weisi?" Ye Wen said softly.
With the situation clearly unfavorable, Zhu Zhuyun had no choice but to comply.
Aside from the old woman who had arrived later as reinforcements, everyone else belonged to Dai Weisi.
Ye Wen didn't hesitate. With a wave of his hand, those individuals were crushed into bloody pulp amidst their terror.
He then glanced at the three remaining people and, with a flicker of his mind, teleported all three away.
In no time, the trio found themselves atop a cliff.
Ye Wen introduced himself politely.
"Ye Wen, Principal of Tianxing Academy, pleased to meet you three."
The courteous demeanor of a Title Douluo-level expert made the three feel somewhat uneasy. They awkwardly looked at Ye Wen, unsure how to respond.
Due to their intense exertion, both Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing were drenched in sweat, their faces flushed pink, making them appear especially enticing.
'If only they were closer to my age,' Ye Wen thought, 'perhaps I might have pursued them.'
But as a father of three children, and given his current mental age, he simply couldn't bring himself to do something so despicable to such young girls.
Shaking off these distracting thoughts, he continued,
"I imagine you're curious why I've meddled in the affairs of the Star Luo royal family, right?"
The three nodded cooperatively. After all, Tianxing Academy was known for its strict neutrality, avoiding involvement in any faction's affairs and focusing solely on teaching and nurturing students.
A playful smile lingered on Ye Wen's lips as he turned his gaze to Zhu Zhuyun.
"Before I reveal my purpose, Miss Eldest, can you tell me why you pretended to chase and kill Zhu Zhuqing? After all, if Zhu Zhuqing were dead, wouldn't your path to becoming empress alongside Dai Weisi be smooth sailing?
How about it? Shall I help you kill Zhu Zhuqing? As long as you assist me with a few tasks after becoming empress, we can consider our debt settled."
Ye Wen's voice was like a demon tempting an ignorant mortal, filled with seductive charm and sinister intent.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression froze. This sudden revelation left her momentarily stunned.
Zhu Zhuyun's face flushed red and then pale, her teeth clenched tightly as she glared at Ye Wen.
The old woman remained the calmest, only casting a slightly surprised glance at Ye Wen before falling silent.
"Sister…" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zhu Zhuyun hesitantly, disbelief mingling with hope as she sought confirmation.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuyun's eyes shifted constantly, swirling with emotions of disgust and hatred.
"Kill? Kill what?! How could I possibly harm my own younger sister? I'm human, not some beast!" Zhu Zhuyun cried out, her voice echoing from the depths of her soul.
Hearing Zhu Zhuyun's heartfelt cry, tears involuntarily streamed down Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks.
So she had never truly lost her family's love—it was just that, in the suffocating struggle for power within the royal family, they had been forced to wear masks.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
Ye Wen applauded as the sisters' true feelings were laid bare.
Now, with their hearts open, the two sisters embraced each other. It was a touching sight—though Ye Wen couldn't help but admire their physical attributes. The Zhu family bloodline was truly remarkable; even at such a young age, they possessed impressive strength.
Sibling rivalry was utterly repulsive to Ye Wen, who considered himself a fan of pure love.
It was truly tragic how the Underworld Spirit Cat clan suffered. Their martial souls were highly compatible with the White Tiger martial soul, which led to their family becoming vassals of the Star Luo royal family.
And yet, the Dai family insisted on staging these brain-dead sibling rivalries. Just when they managed to cultivate a promising generation, they squandered it all in meaningless power struggles.
If they truly wanted to groom a brilliant and cunning emperor, they should take a page from the Heavenly Fighting Empire's playbook. Poisoning one's own brothers to secure the throne—that was true royal intrigue.
The Star Luo royal family's struggles weren't cruel—they were more like child's play.
When someone is killed, they die.
So what if Dai Weisi was the eldest prince? If Dai Mubai had strong backing, they could easily bribe a Soul Battle Lord from the Heavenly Fighting Empire to assassinate Dai Weisi.
Opportunities like that were endless, after all. As long as soul masters didn't release their martial souls, they were indistinguishable from ordinary people.
"All right, enough crying. Let's get down to business."
Girls seemed to cry endlessly once they started, so Ye Wen had no choice but to interrupt this heartwarming scene. He then turned his gaze to the old woman beside them.
"Miss Zhu Zhuyun, or shall I call you Little Yun? Your name is too cumbersome.
This grandmotherly figure must be one of your father's trusted people, yes? Can she be fully trusted? If what I'm about to say leaks, your entire family might meet a grim end."
Zhu Zhuyun thought for a moment. The old woman was Zhu Zhuqing's personal nanny, having raised her since childhood, and originally served as their father's personal maid.
But years of witnessing the royal court's intrigues had taught Zhu Zhuyun that few around her could truly be trusted. She silently shook her head.
Ye Wen gazed thoughtfully at the pale-faced old woman.
With a gesture, he summoned her to his side, placing a palm on her forehead. A surge of soul power flowed through her, and she collapsed limply to the ground.
"Don't worry—I've merely erased her memories from this period. When she returns, she'll live a normal life. Tell your father to keep a close eye on her. Now, let's discuss our matters."
After years of cultivation, Ye Wen hadn't been slacking off. At the very least, he had developed unique expertise in soul manipulation. Erasing a soul master's memories for a certain period was child's play.
(P.S.: This skill feels familiar—Tang Shenwang.)
Upon hearing that their beloved nanny hadn't been outright killed, the two sisters couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The next moment, Zhu Zhuyun tensed up. A Title Douluo seeking them out, two weak women, surely couldn't mean anything simple.
Naïve Zhu Zhuqing still didn't fully grasp the situation but obediently stood quietly, listening.
"Your father must have played a role in this escape plan, didn't he?"
Zhu Zhuyun fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding.
Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, was incredulous. So not only her sister but also her father had secretly cared for her all along.
Her icy heart, hardened over the years, began to thaw.
Ye Wen's lips curled into a faint smile. The Duke of the Underworld's household has a rebellious spirit indeed.
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