Chapter 189: Royal Compensation, Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!
"Who dares to move against the Meng family?!"
This declaration immediately caused Su Yun and the Ghost Douluo to turn around.
Hundreds of golden armored warriors also turned back angrily, wanting to see who had the audacity to act so boldly in front of the Spirit Hall forces, especially when they were accompanied by a Title Douluo, the Pope's right-hand man—the Ghost Douluo!
As the gaze of the Spirit Hall members and the Meng family fell on the source of the voice, they saw a man in armor riding a warhorse, his eyes coldly watching everyone present.
Behind him were dozens of soldiers in armor from the Tian Dou Empire's cavalry.
They were surrounded by a fierce aura, clearly seasoned warriors.
"Marshal Go Long?" Su Yun recognized the man he had seen several times at the Emperor Xue Ye's birthday banquet, "It's been a while, Marshal Go Long. Where have you been sharpening your battlefield tactics? Your killing intent is so heavy. And it seems you came here in a hurry."
Indeed, Go Long and his soldiers seemed composed, but the exhausted state of their warhorses revealed the urgency of their journey, likely due to the Spirit Hall's significant actions drawing the attention of the Tian Dou Empire.
"It turns out to be Young Friend Su." Marshal Go Long recognized Su Yun and immediately dismounted.
Knowing Su Yun's identity as Bibi Dong's second disciple, he knew he had to treat Su Yun with respect given their comparable statuses.
Moreover, he could see that this young boy, merely twelve years old, had abundant soul power, even at the level of a Soul King.
All these factors warranted his respect.
Marshal Go Long's followers also dismounted and stood behind him, while Ghost Douluo remained silent next to Su Yun, his presence alone making Go Long uneasy.
"Enough small talk, Marshal Go Long. If you want me to spare the Meng family, please give me a reason," Su Yun said calmly, hoping the marshal could provide a reason to sheath his sword.
"Bold! With the Marshal here..." Soldiers following Marshal Go Long attempted to rebuke Su Yun but were immediately silenced by Go Long's sharp rebuke.
Seeing this, Su Yun said, "There's no need for that, Marshal Go Long. The Spirit Hall won't kill innocents just because someone speaks ill of me, and I'm not someone who delights in killing."
"I'll give you sixty counts. If your reason is good enough for me to spare the Meng family, I will. Otherwise, my order stands," Su Yun declared, and the Spirit Hall warriors around him shouted in unison.
Meanwhile, many Spirit Hall members started returning from all directions, quickly surrounding the town's passages.
Seeing the increasing number of Spirit Hall soul masters, Go Long felt pressured and pleaded, "Young Friend Su, the Meng family was on a mission for the royal family, on behalf of His Majesty. Could you please spare the Meng family this time?"
"Marshal Go Long, you must know why the Spirit Hall is capturing someone. The Meng family not only harbored the murderer of the previous Pope of the Spirit Hall but also joined him in pursuing me. If not for my luck, I could have been captured and used to blackmail the Spirit Hall, or even beheaded," Su Yun stared at Go Long, questioning whether he could easily forgive them.
"This... After all, the Meng family is a major clan. It's not appropriate for Young Friend Su to kill all members of the Meng family just like that," Go Long argued, emphasizing the Meng family's importance within the Tian Dou Empire and hoping for leniency following the death of their patriarch, Dragon Gong.
Su Yun, realizing the royal family's involvement, understood their fear of the Spirit Hall targeting other major clans within the empire, potentially weakening their power against the Spirit Hall.
"Hmph! You think the Spirit Hall can be bullied just because of a word from the royal family?" Ghost Douluo coldly questioned, his power overwhelming everyone present, emphasizing the disparity between their strengths.
"Young Su Yun, the royal family is willing to offer compensation if you agree to spare the Meng family," Go Long relayed, suggesting a deal to prevent further Spirit Hall retaliation against the Tian Dou Empire's major clans.
"Oh?" Su Yun raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the notion of royal compensation, and asked for specifics.
Go Long hesitated, ultimately leaving the decision to Su Yun, prompting Ghost Douluo to mention a unique artifact owned by the royal family, suggesting it as suitable compensation.
This artifact, the Hanhai Qiankun Cover, also known as the Sea God's Heart, was a powerful and genuine treasure.
Hearing this, Go Long's expression changed, aware of the unique artifact's existence but unfamiliar with its appearance or specifics.
Even though Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and a figure of immense wealth, was extremely covetous of that treasure, he was hindered by his status and thus found it inappropriate to directly demand the treasure from Emperor Xue Ye.
"How so? Unwilling?" A ghostly voice, cold as the abyss, stated, "A mere object in exchange for the life of our Spirit Hall's Holy Son is already a loss for us."
"Do not disregard our goodwill."
The ghostly figure revealing Su Yun's identity as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall was enough to signify the elevation of his status within the Spirit Hall.
Under Su Yun's puzzled gaze, the ghostly figure transmitted a message, "This is an edict personally issued by the Pope, declaring Nana as the Holy Maiden and you as the Holy Son."
"The position of the future Pope of the Spirit Hall will undoubtedly emerge from between you two."
Su Yun understood.
"Su young friend, this matter is of great importance, beyond my decision-making ability. Please allow me a few days," Gao Long said solemnly with a fist salute.
"Within three days, I want information," Su Yun left Gao Long with these words before he and the Ghost Douluo headed to the Spirit Hall's resting area.
As for the others, they surrounded the Meng family's youngsters in the hotel completely.
...
During the night at the Tian Dou Imperial Palace, Emperor Xue Ye, Prince Xue Xing, the Fourth Prince Xue Beng, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, along with Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, all had extremely grim expressions.
"Long Gong Meng Shu is dead?!"
"Hao Tian Douluo is also dead?!"
"This Su Yun of the Spirit Hall is so sinister, surviving the pursuit of two strong fighters!" Prince Xue Xing, shocked by the information on the letter, felt greatly shaken.
"There's no need to rush to conclusions," Ning Fengzhi said calmly, "At present, we just can't find any trace of those two, and we cannot simply assume they are dead."
"Teacher, although that's true, the letter also stated that on that day, the city guards and people from the Spirit Hall saw Long Gong Meng Shu and Hao Tian Douluo chasing after Su Yun of the Spirit Hall. After leaving a message about Tang Hao's whereabouts for the Spirit Hall, he then entered the Star Dou Forest."
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) said, "Thus far, Su Yun has safely returned, while the other two have vanished without a trace, it seems..."
"You're overthinking it," Bone Douluo interjected, "Long Gong Meng Shu is a veteran Spirit Douluo, and in the Star Dou Forest, only top-tier thousand-year spirit beasts hiding in the depths could possibly take his life."
"Moreover, he had Hao Tian Douluo by his side."
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe shook his head, "Bone Douluo, it's not that I'm being alarmist, but we've all received news recently."
"The Great Worship of the Spirit Hall seriously injured Tang Hao and even captured Yu Xiaogang, who had betrayed us."
"After being severely injured, Tang Hao disappeared, and it seems now he must have been rescued by the Meng family."
"According to the letter, the Meng family's attack on Su Yun might well be due to Hao Tian Douluo's hatred for the Spirit Hall."
Prince Xue Beng, confused, asked, "Why would Su Yun of the Spirit Hall encounter someone from the Meng family?"
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe explained, "It's said he was out on a training expedition and accidentally saved Meng Yiran, who had sneaked out. After learning his identity, she deliberately led him to the Meng family's caravan rest stop..."
"Damn it!"
Before Qian Renxue could finish, Xue Beng abruptly stood up, cursing, "So the Meng family directly attacked?! Then why should our royal family save them?!"
"And they want us to give a divine artifact to the Spirit Hall!"
"I disagree! Absolutely disagree!"
"Cough cough!"
"Xue Beng, sit down!"
Emperor Xue Ye coughed lightly and rebuked Xue Beng.
Hearing this, Xue Beng, like a mouse shocked by electricity, immediately changed his expression and swiftly returned to his seat.
Emperor Xue Ye put down the letter in his hand and then looked towards Ning Fengzhi, asking softly, "Leader Ning, do you have any strategies?"
Ning Fengzhi paused for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, it seems that regardless of whether Long Gong Meng Shu and Hao Tian Douluo are in trouble, for now, we cannot avoid this situation."
"Within the Tian Dou Empire's territory, a noble family attacking the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, especially in collusion with Hao Tian Douluo, a nominal criminal of the Spirit Hall."
"If the Spirit Hall finds a pretext to act against them, although our empire has countless soldiers, we cannot withstand their torment."
As Ning Fengzhi's words ended, Xue Beng spoke again, "Uncle Ning, what are you saying? With millions of lion-hearted soldiers, should our Tian Dou Empire fear the Spirit Hall?"
Before Ning Fengzhi could reply, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) spoke for him, "The point isn't about whether we can win, but that this might be a trap set by the Spirit Hall."
"Even Su Yun's coincidental meeting with Meng Yiran could be part of their plan."
"Perhaps his training expedition was a facade, and his true mission was to work for the Spirit Hall."
Crown Prince Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) analyzed seriously, "They are looking for excuses to target noble families, and it just so happened that this time they encountered the Meng family, who were with Hao Tian Douluo."
"This gives the Spirit Hall a legitimate reason to mobilize their forces!"
"As for war, the Spirit Hall would probably welcome it."
"Once we start a war, the Spirit Hall would bring their armies, prepared for many years, directly to our Tian Dou Empire's borders."
"By then, we would be in a difficult position."
"Don't forget, the Spirit Hall is also a key factor in balancing against the Star Luo Empire."
"If we face trouble, it's hard to guarantee that the Star Luo Empire won't kick us while we're down and launch an attack, leading to us fighting on two fronts."
Emperor Xue Ye, hearing Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's analysis, nodded slightly.
Ning Fengzhi also nodded, "What the Crown Prince said is very true, and that's exactly what I'm worried about."
"Rather than starting a war, causing damage to the empire and discontent among the people, it's better to exchange a dead object for peace."
"What our Tian Dou Empire lacks most now is time."
"We cannot allow the Spirit Hall to disrupt our recovery plans."
Saying this, Ning Fengzhi looked towards Emperor Xue Ye and stood up, saying, "Therefore, I ask for Your Majesty's decision."
Emperor Xue Ye closed his eyes, seemingly pondering.
After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, a hint of distress flashing through them, and said in a deep voice, "Give it!"
"Summon someone to fetch the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, and hurry through the night. Gift this object to the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall as a token of our empire's sincerity."
(End of Chapter)
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