Chapter 197: Dai Mubai's Despair
Dai Long watched Dai Mubai, who still remained motionless. His heart sank as he quietly circulated his soul power. With a subtle motion, he directed an invisible burst of energy to the back of Dai Mubai's head.
"Ah!"
Under the force, Dai Mubai was pushed forward, his head bowing before Zhu Zhuqing. Unprepared, his forehead struck the ground, instantly breaking the skin and causing blood to flow.
Feeling the pain on his forehead, Dai Mubai was consumed by agony—not just physical, but a deep psychological torment.
As the Third Prince of the Star Luo Empire, he had always held a position of high status. Never before had he endured such humiliation.
"Ahhh!"
Forced by Dai Long's power, Dai Mubai continued to bow his head, the sound of his forehead hitting the ground echoing through the hall.
Despair welled up within him.
From this day forward, even if he became the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, he would live under the shadow of this humiliation.
And it was all because of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhao Ming.
One day, he would make them pay. He would ensure they knew the true meaning of suffering, making their lives a living hell.
As Dai Mubai continued to bow, even Zhu Zizhao found it difficult to watch.
He quickly used his soul power to lift Dai Mubai, preventing him from continuing to bow and apologize. After all, regardless of Dai Long's efforts today, the engagement had to be annulled. To him, Zhao Ming was the perfect son-in-law.
"Your Majesty, there is no need for this. The Third Prince is of noble birth; our Zhuqing does not deserve such a display," Zhu Zizhao said as he helped Dai Mubai up. Dai Mubai's forehead was already bloodied and swollen, showing the extent of Dai Long's sincerity and the importance he placed on his relationship with the Zhu family. It was clear that without the Zhu family's support, the Dai family could not maintain their hold on power in the Star Luo Empire.
"Lord Zhu, is this satisfactory? Mubai has been misguided and unruly in the past, but I promise to discipline him strictly and prevent him from frequenting such disreputable places again," Dai Long assured.
"Your Majesty, we have felt the sincerity of your efforts. However, the engagement must be annulled," Zhu Zizhao sighed.
"Why? Are you not even willing to give Mubai a chance to redeem himself?" Dai Long's voice held a hint of anger. He could not understand why Zhu Zizhao was being so adamant.
"Ah, I want to give Mubai a chance, but what he has done is unforgivable," Zhu Zizhao said, giving Dai Mubai a deep look and shaking his head.
"Has Mubai done something even worse?" Dai Long took a deep breath, feeling both anger and disappointment. His wayward son had been absent for years, and upon his return, he had caused such a scandal. He wanted nothing more than to kick him out, but knowing his son's talent, he forced himself to remain calm.
A Titled Douluo was far too valuable for the Dai family.
They could produce an emperor every few decades, but they had never had a Titled Douluo.
This potential was Dai Mubai's only saving grace, and Dai Long wasn't willing to abandon it.
Dai Long steadied himself, looking at Zhu Zizhao with anticipation. He hoped that whatever Dai Mubai had done, it was not beyond redemption. If it wasn't too severe, he could still find a way to smooth things over.
"Dai Mubai is nothing but a beast. He dared to…" Zhu Zizhao's voice grew heavier with emotion. It was clear how deeply he resented what Dai Mubai had done.
[TL/N: I promise, this has nothing to do with me, the author didn't continue just "He dared to.."]
"What?" Dai Long's face turned red with anger as he stared at Zhu Zizhao.
Dai Mubai's face drained of color. His first thought was that it was over. His eyes lost their light, and he knew that if this matter were exposed, his reputation would be destroyed.
He would lose any chance of competing for the position of Crown Prince.
Everyone present was stunned as they looked at Dai Mubai. They couldn't believe that he had been so despicable as to commit such an act against his own fiancée.
Many in the room felt a sense of disdain. For a man to be so cowardly that he resorted to such dishonorable methods to handle a woman was beneath contempt.
"You animal!" Dai Long could no longer hold back his anger. He struck Dai Mubai with such force that he sent him flying.
"Father, please, let me explain…" Dai Mubai cried out.
"Hmph, I will investigate this matter thoroughly," Dai Long growled, his face cold. He sent another blast of soul power at Dai Mubai, hurling him into a pillar. Dai Mubai's body crumpled, his aura weakening.
At this moment, Dai Long's disappointment was palpable.
While he might have tried to excuse Dai Mubai's visits to brothels, seeking forgiveness for such a heinous act was impossible.
As the emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Long had his pride. He could not lower himself to beg for forgiveness over such a disgraceful matter. There was no way he could refuse Zhu Zizhao's request for an annulment now.
How could he ask Zhu Zizhao to marry his daughter to someone who had wronged her so deeply? No emperor could justify that.
"Ah, Mubai has truly let me down. I am at fault for not raising him properly," Dai Long sighed. Turning to Zhu Zhuqing, he said, "Zhuqing, it is my fault that Mubai has wronged you. I apologize on his behalf."
"Your Majesty, there is no need for that. This matter is between me and Dai Mubai; it has nothing to do with you," Zhu Zhuqing replied as she stood gracefully.
Her elegance and beauty drew admiration from all those present.
Zhu Zhuqing was indeed an extraordinary beauty.
But soon, the attention shifted from her beauty to her strength.
"Lord Zhu, is it true that Zhuqing is a level thirty-three Soul Elder?" A man in a black official robe looked at Zhu Zizhao and Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Level thirty-three Soul Elder?" The hall buzzed with astonishment.
"I remember Zhuqing isn't even fifteen yet."
"To clarify, my daughter Zhuqing is twelve, nearly thirteen," Zhu Zizhao said with a proud smile. In recent days, even he had been amazed at how quickly his daughter's strength had grown. He was curious about what Zhao Ming had given her to allow for such rapid and stable cultivation. However, he chose not to inquire further, knowing that Zhao Ming's background was strong and that he treated his daughter well. Sometimes, it was better not to know too much.
"Twelve years old and already a level thirty-three Soul Elder?" The astonishment in the hall grew as they turned their gazes toward Zhu Zhuqing, who stood elegantly in her black and gold dress.
Zhu Zhuqing's talent even surpassed Dai Mubai's.
With such talent, there might not be another like her in the world.
In the future, she was sure to become a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.
Anyone who could marry her would secure the power of a future Titled Douluo in their family. Realizing this, many in the hall could not remain calm.
All eyes focused on Zhu Zhuqing, the gifted and elegant young woman. Her talent, beauty, and temperament were beyond reproach.
Everyone had forgotten that this banquet was meant to celebrate Dai Mubai.
Now, the star of the event was Zhu Zhuqing—a twelve-year-old prodigy who had already reached the level of Soul Elder.
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.