Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

"Alright, Qing Yi will be waiting for your news at any time..."

Huo Qing said with relief.

"By the way, Xiao Cheng, do you need me to introduce you to our Soul Engineer Regiment leader? Her camp isn't too far away."

"..."

After pondering for a moment, Xu Cheng still shook his head.

"No need, Qing Yi. She holds a high position, and her greatest concern right now is getting involved in the battle for the throne. If I approach rashly, it might only make things worse..."

Unless the other party takes the initiative, Xu Cheng would never invite trouble.

"This... is my oversight."

Huo Qing looked at Xu Cheng, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration.

This child has his own opinions and takes responsibility—he truly has the makings of a wise ruler. If Ah Ya could see this from the afterlife, she would surely be able to rest in peace...

"Report!"

A hurried voice suddenly called from outside the tent.

Huo Qing and Xu Cheng exchanged glances.

"Come in!"

A woman dressed in bright red armor rushed into the tent.

She knelt on one knee and said,

"Reporting to the Commander! A man claiming to be the Crown Prince has arrived outside the camp, accompanied by some attendants, seeking an audience with the Commander!"

"Crown Prince?"

Xu Cheng raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't expected Xu Tianran to sniff out this place so quickly.

As the Crown Prince, it was perfectly normal for him to go around recruiting allies, but Xu Cheng remembered that in the original story, Xu Tianran had never been this impatient.

It seemed he was feeling the pressure as well...

"Xiao Cheng, this is my trusted aide—her name is Huo Lei."

Huo Qing said seriously.

It was a way of telling Xu Cheng that he could speak freely in front of her.

"Haha, we've already met."

Xu Cheng smiled and turned to Huo Lei.

"I greet the Eleventh Prince!"

Huo Lei immediately knelt and saluted.

Her life had been saved by Huo Qing, so she was absolutely loyal to her. Since her superior had chosen to follow Xu Cheng, she had no choice either.

"Alright, let's go out together. It's about time I had a chat with my dear elder brother."

Xu Cheng said with a smirk.

Outside the Tent

Xu Tianran sat in his wheelchair, looking up slightly.

The sky was a brilliant blue.

Being in the Ming Dou Mountain Range, high up in the mountains, the air was crisp and refreshing, easing his troubled mind somewhat.

But the female soldiers in red armor standing solemnly in front of him broke the peaceful moment.

He sighed inwardly.

He knew this was a risky move.

But right now, he had no other options.

His fourth brother's aggressive tactics, combined with the rapid rise of his eleventh brother, filled him with anxiety.

"Swish!"

The female soldiers around him stepped aside, opening a path.

Several figures emerged from the camp.

"Xu Tianran has come here only to request a brief audience with your commander. You need only report my arrival—if she refuses to meet, I will leave at once."

Xu Tianran spoke nonchalantly.

Even though he was in a wheelchair, he did not display the slightest hint of defeat.

But the tall woman in front of him, who appeared to be the local commander, merely glanced at him indifferently, not bothering to respond.

Xu Tianran frowned.

Was his title as Crown Prince so meaningless that these soldiers wouldn't even bother reporting his presence?

The next moment, a voice he least wanted to hear rang out.

"Big brother, long time no see..."

"Old Eleven?"

Xu Tianran's pupils shrank.

From behind the female commander, a figure slowly emerged.

It was none other than his eleventh brother, who had recently been making waves!

"Judging by the look on your face, it seems you didn't expect to see me here, Your Highness?"

Xu Cheng said with a grin.

"Haha, how could that be? It's been a while since we last met, and I never expected that today, we would both end up in the same place. Truly a remarkable coincidence..."

Xu Tianran quickly adjusted his expression and responded calmly.

"So, may I ask why Your Highness has come here?"

"For a change of scenery. My leg is crippled and beyond healing—it's been frustrating."

Xu Tianran said with a half-smile.

"A change of scenery... in the Ming Dou Mountain Range?"

Xu Cheng asked with feigned surprise.

Xu Tianran: "..."

"Haha, I was merely speaking casually. After all, I'm still young and tend to speak without thinking. I hope the Crown Prince won't take offense."

"Of course, we are brothers—there's no need for such formalities..."

"In that case, I'll take my leave first. Your Highness, until we meet again."

Xu Cheng smiled, not giving Xu Tianran a chance to react before he turned and left with Nana.

"Go, take a small squad and escort the prince out of the Ming Dou Mountain Range. The situation here is dangerous, and we cannot afford to have the prince caught up in battle."

Huo Qing waved her hand and ordered Huo Lei.

"Yes!"

Huo Lei obeyed, leading her troops into the sky, streaking after Xu Cheng like red meteors.

Having given her command, Huo Qing then turned to Xu Tianran, speaking indifferently,

"My apologies, Your Highness, but the commander has long since given orders—this is a military stronghold, and we do not receive guests. So please, leave."

One of Xu Tianran's attendants grew enraged.

"What is the meaning of this?! If this is a military stronghold, then why was he allowed in?! Don't tell me you don't know who he is!"

"When did I say he came to see the commander?"

Huo Qing's voice was icy.

"If you keep making trouble, I don't care who you are—I will have you all detained! Fire Phoenix Regiment, prepare for combat!"

With her command, the surrounding female soldiers instantly took battle formations.

The black barrels of soul cannons locked onto Xu Tianran's party, while the chilling gleam of melee soul weapons flashed ominously.

Xu Tianran's face twitched.

He should have brought Xue Chen along…

With a Super Douluo at his side, at least he wouldn't have to worry about his safety.

"Wait! Do not act recklessly!"

Xu Tianran took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.

He still wasn't sure whether this hostility came from Huo Qing alone or was ordered by Huo Feng.

But one thing was certain—he was in real danger right now.

"If that is the case, we will leave at once!"

"..."

Huo Qing's eyes remained indifferent.

She flicked her fingers.

The female soldiers parted to form an open path.

"Huff..."

Xu Tianran took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes, motioning for his subordinates to push his wheelchair forward.

As he passed through the cold, hostile stares around him, for the first time, he felt like he was walking on thin ice.

He could tell—Huo Qing had genuinely contemplated killing him just now.

Although that intent had eventually faded, if he lingered any longer, he might truly meet his end here...

Watching Xu Tianran's departing figure, one of Huo Qing's close aides whispered,

"Commander, why didn't you kill him? It would have paved the way for the prince."

"He is not worth the effort..."

Huo Qing's eyes narrowed slightly as she played with a small soul-guided dagger in her hand.

In the past, she might have considered sacrificing herself to clear the path for her young master.

But Xu Cheng's arrival had changed everything.

Now, she had a real chance to become a Rank 9 Soul Engineer.

If she died here, that would be the true loss for her young master...

Elsewhere

In a border town.

Xu Cheng looked at a ragged girl on the streets, dressed in tattered clothes, yet still fair-skinned beneath the grime.

His mouth twitched.

"You… say your name again?"

The girl looked at Xu Cheng pitifully, curling up into a small ball.

"Juzi..."

(End of Chapter)