Douluo: Unparalleled General, Starting by Deceptive Thousand-Snow-Peak 72

Chapter 72: Return to the Academy – Xun Yu’s Scheme

Nan Feihuang, under Du Guobo’s guidance, returned to the Tian Dou Royal Academy. However, Du Guobo only saw him to the foot of the mountain before leaving, letting Nan Feihuang climb the rest of the way alone. This solitary fellow still disliked seeing outsiders.

Xue Ke and Xue Qinghe were already waiting. Upon seeing Nan Feihuang, Xue Ke excitedly waved, “Feihuang gege!” (gege: older brother, a term of endearment)

“Princess, it’s been a while. You’ve become even more beautiful,” Nan Feihuang smiled.

Actually, Nan Feihuang returned every month to spend time with Xue Ke or have discussions with Xue Qinghe. Their relationship hadn’t faded; instead, the distance had made it even deeper. Especially for Xue Ke, who had developed feelings for him; she often gazed at the moon in the Moon Pavilion, missing Nan Feihuang.

“Feihuang gege, you flatter me!” Xue Ke blushed. Praise from her beloved always made her happy.

“Feihuang, the semester is over. You should go home for a couple of days. Big brother has already prepared your carriage and luggage. Remember to give my regards to Mister Xuanbing, and… come back soon!” Xue Qinghe patted Nan Feihuang’s shoulder, speaking kindly.

Her feelings for Nan Feihuang were different from Xue Ke’s. Naturally, she couldn’t suddenly fall for a child, especially one betrothed to her sister. However, after each conversation with Nan Feihuang over the years, she always felt cheerful. He was her confidant, and because of Xue Ke, she treated him like a younger brother. At least, for now, this feeling hadn’t changed.

“Yes, thank you, Xue gege. I’ll leave tomorrow. I’ll return after spending the New Year with Father and Mother,” Nan Feihuang bowed in gratitude.

That day, he dined with Xue Ke and Xue Qinghe, and discussed the past few months’ political affairs with Xue Qinghe until late at night before leaving.

Returning to his dormitory in the Tian Dou Royal Academy, only one room was still brightly lit – his own. Nan Feihuang opened the door, saying, “Wen Ru, I’m back. I brought you a gift.”

He knew who would be waiting for him at this hour: Xun Yu.

Indeed, Xun Yu was sitting at his desk reading. This guy had become a theoretical fanatic. After all, his Martial Soul was unique, not requiring him to learn any combat skills. Therefore, he had a lot of free time besides cultivating his soul power. He wouldn’t waste this time, diligently studying with his intelligence. In these four months, his first priority was cultivating soul power, his second was learning theoretical knowledge, and his third was pursuing Ye Lingling. He had his priorities perfectly clear.

A man liking beautiful girls is normal, but Xun Yu wasn’t a love-struck fool who would let a girl impede his progress. Unexpectedly, this non-brown-nosing behavior impressed Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling was proud and aloof, despising the fawning admirers. Xun Yu, strong, intelligent, and openly affectionate without being overly clingy, simply showcased his excellence and reliability. Ye Lingling had never met such a pursuer, and it gave her a unique feeling.

“My lord, you look happy. You got the immortal herbs, right?” Xun Yu smiled.

“Of course. Wen Ru, this is for you, the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid!” Nan Feihuang handed the Eight-Petaled Immortal Orchid to Xun Yu.

Xun Yu accepted it but didn’t immediately consume it, putting it away instead. He felt it wasn’t the right time. A sudden surge in soul power in the Tian Dou Royal Academy might raise suspicion. It would be better to wait a year or two, after the exchange was over. By then, he would be around twelve years old, an age that wouldn’t affect the efficacy. Dian Wei and Lü Lingqi could take theirs after Nan Feihuang brought the herbs back.

Nan Feihuang guessed Xun Yu’s thoughts; it was simply a case of not showing off one’s wealth.

“By the way, my lord, I have something to tell you,” Xun Yu said.

“Oh? What is it?” Nan Feihuang was interested. Anything Xun Yu specifically mentioned wasn’t trivial.

“I hired an assassin organization to kill you and me. They should be on our way back,” Xun Yu stated calmly.

Nan Feihuang’s eyes widened. “Wen Ru, did I offend you somehow? Even if you can’t pronounce my name properly, you don’t need to kill me, do you?”

He didn’t believe Xun Yu had betrayed him. First, although Xun Yu was deep and not as naive as Dian Wei or Lü Lingqi, he was absolutely loyal and wouldn’t betray Nan Feihuang. Second, who would tell the target they’re about to be assassinated, and include themselves in the plan?

“It’s just for future planning, an experiment. Don’t worry, my lord. At first, no one dared to take the job. No assassin organization would be foolish enough to target the son of a Title Douluo. Later, I concealed your identity, telling them to assassinate a minor noble. Then some organizations were willing to take it. My lord, during the months you were away, I wasn’t idle. I have people in Tian Dou’s government now. They aren’t in high positions, but they’re considered officials.” Xun Yu smiled.

His statement clearly related to his subsequent plans.

“Your summoned soldiers, right?” Nan Feihuang immediately understood. Xun Yu’s summoned soldiers didn’t consume soul power after being summoned. Only when they were exhausted or killed would it require soul power to resummon them. These soldiers were like ordinary people; they could replenish their energy through food and sleep. In other words, as long as they weren’t dead, these soldiers were indistinguishable from normal humans.

Although due to Xun Yu’s level, these soldiers were weak, not even Soul Masters, merely slightly stronger than ordinary people, intelligence wasn’t related to soul power cultivation. With Xun Yu’s intelligence, getting them minor official positions wasn’t difficult.

Xun Yu was particularly skilled in internal affairs. He was confident that within a few years, he could help these soldiers rise in the ranks. That’s why he couldn’t summon all his soldiers during the soul-fighting competition; some were already deployed. It took half a year for a few to gain minor positions.

The Tian Dou Empire’s official system was similar to that of the Han Dynasty in Nan Feihuang’s previous life. Military officials were headed by the Great General, Ge Long. Civil officials were managed by three high-ranking ministers, performing roles similar to prime ministers: one managing military and political affairs, one managing the people’s livelihood, and one managing water and land affairs.

Xun Yu didn’t expect the soldiers to reach the top of those three departments quickly. However, with his ability, getting them into those departments was feasible. Many subsequent plans could then be implemented.

“My lord, I know what you’re worried about. Xun Yu is only trying my best to plan for you, giving you a legitimate reason to act…” Xun Yu no longer beat around the bush with his lord.

The lord and his retainer talked late into the night again. Nan Feihuang finally understood Xun Yu’s comprehensive plan. Although his strategy wasn’t as ruthless as Jia Xu’s, it wasn’t exactly aboveboard either. But strategists were mostly like that; Xun Yu was relatively upright.

(End of Chapter)

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