Douluo: Unparalleled General, Starting by Deceptive Thousand-Snow-Peak 98

Chapter 98: Seeing Xue Qinghe Again; Continuing the Deception

“At that time, Qian Renxue and the others were probably in this area. The Martial Soul Temple is to the west, while the entrance for the master and his party was here, in the north?” Xun Yu’s finger traced a route across the map, “This can’t be a coincidence. So, how did they ensure the success of their plan? The key factor lies with the master, and the factor that ensures the master’s safety is…”

“Heh, so it’s him. As expected of the Martial Soul Temple, their influence truly extends in a tangled web. So, is it the Palace of the Elders or the Pope’s Palace? Forget it, no matter which, the master’s subsequent actions need to change slightly. I also need to gather more intelligence. Perhaps I can also use this to plan something for the master. Unfortunately, I’m not good at strategizing. If Fengxiao or Wenhe were here…”

Xun Yu is a figure like Xiao He. Although he possesses unparalleled internal affairs capabilities, surpassing even two Guo Jia combined, when it comes to strategizing and winning decisive battles from afar, like Zhang Liang, he is still inferior to Guo Jia and Jia Xu.

Cao Cao’s strategists each have their own strengths, unlike Liu Bei’s side, where Zhuge Liang single-handedly carried the burden in the early stages.

Even though Xun Yu instantly saw through the Martial Soul Temple’s plan, he couldn’t think of a good countermeasure for the time being. First, it involved areas he wasn’t good at, so he could only try to gather intelligence to cope.

Secondly, even the cleverest woman can’t cook a meal without rice. Ancient Thunder King Country’s strength is far inferior to the Martial Soul Temple. Even if he has ideas, he can’t implement them casually, lest he should achieve the opposite of what he intended. It’s like at the Battle of Changban, where no matter how intelligent Zhuge Liang was, facing Cao Cao’s 830,000-strong army, he could only keep fleeing.

The next day, Nan Feihuang, having prepared everything, once again boarded the carriage for his return journey.

And this time, Lan Xue decided to personally escort her son. The previous incidents had left her feeling like a startled bird.

Who knew if another desperate assassin might strike along the way?

Lan Xue still had a lot of pent-up anger to unleash, and if someone dared to challenge her, she wouldn’t mind letting them experience the power of her Mystic Ice Spear.

Of course, there wouldn’t be any more assassination attempts this time. After all, Xun Yu wouldn’t need to place another order, and with the precedent set, no assassin organization with any sense would dare to take the job.

Several days later, the carriage entered the vicinity of Tiandou City.

Lan Xue personally sent Nan Feihuang to the academy before returning. Before leaving, she specifically visited the three academy deans.

She repeatedly urged them to take good care of her son, and the three deans naturally agreed readily.

Meanwhile, Qian Renxue had already returned to the East Palace. Activating her Soul Bone skill, she transformed back into Xue Qinghe, as if nothing had changed.

Nan Feihuang, after tidying his belongings and bidding farewell to his mother, first paid a visit to Emperor Xue Ye in the palace, before heading to the East Palace.

He guessed that Qian Renxue had most likely returned.

Xue Ke was probably in the palace during this period. After all, Yuexuan would also be on holiday for the New Year, and Tang Moonhua wasn’t without family. With her second brother missing, her elder brother was still there.

Sure enough, as soon as he approached the East Palace, he heard a melodious sound of the qin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) coming from the garden.

A song seemed to reach his ears, the qin like flowing water, the xiao (a traditional Chinese vertical flute) like falling blossoms. Whose longing was conveyed through the intertwined sounds of the qin and xiao?

“This is… Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix?” Nan Feihuang murmured.

It seemed Xue Ke missed him. Perhaps it was because the two people she cherished most had secretly met in the Star Dou Great Forest, leaving her alone in the palace, making her feel lonely.

When Nan Feihuang approached, Xue Ke stopped playing upon hearing his footsteps. Turning her head subconsciously, she exclaimed joyfully upon seeing him, “Feihuang gege (older brother), you’re finally back!”

She wasn’t as bold as Lv Lingqi, daring to throw herself into his arms, but she still subconsciously held onto Nan Feihuang’s arm.

“Xue Ke meimei (younger sister), long time no see!” Nan Feihuang laughed. At Xue Ke’s insistence, he changed his address to her, no longer using the formal “Princess.”

Nan Feihuang suddenly felt like a master of time management. In the Star Dou Great Forest, he shared life and death with Qian Renxue; in Ancient Thunder King Palace, he comforted Lv Lingqi; and now, he was in Tiandou Palace, accompanying his nominal fiancée.

Wow, what a player…

It seemed that even if he disliked Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun from Shrek Academy, he wouldn’t have the right to scold them. After all, in certain aspects, he wasn’t even as good as Dai Mubai.

At least Dai Mubai ended up marrying only Zhu Zhuqing.

Nan Feihuang, however, had decided to fulfill his engagement with Xue Ke, but he absolutely couldn’t give up Lv Lingqi.

“It’s okay, I have Elai!” Nan Feihuang thought to himself. If he didn’t have the right to scold, let Elai do it.

When it comes to simple-mindedness and pure, healthy innocence, few could compare to this iron-headed, simple-hearted man.

“Feihuang gege, you came back so late. Big brother has been in seclusion cultivating all this time, and Master temporarily closed Yuexuan, saying she went home for the New Year. Ke’er has felt so lonely,” Xue Ke said with a pout.

With the most important people to her absent, it was no wonder she felt this way.

She couldn’t go and play with Xue Beng or Xue Ye. She only had respect for her father, Emperor Xue Ye, but kept a respectful distance. In front of the majestic emperor, she always maintained the utmost etiquette, unable to let loose her girlish nature.

As for Xue Beng, who only bullied men and women, she felt utter disgust towards him.

Thankfully, now that Nan Feihuang was back, she finally had someone to keep her company.

Just then, the tightly closed doors of the East Palace opened, and Xue Qinghe emerged, preparing to immediately pay his respects to Emperor Xue Ye and inform him of his “exit from seclusion.”

Previously, he had been closing himself off from visitors under the pretext of closed-door cultivation.

However, as soon as he reached the garden, he saw Xue Ke and Nan Feihuang chatting hand-in-hand.

Xue Ke, upon seeing her brother, became even more delighted. What a joyous day! Nan Feihuang’s return and her brother’s emergence from seclusion.

Waving her other hand, she called out, “Big brother, Feihuang gege and I are here!”

Theoretically, Xue Ke should call Xue Qinghe “Royal Brother,” but when they weren’t in public, she directly called him “Big Brother,” which felt more intimate.

Seeing the two holding hands, Xue Qinghe frowned. He had seen their intimacy before the New Year, and felt nothing, but now, why did it feel so jarring and uncomfortable?

“Ke’er, in broad daylight, with no regard for propriety, what a disgrace! Did you learn Yuexuan’s etiquette for nothing?” Xue Qinghe scolded.

Xue Ke was startled, quickly letting go of his hand, “Yes, Big Brother, Ke’er knows her mistake. It’s just that Ke’er hasn’t seen Feihuang gege for a long time, and got carried away.”

“Big Brother, did you just emerge from seclusion, are you still tired?”

She found it strange. Before, Big Brother hadn’t cared about her closeness with Nan Feihuang. What was wrong today?

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe realized he had been too harsh, not fitting his usual persona of a loving older brother. He quickly adjusted back to his usual demeanor, “Ke’er, don’t worry. It’s not that Big Brother is being harsh on you, it’s just that you and Feihuang are not yet married, if others see you like this, they might spread rumors, if you’re behind closed doors, Big Brother is happy to see you two close.”

Although his words were insincere, he maintained Xue Qinghe’s usual persona.

Hearing this, Xue Ke smiled, “So that’s how it is, hee hee. Thank you, Big Brother, for your concern. Little sister will be careful from now on.”

She knew her Big Brother was only concerned about her princess’ reputation. A kind Big Brother wouldn’t be angry with his sister.

“En, Feihuang, long time no see.” Xue Qinghe nodded, then turned to Nan Feihuang. It had only been a few days since they last parted, yet in her words, it seemed like a long time.

Sure enough, women could lie so naturally.

Another player!

And today, Nan Feihuang would compete with her to see who was the bigger player.

Coincidentally, before coming, he had worked with Xun Yu to design a simple deception plan, and it was time to put it to use.

(Chapter end)

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