Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 33: Seeing Dai Mubai Again

A trio passing by caught Dai Yao's attention—a young man accompanied by two beautiful young women. The women, with identical features and graceful figures, were unmistakably twins. The man in the middle was handsome and rugged, carrying himself with an unruly charm, though he was noticeably drunk. Even from a distance, Dai Yao could smell the alcohol.

This man was none other than Dai Mubai.

"Looks like the Third Prince has changed company again," one noble quipped. "He's been getting wilder lately."

"These nobles and their extravagant lifestyles—always partying and wasting money," grumbled a commoner soul master, tinged with envy and disdain.

But Dai Yao could see through Dai Mubai's wild exterior to something deeper—a sense of despair and self-destruction. Dai Yao felt a pang of regret. Not long ago, Dai Mubai had been a formidable opponent, full of spirit and vigor. But since arriving at the academy, Dai Yao had heard that Dai Mubai had changed, abandoning his training and indulging in a life of hedonism.

True soul masters, Dai Yao knew, had to remain disciplined and face challenges head-on. He watched as Dai Mubai's expression faltered momentarily; seeing Dai Yao had rattled him. His gaze averted, Dai Mubai quickened his pace, saying nothing as he hurried away.

Dai Yao's heart grew heavy. He realized that the crushing weight of defeat in their duel had driven Dai Mubai to this reckless state. He imagined that if he failed in the struggle for the throne, he might one day face the same dismal fate.

"No," he thought, clenching his fists. "I won't end up like that."

With renewed determination, Dai Yao channeled his spirit power into his legs and darted out of the teaching area, into the forest, and back to his secluded training ground.

In the days that followed, Dai Yao adhered to a strict regimen. Mornings were spent learning the fundamentals of soul master combat, identifying spirit beasts and their unique vulnerabilities, and studying the latest theories in the world of soul masters. He often reflected that, apart from his twin martial spirit knowledge, what the original master, Yu Xiaogang, had taught Tang San wasn't particularly unique—knowledge of spirit beasts was common among the larger clans and powerful factions.

It turned out that much of what Yu Xiaogang had shared was widely known within these circles, carefully guarded yet not entirely proprietary. Dai Yao had once thought Yu Xiaogang, even if somewhat reliant on stolen knowledge, still offered something valuable. But after his studies at the Royal Academy, he realized that the clans had far deeper and broader insights than what Yu Xiaogang had ever shared.

"Who knows how Yu Xiaogang managed to win the hearts of two remarkable women, Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong?" Dai Yao muttered, bemused. It seemed that Yu Xiaogang's talent for romance far exceeded his academic achievements.

"Maybe that's one area where I could learn a thing or two," Dai Yao joked to himself.

Beyond study, he dedicated the rest of his time to training. For days on end, he braved the force of the waterfall, falling into the water so many times that his skin began to wrinkle. Though exhausted, he felt reinvigorated by the steady increase in his spirit power, which made the effort worth it.

After that encounter in the dining hall, Feng Wutong began to understand the extent of Dai Yao's struggles. Despite his noble title, his daily life was no better than that of a commoner soul master—perhaps even harder. She, at least, had her family's love and support. Dai Yao's mother was gone, and his father was as distant as a stranger. To survive, he had to feign innocence and constantly guard against the Empress.

"What a pitiful situation," Feng Wutong thought, feeling a pang of sympathy.

One day, she approached him by the waterfall, puzzled, and asked, "Why work so hard when you know there's no chance?"

Dai Yao, his spirit power focused on withstanding the relentless water pressure, merely smiled and replied, "You can't know it's impossible until you try."

From that moment, the small figure of Dai Yao became towering in her eyes.

A few days later, Zhu Zhuqing returned, newly confident with her first spirit ring and eager for a friendly match with Dai Yao. As expected, Dai Yao won. Zhu Zhuqing's first skill, Nether Hundred Claws, was no match for Dai Yao's White Tiger Barrier, and Dai Yao's explosive step technique allowed him to match her speed. Realizing she couldn't break through his defenses, Zhu Zhuqing conceded with a smile.

However, after hearing Dai Yao's story, the excitement of her recent achievement dimmed. They exchanged a glance, both understanding the precariousness of their situations.

"Let's keep going together," Dai Yao said, smiling and extending his hand.

"Yes, let's keep going," Zhu Zhuqing replied, placing her hand in his and resting her head on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, a lone Feng Wutong couldn't help but feel left out. Thinking of Dai Yao's description of herself as a "lone wolf," she grew annoyed.

The Second Prince's Estate

By the lakeside pavilion, Dai Yaming stood, hands clasped behind his back, gazing over the water.

"What's the latest on Dai Yao?" he asked his attendant.

The burly man stood by the Second Prince's side, responding to his question:

"Since we humiliated Dai Yao in the dining hall, he's been holed up in his training ground. He hasn't come out at all, and a commoner soul master has been bringing him food."

The Second Prince turned, surprised.

"He hasn't come out? I didn't expect him to endure such a public disgrace without reacting."

Dai Yaming's expression turned contemplative. Dai Yao's response was indeed unexpected. While Dai Yao's potential didn't worry him—after all, a six-year advantage couldn't easily be overtaken—Dai Yao's ability to swallow his pride and bear such an insult did.

In his original plan, he'd hoped to provoke Dai Yao into a public display of rage, followed by a humiliating defeat. He'd intended to humiliate Zhu Zhuqing similarly, striking at their confidence and dignity from every angle, believing such layered humiliation would force Dai Yao to either endure an unbearable existence or, more likely, turn to despair.

Yet after the incident in the dining hall, Dai Yao had instead retreated to his training ground, avoiding further confrontation and focusing on cultivation. Dai Yaming could not allow him to settle into training. "We can't let him just calmly train in there," he thought, but he was short on ideas. As long as Dai Yao stayed within the grounds and refused to rise to challenges, it would be difficult to achieve his goal.

"How could a member of the royal family act like such a coward?" he fumed, a sense of frustration building.

Finally, he landed on a strategy. "Fatty," he ordered, "head to Dai Yao's training area every day to challenge him. If he doesn't accept, keep provoking him until he can't train in peace. I refuse to believe he's truly a coward at heart."

Fighting outside of a designated area was prohibited at the Royal Academy; all formal duels had to be held in the famous White Tiger Arena. Known throughout Xingluo Empire, the White Tiger Arena was a dream venue for academy soul masters. To step into that ring was considered a lifelong honor.

The burly man looked hesitant. "Your Highness, I am a Grandmaster-level soul master. Challenging someone with only one ring like him... isn't that a bit beneath me?"

The Second Prince sighed. He was out of options. Aside from Fatty, there was no one else among his followers strong enough for this job who would also risk their reputation. The few noble grandmasters loyal to him would never agree to something so undignified.

"I understand, but you know my situation. These nobles won't back me. I only have you. As for your reputation, rest assured—when I claim the throne, you'll be rewarded with a noble title."

Fatty, who was indeed the ambitious soul master Ye Nantian had mentioned as one who'd "sold his soul" for a shot at noble status, hesitated. Glancing at the Second Prince, he finally set his jaw and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. I'll make sure to handle it well."

Evening. Dai Yao's Training Ground.

Seated under the waterfall, Dai Yao noticed movement in the forest. Opening his eyes, he saw Fatty approaching with a group of followers.

A taunting voice echoed through the trees. "Been hiding here all these days. I thought you'd gone into hibernation! The Second Prince sent me to check on you, to see how life's treating you down here." Fatty glanced around at Dai Yao's modest quarters and snickered.

Dai Yao ignored him, closing his eyes and focusing again on channeling his spirit power, his mind intent on withstanding the crushing weight of the waterfall above.

Seeing Dai Yao's lack of response, Fatty's face twisted with anger. As a commoner, he'd endured years of disrespect from nobles. But ever since he'd joined the Second Prince's ranks, most treated him with deference. Only the First Prince's people dared defy him. Yet here was Dai Yao—someone he considered on the losing end of power—showing him such blatant disregard.

Remembering the Second Prince's instructions, Fatty suppressed his frustration and sneered,

"So, 'Fourth Prince,' I challenge you to a duel. Are you brave enough to accept?"

Those in Fatty's group exchanged glances, surprised. A Grandmaster challenging a one-ring soul master seemed absurd, and they regarded him with thinly veiled amusement. But Fatty had made up his mind. He knew that, per the Second Prince's orders, his goal was simply to keep bothering Dai Yao, preventing him from focusing on his training.

Seeing Dai Yao stay silent, Fatty continued, shouting insults:

"Coward! Spineless wretch! You're a disgrace to the noble title you carry!"

While some spectators disapproved of Fatty's taunts, others felt a surge of disdain toward Dai Yao. As the taunts continued, more people looked down on him; no noble with any sense of honor would tolerate such public humiliation.

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