Chapter 185: Heh Heh Heh
"Interesting," Ye Wen murmured with a sly smile before posing a direct question. "Tell me, does the Zhu family also wish to break free from the Star Luo imperial family's control?"
It was a delicate subject, as the Dai and Zhu families were publicly seen as partners bound by marriage and mutual allegiance. However, beneath this façade, things were very different.
To the Dai family, the Zhu family was nothing more than a tool, a means to consolidate their power. Pure affection was a rarity, especially among the elite. Dai Mubai was notorious even at the young age of fifteen, already well versed in pleasure with a reputation for dalliance; twins often flanked him, a clear sign that he'd started down that path much earlier. And the world of nobles was indeed indulgent, as evidenced by Ma Hongjun's escapades he was barely twelve when he'd already enlisted a village girl to satisfy his desires until she could endure it no longer. This was the norm in such a freewheeling society.
Furthermore, Ye Wen had always found the Zhu family's soul skills curious. Take Zhu Zhuqing's first two abilities: Nether Thrust and Nether Hundred Claws. For any ordinary soul master, these would be decent offensive abilities. But considering the Zhu family's status as a powerful noble house, second only to the royal family, such meager skills hardly seemed fitting. It was clear that the Dai family intended to limit the Zhu family's growth, keeping their talents at a controllable level.
Zhu Zhuyun, poised as the next empress, was well aware of these subtleties within her own family's position. A dark look crossed her face as she reluctantly nodded. The reality of the Zhu family's situation was no secret to the nobility of Star Luo; many knew of the royal family's tight grip on them but dared not speak openly.
"Would you like my help?" Ye Wen offered casually.
Zhu Zhuyun felt a glimmer of hope but quickly suppressed it, recalling the power of the White Tiger Emperor, a Titled Douluo, and lowered her gaze. "Thank you for your offer, Master, but His Majesty is a Titled Douluo, and I'd hate to bring trouble upon you."
"Heh," Ye Wen chuckled. "Do you think I'd involve myself in this if I feared a mere 'little tiger'?"
Ye Wen's smile deepened as he casually summoned his spirit rings, each radiating a striking aura. As the awe inspiring display of eleven rings appeared scarlet, golden blue, and a combination of other powerful colors Zhu Zhuyun and her sister were momentarily stunned, their minds reeling.
Ye Wen's cultivation had skyrocketed over the past decade, strengthened by Poseidon's lingering divine power. Now, he had reached level 112 and could, if he wished, convert all his spirit rings to divine rings. For now, though, he'd only enhanced a select few, leaving others untouched, as his power already eclipsed anything the Douluo Plane could muster. There was no need to fuss over skills he barely needed to activate; his focus lay on the law of divine power itself.
As the eldest, Zhu Zhuyun was the first to collect herself, counting the spirit rings in shock. "Eleven... That's impossible! Master Ye Wen, could you possibly be...?"
Her suspicions left her breathless, the word "god" on her tongue.
Taking a moment, Ye Wen placed a steadying hand on their shoulders before confirming her unspoken question. "Through the trials of the Sea God, I have ascended. Now, I inherit the mantle of Poseidon. You may address me as the Sea God."
A trembling breath escaped Zhu Zhuyun as she stared at him, her eyes filled with awe and reverence. The Zhu family's years of suffering could they finally be at an end? To her, the thought of deception never even crossed her mind. With a strength so overwhelming, why would a god need to deceive her?
Suppressing the wild hope welling up within her, Zhu Zhuyun dropped to one knee, bowing deeply as she pleaded, "Please, Lord Sea God, save my family."
Ye Wen regarded her with a mix of pity and disdain, thinking to himself how the noble upbringing had warped her. She knelt almost reflexively, though he hadn't even asked for such subservience.
Seeing her sister's response, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated briefly before kneeling as well, her own hopes clinging to this unexpected chance.
After a long moment, Ye Wen finally spoke, his voice measured. "The Zhu family is not worthy of my mercy."
Their faces fell, but he continued.
"My goal is not simply to help your family; my aim is to bring peace to all people under the heavens. The Zhu family's salvation would be incidental. So I'll ask you plainly are you willing to assist me? If my plan succeeds, the Zhu family will be freed from its current chains, reborn as a loyal house under the blessing of a god."
Before he had finished speaking, Zhu Zhuyun had already pressed her forehead to the ground.
"By the grace of the Sea God, I obey." Rising, her eyes burned with conviction. "Please, Lord Sea God, command me as you will."
The devotion he sensed in her was far stronger than that of any on Sea God Island; years of oppression under the Dai family had certainly fueled her zeal. Her loyalty would serve his purposes well.
Smirking, Ye Wen mused silently: Good... A ready pawn eager to break from the Dai family's chokehold. Many hands make light work, and heaven's will is set against the Dai. It's only natural they should meet their end.
After concealing his divine rings, Ye Wen began to outline Zhu Zhuyun's new mission.
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