Chapter 87 The Emperor Arrives in Person!
The Zhu Family Mansion.
When Dai Huabin arrived, Zhu Lu was standing at the door waiting for him.
Standing next to her was a woman in her thirties, with a very well-maintained face, beautiful features, and a gentle yet shrewd demeanor.
She wore a light purple embroidered long dress, and her hair was simply tied up in a bun with two jade hairpins.
Zhu Lu's mother, Xu Xin.
She is also a member of the Xu family of the Star Luo royal family.
In order to win over the Zhu family, Xu Jiawei specially arranged for Xu Xin, the legitimate daughter of a collateral branch of the royal family, to marry into the Zhu family.
It was a political marriage, perfectly clear.
"Hua Bin is here."
Xu Xin smiled and looked Dai Huabin up and down twice.
"Goodness, you've grown even taller in just six months. You've been gone for so long without even sending a message to Lulu. She's been waiting for you at home so long she can't even enjoy her meals."
Zhu Lu blushed: "Mother! I didn't!"
"Still saying you don't?"
Xu Xin glanced at her daughter and said, "You've been home for less than a day, and you've been asking Hua Bin how many times he's coming to pick you up."
"Not that many!" Zhu Lu said, her face flushed.
"Fine, if you say no, then no."
Xu Xin's tone was full of sarcasm, "You've forgotten your mother now that you have a man."
Dai Huabin bowed and said, "Auntie, you're too kind. Lulu must miss you at home too."
Xu Xin looked at Dai Huabin, her smile fading, and she became serious:
"Hua Bin, treat her well."
"Don't worry, Auntie."
Xu Xin nodded and waved for the two to leave.
Zhu Lu followed Dai Huabin into the carriage, and only breathed a sigh of relief after she was settled.
...
It was already evening when they returned to the Duke's mansion.
Dinner was as lavish as usual, with Zhu Ying adding several dishes that Bing Di loved, such as braised pork ribs and braised pork knuckle.
Bing Di paused for a moment while holding the bowl and chopsticks, and gave Zhu Ying a rare "hmm," a gesture of goodwill.
Zhu Ying was overjoyed and put another big piece on her plate.
After finishing his meal, Dai Huabin returned to the underground meditation room and sat down to meditate.
The level 45 soul power circulated smoothly through the meridians, much more smoothly than before.
The soul rings of the ten-thousand-year-old Ice Spine Tiger had already been fully fused, and the black soul power swirled steadily deep within its dantian.
He practiced all night.
The next morning, Dai Huabin was awakened by a knock on the door.
The steward of the Duke's mansion stood outside the door, holding a letter sealed with wax.
"Young Master, this is an urgent message from the Starlight Auction House in Star Luo City, specifically addressed to you."
Dai Huabin took the letter, opened it, and read it.
The letter contained only one line of text, written in neat and elegant handwriting, and was stamped with the exclusive purple-gold seal of Starlight Auction House at the end.
"Hua Bin: We have some new valuable items arriving at the auction. We cordially invite you to come to the city today for a chat. Best regards."
Dai Huabin turned the letter over and looked at it; it was gone.
So fast? They just met yesterday, and they've already sent a letter today. Xu Jiawei's efficiency is even higher than he expected.
"Bing'er".
"What?" Bing Di replied.
"Xu Jiujiu wrote to me, asking me to come over today."
Bing Di paused for two seconds: "Xue Di?"
"Most likely."
Two more seconds of silence followed. Then, Bing Di's emotional fluctuations were clearly transmitted through the blood pact.
Nervous, expectant, and a little uneasy.
"I'll go with you." Bing Di's tone left no room for negotiation.
"Alright, you stay in the undead demiplane. You can come out anytime if anything changes."
Dai Huabin went next door to call Zhu Lu.
"Lulu, Xu Jiujiu asked me to go to the Starlight Auction House today."
Zhu Lu had just washed her face, water droplets still clinging to her temples: "Want me to come with you?"
"No need, you can cultivate in the manor. Xu Jiujiu's situation may involve transactions with the royal family, and it would be inconvenient to have too many people around."
Zhu Lu nodded without asking any further questions.
She knew perfectly well that Dai Huabin went to the auction because of the Bing Di incident. The fewer people who knew about it, the better.
"Then come back soon."
"Um."
After leaving the Duke's mansion, Dai Huabin hired a soul-guided carriage and headed straight for Star Luo City.
Inside the carriage, Bing Di's consciousness kept lingering in his mind, causing his emotions to fluctuate wildly.
"Quiet down," Dai Huabin said to her in his mind. "If you get nervous, my heart will race too. How am I supposed to negotiate with Xu Jiujiu later?"
"I am not nervous at all!"
"Your heartbeat is transmitted through the blood pact, it's incredibly fast."
Bing Di's emotional fluctuations subsided abruptly, but then a hint of annoyance resurfaced.
Dai Huabin didn't say anything more.
He understood Bing Di's feelings. Their best friend might be right in front of them soon; anyone would be uneasy in that situation.
...
Starlight Auction House.
Dai Huabin displayed the Duke's mansion emblem at the entrance, and the steward immediately led him into the VIP area.
Unlike last time, this time he was led not to an ordinary VIP room, but to a private room on the top floor of the auction house.
Two guards in black armor stood at the entrance, their soul power fluctuations no less than level fifty.
People of the royal family.
Dai Huabin knew that since Xu Jiujiu had sent a letter, it was most likely that Xu Jiawei had made the decision himself.
Push the door open and go inside.
The side room was small, but it was decorated with great care.
Exquisite tea and snacks were laid out on the rosewood square table, and a landscape painting of the Star Luo Empire hung on the wall.
The two people sat at the table.
Xu Jiujiu sat on the left.
Today she wore a white, fitted long dress with gold patterns, and her long golden hair was tied into a ponytail with a jade ribbon, hanging down her back.
Her makeup was noticeably more refined than last time. Her lips were redder, her brows softer, and she wore a pair of tassel earrings that swayed gently as she turned her head.
Dai Huabin noticed these details as soon as he entered the room.
She's dressed up.
Sitting to the right was a man in his early thirties, dressed in a gray-blue casual robe with only a plain black belt around his waist and cloth shoes on his feet.
Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, Princess Jiujiu." Dai Huabin clasped his hands in a salute.
No kneeling, no bowing, just a simple cupped-hand salute.
In this extraordinary world, strength is the foundation of everything.
He is now a level 45 Soul Master, backed by the White Tiger Duke's Mansion and the Ice Emperor.
There's no need to be humble!
Xu Jiawei looked at the boy in front of him.
He was 1.9 meters tall, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a handsome face.
He stood there, his demeanor neither arrogant nor overbearing, yet exuding a restrained sharpness.
Xu Jiawei was secretly surprised.
He had met Dai Huabin before.
At that time, Dai Hao brought his son to the palace to pay homage, his face full of arrogance, looking at everyone with sidelong glances.
The boy in front of him was completely different from the spoiled brat he remembered.
Calm, reserved, and when bowing, he was neither arrogant nor humble, and his manners were handled with great skill.
"It's only been three days since we parted."
Xu Jiawei sighed inwardly, but smiled amiably and gestured with his hand.
"Hua Bin, sit down. Today is not a formal occasion, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."
Dai Huabin sat down.
Xu Jiujiu personally poured him a cup of tea, her movements natural and practiced. After pouring, she held it with both hands and pushed it in front of him.
"Hua Bin, today is not a formal occasion, just call me Jiu Jiu."
Dai Huabin took the teacup and thanked her.
Xu Jiawei picked up his cup, took a sip, put it down, and spoke:
"Hua Bin, Jiu Jiu told me a lot about you when she returned to the palace yesterday. I know about the Immortal Herb."
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