...
"Alright, alright, stop with the teacher-student drama here."
Seeing that Xie Yue was still so excited that he wanted to kowtow, Xuan Hao impatiently waved his hand, directly interrupting the emotional atmosphere:
"Now that the work has been assigned, let's get down to business."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately composed themselves and looked at Xuan Hao with solemn expressions.
If the Holy Prince, who had just given away a priceless treasure, called it a "serious matter," then it must be a matter of life and death concerning the future of the Spirit Hall!
"that..."
Xuan Hao cleared his throat and asked with a serious expression:
"How has the Spirit Academy been doing during the six months I was away?"
"Have I been collecting my protection money normally?"
"..."
quiet.
A deathly silence.
The atmosphere in the originally solemn and dignified Papal Palace instantly froze.
Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan, and even Yue Guan, who was in a great mood after taking on a disciple, all had black lines on their faces and their mouths twitched wildly.
no...
One second they were talking about priceless medicinal herbs and the opportunity to transform themselves, and the image of a wise person who regarded money as dirt was still vivid in their minds.
How did we suddenly switch to this "protection fee" topic where people would cause trouble if they weren't paid?!
This is like a god who has just saved the world, turning around and asking the roadside stall owner if he can pay two yuan less for his jianbing guozi!
This is outrageous!
"What are you looking at?!"
Xuan Hao was displeased by the strange looks they were giving him, and put his hands on his hips with an air of self-righteousness:
"I am the Holy Son! I am the future Pope!"
"Do you think it's easy to manage such a large organization like the Spirit Hall?
What's the biggest problem for such a massive organization to function properly?"
"Is it force? I have plenty of that! Is it wisdom?
I have even less of that!"
Xuan Hao slapped the jade seal in his hand with great sorrow:
"It's money!!"
"Although our Spirit Hall is large and powerful, how many mouths are waiting to be fed?
Eating, drinking, and relieving oneself all cost money.
Do you really think talking about money is vulgar?"
"I think you're all typical examples of people who don't know the value of money when they're not in charge of the household!
You have absolutely no economic sense!
How are you going to help me govern the Spirit Hall in the future?!"
After this barrage of fallacies and heresies, Hu Liena and the others were left completely bewildered.
Although something felt off, it seemed... there was really no way to refute it?
After all, money is indeed quite important.
"Okay, okay, you're right, you're right."
Hu Liena sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.
"Don't worry, my Holy Prince."
"We've always collected your protection money according to the rules, just like when you were here.
We haven't shortchanged you by a single copper soul coin."
"oh?"
Xuan Hao raised an eyebrow, a glint of anticipation in his eyes.
"In these past six months, have there been any fools who dared to cause trouble or challenge my authority while I'm away?"
"No."
Hu Liena looked at him strangely. "Junior brother, wake up."
"You've only been away from Martial Soul Academy for half a year, not for decades."
"The intimidation you left behind at the academy... or rather, the psychological trauma you inflicted, is etched into your very bones.
Things haven't even changed much yet, so who would dare to go against you?"
Let alone half a year, even three years from now, the students in the academy will probably feel their legs cramp when they hear the name "Xuan Hao".
"Tch... How boring."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Hao looked disappointed and regretful.
"I was thinking of taking this opportunity to go back to the Martial Soul Academy to rebuild my authority and stretch my muscles."
"It seems that this won't work."
"..."
Yue Guan, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but complain:
"My Holy Son, can't you be a little more dignified?"
"You're a level 42 Soul Master now, you even beat up Soul Kings, and you still think about bullying those Great Soul Masters and Soul Venerables in the academy?"
"If this gets out, aren't you afraid of losing face for your Holy Son?"
"Elder Ju, you are mistaken."
Xuan Hao shook his head, held up one finger and waved it, his face full of inscrutable meaning:
"Do you even understand the meaning of 'building prestige from a young age'?"
"These people in the Spirit Academy now will be the backbone of our Spirit Hall in the future, my right and left hands."
"If I don't plant the seeds in their hearts from a young age that Xuanhao is invincible and that Xuanhao's words are like imperial edicts, so that they develop an instinct to not dare to disobey me..."
"When they become independent and cunning, how much trouble will it be for me to manage them?"
Xuan Hao pointed to his head:
"This is called—corporate culture building!
This is called—early compliance testing!"
"Do you really think I'm playing house?"
"this..."
Upon hearing this, Yue Guan's expression froze instantly.
Looking at the boy in front of him, who was only nine years old but whose eyes revealed a shrewd and calculating nature, he couldn't help but feel a chill.
Although this kid's methods sound like childish nonsense, upon closer examination, the underlying logic... is a chilling imperial strategy!
This kid... he's thinking so far ahead?
"Alright, since everything is fine at the Spirit Academy, I can rest assured."
Seeing that the deterrent effect had been achieved, Xuan Hao stopped dwelling on the topic.
He turned around and instructed Yue Guan:
"Elder Ju, I'll leave things here to you."
"Please do me the trouble to help my senior sisters prepare these medicinal herbs.
Make sure to watch them absorb them to ensure the maximum efficacy."
"I have something else to discuss with the teacher privately."
"Okay, leave it to me."
Yue Guan nodded solemnly.
"Then I'll be going now."
Xuan Hao waved to the group, then turned around and, instead of leaving the palace, walked familiarly toward Bibi Dong's bedroom behind the Papal Palace.
Now that the "atonement" is complete and the title of Holy Son has been established, the next step is to discuss how to legitimately return to Heaven Dou City to "roam" again.
...
After passing through the long, winding corridors of the Papal Palace, Xuan Hao arrived at Bibi Dong's bedroom in the rear hall with practiced ease.
This is the Pope's private area, and normally, apart from his trusted maids, no outsiders are allowed to approach it.
The guards here are a squad of high-ranking female paladins.
Dressed in light silver armor, they looked heroic and dashing.
When they saw Xuan Hao swaggering over, they not only did not stop him, but each of them showed a helpless yet somewhat doting smile and bowed slightly.
"Your Highness, Holy Son."
After all, in the past few years, Xuan Hao has visited this palace more often than he has returned to his own dormitory.
Not to mention the middle of the day, even in the dead of night, this kid has been hanging around here quite often, so they're used to it by now.
"Thank you for your hard work, sisters!"
Xuan Hao waved with a grin, as if he were returning to his own home, skipping even the formalities of announcing his arrival.
He simply pushed open the carved mahogany door and slipped inside.
Inside the palace, the light was soft, and the air was filled with a faint scent of lavender, Bibi Dong's favorite fragrance, which could calm the mind and help her sleep.
Xuan Hao tiptoed around the screen and immediately saw Bibi Dong lying on her side on the soft couch by the window.
She shed her heavy and imposing papal robes and donned a loose, light purple silk nightgown.
Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, making her appear less sharp and more languid and gentle.
At this moment, the powerful female pope was staring blankly at the sycamore tree swaying in the wind outside the window, her eyes empty and unfocused, as if she were seeing someone or something from a long, long time ago through the shadow of the tree.
Xuan Hao crept over, like a silent kitten, and quietly lay down on the edge of the soft couch, resting his chin on his hands and tilting his head to look at her.
Just then.
A crystal-clear tear slid down Bibi Dong's cheek without warning, landing on the silk pillow and spreading into a small water droplet.
"..."
Xuan Hao was stunned for a moment, and his heart tightened for some reason.
"teacher..."
Xuan Hao didn't act all playful as usual. Instead, he reached out a hand and gently poked Bibi Dong's hand, his voice very soft:
Why are you crying?
"Um?!"
Bibi Dong seemed to wake up from a long dream, her body trembling violently.
Almost instinctively, she turned her head away, quickly wiping her cheek with her sleeve, her voice tinged with obvious panic and a nasal tone:
"nothing..."
"The window wasn't closed properly, and sand got into my eyes."
"sand?"
Xuan Hao glanced at the tightly closed window, then at the spotless palace, and his lips twitched slightly.
Teacher, you are a level 99 peerless Douluo, where could a grain of sand possibly blind you?
That's such a flimsy excuse.
However, Xuan Hao did not expose him, but his eyes softened even more.
Bibi Dong calmed herself down and turned around. Although her pale purple eyes were still slightly red, they had regained their usual coolness.
She frowned slightly as she looked at Xuan Hao, who was lying innocently by the bedside, and scolded him irritably:
"But what about you? Why did you come in without saying a word again?"
"How many times have I told you?
This is my palace. You must knock and announce your arrival before entering!
You are not allowed to barge in!"
"I've got it!"
Xuan Hao immediately straightened up, raised his right hand, and solemnly and sincerely promised:
"I've kept everything the teacher said in mind! I'll definitely do it next time!"
"Next time for sure?"
Bibi Dong looked at his confident expression and several black lines instantly appeared on her forehead.
She's heard that a million times!
Every time they say "I'll do it next time," but they still do it again the next time!
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