Chapter 42: Plotting

Ten Thousand Gold City, Earl's Manor.

A plain-looking carriage stopped in front of the gate of a three-story small building.

The carriage door opened, and a handsome, outstanding young man stepped down from it.

Though the attire seemed plain, it was actually expertly crafted by a renowned tailor, and was quite valuable.

This young man was naturally Dai Xiyu, who had secretly left Star Net City and traveled several hundred li to get here.

Before Dai Xiyu could approach, the guard of the Earl's Manor came over, frowned, and asked, "Who are you? What business do you have at the Earl's Manor?"

The guard's tone wasn't very polite, after all, the carriage Dai Xiyu rode in was too ordinary.

Moreover, his clothing looked plain as well, not like a noble's; he was likely a townsman merchant.

This Ten Thousand Gold City is the territory of the Iron Claw Earl, and there are countless merchants who come to the Earl's door seeking his favor.

Even the gate guards would be flattered by the merchants, so they had grown accustomed to looking down on those who came seeking an audience.

Dai Xiyu didn't bother with the guard's attitude; he silently took out a token and handed it to the middle-aged man before him.

"I'm here to see your Earl; go announce me."

The middle-aged guard took the token with a doubtful expression, but when he saw the word "Duke" written on it, he was so startled his hand trembled, almost dropping the token.

In an instant, the middle-aged man's expression shifted from arrogance to obsequiousness, and he said flatteringly, "Respected Duke, please wait a moment; I will report this immediately."

Having said that, he almost rolled and crawled as he turned and went inside.

Not long after, a flustered middle-aged man came running out from inside.

This man was brain-full and intestine-fat, panting as he ran; his face was flushed and his clothes disheveled, clearly having been interrupted in the middle of something.

A Duke, aside from the Imperial Family, is the highest-ranking noble, each possessing immense power.

The Iron Claw Earl is two ranks below a Duke, so naturally he dare not show any negligence; no matter what, he must stop what he's doing and personally come out to greet as a sign of respect.

And just as the Iron Claw Earl saw the person stepping down from the carriage,

his eyes widened instantly, and the fat on his body involuntarily trembled.

As an Earl, he had already entered the upper-class noble circle, and even ordinary Imperial Family gatherings were open to him.

He naturally recognized the jade-like handsome youth before him.

In his mind he recalled the terrifying scene he had witnessed a few days earlier in Star Net City.

The Iron Claw Earl hurriedly bowed, about to kowtow.

But Dai Xiyu flashed forward, stopping the fat man's movement and voice.

At the same time, he smiled and said, "No need for much ceremony; let's go inside and talk."

The Iron Claw Earl understood, quickly nodded, and led the way ahead for Dai Xiyu.

Upon arriving at the third-floor reception room specially for honored guests, Dai Xiyu naturally took the seat of honor, while the Iron Claw Earl ordered the servants to hurriedly prepare fine tea and snacks.

Looking around, Dai Xiyu asked, "I recall you have a son, right? Is he here at the manor today?"

Upon hearing this, the Iron Claw Earl's heart jumped, and sweat instantly poured down his forehead.

He fell to his knees with a "plop," trembling as he spoke:

"Your Highness, spare my life! My worthless son merely… merely was led astray; he did not mean to target you. Please, with your great magnanimity…"

Dai Xiyu raised his hand to stop the Earl's lament, shook his head, and said:

"I'm not here to pursue blame, but the situation should be clear to you; I've come merely to give him a chance."

Hearing Dai Xiyu say that, and considering his attire, the Iron Claw Earl immediately understood and nodded repeatedly like pounding garlic.

"Yes, yes, thank you, Your Highness, for your leniency; I'll go call my worthless son right away."

Having said that, he didn't want to wait another moment, turned and ran out the door.

Dai Xiyu waited quietly; not long after, the Iron Claw Duke arrived with a slender-built young man and entered the house.

Dai Xiyu turned his head, looking at this father-son pair of opposite builds.

That young man, Dai Xiyu could say, was very familiar to him.

He was the most trusted confidant of Dai Weisi, named Qin Yang.

…

Having stayed at the Earl's Manor from noon until afternoon, Dai Xiyu declined the Earl's lunch invitation, left, and boarded the carriage he had come in.

In the carriage, Zhu Zhuqing saw Dai Xiyu return and immediately asked, "How did it go?"

Dai Xiyu closed the door, sat on the soft cushion, and then said, "Taken care of. Dai Weisi indeed had some plans; he has already schemed against us."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing asked, "Then what should we do?"

Dai Xiyu smiled, "Let him lift a rock and drop it on his own foot. We now have an insider; we just need to turn his scheme against him."

Seeing Dai Xiyu's confidence, Zhu Zhuqing finally relaxed a little.

The carriage smoothly returned to the Duke's Manor; over the next few days, Dai Xiyu remained as usual, showing nothing out of the ordinary.

Since Dai Xiyu had secretly set out for Gold City, to outsiders it appeared that he and Zhu Zhuqing had been cooped up in the Duke's Manor for a full month.

As the academy's summer vacation was about to end, only then did they make a move.

On the day before the academy reopened, Dai Xiyu deliberately had the "insider maid" of Dai Weisi in the Duke's Manor help prepare the noon carriage.

And he told that maid that he and Zhu Zhuqing were preparing to go to the Starlight Forest to hunt soul beasts for practical combat training.

As expected, after the maid outwardly agreed, she secretly passed the information to another insider at the Earl's Manor.

The other insider was the servant in charge of external purchases, and moreover a speed-attack type Soul Master.

Within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, this insider directly transmitted the message to the Imperial Palace.

At that moment, in the Eldest Imperial Prince's chambers, Dai Weisi was preparing to eat lunch.

Upon receiving the news, he couldn't help but show a smile.

He raised his head, looked at Qin Yang across the table, and said, "It's been a month; the opportunity has finally come."

Qin Yang's eyes lit up, he stood up and said, "Your Highness, then I'll go prepare now?"

Dai Weisi nodded and said, "Go inform Dai Mubai, and also remember to prepare the 'witness'."

Qin Yang gave an understanding smile, then immediately turned and left.

After Qin Yang left, Dai Weisi's mouth curled up, and he secretly thought to himself, "After this matter is over, this pawn will no longer be needed……"

Meanwhile, after giving orders to the servant, Dai Xiyu had already taken his seat at the dining table.

Unlike the original world, the culture on the Douluo Continent is a blend of East and West.

This dining custom also differs; not everyone eats from the same table.

Instead, it's an individual serving system, each person gets one portion.

This makes it much easier to tamper with.

Dai Xiyu and Zhu Zhuqing sat in their respective seats, picked up their knives and forks, and deliberately let the maid see them finish their lunch.

According to the original plan, the maid would tamper with something in their lunch.

However, Dai Xiyu, who knew the full story, would naturally not fall for it.

The medicine the maid had in her hand had long been secretly replaced by him with sugar powder.

(End of chapter)