Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King

The military doctor bowed respectfully and quietly left. Dai Hao let out a sigh, then opened the tent flap and stepped inside. Lying on the bed was Dai Huabin, his face pale and his eyes devoid of spirit. It was clear that the military doctor had administered some form of anesthetic, such as a numbing decoction, earlier. Dai Huabin appeared to be deeply sedated. While he remained conscious, he was unable to feel pain.

Dai Hao sighed again and walked over to his son, his tiger-like eyes carrying a trace of tenderness and concern.

"Huabin, the military doctor said the surgery was very successful. After just three or four days of recovery, you'll be able to move freely again. Don't let this weigh too heavily on your mind; rest well, alright?"

Dai Huabin's internal organs had not been affected, so his recovery time wouldn't be as long as someone like Ma Xiaotao, who had sustained more severe injuries. Although the location of Dai Huabin's injury was somewhat awkward, as long as the bleeding was stopped and the infected tissue excised, supplemented with the right medication, his recovery would be swift.

He could even be ready for the upcoming competition in just a few days. After all, it was just a matter of a few inches—not anything truly critical. It wasn't a fatal wound, after all.

"We've already issued a warrant for that evil soul master. I promise you, this grudge will be avenged. Trust your father."

"I'll have Zhu Lu come and take care of you in a moment. Focus on your recovery."

Dai Hao spoke a few more words, tucked the blanket securely around Dai Huabin, and sighed quietly before leaving. He still hadn't informed his wife about Dai Huabin's situation. If she found out, there was no telling what kind of scene she might make. Thinking of this, Dai Hao sighed again, feeling a headache brewing.

"Damn these evil soul masters," he muttered angrily before heading off.

He first went to check on Dai Yueheng's injuries. Fortunately, while his eldest son's internal organs had been jarred and required rest, his body was otherwise intact. This was enough to put Dai Hao somewhat at ease. Afterward, he visited the reserve team's camp and instructed Zhu Lu to care for Dai Huabin. Zhu Lu, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, was visibly distressed. Yet, upon hearing Dai Hao's instructions, she obediently complied.

Roughly half a day later, the effects of the anesthetic seemed to have worn off. From within the military tent came the agonized, beast-like roars of Dai Huabin. His ferocious and frenzied cries could be heard even through several layers of canvas. Dai Hao's brows furrowed, and he immediately headed toward Dai Huabin's tent. Along the way, the sounds of Dai Huabin's shouting and Zhu Lu's frantic pleas were clear.

"Huabin, please don't be like this. I'm still here, and I'll always be by your side."

Zhu Lu's soothing words tried to calm him, but Dai Huabin continued to scream and shout. The sounds of objects being smashed and a loud slap echoed through the tent, accompanied by a hysterical roar: "Get out! Just get out!"

Dai Hao lifted the tent flap just in time to see Zhu Lu running out. He quickly stepped aside, noticing her clutching her face, tears streaming from her beautiful eyes. A closer look revealed a red handprint on her exposed skin, clearly visible where her hand was not covered. Dai Hao could easily deduce that Dai Huabin had struck her.

"Zhu Lu, you..."

Dai Hao began to speak, but Zhu Lu fled, sobbing, before he could finish. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside the tent. Dai Huabin, hair disheveled and face twisted with fury was smashing things in a frenzied rage.

"Dai Huabin! What are you doing?"

Dai Hao's stern voice carried an air of authority, immediately silencing Dai Huabin. Upon seeing the father he had always idolized, Dai Huabin froze, his body stiffening. Tears welled up in his bloodshot eyes.

"Father! I'm ruined—I'm ruined!"

In front of Dai Hao, Dai Huabin finally allowed his vulnerability to show. Such a sudden and devastating event had struck him hard; no one could remain calm after enduring such an ordeal. It was entirely normal to feel despair, even to the point of mental collapse.

"But you're still alive, aren't you? That's the greatest fortune of all," Dai Hao said, stepping forward to grip his son's shoulders and comfort him.

"But I'm ruined! What's the point of living? I'd rather be dead! I can't find a reason to keep going."

"Just thinking about the way people might look at me makes me want to kill them all!"

Proud to the extreme, Dai Huabin couldn't bear the thought of others seeing him differently. The mere possibility of being mocked filled him with murderous rage. Yet, he knew there would be many he couldn't touch, no matter how much he wanted to. This realization plunged him into utter despair. If things were to remain this way, he truly felt that death might be preferable.

"Dai Huabin, I will not allow you to wallow in self-pity. The number of people who know about this is small. As long as the information is kept secret, no one will know you've been... harmed. Your martial soul is intact. Your talent is undiminished. You are still the genius of the White Tiger Duke's lineage."

"I, Dai Hao, am still proud to call you my son. The White Tiger Duke's mansion has high hopes for you. Will you throw all of that away and sink into ruin? If so, you're not fit to be my son—or a member of the Dai family."

Dai Hao's harsh rebuke shocked Dai Huabin out of his hysteria. Tears streamed down Dai Huabin's face as he gazed at his father, his sense of grievance overwhelming him.

"Father!"

He clung to Dai Hao, sobbing uncontrollably. No matter how cruel or ruthless he might be, Dai Huabin was, in the end, only twelve years old. Faced with such a crisis, it was natural for him to feel lost and helpless.

Dai Hao sighed softly, gently patting Dai Huabin's head.

"Huabin, what's done is done. What matters now is that you pick yourself up. The White Tiger Duke's family does not raise cowards. I believe in you, my son—you are strong. When you become a powerful figure in the future, who will dare look at you with disdain? No one—they will only revere and admire you."

"And rest assured, I will do everything in my power to keep this matter from becoming public knowledge. Zhu Lu is still your fiancée, and you two will still marry. No one will ever know."

Even though Dai Huabin's injury meant he was considered ruined, Zhu Lu's fate remained unchanged. Their marriage was a matter of political alliance, and Dai Huabin's condition did not absolve Zhu Lu of her obligation to marry him. As for whether Zhu Lu would be happy, that was not something Dai Hao needed to consider. His priority was the reputation of the White Tiger Duke's mansion and his son's standing.

"Zhu Lu? Hmph, just a worthless woman," Dai Huabin sneered. He was already ruined—why should he care about a woman? Zhu Lu's very presence was a constant reminder of his inadequacy. Her status as his fiancée was nothing more than an irritant now. Think about it: your wife is beautiful and radiant, yet you are essentially a eunuch. The irony of that comparison could be devastating. The more beautiful your wife, the greater the praise she receives, the more it cuts into your soul. For someone who had lost so much, sensitivity and bitterness came naturally. Under such circumstances, it would be difficult to maintain any affection for one's partner.

However, for Dai Huabin to become this cold-hearted so soon after his incident was extraordinary, even among those who had suffered similarly.

"Huabin, do not speak so recklessly," Dai Hao admonished.

"Zhu Lu has never wronged you. How can you speak of her in such a way? Moreover, she shares a martial soul fusion skill with you. If you wish to become truly strong, she will be an indispensable ally."

Dai Huabin paused upon hearing this and nodded slightly. He might no longer have personal use for Zhu Lu, but their martial soul fusion skill remained invaluable. If he wanted to regain his strength, he would need her cooperation.

"I understand, Father. I'll try not to lay hands on Zhu Lu anymore," Dai Huabin replied.

"Good, my son. You make me proud," Dai Hao said approvingly, ruffling his son's hair.

"Rest well. The military doctor said you'll be able to move freely in three days."

"And don't forget—this tournament is your chance to shine. Imagine the glory of standing out in the competition for all the soul masters on the continent to see. Think of how much admiration you'll receive," Dai Hao said, painting a grand vision. Dai Huabin's eyes sparkled at the prospect.

"Also, the doctor mentioned that your condition might not be irreversible. If we can find a nine-ringed Nine Heart Begonia soul master, it may be possible to fully restore you. I will do everything in my power to locate one for you," Dai Hao added, offering a glimmer of hope.

Dai Hao's reassurances finally calmed Dai Huabin.

"Father, about the military doctor..."

His gaze darkened with malice. Dai Hao understood his son's unspoken request and nodded.

"Don't worry about these minor details. I will take care of it. Once you've recovered, there will be some... unavoidable accidents."

"Rest now."

Dai Hao patted Dai Huabin on the shoulder and left the room. As he departed, a trace of a sinister grin appeared on Dai Huabin's handsome face.

"Father is right. If I become powerful enough, no one will dare to look down on me," he muttered. Then his thoughts turned to his older brother.

"This must be a joyous moment for my brother. He probably thinks this is his chance to outshine me. Brother, you're celebrating too early. The White Tiger Duke's mansion will only ever belong to me."

Dai Huabin's expression grew darker. Without his previous abilities, his ambitions shifted entirely toward the pursuit of power.

"Oh, how fun it would be to see you end up just like me, Brother," he said with a twisted smile.

Meanwhile, in a distant part of the camp, Dai Yueheng shuddered involuntarily while tending to his injuries.

"Strange," he muttered.

"Why do I feel like someone is scheming against me?"

...

Star Luo City.

As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City was undeniably the empire's largest metropolis and its political, cultural, and economic center. Known as the "Imperial City That Never Falls," it was a fortress of unparalleled defense. The city walls stood over 100 meters tall and equally thick, built entirely from reinforced stone. With an area exceeding 1,000 square kilometers, the city stretched over 100 kilometers in length and breadth.

The main thoroughfare was wide enough to allow sixteen carriages to pass in both directions simultaneously, and this was only in the outer city. The city's permanent population exceeded eight million, and with visitors, it could accommodate up to twenty million people. Despite its immense size, the city had recently grown crowded due to an influx of tourists. Hotels were fully booked, forcing the government to commandeer private residences and official mansions as temporary lodgings. Security personnel numbers had also dramatically increased.

The reason for this surge? The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Competition, held every five years, was about to begin in Star Luo City. This prestigious event, hosted in rotation among the empires, was a once-in-twenty-year occurrence for the Star Luo Empire, attracting massive audiences.

The competition's venue was Star Luo Plaza, located directly in front of the imperial palace. With its vast expanse, it could host a large crowd of spectators. It was said that the city had deployed 30,000 soldiers solely to maintain order during the event, with 10,000 stationed at Star Luo Plaza alone. East of the plaza stood the Star Emperor Hotel, a seven-story luxury establishment owned by the royal family, now designated as accommodations for participating teams from soul master and soul engineer academies across the continent.

"This is Star Luo City? Meh, it's not that impressive. It's far inferior to Radiant City," a voice scoffed. A group of about a dozen people, all dressed in identical uniforms adorned with soul engineer emblems, appeared on the eastern side of the plaza. It was the delegation from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. The one who spoke was none other than Xiao Hongchen.

"Xiao Hongchen, watch your words," Ma Rulong admonished.

"We're not on home turf. Keep a low profile."

"I'm just speaking the truth," Xiao Hongchen retorted, unconcerned. Su Yue, leading the group, glanced at Star Luo City and said calmly, "Xiao's not entirely wrong. Star Luo City does fall short compared to Radiant City. But it remains one of the greatest cities on the continent, with a history dating back millennia. Back then, the Star Luo Empire was ruled by the Dai family, known for their iron-fisted policies. The empire was a formidable power at the time."

"Heh, rumor has it that the Xu family, who now wear the crown, stole it from the Dai family during a time of chaos. Do you think there's still bad blood between them?"

"I can't imagine the Dai family harboring no resentment after being overthrown," Xiao Hongchen added with a mischievous grin.

"Even if they're guarding the borders now, they must feel some bitterness."