Huo Yuhao nodded gently, a little excited. This was what he had hoped for for many years!
After taking in a deep breath, Huo Yuhao looked at Princess Jiujiu seriously and said, “Your Highness, I still want to add a few prerequisites. Everything I mentioned earlier only applies to me. Furthermore, I don"t need you to promise me a knighthood right now. I"m willing to follow the rules of the Star Luo Empire and earn my position and status through my own merits. I won"t be an exception.
“However, I"m only representing myself. At this moment, I"m only Huo Yuhao. I"ve nothing to do with the Spirit PaG.o.da, Shrek Academy or the Tang Sect. At the same time, even if I become a knight in the Star Luo Empire, I won"t be controlled by the empire. Similarly, I won"t be under the command of the empire. If you think this is acceptable, I"ll accept this contribution and offer. Otherwise, I"d rather not take it.”
Everyone was confused by Huo Yuhao"s words. What does he mean? He wants to earn merits and his knighthood, but he"s not willing to perform any services. Or rather, he would only perform services according to his own wishes. However, what"s the significance of these things to him anyway, then?
Xu Jiujiu creased her brow slightly and asked, “Yuhao, can I ask what is this for? Although I"m a princess in the Star Luo Empire and I really hope that you would join the Empire, I"m also clear on your standing in the world of soul masters. There"s no need for you to do this. If you want glory, money or wealth, it"s very easy. Why did you choose the Star Luo Empire?”
Huo Yuhao calmly replied, “I have my own reasons. First, I"m from the Star Luo Empire.”
When he said this, the look on all the soul masters" faces became much gentler.
This Huo Yuhao is also part of the Star Luo Empire. I guess he just wants to contribute to his country. In addition, everyone felt closer to him upon learning that he was from the Star Luo Empire.
Xu Jiujiu already knew that Huo Yuhao was from the Star Luo Empire. When she met Huo Yuhao during the first Elite Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, she had checked on his background, where he had filled in his country of origin as the Star Luo Empire.
Of course, it was different back than when he was saying it right now. This time it meant that he recognized the Star Luo Empire.
Huo Yuhao continued, “When I was young, I had a dream of becoming a general. This is my wish. I hope that I"ll be able to become a general and a marshal through my own hard work. Right now, I"m willing to use my own abilities to slowly realize this wish. I hope that I"ll be able to lead my own army like the White Tiger Duke, and make my name prominent.”
This reason seemed convincing enough, at least to ordinary people. However, when he said this, everyone from the Tang Sect felt that it was very weird. Wasn"t Huo Yuhao already very prominent? In addition, could the position of a general or marshal really be compared to a truly powerful soul master?
No matter how capable the White Tiger Duke was in terms of leading his own army, his reputation couldn"t compare to the Master of the Sea G.o.d"s Pavilion, much less an Ultimate Douluo!
Those in the Tang Sect who were very familiar with Huo Yuhao knew that he was bound to become an Ultimate Douluo in the future. However, he requested the right to earn military merits and be knighted by the Star Luo Empire. Suddenly, everyone was confused.
There was an intent look on his face as he glanced at the White Tiger Duke. Yes, he could only use this method to fulfill his dream now!
Among those present, the only person who could really understand Huo Yuhao"s intentions was probably his younger brother, Dai Luoli.
When Huo Yuhao said all this, the look in Dai Luoli"s eyes became complex. Elder brother, what do you want? Do you really want to compete with dad? What kind of ending are you hoping for?
His acceptance and recognition of Huo Yuhao had already surpa.s.sed his feelings toward Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin in just one short month of interaction.
Even though Huo Yuhao had used h.e.l.lish methods to nurture him, he could sense Huo Yuhao"s concern and sincerity in his relentless instruction. His life had completely changed after one month, and so he completely trusted Huo Yuhao.
On one side, there was his biological father. On the other side was his elder brother, who he trusted a lot. Suddenly, he was very confused. On whose side should he stand? Dai Luoli also wasn"t clear what Huo Yuhao wanted in the end, or to what extent he would go to.
Princess Jiujiu took a deep look at Huo Yuhao, then nodded gently before saying, “Alright, I agree to your demands. You can follow the Star Luo Empire"s rules to earn your position. However, we won"t restrain you. As long as you"re willing, you can do whatever you want. I only have one demand, or rather, one request. When there"s a national crisis, I hope you"ll offer your help. Be a hero and protect your country.”
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly when he saw the pa.s.sionate look in Xu Jiujiu"s eyes and answered, “I won"t claim to be a hero, but I"ll stand up for my country if there"s a crisis. I"ll do it. I"ll prove it with my actions.”
The White Tiger Duke was watching closely Huo Yuhao and said, “That"s a deal, then. When you complete this reconnaissance mission, the princess and I will celebrate for you. I"ll personally pen down your contributions, and I hope that we"ll watch the rise of a heroic general in the future. The Star Luo Empire needs a talent like you.”
He was really happy. If Huo Yuhao was just being patronizing, he wouldn"t be able to convince the White Tiger Duke. However, Huo Yuhao"s immense spiritual power had already fully convinced the White Tiger Duke. He felt that there really was hope when he saw Huo Yuhao.
As he spoke, the White Tiger Duke lifted the cup in front of him, “We can"t drink in the face of a national crisis, so I"ll use tea to replace alcohol. Let me toast you. I hope that you"ll be successful.”
Huo Yuhao also lifted his cup and toasted the White Tiger Duke. He calmly said, “Thanks.”
The White Tiger Duke smiled slightly after taking a sip of his tea. “Kid, I wonder where you hail from since you"re from the Star Luo Empire?”
Huo Yuhao paused for a moment before saying, “I come from a village near the Star Luo City. It isn"t very notable.”
The White Tiger Duke smiled and said, “It"s really rare for a small village to nurture a talent like you!”
Huo Yuhao clenched his fist, and immediately repressed his urges. He calmly replied, “Duke, Your Highness, we"ve rushed throughout our entire journey. Let"s end the day here, shall we? Let me ready myself before I start my mission within these two days. What do you think?”
“Alright, great.” The White Tiger Duke was a firm believer of "actions are louder than words". Seeing that Huo Yuhao wasn"t wishy-washy, he was even more impressed by him. He patted his shoulder tightly, and instructed Dai Yueheng to find Huo Yuhao and the others a place to rest.
---
As they were from Shrek Academy, the tents that were arranged for them were very good. Every one of them was given a tent that was normally given to the commanding officer of a soul engineer legion.
Every tent was close to fifty square meters in size, and furnished with a table and a bed. There were even a few simple decorations. This was the best treatment they could possibly get in war time.
Everyone from the Tang Sect didn"t rush to rest immediately. Instead, they congregated in Huo Yuhao"s tent.
“Little junior, what were you doing today?” Xu Sanshi couldn"t help but ask when he entered Huo Yuhao"s tent.
Huo Yuhao was being very abnormal when he asked for merits and a position in the Star Luo Empire.
Huo Yuhao forced a smile and replied, “Third senior, this really is my hope for the future. I don"t have any other intentions. Please understand. Furthermore, I won"t affect the Academy or the Tang Sect due to my relationship with the Star Luo Empire.”
Seeing the complex look in Huo Yuhao"s eyes, Xu Sanshi stopped his interrogation. He clasped Huo Yuhao"s shoulder before saying, “Yuhao, we won"t force you if you"re not willing to say anything. We trust you. However, you can find someone to talk to if you"re feeling sad. You"ll feel better now. No matter who you choose, we"ll keep things a secret.”
“Okay, thanks, Third Senior. I"m fine.”
Apart from Tang Wutong, who wasn"t very familiar with Huo Yuhao, the rest naturally trusted him. Although everyone was surprised by his actions today, they didn"t doubt him. The others didn"t even ask him anything at all.
Everyone returned to their own tents to rest. Huo Yuhao sat behind his table and looked a little dazed.
Have I finally taken this step? Can I finally earn my own merits though my hard work?
According to Xu Jiujiu"s promise, he would be able to earn merits faster than he had planned. After this mission was over, he should be able to earn his knighthood, even if it was just an ordinary one.
Dai Hao, you know I"m doing this just to surpa.s.s you. I want to become a hero of the Star Luo Empire, a hero that"s more outstanding than you. When that day comes, I"ll return to the Duke"s Mansion with my chest held high. I"ll get back what my mother deserves.
As he considered that, he clenched his fists, and the thoughts in his head cleared. His immense spiritual power surged in his spiritual sea, and his soul power also circulated throughout his entire body. Suddenly, the mysterious aura that he had once sensed in the Spirit PaG.o.da seemed to have subtly appeared again.
Huo Yuhao was shocked, and quickly jolted himself out of that state.
A smile slowly formed at the edges of his lips. Di Tian, even you can"t continuously monitor me through your reverse scale. If I"m not wrong, I can obtain the aura of that world a second and third time, since I was able to do it the first time. But it won"t be now. I won"t let you sense anything anymore…