Douluo Dalu 2: The True God King
Chapter 381: [DD2]: 381

Chapter 381: [DD2]: 381

"Alright, Hall Master, we’ll head back now."

Su Yu had no objections to Jing Hongchen’s words.

After four days without rest, he was indeed feeling a bit tired.

He glanced at Meng Hongchen and Wang Dong’er, who had been waiting beside him, signaling to them with his eyes before turning and leaving.

The two girls quickly followed behind him.

Wherever the three of them passed, many soul engineers looked at Su Yu with eyes full of awe and reverence.

The Level 8 Soul Engineer badge on Su Yu’s chest, matched with his youthful face, was truly astonishing.

They soon returned to their small villa.

As soon as they arrived, Wang Dong’er and Meng Hongchen completely relaxed, bouncing around excitedly while hugging Su Yu.

"Xiao Su, you’re amazing!"

"Yu, you’re incredible!"

The happiest people about Su Yu becoming a Level 8 Soul Engineer were not Su Yu himself, but Meng Hongchen and Wang Dong’er.

Seeing the person they loved achieve such an unprecedented accomplishment filled the two girls with immense pride that was almost overflowing.

Especially Meng Hongchen.

While Wang Dong’er was simply proud and joyful, Meng Hongchen’s feelings were different.

As a fellow soul engineer, Meng Hongchen knew better than anyone just how extraordinary Su Yu’s achievement was.

Already deeply in love with Su Yu, Meng Hongchen now admired him even more.

Meng Hongchen looked up at him with her delicate face, her ice-blue eyes gazing at him in a daze, full of adoration.

"Alright, alright, don’t get so excited. It’s just a Level 8 Soul Engineer. It’s not that big of a deal," Su Yu said with a smile, pinching the cheeks of the two girls. "There’s still a long road ahead. What will you do if I achieve even greater accomplishments in the future? Won’t you go crazy with joy?"

"If I go crazy, then I go crazy! My boyfriend is so amazing. Can’t I be happy about it?" Wang Dong’er pouted, her tone righteous.

Hearing this, Su Yu chuckled and lightly rubbed her cheek. "You always know how to sweet-talk."

Though his words were humble, Su Yu was inwardly delighted. Having the admiration of his lovers brought him a sense of accomplishment that was unparalleled.

After kissing both girls on the forehead, Su Yu smiled and said, "Alright, you two can play around for now. I’m going to take a shower—it’s been four days, and I reek of metal."

"Yu, there’s something we need to tell you," Meng Hongchen suddenly remembered and spoke up.

"I’ll listen after my shower," Su Yu said, waving his hand and walking straight into the bathroom.

About ten minutes later, Su Yu came out, freshly showered and dressed in a clean bathrobe. He sat on the sofa, holding a cup of tea and savoring it slowly.

"Yu, Juzi came to see you once," Meng Hongchen said, handing him a peeled fruit.

"Juzi?" Su Yu took the fruit and bit into it. "What did she want?"

"I don’t know. It was Dong’er who received her at the time."

Su Yu turned to Wang Dong’er.

Wang Dong’er pouted and explained the situation in detail.

Su Yu selectively listened to the key points and quickly pieced together the story.

"I suspect this Juzi woman has ulterior motives for approaching you," Wang Dong’er said, puffing up her chest and speaking seriously.

"Yu, do you think Juzi might have bad intentions?" Meng Hongchen asked, her tone tinged with worry.

Su Yu shook his head. "Don’t worry. I have a clear understanding of the situation. She’s not an important person, so you don’t need to pay her much attention."

Hearing this, the two girls felt reassured and smiled.

After finishing the fruit in a few bites, Su Yu ruffled the girls’ hair and said, "I’m going to rest now. These past few days have been exhausting."

"You two should also tidy up and get some rest. Haven’t you been up for two days straight?"

"Hehe," Wang Dong’er giggled.

"Still laughing?" Su Yu teased, pinching her cheek affectionately before turning to go to his room.

Perhaps due to his fatigue, Su Yu quickly fell asleep.

In the living room, Wang Dong’er glanced at Meng Hongchen. "Why aren’t you leaving yet?"

Meng Hongchen replied nonchalantly, "This is Yu’s place. I can stay as long as I want. Why should I leave?"

She added with a sly smile, "You’re the one trying to send me off—are you planning to sneak into Yu’s room while he’s asleep?"

"You’re slandering me!" Wang Dong’er exclaimed, jumping to her feet.

"You’re getting defensive," Meng Hongchen teased.

"I’m not defensive!"

"You are."

"I’m not!"

...

The two girls argued, glaring at each other, neither willing to back down.

In front of Su Yu, they were both sweet and adorable. But when alone, they were fiercely competitive.

After a long standoff, Wang Dong’er finally turned her head with a huff. "I’m not going to deal with you anymore. I’m going to rest."

She stomped into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Meng Hongchen’s eyes glimmered as she disappeared.

Moments later, Wang Dong’er’s door creaked open. She peeked into the living room, saw no one, and smirked triumphantly.

"Meng Hongchen, you’re still too green to outsmart me," she muttered, holding her head high as she tiptoed toward Su Yu’s room.

Carefully opening the door, she slipped inside. But when she looked at the bed, her smug smile froze.

Meng Hongchen was already lying on Su Yu’s other side, smiling as she waved at Wang Dong’er.

Wang Dong’er: ?????

Her earlier triumph turned into utter humiliation. Furious, she realized she had been outwitted.

Meng Hongchen, amused by Wang Dong’er’s reaction, chuckled softly. She had expected Wang Dong’er to pull such a stunt and had taken the opportunity to sneak into Su Yu’s room first.

Wang Dong’er had effectively handed her the chance on a silver platter.

Fuming, Wang Dong’er glared at Meng Hongchen. "You’re despicable!"

Meng Hongchen smirked. "You’re just too naive.

Clenching her fists, Wang Dong’er was about to lash out when Meng Hongchen said lazily, "Think carefully. Yu is already asleep. Do you want to wake him up?"

Wang Dong’er: "..."

Glancing at Su Yu, she swallowed her anger and clenched her teeth. "Next time, I’ll settle this with you!"

Unwilling to admit defeat, Wang Dong’er muttered a threat before climbing onto Su Yu’s other side and slipping under the covers.

"What are you looking at?"

Wang Dong’er defiantly glared at Meng Hongchen, then glanced at Su Yu, her eyes brimming with tenderness.

Meng Hongchen chuckled softly and shook her head. No wonder Su liked Wang Dong’er—someone this innocent was truly hard to come by.

She even foolishly thought that Su was asleep.

With Su’s level of mental strength, even the slightest disturbance would rouse him from his dreams.

Everything they said—Su had heard every single word.

"What a sly man," Meng Hongchen thought to herself.

"Hmph!" Wang Dong’er snorted softly, lying down on the other side of Su Yu and gently wrapping her arms around him.

Meng Hongchen smiled faintly and lay down on the opposite side as well.

Even though she had already figured out what was going on, she didn’t disrupt it. Instead, she played along.

Su Yu murmured something dreamily and then shifted his position, subtly pulling both women into his embrace.

The corners of his previously calm mouth curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile as if he couldn’t suppress it no matter how hard he tried.

...

At the same time, news of Su Yu becoming the youngest Level 8 Soul Engineer in history spread through various channels.

It caused a sensation across the entire Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.

Even some of the reclusive elders of the Sun Moon Empire, who seldom made an appearance, were stirred by the news.

"Sixteen years old and already a Level 8 Soul Engineer?"

"A long-range fixed soul-guided weapon that’s centuries, if not millennia, ahead of its time?"

"The current heir of the Ice God Palace?"

"Interesting."

In the imperial city, an old man looked at the newly received information in his hand, a faint glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.

...

The Next Day.

At Illustrious Virtue Hall.

Inside the main hall, Jing Hongchen sat in the head seat, his old eyes fixed intently on Su Yu in the hall, brimming with curiosity and scrutiny.

"Hall Master, are you just going to let us stand here without offering us a seat?" Su Yu said nonchalantly, looking at Jing Hongchen.

Jing Hongchen’s lips twitched, and he waved his hand dismissively.

Among those who dared speak to him this way in Illustrious Virtue Hall, only this brat in front of him would dare.

"Thank you, Hall Master." Su Yu casually cupped his hands in mock gratitude, then pulled Meng Hongchen over and swaggered to sit on the seats to the right.

Su Yu crossed his legs and tapped on the tea table. "Where’s the tea?"

"Hall Master, your attendants have no sense of propriety, huh?" Su Yu complained casually.

Jing Hongchen’s face darkened. A young brat comes to see the Hall Master and still expects tea.

This rascal. Still as infuriating as ever.

But since he had a favor to ask today, Jing Hongchen held back.

"Bring the tea," Jing Hongchen said through gritted teeth.

"And make it good tea!" Su Yu added.

Jing Hongchen’s face darkened even further, but he clenched his teeth and ordered, "Bring it."

The attendants quickly left and soon returned with a cup of freshly brewed tea for Su Yu.

Su Yu lifted the lid, inhaling the refreshing aroma. The fragrance of the tea was rich, a top-quality brew.

Taking a sip, Su Yu swayed his head in satisfaction.

Across from him, Xiao Hongchen couldn’t help but gulp. "Grandpa, I want some tea too."

"Tea?" Jing Hongchen’s eyes narrowed, and he threw the lid of a teacup at Xiao Hongchen. "Drink your mother’s head!"

Xiao Hongchen flinched in fear.

"Still want tea?"

"No, no, I don’t," Xiao Hongchen said quickly, retreating behind Su Yu.

Can’t afford to mess with him. Grandpa is mad now.

Xiao Hongchen looked at Su Yu with a mixture of admiration and frustration.

Why could Su Yu get away with it, but he couldn’t? After all, he was the actual grandson!

Su Yu pretended to enjoy a few more sips of tea and exclaimed, "Ah, truly excellent tea!"

Jing Hongchen’s facial muscles twitched slightly as he said coldly, "Brat, you’ve had your seat, and you’ve had your tea. Can you get to the point now?"

Su Yu put down the teacup and feigned confusion. "Get to the point about what?"

"Hall Master, I don’t quite understand what you’re referring to."

"Hey!" Jing Hongchen slammed his teacup onto the table, glaring at Su Yu. "You brat, don’t play dumb with me!"

"I’m talking about the Heavenly Punishment Sword Soul-Guided Cannon Shell from yesterday."

"How did you make it so accurate and far-reaching? Shouldn’t you explain that?"

Su Yu tapped the tea table with his finger, speaking lazily, "Hall Master, who invented the Heavenly Punishment Sword Soul-Guided Cannon Shell?"

"Of course, it was you," Jing Hongchen replied impatiently.

Su Yu leaned forward, intertwining his fingers. "Then there’s the question—since I invented it, doesn’t the intellectual property belong to me? Why should I explain it?"

Jing Hongchen frowned slightly. "According to the rules of Illustrious Virtue Hall, any technology invented by its members theoretically belongs to Illustrious Virtue Hall..."

"Stop!" Su Yu interrupted, smiling. "Hall Master, are you sure you want to talk rules with me?"

"Besides, the technology for the Heavenly Punishment Sword Soul-Guided Cannon Shell was something I developed during the two and a half years I was away."

"In other words, I didn’t use any resources from Illustrious Virtue Hall. So, strictly speaking, it doesn’t belong to Illustrious Virtue Hall, right?"

"You’re twisting words. Didn’t your knowledge of soul engineering come from Illustrious Virtue Hall? Wait..."

Jing Hongchen suddenly realized something and looked at Su Yu with exasperation. "You brat, just say what you want already."

If Su Yu truly didn’t want to share the technology with Illustrious Virtue Hall, he wouldn’t have showcased it so publicly.

The fact that he had done so meant he had an agenda.

This sly brat was up to something again.

Su Yu clapped his hands and laughed. "Talking to smart people saves so much effort. Hall Master, as expected, you’re a wise man."

"Alright, as long as you don’t call me an old fox in your heart, I’ll be content. Just say what you want without beating around the bush," Jing Hongchen said, waving his hand.

"Hall Master, you’re so straightforward. I won’t hold back then," Su Yu said with a grin. "You see, Hall Master, you know me. If I hadn’t encountered a problem, I wouldn’t have resorted to this."

Su Yu sighed dramatically, pretending to look helpless. "My Holy Slayer Palace has just been established, as you’re aware."

"Counting everyone, we only have a couple of people. Pitiful."

"I had no choice but to come to you for help."

Jing Hongchen was about to respond but suddenly realized something, his expression turning wary. "Wait a minute. Wasn’t this supposed to be a trade?"

"How did it suddenly turn into me supporting you?"

The more Jing Hongchen thought about it, the angrier he became. "You sly brat, you’re always setting traps for me!"

Had he spoken too quickly earlier, Su Yu would have taken advantage of it. Knowing Su Yu’s character, he would have clung to Jing Hongchen, taking resources without giving anything in return.

Thankfully, Jing Hongchen caught on in time.