Douluo Dalu 3: The Legend of the Dragon King
Chapter 599: The Strange Princess

Chapter 599: The Strange Princess

What? You fell asleep and dreamed up a murderer?

Tang Wulins explanation almost caused the emperor to choke on his own spit. He had interrupted the imperial ceremony for such a ridiculous reason. If it werent for Tang Wulins diplomatic immunity, they would have charged with disgracing the Empire right there!

Cheeks warm and at a loss at what to do, Tang Wulin lowered his head. If he went with the excuse that someone shouted into his ear, then that could only have been Gu Yue or Xu Lizhi. Dragging them into this mess was something he couldnt bear to do. 

Taking in Tang Wulins docile behavior, the emperor silently mulled over how to handle the situation. There was no precedent for such a scenario! 

Wu Zhangkong stood at the side in silence as well. 

When it seemed like the silence would drag on forever, a servant in floral clothing entered the room, walked over to the emperor, and whispered into his ear. The emperor nodded, his stern expression relaxing. 

Finally, he gave his verdict. We are not without benevolence. We understand how strange your situation was, and for the sake of friendly relations between our two countries, We shall overlook the incident this time. Be careful not to cause any more trouble. You may leave for the banquet now. 

Thats it? Tang Wulin let out a breath of relief. Even Wu Zhangkong seemed to be in a daze. This incident involved the prestige of the Empire after all. It was wholly unexpected for the emperor to be so lenient. 

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Dai Tianling stared at his daughter with a sour, helpless look. You troublesome rascal. Youre always doing whatever you want regardless of the setting. Youre lucky this was only a small matter this time. But what would you do if it was more serious? What if it caused a conflict between our two countries?

Imperial Father, my apologies. It was my mistake. I wont repeat this mistake in the future, Dai Yuner said, her head lowered respectfully. 

Dai Tianling had seventeen sons, but only one daughter. As a result, he had always doted on her since childhood. No matter what Dai Yuner did, she was the joy of his life, the apple of his eye. 

Youve already repeated that line so many times since you were a kid that my ears are going deaf to it. Wont repeat the same mistake? Just last month, who was it that cut off half the hair of an imperial concubine? Then the month before that Ah just thinking about it gives me a headache. Forget it. 

Dai Yuner pressed her lips together, her eyes reddening and tears swelling up in the corners. Imperial Father, do you not love me anymore?

Since his ascendance to the throne, Dai Tianling had been praised as a man among men, guiding the empire into an age of prosperity. Under his rule, the empire suppressed the Green Skull Renegades that had been terrorizing its people for the last several hundred years. However, no matter how ruthless he acted in politics, his imperial dignity vanished when it came to facing his only daughter. He was powerless against Dai Yuners pitiful expression. 

No no. Dont cry. Dai Tianling slapped his forehead. Jeez. How am I supposed to deal with you? Youre truly the bane of my existence sent down by the heavens. Fine. I wont punish you. But you have to promise me to not cause any trouble. Especially anything that would harm the prestige of our empire. Otherwise, Ill have to put you under house arrest.

Imperial Father, youre the best! Dai Yuner threw herself onto her father and hugged him around his neck. She kissed him on the cheek with a radiant smile, the previous tears nowhere to be seen. 

Dai Tianling could only smile in resignation. But there was no denying that he was happy.

Imperial Father, that boy was pretty funny today, Dai Yuner said, giggling.

Dai Tianlings expression instantly hardened. How was he funny?

You cant blame me for pranking him! How could I not when he actually fell asleep during the ceremony? That was just disrespectful to our empire. Isnt embarrassing him a bit just what he deserved? Im impressed though. He could actually sleep standing up. I have to try that sometime too. 

Thats enough. Even if it were wrong for him to fall asleep during the ceremony, hes still a guest from overseas. You shouldnt have pranked him and made the delegation from Douluo lose face, Dai Tianling grumbled.  

Ive met him on the streets before. I never thought he would be from Douluo, Dai Yuner said, an intrigued smile forming on her lips. Imperial Father, he looked really strong, but I couldnt identify his martial soul. Do you know what it is? No matter how much I think about it, I cant even begin to guess what it is. 

Although Dai Yuner was mischievous, she was still a talented soul master and incredibly intelligent. When she awoke her martial soul, she Awakened with rank 10 innate soul power. At fifteen years old, she had already obtained her fourth soul ring and was the greatest genius of the current Imperial Family. This was another reason Dai Tianling cherished her so much. He had said on multiple occasions that if only Dai Yuner were born a man, she would be his successor. He truly did love and value her for many different reasons.

Dai Tianling narrowed his eyes at her remark. I wasnt paying too much attention and then the imperial guards blocked my view too. Hmm I also wonder what his martial soul is.

It looked like a blue snake that also seemed to share the appearance of a dragon, Dai Yuner said. But it didnt have a dragon head. Actually, it kinda looked like a vine, except it had a vertebra inside of it. Its really strange. But Im certain I saw his soul rings. Three purple and one black.  

Dai Tianling gaped at his daughter. Isnt that the same as you?

He looked about the same age as me too. Are all of the people on Douluo so strong?

A moment of thought. Dai Tianling said, I recall that that boys actually from Shrek Academy. 

Shrek Academy? Isnt that one of the most influential organizations on Douluo? The one known as peerless under the heavens? The one that our Monster Academy is named after and based its principles on? That Shrek Academy?

Dai Tianling nodded. When I sent the diplomatic invitation, I specially invited Shrek Academys elites to join the mission. I had Sima Lanxiao invite the students from Shrek Academy to compete in the Continental Young Elites Tournament too. When the time comes, we can ascertain just how powerful Douluo is. The Shrek Academy team is on average fifteen years old, with the oldest only sixteen. The tournament allows participants up to twenty years old, so this should be a great opportunity for the most talented kids we have in our rising generation. 

Dai Yuners eyes lit up. Great! Ill go out and beat them up too! I refuse to believe our Monster Academy cant compare with Shrek Academy! 

Dai Tianling ruffled his daughters hair, a warm smile on his face. Dont get careless. Shrek Academy has been a legend for tens of thousands of years. They have an unimaginable history and a wealth of resources, their existence undoubtedly peerless even counting all three continents. Fortunately, we know quite a bit about Shrek Academy, like the fact that their Sea Gods Pavilion is a gathering of the most powerful people on their continent. We know that for the society of soul masters on Douluo, the Shrek Seven Monsters are the cornerstone of their strength. 

A daring smile graced Dai Yuners lips. Imperial Father, please dont overestimate them and underestimate us. 

Fine. I wont say anymore, Dai Tianling said. Anyway, have you thought over the matter of your engagement?

Dai Yuners mouth instantly puffed up into a pout. No! I dont want to get engaged! Im still way too young for that!

This is the responsibility of the imperial family. Every one of us has gotten married when we were fifteen. I dont want to let you marry this young either, but we cannot break our traditions. All I can do is delay your marriage a little bit. 

No! No! No! Dai Yuner shook her head stubbornly. 

Dai Tianling wanted to try persuading her some more, but she ran off like a whirlwind before he could.  

That cheeky girl! Dai Tianling grumbled in resignation, shaking his head. 

At that moment, a middle-aged woman walked into the room, a wry smile on her face. Your Majesty. Has that girl still not accepted this yet?

Dai Tianling forced a smile. Shes your daughter. Dont you know what shes like?

What do you think then? the woman said. 

Dai Tianlings gaze sharpened, a regal air enveloping him. I love her dearly, but shes royalty. We cant break the traditions passed down through the imperial family, otherwise, we would lose our integrity and the trust of our people. Well continue as previously planned. The day the tournament ends, she will choose her fianc.

Yes.  

Dai Tianling glanced at the woman, his empress. Keep a close eye on Yuner. Knowing her temper, she will be furious when we force the engagement upon her. She wont accept it easily. Maybe shell even try running away from home. Watch her carefully.

Tang Wulin watched Wu Zhangkong walk through the doors to the banquet hall with a solemn gaze. Then followed in himself. The moment he entered, he scanned the hall in search of a corner to hide. He was still embarrassed about the incident earlier that day. Even more so since he still wasnt sure what had happened. 

He had just been taking a nice nap standing up when he suddenly heard some shout. If it werent for that shout, he wouldnt have embarrassed himself so hard! And now, be it the officials from Star Luo or the other members of the Douluo delegation, they all instantly recognized him from that incident. 

After planting his feet in his chosen corner, Tang Wulin hid and quietly ate two dishes he picked up on the way. I just gotta make it through this banquet, then Ill be fine.