Chapter 287 - Third Young Master, Zhuo Cenyun
Chapter 287 Third Young Master, Zhuo Cenyun
“The Red Sea Demon Lord is a member of the Duan royal family?”
Not only Xu Ning, but even Zhang He’s eyes widened. This was obviously the first time he had heard of this.
“That’s right.”
Duan Chaofeng said, “The Red Sea Demon Lord and the current Grandmaster of the Duan royal family are brothers of the same father and mother.”
Duan Chaofeng threw out another huge secret.
Xu Ning and Zhang He naturally knew about the Grandmaster in the imperial capital.
He was the reason why the Duan royal family could rule over State Wansheng for so many years and still stand strong. The Duan royal family even became stronger and stronger, especially in the past thousand years. Additionally, they possessed the momentum to go abroad and explore the wider sea.
The reason for all of this was all because of that Grandmaster guarding them.
The Grandmaster was in a realm above the dao realm.
In State Wansheng, only the Duan royal family had such strength.
And Red Sea Demon Lord was actually the brother of the Duan royal family’s Grandmaster.
Xu Ning finally understood why the Red Sea Demon Sect had such a close relationship with the Duan royal family.
Even the princes and princesses of the royal family joined in.
“I see…”
Xu Ning and Zhang He were still a little shocked.
“I heard my father mention this by coincidence a few years ago.” Duan Chaofeng continued. “It is said that when the Grandmaster and the Red Sea Demon Lord were children, the difference between their aptitudes was huge. The Grandmaster’s martial arts aptitude was outstanding. He could learn any complicated martial arts at once, and even when he was just a teenager, he could create extremely powerful techniques, so much so that the current royal family is still learning and using them.”
“As for Red Sea Demon Lord, his aptitude is average. Not only is he not comparable to his siblings, but he also has a lot of resources invested in him, and yet he was only comparable to the disciples of ordinary sects. However, because the Grandmaster is his brother, no one dares to insult him.”
“It’s just that the Red Sea Demon Lord, who had always felt protected by his brother, was very sensitive to this. The more brilliant his brother was, the more mediocre he seemed. Therefore, the Red Sea Demon Lord took the initiative to leave the imperial capital and lead a group of loyal subordinates to study the demonic path.”
“At that time, Red Sea Demon Lord knew very well that with his own aptitude, he might only be able to stop at the starting levels of the dao realm, so he could only use demonic methods to make some unconventional high-risk attempts.”
“In the end, after thousands of tempering and countless twists and turns, the Red Sea Demon Lord finally found his own path and his strength improved greatly. Moreover, he also created a dao realm alchemy technique suitable for himself, the Red Sea Pill Sutra. Afterwards, in order to prevent his creation from losing itself to time, the Red Sea Demon Sect was established.”
“With the support of the Duan royal family, the Red Sea Demon Sect developed rapidly. In just a few hundred years, it surpassed those sects with a history of more than a thousand years and became a top sect in State Wansheng.”
When Duan Chaofeng explained to Xu Ning and Zhang He, he was a little excited.
The experience of the Red Sea Demon Lord was explained in a few words, but the magnificent scene still made Duan Chaofeng feel admiration for the figure.
“So, Xu Ning, joining the Red Sea Demon Sect is the right choice.”
Duan Chaofeng said, “As a big sect supported by the Duan royal family, you don’t have to worry about anything if you join them. Moreover, as a non-royal, this is the best way for you to reach the peak of State Wansheng.”
“When you become a seed of the Red Sea Demon Sect, we can support each other. I can use the resources of the Harmony King Mansion to help you compete for a high position in the sect, and you can also help me in turn, allowing my status in the Duan royal family to improve.”
Duan Chaofeng did not hide his intentions at all.
He also knew that his relationship with Xu Ning did not need to be exaggerated.
“Mmm…”
After Xu Ning heard this, he began to think.
After understanding the background of the Red Sea Demon Sect, Xu Ning was very tempted.
Joining the Red Sea Demon Sect was indeed like Duan Chaofeng said. It was the best way to become a top presence in State Wansheng.
Xu Ning knew very well that his martial arts path could only be smoother and more efficient when he was on a larger stage.
“Then when should I join the Red Sea Demon Sect?”
Xu Ning asked.
“Wait until I inherit the position of the Harmony King.”
Duan Chaofeng measured the risk and said.
“Okay.”
Xu Ning nodded.
The matter of him joining the Red Sea Demon Sect and becoming a seed disciple was finalized.
“Enough.”
After briefly discussing some details, Duan Chaofeng said, “Zhang He, take Xu Ning to his residence. Xu Ning will stay in the mansion for the next few months.”
“Let’s go, Xu Ning.”
Zhang He smiled and said, “His Highness has built a villa for you in the mansion.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Xu Ning responded. Xu Ning used to live in an ordinary residence in the Harmony King Mansion, but after his trip abroad, Xu Ning’s status in the Harmony King Mansion had greatly improved. Moreover, now that he was about to obtain his seed status, Duan Chaofeng had to treat him as equals.
Zhang He left with Xu Ning.
Inside the room, Duan Chaofeng walked to the window and breathed a sigh of relief.
He was happy.
‘I found a treasure!’
Duan Chaofeng waved his fist with an excited expression.
He accepted Xu Ning because he wanted to train a valuable subordinate.
But now it seemed that he might be getting an important helper and friend instead.
Although Duan Chaofeng had a noble status and was the Harmony Prince, his status was not high in the Duan royal family.
Within the Duan royal family, there were some precious resources that needed to be competed for.
If Xu Ning could gain a foothold in the Red Sea Demon Sect, it would also greatly benefit Duan Chaofeng
In fact, if Xu Ning became the leader of the Red Sea Demon Sect, then Duan Chaofeng’s gains would be even greater.
Zhang He led Xu Ning into the mansion.
After passing through a garden, he ran into a few people.
The leader of the group was wearing a beautiful shirt and had a refined and noble temperament. His face was similar to Duan Chaofeng.
Several guards followed behind him.
Seeing this person, Zhang He took the lead to stand still.
“Third Young Master.”
Zhang He bowed to the person.
“Third Young Master?”
Xu Ning was intrigued.
Hearing Zhang He’s greeting, Xu Ning already knew this person’s identity. This person was Duan Chaofeng’s half-brother, the third son of the Harmony King, Duan Chaoyu.
“Third Young Master.”
Xu Ning also nodded as a greeting.
Xu Ning was still not a core disciple of the Red Sea Demon Sect, so there was still a gap between his status and Duan Chaoyu’s.
But if Xu Ning had a seed status, he could treat Duan Chaoyu equally. “Master Zhang.”
Unexpectedly, Duan Chaoyu was very polite to Zhang He and also nodded to him with a smile.
Zhang He had a position in the Harmony King Mansion, but Duan Chaoyu still called him that because he gave Zhang He a lot of face.
“This is?”
Duan Chaoyu turned his gaze and looked at Xu Ning.
“This is the trusted aide of His Highness, Sect Master Xu Ning of the Swallow Heron Sect.”
Zhang He introduced calmly. “So you are Xu Ning?”
After hearing Xu Ning’s name, Duan Chaoyu was a little surprised.
“I heard that Second Brother now has a fierce general named Xu Ning under his command. I finally got to see him in person today.”
Duan Chaoyu had a happy expression on his face. He was very approachable. No one could tell that he was a young master from the king mansion.
“Young Master is too kind.” Xu Ning responded in a humble manner.
When he went out to sea, he had heard some conversations about Duan Chaoyu.
This young master of the king mansion seemed to have a good relationship with Duan Chaofeng, but in fact, the two sides were not on good terms.
“Master Zhang, what are you bringing Xu Ning here for?”
Duan Chaoyu put away his folding fan and stood still, intending to lengthen the conversation.
“Xu Ning will stay in the mansion for a while. I am now taking him to a villa that His Highness has prepared for him.”
Zhang He answered truthfully. “I see…”
Duan Chaoyu nodded. “It seems that you are going to stay in the mansion for a while. In this case, if you have the time, let’s have a private gathering and have a few drinks.”
“Thank you, Young Master.”
Xu Ning did not immediately agree.
Xu Ning knew very well that it was best not to have any personal relationship with Duan Chaoyu.
His response was actually a rejection.
It wasn’t known if Duan Chaoyu understood Xu Ning’s intentions, but he just laughed and stopped talking. After some more small talk, Duan Chaoyu left with the guards behind him.
“So he is the Third Young Master Duan Chaoyu?”
Xu Ning whispered.
At this moment, Zhang He’s expression turned cold.
“Although Third Young Master looks friendly on the surface, he is actually very scheming.”
Zhang He seemed to be a little hostile to Duan Chaoyu. “If it weren’t for the fact that His Highness is the son of the first wife, I really don’t know who the heir would be…”
Xu Ning’s eyes narrowed after Zhang He finished speaking.
He understood Zhang He’s words. To a certain extent, this Duan Chaoyu had threatened Duan Chaofeng’s status before.
Zhang He’s thoughts might align with Duan Chaofeng’s thoughts.
“However, now that the overall situation is set, in one or two months, His Highness will become the Harmony King. By then, Third Young Master will have to move out of the mansion, and it will not affect much.”
Zhang He said.
“Mmm…”
Xu Ning nodded.
“Let’s go…”
Afterwards, Zhang He took Xu Ning to the villa.
On the other side, Duan Chaoyu, who had a warm smile on his face, suddenly had a gloomy expression after parting with Xu Ning.
The corners of his eyes were full of gloom. He did not have the temperament of a gentleman like when he talked to Xu Ning previously.
“Xu Ning…”
Duan Chaoyu muttered in a cold tone.
“Second Brother is always surrounded by talents…”
Duan Chaoyu said in a self-deprecating manner, “But it makes sense. The status of an heir will naturally attract talents from all over the country. And I am just a bastard son of the king mansion, so I won’t receive this kind of treatment.”
“Moreover, Father seems to have made a decision recently. Second Brother is going to be the next Harmony King…” Duan Chaoyu pursed his lips. “The status of a legitimate son is indeed beneficial. Even if Second Brother’s talents are inferior to mine and his martial arts aptitude is inferior to mine, he can still obtain the position of the heir.”
“Forget it… I can’t doubt Father’s decision.”
A deep look appeared in Duan Chaoyu’s eyes. “However, there are some things that Father can’t predict… The position of heir was given to Second Brother, but he may not be able to sit on the throne for long.”
Afterwards, Duan Chaoyu took the guards behind him and went to a luxurious restaurant in the city.
Outside the restaurant, Duan Chaoyu did not let the guards follow him.
He entered one room with familiarity.
“Third Young Master.”
There was only one person in the private room.
Although the person looked young, he had gray sideburns and a cold temperament.
“Senior Zhuo.” When Duan Chaoyu saw this person, he smiled and cupped his fists.
If Zhang He was here, he would definitely recognize that this person was the trusted aide of the current Harmony King, Zhuo Cengyun, a high level dao realm master.
His son was Zhuo Weisong, who had a feud with Xu Ning.
At the same time, Zhang He would definitely be puzzled as to why Zhuo Cengyun would appear here when he was obviously sent to capture the Night Beast. “Senior Zhuo, I met an interesting person just now.”
Duan Chaoyu invited Zhou Cengyun to sit down and personally poured him a glass of wine. “Who?”
Zhuo Cengyun raised his eyebrows.
“Xu Ning.”
Duan Chaoyu’s lips curled up.
“Xu Ning?”
Sure enough, after Zhuo Cengyun heard this, a cold light flashed in his eyes.
When Duan Chaofeng and Zhang He safely returned to the mansion from abroad, Zhuo Cengyun felt extremely sad when he learned that his son, Zhuo Weisong, had disappeared abroad.
But because of the existence of the Harmony King, he couldn’t find trouble with Duan Chaofeng.
Afterwards, Zhuo Cengyun heard that someone named Xu Ning had survived the trip.
Additionally, Xu Ning had a conflict with Zhuo Weisong before.
After knowing this, Zhuo Cengyun’s negative emotions became even stronger.
They were both mid level dao realm masters, so why didn’t Zhuo Weisong come back, but Xu Ning, who had a conflict with Zhuo Weisong, came back.
This made Zhuo Cengyun feel aggrieved.
This frustration came from dissatisfaction with Duan Chaofeng and Xu Ning’s survival.
Zhuo Cengyun’s mental state had already been unstable, but it just so happened that Harmony King gave an order for him and three other high level dao realm masters to go out to the sea to capture the Night Beast. This made Zhuo Cengyun, who still had a glimmer of hope for his son’s survival, temporarily put aside this dissatisfaction and prepare to go out to the sea to find traces of Zhuo Weisong.
However, just when he was about to go out to sea, he was suddenly interrupted by a sentence from Duan Chaoyu.
Because of this, not long after Zhuo Cengyun went out to sea, he seized an opportunity and pretended to disappear into the deep sea before returning secretly.
What Duan Chaoyu told Zhuo Cengyun was concerning the ownership of the new Harmony King position.
Duan Chaoyu told him that the person who would inherit the position of the Harmony King would not be Duan Chaofeng, but him.
And this was because he had secretly received the support of a sect.