Chapter 125: Why Bother? There Are Things Worth Doing, and Things Not Worth Doing!

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As dusk approached, the rain that had threatened all day never came. The sultry evening breeze swept gently across the battlements of Wu'an City, carrying with it a faint sense of desolation.

Dai Chengfeng's expression was stern as he patted Zhu Fan on the shoulder. "Relax, Uncle."

"I know he's different from Dai Xuan. Dai Xuan was merely Dai Tian's nephew after all."

"Moreover, since Dai Tian has openly supported Dai Weisi, even if I were to kill Dai Tian directly, aside from the Overseers' Lineage, no one would dare utter a single word of objection…"

"After all, the competition for the throne in the Star Luo Empire has always been like this."

"But him—Xu Guotao!"

A cold glint flashed in Dai Chengfeng's eyes. "He is a high-ranking general of our Star Luo Empire, commanding over a hundred thousand troops stationed at the border. He could be called a frontier lord without exaggeration."

"And behind him stands the full support of the reclusive Xingguan Sect of the Xu Family. His influence in the imperial court is deeply entrenched…"

Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's words, Zhu Fan exhaled deeply, raising his hand to pat his chest lightly. The worry on his face eased somewhat:

"I'm glad you understand!"

"I thought you might be acting impulsively because of your youth and wanted to kill Xu Guotao."

"Now it seems I overthought things."

"Chengfeng, dealing with Xu Guotao requires careful planning."

As he spoke, Zhu Fan picked up the tea that Dai Xuan had prepared earlier but never got the chance to enjoy. Just as he was about to take a sip to calm himself:

"Wait until you ascend the throne; then dealing with him will be as simple as giving an order… Pfft~"

However, before Zhu Fan could swallow the tea, he suddenly spat it out.

For Dai Chengfeng had abruptly turned his gaze toward Jinshan Pass. "But I can't wait that long!"

"Within a month, I will kill Xu Guotao!"

"Chengfeng!"

Zhu Fan's eyes widened in alarm, his face filled with anxiety. "Why don't you understand? Killing Xu Guotao means offending the Xingguan Sect!"

"You're not yet the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire—you still have to compete with Dai Weisi."

"Now that Dai Tian has openly sided with Dai Weisi, if you offend the Xingguan Sect, they will undoubtedly support Dai Weisi as well."

"At that point, wouldn't it mean…?"

"Wouldn't it actually be better?" Dai Chengfeng suddenly revealed a meaningful smile. "The Overseers' Lineage and the Xingguan Sect together will be eliminated—a double celebration!"

"Pfft~"

Zhu Fan spat out another mouthful of tea, his face filled with astonishment. "What double celebration?!"

"Chengfeng, other than Xu Guotao, no one from the Xingguan Sect has provoked you. Why must you provoke them unnecessarily?"

At this point, Zhu Fan glanced around cautiously and lowered his voice, advising, "Uncle knows that Xu Guotao helped Dai Xuan oppress the people of Wu'an City, but how many people actually died?"

"Why bother going against Xu Guotao for the sake of a few commoners?"

"If you let Xu Guotao off this time, he'll owe you a favor. In the future, even winning him over wouldn't be impossible."

"At that point, even if Dai Weisi has Dai Tian's support, he won't stand a chance."

"On the other hand, even if you somehow manage to kill Xu Guotao, the most you'll gain is the adoration of the people of Wu'an City. What awaits you is your father's wrath, as you'd be guilty of killing a frontier lord!"

"Dai Weisi and Dai Tian will surely fan the flames…"

"Why bother?!"

Nearby, Dugu Bo and Ye Renxin, who had overheard Zhu Fan's words, instinctively nodded in agreement.

After all, the cost and reward were completely disproportionate!

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan also looked at Dai Chengfeng with complex expressions, their lips pressed tightly shut, saying nothing.

"Yes, why bother?"

Faced with Zhu Fan, Dugu Bo, and Ye Renxin's confusion, Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, but there was no hesitation in his eyes.

"It's simply a matter of doing what must be done and refraining from what shouldn't be done!"

"In this world, not everything can be measured, nor can everything be used as leverage… This is my bottom line!"

"My 'sword' strikes only to clear my conscience and leave no regrets!"

With that, Dai Chengfeng slowly descended from the city wall. "But rest assured, Uncle."

"I'm no reckless brute. I won't march straight to Jinshan Pass with my men, as those soldiers aren't like the ones in Wu'an City."

"This matter, I will plan carefully!"

At this moment, Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan finally exhaled in relief, exchanging joyous glances. It was as if they were silently saying…

Chengfeng hasn't disappointed us!

The two then happily laughed, their steps light as they followed Dai Chengfeng's retreating figure. "Chengfeng, wait for us…"

"Chengfeng, Chengfeng… You, sigh!"

Zhu Fan watched Dai Chengfeng's resolute departing figure and called out a few more times, his voice filled with helplessness.

"Foolish, sigh…"

Though he said this, Zhu Fan's eyes brimmed with pride, and a smile lingered on his face.

It was contradictory.

On one hand, Zhu Fan hoped his nephew would give up revenge against Xu Guotao, as it would maximize their benefits.

But on the other hand, he didn't want that.

After all, a Dai Chengfeng who only considered personal gains and losses would be no different from the countless officials in the Douluo Continent.

Could such a person…

Still make him, Zhu Yan, and all the soldiers of Wu'an City willingly lay down their lives for him?

"Perhaps this is precisely the charismatic appeal of Prince Chengfeng?"

At this moment, Ye Renxin stepped forward and patted Zhu Fan on the shoulder. "It's also why I brought Lingling to this unfamiliar Star Luo Empire… this reason!"

"After all, if Prince Chengfeng were truly just a petty schemer, he wouldn't have moved me or Old Poison"

As he spoke, Ye Renxin looked at Dugu Bo, a smile on his face as he asked, "Isn't that right, Old Poison?"

Dugu Bo didn't respond.

Instead, he gazed at Dai Chengfeng's determined back, his eyes filled with admiration. Rarely, he couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter: "I've come to the right place in the Star Luo Empire! Haha…"

The meaning behind Dugu Bo's words was clear!

And watching Dugu Bo and Ye Renxin chuckle with approval, Zhu Fan sighed bitterly. "Fortune hides within misfortune, and misfortune lurks within fortune. I never expected that while Chengfeng may offend the Xingguan Sect, he would win the loyalty of two powerful allies—one of whom is a Title Douluo…"

"Is this a gain or a loss?"

Soon, Zhu Fan shook his head, brushing these thoughts aside, and said to the two, "Let's return to the governor's mansion to rest. After months of continuous travel, we must all be exhausted."

"Agreed!"

Ye Renxin and Dugu Bo responded.

Soon after, Zhu Fan gave brief instructions to Zhu Yan and Li Zhizhao to handle the aftermath, then led Dugu Bo and Ye Renxin toward the governor's mansion.

However, just as the three entered the governor's mansion and were about to head to the backyard, they suddenly stopped in their tracks.

Roar—

Accompanied by a deafening tiger's roar, three tornadoes erupted violently from the training ground.

Among them, lightning crackled, their power enough to shake the heavens.

"What is this?"

Zhu Yan looked at Dai Chengfeng on the training ground, his mouth slightly agape, his eyes filled with astonishment.

"Has he achieved enlightenment?"

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