Page 258
"Come in."
Huo Yuhao knocked on the door of Jing Hongchen's office, walked to the opposite side of Jing Hongchen, and said with a slight smile.
"Master Hongchen, let's make a deal too."
Chapter 298 The deal with Jing Hongchen
Jing Hongchen put down what he was doing and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Now he was sitting behind his desk. Huo Yuhao stood straight opposite him, looking at him with a confident and smiling look.
He pushed the document he was reading aside and asked with interest, "Yuhao, what kind of deal do you want to make with this hall master?"
"Let's get straight to the point. What do you want that is worthy of you coming to see me so solemnly?"
Ordinary things seemed unlikely to arouse Huo Yuhao’s interest. What he wanted was a soul guide above level eight, rare metals, or something else?
Huo Yuhao said calmly: “I’m sorry, Master Hongchen, I’m afraid I can’t represent Sun Moon Academy in this continent-wide fighting spirit competition.”
Hearing his words, the smile on Jing Hongchen's face froze and he fell silent.
Huo Yuhao’s current true strength is really difficult to estimate. As a Soul King, he was already able to crush Ji Juechen, the chief who actually controlled the Soul Guidance Department of Mingde Hall. Now that he has broken through to the Soul Emperor level, he is probably able to fight on equal terms with a Soul Saint.
There is a watershed between Soul Emperor and Soul Sage. With the seventh soul skill, Martial Soul True Body, the strength of the soul master will undergo a qualitative change, but Jing Hongchen still has great confidence in Huo Yuhao.
His calculations were very good. With the addition of Huo Yuhao, the lineup of Sun Moon Academy in this competition will be the strongest in history.
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen have sent a message back, saying that they successfully broke through to the Soul Emperor level during their exchange and study period at Shrek.
In addition, the strength of the other sixth-grade students is also quite good, and they can form an all-Soul King team.
There are three Soul Emperors. Looking at the participating teams sent by Shrek in the past, there are very few such grand teams.
But now, Huo Yuhao proposed to withdraw.
"Can you tell me your reasons?" Jing Hongchen asked in a deep voice.
Huo Yuhao frankly said the words he had thought of long ago: "Because Director Lin said yesterday that this competition will also include a sect team. I will represent my family in the competition."
Jing Hongchen was stunned and said hesitantly: "You mean... the Northern Family?"
Huo Yuhao nodded lightly.
Jing Hongchen's expression began to change.
His cultivation and recruitment of Huo Yuhao was not only out of his love for talent, but also to show goodwill to the mysterious Northern Douluo and the Northern Family.
Being able to gain the friendship of an Extreme Douluo will bring great benefits to oneself.
But he was reluctant to let go. Huo Yuhao's joining was too important for the Sun Moon Team. This competition introduced the sect team, and the strength of those major sects that came to participate should not be underestimated. So no matter what the reason for Huo Yuhao's withdrawal was, he would do his best to retain him.
If the Sun-Moon Academy can win the competition, it will greatly enhance the cohesion of the Sun-Moon Empire, and he will also be rewarded handsomely by His Majesty.
Huo Yuhao saw what Jing Hongchen was thinking and said with a smile, “Master Hongchen, thank you for your training over the past few years. I will always remember your kindness.”
"Since it is a transaction, you must have gained something. I believe that it will be a gain that will satisfy you."
Jing Hongchen asked: "Tell me, what kind of deal is it?"
He looked carefully into Huo Yuhao's eyes, and in those icy blue eyes, there was a hint of ambition.
"What I am doing today is not only to hope that you will agree to let me leave, but also to repay your favor."
Jing Hongchen showed a relaxed smile: "This hall master is also eager to love talents, you don't have to take it so seriously."
He paused for a moment before asking, "So what will you bring to this hall master?"
Huo Yuhao stretched out a finger and placed it in front of himself: "On behalf of the Beidi family, I can make a promise to you, Master Hongchen, and to the Hongchen family."
"Oh? What promise?" Jing Hongchen asked.
Huo Yuhao grinned and said, “Master Hongchen, you should know better than me that the Emperor doesn’t have much time left, right?”
Jing Hongchen nodded slightly. He knew the physical condition of Emperor Sun and Moon better than what was spread by the people of Mingdu. The actual situation was even more serious than the rumors.
Emperor Sun and Moon now rarely even handles government affairs, and has appointed Crown Prince Xu Tianran as regent to let him participate in handling the affairs.
But Jing Hongchen still reminded: "Yuhao, don't talk about His Majesty in private."
Huo Yuhao paused for a moment and continued, “Your Majesty’s death is a foregone conclusion, but the country cannot be without a ruler for a day…”
Jing Hongchen frowned and became a little alert.
The topic that Huo Yuhao was discussing now was already somewhat dangerous, and even he, the head of Mingde Hall, did not dare to discuss this matter with a minister he did not trust very much.
The factional struggle for the crown prince's position has entered a white-hot stage. Xu Tianran has been named regent. The third and fifth princes both feel a great crisis and will seize every opportunity to overthrow him.
In addition to these two princes, there are also noble princes from different factions. Unless it is absolutely necessary, Jing Hongchen is really unwilling to lead the Hongchen family to personally take sides when he sees that one side has a clear advantage over the throne.
Huo Yuhao spoke each word with great emphasis, “On behalf of the Northern Family, I can give appropriate support to the Red Dust Family during the process of the new emperor’s succession to the throne.”
As soon as he finished speaking, even Jing Hongchen, a Titled Douluo, a ninth-level soul instructor, and the head of Mingde Hall, was stunned. After he came to his senses, his breathing became rapid.
"You, are you telling the truth?"
Huo Yuhao nodded.
Jing Hongchen was surprised and asked again: "Can your words represent the entire Beidi family and... His Majesty the Beidi Douluo?"
Huo Yuhao nodded firmly again: "This is what he specifically told me yesterday."
Jing Hongchen did not wonder why Beidi Douluo appeared in the academy. A hint of joy that was inconsistent with his image flashed across his fat face, but he quickly regained his composure, with only a relieved smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
All the investments in Huo Yuhao are worth it.
For the Hongchen Family, gaining the support of an Extreme Douluo is a great thing, especially when the new emperor may ascend the throne at any time in the near future.
The princes and the forces that support them influence each other. Each prince hopes to use the forces from all sides to increase his chances of succession, and each force also hopes to use the imperial power to bring benefits to itself.
No matter which side it is, only those with strong enough strength can have sufficient bargaining power. However, the strength of Jing Hongchen, the master of Mingde Hall, is not strong enough. If he stands on the wrong side, although he will not be liquidated afterwards, he will be neglected, and the entire Hongchen family will decline thereafter.
Jing Hongchen already had a sense of crisis in his heart.
He vaguely felt that he had caused dissatisfaction from the crown prince and regent because he did not take the initiative to stand on Xu Tianran's side.
But if there is a strong man at the level of Extreme Douluo to support the Hongchen Family, the situation will be completely different. The Hongchen Family will have unprecedented bargaining power.
Jing Hongchen was not so arrogant as to think that the favor he gave to Huo Yuhao was enough to drive the Northern Douluo around at will, but as long as he could protect the Hongchen family's safety for a while, it was enough.
Later, he met the Holy Spirit Church's great priest, Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao. Compared with the gray-haired and bearded Dragon Emperor Douluo, Beidi Douluo was much younger and seemed to be in his prime.
Then, the favor of Beidi Douluo can be preserved for a long time and used when the Hongchen family is in trouble.
The Hongchen Family and Mingde Hall are what Jing Hongchen always values most. Compared with them, the champion of the Continental Soul Master Competition seems less important.
“Hahaha, OK, this hall master agrees.” Jing Hongchen laughed cheerfully, “Huo Yuhao, then you can go.”
Huo Yuhao added: “Master Hongchen, I am not leaving and will not come back. After the competition is over, I will return to Mingde Hall.”
This sentence seemed to remind Jing Hongchen. He put away his smile, pondered for a while, and said: "After your game is over, I will personally invite you to visit the Hongchen family's mansion. I implore you to come and don't rush to leave Mingdu."
His last two sentences were spoken very solemnly, as if he wanted to convey some message.
This further confirmed Huo Yuhao's inference that something big would definitely happen tomorrow after the second competition.
“I will convey that. Master Hongchen, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave first.” Huo Yuhao said finally.
Jing Hongchen did not remind them too much. With the strength of Beidi Douluo, it would be impossible for the Sun-Moon Empire to keep him. Moreover, as long as he hid in his Mingde Hall, it would be a fantasy for the royal family to find him.
Finally, he stood up and saluted towards Huo Yuhao, “Huo Yuhao, thank His Majesty the Northland Douluo on my behalf.”
Huo Yuhao returned the greeting and left Mingde Hall.
Jing Hongchen sat down again, dialed the communication soul guide on the table, and gave an order.
"Jiayi, adjust the number of selection spots for the regular team members to five."
After putting down the communication soul guide, the Mingde Hall Master could no longer hide the joy on his face and burst into laughter.
With an Extreme Douluo standing behind him, even if it is just a trivial relationship, the royal family has to reconsider the status of the Hongchen Family.
As long as the Hongchen family does not cause trouble, the royal family will tolerate them to the greatest extent.
After laughing, Jing Hongchen gradually calmed down.
He needs to think carefully about the future path of the Hongchen family.
……
Outside Mingde Hall, Huo Yuhao put his hands in his pockets and walked slowly towards the dormitory.
As he walked, he muttered to himself: "Sun and moon, sun and moon, sun and moon are bright, it seems that the Sun and Moon Empire really needs a cabinet, Master Hongchen, then I'll trouble you."
The cold voice of the Ice Emperor sounded: "I thought you would choose to always rely on Mingde Hall."
“We do have a dependent relationship, but Bingdi, you got the subject and object wrong. It’s not that I’m dependent on Mingdetang, but that Mingdetang is dependent on me. I will bring unimaginable benefits to Jing Hongchen.” Huo Yuhao corrected with a smile.
"Why don't you plan to help them participate in the competition?" Tian Meng asked.
"I don't think there's anything good about the Fighting Spirit Contest, nor do I think there's any essential difference between participating for the glory of the Sun and the Moon and participating for the glory of Shrek. Those aren't my glories."
"I'm sure to run into some familiar faces at this tournament. It won't be a good thing for anyone to see me fighting for Sun and Moon."
"Besides, I have more important things to do next."
Huo Yuhao showed a carefree look on his face: "This painful world always forces me to make some painful choices, just like those bloody love triangles."
"But now, I want to do something that achieves multiple goals at once according to my own wishes."
As he spoke, he stopped and looked back in the direction of Mingde Hall.
He was considering whether to tell He Caitou about his plan, or when and how much to reveal to He Caitou.
He Cai Tou plays a crucial role in his plan.
In the end, he decided to wait until he completed his next plan before informing the other party.
Soon, the exchange student activity was about to end, and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy held a grand ceremony. Mingde Hall Master Jing Hongchen personally saw them off and delivered a speech.
"Yuhao, we are going back now. Take care of yourself."
"Well, Brother Caitou, the next time we meet will be in the competition. I hope we won't become rivals."
"Haha, if we really become rivals, I won't show mercy."
Huo Yuhao bid farewell to He Caitou and others.