Chapter 23: Marry Him?
"Perhaps the ideals of that person from the Spirit Hall are very appealing to me," Ye Tian said, looking up at the sky.
As a descendant of the Chinese nation, he naturally gravitated toward unified countries.
In the world of Douluo, the person closest to achieving this was Bibi Dong.
Then, he smiled: "Why is little sister Nana asking about this? Can't your big brother indulge in some fantasies? After all, it's not like I'll act on them or lose anything by doing so."
He continued casually:
"The Spirit Hall nowadays is thoroughly controlled by the Angel Clan from the inside out. How can we expect the branch halls to perform better under such circumstances?"
"Oh..." Hu Liena nodded thoughtfully, unsure of what she was pondering.
Bibi Dong's expression shifted slightly, and she stepped forward. "Xiao Tian, you are too kind. You crippled Zhou Wu's spirit. Do you think the Zhou family will let you go after they find out?"
"Letting Zhou Wu go is like letting a tiger return to the mountain."
Hearing her warning, Ye Tian turned his surprised gaze to her and said in amazement, "I didn't expect you, sister, to learn a few things in the Spirit Hall."
He had originally thought his sister couldn't handle bloody scenes.
Little did he know, he had overthought.
Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Hu Liena also showed concern: "Brother, what are you planning to do?"
Ye Tian chuckled, "I let Zhou Wu go just to give the Zhou family a chance. If they fail to grasp it and choose to focus their strength on dealing with me, it saves me the trouble of searching for them all over the place."
Pausing for a moment, he looked at Bibi Dong with determined eyes, "No one can hurt you, sister."
He then turned to Thirteen and ordered, "Send more people to keep an eye on East Sea City."
Ye Tian wasn't particularly ambitious and had no desire to oppose anyone.
But if fools came seeking trouble, he'd have no choice but to bury them.
"Yes," Thirteen responded and retreated.
Ye Tian's firm tone warmed Bibi Dong's heart.
No one had ever cared for her so deeply.
Her only daughter, Qian Renxue, didn't even have a harmonious relationship with her.
If only she had such a brother for real.
...But unfortunately, she was only pretending to be his sister.
During dinner, the barbecue party went on as usual, but Ye Tian, Hu Liena, and Bibi Dong were all preoccupied with their own thoughts.
...
Late at night.
In a small courtyard bedroom, Bibi Dong and Hu Liena stood by the window in pink pajamas, gazing at the bright moonlight outside.
"Nana," Bibi Dong said suddenly, her beautiful eyes fixed on the moon.
"Do you think what Ye Tian said about the Spirit Hall today is true?"
Hu Liena's face showed a hint of surprise as she looked up at her teacher's stunning profile.
"Huh? Teacher, why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
"Nothing. I just want to hear your opinion," Bibi Dong said, resting her snow-white hand on Hu Liena's shoulder, gently stroking her golden hair.
This made Hu Liena's pupils shrink.
Ye Tian's words today had been entirely a criticism of the Spirit Hall.
He had compared the Spirit Hall to the two great empires, implying that it was just as corrupt.
Yet the Spirit Hall's mission had always been to strive for peace across the continent, ensuring people could live in peace and prosperity.
Ye Tian's words clearly suggested that the current state of the continent, with all its chaos, was partly due to the Spirit Hall.
Faced with her teacher's question, Hu Liena didn't know what to say.
She didn't want to speak ill of Ye Tian in front of her teacher.
But she also didn't want to lie. She had already started to sense that what Ye Tian said was likely true.
After all, what was the difference between the actions of the Spirit Hall's branch halls and the bone-picking nobles?
Struggling with her thoughts, Hu Liena looked up and noticed her teacher's purple eyes staring right at her.
This made Hu Liena a bit uneasy.
Bibi Dong spoke again: "You don't want to badmouth Ye Tian? Nor do you want to admit that the Spirit Hall I govern is also a monster that devours people without leaving a trace?"
"N-no," Hu Liena quickly lowered her eyes, not daring to meet her teacher's gaze. She nervously clutched the corner of her pajamas.
Seeing her student's slightly panicked denial, Bibi Dong suddenly smiled, tilting her graceful neck.
"It seems Ye Tian was right. When you're in power, you miss some of life's truths."
"Even you, Nana, are trying to cover things up to avoid angering me."
"I wonder how much more deceit there is from those beneath me?"
Hearing this, Hu Liena looked up again at Bibi Dong and asked, "Teacher, do you also think Ye Tian's words are right?"
Then Hu Liena added with confusion, "If the Spirit Hall is truly like that, what are we striving for?"
They had been working hard to improve their skills and recruit strong people into the Spirit Hall.
But was that just giving power to the wrong people, letting them use the name of the Spirit Hall to oppress the weak?
Even in a small place like East Sea City, people were using the Spirit Hall's name to harm others, robbing and even taking lives.
How many other such evil deeds were happening across the entire continent every day?
While she pondered, Bibi Dong's voice came from beside her.
"To change all of this, Nana."
Bibi Dong's eyes were firm, and her hand on Hu Liena's shoulder tightened slightly.
"That was my goal when I became the Pope."
"And it's why I want to seize power from the Elder Hall."
"...But unfortunately, Qian Daoliu, that old fox, is too cunning. The Angel Clan's influence in the Spirit Hall is deeply rooted. Even after more than ten years of effort, I still don't fully control the Spirit Hall."
"Maybe Ye Tian can help you, teacher," Hu Liena said seriously, locking eyes with her teacher.
With Ye Tian's intelligence and her teacher's strength, they could surely overthrow Qian Daoliu and take control of the Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong gently stroked Hu Liena's hair and sighed softly.
"Ye Tian only cares about us because he mistakes me for his sister."
"But if we reveal our true identities, will he really help us?"
Hu Liena fell into silence.
Indeed, they had no real connection to Ye Tian. Why would he help them?
Moreover, Ye Tian was not someone driven by ambition. He had no interest in holding high positions.
Wealth and power would not entice him.
As for money? The Spirit Hall combined couldn't match Ye Tian's wealth.
His dream seemed to be nothing more than a quiet life by the sea.
How could someone like that be persuaded to join them?
Hu Liena couldn't think of any good ideas. Should they continue to deceive him?
But deception would eventually be exposed.
And once it was, it would only earn Ye Tian's disdain.
Frowning, Hu Liena said, "It seems difficult to win over Ye Tian."
Bibi Dong's eyes suddenly gleamed with cunning as she smiled softly at Hu Liena.
"I do have one way to bring him to our side."
"What way?" Hu Liena's eyes brightened. As expected of her teacher, always smarter than her clueless student.
Instead of explaining, Bibi Dong leaned down and whispered in Hu Liena's ear.
Upon hearing her teacher's words, Hu Liena's face instantly turned as red as an apple, and she exclaimed in shock:
"Teacher, you want me to marry him?"
(End of Chapter)