Chapter 141: Cold Restraint
Huo Yuhao coldly stared down at Dai Hao, his killing intent enveloping his whole body to the trained eye and those who experienced a lot of bloody battles. It was almost like a shroud of black and red mist. His eyes unconsciously changed into his Sharingan, without the golden pupils and soul rings, but the original form of the dark pupils and bloody irises; there seemed to be a dark energy emanating from them, a tangible manifestation of his immense rage and hatred.
'kill...' A small unknown voice sounded in the depths of his heart, which only himself could hear.
His aura emanated a palpable menace, a blend of shadow and blood that seemed to warp the very air around him. The blood of beasts and men, the resentment they held towards him as they died at his hands, cling to him like ghosts.
'Kill...' The voice grew stronger as his killing aura did.
Every seasoned soldier in the vicinity could feel the suffocating pressure of his killing intent, a deadly promise etched into the space between them.
His friends, Wang Yan, Zhu Mei, Du Leisi and his group all felt incredibly uncomfortable by Huo Yuhao's outrageous output of killing intent.
Du Leisi and his group were tensed, as the White Tiger Bodyguards that were direct subordinates of the White Tiger Duke, they were supposed to help guard his life from any threats.
Huo Yuhao was obviously a threat, showing clear hostility, but they held back from attacking the boy due to his background and that Dai Hao didn't look threatened.
He instead looked ecstatic, which wasn't a surprise to them. Dai Hao is a Marshal and he has hobby of personally scouting and training any talented youths into the army.
With Huo Yuhao's young age and bloodlust, instead of perceiving him as an enemy, he thought of him as a new seed to be cultivated.
'What...is this?' Zhu Mei Lan eyes widened, cold sweat dripping down the side of her face as she looked at Huo Yuhao. What was this outrageous amount of killing intent?! It felt as though it could drown her in a sea of blood.
Dai Hao, though accustomed to battle and confrontation as the Legion Commander of the Eastern Army of the Empire, couldn't suppress the primal chill that raced down his spine.
His sparkling eyes met Huo Yuhao's, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them, a clash of intent sparked between them in a split second.
'Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill...KILL! KILL! KILL! KIIIIILLLL!!' In the next split moment, dark-red veins spread all around his irises. The urge, his desires, grew more and more tempting to act upon. The voices of his companions, even the ones in his spiritual sea, turned muted.
At this rate, he was going to attack Dai Hao.
But in the next moment, an icy cold chill began flowing though his veins and spread across his entire inner body, the icy chill gradually overpowering the seething rage and bloodlust that had consumed him. It was as if a cold hand had gripped his heart, squeezing out the flames of fury and replacing them with a numbing frost.
Unbeknownst to anyone present, black tribal tattoos momentarily appeared over Huo Yuhao's before disappearing in the next moment, it was as if it were a mirage, making anyone who saw them thought it was a figment of their imagination.
The shroud of bloodlust covering Huo Yuhao's body dissipated and a look of composure returned to his face. He drew in a deep breath, quelling the storm within him and locking away the torrent of emotions thanks to the ice in hi veins.
He couldn't afford to lose control, not here, not now. He had to think of the bigger picture, of his grand vengeance against the Dai Family, and he needed to keep his mind clear and focused.
Dai Hao observed the transformation with an analytical eye, noting the remarkable control Huo Yuhao exhibited over his emotions. A hint of curiosity flickered in his gaze. Who was this youth who carried such a heavy aura of death yet displayed the discipline to rein it in so effortlessly?
As everyone slowly landed, the foremost Du Leisi had already stepped forward. He bowed slightly and said, "Marshal, the young lady and people from Shrek Academy have arrived."
Everyone was able to see his full appearance at this point: He didn't look a day over thirty, and his facial features were proper. His deep azure eyes each contained flickering pupils. He had a muscular physique, not to point obscene; not like a bodybuilder but of a warrior's. His steel-like gaze, which flickered like an enormous blade as it swept across everyone, caused some of them to involuntarily stop moving. However, his gaze quickly turned warm.
Handsome, stalwart, tall, and an iron-blooded temperament. When they saw him, even some of the Heaven's Chosen of Shrek Academy felt like serving him.
This was the White Tiger Duke, the Grand Marshal of the Empire and the Legion Commander of the Eastern Army's Central Legion who stood over the Star Luo Empire as the newest War God of the Generation—Dai Hao!
Zhu Mei Lan took a few measured steps forward, cupped her hands together, and respectfully bowed towards the man, "Father."
Huo Yuhao's index finger twitched but he quickly composed himself, though the surge of emotions within him threatened to break free once more. He had to maintain his calm, he had to-! But dammit all, it was oh so hard to keep it on a leash.
Dai Hao's gaze shifted to Zhu Mei Lan, a warm smile replacing the stern look on his face. "Mei Lan," he greeted her affectionately, his tone softening. "It is good to see you, daughter."
Most of the Shrek Academy group almost gasped out loud shock, they didn't expect the girl travelling with them was the daughter of Dai Hao. Ma Xiaotao and her group was especially surprise, since they've been together with Dai Yueheng for a while now before his excommunication from the school he had never mentioned having a sister.
'Heh. That guy only shows his soft side whenever his daughter is involved, even the other young masters wouldn't received such a treatment.' Du Leisi inwardly chuckled.
Zhu Mei Lan straightened up, her eyes flicking briefly to Huo Yuhao before returning to her father. "Father, these are our guests from Shrek Academy. They have come to assist us."
Dai Hao's eyes swept over the group from Shrek Academy, lingering a moment longer on Huo Yuhao. "Welcome, great teacher and various talents of the academy to the Eastern Army camp. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing what you can contribute to our efforts."
"Greetings to the lord Duke." Wang Yan lead the group behind him in bowing respectfully to the White Tiger Duke. The Duke wasn't just the marshal; he also stood at the apex of nobility on the entire continent. Naturally, they're manners couldn't be lacking.
Dai Hao nodded, his gaze returning to Huo Yuhao. "What is your name?"
Huo Yuhao met his father's gaze steadily, his voice calm and composed. "Huo Yuhao."
"Huo Yuhao," Dai Hao repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. "You have the air of a seasoned warrior. Your killing intent is remarkable for someone so young."
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly, his eyes never wavering from Dai Hao's. "I've faced many battles, sir."
Dai Hao's lips curled into a faint smile. "It shows. We could use someone of your talents in the Eastern Army. Provided, that you change your citizenship to Star Luo."
"Father, Huo Yuhao is a Star Luo Empire citizen." Zhu Mei Lan provided.
"Oh? Well that's good!" Dai Hao laughed boisterously.
Huo Yuhao's expression remained neutral, though inwardly he couldn't help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions. Here was the man who had never acknowledged him, now recognizing his potential as a soldier. It was both bitter and ironic.
"I appreciate the offer, sir," Huo Yuhao replied evenly, "but I am here on a mission with my comrades as Shrek Guardian trainee."
Dai Hao's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that there was more to Huo Yuhao than met the eye. "Shrek Guardian trainee? How interesting. Although you come off as a much older teen, I can still see the vestiges of youth from your face. To be a Shrek Guardian trainee in such a young age is quite an achievement."
"You honor me with such praise, sir. I strive to live up to the expectations of Shrek Academy and my comrades," Huo Yuhao responded, his tone measured and respectful.
Dai Hao's gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao for a moment longer, his analytical mind racing. There was something undeniably intriguing about this young man, something that went beyond his impressive aura of death and his composure. There was a depth to Huo Yuhao that hinted at experiences and trials beyond his years.
Dai Hao nodded, seemingly satisfied with the response. "Very well. Complete your mission. But know this, Huo Yuhao, the Eastern Army is always open to those who have the strength and determination to serve."
He then turned towards Wang Yan and offered his hand, and Wang Yan shook his hands. "I'm sorry for ignoring you, great teacher. Please, everyone, step inside. Let this Marshal act as a host now."
Wang Yan smiled, then replied in a neither servile nor overbearing manner, "There's no need for Lord Duke to be so polite. We've come this time to carry out our mission. It'll be enough if Lord Duke can just give us some clues to help us out. We know that you have a multitude of problems to deal with every day, so we won't bother you too much."
The White Tiger Duke didn't attempt to remain, he simply nodded slightly. "Since that's the case, Elder Du, you're in charge of taking care of these distinguished guests. If any of you wish to join the army once you've graduated, the offer I made to little friend Huo Yuhao will be open to you. Though, you might not get paid very well here. However, this is the best choice for men and women who want to accomplish something glorious in life."
Wang Yan smiled and cupped his hands, "Lord Duke, we won't bother you anymore then."
"Alright then. I hope that I'll have the chance to meet all of you again." Once he'd said this, the White Tiger Duke turned towards the leather tent and entered it.
Huo Yuhao felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders when he saw the White Tiger Duke disappear into the leather tent.
"Hey, you alright?" Wang Dong'er came up to him and place her hand gently on his arm, her eyes full of concern. She wasn't the only one as the rest of their friends came to him in concern.
Huo Yuhao nodded, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine, Dong'er, everyone. Just...it was just something personal, sorry."
Wang Yan, noticing the interaction, approached them with a stern look. "Huo Yuhao, although I don't what got into you, but you're lucky that the Duke and his subordinates was strangely understanding. Remember, we are here as representatives of Shrek Academy. Keep your emotions in check and focus on the mission at hand."
He then turned towards Zhu Mei Lan with an apologetic smile, "Miss Zhu, I apologize for one of students strange outburst towards your father."
Zhu Mei Lan smiled and waved him off. "Since father let it go, there's no need for apologies. I know my father enough that he welcomed the challenge Huo Yuhao posed, he's a battle maniac after all." she finished, her voice calm yet revealing a hint of curiosity about Huo Yuhao's past.
Waving them goodbye, she then went towards her father's tent to get in touch of their family matters.
Du Leisi led them to another tent, where he allowed them to rest after he'd arranged for some food to be brought to them. Afterwards, he went to gather the information that they needed.
Wang Yan said, "We'll rest for six hours after we finish eating, then head into the Ming Dou Mountain Range. I'm confident that we'll have the information we need by then."
Everyone was somewhat exhausted after yesterday's journey. Their current task was to ensure that their bodies were in peak condition before they set out for a fight in the mountains.
Xu Sanshi couldn't help but ask, "Teacher Wang, since the White Tiger Bodyguards beneath the White Tiger Duke are so strong, why hasn't the Duke simply sent them to eliminate the bandits?"
"Politics," Tang Ya interjected, laying lazily on her bed. "The Ming Dou Mountain Range is sat between the Star Luo Empire and Sun Moon Empire, the Duke can't send out too many people or powerful experts without risking a political incident. The bandits are just a symptom of a larger problem, and moving too aggressively could spark a conflict with the Sun Moon Empire."
Wang Yan nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Tang Ya. The situation is delicate, and we must proceed with caution. Our mission is to gather intelligence and deal with the bandits as efficiently as possible without causing an international incident."
Xu Sanshi stared at Tang Ya in disbelief. "How the fuck did you know that?"
"I'm just smarter than you."
"What?! Why I outta-"
Huo Yuhao remained quiet, his mind still processing the encounter with Dai Hao. He couldn't shake the feeling of conflicting emotions that swirled within him. Despite his outward calm, the memory of his father's absence in his and mother's life, and now the sudden interest was a bitter pill to swallow.
At that moment, Elder Xuan appeared out of thin air before them, shocking most of them. He ignored their reactions and turned towards Huo Yuhao. "Little Yuhao, hurry up and prepare our meal. This is also a good opportunity to get Xiao Xiao's third soul ring. Ma Xiaotao, go accompany them."
"Yes, elder!"
....
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