"Why doesn't Mr. Dugu grow them anymore?"
Emperor Xue Ye asked, puzzled.
"You think I don't want to?"
Mr. Dugu replied irritably, "Times have changed, as have the eras."
"Could it be that a natural disaster occurred and all the herbs were destroyed?"
"No, it was a man-made disaster."
Mr. Dugu said with heartache.
"A man-made disaster..."
The entire sleeping chamber suddenly fell silent.
Even Emperor Xue Ye fell silent.
The person who could harm the Poison Douluo mustn't be ordinary, and in this case, less knowledge was better.
"Mr. Dugu, how long can I hold on with medicinal materials worth five hundred thousand golden soul coins?"
Emperor Xue Ye asked again.
After thinking for a moment, Mr. Dugu said, "Seven days, I suppose."
"Only a mere seven days?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye raised his voice involuntarily.
Doesn't that mean that I need to spend a hundred thousand golden soul coins each day?
Inside the Tiandou Empire, how much tax from the citizens would amount to a hundred thousand golden soul coins...
If it's a hundred thousand a day, then at least three million a month, the annual treatment cost would be a staggering thirty to forty million...
"An annual cost of at least thirty to forty million golden soul coins, isn't that price a bit too high..."
Thinking of it, Emperor Xue Ye began to breathe heavily; he hadn't realized how expensive it was to stay alive.
"If only thirty to forty million golden soul coins could save your life."
Just then, Mr. Dugu shook his head, shattering Emperor Xue Ye's illusion.
"Are you saying that thirty to forty million golden soul coins are still not enough?"
Emperor Xue Ye asked in shock.
"Of course, that's not enough."
Mr. Dugu said, "After seven days, your body will develop drug resistance. The next dose will require an even greater amount of medicinal materials, the cost is not fixed, but increases by the day..."
"Alas, thinking about it now, I really was rich before."
Mr. Dugu calculated how much Spiritual Medicine he had taken from his manor for Emperor Xue Ye over the years.
Previously, he hadn't felt anything, but now that he thought about it, that was all money.
At the very least, it must have been several billion golden soul coins, right?
Compared to that, the benefits of being a guest elder at the Prince's mansion seemed pitiful indeed.
Damn it.
A total loss.
"If Your Majesty feels the medical expenses are high, I can write you a list, and you can send someone to purchase the materials yourself."
Seeing Emperor Xue Ye fall silent, Mr. Dugu spoke in a grave tone.
"You misunderstand, sir. It's not that I distrust you, but rather that I feel my life isn't worth the cost of such expensive treatment."
"Besides, the treatment won't cure me, it would merely keep me hanging on."
Emperor Xue Ye explained to Mr. Dugu with a helpless look on his face.
Mr. Dugu's gaze flickered slightly, but he said nothing more.
Because what Emperor Xue Ye said was the truth.
"Someone come, take Mr. Dugu down to receive his payment."
Emperor Xue Ye then had the guards escort Mr. Dugu away.
"Your Majesty, you should also rest a while, take a nap."
Someone caring spoke by Emperor Xue Ye's side.
"How can I sleep when a hundred thousand golden soul coins only buys me twelve shichen?"
Emperor Xue Ye's mouth curved into a bitter smile.
For now, the Tiandou Empire had extensive affairs and could afford the annual expenditure of several million.
But what if it went on like this?
```
In the coming year, I might have to spend upwards of a hundred million golden soul coins on my treatment...
Perhaps even more.
No one dared to speak anymore.
"It's a pity, Qinghe is still young, his wings yet to fill out, and with Prince Xue Xing oppressing him in the shadows, otherwise what would it matter if I passed the throne to him?"
Emperor Xue Ye thought to himself.
He's been holding on for life with great difficulty, and he has his reasons.
In fact, he had long lost any desire for the throne of the Tiandou Empire, his only concern being for Xue Qinghe.
The influence of Prince Xue Xing in Tiandou could be called deep-rooted, and with a figure like Poison Douluo acting as a powerful guest elder in his residence, it further bolstered Prince Xue Xing's arrogance. Emperor Xue Ye feared that once he passed away, Prince Xue Xing would plot a rebellion.
"Regretfully, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a bona fide merchant; even granting him the position of Crown Prince's teacher couldn't make him step in to confront Xue Xing."
"It won't do, I must help Qinghe one more time."
Emperor Xue Ye remembered the words of Dream Divine Machine: "That young Titled Douluo in Shrek Academy, who even Du Gu Bo is quite wary of, if he could serve as a guest elder for the Crown Prince's residence, there would be no need to worry about Xue Xing relying on Poison Douluo to use any underhanded tactics."
In that instant, Emperor Xue Ye thought of many things, and immediately said to a person by his side: "Go and call the Crown Prince here."
...
"Old, broken, and secluded, this must be the place," Qin Xiao thought as he eyed the dilapidated sign hanging outside the inn.
Even before he drew near, he could smell decay.
It came from the ancient wooden door.
Squeak.
He pushed the door open, and the wooden door groaned as if it were about to collapse, emitting a teeth-grinding noise.
Qin Xiao, who faced Titled Douluos without fear, felt sick listening to this sound.
Upon entering the hall, he saw some people gathered around a table, eating breakfast.
"It seems my guess wasn't wrong," he said to himself.
Without a doubt, these were the members of Shrek Academy.
As he stepped through the door, pairs of eyes turned to him, most showing delight.
"Your Highness, you've finally returned," Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Zhao Wuji said excitedly.
That's right, Zhao Wuji had intruded.
It was unavoidable; after witnessing Qin Xiao's bravery, he had come to idolize the youth decades his junior.
"Ugh, anyone else is fine, but Old Zhao, you really should control yourself," Qin Xiao said, then couldn't help but rub his temples to indicate his headache.
In contrast, Zhao Wuji wore an embarrassed face, "I couldn't help myself, I couldn't help myself."
"Your Highness, we didn't leave any message for you, so how did you find this place?" Zhao Wuji asked curiously. "Were you hiding in the shadows all along?"
"Of course not, I don't have such peculiar hobbies," Qin Xiao replied with a slight shake of his head and a chuckle: "Hehe, actually, it wasn't too troublesome. As long as it's in Tiandou City, wherever the inn is cheapest, it's not hard to find you. Isn't that right, Flander?"
Uh...
Upon hearing this, Flander's face crinkled with embarrassment. Qin Xiao's words were spot-on, capturing his character perfectly.
But for the sake of his dignity as the dean, he found himself an excuse, "Your Highness, you don't understand. It's not just about saving money, it's more important to temper the will of the children. We should nip any potential for decadence in the bud."
"Hehe, if you say so, I won't argue with you," Qin Xiao said with a laugh.
However.
Just then, a deep roar came from outside the inn: "When Prince His Highness travels, bystanders should keep away."
The prince?
Everyone was taken aback, putting down their bowls and chopsticks, and turned to look towards the entrance.
In no time,
the portly Prince Xue Xing, along with Avalanche, walked in.
Xue Xing was fine, with a smile on his face.
Avalanche was frowning, constantly waving his hand in front of his face with a look of disgust.
He thought to himself: Is this a place for humans to live?
```
"Avalanche, do you have any objections to this place?"
Without waiting for anyone else to speak, Prince Xue Xing noticed Avalanche's small gesture and looked at him with cold, slanted brows.
Rage was already rising in his heart.
Useless trash that can't be propped up against a wall, have you grown so used to comfort and honor that you've forgotten the purpose of today?
We are here to ask for help!
Your attitude must be lowered, understand?
The more he thought about it, the angrier Prince Xue Xing became, realizing that his teachings from last night were akin to playing the lute to a cow.
"Ah, no..."
Hearing this, Avalanche belatedly lowered his hand, his face flashing with panic, "Uncle Wang, I just couldn't help myself in the moment, I couldn't control myself. And this place really is too poor."
This is damn hopeless—he's so immersed in playing the wastrel that he can't extricate himself and has truly become one!
Prince Xue Xing was at a loss for words. Were it not for the fact that Emperor Xue Ye only had two sons left alive, he truly would have wanted to support someone else.
Enough!
The path laid beneath one's feet is one's own doing. Avalanche is my choice, the only choice; even if he is useless, I must prop him up.
Thinking this, Prince Xue Xing gave Qin Xiao a slight smile and said with a hint of apology, "Mr. Qin, Avalanche... he is just a child, and born into the imperial family, he has been spoiled and doesn't know manners. Please disregard him."
"The matter at hand will proceed the same without him."
Having said that, he also looked towards Flander and the others.
"Dean Flanders, teachers and students of Shrek Academy, I, Xue Xing, am here to apologize to you."
"Yesterday, it was we who were at fault."
Prince Xue Xing said with a sincere face, even suddenly bowing deeply.
Clearly, as a Prince of the Empire, his willingness to lower himself so far truly showed his attitude.
Seeing this, Avalanche had ten thousand reluctances in his heart, but still awkwardly followed Prince Xue Xing's lead in giving a bow.
However.
The people from Shrek did not speak; they all watched Qin Xiao's back, waiting for his response.
It was clear to everyone that Prince Xue Xing and Avalanche were actually apologizing to Qin Xiao.
In the simplest terms, without Qin Xiao, they would not be worthy of such treatment from Prince Xue Xing.
"I, Dai Mubai, swear to become someone like Qin Xiao, someone who makes the Princes of Empires bow their heads."
Dai Mubai's eyes shimmered as he secretly vowed in his heart.
"If I had the elegance of Qin Xiao, would Ning Rongrong look at me in that way?"
Oscar's expression darkened.
In contrast, Ma Hongjun, looking at Qin Xiao's silhouette, was filled with longing and envy, "If I had Qin Xiao's strength, by just beckoning my finger, what type of woman couldn't I have?"
After all, both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were covetable in his eyes.
Women he could only dream of but never reach.
A hundred times better than Cuihua!
However.
In the face of the courtesies extended by Xue Xing and Avalanche, Qin Xiao said nothing, simply watching them quietly.
"Ha ha, look at this memory of mine."
Suddenly, Xue Xing laughed, a flash of light from a ring on his hand revealing a black card.
Even from a great distance, Flander, with sharp eyes, managed to see some numbers on the card.
"My goodness, this card is all zeroes!" he thought, envious beyond words.
"I wonder if I might have the opportunity to sit down and talk with Mr. Qin again?"
Prince Xue Xing asked, holding the card in both hands with a smile on his face.
He handled the card with care, much like Qin Xiao had seen people in his previous life handing out business cards.
Very polite, and it allowed one to clearly see the numbers on the card at a glance.
"Worthy of a high-ranking Prince His Highness, when he moves, it's five million golden soul coins—truly generous!"
Holding the card, Qin Xiao easily deciphered the numbers on it.
What? Uncle Wang, the mighty Prince of the Empire, was actually offering Qin Xiao five million golden soul coins? Avalanche was shocked; he had never heard of Xue Xing planning to do so before.
Hiss...
Is this the transcendence of a Titled Douluo?
Even the Prince His Highness of the Empire had to come bearing soul coins in search of favor!
The people of Shrek Academy's understanding of the powerful was refreshed once again.
And they also recognized what was meant by the power of money!
Even for someone like Dai Mubai, a prince of the Xingluo Empire, five million golden soul coins was an astronomical figure.
In the room, perhaps only Ning Rongrong was as indifferent to the sum as Qin Xiao.
"Mr. Qin, please don't misunderstand, this money is merely intended to express our apologies for before."
Prince Xue Xing, seeing Qin Xiao was slow to accept the black card, clenched his teeth and added, "Mr. Qin, if only you are willing to sit down and talk again, you can set any conditions you like. If I can fulfill them, I will; if I cannot, I will still find ways to satisfy them!"
The voice of Prince Xue Xing was resounding and earnest.
Heh, to curry favor with me, the Tiandou Empire—or should I say, Prince Xue Xing—is actually so determined?
Qin Xiao's gaze flickered but he still gave no reply.
After all, he still had his eye on the Boundless Universe Shield of the Tiandou Empire.
As the saying goes, since Tang San and his son are enemies of Qin Xiao, then Qin Xiao must cut off their way out completely, leaving them with no road to take.
Of course.
If he could solve the problem from the root, all the better.
However, he had no interest in getting involved in the disputes of the Tiandou Empire.
"Who goes there?"
However, just at this moment, a series of exclamation came from outside the door:
"Prince His Highness is here; bystanders, keep your distance."
"Do not come any closer."
'....'
Yet, compared to the clamor of the crowd, a gentle voice seemed inconsequential.
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