Chapter 1284: Hu Jie
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Compared to Li Yunzhe, Tang Wulin understood this fat man in front of him better. It was because the Amorous Douluo had briefed him about this person in great detail before.
Hu Jie was a rank-98 Hyper Douluo. Throughout the entire Tang Sect, his cultivation base and strength was second to only the Heartless Douluo Cao Dezhi and the Amorous Douluo Zang Xin. A unique characteristic of this person was his martial soul. He could be regarded as a person who possessed the Body martial soul. To be exact, this person was the current Body Sect’s Sect Master Mu Ye’s uncle master.
To explain why he left the Body Sect to join the Tang Sect would be a long story. Anyway, he ended up with a broken heart for his unrequited love. So, he left.
Back then, Hu Jie adored Mu Ye’s mother for many years. He was the most outstanding person in the Body Sect at the time. However, due to his martial soul, his physical appearance was not exactly a selling point with the ladies. In the end, he was unable to win her over. Mu Ye’s mother, who was also the previous Body Sect’s Sect Master had married Hu Jie’s junior disciple brother. He was a Body Sect disciple whose cultivation base could not match his. Hu Jie was in so much pain that he did not wish to continue living. In a fit of rage, he left the Body Sect to join the Tang Sect.
The Body Sect and the Tang Sect quarreled over the matter. Hu Jie had told Mu Ye’s mother his feelings. He also said that he would neither meet anyone from the Body Sect ever again nor would he view the Body Sect as his enemy.
Later on, he volunteered to come to the Star Luo Empire. With his outstanding talents, he eventually became the person in charge of Star Luo Continent’s Tang Sect Branch. His status was above Li Yunzhe’s. He was only inferior to the two Limit Douluos.
Hence, Tang Wulin showed his respect toward him. If they were to consider their status within the Body Sect, Hu Jie would be Tang Wulin’s granduncle master.
The comments of the Amorous Douluo on this Smiley Face Douluo was straightforward. He looked kind, but he was actually evil. Under his leadership, the Tang Sect’s Star Luo Empire Branch exerted their influence to suppress the Spirit Pagoda until they could barely breathe.
The Smiley Face Douluo was also the Star Luo Empire’s Worship Hall’s deputy Hall Master. In terms of status, he was second only to the Monster Academy’s principal, En Ci.
Hu Jie chuckled, “There’s no need for niceties. As the saying goes, being advanced in age does not bar one from achieving one’s ambition. Since the two Hall Masters had decided to let you take over as the Tang Sect’s Sect Master, I’m sure they have their reasons. Knowing a person by repute is not as good as seeing him in person. Now that I’ve met the Sect Master, I think I understand. These young fellows have eyes, yet fail to see Mount Tai.” As he was saying this, he pointed to Hua Lantang and Ye Zhi.
Tang Wulin’s heart shook. Just as Hu Jie was able to perceive his spiritual cultivation base, he, too, could see the Smiley Face Douluo’s spiritual cultivation base was similarly at the Spirit Domain. However, from his spiritual power’s current strength, he was still a step away from awakening his spiritual domain. It was similar to his own condition before Tang Wulin came on this diplomatic mission.
They both had Spirit Domain spiritual powers. Naturally, he felt Tang Wulin’s superior spiritual cultivation base.
“Hall Master Li is being too polite. Shall we be on our way?”
Hu Jie chuckled. “Everything’s ready. Gentlemen, please follow me.” He then turned around and walked leisurely toward the forest.
Ye Zhi and Hua Lantang were standing before Tang Wulin and the others. They currently had puzzled looks.
Ye Zhi nearly opened her mouth to say something, but she was stopped by the calm Hua Lantang. Hua Lantang slowly shook his head at her. Today was not the same as yesterday. If the Hall Master Li accepted Tang Wulin’s status, that meant that his position as the Tang Sect’s Sect Master was authentic. If that was the case, even if they rose up the ranks quickly in the Star Luo Empire Branch, there was still an impassable gap between them and Tang Wulin.
As they recalled, after Tang Wulin and the Shrek Seven Monsters came to the Star Luo Empire, Tang Wulin had gone missing for quite some time. Later, they heard that he had returned. Following that, they did not receive any more news. They also heard that Long Yue had met him in Shrek Academy. However, Long Yue never told them what transpired between them. Soon after, they received news that Shrek Academy was destroyed.
During that time, the entire Monster Academy was greatly shocked. Even though they kept comparing themselves to Shrek Academy, they did not wish to see the best academy destroyed! For many of them. it was a holy land of their dreams.
At the moment, Tang Wulin was not the only one they saw. They saw the other members of the Shrek Seven Monsters as well. Without a doubt, they did not die during the great explosion. They were even representing the Tang Sect on this trip. The surprising sequence of events were a little too much for Ye Zhi and Hua Lantang.
When he walked into the forest, Tang Wulin could feel there were at least dozens of people moving through the forest alongside them. It was evident that they were not the only three people here to meet them. The Smiley Face Douluo was a very cautious man.
Soul cars stopped at one side of the forest. They were not buses, but luxurious-looking cars. They formed a motorcade. The doors of each car were imprinted with the Tang Sect’s insignia, a silver king’s mask.
Hu Jie brought Tang Wulin and the others into the second car. The first car was used to clear the traffic and make way for them. The others were led into their respective cars by the dedicated staff. The arrangements went smooth and orderly. It was much better than the initial welcome they had in the Dou Spirit Empire.
Tang Wulin and Hu Jie sat at the back. Fortunately, the back seat of the soul car was spacious. Otherwise, with Hu Jie taking up space for two people, Tang Wulin would have been squeezed.
Hu Jie supported his large belly with his hands and sat clumsily beside Tang Wulin. He chuckled at him. “I’m embarrassed that the Sect Master should see this. I really can’t control this body of mine.”
Tang Wulin said with a faint smile, “His Excellency, the Amorous Douluo had once said to me that the bigger Hall Master Li’s belly is, the stronger he’ll be.”
Hu Jie chuckled again. “He flatters me.”
Obviously, Tang Wulin knew that it was not flattery. Truly, his belly was one of the Smiley Face Douluo’s martial souls. This person was not only a rank-98 Title Douluo, but he also possessed twin martial souls. If he had not left the Body Sect, he might very well be the current Sect Master. If he had been exposed to more Innate Secret Techniques, he would most probably have broken through to be a Limit Douluo.
Although he was only at rank-98 currently, he could still fight against the common Title Douluos. Otherwise, he could not have become the head of administration here.
Years ago, in the soul masters’ realm, when Hu Jie was still on the Douluo Continent, there was an aphorism that described him. He was known as the Golden Belly Silver Buttocks Smiling Tiger. In addition, there were also those who called him the Smiling Pig. His other martial soul was his big and bouncy buttocks. He was peculiar indeed.
“Sect Master, since you’ve arrived ahead of schedule, we’ve time on our hands. I’ve already made the necessary arrangements. After we reach Star Luo City, which should be the day after tomorrow, we’ll head toward the palace and meet with Star Luo Empire’s emperor Dai Tianling. This has been kept a secret from the public. I heard of the situation in the Dou Spirit Empire. I never thought that the Spirit Pagoda would cooperate with the Holy Spirit Cult. To fight against foreign invasion, we must first maintain internal security. I’ve notified Star Luo’s emperor of this matter. Currently, the royal family hasn’t come up with a clear stance. They’re still undecided.”
Tang Wulin nodded. “I admit that my actions may be rash. However, since it’s done, we need to play along. At the very least, we must lead the attack in terms of public opinion, be it in the Federation or the two great empires. I’ve already persuaded the Dou Spirit Empire. They’re now suppressing the Spirit Pagoda’s might with everything they’ve got. I’ve already informed His Excellency the Amorous in the Federation. How much support we’ll be able to garner from the public is as yet unsure.”
Hu Jie said with a deep voice, “This matter involves many people. The Spirit Pagoda can’t be dealt with that easily. They have a wealth of resources. They’ll surely retaliate against us. I think it’ll be difficult to garner support in the Federation, but we can give it a shot here in the Star Luo Empire. Unfortunately, we’ve limited evidence. I believe that the Spirit Pagoda will have destroyed all evidence at the incident in the Dou Spirit Empire. They won’t give us a second chance.”
Tang Wulin said apologetically, “I was a little immature in the handling of the matter. I should’ve gathered more evidence in the Star Luo Empire and the Douluo Federation before I made the public announcement.”
Hu Jie chuckled, “Sect Master, you’ve done nothing wrong. If the surprise attack hadn’t happened, we’d never have discovered any substantial evidence. If we had not discovered anything, we couldn’t have taken action. Once it’s been revealed, regardless of whether you announce it to the public or not, the Spirit Pagoda will surely stop their collaboration with the Holy Spirit Cult. They’ll cover up and halt any further investigations. You’ve used the public announcement to your advantage in settling matters with the Dou Spirit Empire in the shortest time possible. That’s good news for us. Hence, I always thought you did the right thing. If I were you, I would’ve done the same. Being decisive is much better than being indecisive.”