Chapter 194: Oscar's Choice and Zhu Zhuqing's Divorce
"Clown, huh?"
Zhu Zhuqing reached out and took hold of one of the masks, lowering her gaze to examine it closely. With a hint of self mockery, she murmured, "So this is how I look in your eyes… and everyone else's?"
As she spoke, she flipped the mask over and pressed it onto her face.
"Doesn't this suit me better?"
After putting it on, she turned to face Han Li once again.
Han Li looked at her, his expression a bit strange. Had he gone too far? Did he push her to the point of breaking?
Why was she voluntarily putting on the clown mask?
Here in the mental space, everything was recreated in full detail so now he was looking at a gorgeous girl with a skin tight outfit and a curvy figure… wearing a clown mask.
It was uncomfortable to look at.
Honestly, if the mask were an Ultraman helmet instead, it might've been less disturbing. At least that would be all leather, which he could tolerate more.
"Doesn't look great."
Without Han Li making a move, the mask on Zhu Zhuqing's face and the ones floating beside her vanished. In their place, cat ears and a feline tail materialized above and behind her, indicating that she had entered her Martial Soul Possession state.
"Much better."
Han Li gave her an approving nod.
But Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, her expression solemn. Her teeth lightly bit her lower lip, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Han Li's sudden shift had caught her off guard, breaking her emotional momentum. She froze in place.
"Don't act like I'm the one bullying you. Look your real problem is over there."
Han Li motioned toward the still playing scene in their mental link, signaling her to continue watching.
Tang San had just managed to calm the irate Fatty, but when he turned back to Oscar, he found the latter's expression had only grown darker.
Oscar's face was grim as he took in the situation. He was the innocent one he had merely hesitated for a moment, and that was enough to make him the target of their accusations.
So that's how it is, huh? The squeaky wheel gets the grease?
He watched as Ma Hongjun, after being pacified by the others, reluctantly walked toward him with an apologetic look.
But Oscar knew him too well.
Behind that expression was unmistakable resentment.
And at that moment, Oscar finally understood.
What a joke.
Brothers?
Nothing but a front.
You were only a "brother" when you were useful.
Otherwise, you were just another worthless food type soul master.
There was no real respect here.
Sure, he didn't have combat strength, but hadn't he still contributed just as much?
And Ma Hongjun? His words had made it painfully clear what he really thought of him.
Oscar made his decision.
"I'm out. Do whatever you want I'm just a food type soul master anyway. I'm not exactly critical to your plan."
"I won't support you, but I won't oppose you either. You can decide among yourselves it's not like you need me for this, right? As for team battles, don't worry. I won't let this affect my role. I'm going to train."
With that, he walked off, sat down at a distance, and entered a meditative state.
His reaction took the others by surprise.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's expressions immediately darkened, both wanting to confront him, but Tang San raised a hand to stop them.
Tang San actually understood Oscar's frustration to some extent.
Because of his Blue Silver Grass martial soul, he had also been treated differently based on his background rather than his innate potential.
If he hadn't had other means if he hadn't possessed a second martial soul he wouldn't have been much better off than Oscar.
Especially since Oscar had zero combat ability.
Tang San subtly glanced at Ma Hongjun and shook his head internally.
Fatty really made things worse… again.
He had way too many flaws. The only reason he remained relevant was because his martial soul gave him exceptional power at his level.
At least Oscar had promised to keep providing support during battles. Otherwise, Tang San would've lost his temper too.
"Forget it. Let him cool off. As long as he continues providing assistance, it's fine."
Tang San turned to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, giving a brief directive.
Zhu Zhuqing wasn't a concern. Xiao Wu would always be on his side. That meant all the core combatants in the team were already aligned with him.
Even if Zhu Zhuqing wanted to object, she'd be powerless.
And Ning Rongrong?
Yu Xiaogang had already told him her stance didn't matter this time.
Four against one.
Two support members were neutral.
They had all the advantage.
Without Ning Rongrong backing her, Zhu Zhuqing's position was even weaker than Dai Mubai's.
She had no choice but to submit.
As long as she performed the Martial Soul Fusion Technique, that was all that mattered.
Once the fusion was complete, Dai Mubai would have full control over it. Even if she tried to rebel, she'd have no power to resist not if she still wanted to stay alive.
"Then should we go to her now?"
Ma Hongjun licked his lips, already looking eager.
To put it bluntly, he was at the bottom of the team's hierarchy.
Being able to use this as an opportunity to exert power over Zhu Zhuqing… gave him a twisted sense of satisfaction.
Dai Mubai noticed his expression and frowned slightly.
This pig can't keep himself in check.
He had always noticed how Ma Hongjun's eyes wandered where they shouldn't.
Even he despite his issues with Zhu Zhuqing felt uncomfortable seeing Ma Hongjun react like this.
Sure, he wasn't happy with Zhu Zhuqing, but on paper, she was still his fiancée.
Messing around with random women was one thing.
But this? This felt different.
However, now wasn't the time for conflict.
Dai Mubai forced himself to hold back.
"Let's go, then."
Dai Mubai spoke in a muffled voice, lowering his head so that no one could see his expression.
"Wait a moment, I need to talk to Xiao Wu first."
Tang San thought for a moment and didn't immediately go with the two of them. Instead, he asked them to wait while he gestured for Xiao Wu to come over and spoke with her privately.
At first, Xiao Wu seemed displeased and even shot a look of disdain at Dai Mubai. However, after Tang San's persuasion, she eventually nodded, her resistance fading.
Meanwhile, through the Mental Link, the scene and audio were being transmitted in real time.
"Miss Zhuqing, what are your thoughts on this?"
Han Li walked up beside Zhu Zhuqing, smiling as he asked for her opinion.
"What do you expect me to do? Break down crying? Fiercely resist? Or struggle only to realize that nothing can change, leaving me with no choice but to accept everything?"
Zhu Zhuqing coldly watched everything unfold as if it had nothing to do with her. Yet, her spiritual form trembled ever so slightly.
"Isn't this exactly what you anticipated?"
Her voice grew colder, her emotions flattening out.
Perhaps the only thing that comforted her was that they had given up on recruiting Ning Rongrong. No matter the reason, at least it allowed her to retain a final shred of sanity.
"Tsk, alright, if you insist on assuming the worst of me, I won't argue."
Han Li shook his head helplessly, as if he had been wrongly accused of being a villain.
"Even though I didn't come here specifically for you, my previous promise still stands."
"Go ahead, cause a scene make as much of a mess as you want. No matter what happens, I'll ensure your safety. The only price is your own choice. Of course, I'm not forcing you. You can also refuse and pretend I was never here."
As his words fell, Han Li severed the Mental Link, cutting off her ability to see or hear anything from the training grounds.
Back in reality, Tang San had already brought Xiao Wu over to join Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. After whispering a few words, both of them visibly brightened.
Ning Rongrong had been watching from the sidelines, and when she saw the way they were looking in her direction, something felt off.
A sense of unease rose in her chest.
She turned her head slightly, glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, only to realize that at some point, Zhu Zhuqing had stopped meditating.
Her eyes were open, staring blankly ahead, her gaze empty.
"Zhuqing, you're awake!"
Ning Rongrong smiled, reaching out to grab her hand.
But Zhu Zhuqing reacted faster.
She took Ning Rongrong's hand instead, smiled a rare and beautiful smile before letting go and standing up.
Ning Rongrong froze.
It was the first time she had ever seen Zhu Zhuqing smile.
She really was stunning.
And yet… for some reason, that smile felt heartbreakingly sad.
Just as Ning Rongrong was about to say something, the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention.
She turned her head Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Xiao Wu had already walked over.
No more accurately, they had walked toward Zhu Zhuqing, completely ignoring her.
Only Xiao Wu kept her head down, following behind them hesitantly.
Something was definitely wrong.
Ning Rongrong quickly stood up, placing herself in front of Zhu Zhuqing.
"What do you all think you're doing?"
The four of them stepped closer before stopping in front of her.
Tang San met Ning Rongrong's gaze and spoke calmly.
"Rongrong, this has nothing to do with you. Please step aside. We need to discuss something with Zhuqing."
"Discuss? You "
Ning Rongrong was about to snap back, but she suddenly felt a tug on her arm.
It was Zhu Zhuqing.
She turned to look, only to see Zhu Zhuqing shaking her head telling her not to interfere. Then, without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing stepped past her, standing before the four.
"Say what you need to say."
Her voice was cold and indifferent, but there was an undeniable presence in her tone, as if an invisible pressure had settled over the group.
Tang San was momentarily surprised but quickly dismissed it.
After all, this was just how she always acted.
Reorganizing his thoughts, he kept a faint smile on his face as he spoke.
"Zhuqing, we're here because we hope you'll reconsider performing the Martial Soul Fusion Technique with Boss Dai. After all, this concerns both of you, and it would also strengthen the team. Would you be willing to give it a try?"
"As for your situation with Boss Dai, we can all talk it out and find a resolution. There's no point in holding a grudge forever, right?"
"Boss Dai hasn't done anything truly unforgivable. Why not just let it go? If you're still upset, you can tell us we can all scold him together. What do you think? Can we just move past this?"
Ning Rongrong was utterly stunned by his shamelessness.
She was just about to explode in rage when Zhu Zhuqing beat her to it.
"Alright. I agree to move past it."
She smiled a seductive, intoxicating smile.
For a moment, everyone who saw it was momentarily dazed.
And then
They heard her next words.
"From this moment on, I divorce Dai Mubai. He and I are no longer engaged. Now, are you all satisfied?"
(End of Chapter)
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