What exactly is this girl imagining?
Glancing back at Zhu Zhuqing, Yang Yunhai saw her head slightly lowered, gently biting her lip. The corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
He swore to the heavens, the only reason he suggested Zhu Zhuqing come along to visit Flender's shady shop was because he suspected Flender might jack up the price just like in the original story with Tang San. Bringing Zhu Zhuqing, a little rich girl, along meant that if push came to shove, they could at least borrow some money.
But Flender's price was so outrageous that he decided to play a little hard-to-get to bargain.
Given their level of cultivation, Yang Yunhai was sure that once Flender saw through it and understood they wanted to apply to Shrek Academy, he'd be too eager to let them walk away. Two talented soul masters wanting to join the academy,how could Flender possibly let that slip?
Especially since Zhu Zhuqing had two storage-type soul tools. Flender would definitely guess she came from a prestigious background. Strength and status, students like that would bring tremendous benefits to the academy.
For example, occasional financial support to relieve the academy's tight budget, or even future promotion through her family's influence after graduation, wasn't that more effective than marketing by shouting in the streets?
Would Flender, the shrewd businessman, not think of that? Making Shrek Academy famous had always been his lifelong dream.
So, it was very likely he would drop the price on his own.
Besides, Flender clearly didn't understand the real value of the crystal,he even gave it away for free to Tang San in the original story.
"So now Zhu Zhuqing probably thinks I brought her here just to expose the true face of Flender and the reality of Shrek Academy?" Yang Yunhai suddenly thought of this possibility.
Girl, you're overthinking. I'm not that nice of a guy.
The reason he revealed Flender's identity just now was purely to take a jab at Shrek Academy. Zhu Zhuqing still planned to attend Shrek, didn't she? With this setup and now personal experience, Yang Yunhai didn't believe she could still trust them without hesitation.
Would the Shrek Seven Devils still be able to work together in harmony after this?
And if Zhu Zhuqing could influence Ning Rongrong too,now that would be even better.
Revenge is a dish best served cold? I'm no gentleman! You tried to rip me off? Let's see who ends up in the trap.
Casting a sideways glance toward Flender's shop, Yang Yunhai straightened up and walked boldly into the sunset.
As they walked, "???",suddenly the footsteps behind him stopped. He turned around instinctively.
Zhu Zhuqing stood silently in place, eyes fixed on something ahead, her face cold as frost, eyes filled with icy intent.
"No way… really?" Yang Yunhai quickly looked in the same direction.
Off to the side of the main road, on a stone-paved side path, a tall blond youth in formal wear was laughing with two young women in tight-fitting purple cheongsams, showing off their figures. The youth had his arms wrapped around both of them, occasionally groping certain exaggerated parts.
Talk about getting caught red-handed. Yang Yunhai sighed inwardly.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing turned back, her expression calm once more. "Let's go," she said.
"Mm." Yang Yunhai didn't say more and continued forward.
Before long, they stopped near a clothing shop. Yang Yunhai looked down at his clothes, then at Zhu Zhuqing, signaling he needed to buy something new. She nodded and followed him inside.
Since it was their first time in the city, Yang Yunhai didn't know which hotels still had vacancies. So while picking out clothes, he casually asked the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper was enthusiastic and quickly recommended a few hotels that usually had spare rooms.
About two hours later, Yang Yunhai carried the shopping bags as he and Zhu Zhuqing stepped back onto the street.
Some time after, they reached the target hotel. Walking through the front door, he found that the place was exactly as the shopkeeper had said,although it was in a quieter area, the interior was clean, tidy, and tastefully decorated.
Very satisfied, Yang Yunhai walked straight to the front desk and politely said, "Hello, I'd like to book two single rooms, please."
"Single rooms?" The receptionist, already standing by, looked at them and shook her head apologetically. "I'm very sorry, but all our single rooms are currently booked. Only double rooms are available."
She explained further, "You see, this is the post-holiday return-to-work period, and lots of people are coming into the city. Our hotel is a bit more secluded, so the price for single rooms is affordable, and naturally, they get reserved quickly."
Yang Yunhai nodded. "Do you have two double rooms then?"
"Yes, we do." The receptionist nodded, then confirmed again, "Sir, are you sure you want to book two double rooms?"
"Yes, please," Yang Yunhai had just started to respond.
"Just one double room," Zhu Zhuqing suddenly said.
"It's only for one night," she added quietly.
"…?" What's she thinking? Yang Yunhai was baffled.
He turned to her. Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained calm and gave away nothing.
"Alright then." He nodded slightly, turned back to the receptionist, and said, "One double room, please."
"One moment." The receptionist nodded and began processing the request.
Soon, Yang Yunhai paid and received the key. He led Zhu Zhuqing upstairs and reached the assigned room.
He unlocked the door and walked in.
The room was fairly spacious, clean, with a creamy-white color scheme. Two neatly made beds were placed side-by-side on the right side, next to a balcony. Near the entrance were a washroom and bathroom.
"Zhuqing, you go freshen up first. I'll organize my things and go after," Yang Yunhai said as he approached the beds.
"Okay." Zhu Zhuqing nodded and went into the bathroom. All her belongings were in her soul tool, so she didn't need to unpack.
"Storage soul tools are just too convenient…" Yang Yunhai thought as he sorted his stuff on the bed nearest the door.
Once done, he set aside a clean change of clothes, then walked over to a chair by the window and sat down to rest with his eyes closed.
Fifteen minutes passed.
With a soft creak, the bathroom door opened. Zhu Zhuqing stepped out, her long hair flowing, cheeks slightly flushed from the heat. She wore a loose black nightgown, the fabric stretched tightly over her chest, leaving her midriff bare.
When she noticed Yang Yunhai looking, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively lowered her head and tiptoed over to sit by the bed near the window.
Seeing this, Yang Yunhai didn't delay. He picked up his change of clothes and headed quickly into the bathroom.
Fifteen minutes later, he emerged dressed in a fitted blue outfit, his hair loose, looking neat and fresh.
Looking up, he saw Zhu Zhuqing had already set food out on the small table by the window. "Come eat," she said softly, head down.
"Thanks." Yang Yunhai smiled and sat opposite her.
Zhu Zhuqing began eating in small bites.
Yang Yunhai, in contrast, ate ravenously, devouring everything in a few moments.
"I'm going to cultivate now," he said after wiping his mouth.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly, watching him walk to the bed and sit in the center to meditate.
"…" Her eyes paused on his face, a flicker of struggle and confusion flashing across her expression.
She had clearly felt it. Ever since she mentioned going to Soto City, Yang Yunhai had been intentionally distancing himself from her.
"Does he think I'm choosing Shrek Academy and thus choosing Dai Mubai?" she thought.
She remained silent for a long while, then shook her head, got up, and tidied the table.
After that, she tiptoed to the other bed, climbed up, and began meditating as well.
Time passed slowly. Night fell, the quiet was broken only by faint insects chirping outside the window.
Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes, glanced at Yang Yunhai, who was still meditating, and lay down, pulling the covers over herself.
Not long after, Yang Yunhai awoke. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing already lying down, he gently pulled over the covers and lay down too.
Silence returned,until a few moments later, a faint voice broke the stillness.
"Yunhai, are you still awake?"
"Not yet." Half-asleep, Yang Yunhai instantly woke up. "What is it?"
There was a long pause before Zhu Zhuqing finally replied in a low, restrained voice.
"Sorry… I had to stay behind. I owe them."
She was trying to explain herself to the man who had once saved her.
"Hm?" Yang Yunhai turned over. A certain possibility flashed through his mind. "So… the reason you're joining Shrek Academy is to help Dai Mubai win the tournament against your elder sister and Davis? That way he gains the right to fight for the throne,and in return, you sever ties with him and settle things with the Zhu Clan?"
The Zhu Clan had several daughters, and the Dai Clan had multiple princes. It wasn't a secret. After all, he had lived in Nuoding City, right by the border of their two kingdoms.
If she asked how he knew, he could just say it was gossip from border traders.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't question it. She simply lowered her voice and replied, "Yes."
Yang Yunhai paused, then asked gently:
"Zhuqing, have you thought about this? With your current strength, can you really escape your sister's pursuit?"
The covers trembled noticeably.
Yang Yunhai continued, "Given her age, she's probably already a Soul Exalted. You two share the same martial soul,your soul skills should be similar."
"Facing someone a whole realm above you, how could you possibly escape?"
"I've also seen your injuries,multiple arrow wounds. That means more than one person was chasing you."
"A Soul Exalted specializing in agility, leading a team including long-range attackers? How could you possibly make it across half of the Star Luo Empire and through the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest to reach the Heaven Dou border?"
"Also, aside from the wound on your shoulder, the rest are all grazes. Have you thought about why that is?"
"There's only one possibility: your sister never intended to kill you."
"If I'm right, what looked like a pursuit was actually a disguised escort. Your sister wanted to force you out of the empire,away from the center of power. To start a new life somewhere the Star Luo Empire couldn't reach."
"…Why didn't she just tell me?" Zhu Zhuqing finally broke down, voice trembling with sobs under the covers.
"Would you have left if she had?" Yang Yunhai asked softly. "Maybe she knew you're too proud. Or maybe she's proud herself and didn't want to say it outright."
"So…" Yang Yunhai suddenly asked,
"Zhuqing, do you still want to join Shrek Academy and help Dai Mubai fight your sister? If he wins, he'll gain the chance to fight for the throne. But have you thought about what he'll do to your sister when he returns?"
"No one knows better than you how cruel the Star Luo succession struggle is."
Zhu Zhuqing's face turned pale instantly. Her body, still trembling from emotion, suddenly went rigid.
She didn't know. But if history was any indication, failed royal contenders were either killed or stripped of their soul power and imprisoned in remote areas.
Yang Yunhai didn't speak further, letting her calm down.
About fifteen minutes later, when the trembling stopped, he finally said in a gentle tone:
"Zhuqing, why don't you come with me to Heaven Dou City? You don't have anywhere else to go now, do you?"
Hearing that, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively curled up tighter, hands over her chest. Her mind flashed through all the moments she'd shared with Yang Yunhai lately.
Though it was unplanned, he had been the first man to ever be that close to her.
Could she allow a second man to do the same? The thought alone sparked deep rejection.
Clearly, she couldn't accept it.
But… do I really like Yang Yunhai?
Zhu Zhuqing was silent. She had to admit she felt something for the man who saved her. But it wasn't quite love,not yet. They hadn't known each other long enough for that.
Still, she truly had no other place to go. Helping Dai Mubai would betray her sister's efforts. Returning home would be even worse.
Her sister had gone through so much to send her out of the empire,wasn't it to give her a new life, free from past obligations?
Thoughts racing, she hesitated.
Maybe I can try to get to know this man. He was the first to touch me in that way… and maybe he'll be the last.
Let things take their course… she sighed inwardly, slowly relaxed her curled-up body, and gently pressed her hand over her heart.
"…Mm."
Yang Yunhai smiled and said, "Then sleep early. We have to get up early to travel tomorrow."
"Goodnight." With that, he lay back down.
His thoughts still stirred. So we're heading to Heaven Dou City. I hope everything goes well…
To be honest, he'd once thought about staying hidden, quietly training and not getting involved in soul master affairs.
But thinking it through again, he discarded the idea.
Why gain power, if not to live well, to live happily, to build a better future,and to marry a beautiful woman?
But in a world where strength rules all, that kind of life could only be sustained by true power. Peace was never so easy.
Also, a man would eventually want children. In this world, kids awaken their martial soul at six. Could he force them not to? Not send them to soul master academies?
Humans are social creatures. Wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Hiding away from the world was not a real solution.
Only by becoming truly strong could he protect everything. In this world, might makes right.
So even for the sake of future children, he had to grow stronger,maybe even reach godhood.
After all, celestial herbs could improve innate talent. If he had the chance, why not pursue it? The stronger his cultivation, the better his children's potential and future.
Because if one day he died, at least his children would have the strength to protect themselves.
He was handsome, sure. But what if his future daughter, a stunning beauty, had no power and got kidnapped by someone stronger?
The cat-girl in the auction arc was a vivid example.
Doing nothing and letting Tang San claim all the herbs, boost his talent, gain soul bones, awaken his martial soul a second time,and eventually become a god? Then watch the Spirit Hall fall…
That wasn't the kind of future he wanted.
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