The carriage rattled steadily along the road leaving Tiandou, its direction: Star Luo City.
Zhu Zhuqing sat stiff, hands clenched in her lap, her heart racing.
That night at Yuexuan, drinking beneath the lanterns, Lucien had laughed easily and tossed out impossible words: "I'll take you myself—throw away that farce of a marriage contract."
She never thought he meant it.
But this morning, here they were—rolling toward Star Luo's imperial capital.
At first, she resisted, panic filling her chest. The marriage contract wasn't just with Dai Mubai. It was the binding will of the Zhu clan and the Star Luo throne. To defy it was to defy an empire.
But when he smiled, casually hooking his jug, saying: "Don't worry, kitten. If they block us, I'll cut 'em."
She had no strength to push him away.
Now she stole a glance.
Lucien sat with lazy ease, jug in one hand, wind tousling his hair, as if he was going on a picnic instead of marching them both into the heart of an empire.
"…How are you so calm?" she muttered.
"Hm? Gulp—ha!" He grinned, lips sticky with drink. "Easy. Just smash what you can't solve."
Zhu Zhuqing nearly groaned aloud.
Her eyes caught on his chin. A bright, red bite-mark marred the skin.
She blinked. "What's… that?"
"Oh. Dragon bite." His face soured.
He muttered darkly. "I offered that crazy Pepper lady my bed. Covered her with a quilt. Middle of the night she turned and sank her teeth into my chin. Nearly took it off! Isn't that unreasonable?!"
Zhu Zhuqing just pressed her lips tight to hide a smile.
Elsewhere – Shrek Academy.
"Damn it all!"
Dai Mubai's roar echoed in his dorm as he threw a chair against the wall.
He had actually celebrated Lucien leaving Tiandou, relief blooming in his chest. Maybe he'd finally have time. Time to repair things with Zhu Zhuqing, to slip closer to her, maybe even redeem the engagement one day.
But the result? Lucien had taken Zhu Zhuqing with him!
A political marriage be damned—the man stole her away before his very eyes.
Dai Mubai wanted to vomit blood.
Meanwhile – The Min Clan in crisis.
The white-haired hawk Bai He fled through the trees with his kin, but the encirclement closed in. Behind them, thunder screams echoed—Lei Datou and a host of thugs, torches blazing.
The Min Clan's speed was useless against numbers. Even as a Contra, Bai He could not shield all the others.
"Grandpa—!" His granddaughter Bai Chenxiang's cry shook as she was hurled free.
"Go!" he barked, using the last of his strength to fling her clear of the noose. "Find Grandpa Niu! Survive!"
Her small figure blurred into the sky, purple twin ponytails flickering against moonlight, her heart tearing as the battle swallowed her clan behind.
Back on the road – Lucien's carriage.
"Gulp, gulp—ha!" Lucien leaned against Zhu Zhuqing's soft lap as his jug emptied.
Thump!
A shock hit the roof of the carriage, horses rearing in panic.
Zhu Zhuqing's claws snapped out, eyes sharp, ready for attack.
Then a desperate voice: "Please—save my grandpa!"
A girl dropped down, breathless. Tight purple martial attire hugged a lean, youthful frame; her flat stomach gleamed in the night air, twin ponytails of violet dancing across her chest.
Her eyes shone with tears as she knelt.
Lucien blinked—and then grinned wide.
"What a cute little bird."
Zhu Zhuqing narrowed her gaze—but the girl spoke quickly.
"My name is Bai Chenxiang! My clan—the Min—they're being slaughtered by debt-collectors. My grandpa… he's still trapped! Please, I beg your help!"
She had meant to seek Niu Gao, the Iron Bear. But the distance was too far. If she ran and returned, she might only find her grandfather's corpse. This carriage, so regal, had looked like her last hope.
Lucien lifted his jug, peering inside his Soul Guidance Device.
…Empty. No coins. No gold. Just wine and a single extra robe.
He coughed awkwardly.
"So… money I don't have." He grinned. "But wine… hah. Plenty! How about a discount with wine?"
"…W‑what?" Bai Chenxiang froze. She was begging for her grandfather's life—and he was bartering wine?!
But his dark eyes, steady despite tipsy swaying, seemed dead serious.
"Pretty girl, you point the way. I promise not even your Swift Clan speed runs faster than me. Wine for payment—deal?"
Chenxiang's breath caught. Out of options, trembling, she nodded and pointed toward the burning woods beyond.
Lucien stood, sword already in hand.
"Kitten, hold the carriage. I'll be back with a grandpa."
And in the next instant, with a black flash and a waft of alcohol—the drunkest Soul King alive was gone.
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