"Star Luo City—!"
Bai Chenxiang's excited cry broke Lucien's thoughts. Outside, the grand capital sprawled with streets bustling no less than Heaven Dou's. Their carriage, ornate and luxurious, looked almost ordinary compared to the tide of activity.
Lucien tipped his jug. "Haha, kitten, we're here! Time to go straight to Zhu's house."
Zhu Zhuqing stiffened. "…Now?"
Her heart clenched. The Zhu clan—it was her cage, her trauma, her endless competition. She had escaped once, yet here she was returning.
Sensing her fear, Lucien gently clapped her shoulder. "Don't worry. With me around, who dares touch you?"
Her lips trembled faintly. She said nothing, but warmth ghosted through her chest.
The Zhu Family compound loomed soon, rows of thirty-meter halls etched with the Zhu insignia. Servants bowed as the trio approached—then stopped, eyes bulging.
"Second Miss… Zhu Zhuqing?!"
"She came back?"
"I thought she'd fled forever."
"Why return to this deathtrap?!"
Whispers circulated rapidly. Guards rushed inside to report to Zhu Zhenyuan.
But before the Patriarch could appear, another pair arrived laughing: Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
He had only come for another "private exchange" with Zhu Zhuyun. To be informed that Zhu Zhuqing herself had returned was like heaven's gift. Now, in her absence of family head, he could trample her more easily.
But when his eyes fell on Lucien, jug in hand…
The smile froze. His whole body stiffened.
"…L‑Lucien?!"
The phantom pains of being dominated in prior battles surged. Davis swayed, his breath catching.
Lucien squinted at him for a long moment—then snapped his fingers. "Ohh… it's the bastard I sent flying last time!"
Davis's face twitched violently. Why insult me immediately, in front of everyone?!
But what could he do? He couldn't win then. He couldn't win now. The only thought slithering across his mind suddenly was: Zhu Zhuqing… with Lucien…? Then Dai Mubai is greened…
After a pause… he nearly laughed out loud. Well done!
That night.
Lucien's guest room.
Creak.
The door pushed open.
"Don't fight! Don't fight! I came to talk!" Davis froze as a cold black blade glinted before his nose. His heart nearly stopped.
Lucien's drunken glare promised death.
"Discussion without wine? Chop!"
"No no no no, listen! If you came to break Zhu Zhuqing's marriage—I'll help!" Davis blurted every thought instantly, words spilling in incoherent rush.
Lucien blinked. "Huh?" All he caught was: "retire,""help."
"…Sword down, please?" Davis begged, wiping sweat.
Lucien snorted, but sheathed his blade. "Tch. Lucky bastard's mouth bought him life."
Davis sucked in shaking gasps, but his eyes gleamed sly. If he helped dissolve her contract with Dai Mubai, it crushed a rival and removed all obstacles for his own ascension. The Royal Clan demanded princes have Martial Soul fusion partners. Dai Mubai would fall, Davis would stand alone.
"Retiring from the Royal family isn't easy," he said smoothly. "Requires Patriarch Zhu Zhenyuan's approval, then courtiers, then ministers—"
Lucien waved lazily. "Then I'll beat Zhenyuan until he signs."
Davis's lips twitched violently. Can you not speak of hitting a Contra like it's ordering noodles?
But after a thought, his grin spread. If Lucien bloodied his family Patriarch, wasn't that even better politics?
"Well done," he muttered again, hiding his smirk.
Two days later.
Zhu Zhenyuan returned from business, immediately told of Lucien's presence.
He froze, utterly dumbfounded.
Lucien? In the Zhu family? With Zhu Zhuqing?!
The man's reputation had already soared continent‑wide—the terrifying Soul King who broke academies like twigs. Why would his name be tied to his estranged daughter?
Confusion swallowed him.
Meanwhile, in the Zhu estate gardens…
Lucien reclined with his jug, casually spinning filthy tavern stories for Zhu Zhuqing and Bai Chenxiang until their cheeks burned.
Servants whispered from afar:
"Second Miss, alone with him every day…?"
"They're leaning shoulder to shoulder. I even saw her come from his room last night."
"Hah! Dai Mubai is green as grass."
"Serves him right for abandoning her. Trash!"
Their laughter echoed through the halls.
And in the minds of every maid and guard, one thought repeated:
Well done.
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