...
"Now, can we have a proper talk?"
Xuan Hao clapped his hands, turned around, and looked past the mess on the ground, his gaze falling back on Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing froze.
She had originally planned to escape in the chaos, since she was an agility-type Soul Master and speed was her strength.
But after witnessing Xuan Hao's terrifying explosive power and speed firsthand, her little thoughts vanished instantly.
run?
What can we use to run?
With that speed that even a Soul Saint could chase and attack, she would probably be caught and brought back as soon as she got going.
"What...what exactly do you want?"
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, looking at the boy in front of her with a complicated expression.
Three years ago in Xingluo City, he also had this same carefree and playful demeanor, but back then he was just a somewhat talented "little thief".
But now... he has grown into a monster who can easily crush even a Soul Saint.
"Didn't I say? Let's catch up and talk about our life goals."
Xuan Hao shrugged.
"Besides, I've told you so many times, I'm not going to eat you, what are you afraid of?"
"I don't believe it."
Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, her face full of distrust.
"Tsk, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences."
Xuan Hao shook his head and flipped his wrist.
A sturdy large sack appeared out of thin air in his hand.
"So, do you want to walk by yourself, or do you want to relive that nightmare and have me put you inside and carry you away?"
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the familiar burlap sack and felt a wave of dizziness wash over her; she almost fainted from anger.
bandit!
That bastard is a complete bandit!
"I'll walk by myself!"
Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth and squeezed out these words.
Although she wished she could put the sack over Xuan Hao's head, she had no choice but to endure it.
...
Soto City, Soto Grand Hotel.
It was the same familiar private room, and the same luxurious round table.
Along the way, Na'er seemed to notice Zhu Zhuqing's nervousness, so she held her hand and chatted with her incessantly, trying to ease her anxiety.
"Miss Zhuqing, you really don't need to be afraid."
Na'er handed the peeled orange to Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and said:
"Although my brother looks a bit mischievous, he's actually a good person."
"He won't hurt you, and he won't do anything too outrageous to you.
He's just... well, a little mischievous, and likes to play pranks on people."
Looking at the incredibly beautiful girl with clear and innocent eyes in front of her, and then at Xuan Hao who was ordering food, Zhu Zhuqing lowered her guard a little.
Too.
If this guy really had ulterior motives, with Na'er's stunning beauty, she would have already been... you know.
Since Na'er trusts him so much, then I... should be safe for the time being, right?
Moreover, although she didn't want to admit it, Zhu Zhuqing did feel a pang of inferiority when she saw Na'er.
In terms of both appearance and temperament, this girl named Na'er is superior to her.
Since he has such a top-notch beauty by his side, this guy probably wouldn't have any wicked thoughts about this "not fully developed" little girl, right?
Thinking of this, Zhu Zhuqing's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.
Soon, the food was served.
Then, Zhu Zhuqing witnessed what "storm inhalation" truly meant.
"this..."
Zhu Zhuqing was completely dumbfounded as she watched Xuan Hao and Na'er's chopsticks moving non-stop and the food disappearing at an astonishing speed.
Don't they... need to chew?
Should we just pour it in?
Is this even human?
In contrast, Ning Rongrong was clearly used to it.
She ate her small bowl of food elegantly, and from time to time, she would put food on their plates and hand them water.
Her skillful actions left Zhu Zhuqing stunned.
...
After a hearty meal and drinks.
Xuan Hao wiped his mouth, looked at the girl opposite him who was still somewhat reserved and had barely touched her chopsticks, and finally got to the point.
"Tell me about it."
Xuan Hao leaned back in his chair.
"Why did you leave Xingluo City and come to this remote and impoverished place?
And even managed to get into that lousy academy?"
Zhu Zhuqing remained silent.
She lowered her head, staring at the empty plate in front of her, without saying a word.
"Not going to say anything?"
Xuan Hao wasn't in a hurry, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.
"Even if you don't tell me, I can probably guess."
"You're here to see... Dai Mubai, right?"
Zhu Zhuqing trembled slightly, but remained silent. However, the hint of pain and confusion in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
The rules of the Star Luo Royal Family are extremely cruel.
The princes must fight each other to the death; the victor becomes king, and the loser... either dies or has their martial spirit stripped and is imprisoned for life.
As for the Zhu family, as a royal family that arranges marriages, the most outstanding women of each generation are betrothed to princes to form a martial soul fusion skill called "Netherworld White Tiger" and face the cruel competition together.
She is the genius of the Zhu family in this generation, and Dai Mubai is her fiancé and her only hope.
But...
"If I'm not mistaken, you've come here to seek his help in joining forces against that older sister and brother who are far more powerful than you, right?"
Xuan Hao looked at her, "But it's a pity."
"You come running here full of hope, only to find a good-for-nothing who spends his days in brothels, surrounded by women, and who has long lost his fighting spirit."
Are you disappointed?
"Don't you feel like... the sky is about to fall?"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly raised her head, staring intently at Xuan Hao, her eyes filled with resentment and stubbornness:
"I don't hate him for running away!"
"It's normal to be afraid when facing such a powerful opponent!
It's also normal to want to avoid them!"
"but..."
"He escaped not to gather strength, not to bide his time, but to escape!
To enjoy himself!
To be a local tyrant in this lawless place!"
"That kind of person... is a coward!"
"Well said."
Xuan Hao clapped his hands.
"So? What are you planning to do now?"
"Continue to follow that coward?
Hoping he'll suddenly have a change of heart and lead you back to Star Luo City?"
"Or... do you think that, given your current state, even if you team up, you could defeat your sister and her equally perverted fiancé?"
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent again.
This is the reality she least wants to face, yet has no choice but to confront.
Davis and Zhu Zhuyun are far superior to them in terms of age, soul power, and methods.
Even if Dai Mubai doesn't run away, their chances of winning are slim.
Not to mention now.
"I...I don't know."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, her voice filled with confusion and helplessness.
Where else could she go besides here?
Besides Dai Mubai, who else could she rely on?
That was her only lifeline, and even though it was rotten to the core, she dared not let go.
"Since you don't know, why not listen to my advice?"
Xuan Hao stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow under the light, completely enveloping Zhu Zhuqing.
He stretched out a hand and offered it to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Be my son."
"..."
The moment those words were spoken, the air in the entire private room seemed to freeze.
Zhu Zhuqing sat in the chair, dumbfounded, her mouth slightly open.
Her large eyes, which were originally cold but were now filled with shock and confusion, stared unblinkingly at the handsome young man who had reached out his hand to her.
She had imagined countless possibilities.
For example, phrases like "Be my woman," "Join my sect," "Give me your body," and even "Give me your life."
But she never expected it.
This guy actually started by saying "be his son"?!
Is this...is this some new kind of humiliation?
Or did she just hallucinate?
Read 20+ chapters ahead at Patreon
patreon.com/TaroYamato
patreon.com/TaroYamato