Because Dai Mubai defeated Dai Weisi, he obtained the right of succession within the royal family.
Although his current strength was still weaker than Dai Weisi's, in both age and potential he surpassed him slightly. After returning to the Star Luo Empire, he was acknowledged by the clan and became one of the contenders for the throne.
But though he now held the qualifications, he wasn't guaranteed to inherit the crown—because he lacked the greatest supporter, the Zhu Clan.
After the tournament ended, Zhu Zhuqing hadn't returned to the empire with him. Instead, she had chosen to stay at Lin Jie's side.
With the power of the Dai and Zhu clans, learning this was no difficulty at all. Once word spread through both families, Dai Mubai's expression grew increasingly ugly.
From childhood, Zhu Zhuqing had been betrothed to him. Though their relationship lacked much affection, the fact that she had abandoned him for another man enraged him. The more he dwelled on it, the angrier he became. Surrounded by sycophants fanning the flames, his fury toward both Zhu Zhuqing and Lin Jie only grew.
Even in the past, Dai Mubai and Lin Jie had never truly gotten along. They had merely reached a temporary truce for certain reasons. Now, with his prejudices reignited, that fragile peace was shattered.
But if Dai Mubai wished to compete for the throne, he had to secure the Zhu Clan's support—for in Star Luo tradition, every empress must come from the Zhu family.
The Zhu Clan's condition was clear: bring Zhu Zhuqing back, and they might support him.
On the other side, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun refused to accept defeat. They knew that if they lost, their end would be miserable.
Thus, one faction of the Zhu Clan supporting Dai Mubai sought to capture Zhu Zhuqing alive, while Dai Weisi's side plotted to kill her outright. Both groups set out for the Heaven Dou Empire—one to retrieve Zhu Zhuqing, the other to eliminate her, and perhaps kill Lin Jie as well.
Of course, given the delicate relationship between the Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire, neither side could send too many powerful Spirit Masters.
When they learned Zhu Zhuqing was at Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai's faction dispatched one Spirit Emperor and three Spirit Kings to capture her. But with Liu Erlong there, Zhu Zhuqing was never taken.
Then came Dai Weisi's side, with the idea that killing Zhu Zhuqing was the only way to preserve their chance.
As for why Lin Jie had been targeted? It was because of his close relationship with Zhu Zhuqing. Their plan had been to capture him and use him to force her to return.
By now, Lin Jie had pieced together the full story.
"One thing I don't understand—your relationship with Dai Weisi should have been good. Why would he send you here?"
Zhu Zhuyun fell silent, then let out a bitter laugh.
"A relationship? In the royal family, does such a thing even exist?"
Lin Jie nodded slightly.
"True enough… perhaps that's the real tragedy."
He continued on his journey, now with an unwilling companion in tow.
Given Zhu Zhuyun's heavily wounded state, abandoning her here would have been tantamount to killing her. He had no choice but to bind her and bring her along.
"I heard from Zhuqing that you once tried to hunt her down."
Zhu Zhuyun's expression stiffened. After a pause, she admitted,
"Yes."
Lin Jie's eyes hardened.
"Zhuqing is my woman. And you once tried to kill her. Tell me—what do you think I should do with you?"
She gave a faint smile, full of resignation.
"Now that I've fallen into your hands, whether you kill me or spare me, I have no power to resist."
"You're right. You truly don't. And yet… I still ought to thank you."
"Thank me?" she said, startled.
"Yes. If it weren't for you, Zhuqing never would have come to the Heaven Dou Empire. And if she hadn't come, I would never have met her."
"You're Zhuqing's sister. So I won't kill you. But remember this well—if you ever think of harming her again, the consequences will be severe."
Zhu Zhuyun said nothing. She knew she was little more than a prisoner now. To be alive at all was already fortunate. But as she listened to how fiercely Lin Jie protected Zhu Zhuqing, a pang of jealousy flickered in her heart.
She and Dai Weisi might once have had affection, but only that. If it came to life and death, she knew he would discard her without hesitation. Her current predicament—reduced to a captive at Lin Jie's mercy—was largely thanks to Dai Weisi himself.
Because of her, Lin Jie's journey to Spirit City had been delayed by more than half a month. By now, her gunshot wound had mostly healed. Curious whether she would be scarred, Lin Jie had even inspected her injury himself—and indeed, a faint mark remained.
At first, she had burned with shame and anger at his shamelessness. But she understood her position; as a prisoner, she had little right to resist. And, bound as she was, she truly couldn't.
By now, her strength had mostly returned, but she still hadn't tried to escape. She knew very well that as long as Lin Jie chose to keep her, she had no chance of getting away. For Zhu Zhuqing's safety, he had decided to keep her close—and he admitted as much.
The trip toward Spirit City almost felt like wandering the jianghu with an unwilling companion. At first, Zhu Zhuyun had feared him. But after half a month of travel, she realized he wasn't as terrifying as she had thought. Shameless and unreasonable, yes—but not cruel. Slowly, she began to talk more.
Now, with only a few hours left before reaching Spirit City, Lin Jie deliberately slowed their pace. His companion, however, was far less pleased.
"Hey! We've been walking forever. Can't we rest for a bit?"
"No. I'm not tired."
At his reply, Zhu Zhuyun nearly exploded with anger.
"Then go on by yourself! I'm not walking another step. Kill me if you want, I don't care!"
Lin Jie tugged the reins, stopping his horse. He glanced back at her—slightly disheveled, cheeks flushed from exertion, breathing unevenly.
"Why've you stopped?"
"I said I'm not walking! Do whatever you want."
"Really not going to walk?"
"No! Kill me if you want!"
He gave a small shrug.
"Very well. Since you've come this far, you must be exhausted. I'll be merciful."
With a sharp snap of the reins, the red-maned horse lunged forward—straight toward her.
Caught off guard, she froze, wide-eyed. Am I really going to die here?
But just as the horse was about to crash into her, Lin Jie jerked the reins, leaned down, and pulled her smoothly onto the saddle, seating her firmly in front of him.
"You—what are you doing?!"
"Didn't you say you weren't walking anymore? See how considerate I am—letting you ride."
She felt his arm tighten around her waist, her cheeks burning red. Words stuck in her throat, half fury, half shame.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm only making sure you don't fall. Remember your place."
To Lin Jie, this was him being considerate—sharing a horse with her so she wouldn't tire, and holding her close so she wouldn't slip.
"Shameless! Despicable! How could Zhuqing ever fall for a man like you? She must be blind!"
"Thanks for the compliment," he said casually.
Zhu Zhuyun nearly screamed. She had long since realized what kind of man Lin Jie was—brazen, shameless, endlessly fond of teasing her. And always, he claimed it was revenge on her for what she had once done to Zhu Zhuqing.
Lin Jie leaned lightly against her fragrant shoulder, reins loose in his hands, deliberately slowing their pace.
After a while, she finally asked, puzzled,
"Why are you even going to Spirit City?"
He smiled faintly.
"To sell the Star Luo Zhu Clan's eldest daughter to Spirit Hall. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?"
"You won't. You won't kill me either."
"Oh? And why not?"
"If you truly wanted me dead, you wouldn't have gone to all this trouble to save me."
She wasn't wrong. She simply couldn't understand why he insisted on bringing her along. Was it really just to keep her from harming Zhu Zhuqing?
"You're right. I won't kill you. After all, you're Zhuqing's sister. As for Spirit City… you'll find out when we get there. Just follow me—and don't talk too much."
His hand tightened around her slender waist. She stiffened, but said nothing more.
Not long after, the majestic silhouette of a great city appeared on the horizon.
Spirit City.
This was Lin Jie's second time here. Nearly a year had passed since the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. Now, he had returned—not as a competitor, but for Spirit Hall itself.
Or more precisely… for Bibi Dong.
He exhaled softly. Let's hope things go as planned.