"Haha, my sister is as kind as ever. Even on the verge of death, she refuses to drag others down."
When Zhu Zhuyun saw Zhu Zhuqing change direction, a strange glint flickered in her dark eyes—yet her words remained merciless.
"Miss, there's someone here!"
One of her subordinates suddenly noticed Fu Ye sitting by the campfire. The guard's warning drew Zhu Zhuyun's attention, and a trace of surprise flashed across her face.
"Ignore him. Keep chasing Zhu Zhuqing!"
Zhu Zhuyun didn't linger, leaving Fu Ye somewhat exasperated.
'Seriously? You're all looking down on me now?'
(○｀ 3′○)
Many people had underestimated him before, but this was the first time he'd been dismissed so blatantly!
[Name: Zhu Zhuyun]
[Age: 18]
[Soul Power: Level 38]
[Martial Spirit: Nether Civet]
[Identity: Eldest daughter of the Duke's Mansion of Star Luo Empire, fiancée of Crown Prince Davis]
Watching Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun sprint in the opposite direction, Fu Ye rubbed his temples.
'No, you're heading straight toward Nuoding!'
…
In the dense forest, Zhu Zhuqing pushed forward, not daring to stop. She knew her only chance of survival lay in reaching the city.
But exhaustion weighed heavily on her. Her soul power was nearly depleted, and she couldn't hold on much longer.
Finally, a thin vine snagged her foot, sending her crashing to the ground. Three figures closed in at terrifying speed.
"Dear sister, there's no need to struggle anymore. Accept your fate and come back with me. Perhaps I can spare your life."
Moonlight glinted off Zhu Zhuyun's flawless figure as she stood over Zhu Zhuqing, her voice dripping with disdain—as if victory were already hers.
"Go back? Do you think I don't know what you're planning? If you're going to kill me, just do it! Stop pretending!"
Trapped by the three encircling figures, Zhu Zhuqing knew escape was impossible. Whether captured or killed here, the outcome was the same.
'I refuse to live in fear any longer!'
"Pretending? Hahaha! My dear sister, you still don't understand a thing."
Zhu Zhuyun's gaze was mocking, but deep within her eyes lay a flicker of pity—one no one noticed.
Just then, a familiar figure materialized before them.
"Hello again."
Fu Ye studied Zhu Zhuyun, her Nether Civet spirit ablaze, and the two soul master guards—one wielding a machete, the other a hammer. He sighed inwardly.
'Strange. Zhu Zhuyun doesn't seem intent on killing her sister. If anything, she's leaving her chances to escape.'
His eyes shifted to the panting guards, then to Zhu Zhuqing, battered and bleeding on the ground.
"You?"
Zhu Zhuyun recognized Fu Ye—the seemingly harmless man by the campfire. To her, he was just a pretty face with no detectable soul power.
"Kid, the young lady was merciful enough to let you go. Don't push your luck!"
"I'll give you three seconds. Leave, or die!"
The guards' murderous glares only amused Fu Ye.
"Oh? You think you can kill me with that pitiful strength?"
Ignoring them, he strode toward Zhu Zhuqing.
"Little girl, fate has brought us together. Why not come with me?"
His voice was magnetic, coaxing rather than demanding. A stubborn girl like Zhu Zhuqing couldn't be forced.
She hesitated, conflict swirling in her eyes.
"Who are you? Why help me?"
'Hmm? Who am I? Well… an old pervert, of course!'
"Why help you? Because I can't stand seeing an innocent girl die. As for who I am… you'll learn in time—if you choose to follow me."
Fu Ye never forced girls… except for Ah Wu.
"No! She's not going with you!"
Zhu Zhuyun finally intervened. House arrest was one thing—at least it kept her sister alive. But letting her leave with this stranger? Unthinkable!
"Well, little girl? Your choice."
Moonlight filtered through the trees, fracturing into silver shards.
A nine-colored jade sword box appeared beside Fu Ye. An ice-blue blade shot into his palm—Frostwater Sword, gleaming like death itself in the dim light, thirsting for blood.
A terrifying aura erupted from Fu Ye. Zhu Zhuyun and her guards stiffened, their instincts screaming of danger.
"I'll go with you." Zhu Zhuqing's voice was firm. She no longer trusted her sister—or that nightmare of a family.
"Good."
No hesitation. The sword flashed.
A meteor-like arc sliced the night, trailing icy wind. One guard's throat opened, blood blooming like crimson petals under the moon. Before the second could react, the blade reversed, piercing his heart.
Two corpses slumped, eyes wide with disbelief. Zhu Zhuyun froze, barely daring to breathe.
'Two soul masters… killed in an instant. Does that mean I'm next?'
As Fu Ye's sword lunged for her throat—
"Stop!"
Zhu Zhuqing's cry came too late.
A shadow lunged from the darkness—claws like daggers aimed for Fu Ye's neck. Six soul rings shimmered behind the attacker: a Soul Emperor above level 60!
Yet Fu Ye didn't flinch.
"Clang!"
Metal shrieked. The assassin's eyes bulged in shock—
"Splash!"
The Frostwater Sword carved an icy crescent, slashing throat and heart. The man's body shattered, freezing mid-fall into a crystalline sculpture.
…
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