Lin Xia's gaze swept across the people before him his teacher, senior brothers and sister, and the companions who meant the most to him. A warm feeling welled up in his heart as he declared in a clear voice,
"Teacher, Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, Old Ban, I'll leave Gengxin City in your hands! We're off!"
Taking Zhu Zhuqing's hand, the two of them turned and boarded the luxurious streamlined Soul Tool carriage. Forged entirely from special alloys and engraved with intricate energy patterns, it was bound for the Heaven Dou Empire.
The carriage door slid shut silently, cutting off everyone's view.
The carriage started smoothly, quickly accelerating. Outside the window, Gengxin City's iconic forest of steel and dazzling neon lights rapidly receded into the distance, gradually shrinking until they disappeared beyond the horizon, replaced by vast plains and rolling mountain ranges.
Lin Xia leaned back comfortably against the sofa, watching the scenery race past outside the window. He let out a long sigh.
The relief of finally laying down an immense burden intertwined with eager anticipation for the unknown journey ahead.
"Phew we're finally out."
He smiled with genuine relaxation, something that had not appeared on his face in a long time.
"I've been in this world for so long. Either I was desperately cultivating, racing against time to build Gengxin City, or planning one scheme after another. I never really stopped to see what this continent was actually like."
Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite him with her usual graceful posture. Bathed in the shifting light filtering through the windows, her beautiful features seemed even more captivating.
Seeing how relaxed Lin Xia looked, the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.
Lin Xia turned toward her, his warm gaze resting gently on her face as he asked sincerely,
"Zhuqing, now that everything in Gengxin City has been settled for the time being, what are your plans? Or rather is there anything you've always wanted to do?"
He already knew what was in her heart, but he wanted to hear her say it herself.
At his question, Zhu Zhuqing's body tensed almost imperceptibly. Her long eyelashes lowered, concealing the complicated emotions in her eyes.
Silence filled the carriage for a brief moment, broken only by the low hum of the speeding Soul Tool carriage.
After quite some time, she finally raised her head.
The pair of eyes that had always been as cool and tranquil as an icy pool now reflected unwavering determination, along with a faint trace of pleading.
Looking directly at Lin Xia, she spoke slowly and clearly, enunciating every word.
"Brother Lin Xia I want to break off my engagement."
She paused, as though gathering the courage to sever the chains of her past. Her voice carried unmistakable resolve.
"I don't want to be called 'Dai Mubai's fiancée' anymore. Nor do I want to bear the mark of the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu Clan for the rest of my life. That engagement was never an honor to me. It has always been a shackle, a sword hanging over my head, constantly reminding me of my doomed fate and the shadow of being abandoned."
"Now I only want to be myself, Zhu Zhuqing. Not someone's possession, and certainly not a pawn in the Star Luo Imperial Family's cruel game."
When she finished speaking, her eyes remained fixed on Lin Xia, quietly waiting for his response.
She understood the weight of what she was asking.
To challenge the ironclad tradition of marriage alliances between the Star Luo Imperial Family and the Zhu Clan to tear apart a political marriage that had endured for generations would be no simple matter.
It involved the dignity of the imperial family, the core interests of the Zhu Clan, and customs that had existed for over a thousand years.
She had even prepared herself for the possibility that Lin Xia would urge her to think it over carefully, or tell her that it would require an unimaginable price.
However, Lin Xia's reaction completely exceeded her expectations.
The instant she finished speaking, there was no trace of surprise, hesitation, or deliberation on his face.
He simply nodded calmly.
His deep eyes held a warmth that put people at ease, along with unwavering determination that admitted no doubt.
"Alright."
His voice was steady and clear, without the slightest hesitation, as though he were agreeing to something utterly ordinary.
"I promise you. Leave this matter to me. We'll go and break off the engagement."
His response was so straightforward and matter-of-fact that it left Zhu Zhuqing completely stunned.
Her beautiful eyes widened, filled with unconcealed disbelief.
She had expected Lin Xia to support her.
But she had never imagined that his support would come so effortlessly.
It was as though he wasn't confronting one of the continent's greatest powers at all, but merely handling an ordinary household matter.
"Brother Lin Xia."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled ever so slightly as overwhelming gratitude and a surreal sense of disbelief filled her heart.
"This will be incredibly difficult! That's the Star Luo Imperial Family, and it's one of the Zhu Clan's core principles. The Dai Clan will never agree so easily, and the Zhu Clan will see it as the greatest humiliation! They'll certainly demand unimaginable compensation, and they might even."
She didn't dare imagine the consequences of failure. It could very well drag Lin Xia and Gengxin City into the conflict.
Seeing the worry and astonishment in her eyes, Lin Xia smiled faintly.
His smile carried the calm confidence of someone who had everything under control.
He stood up, walked over to her side, and sat beside her. Naturally, he reached out with his warm hand and gently stroked her silky hair, the gesture filled with reassurance.
"Silly girl."
His voice was low and magnetic, carrying an unquestionable sense of conviction.
"There's nothing difficult about it. So-called principles, rules, and prestige all become flexible in the face of absolute strength and sufficient benefits. They can even be reshaped. Have you forgotten who I am? I'm the City Lord of Gengxin City."
His tone remained relaxed, yet it was backed by immense confidence.
"We have our deep partnership with the Spirit Hall as one bargaining chip. We have the alliance agreement that the Heaven Dou Empire is eager to sign as another. More importantly, we control the lifeline of over ninety percent of the continent's blacksmiths and Soul Tool technology."
"As for the Star Luo Empire... His Majesty Dai Tianxing is a wise ruler. He understands very well how important Gengxin City is to his empire. Their western defense system, military equipment upgrades, and the enhancement of their national strength all depend on us."
"For the sake of securing a long-term partnership with Gengxin City, giving up an incapable son and a fiancée whom he neither treasures nor kept from fleeing the engagement is a simple calculation. He knows which choice benefits him more."
"As for the Zhu Clan..."
A faint smile appeared on Lin Xia's lips.
"Which is more important to them—their so-called traditions, or obtaining Gengxin City's core technologies so that their Hell Civet Martial Soul can achieve far greater combat effectiveness through Soul Tool integration?"
"If they fail to recognize that, then I don't mind giving the other great noble clans of the Star Luo Empire an opportunity to replace the Zhu Clan as our partner."
"Everyone pursues profit. That is simply how the game is played."
He looked directly into Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, his expression incomparably serious.
"So don't worry about the difficulties. To me, this is nothing more than a carefully planned negotiation involving interests and bargaining chips."
"The only thing that truly matters is that this is your wish."
"As long as you've made your decision, I'll help you make it a reality."
Those words were like a warm tide, completely washing away every trace of anxiety and hesitation in Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
An overwhelming wave of emotion engulfed her. Her nose tingled, and her eyes gradually reddened.
Unable to restrain herself any longer, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms tightly—very tightly—around Lin Xia.
Burying her face against his neck, she murmured in a slightly choked voice,
"Mmm... Thank you, Brother Lin Xia... Really... thank you..."
Feeling the slight trembling of the young woman in his embrace and the complete trust she had placed in him, Lin Xia's heart softened.
He gently wrapped an arm around her slender yet surprisingly strong waist and said softly,
"Then let's go settle this matter."
"If nothing unexpected has happened, Dai Mubai should still be in Soto City."
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head.
Although her eyes were still glistening with tears, they were now filled only with unwavering determination.
"Alright! Brother Lin Xia, let's go to Soto City!"
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