Chapter 14: Encountering Shrek! Dai Mubai's Flirtation, One Kick to Blood!
The two reached an immediate agreement.
Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing set off at once, racing toward the Star Dou Forest.
When no one was around, and her soul power was abundant, she activated the ability of the Blue Silver Emperor right leg soul bone, skimming forward in low-altitude flight.
Whenever people were nearby, she landed and sprinted on foot. With the speed enhancement granted by the Left Leg soul bone, she moved like the wind itself.
A journey of several hundred li was completed in little more than half a day.
By the time evening arrived and darkness gradually descended, Zhu Zhuqing finally reached a small town located just a hundred li from the Star Dou Forest.
The town was not large, yet soul masters were plentiful.
Inns and taverns lined both sides of the streets, most filled with hunting teams and adventurers resting before entering the forest.
She casually chose an ordinary hotel, requested a window seat, and ordered a few simple dishes.
From the neighboring table, she overheard several customers discussing:
"…Those two groups just now were young, but their tempers were fierce…"
"Exactly. Just a few words of argument, and they almost started fighting for real here."
"They've gone outside to settle it now. Tsk tsk, judging by the looks of it, someone's going to bleed before this ends."
"…"
Such disputes were commonplace in a hunting town. There was nothing unusual about it.
Zhu Zhuqing drank her water indifferently, contemplating what type of soul beast she should hunt for her third soul ring.
Just as her dishes were served, a group entered the hotel one after another.
Leading them was an exceptionally burly middle-aged man. Behind him followed a girl with a clean, refined temperament; a lecherous-looking, chubby youth; a bearded uncle; and—
A delicate-featured boy with steady eyes, and a lively girl with a scorpion braid.
Zhu Zhuqing's chopsticks paused midair.
Tang San.
The very "wronged party" she had met once before—the one whose mother's soul bone she had fused, whose "home" she had effectively stolen.
And now, the mother he had never even met was still with her.
The situation… was rather sinful.
Her expression remained icy as she picked up a bite of food, yet a faint ripple of complexity stirred within her heart.
But that ripple froze the moment her gaze shifted.
Because she saw a particularly conspicuous youth.
Golden hair draped over his shoulders. Heterochromatic pupils. Tall and broad-shouldered. An arrogant, flamboyant air between his brows…
"Dai Mubai."
Zhu Zhuqing's heartbeat skipped, her face growing even colder.
Though she and this nominal fiancé had scarcely met—
With such striking features, she could never mistake him.
Moreover, at this very moment, both her White Tiger and Hell Spirit Cat martial souls faintly resonated with Dai Mubai's presence.
"Oh~ You've spotted your little fiancé?"
Within her spiritual sea, Bai Lu's voice carried playful amusement.
"What? Planning to rush over and recognize him? Stage a dramatic 'runaway fiancée travels a thousand miles to find her husband'?"
"Then beg for shelter like a homeless kitten?"
"No. I don't need to."
Zhu Zhuqing responded in her heart with firm resolve.
"With or without him, I can change my fate on my own now."
She was no longer the trembling kitten once swept helplessly along by destiny, shivering amidst her family's ruthless struggles.
Now she possessed twin martial souls, five soul bones, and Bai Lu.
Even without Dai Mubai, she had the confidence to survive and thrive.
Yet though she wished for peace, the wind would not cease.
Zhu Zhuqing might not wish to acknowledge Dai Mubai, but that did not mean he would ignore her.
Dai Mubai felt that the black-haired girl by the window seemed somewhat familiar.
At the same time, he faintly sensed his White Tiger martial soul resonating strangely.
Coupled with her cold and aloof aura, his desire to conquer was instantly stirred.
"Yo~ Boss Dai's eyes are sharp. Spotted a beauty the moment we walked in."
Ma Hongjun wiggled his brows suggestively.
"Less talk. Watch and learn."
A confident smile curved Dai Mubai's lips as he strode directly toward her.
"Miss, dining alone?"
He stopped before her table, flashing what he believed to be a charming gentlemanly smile.
"My name is Dai Mubai, a Soul Elder. Seeing you alone and possessing such an extraordinary temperament, might I have the honor of making your acquaintance?"
"Oh~ Flirting with your own fiancée right in front of her. Quite the talent."
Bai Lu's teasing voice rang out again. "You're sure you won't forgive him?"
"Not interested."
Zhu Zhuqing did not even lift her head.
"May I at least know your name? Why keep others at such a distance?"
Dai Mubai showed no sign of embarrassment. He pulled out a chair and sat down without invitation.
"Meeting is fate. I assume you're heading to the Star Dou Forest for a soul ring as well. Why not travel together? We could look out for one another."
"No need."
"Are you worried I have ulterior motives?" Dai Mubai laughed lightly. "Rest assured, I, Dai Mubai, act with integrity. I simply feel a certain affinity with you…"
"Integrity?"
Zhu Zhuqing finally looked up, her gaze tinged with ridicule.
She found it almost laughable.
While she had struggled desperately in the Star Luo Empire, this man had fled alone to the Heaven Dou Empire, indulging himself among flowers.
And now here he was, attentively courting a "stranger."
How wonderful.
Her eyes flashed coldly.
"Is this how you usually flirt with women?"
"Of course not. I simply feel you're different from other women. Stars are shining in your eyes."
Dai Mubai showed not a trace of awkwardness. Instead, his smile widened.
"In a dangerous place like this, having one more friend is never a bad thing. What do you think?"
"Heh."
Zhu Zhuqing snorted coldly and rose to leave.
"Hey, hey! What kind of attitude is that?"
An indignant voice suddenly cut in.
"Don't think being pretty makes you special. Our Boss Dai is inviting you is giving you face!"
Ma Hongjun swaggered forward, his tone obsequious yet lewd.
"Our Boss Dai is a true genius—no, a monster! At just fifteen, he's already a Rank 37 Soul Elder. His future is limitless. Knowing him is your blessing!"
At those words, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned even colder.
She detested this kind of self-righteous sycophancy.
"Move."
"Heh~ I won't!"
Ma Hongjun planted his hands on his hips and swayed provocatively.
"If you've got the guts, step over my body."
Seeing everyone's attention shift toward them, Dai Mubai frowned slightly, about to intervene.
"Fatty, forget it—"
Before he could finish—
Zhu Zhuqing's leg lashed out.
She did not even use soul power, only pure physical strength.
Under the amplification of five soul bones, that kick was like lightning, swift as a gale.
Whoosh!
Ma Hongjun barely saw a blur before pain exploded in his abdomen.
He was sent flying like a human cannonball, crashing through two tables before finally coming to a halt.
"Pfft—!"
He spat out a mouthful of blood, struggling to rise, his eyes filled with shock and fury as he stared at the distant girl.
The entire hotel fell into stunned silence.
—
End of Chapter