Peerless Dragon Serpent

Zi Ji had spent the entire day avoiding Dan Heng. Even at meals, she acted unusually, eating only five bowls of rice before wanting to go out and play. If Gu Yuena had not told her to return early the next morning to catch the carriage, she would have wanted to slip away altogether.

Early the next morning, Dan Heng's family boarded the rented carriage and set off for Star Luo City.

Dan Heng, Gu Yuena, and Zhu Zhuqing sat inside the carriage, while Zi Ji drove outside.

At this point, Zi Ji also realized that Dan Heng had no intention of punishing her, and her tail began showing signs of curling upward again.

The carriage rode smoothly. Gu Yuena hugged Dan Heng's arm, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Husband, since the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Titan Giant Ape, appeared in the Star Dou Great Forest, the Soul Beasts around the outskirts haven't dared to come out. We can cut straight through it diagonally..."

Gu Yuena gazed at Dan Heng tenderly.

Gu Yuena would remember that Water Azure Dragon for the rest of her life!

After all, it had been a turning point in their relationship as husband and wife. It had let her know that she held weight in Husband's heart!

Dan Heng gave a hum as he flipped through a book in his hands. He had just bought it from a merchant, and it described some of the customs and local culture of the Star Luo Empire.

Seeing Dan Heng reading with such a serious expression, Gu Yuena gave a soft snort through her nose.

Just as she was about to speak—

"Hyah...!!!"

Zi Ji's voice suddenly rang out from outside.

The carriage began to speed up as well.

Gu Yuena frowned slightly, but she did not punish Zi Ji. The sooner they reached the Star Luo Empire, the sooner she could claim Husband in a foreign land.

"Husband, once we reach Star Luo City, we should save some money. Two rooms will be enough. Let Zhuqing and Zi Ji stay together," Gu Yuena said "considerately," knowing that their family did not have much money.

That way, she could rightfully stay in the same room as Dan Heng!

Otherwise, she really feared Dan Heng would find an excuse to sleep separately!

Especially these past two nights, when she had clung to Dan Heng and wanted to consummate their marriage, yet Dan Heng had always avoided her.

"Fine," Dan Heng answered casually.

"Husband, then it's settled—"

Delight appeared on Gu Yuena's face.

"Hyah... hyah!!!"

Two crisp cracks of the whip sounded again from outside.

The carriage suddenly turned, causing Gu Yuena and Dan Heng both to lurch toward the other side. They nearly crashed into Zhu Zhuqing's ample chest.

Dan Heng sighed, put away his book, and said, "I'll switch with Zi Ji."

"Don't..." Gu Yuena had not had enough time being affectionate with Dan Heng and was extremely reluctant.

But Dan Heng had already left the carriage and said to the excited Zi Ji, who was swinging the whip, "Let me take over."

By then, it was nearly dark.

Beside their carriage, a rather luxurious carriage was traveling side by side with them.

Zi Ji had just been competing with it.

"No! I have to compete with him!" Zi Ji was incredibly excited and still did not want to go inside.

"Come in, Zi Ji."

Gu Yuena spoke flatly.

Her voice was calm, yet it was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Zi Ji's excitement.

Zi Ji immediately behaved herself and obediently handed the whip to Dan Heng.

Dan Heng sat on the cushion Zi Ji had just occupied. It was quite warm. He glanced at the whip marks on the horse's back and frowned slightly. Their carriage had only one horse, while the luxurious carriage beside them had three fine steeds.

Zi Ji had driven this horse nearly to death just to compete with the other carriage.

The next moment, hurried breathing seemed to come from inside the carriage.

Dan Heng remembered that this was the breathing rhythm of someone trying not to sob.

Zi Ji had been scolded again, hadn't she?

The corner of Dan Heng's mouth lifted. He actually felt a little schadenfreude.

He placed his hand on the horse's back. After his palm brushed over the bloody whip marks, they returned to normal.

Though he did not possess Bai Lu's talent, healing injuries of this level was effortless for him.

At that moment, an old man in the luxurious carriage beside them saw him stroking the horse and slowing down. He unexpectedly slowed down in sync as well.

Dan Heng was slightly taken aback. Could Zi Ji have caused him trouble again?

However, the thin, tall old man in the neighboring carriage had a stern appearance, but he did not radiate any hostility.

He even gave Dan Heng a slight nod. "Young man, shall we make camp together tonight?"

Dan Heng thought about it, then nodded in agreement.

At dusk.

The two carriages were parked facing each other, with a bonfire lit between them.

Dan Heng's family and the old man's family sat around it.

There was an elderly couple and a young girl. The girl was a few years older than Zhu Zhuqing, but in terms of feminine charm, she was completely crushed. She looked at Zhu Zhuqing unwillingly.

Speaking of which, Dan Heng's family was simply too exceptional. The man was handsome, the women beautiful, and every one of them was breathtakingly gorgeous.

Even the imperial palace might not be able to gather such a group.

The old man chuckled. "Young man, I don't know why, but I find you quite pleasant to look at. This old man is Meng Shu. This is my wife, Chao Tianxiang, and this is my granddaughter, Meng Yiran."

"You young people can get to know one another better."

After Dragon Duke Meng Shu finished speaking, he waited for Dan Heng to show a shocked expression.

After all, the name Peerless Dragon Serpent was quite renowned in the Soul Master world.

As long as one was part of the Soul Master world, it was almost impossible not to have heard of them.

Meng Yiran looked at Dan Heng expectantly. No matter how one looked at him, Dan Heng was exactly the type girls particularly liked—handsome, seemingly cold, yet not sharp or aggressive.

Unlike someone like Blade. Though he was equally handsome, it was difficult for women to fall for him.

Dan Heng was slightly stunned. He had not recognized the title Peerless Dragon Serpent. If Meng Shu had mentioned the Dragon Staff Meng Family, he would have known the other party's identity. But as things stood, there was no way he would react.

"My name is Dan Heng..."

The others also introduced themselves briefly, giving only their names.

They kept to Dan Heng's style.

Dragon Duke Meng Shu felt rather awkward. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and asked, "Young Friend Dan Heng, you aren't a Soul Master?"

Dan Heng nodded as he turned the roasting meat and sprinkled seasoning over it. "I'm not a Soul Master. I've merely read many books about Soul Masters."

"A scholar?" Dragon Duke Meng Shu was somewhat disappointed.

The warmth in Meng Yiran's gaze toward Dan Heng lessened as well.

In the Soul Master world, scholars found it difficult to earn respect. Even Master, the most flamboyant scholar from more than a decade ago, had become a laughingstock reviled by all after losing Spirit Hall's support, hadn't he?

They had thought Dan Heng possessed extraordinary bearing. Was he merely glittering on the outside?

"Cough, cough..." Gu Yuena suddenly coughed twice, her face somewhat pale.

Dan Heng turned back to look at her.

Gu Yuena forced a smile. "It's nothing. I was just in the carriage for too long today and feel a little tired. Husband, I'll go inside to rest first..."

Gu Yuena covered her small mouth with her delicate hand, but she did not lower it, because blood had stained her palm again.

Spatial traversal was still too taxing for her in her current state. Or rather, instead of hiding away to recuperate properly, running out to cling to Dan Heng was extremely detrimental to her injuries.

Watching her climb into the carriage, Dan Heng frowned slightly, a little agitation rising in his heart.

Even the speed at which he turned the roasting meat increased.

"I think this young lady seems to be a Soul Master?" Dragon Duke Meng Shu asked again.