Rescuing Zhu Zhuqing

The next day, Xiao Wu arrived at Nuoding Academy with dark circles under her eyes.

"Xiao Wu, did you not sleep well?"

"You're the one who didn't sleep well! I'm just tired from training, that's all."

Time passed quickly. Under Bai Ying's influence, Xiao Wu's relationship with Tang San was finally no longer as close as it had been in the original novel.

As graduation drew near, Bai Ying had indeed been feeling quite troubled these past few days, because Yu Xiaogang had urged Xiao Wu more than once to attend Shrek Academy after graduating.

To escape his pestering, Bai Ying directly took Xiao Wu and left several days before graduation.

"Big Brother, why are we leaving at this time?"

"Because you've graduated. Besides, I need to make some proper plans too—whether to return to Spirit Hall or continue traveling the continent."

"Big Brother, I don't want to go to Spirit Hall. My mother died because of that woman. I absolutely won't go."

"Don't worry. I'm not going to lead you into the tiger's den."

"We're heading to Suotuo City. According to what Yu Xiaogang said, there's a Shrek Academy there, a place exclusively for geniuses."

"Really? That's great!"

As for Shrek Academy, Bai Ying had absolutely no favorable impression of it. It was actually an academy that cheated and swindled people, but unfortunately, the system required him to go to Shrek Academy and join it.

That made things rather difficult for him, but in the end, he still had to take Xiao Wu to Shrek Academy. One could not fight against overwhelming odds.

It was getting late. After a full day of travel, Xiao Wu had genuinely fallen asleep.

Please complete the hidden mission: Rescue Zhu Zhuqing.
Reward: Zhu Zhuqing becomes the host's most loyal slave.

Upon hearing the mission, Bai Ying perked up and headed toward the distant woods according to the system's directions.

"Second Miss, don't blame us. If you want someone to blame, blame the fact that you were born into the imperial family."

In the distance, dozens of men in black had completely surrounded Zhu Zhuqing.

"Eldest Sister, you really want me dead that badly?"

Zhu Zhuqing's expression was cold, and there was not the slightest trace of fear.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing's left arm had already been pierced by a sharp weapon. Blood had stained her leather outfit red, and her entire body was swaying on the verge of collapse.

But she knew that she absolutely could not fall now. Once she did, only death awaited her.

She bent forward slightly and took on a crouching stance. Taking a deep breath, she charged toward the group of men in black.

But two fists could not stand against four hands, and she was ultimately wounded.

"Am I really going to die here?"

Zhu Zhuqing was truly unwilling to accept this.

"Boss, she's quite good-looking. Why don't we let the brothers have some fun?"

"What are you thinking? Do you know how serious this person's identity is? Have some fun? She's from the Star Luo Royal Zhu Family. If the Zhu Family finds out, you'll suffer the consequences."

One man in black spoke to another.

"Boss, if you don't tell and I don't tell, who will know? Besides, we're in the middle of nowhere, and she can't escape. Don't you want to taste her?"

One of the men in black revealed an extremely lecherous expression. His gaze slid over Zhu Zhuqing's body, making her feel extremely disgusted.

"If you dare treat me like this, the Star Luo Imperial Family will never let you off."

"Second Miss, haven't you figured out the situation yet? Once you're dead, no one will know about this. Besides, even if they do find out, at most we'll be punished. That's all."

"Oh, Second Miss, you really are pitiful. To search for that useless prince, you actually came alone to the Heaven Dou Empire. Now you're about to die here in the wilderness. I truly feel it isn't worth it for you."

"I heard that useless prince, Dai Mubai, spends his days indulging in pleasure in the Heaven Dou Empire to escape the battle for the position of crown prince. Does he even deserve you?"

With that, the men in black revealed sinister smiles and slowly approached Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing gripped the dagger tightly in her left hand. Although she was injured, she could still launch an attack.

"You're a group of grown men bullying a young woman. Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?"

A voice suddenly rang out, shattering the tranquility of the night.

The men in black were startled by the sudden voice. They stopped and looked around, trying to find its source. Meanwhile, Bai Ying stood there with a leisurely expression. He seemed like a ghost emerging from the darkness, standing silently as he blended into the night.

His gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing. Under the moonlight, her exquisite face looked even paler, but the determination in her eyes had not diminished in the slightest. Her left arm was still bleeding, yet she seemed unable to feel the pain. She merely gripped her dagger tightly, ready to face any attack that might come.

Bai Ying could not help praising her inwardly: She's absolutely stunning.

Her black bodysuit clung tightly to her body, trembling slightly with her movements and perfectly outlining her curvaceous figure. Under the moonlight, her skin had a faint jade-like sheen, making her resemble an otherworldly elf—elegant and refined. The graceful curves of her figure were even more striking beneath the bodysuit, like two proud peaks standing tall. Her cool temperament was like a winter plum: aloof, yet possessing an irresistible charm.

"You have so many people bullying one person. Is that fun?"

"Who are you? How dare you interfere with our business? You... do you know who we are?"

"Oh? Who are you? As the saying goes, I opened this mountain and planted these trees. If you want to pass through, leave behind the toll. You're bullying a defenseless woman on my turf, and I won't allow that."

"Big Brother, why waste words on him? Just kill him."

"Kill me? You think you can kill me?"

Seeing how confident the man before him was, the leader of the men in black naturally understood that his opponent was an expert. He said, "I advise you not to interfere in this matter, lest you bring trouble upon yourself. We're from the Star Luo Royal Zhu Family. If you leave now, the Zhu Family will surely be deeply grateful."

"People from the Star Luo Royal Zhu Family? Then I absolutely can't let you go. If you were merely ordinary people, I might have let you off. But since you're from the Star Luo Royal Zhu Family, I'm afraid I'll have to apologize."

"Remember this well. The one who killed you was Bai Ying, the Spirit Hall Holy Son. Don't forget it after you reach the underworld."

"Someone from Spirit Hall? Why would he appear here?"

"Even if you're from Spirit Hall, are you sure you want to interfere?"

"If something happens right before my eyes, I'm going to interfere. Besides, I've taken a liking to her and want her to become my woman. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was instantly stunned. Had she escaped the wolf's den only to enter the tiger's lair?