Take Out Dai Mubai?

Hadrian City, a small town somewhere within it.

The carriage rolled over the bluestone road and slowly stopped before a three-story inn. Warm yellow light spilled from the windows, dispelling some of the night's chill.

The three of them climbed down from the carriage one after another.

Hearing the commotion, an inn servant hurried over and efficiently took hold of the reins.

"Yao Yan, just book me a room. I'll go see to the horses," Wang Xiaobo instructed before following the servant toward the rear courtyard.

Every one of these horses capable of long-distance travel had been carefully selected, so naturally, he treasured them greatly.

Yao Yan nodded. "Alright, Brother Wang."

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing took out four bags of Gold Soul Coins from her Soul Tool and handed them over. "Yao Yan, thank you for this time. Take these two hundred Gold Soul Coins as a token of my gratitude for now. I will definitely repay you when I have the chance in the future."

Yao Yan glanced at the four bags of Gold Soul Coins, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. "Zhuqing, you're being too formal. Saving you was my own choice. Why talk about repayment..."

Though he said that, he swiftly tucked the money bags into his sleeve under Zhu Zhuqing's stunned gaze.

Zhu Zhuqing was shocked. I never expected him to be this kind of person!

Seeing that Yao Yan had accepted them, she turned to leave, only for him to grab her wrist.

"Let go, Yao Yan!" Zhu Zhuqing struggled. Her slightly raised voice drew the attention of passersby on the street, making her cheeks flush faintly.

"You're my patient right now. How can I let you leave?" Yao Yan said, gripping her wrist tightly as he headed into the inn on his own accord.

"You..." Zhu Zhuqing was both anxious and annoyed. Lowering her voice, she said, "I'll drag you into this."

"Whatever it is, we'll talk tomorrow. Tonight, you only need to rest properly." Unmoved, Yao Yan pulled her straight toward the counter.

"Boss, three rooms."

The innkeeper behind the counter lifted his eyelids, his gaze subtly passing over them before he said with an ingratiating smile, "Guests, what unfortunate timing. This humble inn... only has two rooms left."

"Only two rooms?" Yao Yan was somewhat puzzled. There was a small sign on the counter stating that five vacant rooms remained today.

Following his gaze, the innkeeper hurriedly put away the sign without so much as a blush. "That was yesterday's situation. I forgot to change it today."

"Fine, then." Yao Yan paid for the rooms. "Looks like I'll have to share a room with Brother Wang tonight."

As he handed over the room keys, the innkeeper leaned close to Yao Yan's ear and lowered his voice, speaking with the familiarity of someone experienced. "Little brother, I've been there before. It's normal for young couples to have disagreements. There's nothing that can't be resolved by sleeping on it!"

"..." Yao Yan was rather speechless and hurriedly tried to explain.

But the innkeeper gave his shoulder a heavy pat. "Go on, young man."

Yao Yan could only smile at him on the surface, though who knew what he was thinking inside.

Zhu Zhuqing beside him was already red-faced. Her cat-type Martial Soul had given her sharp hearing, so even though they had spoken quietly, she had caught every word clearly.

She knew the innkeeper had misunderstood their relationship.

The two went upstairs one after the other, and sure enough, their rooms were far apart.

The moment Yao Yan opened one of the doors with the key, Zhu Zhuqing darted inside like an agile cat. Holding onto the edge of the door, she said:

"I'll stay in this room. You... you should rest early."

"No rush." Yao Yan gently pushed aside her hand and entered the room, looking around.

The window faced a dark, deep alley that led directly out of town. Blue Silver Grass appeared in his right hand, and he stimulated it to grow vines that sealed the window completely from the inside out. Thorns gleamed with a cold, hard light beneath the moonlight.

With his hands behind his back, Yao Yan circled the room. After confirming there were no oversights, he slowly backed out.

"Rest well tonight."

Bang— The door shut.

Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the sealed window, only snapping back to herself when the door closed.

She quietly crept toward the door and focused on listening to the movement outside. After confirming no one was there, she cautiously opened the door, attempting to escape.

However, the Blue Silver Vine covered in thorns blocked her path.

Her gaze sharpened as the Hell Spirit Cat instantly possessed her body, and two Yellow Soul Rings rose from beneath her feet.

"Second Soul Skill, Nether Hundred Claws!"

Sharp cat claws lashed out like lightning, striking the resilient vines, yet they only left a few pale, shallow marks that recovered in an instant.

Seeing that it had no effect, Zhu Zhuqing had no choice but to give up. Still unwilling to accept it, she checked the entire room, only to find that even the small bathroom window had been sealed.

The entire room was like a prison, sealed so tightly that not even water could pass through.

"Sigh... forget it." She let out a soft sigh, took out clean clothes from her Soul Tool, and decided to bathe away the exhaustion clinging to her body before getting a good night's sleep.

At the corner of the inn, Yao Yan saw that the commotion had stopped. A faint smile curled across his lips as he returned to his own room in relief.

Morning.

The first ray of sunlight fell from the horizon, dispersing the mist that hung over the town.

Zhu Zhuqing slowly woke and lazily stretched her body.

This was the most peacefully she had slept in months. Thinking of that gentle young man, a trace of warmth rose in her heart.

But she knew she could not indulge in that gentleness. Otherwise, it would bring them a fatal calamity.

She rose, washed up, and changed into a tight black leather outfit that accentuated her breathtaking curves.

Walking to the window, her Soul Ring lit up, and her sharp cat claws slashed at the Blue Silver Vine once more.

Bang—!!

Several vines snapped in response, and their recovery speed had clearly slowed considerably.

There's hope!

Overjoyed, she quickly took out paper and pen and left Yao Yan a letter. Then she sped up, continuously clearing away the obstruction at the window until she opened a gap large enough for her to pass through.

Before leaving, she looked back reluctantly. "Goodbye, Yao Yan."

Then she leaped down.

However, just as her body fell into midair, a figure flashed past like a ghost. Strong arms had already wrapped around her waist, catching her securely.

Zhu Zhuqing looked up in shock and met Yao Yan's smiling eyes. "You... why are you here?"

"Why can't I be here?" Yao Yan raised a brow and retorted, "You, on the other hand—so early in the morning, why not use the door? Why insist on jumping out the window?"

"I..." Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless. Lowering her head, her cheek rested against his warm chest. To her surprise, she found herself greedily savoring this fleeting sense of security, forgetting to struggle.

Yao Yan held her around the waist and lightly carried her back into the room. A flash of blue light flickered from his fingertips, and the damaged window was once again sealed by wildly growing Blue Silver Grass.

Spotting the letter on the table, he walked over and picked it up, preparing to open it and read what was inside.

Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed. She hurried forward to snatch it back, but he smoothly caught hold of her wrist.

Yao Yan waved the letter in his hand, his smile carrying a hint of teasing. "Zhuqing, you seem... a little naughty, don't you?"

The little kitty was being naughty. Gentlemen, what do you think should be done about that?

"Yao Yan, you don't understand at all how much danger being close to me will bring." Zhu Zhuqing walked to the bed and sat down, her voice low.

"Can you tell me about it?" Yao Yan pulled over a chair and sat beside her.

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent for a long while before slowly speaking. "In the Star Luo Empire, the Zhu Family and the Dai Family have intermarried for generations. Their descendants must take part in a brutal competition. Only the victor can inherit the Throne and their family."

Yao Yan nodded slightly.

Wasn't this just the Xuanwu Gate-style succession system?

"Who is your fiancé? How strong is he?" Yao Yan followed up on her words.

"Dai Mubai. He's twelve years old, with Soul Power at level twenty-five, and he doesn't have the support of any faction.

"His opponent, the Empire's eldest Prince, is already a Soul Ancestor..." Her voice grew quieter and quieter, carrying an undisguisable sense of helplessness.

"The gap in strength is that great. How are you supposed to compete for the Throne?" Yao Yan asked in surprise.

"He... he ran away." Zhu Zhuqing's voice was very soft, tinged with disappointment.

"Oh! So you ran away from home to find him?"

"Yes!"

"You want to fight for the position of Empress?" Yao Yan asked the most crucial question.

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head fiercely, her pearly teeth biting down on her red lips. "I don't! But we can't escape. There can only be one winner in the royal family's competition. My sister will never let me go..."

"Then if a Prince is killed, would you Sisters of the Zhu Family be buried with him?" Yao Yan voiced the doubt in his heart.

Zhu Zhuqing froze. Thinking of how her second sister had gained freedom after her fiancé died, she shook her head. "That won't happen."

"Then this will be easy." Yao Yan stood up and looked down at her delicate, pretty face.

"What will be easy?" Zhu Zhuqing looked up in confusion.

"You'll find out later!" Yao Yan waved a hand, walked to the window, and looked toward the distant mountains.

Wouldn't it be enough to just get rid of him!!!