Kid: Bro, Why Is Someone Flying in the Sky?

After leaving Gengxin City, the carriage slowly set out on the journey home. They still had more than a month of travel ahead, but fortunately, Zhu Zhuqing's addition made the return trip far less boring.

Whenever he had nothing to do, Yao Yan would tease the little kitty, using treatment as an excuse each time to draw them closer.

After spending so much time together, she had grown used to Yao Yan's touch. Yet whenever he held her hand, her cheeks still heated up involuntarily, and her heartbeat quietly sped up.

That cold, distant face of hers had also gradually gained a few softer smiles.

However, as the carriage gradually approached the border between Star Luo and the Heaven Dou Empire, Zhu Zhuqing's expression became solemn once more.

Whenever she met Yao Yan's smiling gaze, she would instinctively avoid it, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.

Yao Yan naturally understood what she was thinking, but he did not show it. He merely waited silently for an opportunity.

And that moment came soon enough.

Late at night, in a small town on the border of the Hadrian Kingdom.

The carriage stopped outside an inn. The three of them booked their rooms and finished washing up.

Yao Yan stood by the window, his eyes closed as he released his spiritual power. The surrounding Blue Silver Grass swayed slightly, as though searching for something.

Soon, an image was transmitted into his mind.

"Found them!" A smile curled across his lips as he opened the door and walked out.

Stopping outside Zhu Zhuqing's room, he knocked softly. "Zhuqing, are you asleep?"

A moment later, the door opened from within by a crack.

Zhu Zhuqing stood sideways behind the door. Her black nightgown outlined her full, delicate figure, making her even more alluring under the dim yellow light.

Yao Yan's eyes lit up, and he could not help taking another look as he inwardly sighed, As expected, she's well-endowed.

Noticing his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks immediately flushed red. She hurriedly said, "Y-you wait a moment. I'll change."

"No need. There's no one else here anyway." Yao Yan reached out, took hold of her fair wrist, and gave it a gentle tug, already stepping into the room.

With a bang, the door shut.

Inside, Zhu Zhuqing quickly pulled over the blanket to cover herself, revealing only her flushed face. Yao Yan moved over a wooden chair and naturally sat down beside the bed.

"Did you come here so late because something happened?" Her voice was quiet, carrying a trace of nervousness.

"Of course." Yao Yan nodded and looked up at her. "Zhuqing, we'll enter the Heaven Dou Empire tomorrow. What are you planning to do?"

"I..." Zhu Zhuqing buried her head in the blanket, not knowing how to answer.

"You're planning to leave, aren't you?" Yao Yan stated it directly.

"..."

The room fell silent, leaving only the soft mingling of their breaths.

After a long while, an almost inaudible response came from beneath the blanket. "Yes."

"You want to leave because you're afraid of dragging us down, right?"

The person beneath the blanket trembled slightly, then made no more sound.

Yao Yan stepped forward, directly reached inside, and pulled her out from beneath the blanket, forcing her to face him.

"Tell me. Is it or isn't it?" His voice carried suppressed anger.

Looking at his face tinged with anger, Zhu Zhuqing turned her head away, tears welling up in her eyes. "Big Sister won't let me go... If I stay with you, you'll be dragged into danger too..."

"I can tell you that you don't need to worry about that!" Yao Yan raised his hand to wipe away her tears and spoke firmly.

"You... what do you mean?" Zhu Zhuqing blankly raised her eyes and looked into his calm gaze.

"Get dressed first, then wait for me in my room." Yao Yan released her hand, turned toward the window, and leaped out, his figure vanishing into the night.

Although Zhu Zhuqing was full of doubts, she still did as he said. She changed into her usual black leather outfit, then opened the door and headed toward Yao Yan's room.

Not far from the inn, two men dressed in black sat facing each other atop a tall windmill.

They held roasted meat skewers in their hands, with several jars of strong liquor set beside their feet.

"Second Brother, once the Second Miss leaves Star Luo tomorrow, our mission will be considered complete." Big Brother grabbed a roasted rabbit and spoke as he ate.

"Huh? We're not getting revenge?" Little Brother paused mid-bite, looking somewhat surprised.

These past few days, his big brother had gone on and on about how, once they caught Yao Yan, he would definitely give him a good lesson.

At that, Big Brother smacked him directly on the head with an iron skewer. "What nonsense are you talking about? The two of us together couldn't even last ten moves against him."

"Besides, he showed us mercy. If he had truly wanted to kill us, we'd have been dead long ago."

"That's true..." Little Brother nodded. "So these past few days, you were just talking tough, Big Brother?" He mercilessly exposed him.

"Hey! You kid..." Big Brother immediately flew into a rage and was about to give him a beating. But Little Brother raised a hand to interrupt him, pointing somewhere. "Big Brother, look! Why is there someone flying in the sky?"

"How could there be anyone in the sky?" Following the direction he pointed, Big Brother raised his head and saw nothing but an empty sky. "Did drinking muddle your head?"

"But we haven't even started drinking yet!" Little Brother retorted indignantly, rubbing his eyes again. "Huh? Why did the person disappear?"

"You must be seeing things." Big Brother picked up a wine jar and tilted his head back for a swig, then let out a satisfied breath. "Now that hits the spot! Second Brother, come, cheers..."

He picked up another jar of wine and turned around, but his words abruptly cut off. His pupils suddenly contracted, and the wine jar trembled violently in his hand.

At some point, an extra figure had appeared beside his brother. One hand rested casually on his little brother's shoulder as the man looked at him with a faintly mocking smile.

His little brother's face was as white as paper, his body shaking violently, yet he did not dare move an inch.

"B-Big Brother... s-save me..." He squeezed out a weak plea through clenched teeth, carrying his last shred of hope.

Big Brother shot to his feet. His cat-type Martial Soul instantly possessed him, and three Soul Rings rose beneath his feet—two yellow and one purple.

His face darkened as he shouted sternly, "Friend, to tell you the truth, we're members of the Star Luo Royal Family. I advise you to mind yourself. Let go of my brother."

He knew he was no match for Yao Yan, so he could only use his status to pressure him.

"Oh?" Yao Yan raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth curving slightly. "Whether you live or die will depend on how you perform next."

"What do you mean?" Big Brother frowned.

Yao Yan did not explain. He simply snapped his fingers lightly. The Blue Silver Grass around the windmill suddenly pierced through the roof, instantly binding the two men.

With a single pull of his hand, he activated the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone's flight ability and dragged them into the air.

"Where are you taking us?!" Big Brother was nearly unable to open his eyes against the gale as he roared, but received no response.

Suddenly, he felt his waist tighten. Looking up, he saw his brother's legs tightly wrapped around his waist. "Second Brother, get the hell off me."

"No! Big Brother, I'm afraid of heights!!" His little brother's face turned deathly pale with fright.

Yao Yan soon approached the inn, stopping outside the room's window before kicking them inside.

Inside the room, Zhu Zhuqing sat on the edge of the bed, repeatedly pondering what Yao Yan had meant by "there's no need to worry."

Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, an unusual sound came from outside the window. She looked up to see two black shadows crash heavily onto the floor.

One of them even slammed his head into the corner of the table with a dull thud.

Once she recognized them, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned sharp. The Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul instantly possessed her, and two Yellow Soul Rings rose beneath her feet.

"First Soul Skill, Hell Stab!"

Sharp black cat claws formed in her hands, and she swung them without hesitation at the man closest to her!

Yet her wrist was gently caught midair. Turning her head, she saw Yao Yan standing at her side.

"Yao Yan... you!!" Zhu Zhuqing's face showed a hint of anger.

These two had been hunting her all the way from Star Luo City, yet Yao Yan was actually stopping her from taking revenge?

Yao Yan smiled and stroked her head. "No rush. Let's hear what they have to say first. After that, you can deal with them however you wish."

He pulled Zhu Zhuqing over to sit by the bed.

Yao Yan swept his gaze over the two trembling men on the floor, his voice icy. "Your lives are in her hands. If you want to live, confess honestly!"

The two Black-clad Men scrambled to their knees and repeatedly kowtowed to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Second Miss, spare us! Second Miss, spare our lives!"