Zhu Zhuqing, this is the last time I will help you

Ye Yuan stood there naked: "Teacher Qian Renxue, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Qian Renxue, her face flushed red, replied: "It is fine, as long as our consciences are clear."

"Let me examine your body, A-Yuan..."

Ye Yuan: "Do we really need to kiss to examine my body?"

"Stop, stop! Why are you taking your clothes off!?"

At this moment, Ye Yuan felt a pang of regret for having taken her as his master.

Three months ago.

Star Luo Empire.

"Ye Yuan, hurry up, Dai Mubai is about to be punished." Zhu Zhuqing pulled the hand of a knight, rushing toward the main hall of the imperial palace.

Her expression was frantic, unlike her usual calm demeanor.

Ye Yuan had never seen such an expression in all his time spent with Zhu Zhuqing.

"Sigh..."

He let out a long sigh, his heart filled with bitterness and loneliness.

This is the last time I will help you... he thought to himself.

Ye Yuan had transmigrated into the Douluo World and was saved by chance by Zhu Zhuqing.

Since then, Ye Yuan had worked hard at his cultivation, eventually becoming the Royal Knight Commander of the Star Luo Empire.

He had held Zhu Zhuqing in the palm of his hand, obeying her every word.

Ye Yuan allowed himself to be dragged along by Zhu Zhuqing until they reached the main hall of the palace.

Upon entering the hall, they were surrounded by ministers and royal nobles, all whispering among themselves.

Because what was happening now concerned the alliance between the Star Luo Empire's royal family and the nobility.

In the center of the hall knelt a golden-haired man, his face showing no nervousness, only arrogance and dissatisfaction.

The Emperor of the Star Luo Empire sat upon his grand throne, his expression stern.

"Dai Mubai! Do you know your crimes!"

"It would be one thing if you were just fooling around with women, but now you have actually..."

Last night, unable to bear his loneliness, Dai Mubai had gone out to relax.

After having a few drinks with some of his cronies, he saw an exceptionally beautiful woman on his way back.

Seeing her ample bosom and slender waist, Dai Mubai was overcome with evil intent and forced himself upon her.

Not long after, the woman was discovered by her own family, who then reported the incident to the Royal Enforcement Squad.

It was only then that Dai Mubai realized he had provoked the daughter of Duke Zhang!

Unlike the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire had powerful noble factions.

For the royal family to govern and rule the country effectively, they could not do without the support of the nobles.

Even the throne required a joint election by the nobles and the Pope.

The Emperor of the Star Luo Empire knew he had to handle this well, or it would shake the stability of the relationship between the royal family and the nobility.

Dai Mubai looked up and roared: "I already told you, it wasn't me!"

He wasn't afraid, because he hadn't let the daughter of the Zhang family see his face at the time.

The only reason they had caught him was because the woman had seen his back as he left, and because his cronies had snitched on him.

Now, all he had to do was deny it.

There was still a chance to turn things around; he was waiting, waiting for Zhu Zhuqing to bring that simp Ye Yuan over.

After all, that simp obeyed his fiancée's every word, and his build happened to be quite similar to his own.

"How can you justify such behavior to the Zhu Family! How can you justify it to Zhu Zhuqing!?"

"Hmph!"

"Guards, take him away and demote him to a commoner!"

He had to provide an explanation to the Zhang family and Zhu Zhuqing's family; after all, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had been betrothed since they were children.

Dai Mubai's pupils constricted; this time, he was truly afraid.

Damn it, why isn't he here yet!?

He did not want to become a commoner; the mere thought of that status disgusted him!

Just as the soldiers reached Dai Mubai, a woman's voice rang out.

"Wait a moment!"

"Wait!"

Everyone saw a woman with a fiery figure dressed in a black bodysuit appear.

It was Zhu Zhuqing, who had rushed over in a hurry, with Ye Yuan in tow behind her.

"Mubai is innocent! The real culprit is the Royal Knight Commander!"

The eyes of the entire crowd turned toward the two of them, and Ye Yuan instantly became the target of everyone's scrutiny.

The Emperor of the Star Luo Empire looked down at Zhu Zhuqing below the stage.

He said, "Zhuqing, do not act recklessly. He is my Royal Knight Commander; do not make excuses for this scoundrel."

On the surface, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire was absolving Ye Yuan, but in reality, he wanted the Royal Knight Commander standing before him to take the blame.

Zhu Zhuqing felt nervous and anxious, suddenly unable to speak.

She turned her head to look at Ye Yuan and said, "Ye Yuan, say something!"

Ye Yuan felt a bit dazed at this moment.

He couldn't help but think of his past with Zhu Zhuqing.

Back then, Zhu Zhuqing had said to Ye Yuan, "Ye Yuan, when I become Empress in the future, I will make you my personal knight."

"Ye Yuan, could you help me comb my hair?"

"Ye Yuan, you are so gentle."

"Ye Yuan, will you always protect me?"

"Ye Yuan, will you marry me when you grow up..."

The Ye Yuan of that time had replied, "I will, I will, just wait for me!"

Afterward, he worked hard to become stronger and became a Royal Knight.

At his current age, he had even become a level 30 Spirit Master!

One must know that reaching this level of strength at his age meant that becoming a Title Douluo was inevitable.

Furthermore, over the years, he had cultivated many geniuses.

He had invented many Soul Tools.

These had allowed the empire's strength to advance by leaps and bounds.

Even ordinary people could trade blows with Spirit Masters by relying on Soul Tools.

However, because of that promise to "always protect her" he had made to Zhu Zhuqing back then.

And because of the debt of saving his life.

He had remained obscure, never causing waves between the two empires.

In truth, he had really thought he would be with Zhu Zhuqing back then.

He had hoped to grow old with her in this world.

But when a certain man arrived, everything changed.

The royal family and the nobility entered into a marriage alliance.

Dai Mubai came to Zhu Zhuqing's side.

He didn't know what was so good about Dai Mubai.

Compared to himself, aside from having a royal status, he had almost no redeeming qualities.

Yet, Zhu Zhuqing had gradually drifted away from him.

Every time Dai Mubai caused trouble, he would go to Zhu Zhuqing.

And Zhu Zhuqing would come to him to take the blame.

Over these years, his reputation in the empire had become increasingly foul.

Ye Yuan stared blankly at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Zhuqing, this is a capital offense."

"Even though I once saved the life of the Head of the Zhang Family, I might still not be able to escape death."

The reason Zhu Zhuqing thought of Ye Yuan first was that Ye Yuan had once accidentally saved the life of the Head of the Zhang Family.

"Besides, this is a mistake he committed himself."

"Why should I be the one to take the fall?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was instantly displeased.

One must know that in the past, whenever she asked for anything, Ye Yuan would never refuse.

But this time, he actually dared to question her.

"Ye Yuan, Mubai is incapable of doing such a thing!"

"Even if he does have some bad habits."

Ye Yuan felt a sour ache in his heart.

The decade-long bond between him and Zhu Zhuqing could not even compare to the three months she had spent with Dai Mubai.

This situation was different from all the ones before.

This was a matter of life and death!

Still unwilling to give up, Ye Yuan asked, "This is a capital offense; are you really going to make me take the fall?"

Zhu Zhuqing urged him anxiously, "Hurry up, Brother Mubai's knees are almost hurting from kneeling!"

"Heh..." Ye Yuan let out a helpless, bitter laugh.

"Let's just consider this the fulfillment of the promise I made to you back then..." he said slowly.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes turned red with anxiety.

"What promise? Just save Mubai!"

"Consider it as you repaying the debt of gratitude for when I saved your life."

The last shred of hope in Ye Yuan's heart was extinguished.

He couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself, Ye Yuan, oh Ye Yuan, she has long since forgotten even the promises of the past.

And here you are, still silently giving everything.

Now, she even wants your life in exchange for Dai Mubai, whom she has known for barely three months.

Why? Why is it that no matter how hard I try, I still can't change any of this?

He knew that in the world without him, Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai were destined to be a pair.

But he had thought that through his own efforts and his sincere heart for Zhu Zhuqing, he would surely change the original course of history.

It seemed, however, that he had been too naive.

He walked to Zhu Zhuqing's side and whispered, "Zhu Zhuqing, this is the last time I will help you."

Ye Yuan took a deep breath. "From this moment on, you and I, Ye Yuan, owe each other nothing!"

After saying this, he walked to the center and knelt down.

He placed his sword and helmet on the ground.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The emperor of the Star Luo Empire nodded.

He was the emperor of the empire.

How could he not know whether his own son had committed this act?

Now that someone had stepped forward to take the blame, it could not be better.

The emperor of the Star Luo Empire said, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Ye Yuan bowed his head heavily to the emperor of the Star Luo Empire.

This kowtow marked the dissolution of the bond between him and the emperor as subject and sovereign.

From now on, he would no longer serve the empire.

His eye sockets were already slightly reddened.

He looked up and stared fixedly at the emperor of this empire.