When she asked this, Dugu Yan clasped her hands together nervously, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Gu Qing's profile.
Even Dugu Bo, walking ahead of them, perked up his ears.
Gu Qing looked at the road ahead, his tone utterly calm.
"No."
Hearing his answer, Dugu Yan's heart immediately bloomed with joy. The corners of her mouth nearly stretched from ear to ear.
She clenched her little fists excitedly, feeling that her chance had finally come.
But she had no idea.
Although Gu Qing didn't have a girlfriend, he did have a fiancée he'd fallen out with.
Heaven Dou Empire, Crown Prince Mansion.
A few strands of incense burned in the hidden underground chamber, its fragrance calming the mind.
Qian Renxue wasn't maintaining her Xue Qinghe disguise.
She wore a loose silk gown and leaned casually against a soft couch.
Her dazzling golden hair spilled down like a waterfall, and her peerless face bore a hint of coldness that seemed impossible to dispel.
A shadow slipped out of a corner of the chamber like a ghost.
It was none other than Porcupinefish Douluo, who was responsible for secretly relaying intelligence.
"Young Master."
Porcupinefish Douluo knelt on one knee and presented a sealed report with both hands.
Qian Renxue lifted a hand slightly, and the report flew into her palm.
"What's happening in Spirit City?"
Porcupinefish Douluo lowered his voice as he reported.
"The latest news from Spirit Hall."
"That man named Gu Qing has emerged from seclusion in the secret realm."
Qian Renxue's fingers paused as she opened the report, and her gaze instantly turned cold.
At the very mention of that name, she felt an overwhelming loathing.
That madwoman Bibi Dong had not only called her a bastard, but had even tried to force her into marrying an adopted son.
She would never forget such a great humiliation for the rest of her life.
"So what if he's come out of seclusion?"
"Does Bibi Dong actually expect him to drag me back from Heaven Dou City and make me marry him?"
Qian Renxue tossed the report onto the table, her voice thick with scorn.
Porcupinefish Douluo lowered his head even further.
"Young Master, our spies have reported..."
"After coming out of seclusion, Gu Qing didn't stay in Spirit City."
"He went to Star Dou Great Forest alone, and according to the latest traces..."
"His current route leads straight to our Heaven Dou Imperial City!"
At those words, Qian Renxue abruptly sat upright.
A flash of intense shock crossed her beautiful eyes.
What was that bastard doing in Heaven Dou City?
Had that venomous woman Bibi Dong really sent him to force her to honor their engagement?
Qian Renxue furrowed her brows, rapidly analyzing the situation.
Gu Qing had spent years in seclusion in the secret realm behind Spirit City. No one outside knew how powerful he was.
Now he was coming alone to the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire. He was definitely up to no good.
But a moment later, Qian Renxue's furrowed brows relaxed.
She gave a cold snort, a look of resolve flashing in her eyes.
"Good! Let him come!"
"I've been worried I wouldn't have the chance to put an end to this absurd engagement."
"Since he's delivering himself to my doorstep, that saves me the trouble of going back to Spirit City to reject him in person."
"Once he reaches Heaven Dou Imperial City, he'll be on my turf."
"I'd like to see what makes him think he's worthy of reaching above his station and marrying me, Qian Renxue!"
Qian Renxue leaned back against the couch and waved for Porcupinefish Douluo to leave.
Dead silence once again settled over the chamber.
Ten days later.
The towering walls of Heaven Dou Imperial City finally appeared in the distance.
The bustling streets teemed with traffic, and vendors' cries rose and fell, displaying the capital's extravagant splendor.
They had barely entered the city when Dugu Bo received an urgent order from the Royal Knights.
"Brother Gu Qing, I'm truly sorry."
"There's an urgent matter at the palace that I have to take care of right away."
Dugu Bo clasped his hands toward Gu Qing, his face full of apology.
"No need to apologize."
"Senior Dugu, go take care of your business. I'll wander around on my own."
Gu Qing didn't mind.
Dugu Bo immediately pushed Dugu Yan in front of Gu Qing.
"How could I do that?"
"Yan Yan grew up in Heaven Dou City. She knows this place like the back of her hand."
"I'll leave her here to show you around. Put all the expenses on my tab."
With that, Dugu Bo gave his granddaughter a subtle, encouraging look, then hurriedly rose into the air and left.
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up with excitement.
Grandpa really knows how to create an opportunity!
She quickly stepped forward and stood very close to Gu Qing, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Gu Qing, Heaven Dou City is so much fun!"
"There's a clothing shop up ahead with the best clothes on the continent, and there's also an auction house."
"Is there anywhere you'd like to go? I'll take you!"
Dugu Yan no longer had even a trace of the aloofness befitting Poison Douluo's granddaughter.
She was just a girl who'd fallen in love and was eager to impress.
Gu Qing glanced at the dazzling array of shops along the street and nodded casually.
"Let's just wander around."
The two strolled slowly along the broad main street.
Dugu Yan threw herself into her role as tour guide, chattering away as she introduced all sorts of curious sights along the way.
Just as they reached a busy intersection...
A woman's piercing screams suddenly rang out from the crowd ahead.
"Help!"
"Let go of me! Let go!"
The bustling street instantly erupted into chaos.
Passersby hurriedly scattered to either side, leaving a large open space.
Gu Qing and Dugu Yan turned toward the sound.
Right in the middle of the street, a huge, red-uniformed fatso was making a drunken nuisance of himself.
He looked greasy, with a face full of flesh and beady little eyes that gleamed with lecherous delight.
His thick arms were wrapped around a plainly dressed commoner woman.
Her face was drained of color with fright. She frantically flailed her arms, trying to break free, tears streaming down her cheeks.
But the fatso was far too strong. Her feeble resistance was completely futile.
"Why are you running, sweetheart?"
"Your grandpa Ma has taken a liking to you—that means your ancestors have piled up eight lifetimes' worth of blessings!"
Reeking of alcohol, the red-clad fatso brazenly leaned in, trying to kiss the woman's fair neck.
"Just keep this young master company today and have a little fun. I'll make it worth your while!"
"If anyone dares bully you in Heaven Dou City from now on, just tell them my name—Ma Hongjun!"
The woman struggled violently, screaming herself hoarse as she cried.
"Please, let me go!"
"I don't know you! Let go of me!"
There were more than a hundred onlookers.
Yet despite what they saw, not one dared step forward to stop him.
A few hot-blooded young men had just started to approach when the old men beside them grabbed them by the arm.
"Do you want to die?"
"Take a good look at that red uniform he's wearing!"
"That's the Shrek Academy insignia!"
"That fatso's name is Ma Hongjun. He's a level-thirty Soul Elder, and not only is he powerful, his teacher is fiercely protective of him."
"How could ordinary commoners like us possibly afford to provoke a monster like that!"
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