An Unexpected Person

Xu Yuan's fists did not pause for a single moment, each strike delivered with precise force—avoiding vital points while ensuring Dai Mubai felt bone-deep agony.

The cocoon formed by the Blue Silver Emperor swayed slightly under the impact of his fists, the fragrance of those small white flowers growing increasingly intense, causing his will to resist to crumble bit by bit.

As the final punch landed on his shoulder, the fur on Dai Mubai's body receded at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His swollen muscles gradually contracted, the "King" character marking on his forehead faded away, and his four pupils returned to normal. He reverted to his original appearance, though his face was as pale as paper, and the blood at the corner of his mouth was particularly jarring.

The cocoon of Blue Silver Emperor lost its support and slowly loosened, depositing him limply onto the floor.

Dai Mubai's eyes were tightly shut, his brows knitted in pain, and his breathing was as faint as a candle in the wind; he had clearly lost consciousness entirely.

Xu Yuan stood up and shook out his slightly numb fists, the blood on his knuckles glinting dark red in the sunlight.

He glanced at the unconscious Dai Mubai on the floor, his eyes devoid of even the slightest ripple.

For someone who initiates provocation and intends to kill, mercy is merely cruelty to oneself.

As Dai Mubai lay dead to the world, a golden aura drifted onto Xu Yuan.

Xiao Wu ran over and kicked Dai Mubai's calf. Seeing he had no reaction, she clapped her hands, her tone full of satisfaction: "Hmph, let him be arrogant! Does he know how tough we are now?"

Xu Yuan looked at the manager hiding not far away and said, "Send him to the hospital for treatment."

The manager, as if granted a reprieve, nodded and bowed repeatedly: "Yes, yes! I'll arrange it right away, I'll arrange it!"

While calling for waiters to carry the man away, he stole glances at Xu Yuan. Seeing the man's blood-stained knuckles and calm expression, he dared not be the least bit negligent.

"Rest assured, honored guests, I guarantee everything will be handled properly!"

The waiters carefully lifted the unconscious Dai Mubai. His limp body swayed, and the blood at the corner of his mouth smeared against the carpet, leaving a dark red trail.

The manager's mouth twitched in distress as he watched the stain, but he dared not say a word, hurrying after them to direct the process.

"Xu Yuan, look at him. Doesn't he look like a stray dog?" Xiao Wu leaned in, standing on tiptoe to watch Dai Mubai's retreating back, her eyes flashing with mischief.

Xu Yuan chuckled and ruffled her hair: "That's enough, don't gloat."

"He deserved it anyway!" Xiao Wu huffed.

The manager approached Xu Yuan and said respectfully, "Sir, we will waive your room fees. This is the key to our hotel's best suite; please, have a good rest."

"No need to waive the bill," Xu Yuan said indifferently, taking enough Gold Soul Coins from his Soul Tool to place on the counter. "Charge according to the rules."

The manager froze, not expecting a refusal, and hurriedly waved his hands: "How could I..."

"Rules cannot be broken." Xu Yuan said no more, turning to pull Xiao Wu along.

The two arrived at the top floor and unlocked the room the manager had arranged.

The room's decor was even more cozy and intimate than they had imagined.

A large circular bed was covered in a velvet red quilt, with tasseled curtains hanging from the ceiling. A copper basin filled with rose petals sat in the corner, and two intertwined glass cups were even placed on the small table by the window.

Xiao Wu laughed as she took her clothes toward the bathroom: "Brother Yuan, don't you dare peek~."

Xu Yuan watched Xiao Wu's back as she entered the bathroom and shook his head helplessly.

He walked to the bed and sat down, the mattress sinking slightly, carrying a faint scent of roses.

The sound of splashing water came from the bathroom, mingled with Xiao Wu humming a tune, as light and clear as a mountain stream.

"Brother Yuan, pass me a bath towel~" The bathroom door opened a crack, and a fair hand reached out.

Xu Yuan stood up, picked up the towel draped over the chair, and handed it over.

Xiao Wu thanked him and closed the door.

Xu Yuan walked to the window and looked at the scenery outside, feeling a sense of doubt in his heart.

Why would Tang Hao let Xiao Wu follow him?

One had to know that Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. For a Titled Douluo, the difference in combat power between possessing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and bone versus not having them was immense.

"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Wu walked out wearing a bathrobe, water dripping from her hair, a rose petal clinging to the ends.

Xiao Wu leaned against Xu Yuan, following his gaze out the window: "Are you looking at the stars?"

"Mm." Xu Yuan turned his head.

The collar of Xiao Wu's bathrobe was loose, revealing her slender collarbone, the petal stuck to her skin like a dab of rouge. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he looked away: "Rest early; we have to travel tomorrow."

"I know." Xiao Wu didn't move, instead standing on tiptoe to lean into his ear, her breath damp with moisture: "Brother Yuan, thank you for today."

Her warm breath brushed against his ear, and Xu Yuan's body stiffened.

Immediately after, Xiao Wu kissed Xu Yuan on the cheek.

Inside the Sea of Consciousness, God King Tang San saw this scene and found it impossible to accept.

This was his wife, yet her first kiss had actually gone to Xu Yuan.

Before Xu Yuan could recover, Xiao Wu had already run to the bed laughing, lifted the quilt, and crawled in, leaving only her eyes visible as she looked at him: "I'll sleep on the inside, you sleep on the outside, okay?"

Xu Yuan, having regained his composure, smiled and walked toward the bed.

The next morning.

After finishing breakfast, Xu Yuan and Xiao Wu took a carriage to depart Suotuo City for Tiandou City.

Seeing that Zhao Wuji had not come, Xu Yuan could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

He reckoned that a guy like Zhao Wuji was likely off whoring somewhere and had no idea that Dai Mubai had been beaten.

If Zhao Wuji had shown up, he would have been beaten by him one hundred percent.

Fortunately, the man had not come.

As the carriage pulled away from Suotuo City, the morning sun crested the city walls, casting golden light upon the dust crushed by the wheels.

Xiao Wu leaned against the carriage window with a blade of grass in her mouth, watching the fields outside the city fly past, when she suddenly remembered something and poked Xu Yuan's arm: "Brother Yuan, were you troubled by something last night?"

Xu Yuan was resting with his eyes closed, and upon hearing this, he opened them: "No."

"Liar." Xiao Wu pouted, "You stared blankly at the window for a long time and even frowned. Do you think I'm a burden for following you?"

Xu Yuan looked into Xiao Wu's sparkling eyes and shook his head: "Not a burden."

Xu Yuan paused, then added, "It's quite nice having you here."

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then her cheeks flushed red. She hurriedly turned her head to look out the window, though her earlobes had already turned a deep, quiet crimson.

The carriage grew quiet, filled only by the sound of rolling wheels and the occasional glance Xiao Wu stole toward Xu Yuan.

After the carriage had traveled for half a day, the driver found a spot to stop and began eating lunch.

Xu Yuan and Xiao Wu sat beside the carriage, eating the dry rations they had prepared.

"Brother Yuan, someone is running toward us." Xiao Wu noticed a person in the distance sprinting rapidly in their direction and spoke to Xu Yuan beside her.

Xu Yuan followed the direction Xiao Wu was looking and was surprised to see who it was.

It was actually her.