A gentle breeze brushed across her face, scattering the gloom in her heart.
All of a sudden, Tang Yu's handsome, arrogant face appeared in Liu Erlong's mind, beyond her control.
The invincible God of Slaughter who had crushed ten cities and trampled the entire Star Luo Empire.
The powerful figure who had pinned her beneath him and taken what he wanted, yet promised he would never abandon her.
Recalling the shock and intoxication of their union,
an unfamiliar ripple suddenly stirred in Liu Erlong's once lifeless, beautiful eyes—one she couldn't suppress.
The feeling of being conquered, of being fiercely protected by someone.
It seemed...
it really wasn't bad.
After Liu Erlong left, a brief calm returned to the Wuyang Marquis Mansion.
In the spacious training ground at the back of the residence, two graceful figures crossed paths at high speed.
Gusts of wind roared through the air,
stirring the fallen leaves on the ground.
Zhu Zhuqing wore a tight black outfit that traced every inch of her already dramatic curves.
Her long, straight legs kicked out afterimages in quick succession, each strike bringing a sharp whistle as it cut through the air.
Not far away, Zhu Zhuyun wore purple leather armor. Her full, voluptuous figure heaved with every movement.
Her enticing, fair thighs were completely exposed to the air, and each leap and dodge exuded mature, alluring charm.
Tang Yu lounged leisurely in a reclining chair, a cup of tea in his hand.
His gaze wandered back and forth over the stunning sisters, thoroughly at ease.
This feast for the eyes, so full of visual impact, was far more entertaining than tedious meditation and cultivation.
Before long, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
Xue Qinghe wore a gold-threaded robe befitting his status as crown prince. Guided by a servant, he entered the rear courtyard.
The Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire had barely stepped through the arched gate when the scene in the courtyard caught his eye.
On the training ground,
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun were channeling their Soul Power to the fullest, using their respective signature Soul Skills.
The Hell Spirit Cat was astonishingly fast. Two afterimages collided again and again in midair, producing crisp clashing sounds.
Black and purple light intertwined as the two fought to a standstill.
Xue Qinghe stood quietly to one side and watched, making no move to interrupt them.
Tang Yu took a sip of tea, then suddenly shook his head.
"Stop."
At his calm command, the two women halted without hesitation.
They walked over to Tang Yu, glistening with sweat, and stood obediently before him.
"You're channeling your Soul Power the wrong way."
Tang Yu set down his teacup and went straight to the heart of the problem.
"Your fighting style is far too cautious."
"The Hell Spirit Cat is an assassin-type Martial Soul. Its strength lies in killing with a single strike."
"Don't waste your strength on pointless probing and defense. The moment you find an opening, you have to unleash your Soul Power with everything you've got."
"You need to commit fully, without holding anything back."
As he spoke, Tang Yu reached out and tapped Zhu Zhuyun's flat lower abdomen.
His hand slid along to her slender waist, his fingertips feeling its astonishing elasticity.
"Focus all your Soul Power here, then release it in an instant. Don't leave yourself any way back."
The intimate gesture made Zhu Zhuyun's whole body go limp.
Not only did she not pull away, she leaned into Tang Yu's broad embrace.
Her snow-white arms looped around his neck, her breath sweet against him.
"You're right, Master. I'll go try it now."
Her soft, coquettish voice was thick with flattery, enough to make anyone's bones melt.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing to one side, blushed at the sight, but gave Tang Yu's advice serious thought.
There was no jealousy, only absolute obedience to the strong.
The two returned to the training ground and adjusted how they released their Soul Power according to Tang Yu's instructions.
Zhu Zhuqing flashed forward, pushing off with her feet. Her speed was more than twice what it had been before.
A black blade of light cut through the air, carving a deep furrow into a boulder in the distance.
Shattered stone flew everywhere. The blow was far more powerful than before.
Zhu Zhuyun's attacks had grown just as fierce, and her entire bearing had undergone a complete transformation.
Watching from the shadows, Xue Qinghe couldn't help marveling inwardly.
With just a sentence or two of simple guidance, Tang Yu had brought about such a tremendous change in the two women's strength.
His insight and understanding of Martial Souls were truly unfathomable.
No wonder he was a peerless genius capable of flattening ten cities in the Star Luo Empire.
However,
when Xue Qinghe's gaze fell on Zhu Zhuyun again, his brow furrowed despite himself.
After the two women finished their practice, they both returned to Tang Yu's side.
Zhu Zhuyun even plopped down on the edge of his reclining chair, pressing her ample, fair thigh tightly against him.
More than half her body rested against the man, her movements intimate to the extreme.
Her bewitching eyes made no attempt to conceal their alluring invitation.
Even Zhu Zhuqing, usually so aloof, was now kneeling obediently beside him, massaging Tang Yu's legs.
The sight pierced Xue Qinghe's heart.
A sour jealousy spread through his chest.
Even he found it strange. He was the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, after all.
Why was he getting jealous over a few women?
But the scene was simply too grating. He felt so unsettled that he wanted to march over and pull those two women away.
Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before striding forward.
"Prince Wuyang, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself."
"With such stunning beauties by your side, enjoying the blessings of a man with many wives—I have to admit, even I'm a little envious."
"..."
Hearing the voice, Tang Yu turned his head and looked at Xue Qinghe.
He wasn't particularly surprised by the Crown Prince's arrival.
"Your Highness, to what do I owe the honor?"
Tang Yu didn't even shift in his seat. He simply let Zhu Zhuyun remain nestled against him.
His tone was casual, without the slightest trace of the formality expected between a subject and his sovereign.
Xue Qinghe glanced at the two women and deliberately lowered his voice.
"This concerns my father. There are some things I'd like to discuss with Prince Wuyang in private."
At that, Tang Yu gave Zhu Zhuyun a light pat on the bottom, signaling for the two women to leave.
The springy sensation made Zhu Zhuyun's cheeks redden further. She obediently stepped aside.
Tang Yu then rose and pointed toward the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
"Come on. Let's talk over there."
The two walked side by side along the wooden walkway and sat down in the pavilion at the lake's center.
The water around them was clear, and a gentle breeze swept by. It was a good place for a conversation.
As soon as they sat down, Xue Qinghe got straight to the point, dropping his earlier pleasantries.
"Prince Wuyang, do you really think my father bestowed a title and granted you the Northwest Three Provinces purely to reward your achievements?"
Tang Yu leaned back in his chair, his expression calm as he looked at the other man.
Not a trace of emotion showed on his handsome face. He simply waited for Xue Qinghe to continue.
"What do you mean?"
"Your Highness."
"Could there be some other reason?"