Unexpected Informant

After bidding farewell to Tang San, whose presence had soured their mood, the group continued their stroll through Star Luo City.

Having just learned that Yu Xiaogang had come to assist Dai Mubai in his escape, Zhu Zhuqing held a very poor impression of them. However, she kept it to herself; in front of Gu Tian, she felt it improper to dwell on other men.

Zhu Zhuqing had changed into a new outfit Gu Tian had specially selected for her. It was a deep purple, expertly tailored combat suit, cleverly accented with a ring of pristine white fox fur at the collar, which made her cold, moon-like face appear even more exquisite. Although she habitually kept her hat brim low, now that she had swapped her oversized T-shirt for this sleek attire, the wildness and elegance inherent to the Hell Spirit Cat were fully unleashed.

"Wow! Look, Brother Gu Tian, over there! They're making dough figurines! And sugar paintings too!"

Na'er pointed excitedly at a stall crowded with children. In front of it, an elderly artisan with white hair and beard was nimbly working, turning colorful lumps of dough into lifelike soul beasts in the blink of an eye.

Gu Tian smiled and walked over, handing the man a gleaming silver soul coin. "Old sir, please make one for each of these four young ladies, modeled after them. Make them detailed."

The old artisan looked up, his eyes sweeping over Xiao Wu, Gu Yuena, Na'er, and Zhu Zhuqing, and he was instantly struck by their beauty. Having worked in this trade his whole life, he had never seen girls so exquisite and noble in temperament; his hands moved with even greater precision than usual.

Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the purple dough figurine taking shape in the artisan's hands, a flicker of longing she had never felt before appearing in her eyes. She reached out with slender fingers, wanting to touch the figurine's whiskers, but hesitated in mid-air, as if it were some forbidden object that did not belong to her.

"If you want it, take it. It's not contraband." Gu Tian gently took her cold hand and placed the finished figurine into her palm.

Zhu Zhuqing clutched the tiny figurine, feeling the faint warmth radiating from it, and her eyes turned slightly red. "Thank you... Actually, this is my first time truly playing in Star Luo City. Before, whenever my father brought me out, it was always in a fully enclosed carriage to handle dull military and political affairs. He never let me touch these things, saying they would distract me and erode the fighting spirit of a warrior."

Xiao Wu, who was biting into a bright red candied hawthorn, heard this and her rabbit ears, which had been swaying happily, suddenly stood straight up. She huffed indignantly, "That man named Zhu Ganglie is too terrible! He's not raising a daughter; he's mass-producing a killing machine! Zhuqing, listen to me: stay far away from that cold home from now on and never go back! There's no warmth there, only rules. From now on, just follow Brother Gu Tian, and we can have fun every single day."

Gu Yuena also spoke calmly, her gaze filled with a cold detachment that saw through the mundane world. "A family that would strip its own daughter of the simplest joys is not worthy of being called a home; it is nothing more than a cold cage."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the companions surrounding her and felt the solid warmth from Gu Tian's hand. The boulder that had weighed on her heart for six years seemed to crack at that moment. She nodded heavily, her eyes gradually turning firm. "Yes, I won't go back. That place... was never my home."

For the rest of the day, Gu Tian led them on a "revenge-spending" spree, weaving through almost every fun street and alley in Star Luo City.

They visited the city's largest underground beast-fighting arena. Although it was filled with blood and gambling, Gu Tian wanted Zhu Zhuqing to understand that in this world of the strong preying on the weak, power could be used for domination, but also for protection. Afterward, they went to a silk shop patronized by the Star Luo Empire royal family. Gu Tian waved his hand, not only ordering new winter outfits for the four girls present but also, relying on his memory, pre-ordering several sets each for Gu Yuena and Bi Ji at the Lake of Life, as well as the two big shots in his Sea of Consciousness.

The warm afternoon sun spilled into the most famous spicy restaurant in the south of the city, and the authentic Star Luo hotpot left the girls with flushed faces. Na'er was panting from the spice, her little face red; even the usually cold Gu Yuena was brought to tears by the heat, fanning herself with her hand. Gu Tian couldn't help but chuckle at their adorable, clumsy appearance.

As night quietly descended, Star Luo City was bathed in the brilliance of ten thousand lights.

Zhu Zhuqing leaned against Gu Tian's shoulder, watching the fireworks occasionally blooming in the distant sky. The colorful light reflected in her Hell Spirit Cat eyes, and for the first time, she felt that the city she had lived in for six years could actually be so gentle.

"Gu Tian, thank you for bringing me out." Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes and prayed silently in her heart: I hope this dream never ends.

Back at the hotel, the night was deep.

Gu Tian had booked the top-tier luxury presidential suite, which included a massive white jade open-air bath.

"Let's go, time for a soak!"

Na'er, like a cheerful little sprite, dragged Xiao Wu and Gu Yuena toward the bathroom. Although Zhu Zhuqing was still a bit shy, she followed with a blushing face under Xiao Wu's enthusiastic tugging.

Gu Tian was left in the living room. Listening to the splashing water and the girls' laughter from the bathroom, the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.

A moment later, a cry of surprise from Na'er pierced through the thick solid wood door.

"My god! Sister Zhuqing, how... how did you develop so much!"

Na'er's youthful voice was filled with thick, incredulous shock. "We're all about the same age, but look, Sister, I feel like... I feel like I can barely grab them with both hands! Is this the bonus from the Hell Spirit Cat martial soul?"

Giggles from Xiao Wu followed, along with Zhu Zhuqing's flustered, slightly tearful plea: "Na'er... don't, don't touch... it's ticklish..."

Gu Tian sat on the living room sofa, his mind involuntarily conjuring images of Zhu Zhuqing's elegant, curvaceous body, which resembled a black swan. He couldn't help but blush, sighing helplessly while rubbing his forehead. "That Na'er, she really is a little troublemaker."

"If you want to see, just go in. They'll all be your little wives eventually anyway."

In his mind, Chiyan's mature, older-sister-style teasing suddenly sounded. Gu Tian composed himself, slowly closed his eyes, and his consciousness descended once more into that nine-colored Sea of Consciousness.

Ao Linxi was sitting on the villa's balcony, swirling a glass of juice condensed from divine power.

"Don't be so impatient! Sister Linxi, they'll be mine sooner or later anyway. It doesn't hurt to let them play for a few days and leave a good impression on the little girl first!" Gu Tian leaned against Chiyan's lap, pinching the two "tumors" in front of him.

"So, you came in here just to mess with me?" Chiyan stroked Gu Tian's face, not at all repulsed by his actions.

"Sister Chiyan, I have to say something about that. Sister Linxi is my big boss; I certainly can't overstep my bounds!" Gu Tian spoke smoothly, though his hands never stopped moving.

"Alright, you need to head back. Outside... there seems to be a group of blind fools, bringing your dear senior brother, rushing this way with murderous intent."

Gu Tian's eyes turned cold. His nine-colored divine sense instantly expanded, immediately sensing the dense footsteps in the hotel corridor. He opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, and looked toward the hotel's tightly shut door.

"Gu Yuena! Na'er! Xiao Wu! Zhuqing! All four of you, come out!"

Gu Tian stood up abruptly and tapped on the closed bathroom door, his tone steady. "Some uninvited guests have arrived. Get dressed immediately!"

The splashing in the bathroom ceased instantly. Within a few breaths, the door opened, and the four girls emerged, trailing damp mist and a few messy blushes. The once-shy Zhu Zhuqing had quickly changed back into the combat suit Gu Tian had given her, but her Hell Spirit Cat eyes were now filled with deep terror.

"Brother Gu Tian, what's wrong?" Xiao Wu clenched her pink fists vigilantly.

"Shh." Gu Tian signaled for silence.

Just then, a series of extremely rude knocks came from the door.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Listen up, inside! We are the Star Luo City Garrison! We've received reports that criminals have kidnapped the Third Miss of the Zhu family. Open the door immediately for inspection!"

Na'er's face changed. Her slender fingers slashed rapidly through the air. "Brother Gu Tian, Na'er will teleport us away!"

However, the usually infallible space rift merely flickered before vanishing without a trace, as if crushed by a heavy weight.

"How is this possible?" Na'er exclaimed. "Space has been locked down!"

"It's an Anti-Air Array." Gu Yuena's expression was cold as she sensed the incredibly oppressive soul power fluctuations in the surrounding air. "The entire floor of this hotel has been rigged by the military with interference arrays targeting space-type soul masters. The Star Luo Empire's army, they really do have their ways."

"Those inside, don't resist, and don't even think about pulling any tricks."

Gu Tian watched the auras gathering outside the door, a playful curve tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Since they want to invite us back so badly, we might as well go along with them. In Star Luo City, we owe the Zhu family an explanation."

"But..." Xiao Wu said anxiously, "They clearly have ill intentions!"

"Xiao Wu, have you forgotten Chiyan's strength?" Gu Tian patted his chest and transmitted his voice, "Never mind these few hundred foot soldiers, even if their Zhu family ancestor came out, they couldn't keep us here. I want to see exactly which old acquaintance is stabbing us in the back."

Although he had already more or less guessed that Tang San was the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, Gu Tian still wanted to see just how far this clown Tang San could go.

"Click!"

Gu Tian stepped forward himself and yanked the door open.

Greeting them were dozens of Soul-Breaking Crossbows gleaming with cold light. Standing in front of that group of fully armed soldiers was a lean youth wearing a black profound iron mask on his face.

The youth's gaze was extremely cold; even through the mask, Gu Tian could feel the bone-deep hatred and the thrill of successful revenge.

Tang San.

"That's him, the bandit in white." A deliberately lowered, raspy voice came from beneath the mask. "Take him, and the girl behind him too—she is the one Marshal Zhu specifically named."

"Take them away!" The leading officer waved his hand.

Gu Tian did not struggle at all, allowing the specialized soul tool shackles to be locked onto his wrists. He turned slightly and gently pulled the trembling Zhu Zhuqing into his arms.

"Don't be afraid." Gu Tian whispered in Zhu Zhuqing's ear, "I will protect you all."

Zhu Zhuqing was limp in Gu Tian's arms at this moment. Returning to the Zhu Residence was no different than returning to hell for her, but leaning against this youth's chest and listening to his steady heartbeat, she miraculously stopped trembling.

"Mm! I believe in you!"