Zhu Zhuqing stood beside Oscar's corpse, the blood droplets on her Nether Claws falling one by one onto the bluestone paving, leaving tiny bloody pits.
Oscar's eyes were still wide open. It seemed he still had a Sausage in his mouth that he had not managed to swallow, while an expression of incredulous shock remained frozen on his face.
Zhu Zhuqing's skirt brushed over Oscar's outstretched palm. He was still clutching half a piece of the glazed candy Ning Rongrong had left behind, the crack in it looking just like Oscar's heart at that very moment.
"Taken care of."
Zhu Zhuqing turned and walked toward Shen Lian, her silver eyes glinting with an unusual light in the firelight.
Her fingertips brushed across Shen Lian's bloodstained lapel before she continued, "That fool still wanted to feed Dai Mubai a Sausage before he died. He was hopelessly stupid."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried the exhilaration of finally being unburdened.
Shen Lian planted the Dragon-Slaying Blade into the ruins beside him. The firelight reflected from its blade cast his cold profile into sharp relief. "Dai Mubai's dantian has already been destroyed."
Shen Lian paused, deliberately watching Zhu Zhuqing's reaction before continuing, "Within half a day, I'll have someone send Dai Mubai back to the Star Luo Empire. I believe Dai Weisi will be more than happy to see his dear younger brother reduced to a cripple at anyone's mercy."
Zhu Zhuqing's body suddenly shuddered, as though an invisible hand had seized her by the throat.
Memories surged over her like a tide—how Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi had bullied her when she was alone in the Star Luo Empire. It all came flooding back.
"Dai Weisi will treat him well."
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly laughed, her laughter sharp and trembling. Then she