Zhu Zhuqing's Resolve: The Only Thing You Can Take Is My Corpse!

The aura of a Soul King was like two mountains pressing down on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulders, nearly leaving her unable to breathe.

Her body trembled nonstop, but not from fear—from unwillingness.

A two-ring Soul Grandmaster facing a five-ring Soul King was a gap as vast as a chasm.

She knew very well that there was still hope of escaping from a Soul Elder, but escaping from a Soul King... the chances were almost zero.

Likewise, Zhu Zhuqing knew exactly what awaited her once she was taken back this time.

Perhaps her life would not be in danger, but she would certainly face endless imprisonment.

Her sister would never give her another chance to escape. She would be trapped to death in the Duke Mansion, forever stripped of her freedom. That feeling was worse than death.

But this was the fate of women of the Zhu Family.

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

Yet moments later, her taut body suddenly relaxed.

"I'll go back with you."

Her voice was calm, carrying a trace of compromise, as though she had already given up resisting.

Zhu Kai was slightly taken aback, then revealed a satisfied smile.

"It is for the best that Third Miss can recognize reality."

He waved his hand, dispersing the Soul Power pressure suppressing Zhu Zhuqing.

"Someone, take Third Miss back."

Two men in black stepped forward in response.

At that very instant, Zhu Zhuqing moved!

The Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul possessed her in an instant, but rather than rushing toward the opening only a step away, she raised her hand toward her own throat.

"I believe in fate, but I refuse to accept it!"

Her voice was resolute, without the slightest hesitation in her eyes.

"The only thing you can take is my corpse!"

Her claws extended, her jet-black fingertips glinting coldly as they aimed directly at her own throat.

Zhu Kai's smile froze on his face. There was a distance between him and Zhu Zhuqing, and even as a Soul King, he had no way to stop her from taking her own life. He could only watch helplessly as her claws drew closer and closer to her throat.

Just as the claws were about to slice through her skin, a warm hand suddenly reached out from the side and gripped Zhu Zhuqing's icy wrist.

The claws halted less than half an inch from Zhu Zhuqing's throat. She could even feel the cold touch at her fingertips—the sensation of death brushing past her.

Zhu Zhuqing looked slightly dazed as she turned toward her side.

What entered her sight was the face of a young man.

He was about the same age as her, with sword-like brows, bright eyes, and a handsome face.

A golden divine mark rested between his brows, shimmering faintly beneath the moonlight.

He simply looked at her, his gaze calm and profound.

"Why are you trying to die when everything's fine?"

His clear voice sounded beside her ear.

Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at him, momentarily forgetting to react.

What a handsome young man...

Even though she had been bent on dying, the instant she saw Yang Jian's face clearly, such a thought still flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's mind.

But it was swiftly drowned by the surging emotions within her.

"Why did you save me?!"

Her voice became shrill with despair, almost heart-wrenching.

"Do you know what I've been through? Do you know what I'll face when I go back?!"

She struggled desperately, trying to break free from that hand.

But that hand held her firmly. No matter how hard she struggled, she could not break free in the slightest.

"Kid, you did well."

Zhu Kai's voice came from behind them, carrying a hint of relief.

For that instant just now, he had nearly thought the mission would fail.

If Third Miss had died here, he would have had no way to explain himself upon returning.

Fortunately, Zhu Zhuqing had survived.

"Now get lost."

Zhu Kai spoke casually, as though he were chasing away an obstructive stray dog.

But Yang Jian ignored him, not even turning to glance at Zhu Kai.

He merely stared into Zhu Zhuqing's reddened eyes, filled with despair.

"Since I saved you, I'll see it through to the end."

His voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable certainty.

"Leave the rest to me."

Zhu Zhuqing froze.

She could hear confidence in Yang Jian's words, but she had no idea where his confidence came from.

There were five Soul Elders on the other side, with a Soul King leading them. Yang Jian was about the same age as her, and even if he were a genius, he could at most be a three-ring Soul Elder.

A three-ring Soul Elder would already have a hard enough time facing five Soul Elders of the same rank, let alone with Zhu Kai, a Soul King, present.

So she merely assumed that Yang Jian was trying to comfort her.

Seeing Yang Jian ignore him, a flicker of anger flashed through Zhu Kai's eyes.

Seemingly sensing his mood, one of the guards immediately stepped forward, as though preparing to attack Yang Jian.

"Where did this little bastard come from? Can't you understand human speech?"

As he spoke, he reached for Yang Jian's shoulder.

"When I tell you to get lost, get lost. Don't go looking for trouble!"

Yang Jian still did not turn around. Yet just as the guard's palm was about to land on his shoulder, Yang Jian lightly turned his wrist and moved half a step to the side with Zhu Zhuqing.

The guard grabbed nothing but air, stumbled, and nearly fell.

"You!!!"

The guard flew into a rage out of humiliation. Soul Power surged from his body as he prepared to attack at once.

"Enough."

Zhu Kai spoke in a low voice, stopping the guard.

He stepped forward and assessed the young man before him.

Although his clothes were simple, the fabric was good. He clearly came from a family with some standing.

The divine mark between his brows was rather unusual. When Zhu Kai stared at it, his eyes actually began to sting.

Could it be a special Martial Soul?

Zhu Kai narrowed his eyes, seemingly hesitant.

But that hesitation was quickly replaced by confidence.

This kid did have some tricks, but only a few. He refused to believe that a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy, no matter how formidable, could be all that powerful.

"Kid, I don't care which family you belong to. This is not something you can meddle in today."

Zhu Kai's voice was cold as iron, filled with arrogance.

"This is a matter of the Zhu Family. If an outsider interferes, that means becoming an enemy of the Zhu Family. Are you sure you want to offend the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire for someone you don't even know?"

He deliberately stressed the words "the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire."

Sure enough, the young man's brows twitched slightly.

Zhu Kai sneered inwardly, while looking even more smug.

The Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire was a top-tier noble house bound to the Star Luo Imperial Family.

Offend the Zhu Family, and perhaps one could still hide in the Heaven Dou Empire. But in the Star Luo Empire, it was a dead end.

Even if this kid had some backing, upon hearing the Zhu Family's name, he should know better than to press on.

Yet to Zhu Kai's surprise, Yang Jian's face remained as calm as ever.

"The Zhu Family is indeed formidable. So what?"

Zhu Kai was choked by his attitude.

He could not understand why Yang Jian could remain so calm after hearing the words "Zhu Family." Could it be that he had crawled out of some backwater ravine and simply did not understand the Zhu Family's weight in the Star Luo Empire?