Su Hang Powerfully Protects Zhu Qing, A Thunderous Strike Repels Pursuers

"Whether you can leave or not depends on whether the Zhu family agrees."

Commander Zhu raised a hand to suppress the commotion behind him, the last trace of courtesy on his face completely fading away.

Torches approached from both sides of the forest path, wet mud squelching underfoot, the Zhu Family Crests glinting harshly in the firelight.

Tang San stood between the Seven Treasures Guards and the Zhu family pursuers, his sleeves hanging limp, the Blue Silver Grass that had just sprouted an inch by his feet retracted back into his palm.

Commander Zhu suddenly cupped his hands toward Tang San.

"This little brother is a man of reason. Knowing that this betrothal involves the bigger picture of the family, the Zhu family will remember this favor."

The forest fell silent.

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San on the spot, the irritation in her eyes impossible to suppress.

Ning Rongrong pressed the Seven Treasures Token into her palm, producing a crisp click.

Zhu Zhuqing stood by Su Hang's side, the fabric of her shoulder stained dark by blood, her grip on her dagger tightening.

Tang San sensed several gazes landing on him, his expression darkening as he immediately took half a step back.

"I only hope to prevent the collateral damage from escalating here; that does not mean I am supporting the Zhu family in forcing someone against their will."

Commander Zhu's eyes twitched; he had not expected Tang San to change his tune so quickly.

Ning Rongrong sneered, the light of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda reflecting off her cheek.

"Tang San, I've seen through your game. You start with pretty words, but the moment the situation turns, you change your narrative."

Tang San's sleeve wrinkled under his grip, yet his tone remained steady.

"Miss Ning, you have too deep a prejudice against me. I never intended to harm Miss Zhu."

Xiao Wu stepped beside Zhu Zhuqing, her toe crushing a broken branch with a sharp snap.

"Yesterday you found excuses for Dai Mubai, today you talk about the complexity of the betrothal for the Zhu family. Do you just spout grand principles whenever you see someone suppressing a girl?"

Some of the Zhu family guards couldn't help but glance at Tang San, only to quickly look away.

Tang San's expression grew even gloomier, yet he suppressed his temper.

"Xiao Wu, you've misunderstood me. I simply believe that resolving this after the parties involved meet would be more prudent than a chaotic brawl right now."

Xiao Wu crossed her arms, her Rabbit Ear Accessory swaying in the firelight.

"Spare me. The injured party is right here, while the philanderer is in Soto. You're certainly good at leaving an exit for someone who isn't even present."

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at Tang San, her face expressionless, though her short dagger slowly lowered to her side.

"I don't need your understanding, nor do I need you to take me back to clear things up."

The words were cold.

Tang San's hand froze at the edge of his sleeve.

Yu Xiaogang immediately stepped forward, his hem sweeping through the mud as he tried to regain control of the situation.

"Miss Zhu, although Shrek's Dean Flender is shrewd, he values monster-level talent. Once you arrive there, he can preside over fairness."

Su Hang looked at Yu Xiaogang, sparks of lightning sliding across the ground in a semi-circle by his feet.

"During the days Dai Mubai was living it up in Shrek, who presided over fairness for Zhu Zhuqing?"

Yu Xiaogang froze.

A torch crackled, a spark falling into the mud and extinguishing instantly.

Tang San glanced at Yu Xiaogang, then back at Su Hang.

"We haven't seen Dai Mubai himself yet; it is inappropriate to jump to conclusions."

Ning Rongrong acted as if she had heard a joke, reaching out a hand behind her.

"Uncle Ning Chuan, give me the report from the scouts."

Ning Chuan stepped forward quickly, pulling a neatly folded secret missive from his sleeve, his expression colder than before.

"Miss, the secret line in Soto City just reported back. There are indeed records of Dai Mubai traveling with others recently. Both the location and witnesses are confirmed."

Commander Zhu's face changed drastically, and he immediately stepped forward.

"Miss Ning, this is a private matter of the Star Luo royal family. It would be best if the Seven Treasures did not announce it publicly."

Ning Rongrong unfolded the missive directly, pinning it down with the Seven Treasures Token, her tone sharp and ruthless.

"At the Rose Hotel in Soto City, Dai Mubai checked in with two women."

Zhu Zhuqing's hand tensed, her knuckles turning white, the edge of her short dagger reflecting a cold light.

Ning Rongrong did not stop, her gaze sweeping over the Zhu family pursuers.

"In the backyard of the restaurant next to the Soul Fighting Arena, Dai Mubai was seen drinking at the same table with twins. Both the manager and the staff can identify his face."

A few muffled gasps came from the ranks of the Zhu family guards.

"Is Young Master Dai really in Soto?"

"Then how can this betrothal still be forced upon the Second Miss?"

"If the Eldest Miss finds out the Seven Treasures Secret Sentry dug this deep, we'll have a hard time explaining ourselves when we return."

Commander Zhu whipped his head around, his gaze sweeping over the group like a blade.

"Shut up!"

Xiao Wu stepped to Zhu Zhuqing's side, shielding half of her body, her tone even sharper than before.

"Did you hear that? You know full well who stepped on the marriage contract and dirtied it first."

Zhu Zhuqing did not look at Xiao Wu; she merely pressed the copy of the diary through her clothing, her knuckles slowly relaxing.

She looked up at Commander Zhu.

"Go back and tell Zhu Zhuyun that I will settle the debt with the Dai Family myself."

A vein throbbed on Commander Zhu's temple as his gaze shifted from the secret document in Ning Rongrong's hand to the Dark Purple Lightning lines at Su Hang's feet.

He had come to hunt them down tonight intending to quietly bring Zhu Zhuqing back, suppress the news, and preserve the dignity of the Zhu and Dai families.

But because the Seven Treasures Secret Sentry had read Dai Mubai's affairs in Soto City out in public, this pursuit had turned from a matter of family discipline into a joke.

Commander Zhu gritted his teeth, his voice squeezed through the gaps.

"Miss Ning, now that you've taken things this far, have you considered the business between the Seven Treasures and Star Luo?"

Ning Rongrong folded the secret document back up and shoved it into Ning Chuan's hand.

"The Seven Treasures keeps accounts when doing business. Don't think your Zhu Family can gloss over this rotten debt of Dai Mubai's."

Ning Chuan lowered his head to stow the document, his hand already resting on the hilt of his blade.

"Miss, the torches behind us are getting closer."

Su Hang raised his hand, and the Dark Purple Lightning split into several paths across the wet mud, perfectly blocking the advance route of the Zhu Family's pursuers.

Commander Zhu stared at the lightning lines, his lips pressed into a hard, thin line.

"Su Hang, do you really think you can take someone from the Zhu Family's hands with just the Seven Treasures Guard and two little girls?"

Su Hang glanced at him as if looking at a rock blocking his path.

"You can try."

With that short sentence, all the Zhu Family guards stopped in their tracks.

The few who had been paralyzed by the lightning lines earlier were still behind them, leaning against trees and gasping for air, their calves visibly trembling.

Tang San watched the lightning at Su Hang's feet, and the Blue Silver Grass in his palm stirred once more.

Yu Xiaogang immediately turned his head, whispering a warning.

"Tang San, don't get involved."

Tang San tightened his palm, and the Blue Silver Grass retracted into his sleeve.

Xiao Wu caught sight of this and let out a cold snort.

"Neutrality is quite safe, speaking up is quite proactive, but taking action is quite cautious."

Ning Rongrong nearly laughed out loud but forced herself to hold it in.

"Bunny, I'll remember that one."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Tang San, her gaze growing even colder.

Tang San avoided her eyes, his expression gloomy, yet he did not offer a single word of defense.

Seeing Tang San back down, Commander Zhu had no more excuses left.

He raised his hand, and gray-black beast fur erupted along his arms. Behind him, the torches were lowered in unison, and dozens of shadows took a step forward.

"Since talking doesn't work, take them by force!"