"We can leave, but that depends on whether the Zhu Family will let us."
Commander Zhu raised a hand to quiet the commotion behind him. The last trace of courtesy vanished from his face.
Torches closed in from both sides of the forest path. Wet mud squelched beneath their boots, and the Zhu Family Crests swayed in the firelight, glaringly bright.
Tang San stood between the Seven Treasures Guard and the Zhu Family pursuers. His sleeves hung at his sides. Blue Silver Grass had just crept an inch from the ground by his feet before he withdrew it into his palm.
Commander Zhu suddenly cupped his hands toward Tang San.
"This young brother understands reason. He knows the marriage arrangement concerns the family's bigger interests. The Zhu Family will remember this favor."
The forest fell quiet for a moment.
Xiao Wu immediately looked at Tang San, the anger in her eyes barely contained.
Ning Rongrong snapped the Seven Treasures Token into her palm with a crisp click.
Zhu Zhuqing stood beside Su Hang. Blood had darkened the fabric over her shoulder, and her grip on her dagger tightened.
Tang San felt several gazes land on him. His expression darkened, and he immediately took half a step back.
"I only don't want this to escalate and cause more injuries. That doesn't mean I support the Zhu Family forcing anyone to go with them."
Commander Zhu's eye twitched. He hadn't expected Tang San to change his tune so quickly.
Ning Rongrong sneered. The light of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda shone across her cheek.
"Tang San, I've figured you out. First you finish saying all the pretty things, then as soon as the situation turns against you, you change your story."
Tang San pinched a crease into his sleeve, but kept his voice steady.
"Miss Ning, you're deeply prejudiced against me. I've never meant to harm Miss Zhu."
Xiao Wu stepped beside Zhu Zhuqing, her toe crushing a broken twig with a sharp crack.
"Yesterday you made excuses for Dai Mubai. Today you're going on about how complicated the Zhu Family's marriage arrangement is. Do you always help whoever's putting pressure on a girl by lecturing everyone about reason?"
One of the Zhu Family Guards couldn't help glancing at Tang San, then hurriedly looked away.
Tang San's expression darkened further, but he still held back his anger.
"Xiao Wu, you've misunderstood me. I just think it would be better to let the people involved meet and work things out than to fight here and now."
Xiao Wu folded her arms, her Rabbit Ear Accessory swaying in the firelight.
"Save it. The injured person is right here, the playboy is living it up in Soto, and you're awfully good at leaving a way out for someone who isn't even here."
Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to Tang San. Her face showed no emotion, but she slowly lowered her dagger to her side.
"I don't need you to understand me, and I don't need you to take me back so I can explain myself."
Her words were icy.
Tang San's hand stopped beside his sleeve.
Yu Xiaogang immediately stepped forward, his hem sweeping through the mud as he tried to regain control of the situation.
"Miss Zhu, Shrek's dean, Flender, may be shrewd, but he values exceptional talent. If you go there, he can preside over a fair resolution."
Su Hang looked at Yu Xiaogang. Lightning slid along the wet ground in a half-circle around his feet.
"While Dai Mubai was living the good life at Shrek, who ever stood up for Zhu Zhuqing's right to fairness?"
Yu Xiaogang was at a loss for words.
A torch crackled, sending a spark into the mud, where it quickly died.
Tang San glanced at Yu Xiaogang, then looked at Su Hang.
"We haven't met Dai Mubai in person yet. We shouldn't jump to conclusions about many things."
Ning Rongrong looked as if she'd heard a joke and held out a hand behind her.
"Uncle Ning Chuan, give me the report from the secret sentries."
Ning Chuan hurried forward and took a neatly flattened sheet of secret paper from his sleeve. His expression was colder than before.
"Miss, the informants in Suotuo City just sent word. Dai Mubai has indeed been seen out with women recently. We have the locations and witnesses."
Commander Zhu's expression changed drastically. He immediately stepped forward.
"Miss Ning, this is a private matter of the Star Luo Imperial Family. The Seven Treasures Sect shouldn't read it aloud in public."
Ning Rongrong unfolded the secret paper, pinning one corner with the Seven Treasures Token. Her voice was sharp and biting.
"Rose Hotel in Suotuo City. Dai Mubai checked in with two women."
Zhu Zhuqing's hand tensed, her knuckles turning white. A cold glint flashed along the edge of her dagger.
Ning Rongrong continued, her gaze sweeping over the Zhu Family pursuers.
"An inn behind the restaurant beside the Soul Fighting Arena. Dai Mubai drank with a pair of twins. The owner and the staff can all identify him."
Several quiet gasps came from the Zhu Family Guards.
"Young Master Dai really is in Suotuo?"
"Then how can they force the Second Miss into that marriage?"
"If the Eldest Miss finds out the Seven Treasures have dug this deep, we'll have a hard time explaining ourselves when we get back."
Commander Zhu whipped around, his gaze sweeping over them like a blade.
"Silence!"
Xiao Wu moved to Zhu Zhuqing's side, shielding half her body. Her voice was even harder than before.
"Now you've heard. You know who sullied the marriage arrangement first."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't look at Xiao Wu. She pressed the copy of the diary through her clothes, then slowly unclenched her fingers.
She looked up at Commander Zhu.
"Go back and tell Zhu Zhuyun that I'll settle the Dai Family's debt myself."
The vein at Commander Zhu's temple throbbed. His gaze shifted from the secret paper in Ning Rongrong's hand to the lines of lightning at Su Hang's feet.
He had pursued them tonight intending to quietly take Zhu Zhuqing back, suppress the news, and preserve the dignity of both the Zhu Family and the Dai Family.
But the Seven Treasures Secret Sentry had publicly revealed Dai Mubai's affairs in Suotuo City. This pursuit had turned from family discipline into a farce.
Commander Zhu gritted his teeth, forcing the words through them.
"Miss Ning, now that you've gone this far, have you considered what this will do to trade between the Seven Treasures and Star Luo?"
Ning Rongrong folded the secret paper again and put it back in Ning Chuan's hands.
"The Seven Treasures do business by the books. Your Zhu Family can't expect to sweep Dai Mubai's rotten mess under the rug."
Ning Chuan lowered his head to put the paper away, his hand already on his sword hilt.
"Miss, the torches behind us are getting closer."
Su Hang raised his hand. The Dark Purple Lightning split into several strands across the wet mud, blocking the Zhu Family pursuers' advance.
Commander Zhu stared at the lines of lightning, his lips pressed into a hard line.
"Su Hang, do you really think you can take her away from the Zhu Family with the Seven Treasures Guard and two young ladies?"
Su Hang glanced at him as if he were a rock in the road.
"You can try."
The brief reply brought the Zhu Family Guards to a halt.
Those who had just been stunned by the lightning were still behind them, leaning against trees and gasping. Their legs were visibly trembling.
Tang San watched the lightning at Su Hang's feet. The Blue Silver Grass in his palm stirred again.
Yu Xiaogang immediately turned his head and warned him in a low voice.
"Tang San, don't get involved."
Tang San clenched his hand, and the Blue Silver Grass withdrew beneath his sleeve.
Xiao Wu caught sight of it and snorted.
"Being neutral is safe, speaking up is easy, but when it's time to fight, suddenly you're cautious."
Ning Rongrong nearly laughed aloud, then forcibly held it in.
"Rabbit, I'm remembering that one."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Tang San, her gaze turning colder still.
Tang San avoided her eyes. His face was dark, but he didn't offer another word in his own defense.
Seeing Tang San back down, Commander Zhu had lost his last excuse.
He raised his hand. Gray-black fur bristled along his arm, and the torches behind him dipped in unison as dozens of shadows stepped forward.
"If you won't listen, then we'll take her by force!"
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