Unraveling Zhu Zhuqing's Heart Knot

Dai Mubai came to a halt, then suddenly turned around. He saw Zhu Zhuqing staring straight at him.

"Let's talk?"

There was an unmistakable refusal in Zhu Zhuqing's voice.

The sudden turn of events immediately drew strange looks from the other four, especially Ning Rongrong. She stood there frozen, a flash of astonishment and panic crossing her eyes.

After speaking, Zhu Zhuqing turned around. Ignoring what the others thought, she walked straight toward the training field.

Dai Mubai nodded and said to the others, "You go on ahead. I'll go take a look."

Although he appeared calm, his heart was beating extremely fast.

After saying that, Dai Mubai followed her and quickly caught up with the black-clad figure.

"Rongrong, let's go." Xiao Wu linked arms with her.

Ning Rongrong stood rooted to the spot, dazed and motionless. It was only after Xiao Wu gently tugged at her that she came back to her senses. She headed toward the girls' dormitory, looking back every three steps.

Oscar and Tang San exchanged a glance. Both helplessly shook their heads before turning toward the boys' dormitory.

When they arrived at the training field, the night breeze was cool.

Zhu Zhuqing stood alone in the middle of the field, her back facing the direction they had come from.

Moonlight shrouded her in a hazy glow. Her black bodysuit outlined a slender yet supple waist, while her long, raven-black hair spilled over her shoulders and fluttered gently in the night breeze, the tips gleaming with a faint silver light.

Dai Mubai walked step by step to her side, his gaze settling on Zhu Zhuqing's face.

Her profile looked even more exquisite beneath the moonlight, more breathtaking than usual. She was utterly beautiful.

In her eyes, Dai Mubai saw a trace of grievance and confusion.

"Zhu Qing."

Dai Mubai called softly, his voice exceptionally gentle.

Zhu Zhuqing slowly turned her head and looked straight at him.

Her large eyes glittered beneath the moonlight, turbulent with intense emotions.

As if she had made up her mind, Zhu Zhuqing slowly asked, "Dai Mubai, can you tell me why you left Star Luo back then?"

Dai Mubai sighed inwardly at her words.

He knew that this had always been Zhu Zhuqing's heart knot. If it remained unresolved, it would forever stand between them, becoming a thorn in her heart.

Since Zhu Zhuqing was willing to ask, she had clearly prepared herself mentally. She needed a step down, a reason that could convince her to keep moving forward.

Although the original Dai Mubai had indeed feared the competition and fled in cowardice, running to Suotuo City to waste away in debauchery, the current Dai Mubai absolutely could not say that. He had to come up with a reason that made sense.

Dai Mubai was silent for a moment before looking at Zhu Zhuqing with an honest gaze. He slowly said, "Ever since I awakened the White Tiger Martial Soul and proved more talented than Dai Weisi, Dai Weisi has done everything he could to suppress me. He has never stopped."

His voice carried a trace of bitterness. "He's six years older than me. When I was still a child, he was already a Soul Grandmaster. Dai Weisi opposed me at every turn, bribed my attendants, deliberately disrupted me while I cultivated, and even sent people to lay traps when I hunted for Soul Rings, nearly costing me my life. So in Star Luo, I couldn't focus on cultivation at all. Every day, I had to deal with Dai Weisi's overt and covert attacks."

Dai Mubai paused, then slowly extended his hand and clenched it into a fist. "You know that if I couldn't devote myself wholeheartedly to cultivation, I would never be able to make up for the six-year gap. Then the fate awaiting me would be worse than death. So I needed to find a quiet environment and devote all my time and energy to cultivation."

Dai Mubai drew a deep breath, his voice growing firmer. "You've seen my situation these past few days. I haven't wasted my time or given up on myself. I'm growing stronger every day. Zhu Qing, I only want to say this: I have never once intended to give up on you. Not once."

Zhu Zhuqing's lashes trembled lightly, and the coldness in her eyes seemed to slowly melt.

Dai Mubai stared into her eyes and said earnestly, "Leaving so suddenly back then was indeed something I handled poorly. I failed to consider your feelings and left you to face those dangers alone. My actions hurt you, and I apologize. If you truly can't forgive me, I won't force you. When we return to Star Luo, I'll ask Father Emperor to dissolve our engagement and give you back your freedom."

Dai Mubai's explanation was filled with genuine emotion.

First, he played up his misery to win her sympathy. Then he proved himself with his strength. After that, he pleaded for forgiveness as if he had no other choice. Finally, he used retreat as an advance. Combined with the pain and reluctance in his eyes, it was practically a killing blow.

After this string of moves, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were already flickering intensely.

As she looked at Dai Mubai's serious expression, all the grievance, resentment, and tears in her heart seemed to have found an outlet.

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stepped forward and threw her arms around Dai Mubai's waist, burying her lovely face deep in his chest.

"I understand..."

Her voice choked with emotion, yet carried a sense of relief. "I won't blame you. As long as you don't abandon me again."

Dai Mubai's body stiffened slightly. He raised both hands, gently placed them on her back, and held her tighter.

Zhu Zhuqing's voice continued to come from his chest. "Although my eldest sister has opposed me at every turn and made me feel terribly wronged, you've given me confidence now. Dai Mubai, shall we face everything together? No matter what lies ahead, we'll face it together."

Dai Mubai rested his chin against the crown of her head and held Zhu Zhuqing tightly. He solemnly unleashed his final move, swearing a three-part oath. "All right, I swear I'll never disappoint you again. If I can't do that, I..."

"Don't say it."

Zhu Zhuqing abruptly raised her head and gently covered his mouth with her soft hand. Her gaze burned brightly. "I believe you. No matter what happens, I'm willing to face it with you."

Dai Mubai's heart warmed. He caught the hand covering his mouth in his palm, nodded, and said, "All right. We'll face it together!"

As his voice fell, Dai Mubai once again pulled Zhu Zhuqing tightly into his arms.

The night breeze swept across the training field. Golden hair and black strands intertwined beneath the moonlight, and fate finally became entwined once more at that moment.

After a long while, the two slowly parted.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head slightly, the tips of her ears tinged with a captivating blush.

Dai Mubai looked at her, smiling with high spirits.

He took Zhu Zhuqing's delicate hand and slowly walked along the training field's track.

It was the first time Zhu Zhuqing had held hands with a man like this. Her heart pounded fiercely, and her cheeks burned.

Fortunately, the hazy moonlight concealed that alluring blush.

That broad and powerful palm gave Zhu Zhuqing a sense of security she had never felt before. The last bit of resentment in her heart finally vanished without a trace.

After walking for a while, Dai Mubai suddenly said, "Actually, you don't need to hate your sister so much."

Zhu Zhuqing turned her profile toward him, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Dai Mubai slowly continued, "She had no choice but to act that way. I was born into the imperial family, and you were born into the Zhu Family. A conflict between us and them was destined. And it was a life-and-death struggle; she had no choice. But she might not truly have wanted to send you to your death. She only wanted you to completely escape this struggle. Otherwise, how could a Soul Grandmaster like you have arrived safely in Suotuo City from the Star Luo Empire?"