Zhu Zhuqing's Escape Was Blocked While Zhu Dashuai Was Away

"Yes, your future wife is beautiful, and she has a great figure.

"But

"according to our scouts,

"she's in a terrible position—

"her fiancé, Dai Mubai, abandoned her and fled the Star Luo Empire alone.

"The clan members who once supported her and Dai Mubai have all sided with Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi.

"Now she has no one to rely on.

"This is the perfect time for us to step in and help her escape that hell."

Bibi Dong was quite pleased with Zhu Zhuqing's looks,

though her talent couldn't compare to that of Bibi Dong's precious disciple.

"Master, nothing escapes you! Your timing is perfect!"

Fang Fan heaped praise on Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong rapped him on the head. "You've learned to flatter me now!"

"I was wrong!"

Fang Fan clutched his aching head and grimaced.

I can't even flatter her?

Their party of seven reached the vicinity of the Zhu Family estate. Its buildings were visible in the distance.

At the rear gate, two guards blocked Zhu Zhuqing's path.

"Move!"

Zhu Zhuqing's voice was cold, and an icy chill radiated from her, warning others to stay away.

"Second Miss! The Second Patriarch is in charge of the Zhu Family's security. He says we must inspect your Soul Tool and bag whenever you enter or leave the estate!"

The guard spoke sternly.

"Get lost!"

A chill flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

She hadn't expected Second Uncle to replace the two gatekeepers with two level-29 Soul Grandmasters just to deal with her.

She was only level 26, which made the guards all the more arrogant.

One of them sneered:

"Second Miss, you're all alone now. Struggling won't help! Even servants like us can stop you. That shows just how dire your situation is—"

Smack!

Zhu Zhuqing slapped the guard on the left and sent him flying.

Bang! He hit the gate, spat out two teeth, and fell to the ground with his head ringing.

Malice gleamed in the other guard's eyes. A yellow Soul Ring settled around his spear,

and he thrust it viciously at Zhu Zhuqing.

The guard she had slapped scrambled to his feet.

Baring bloodstained teeth, he activated Earth Bull Martial Soul Possession. Horns sprouted from his head, and he lowered it to charge at Zhu Zhuqing from the side.

A bull's bellow rang out.

Zhu Zhuqing activated Martial Soul Possession, and her speed surged.

She slipped past the spear like a nimble cat.

Her claws raked the guard's cheek. "Aah!" he screamed.

Blood sprayed from his face as he was flung sideways.

She twisted aside to avoid the other guard's horns, then drove an elbow hard into his back.

"Aah!"

Another scream rang out. The guard pitched face-first toward the ground,

sending dirt flying

and getting a mouthful of it.

"Zhu Zhuqing! You dared resist! You're finished!"

One guard sneered, his eyes full of mockery.

Zhu Zhuqing frowned.

What does he mean?

Is this a trap?

Did they provoke me into attacking?

So they can use clan rules against me?

Suddenly, she sensed a powerful, dangerous presence rushing at her from the side.

She twisted away. A dark blue figure brushed past her amid a howl of wind, leaving a foul smell in its wake.

She had narrowly escaped the sneak attack.

Bang! Out of the corner of her eye, she saw sharp claws gouge five deep furrows into the wall beside her, scattering clods of earth.

Crash!

The earthen wall collapsed with a groan.

A burly, catlike young man stood before her.

His name was Zhu Gang. He was Second Uncle's son, twenty-nine years old and a level-47 Soul Ancestor. He was fast and strong.

Zhu Zhuqing was no match for him.

"Zhu Zhuqing, you've got some nerve! You refused the guards' inspection and injured them!"

Zhu Gang rebuked her sharply, then smiled toward someone nearby.

"Dad, how should I punish her?"

Following his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing saw Second Uncle—Zhu Xiaolie, a level-63 Soul Emperor—approaching slowly with his hands behind his back and his chest puffed out like a proud rooster.

Her face darkened at the sight of his expression.

Damn Zhu Gang and Zhu Xiaolie. They were waiting for me here.

How did they know I planned to use my departure for school to escape the Star Luo Empire?

Damn that father and son!

Or did they just stumble onto me by chance?

Dark blue Soul Power swirled around Zhu Zhuqing, and her face turned cold as ancient ice.

The temperature around her plunged.

Buzz...

Thick Soul Power erupted from Zhu Xiaolie

and enveloped Zhu Zhuqing.

Her expression changed. She couldn't run.

She gritted her teeth and resisted,

but the gap between them was too great.

Every struggle was futile.

She couldn't straighten her back.

Bent slightly at the waist, she stubbornly held out against the pressure, refusing to kneel.

"Why?"

Zhu Zhuqing demanded through gritted teeth, her voice hoarse.

She hadn't expected them to be brazen enough to attack her here.

"Your parents happen to be away. This is the perfect chance to act.

"Marriage between the Zhu Family and the Star Luo imperial family has always been cruel. The winners become emperor and empress; the losers become bones!

"You have no choice, and neither do we.

"We've always stood with your sister. For the sake of our family ties, I'll spare your life.

"Once you're crippled and barely alive, you'll never threaten your sister again!"

Zhu Gang advanced on Zhu Zhuqing step by step as she struggled as though trapped in a swamp.

He could already imagine how delightful her screams would sound.

"You... aren't you afraid my father will take revenge?"

Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth. She hadn't expected them to be so vicious.

They meant to cripple her completely so she could never threaten Zhu Zhuyun.

They were clan members, family, yet they showed no regard for kinship.

Anger and despair swallowed her.

Zhu Zhuqing realized how naive she had been. Some people could be utterly inhuman.

"Hah! Would he dare? The Zhu Family has always been subordinate to the Dai!" Zhu Gang sounded bitter even as he said it.

Hidden nearby, Zhu Dashuai watched what Zhu Zhuqing was enduring, gritting his teeth in fury.

Damn Zhu Gang!

How dare he bully my little Zhuqing!

Dai Mubai may have abandoned her, but she's still my daughter.

I won't let Zhu Gang and his lot use clan law against her.

Zhu Dashuai clenched his fist, but Zhu Gang was acting with a prince's authorization.

He couldn't intervene openly.

He could only act from the shadows and create a chance for Qing'er to escape.

Then no investigation would lead back to him.

With that in mind, Zhu Dashuai prepared to act.

He knew he hadn't been a good father. He hadn't protected his daughter.

But he could help her escape the Zhu Family and this wretched country.

"Disciple, now's your chance to save the beauty... Zhu Dashuai is hiding nearby. He may use this opportunity to help Zhu Zhuqing escape!"

Bibi Dong's Soul Power field covered the entire Zhu Family estate, letting her sense everything happening there.

"Your Holiness the Pope is brilliant!"

"Your Holiness..."

Several elders immediately began showering her with praise.

Bibi Dong ignored them and looked at Fang Fan.

"Got it, Master!" Fang Fan prepared to act.

"But Xiao Fan is only in the fifties. Can he beat Zhu Xiaolie, who's in the sixties, and Zhu Gang?"

"They're capable opponents. This could be difficult!"

Several elders were worried about Fang Fan.

"What's there to fear? We're here!"

"Silence! I know my disciple's strength better than anyone!"

"Xiao Fan! Show them what you can really do. Prove them wrong!"

Bibi Dong snorted, her voice commanding.