Watching the Dark Guild members withdraw, Xiao Tianhao and Nie Li had no intention of pursuing them.
Both sides had suffered heavy losses, and the two of them simply had no strength left to give chase.
After cleaning up the scene and collecting all the Dark Guild members' Space Rings,
the two began making their way back to Glory City.
The moment they stepped into Glory City, both breathed a sigh of relief.
They released their Demon Spirit fusions and returned to their original appearances. Xiao Tianhao and Nie Li both bore numerous injuries, with traces of blood seeping from the corners of their mouths. Their clothes had been torn to tatters in the fighting, leaving them looking like beggars.
Xiao Tianhao cupped his fist toward Nie Li and solemnly thanked him.
"Thank you, Nie Li."
Nie Li smiled and waved a hand.
"We're brothers. No need to stand on ceremony."
A faint smile appeared on Xiao Tianhao's solemn face, and he nodded.
After asking Nie Li exactly where Xiao Ning'er was, the two said their goodbyes.
A full moon hung high in the sky.
Laughter filled the Winged Dragon Family estate.
Naturally, this was because the family head, Xiao Yunfeng, was overjoyed that his daughter, Xiao Ning'er, had been rescued and brought home safely. He had rewarded every maid and servant in the household.
The maids and servants were naturally delighted, and they chatted excitedly.
Xiao Ning'er's disappearance had cast a heavy pall over the entire household. Now that their young mistress had returned safely, the atmosphere had eased, and they could not help discussing it in low voices.
Several maids dressed in pale green stood whispering together.
A cute maid with a round little face and a pair of dimples said enviously, "Our young mistress is so lucky to have found a man who loves her as much as our young master-in-law does."
Another maid, a little less pretty, chimed in.
"Isn't she? I heard that when our young mistress went missing, our young master-in-law rushed off to look for her without stopping to rest. From how anxious he was, he must love her deeply."
"Yes, our young mistress only came back safely because our young master-in-law risked his life to rescue her. I heard he still hasn't returned."
"I'm so jealous. When will I meet my destined prince?" one maid said, clasping her hands together in hopeful anticipation.
Several male servants curled their lips.
One of them said, "What kind of sweet dream are you having? Only young ladies from noble families get that kind of treatment. Stop clinging to such unrealistic fantasies."
Another male servant straightened his clothes and addressed the maid.
"Exactly. Instead of dreaming about that, why not consider me? I'm not bad myself. I'm almost a Bronze Rank fighter, and among ordinary people, I'm quite handsome and dashing." When he finished, he even slicked back his hair, trying to look cool.
Looking at these male servants, the maid's expression instantly darkened, and she snapped,
"Get lost!"
The men laughed sheepishly and ran off.
The maids continued their conversation.
Meanwhile, in Xiao Ning'er's courtyard.
Inside the courtyard pavilion, a beautiful girl sat on a stone chair, wearing a pale yellow dress. Her hair was arranged in a bun secured with an exquisite golden hair ornament. With her chin resting in her hands, her face was filled with worry. Moonlight fell upon her, lending her an air of cool loneliness.
Beside her stood a girl in a pink, fitted-waist dress, its hem embroidered with clusters of pale white daisies. Her hair was styled in twin buns, and her plump cheeks had a natural rosy blush. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents, making her look lively and adorable. She was Xiao Ning'er's personal maid-Little Bell.
The little maid was chattering endlessly at Xiao Ning'er's side, trying to comfort her.
"Young mistress, don't worry. Go back to your room and rest. Young master-in-law will definitely come back safely."
"Besides, worrying won't help, young mistress. When it's time for young master-in-law to return, he'll come back!"
"Little Bell, go back to your room first. I'd like some quiet," Xiao Ning'er said with a helpless sigh, feeling somewhat irritated.
Her little maid was good in every way, except that she loved to chatter.
After Little Bell left, Xiao Ning'er propped her chin in her hands again and fretted.
Some time passed.
Outside the Winged Dragon Family's main gates.
Several guards looked at the ragged beggar before them and nearly drove him away. Fortunately, one recognized Xiao Tianhao in time, averting an embarrassing misunderstanding.
He entered the Winged Dragon Family estate, where a maid led him to a guest room. After changing into fresh clothes, he headed toward Xiao Ning'er's courtyard.
As he walked, he thought about what Nie Li had told him. Ning'er had merely been rendered unconscious and had suffered no serious harm. After so much time, she should have woken up by now, right?
He pushed open the gate and entered the courtyard.
"Ning'er~"
The sudden sound of Xiao Tianhao's voice snapped Xiao Ning'er out of her daze.
Seeing that Xiao Tianhao had returned safely, her worried face immediately blossomed into a radiant smile.
Her father had told her that the Dark Guild had abducted her to threaten Xiao Tianhao. Later, Xiao Tianhao and Nie Li had rescued her together.
Xiao Tianhao had then asked Nie Li to bring her home. When she was brought back, Xiao Tianhao was still fighting the Dark Guild members.
Although she did not know how many people the Dark Guild had sent against Xiao Tianhao, she knew there must have been plenty of powerful fighters among them.
Thus, when she woke and learned that Xiao Tianhao was still surrounded, she was terribly worried and wanted nothing more than to rush out and help him.
But her father had stopped her. He had persuaded her to give up the idea, arguing that she was too weak to help and might instead become a burden to Xiao Tianhao. Helpless, she could only wait here.
Yet several hours had passed without Xiao Tianhao returning. She had grown unbearably anxious and hated her own helplessness even more. Just as she could no longer resist going out to search for him, she heard a familiar voice.
She turned her head, and there he was-the person she had been longing for.
Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept toward Xiao Tianhao, and a beautiful figure landed in his arms. He could not help holding her tightly.
After holding her for a dozen or so seconds,
Xiao Tianhao loosened his arms, intending to ask how Xiao Ning'er was feeling, when he suddenly felt a cool dampness against the clothes over his chest.
He looked down and saw that she was crying.
Xiao Tianhao wiped away her tears and asked, "What's wrong, Ning'er?"
Xiao Ning'er lifted her delicate, tearful face, looked at Xiao Tianhao, and replied,
"Tianhao, am I completely useless? Every time, I have to trouble you to help me."
"Even going home this time, something went wrong, and you had to risk your life to rescue me."
"I really am..." Her tears began flowing even faster.
"Will you get tired of me and stop wanting me?"
Hearing this, Xiao Tianhao did not know whether to laugh or cry. He comforted her, "Of course not! Silly girl~"
"Actually, you only ran into the Dark Guild this time because of me. I was worried you'd blame me for getting you captured."
"Ning'er, you don't blame me, do you?" As he spoke, he put on a pitiful expression.
His expression made Xiao Ning'er burst into laughter.
"There, since when did our academy's strong ice goddess turn into a little crybaby? If anyone found out, they'd laugh themselves to death."
Seeing Xiao Ning'er laugh, Xiao Tianhao could not help ruffling her hair.
Embarrassed by his words, Xiao Ning'er lowered her head.
Now that she thought about it, ever since she had met Xiao Tianhao, her personality had slowly been changing. She was becoming more and more like a young girl.
She knew it was because, with Xiao Tianhao in her life, she had someone to lean on. The pressure on her shoulders had suddenly eased. She no longer had to rely on herself for everything, nor did she need to hide her truest feelings.
With that thought, she raised her head to look at Xiao Tianhao and thought to herself.
~Thank you, Tianhao. You're the one who lit up my life.
~No matter what the future holds, even if my body is shattered and my bones ground to dust, I will stay by your side.
(Please, my clever, kind, beautiful, and handsome readers, give this story a follow and tap the update reminder. If possible, send some free "Generate Power with Love" gifts.)
(Could you write some reviews for this book? They really mean a lot to the author!!!)°˖✧︎◝︎(⁰▿︎⁰)◜︎✧︎˖°
(The author wishes all you dear readers success in your studies, progress at work, a happy family, and joy every day.)
Before you continue