Helen and her party entered Xijie City without incident, and Kekalu respectfully escorted them to a Manor in the south of the city.
Throughout the journey, Helen's pretty face remained gloomy, and she was deeply displeased. In the past, whenever she arrived in Xijie City, citizens who heard the news would scramble for a glimpse of her. This time, apart from Kekalu's people, only a few scattered citizens stood along the road. Even the looks those people cast at her carriage from a distance held no respect, leaving Helen very uncomfortable.
After settling her Personal Guards in the Manor in the south of the city, Helen declined the lavish banquet Kekalu had arranged for her, citing exhaustion. She feared Kekalu would murder her in his castle. She intended to kill Kekalu, but he was no saint either and could naturally take the opportunity to strike at the banquet.
On the other hand, Helen did not want to endure those unfriendly looks at the banquet. She had truly had enough of those contemptuous gazes, but she could not kill people for the disdain concealed in their eyes. That was another reason she refused to attend.
This Manor was a place Kekalu used specifically to entertain distinguished guests. It covered an enormous area, with Helen's thirty thousand Personal Guards stationed around it. Helen, staying in the center, could rest easy about her safety.
A full moon slowly emerged in the dark night. Outside a spacious, luxurious room in the center, more than a dozen knights stood closely packed on guard, while Helen sat alone inside, consumed by worry.
The window opened by itself without a breeze, and a cloud of gray mist abruptly swirled before Helen. As the window closed soundlessly, the mist stopped spinning, revealing Han Shuo's figure.
"You're here!" Helen