Xiong Shaoqing repeatedly weighed his wording inwardly. To get into the mood, he even pinched his thigh hard before stirring his thoughts and letting words slowly take shape in the air:
[The wind and snow raged. We finally settled into an inn in Suotuo City.]
[Xiao Wu was sleeping right next door. Listening to her breathing, I still couldn't calm my heart. Was keeping her beside me right or wrong?]
[This body of mine was pitifully weak. If Spirit Hall's Soul Hunting squad really tracked us down, I feared I would be powerless to protect her. But how could I bear to let her wander alone through this frozen world filled with wolves, jackals, tigers, and leopards?]
[Forget it. I'll take things one step at a time. As long as I have a breath left, I will never let the tragedy of my previous life repeat itself.]
[Speaking of Suotuo City, this was that Evil Eye White Tiger's territory. Who knew which woman's tender embrace that coward was lying in now, indulging himself and drowning in drunken dreams?]
[I truly felt Zhu Zhuqing deserved better. That girl bore such a heavy fate imposed by her family, traveling a thousand miles and narrowly escaping death to find him, only to receive heartless betrayal in return.]
[The falling flowers yearn, but the flowing water feels nothing. I hoped she hadn't yet entered this filthy city, hadn't yet witnessed the cruel sight that could destroy everything she believed in.]
After writing the last line, Xiong Shaoqing couldn't help shuddering inwardly and vigorously rubbing the goosebumps on his arms.
Hiss, this compassionate old-father routine was simply incredible.
Xiong Shaoqing inwardly snarked that, for these emotion points and cultivation rewards, his acting surely deserved an Oscar statuette with plenty to spare.
Dai Mubai, sorry. I'm stepping on you to climb higher, and honestly, I don't feel guilty at all.
Satisfied, he withdrew his thoughts and flopped down to sleep, ready to greet the generous rewards awaiting him upon waking tomorrow.
Meanwhile, these seemingly ordinary lines, with deadly intent hidden beneath them, stirred towering waves in different women's hearts.
In the room next door.
Xiao Wu curled beneath the covers, watching the diary appear as tears of gratitude silently rolled down her face once again.
Big Brother really was still worrying. Please rest assured, Xiao Wu will never become your burden.
Xiao Wu clenched the corner of her quilt, unprecedented resolve showing in her eyes.
Hundreds of miles away, in a dense forest battered by wind and snow.
Zhu Zhuqing rested against a thick, dead tree.
Days of travel had left her lips cracked and her face pale.
As the passage about her appeared in her sea of consciousness, Zhu Zhuqing abruptly opened her eyes. Deep shock and suspicion flashed through her cool gaze, mingled with resistance.
The Evil Eye White Tiger, indulging himself with women?
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood.
She stared at those lines hanging in the air, her chest heaving.
Fleeing the cruel fate awaiting her in the Star Luo Empire, she had narrowly escaped death time and again.
Deep down, she had always harbored a faint hope about the man she had been betrothed to since childhood.
Perhaps he had merely made a strategic retreat, secretly gathering strength in Suotuo City so that one day he could fight his way back to the Star Luo Empire.
Yet this diary mercilessly tore away that fig leaf, declaring him a coward who lingered in women's tender embraces.
Impossible. However worthless Dai Mubai might be, the blood of the Star Luo Imperial Family still flowed in his veins. How could he have fallen so far?
Chapter 9: The falling flowers yearn, but the flowing water feels nothing?
Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists, her long nails digging into her palms.
She would never readily believe this cruel verdict.
Who knew whether this Diary of unknown origin, these pages filled with pity and indignation on her behalf, concealed ulterior intentions?
Yet the line "the falling flowers yearn, but the flowing water feels nothing" pierced the most vulnerable corner of her heart, filling her with uncontrollable agitation.
True or false, I'll know once I see it myself.
Zhu Zhuqing abruptly rose. Her legs, heavy with exhaustion moments before, now erupted with unprecedented strength.
Facing the biting wind and snow, she became a black shadow, racing madly toward Suotuo City at twice her previous speed.
In the freezing wind, she made a fierce vow to herself.
If the diary is telling the truth, if that man really betrayed me and sank into the mud, then even if I'm smashed to pieces, I, Zhu Zhuqing, will sever all ties with him. I won't tolerate even half a grain of sand in my eyes.
But if all of this is false...
An icy flicker of murderous intent crossed Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
If it's false, if this so-called "Reborn God King" is merely spreading baseless rumors, slandering him and making a joke of me, then even if I have to chase him to the ends of the earth, I'll drag this Xiong Shaoqing out and use Hell Stab to punch bloody holes through him. I'll make him pay dearly.
At the same time, hundreds of miles from Suotuo City.
Amid the swirling snow, Bibi Dong, dressed in a brilliant golden gown, streaked like a beam of purple light over the pitch-black sea of trees.
The rare External Soul Bone on her back, the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings, beat rhythmically, each stroke ruthlessly shredding the ice, snow, and gales rushing toward her.
Noticing the diary's update, Bibi Dong diverted a sliver of her attention to read it.
Reading Xiong Shaoqing's worries over Xiao Wu and his pity and indignation on Zhu Zhuqing's behalf, the iron-fisted Pope narrowed her phoenix eyes slightly, a cold glint of disdain flashing within them.
Hah. A mighty God King, sighing over a mere Soul Beast and a wildcat from the Star Luo Empire. Such indecision, such entanglement in romantic feelings. Utterly ridiculous.
Bibi Dong snorted inwardly.
She admitted that the line in the first entry, "Even if I must overturn Spirit Hall, I will protect your peace for a lifetime," had indeed stirred a faint ripple in the long-sealed lake of her heart.
But now, seeing this man devote all his attention to others, his words even revealing self-pity over his own strength, she, a Pope who had always revered power, felt an inexplicable irritation rising deep within.
You claimed you would protect my peace for a lifetime, yet now you can't even protect a rabbit.
Xiong Shaoqing, weakness itself is the original sin.
Bibi Dong parted her red lips. "I ought to reach Suotuo City sooner and see just how much of a God King's blood and backbone remains beneath that pitiful skin of yours."
"If you're nothing but a worthless fool spouting sweet words, even with the Heavenly Laws protecting you, I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead."
This inexplicably rising competitiveness made the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings on Bibi Dong's back blaze brightly.
As the light flashed, her speed surged again. Like a purple sword, she pierced straight through the wind and snow ahead.
In the imperial palace study of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The warm charcoal fire drove away the chill. Disguised as Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue elegantly held a cup of hot tea as she read the diary.
"The falling flowers yearn, but the flowing water feels nothing?"
An amused smile curved Qian Renxue's lips as she gently blew on the tea leaves floating at the rim.
The writing is rather interesting. It portrays a tragic figure who values loyalty and affection, yet has fallen like a tiger onto the plains, with penetrating vividness.
But would someone who could see through people's hearts and even foresee the future really become shackled by emotions so easily?
A keen, intelligent gleam flickered in Qian Renxue's golden eyes. She set down her cup, walked to the window, and watched the falling snow outside.
Rabbits, wildcats... This so-called God King always seems to be surrounded by these weak, pitiful creatures.
Qian Renxue chuckled, preparing to watch how things unfolded.
She wanted to see just how great a storm Xiong Shaoqing could stir in Suotuo City with those hands that had lost their divine power.
Early the next morning, the wind and snow had just subsided.
Pale golden sunlight spilled over Suotuo City's thick snow, reflecting a dazzling white glare.
Xiong Shaoqing pushed open the wooden window on the inn's second floor and drew a deep breath of biting cold air. Feeling the abundant Soul Power within him, firmly settled at level seven, he stretched contentedly.
Level seven already. At this rate of Tenfold Amplification, a few more days of plucking rabbit fur and reaching level ten to hunt for my First Soul Ring will be a piece of cake.
After washing up, he opened his door.
In the corridor, a pretty figure in pink stood neatly outside his room.
Xiao Wu held a basin of steaming water for washing his face, a few unmelted snowflakes still resting on her shoulders.
Seeing Xiong Shaoqing emerge, her large eyes instantly lit up. Her cheeks were slightly red from the cold, yet her smile was exceptionally sweet.
"Big Brother, you're awake? I went downstairs to fetch hot water. Hurry and wash your face and warm your hands."
Looking at this obedient Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, Xiong Shaoqing felt inwardly amused.
This girl really thinks she's my bedchamber maid. The lingering effect of this reverse seduction is a bit too strong.
He was delighted inside, but his face retained its cool, restrained expression.
Rather than take the basin, he swept his gaze over her thin little pink vest and frowned slightly.
"I'm not blind, and I have hands. Take it inside." His tone was stiff, carrying a trace of unapproachable coldness.
Far from getting angry, Xiao Wu showed a flash of secret delight in her eyes.
Big Brother frowned. He must feel bad that I'm wearing so little and worry I'll freeze, but he doesn't want to show it. He's so awkward even when he cares about someone.
Xiao Wu's imagination ran wild. Unable to stop the corners of her mouth from lifting slightly, she carried the basin inside.
A short while later, the two walked side by side along Suotuo City's bustling streets.
Though the snow had not melted, the morning market in Suotuo City, an important city in the Balak Kingdom, remained exceptionally lively.
Vendors' cries mingled with the clang of hammering from blacksmiths' shops, filling the streets with the bustle of everyday life.
Xiong Shaoqing walked ahead, his old cloak wrapped tightly around him.
Xiao Wu followed half a step behind, her vigilant eyes scanning their surroundings like radar, as though every passerby might be a lurking assassin ready to leap out and harm her brother who had "lost all his divine power."
Catching her battle-ready look out of the corner of his eye, Xiong Shaoqing nearly failed to suppress a laugh.
Passing a steaming bun shop, Xiong Shaoqing stopped and casually tossed out two Copper Soul Coins.
"Two meat buns."
Taking the piping-hot oilpaper package, Xiong Shaoqing thrust it backward into Xiao Wu's arms without even turning his head.
"Eat. Don't follow me around like a starving ghost. It's embarrassing."
Holding the scalding meat buns and feeling their warmth through the oilpaper, Xiao Wu's eyes instantly reddened again. She nibbled at a bun in small bites. What she swallowed was hardly meat filling-it was gratitude brimming to the full.
Just then, three burly men staggered toward them.
Chapter 10: Xiao Wu's adorably striking contrast
The three reeked of alcohol, their clothes hanging wide open, even revealing several hideous knife scars on their chests. They were clearly low-ranking mercenaries who licked blood from their blades for a living in Suotuo City.
As they passed, the scar-faced leader's eyes lit up, fixing on Xiao Wu's long legs clad in white stockings and her lovely, innocent face.
"Well, well, where did such a top-notch little chick come from this early in the morning?" The scar-faced man belched drunkenly and reached out to block Xiao Wu's path. His lecherous gaze swept over Xiong Shaoqing beside her, who looked sickly wrapped in his cloak. "Boy, that body of yours probably can't satisfy this little beauty, can it? Why not let me take over for you..."
Xiong Shaoqing's gaze turned cold.
The level-seven Soul Power within him instantly surged, his muscles tensing. He had been worrying about finding a chance to test his physique after its Tenfold Amplification, and now these three punching bags had delivered themselves to his door.
He was just about to raise his leg and give the scar-faced man a kick that would end his bloodline.
But before he could move-
Boom.
A muffled impact rang out.
Xiong Shaoqing saw only a pink afterimage flash before his eyes.
Immediately afterward, the scar-faced man, who weighed a full two hundred jin, flew sideways like a torn sack and crashed heavily into a snowbank five meters away, spraying a mouthful of blood mixed with broken teeth.
"Who the hell are you to point at him?"
Where was even a trace of Xiao Wu's obedience while eating her buns now? Her long scorpion braid stirred without wind, and her eyes shone with the terrifying ferocity of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast whose reverse scale had been touched.
Fear instantly sobered the remaining two mercenaries halfway. Roaring, they drew the short knives at their waists and charged straight at her.
"You're courting death."
Xiao Wu snorted coldly, her long legs shooting out like spirit snakes.
Bang, bang.
Without even activating her Martial Soul, she unleashed pure physical strength.
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