Just then, from the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest, several figures rushed out of the forest and landed in the courtyard, kneeling respectfully in greeting.
"Young Miss, we're back."
The woman in the courtyard didn't speak immediately; she simply downed her wine glass in one gulp.
"How are you doing with the tasks I assigned you?"
"Reporting to Miss, the Third Miss was chased into the territory of the Balak Kingdom by us, and we dared not go any further."
The woman nodded.
"Well done. After returning to your clan, you should know what to say and what not to say."
"Young Miss, we understand."
"Okay, go back and go find Elder Fang reward. Just tell him that you helped me get rid of those annoying bugs, and he'll understand."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, the leader's face lit up with joy, and he and his men disappeared into the moonlight.
Zhu Zhuyun picked up the wine pot and poured herself another cup of wine.
That foolish sister finally went to find that good-for-nothing... I hope she never comes back.
Just as she was about to touch her wine glass to her lips, a teasing voice suddenly came from inside.
"Miss Zhu, I never expected you to care so much about your family. But... isn't this way of showing concern a bit unusual? Aren't you afraid she won't appreciate it?"
Zhu Zhuyun looked at the face that appeared in the wine glass, but was not surprised. Instead, she drank the wine in one gulp.
Mirror Xiaoming's figure appeared on the wine pot beside him.
"I've done what I was supposed to do. As for whether she appreciates it or not, what does that have to do with me?"
Zhu Zhuyun adopted a cold expression.
"Anyway, this is probably what you wanted to see, right?"
This big cat actually put on this act in front of him.
You're not my sister.
Upon hearing this, Mirror Xiaoming chuckled lightly, "The premise for me to be able to see that scene is that you and that prince can win the competition, right?"
Zhu Zhuyun remained silent.
She didn't think her sister and that runaway good-for-nothing had any chance of winning.
She was about to break through level 40, while her younger sister hadn't even touched the threshold of Soul Elder.
What can they use to fight against themselves?
She stood up, put the wine jug into her Soul Tool, and took out a small mirror.
Mirror Xiaoming's image appeared clearly on it.
"Come on, take me to see what you've prepared."
Zhu Zhuyun remained silent, and under the moonlight, she instantly completed the Martial Soul Possession.
A pair of small ears and a tail appeared on her body.
The next moment, she transformed into a ghostly shadow and vanished from the spot.
Zhu Zhuyun didn't take long to arrive at a small hill in the forest.
The rock face of this small hill is covered with layers of vines and plants.
Zhu Zhuyun acted as if she hadn't seen it and simply pushed aside the vines.
A sliver of light shone from beneath the vines; this was a cave, not a rock wall!
She walked straight in.
After several turns, Zhu Zhuyun arrived inside the cave.
There were several makeshift, simple houses here, and a few women were sitting in the courtyard, busy with something.
Hearing the noise, they looked warily toward the cave entrance, all peering over cautiously.
Only when Zhu Zhuyun appeared did they rush over and kneel down on the ground.
"Young Miss."
Seeing this, Zhu Zhuyun nodded, then reached out and pointed the mirror at the ground.
The next moment, Mirror Xiaoming and Mirror Xiao Wu appeared directly in the cave.
As soon as Mirror Xiaoming appeared, he began to sized up the people kneeling in front of him.
Although the women looked to be of some age, one could still vaguely discern their youthful beauty, especially their voluptuous figures, which were strikingly similar to, or even surpassed, those of Zhu Zhuyun.
However, all of this was ruined by the scars on his face.
Their faces were covered with scars of various shapes.
There were knife wounds, scratches, and even worse, the word "slave" was tattooed directly on their faces.
Mirror Xiao Wu didn't understand what it represented; she just thought it was ugly and hid behind Mirror Xiaoming.
Mirror Xiaoming checked and found there were only five people.
He turned to look at Zhu Zhuyun and asked, "Are they all here?"
Zhu Zhuyun shook her head, then looked at the kneeling woman.
" Aunt Mei, you tell us."
"Young Miss, you can just call me by my humble name."
Zhu Meiyu raised her head, looked at Mirror Xiaoming, and said, "Sir, there are nine of us here... Of them, only six have Martial Soul, and there are three children in the house who have only awakened degenerated Martial Soul. Currently, the strongest here is me, a level 66 Soul Emperor."
"Level 66, not bad. You're really willing to give them to me?"
Mirror Xiaoming pinched his chin and smiled as he spoke to Zhu Zhuyun.
Upon hearing the word "send," the kneeling women trembled, but managed to control themselves well.
"Now that I've already cooperated with you and brought you here, is there any need to ask this question?"
Unfortunately, the royal family has almost no White Tiger bloodline; only members of my Netherworld Clan are here.
Zhu Zhuyun stood to the side, speaking in a calm tone.
Her family was still secretly protecting these clansmen who had lost out in the competition.
Some people had their Martial Soul destroyed, while others survived and even gave birth to children with degenerated Black Cat Martial Soul.
However, they all have one thing in common.
That is, they are all forced by life to live in poverty and hardship.
Although the Star Luo Imperial Family seems to offer exile as a way out for those who lose in the competition, it is far more cruel.
Because nowhere will accept them, let alone give them jobs.
Everyone in the Star Luo Empire knows how miserable the fate of a loser abandoned by the Star Luo Imperial Family is, and how much trouble they will cause.
Even if they wanted to escape to the Heaven Dou Empire or the Spirit Hall, they were often killed in the wilderness before they could even leave the country.
Those executioners were all from the White Tiger Sect Clan, and they didn't seem to care much about the Netherworld Clan.
Their primary objective was to prevent the outflow of royal blood.
This, in turn, gave their family the opportunity to protect their clansmen.
As long as they can escape, they won't bother with the effort of chasing them down.
Although she was saved, it was only because the royal family turned a blind eye, giving the empress face.
The Nether Duke's Mansion dared not go too far, only daring to let them live in the shadows, and even unable to provide them with any assistance.
"It's alright, whether it's White Tiger or Black Cat, as long as it behaves, I'm not picky."
Mirror Xiaoming, this is what he said.
"Don't worry about that. They are all homeless and pitiful people. As long as you are willing to take them in, you don't need to doubt their loyalty."
After all... this is also a backup plan I'm leaving for the future.
As she spoke, Zhu Zhuyun's voice trailed off.
This was a backup plan she left for her younger sister, Zhu Zhuqing... or perhaps it was for herself.