382. Assassination Attempt

Snap!

Qian Renjue closed the book resting on his lap as Hu Liena approached.

Smiling, he asked, "Nana, how was it? You spent a few days in Death Canyon—did you get hurt?"

"Nope~"

Hu Liena happily shook her head. The moment she stepped into the room and saw the senior brother she had longed for, her heart fluttered with joy. She loved this feeling—knowing her senior brother cared for her.

Without hesitation, she squeezed herself into the small, adorable single sofa beside him, pressing her busty, shapely figure against his side and holding onto his firm arm.

In a soft voice, she said, "Teacher sent Elder Chrysanthemum to protect me in secret, so there wasn’t even a chance to get injured."

"That’s good."

Qian Renjue smiled and placed the book on the coffee table in front of him.

Hu Liena was now nearing level 55, no longer someone weak.

"..."

Looking at the three books on the table, Hu Liena’s face flushed. Her gaze darted uneasily toward the space under the bed. Seeing that the basket of books was untouched, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her senior brother hadn’t seen those other books filled with... questionable tips.

"And your brother Xie Yue and Yan? They’re doing well, right?"

Qian Renjue turned to Hu Liena.

"Huh?"

Meeting his piercing purple eyes, Hu Liena panicked slightly and quickly replied, "They’re fine. They’ve both found suitable fifth spirit rings."

"Is that so? You seem a bit off—are you feeling unwell?"

Suspicious, Qian Renjue raised his hand and placed it on her forehead.

Hu Liena grabbed his wrist and stammered, "N-No, I’m fine. I just... feel a little warm being so close to senior brother."

"Then I’ll sit further away."

"No, don’t! This is perfect as it is."

Hearing his words, Hu Liena clung to him tightly and pleaded sweetly, "Senior brother~ Stay with Nana a little longer."

"Alright."

Qian Renjue leaned back slightly to make it easier for her to rest in his embrace.

Hu Liena wrapped her arms around his waist, her soft pink fox ears popping up on top of her head. Her fluffy tail swayed before curling around Qian Renjue’s waist, resting in his lap.

"Senior brother~"

Hu Liena tilted her head up, her gentle voice tickling his neck.

Qian Renjue frowned slightly and moved her tail out of his lap, holding it firmly before letting it go.

"Ah~"

Hu Liena winced slightly, her face full of grievance. She bit her lip and snuggled deeper into his familiar embrace.

"Mmm—"

"Nana, stop moving your hands around," Qian Renjue warned, his brows furrowing.

Hu Liena clutched his shirt tighter and nodded slightly.

"Mhm~"

"Do you have time tomorrow, senior brother?"

Hu Liena’s voice was soft and warm, her senior brother’s embrace making her feel light-headed.

"I’ll need to make a trip to Star Luo Empire to handle some business," Qian Renjue replied, lowering his head slightly and brushing his cheek against hers.

"Senior brother~"

Hu Liena’s fox ears drooped, but her heart was content.

[Congratulations, host! successfully spreading great love! (Recipient: Hu Liena)]
[Reward: 200 points.]

Moments later, Qian Renjue lifted his head, looking at Hu Liena’s dreamy, dazed expression.

"Tomorrow, you should rest well on your own. I’ll need to postpone spending time with you for a little while."

"Mhm, Nana will listen to whatever senior brother says~"





Hu Liena's delicate body lay limp as she smiled softly, tidying up.


Qian Renjue, holding her fluffy fox tail, used it to gently wipe her mouth.


---

The Next Morning

Star Luo Empire, Zhu Clan's Back Mountain.

Zhu Zhuqing leaned against a tree, her vigilant gaze scanning the surroundings as purple energy swirled in her eyes. She held a Zhuge Divine Crossbow in her hands.

Buzz!
Qian Renjue appeared in the clearing with Ling Yuan.

"Teacher!"

Seeing Qian Renjue, Zhu Zhuqing finally relaxed completely, sprinting toward him like a bird returning to its nest.

Thump!

She flung herself into Qian Renjue’s arms with a muffled sound.

"Haha, why so enthusiastic this time?"

Qian Renjue held her slender shoulders, smiling as he ruffled her hair.

Noticing that her grip on him was unusually strong, he frowned slightly and asked, "What’s wrong? Did something happen?"

"Yes," Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her voice trembling with grievance, almost in tears.

"Last night... assassins came for me. It must have been my sister—it must have been her! She even threatened me yesterday!"

"And my father and mother acted as if they didn’t know anything! They ignored it completely!"

Qian Renjue frowned lightly, gently stroking Zhu Zhuqing’s hair. He understood.

She wasn’t scared; she was hurt.


Hurt by the fact that her sister, Zhu Zhuyun, would go so far as to hire assassins, and by her parents’ cold indifference to her plight.

Ling Yuan Douluo also looked at Zhu Zhuqing with pity, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced at a nearby bush where the ground seemed unnaturally uneven. A cold gleam flashed in her gaze.

"It’s okay. Teacher is here."

Qian Renjue comforted Zhu Zhuqing softly while subtly shaking his head at Ling Yuan, signaling her not to act rashly.

"Teacher...!" Zhu Zhuqing buried her face in his chest, sobbing softly.

"Next time, if someone tries to assassinate you, notify Teacher right away."

Qian Renjue gently stroked her cheek, wiping away her tears.

Though he said this, Qian Renjue was certain—after today, there wouldn’t be a next time.

Zhu Zhuyun would serve as an excellent stepping stone, a link to the royal family, all of whom would eventually fall under his control. He would bide his time until Tang San interfered with the empire.

"Mhm," Zhu Zhuqing nodded repeatedly, clutching tightly at Qian Renjue’s robes.

Growl...


A familiar rumbling sound echoed from Zhu Zhuqing’s stomach, and her face flushed crimson as tears momentarily halted.

"Haha, skipping breakfast again out of stubbornness?"

Qian Renjue couldn’t help but laugh, holding her tear-streaked, burning face gently in his hands.

In a soothing tone, he said, "Stop crying. Let’s fill that stomach first."

"Mhm~ Thank you, Teacher."

Zhu Zhuqing sniffled softly, nodding in agreement.

As Qian Renjue tried to let go of her, Zhu Zhuqing stubbornly refused to release him.

"Oh, fine!"

With a resigned sigh, Qian Renjue scooped her up into his arms, sitting down cross-legged with her in his lap. He retrieved some delicious food from his system storage space and placed it before her.

"Alright, dig in."

"Mhm!" Zhu Zhuqing licked her lips, her small tongue peeking out as she stared hungrily at the food.

Picking up a small cake, she raised it to Qian Renjue’s mouth. "Teacher eats first."

"Haha, alright."

Qian Renjue chuckled and took a bite, indulging her.

Like a little cat, Zhu Zhuqing withdrew her hand, licking her fingers shyly as her face turned a deeper shade of red.

[Congratulations, host! Successfully spreading great love! (Recipient: Zhu Zhuqing)]
[Reward: 250 points.]

Qian Renjue arched a brow, smiling as he looked at the kitten-like Zhu Zhuqing in his arms, her cheeks puffed up with food.

Turning his gaze, he said, "Sister Ling Yuan, come sit. I’ll handle this personally soon."

"Understood," Ling Yuan nodded slightly.

"Huh?"

Zhu Zhuqing, still engrossed in her food, glanced up briefly in confusion before diving back into the feast.