309. Innocent

Star Luo Empire, Zhu Family

In a quiet room.

Zhu Zhuqing cheerfully put down the fish food she was holding.

She hurried to the table, poured some already-cooled tea, and held it in her hands.

She quietly waited for Qian Renjue's arrival.

Suddenly, arcs of electricity flickered in the space before her, and gradually a vortex appeared.

Zhu Zhuqing, holding the tea, tilted her head.

The disturbance subsided.

Qian Renjue appeared in the room, holding Ling Yuan by the waist.

Ling Yuan looked at the young girl before her, somewhat puzzled.

This didn’t seem to be the love affair she had imagined.

Zhu Zhuqing also noticed Ling Yuan, glancing at her, nestled next to Qian Renjue, curiosity in her eyes.

"Zhuqing," Qian Renjue called with a smile.

Before he could introduce Ling Yuan, Zhu Zhuqing lifted her eyes and softly asked, "Teacher, is this my teacher's wife?"

Teacher? Teacher's wife?

Ling Yuan's eyes flashed with surprise.

She hadn't expected that Holy Son had taken a young disciple behind everyone’s back.

Then a blush appeared on her face.

Since the teacher was Qian Renjue, then teacher’s wife naturally referred to her.

It seemed that standing beside His Highness suited her quite well.

Ling Yuan looked at Zhu Zhuqing with newfound affection.

This little girl was indeed sincere, perceptive, and knew how to speak.

"But she seems a bit... older."

Zhu Zhuqing’s next words made Ling Yuan’s previously proud expression instantly darken.

From a blush, her face turned red with anger, gritting her teeth.

Her hands, which were holding Qian Renjue's arm, froze—she couldn’t decide whether to hold on or let go.

"Pfft... cough, cough!" Qian Renjue almost burst into laughter but quickly disguised it with a cough.

Ling Yuan was seething inside, releasing Qian Renjue's arm in frustration.

"…"

Seeing Ling Yuan’s embarrassed expression, Zhu Zhuqing immediately realized she had misspoken, shrinking back like a quail.

"Ahem." Qian Renjue cleared his throat under Ling Yuan's resentful gaze and explained, "Zhuqing, you misunderstood."

As he spoke, Qian Renjue raised his hand and introduced, "This is Ling Yuan Douluo, your grandmaster's assigned guardian for me. She is also one of the only two female titled Douluos on the continent."

Titled Douluo?!

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Ling Yuan in shock.

She never expected that Qian Renjue would bring such a powerful figure.

Which power did her teacher come from?

There were only a handful of forces on the continent that had a Titled Douluo.

Even the empire didn’t have one of its own.

Zhu Zhuqing didn’t have time to think further and quickly bowed in respect.

"Junior Zhu Zhuqing greets Lord Ling Yuan. Please forgive me, Lord."

"Hmph!" Ling Yuan snorted lightly, gritting her teeth and looking at Qian Renjue with a mixture of resentment, "Your student is just like you, Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing, who was bowing, was momentarily stunned.

Had her teacher made similar mistakes before?

"Uh... haha, children ignorance, children ignorance. Sister Ling Yuan, don’t take it to heart," Qian Renjue chuckled awkwardly, trying to comfort her.

Now that Ling Yuan mentioned it, Zhu Zhuqing's behavior did seem a bit like his at times.

Ling Yuan glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, who had her head lowered, and said with mild annoyance, "No need for formalities. Since you're His Highness' student, there's no need to bow to me in the future."

Ling Yuan hesitated briefly, considering telling Zhu Zhuqing to call her 'sister,' but it felt like she was indirectly acknowledging her age.

In the end, Ling Yuan kept silent, figuring that Zhu Zhuqing wouldn’t dare call her "aunt."

"Yes, thank you, Lord," Zhu Zhuqing responded respectfully, straightening up and offering the tea to Qian Renjue.

"Teacher, please have some tea."

"Hmm." Qian Renjue smiled, patting Zhu Zhuqing's head affectionately before taking the tea.

Zhu Zhuqing gazed up at him, her face glowing with admiration.

The title 'Your Highness' seemed to be used only for royalty.

She seemed to have guessed her teacher's background, but she didn’t ask, silently turning to the table.

She then offered tea to Ling Yuan.

"Lord, please have some tea."

"Thank you," Ling Yuan replied, accepting the tea.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes sparkled with admiration. The woman before her, along with her grandmaster, were likely the two female Titled Douluos on the continent that her teacher had mentioned.

When would she reach such heights?

Ling Yuan glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and said softly, "If you follow His Highness diligently, reaching the rank of Titled Douluo will be just a matter of time."

"Yes, Zhuqing understands," she replied earnestly.

Seeing Qian Renjue's actions, she quickly stepped forward to retrieve the tea and placed it back on the table.

Qian Renjue smiled helplessly.

"Alright, Sister Ling Yuan, Zhuqing, let’s head to the Soul Beast Forest now."

"At your command, teacher."

"Yes," Ling Yuan nodded, putting down her teacup.

As her words faded, a purple-black light burst from Qian Renjue's forehead, and the Evil God’s Heart expanded, enveloping the three of them.

"Let's go."

Qian Renjue squeezed Zhu Zhuqing's rosy cheeks, took her hand, and led her and Ling Yuan toward the exit.

The door before them remained shut, but Zhu Zhuqing and Ling Yuan remained calm and unfazed as they walked right through it.

The Evil God's Heart made them impervious to such obstacles as they strolled leisurely out of the Zhu family estate.

Inside the Evil God’s Heart, Zhu Zhuqing clung tightly to Qian Renjue's hand as she gazed around at the familiar surroundings and the passing servants and family members.

She pursed her red lips and looked up at her teacher's calm demeanor, her eyes sparkling with admiration, and instinctively moved a little closer to him.

Ling Yuan looked around at the architecture, her eyes showing some surprise.

"Your Highness, is this inside the Star Luo Empire?"

Qian Renjue nodded. "Yes, this is the Zhu family of Star Luo."

"The Zhu family of Star Luo?" Ling Yuan thought for a moment, then looked at Zhu Zhuqing and understood her disciple's background.

She must be the unfortunate fiancée of one of the princes.

Was His Highness planning to usurp the nation through a roundabout way?

After about fifteen minutes, the three of them stepped through the grand gates of the Zhu family estate.

The sun was shining, but it wasn’t too hot.

"Sister Ling Yuan, which direction is the Soul Beast Forest near Star Luo City?" Qian Renjue asked, standing at the gate, a bit lost.

Ling Yuan rolled her eyes. Did he not do his homework before bringing a disciple to the Soul Hunt?

Zhu Zhuqing didn’t mind, having already prepared.

She pointed towards the city gate and said crisply, "Teacher, I know the way. We need to leave the city first."

Qian Renjue glanced at Zhu Zhuqing approvingly and smiled, nodding.

"Then let’s find a place to reveal ourselves first. Zhuqing, put on this mask, and we’ll stroll through the streets."

"Yes, teacher!" Zhu Zhuqing smiled brightly, obediently putting on the white fox mask Qian Renjue handed her.