Chapter 56: The Injured Zhu Zhuqing
While waiting for Shrek Academy's enrollment to open, Luo Ling continued to observe the city.
He had already surveyed every corner of Soto City.
Dark crows formed from condensed shadow energy flew through its streets, serving as his eyes.
Unlike the true Crow Shadow Puppet, these diluted dark entities had no real combat power. They could only perform simple surveillance commands—enough to report the moment Tang San appeared.
Sitting leisurely in his room at the Rose Hotel, four days had passed without any sign of Tang San.
But Luo Ling wasn't in a rush. Based on the original timeline, Tang San would arrive in Soto City just before registration began.
As he sipped the fine wine delivered to his room, he suddenly sensed something and turned his gaze toward the window.
Far in the city's corner, one of his crows was watching a girl.
The girl limped along the dark road, a trace of blood on her leg bound with messy black cloth strips.
Luo Ling frowned faintly, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
He couldn't recall meeting her before, yet something about her seemed unmistakably recognizable—especially that youthful face and strikingly voluptuous figure.
Then the name came to him.
Zhu Zhuqing.
One of the future Shrek Seven Devils, escaped from the Star Luo Empire, narrowly surviving her sister's pursuit before reaching Soto City.
A faint smile curved Luo Ling's lips.
High above, the crow circled, its scarlet eyes reflecting the image of the weary girl below.
Only after Zhu Zhuqing entered a small inn did the crow perch quietly on the rooftop.
…
The following morning.
Zhu Zhuqing checked out of the inn, intending to find breakfast.
Her injuries hadn't completely healed, and she had already spent a good sum hiring a healing-type Soul Master.
Having fled home with little money, her savings were running dry. After paying the Shrek Academy registration fee, she had just enough left for food.
With a sigh, she stepped into a small restaurant.
The moment she crossed the doorway, she bumped into someone.
She collided with a tall, broad chest exuding a faint masculine scent and instinctively stepped back—only for pain to flare through her injured leg, her strength giving way.
Before she could fall, strong arms caught her midair.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened. Since childhood, aside from her father, no man had ever held her like this.
She instinctively tried to struggle free.
"Sorry, miss. You're not hurt, are you?" The voice that reached her ears was gentle and soft.
The politeness in it made Zhu Zhuqing pause, freezing where she was.
When she looked up, she saw the man's face.
Silver hair. Crimson eyes. Perfectly handsome features. She couldn't deny it—he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen.
She stared at him for several seconds before realizing what she was doing. Flushing red, she hurriedly pulled away and stood upright.
"I-I'm fine!" she said, regaining her cold composure.
"Really? You seem hurt," Luo Ling said with feigned concern.
He had been waiting for her here for some time.
Now he was certain—this girl was indeed Zhu Zhuqing. She matched his mental image perfectly: the jet-black hair, the curvaceous body… handing such a woman to Dai Mubai, that coward, would be far too wasteful.
"It's just a small injury. Don't worry about it," Zhu Zhuqing replied, her tone calm yet distant.
Luo Ling nodded and didn't press further.
Too much attention would only appear inappropriate—especially between strangers.
He gave her one last polite smile before turning and walking out of the restaurant.
Zhu Zhuqing maintained her composed facade as she sat down, but inside, her heart was trembling slightly.
That brief contact—the first time she'd ever been held by a man other than her father—hadn't felt repulsive at all.
On the contrary, there had been a faint, confusing warmth.
She didn't understand herself, and only snapped out of her thoughts when her meal arrived.
She ate distractedly, lost in thought.
…
Over the next few days, Luo Ling "coincidentally" ran into Zhu Zhuqing twice more.
Once, he even stepped in to defend her when a low-level Soul Master tried to harass her because of her looks.
Though the man had only one spirit ring, meaning Zhu Zhuqing could have handled him herself, Luo Ling still intervened.
They later shared a meal together.
"So, you're also joining Shrek Academy?" Luo Ling asked casually.
"You too?" Zhu Zhuqing looked surprised.
He hardly looked twelve years old—yet Shrek only accepted students under that age.
"I'm just here out of curiosity," Luo Ling said with an easy smile.
"That Shrek Academy claims its graduates become nobles. Sounds like a scam to me."
"They even claim one of their past students became an elder of Spirit Hall. But to be an elder, you'd have to be a Titled Douluo. Shrek Academy hasn't even existed that long. I've never heard of any young elder like that."
His calm, deliberate tone made Zhu Zhuqing frown lightly as she listened.
She had come here believing in the rumors about Dai Mubai's presence, without investigating the academy itself.
If what he said was true, perhaps it really was a fraudulent institution.
"If you're still planning to apply, just be cautious," Luo Ling said meaningfully.
"Thank you. I'll be careful," Zhu Zhuqing replied earnestly.
After their meal, they left the restaurant together.
Luo Ling watched as she walked toward a quiet forest outside the city and furrowed his brow, pretending to be puzzled.
"You're going into that forest?" he asked.
"Yes," Zhu Zhuqing nodded faintly. She had no money left for lodgings and could only find a deserted place to rest.
"You're not afraid, going somewhere so secluded at night, all alone?"
Her lips twitched awkwardly. She couldn't exactly admit she was homeless.
"Having some difficulties?" Luo Ling pressed gently.
After studying her for a moment, he let out a soft sigh, as though realizing the situation.
"Why don't you come with me then?" he said finally.
"It's not safe for a girl to spend the night out there alone. I'd rather not worry."
His voice was calm and sincere, free of ulterior motives.
"Are you always this kind to girls?" Zhu Zhuqing asked quietly.
Luo Ling chuckled lightly. "Only to beautiful ones."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, startled—but oddly, she didn't feel offended.
Something about this man seemed trustworthy… familiar, even.
If anyone else had said that, she would have turned and left without hesitation.
Seeing her silence, Luo Ling took her hand and gently led her toward the Rose Hotel.
And somehow, Zhu Zhuqing didn't resist him.
Only when they reached the entrance did she stop, realization dawning on her.
"This… this looks like a couple's hotel," she said uncertainly.
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll eat you?" Luo Ling teased, his eyes sweeping her figure with a bold, predatory gleam.
(END CHAPTER)
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