Chapter 36: Zhang Lexuan — Come Here, Massage My Feet
If Ye Chen had truly been a man without desires, Zhang Lexuan might've found that troublesome.
It was better when he was a bit mischievous—that way, she'd have an opening to win him over quickly before anyone else could.
As Ma Xiaotao thought this, she quietly glanced toward Ling Luochen beside her...
"Ma Xiaotao, what are you staring at me for?" Ling Luochen asked, feeling puzzled.
"Nothing. Since everything's ready, we should head out early before something unexpected happens," Ma Xiaotao said with a faint smile.
Intelligence had a time limit. If they delayed too long, the enemy soul master leader might leave his base—and their mission would be wasted.
Ling Luochen and Ye Chen both nodded naturally.
"Let's go," said Zhang Lexuan softly.
She had no worries about Ma Xiaotao or Ling Luochen.
Ye Chen, however, was different—she was concerned whether he could handle it.
After all, this mission would involve killing.
He seemed like a kind soul and probably hadn't experienced that kind of situation before. She might have to give him a psychological crash course.
But this was part of every inner court student's journey.
Outer court students focused on training.
Inner court students faced life and death—killing was step one, the most essential part of growth.
If you couldn't even do that, sooner or later you'd be the one getting killed out there.
...
...
They traveled swiftly.
Leaving Shrek City, they made their way toward the Dou Ling Empire.
Along the journey, Ma Xiaotao explained how the Shrek Overseer Corps operated.
The inner court was known under that very name, tasked with overseeing and purging evil across the continent.
Shrek might not directly manage every corner of the world—but wherever evil thrived, the Overseers had both authority and duty to intervene.
Even corruption within national governments could be punished if the Overseer Corps had solid evidence. They held the right to strike, even execute.
Such was Shrek's power and its recognized duty acknowledged across the continent.
Their mission this time was to exterminate a den of evil soul masters hiding within the western mountains of the Dou Ling Empire.
This group specialized in stealing the hearts of infants for a Soul King's vile cultivation techniques—inciting widespread outrage.
That area belonged to a border city, where the most powerful local protector was a mere Soul King. If they requested official imperial aid, the process could take months.
So the city lord turned to Shrek Academy for help.
The inner court's Overseer Corps had only a few dozen elite members, but outside there were thousands of full agents and numerous auxiliaries.
When those failed, the case was escalated to the inner court.
Because this one involved a Soul King-level evil soul master, Captain Ma Xiaotao of the Shrek Seven Monsters was assigned to lead.
Ling Luochen was to provide support.
Ye Chen's inclusion was for training—to gain first-hand experience, to see blood.
...
A few hours later.
They arrived at a small city named White Stone City in the western borderlands.
"Alright, let's rest for now. We'll launch a night raid after midnight," Zhang Lexuan instructed.
"Okay."
Everyone nodded and followed her lead into the city.
Even though her main goal was to protect Ye Chen, Zhang Lexuan's authority in the inner court was absolute. Even Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen unconsciously followed behind her, letting her take charge.
After a quick meal, the group booked rooms at an inn.
Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen shared one.
Zhang Lexuan and Ye Chen each had their own.
But as Ye Chen reached for his door handle, Zhang Lexuan suddenly called out, "Xiao Chen, come to my room for a moment."
"Uh—Senior Sister Zhang, what do you need?" he asked, slightly confused but obediently following her inside.
With Ma Xiaotao, Ye Chen might tease or get close on purpose.
But with Zhang Lexuan, he became unusually reserved.
Her aura was simply overwhelming—authoritative yet serene. And her elegance made it hard to guess her thoughts.
He had maybe stolen a few glances earlier during the trip...
And honestly, her figure was phenomenal—especially those long legs wrapped in black silk that could kill a man.
"Pfft~ Why so tense? I'm not going to eat you. Relax."
Seeing how stiff he looked, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hehe, I'm not nervous, just... a bit hot, that's all~" Ye Chen scratched his head awkwardly, trying to play it off.
She smiled faintly. "Mm, it is a little warm."
With that, Zhang Lexuan casually loosened her collar and slipped off her outer uniform, revealing the tight-fitting inner clothing beneath.
Her graceful figure immediately stood out, the curves perfectly accentuated by the fabric.
Even Ye Chen, usually composed, couldn't help but glance twice.
Zhang Lexuan, of course, noticed—but instead of scolding him, her gaze softened.
That reaction—his brief, honest interest—was exactly what she wanted.
A normal, healthy response.
Not like Bei Bei, that hopeless blockhead.
Back then, when she flirted with him, he'd scold her to "dress properly"—and later even moved to a separate dorm. It had been downright depressing.
"You're really warm, huh? Should I open the window?" Ye Chen offered softly, trying to diffuse the tension.
"No need."
She shook her head, then sat gracefully on the edge of the bed, stretching her long legs. Her smile deepened. "I'm just a bit tired. Xiao Chen, come here and massage my feet~"
"I heard you come from a family of healers. You must know a thing or two about massage, right?"
Of course, that was just an excuse.
She'd noticed him glancing at her legs earlier—and she knew most men couldn't resist them.
Normally, she would have thrown out anyone so bold.
But Ye Chen was different.
A prodigy deserved some leniency—and a little boldness was natural at his age.
"Well, I'm better at acupuncture, honestly. Massage is… only something I dabble in," Ye Chen admitted, awkward but unable to refuse.
Needle therapy certainly wasn't appropriate right now.
So he obediently pulled up a small stool, softly took hold of Zhang Lexuan's foot, and began unlacing her boot.
"Oh? Maybe another time you can show me that acupuncture technique then~"
Zhang Lexuan teased lightly, but her tone carried a subtle edge of nervousness.
She had only meant to play around—but now, feeling his hand on her foot, her heartbeat quickened unexpectedly.
Especially after her boots had been on all day...
Hopefully, he wouldn't mind...
(END CHAPTER)
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