"Don't be so sad; things aren't as dire as you imagine," Wang Zhong said gently, stroking Zhu Zhuqing's head.
Although the matter of the Zhu sisters was only briefly mentioned, Wang Zhong had a general idea. Many within the Zhu family had likely reached their limit enduring the so-called family rules and destiny, and had secretly begun plotting a solution, or rather, a reform. Zhu Yaning, the head of the Zhu family, was among them.
However, there was only one reason why no change had occurred: powerlessness.
Considering this, the person or force capable of rendering Zhu Yaning powerless, forcing her to stage a scene for Zhu Zhuqing's escape, could only be one of two.
Firstly, within the Zhu family itself. Although Zhu Yaning held the esteemed position of family head, many matters were not under her control. Upon deeper reflection, she might merely be a puppet, with individuals within the Zhu family possessing far greater power and influence than her. kuAiδugg
Secondly, the imperial Dai family. To maintain their rule and ensure the existence of the formidable martial soul fusion skill, Netherworld White Tiger, the Dai family used royal authority to compel the Zhu family's obedience.
Both reasons, at their root, stemmed from one point: weakness, or rather, a lack of supporters and powerful backing.
Thinking thus, Wang Zhong's brow twitched. Zhu Yaning seemed to have guessed his identity!
"Zhuqing, you fled Star Luo to here, were you heading anywhere in particular?" Wang Zhong needed some information to confirm his speculation.
"To Spirit City!" Zhu Zhuqing's nature was always resilient. After a moment, she suppressed her inner pain, wiped away her tears, and replied with firm resolve, "To Spirit City!"
"What are you going there for? Do you have any acquaintances there?"
This question made Zhu Zhuqing look at Wang Zhong with a hint of confusion. She pursed her lips and said, "Mother mentioned it briefly, saying the Spirit Hall is powerful, and even the Zhu family would not dare to act presumptuously there."
"That's why I thought of coming to Spirit Hall's holy city."
In reality, her mother's words were not exactly this. Zhu Zhuiya had once said, "You four sisters are all irredeemably foolish, played like puppets in the palm of someone's hand. That Wang Zhong clearly has deep ties with the Spirit Hall and an unusual background."
"For you to actually… to such a person…"
She had remembered these few sentences for a long time.
Zhu Zhuqing's words made Wang Zhong feel a little surprised, as he sensed she was not entirely truthful. He didn't see any reason for her to lie about this.
Moreover, her gaze was peculiar, much like the woman who had stayed by his side in the Slaughter City sometimes looked at him.
"In that case, I roughly understand your mother's intentions," Wang Zhong mused, reaching a conclusion: Zhu Yaning intended to lead the entire Zhu family away from Star Dou and towards Spirit City, with Zhu Zhuqing acting as a vanguard and a statement of intent.
But why? Why Spirit Hall? Couldn't Heaven Dou or the Upper Three Sects suffice?
The answers to these questions led Wang Zhong to the same conclusion: Zhu Yaning had guessed his identity and revealed it to Zhu Zhuqing, which led to the latter's decision to go to Spirit City.
A silence fell between them. After such a long absence, Zhu Zhuqing was no longer the naive child who used to cling to Wang Zhong. She had grown considerably and possessed her own pride.
As for Wang Zhong, he was unsure of what to say. The little girl he first met was no longer someone he could hold, play with, and chat with so casually. The boundaries between men and women, unless one was exceptionally close, needed to be observed.
"You should rest for a while and adjust your spirit power. Once you've fully recovered, we can set off," Wang Zhong suggested after about ten breaths.
"Alright," Zhu Zhuqing didn't refuse. She immediately sat down cross-legged on the ground, circulated her spirit power, and adjusted her condition.
Time ticked by. After about a quarter of an hour, Zhu Zhuqing finished her adjustments and stood up from the ground. She pursed her lips, looking at Wang Zhong's back, her eyes complex yet tinged with joy. However, these expressions lasted only for a fleeting moment before being deeply suppressed.
"I've adjusted. Then let's go."
As she spoke, Wang Zhong turned around and spread his arms towards Zhu Zhuqing, gesturing for her to embrace him.
This action stunned Zhu Zhuqing for a moment, and then a blush spread across her pretty face. She stammered, "Wh-what are you doing!"
"Oh, I forgot."
Seeing the blush on the young girl's face, Wang Zhong immediately reacted. His crimson Asura God Wings unfolded behind him, exuding a profound and imposing aura, and he explained, "I have flight-type external spirit bones. I can take you and fly us away from here to Spirit City as quickly as possible."
"Th-this way!" The tension in her heart subtly eased, mixed with a trace of inexplicable disappointment. Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists, her voice low as she subconsciously replied.
"Hmm? Look at my brain. I forgot that Zhuqing has grown up and is a beautiful young lady."
"It is indeed a bit awkward to embrace me."
Wang Zhong lightly tapped his head. He had just realized she had grown up, and now he forgot again. This was truly unacceptable.
"No, I didn't say it's not okay!"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly reacted, her tone slightly hurried. She took several steps forward, came before Wang Zhong, and quickly wrapped her arms around his waist. Resting her head on his shoulder, she explained in a voice barely above a whisper, "I was just a bit flustered, lost in thought for a moment."
Her soft and voluptuous body pressed tightly against him, the unique scent of a young girl wafting from Zhu Zhuqing. Wang Zhong gently inhaled the fragrance, his heart at peace. The girl in his arms was indeed a rare treasure in the world, but at eighteen years old, he wouldn't act like he did at twelve, kissing Qian Renxue's lips after embracing her.
He was an adult man, and she was just a child!
Gently patting her head, Wang Zhong said softly, "I understand. Then hold on tight."
"Let's go."
With a flap of his blood-red Asura God Wings, he lifted them both into the sky. Considering Zhu Zhuqing's strength, Wang Zhong did not push the speed too high.
A gentle breeze brushed against their faces. Lying in Wang Zhong's embrace, Zhu Zhuqing looked at the face she had longed for so many times. Her heart was filled with tenderness and a sense of relaxation.
Even in the past, she felt Wang Zhong's embrace possessed a magical power that brought her peace, as if nothing could harm her within its warmth. It was so warm, so incredibly warm.
Although Wang Zhong had reduced his flying speed, it was still not slow. In just about a quarter of an hour, a magnificent and grand city sprawled like a colossal beast on the distant horizon.
The sunlight cast from behind the city dyed the entire metropolis golden yellow, a brilliant radiance as dazzling as the rising sun, scorching and pure.
And within this sunlight, Wang Zhong felt a familiar and intimate scent.
Just as Wang Zhong was flying towards Spirit City, on the peak of the Judgment Hall, Qian Renxue, who was meditating and cultivating her spirit power, suddenly felt a similar familiar and intimate fluctuation.
Her eyes snapped open, her purplish eyes filled with inexplicable excitement and joy. She leaped up from the ground. Her heroic and peerlessly beautiful face revealed an unconcealable happiness.
"Wang Zhong! Have you returned?"
Her red lips pursed. The image of the man in her mind had grown deeper and more profound over these six years, imprinted on her heart and soul.
With a sharp turn of her head, Qian Renxue cast her gaze to one side, the source of all her feelings.
With a slight movement of her spirit, three pairs of pure white wings unfurled behind her. The Angelic Wings vibrated, and she transformed into a streak of white light, streaking towards this direction.