Chapter 8 - Loot

"You!"

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Zhu Zhuyun, who had been brought back by Lu Yuan, and couldn't help but pout. Honestly, for some reason, she felt a little unhappy inside. This emotion came suddenly and seemed inexplicable.

But when she saw Lu Yuan mercilessly throw Zhu Zhuyun to the ground, that trace of emotion instantly dissipated.

"What about me?" the boy asked in response, a hint of a smile apparent in his confused eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing instinctively turned her head, not daring to meet the boy's gaze. Her black hair hung down, covering the complex expression on her face, as well as her slightly flushed cheeks.

"Nothing," she replied. "I just feel a bit too warm."

The vague explanation didn't suit the desolate nature of the girl at all. "

Too warm?" Lu Yuan put his hand near the fire to test the temperature, then glanced at Zhu Zhuqing's position.

"Based on common sense, it shouldn't be."

The calmness on Zhu Zhuqing's face was short-lived as her cheeks started to flush again. Without uttering a word, she stood up and moved to a spot far away from the boy. Even though she was still within the reach of the fire's illumination, her racing heart gradually calmed down.

She was engaged. She had a fiancé. Therefore, even the slightest irregular heartbeat was equivalent to a form of betrayal in her perspective.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a cry, as Zhu Zhuyun opened her eyes in confusion. The pain at the back of her head remained, but it had subsided to some extent. The warm flickering firelight danced in his pupils, making the weary Zhu Zhuyun instinctively want to fall asleep.

Whoosh! A sharp piercing sound followed. Before Zhu Zhuyun could fully comprehend the situation, she noticed a dagger in the corner of her eye. Her pupils involuntarily dilated. A small droplet of blood slipped from the corner of her eye and dripped onto the blade of the dangerously close sword. However, if the dagger had veered slightly inward during its flight, the outcome would have been different.

She looked at her resentful younger sister not far away and sitting by the fire, unable to help but wryly smile. Such is the impermanence of life. On one hand, she was being pursued, while on the other, she was like a fish on a chopping board, waiting to be slaughtered. Fate truly is full of drama.

Zhu Zhuyun didn't resist, didn't flee, and didn't summon her spirit to possess her. Instead, she wiped the blood from the corner of her eye and quietly sat in her spot. The power gap was too immense, and Zhu Zhuyun couldn't see even a sliver of hope. Rather than choosing an embarrassing death, she hoped to maintain his dignity until the end.

"Why did you intervene?" Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists tightly, her sharp nails piercing her palms and drawing blood. However, she paid no mind to the pain.

Her piercing gaze remained fixed on Lu Yuan, as if she sought a satisfactory answer. At such a close range, with her skill, it was impossible to miss. Moreover, Zhu Zhuyun's body size was much larger than any practice target.

The fact that she missed her target could only mean that someone had intervened. There were three people present. She was the shooter, and Zhu Zhuyun was the target. Therefore, the third person must be the one who intervened. Lu Yuan did intervene, but no one could fathom how.

The elusive nature of his actions made it difficult for others to notice him. One could only say that the girl's sixth sense was truly remarkable. Based on the available information, her mind made the logical leap and arrived at the correct conclusion.

"That's none of your concern," Lu Yuan replied, looking at the angered Zhu Zhuqing. "It includes past experiences, right and wrong, and hatred. As strangers who met by chance, you're not qualified to decide the life or death of my captive."

"Especially after you broke my grill earlier," he added, pointing towards the bewildered Zhu Zhuyun. "This is the captive I retrieved, so it's only natural for me to prevent you from harming her."

Zhu Zhuyun hesitated to speak. Being referred to as a "captive" was unexpected. She struggled to find the right words to describe the explosion of emotions within her. However, that explosion was abruptly extinguished by the young man's icy gaze. The flames were extinguished as well. Therefore, Zhu Zhuyun had no choice but to reprimand the young man for his lack of martial arts practice while wearing a smile and pretending to be indifferent.

In her suffocated state, Zhu Zhuqing could only glare at Zhu Zhuyun, as if she wanted to solve him on the spot with her eyes. "My foolish sister," Zhu Zhuyun thought inwardly, returning a broad smile to his sister.

What was this? A showoff? It was just a captive, nothing to boast about! The girl angrily bit her lips, snorted coldly, and continued to stare at Zhu Zhuyun.

After observing the silent pantomime between the two Zhu sisters for a while, Lu Yuan lightly clapped his hands, grabbing Zhu Zhuyun's attention. "I have two options for you," he stated. "The first is a dead end. The second is to serve me."

"Choose," he said, causing Zhu Zhuyun to roll her eyes inwardly. It was obvious that no one with a sound mind would choose the first option. However, the conditions of the second option were somewhat harsh. Thus, Zhu Zhuyun responded euphemistically:

"Your Excellency, as a powerful spirit master, my actions today were truly inconsiderate. I have offended Your Excellency, and for that, I apologize on my behalf. However, i am not only the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion in the Star Luo Empire, but also the crown princess. Please take that into consideration."

The subtext was clear: "My judgment was clouded, and I acknowledge my mistake. I am willing to make amends for today's events. Moreover, i hold significant status as the daughter of a duke and the crown princess of the Star Luo Empire. Please bear that in mind."

Lu Yuan was nearly amused to anger. How could the opponent, whose life was in his hands, try to threaten him? Who did they think they were? Nevertheless, he maintained control over his expression and responded in a neutral tone:

"Aren't you the eldest daughter of the Duke of the Star Luo Empire?"

"Yes."

"And also the Crown Princess of the Star Luo Empire?"

"Yes."

Zhu Zhuyun secretly rejoiced. It seemed that the inexperienced young man in front of him was indeed influenced by these two titles. "Since your status is so high, my conditions are naturally low," Lu Yuan continued. "Not only are they low, but they also seem insincere. I'm very pleased with your honest and sincere words, so I'll offer you my praise and encouragement. I'm not someone who disregards advice."

"Alright," he added. "The second option will be temporarily modified.

"Along with serving me, you must also remain absolutely loyal to me. How does that sound? Are you content? Are you satisfied?"

---------------------

Also checkout the first chapter for my next translation.

Naruto: Neji Never Going Offline.