Thud—
Liu Erlong collapsed onto the ground. She struggled to get up, her eyes dry and hollow as she continuously retched, desperately trying to vomit something out.
Xiao Lin's expression remained indifferent. It seemed Liu Erlong truly hated him to the core. Well, it was understandable—after being humiliated right in front of her beloved, she certainly wouldn't be grateful to him.
He hadn't expected that her corruption progress would even drop into the negative, but he didn't care. Right now, all he wanted was to vent his anger.
"Beast…!"
Liu Erlong's voice was hoarse, her throat burning painfully. She raised her head, glaring at Xiao Lin with hatred, wishing she could tear him to pieces.
"Still cursing me?"
Xiao Lin's gaze narrowed. He bent down and picked up a few small packets from the ground.
"Give those back!"
Liu Erlong's face instantly changed. Those were things she had secretly prepared for Yu Xiaogang!
"Tsk. Looks like you two haven't even gotten that far yet. You even got them in different sizes."
Xiao Lin cast a mocking glance at Yu Xiaogang. What a pity—it seemed like that so-called 'master' wouldn't get a chance to use them in this lifetime.
"That's none of your business! I swear, I won't let you leave Heaven Dou City alive!"
Liu Erlong's furious shout rang out, unaware that her neckline was gaping open, revealing large swathes of fair, snow-white skin.
The black fishtail dress she was wearing was something she had carefully picked out—her first time wearing it. She had originally planned to spend a beautiful night with Yu Xiaogang, but alas, fate had not been kind. Now she likely wouldn't get that chance ever again.
"Oh? Such a stubborn woman. I swear, by the end of tonight, you'll be begging me for mercy right in front of Yu Xiaogang."
Xiao Lin grabbed Liu Erlong's flushed face, his tone icy and threatening.
"No!"
Yu Xiaogang, nearly insane from despair, let out a hoarse, desperate plea.
Nearby, Flender had already fainted from the fury and injuries.
Xiao Lin hoisted Liu Erlong up and slammed her onto a bench, lifting the silky soft hem of her dress without hesitation.
"Don't you dare!"
Liu Erlong's face went pale with fright, but her waist was firmly pinned down by a pair of large hands, leaving her completely powerless to resist.
"Watch closely. I won't use any of these."
Xiao Lin sneered, tossing aside all the 'gifts' Liu Erlong had prepared for Yu Xiaogang.
"No!"
Yu Xiaogang's agonized screams echoed through the night, followed by Liu Erlong's muffled, pained moan. Her body trembled as she slowly lifted her head, meeting Yu Xiaogang's devastated, soulless gaze.
Her heart quivered, but the overwhelming tidal waves of pain left her no time to think. She could only grit her teeth and silently endure.
Time crawled by, and eventually Liu Erlong's resistance crumbled. A soft, heart-wrenching moan escaped her throat.
Boom—
It was as if thunder exploded within Yu Xiaogang's mind. His spirit shattered completely as he collapsed to his knees, utterly broken.
By dawn, Liu Erlong had tears streaming down her face. Unable to endure any longer, she finally begged for mercy.
Xiao Lin smirked victoriously, then leisurely finished and departed.
[Target (Liu Erlong) Corruption Progress: -35%]
After Xiao Lin left, Liu Erlong's spirit power finally began to recover slowly. Collapsing on the ground, she burst into uncontrollable sobs.
"Why… why did my soul power only recover now?!"
She gritted her teeth, trembling as she composed herself and erased the scene's traces. Glancing at her disheveled, torn dress, she clenched her teeth and—enduring the tearing pain throughout her body—dragged Yu Xiaogang and Flender, step by step, toward the nearby Shrek Academy.
Morning – Crown Prince's Chambers
"Ahhh!"
A startled scream echoed through the palace. Qian Renxue, still disguised as Xue Qinghe, stared in shock at Xiao Lin lying beside her.
"That bastard! When did he sneak in again?!"
"What's the noise? I'm still tired… I'm going back to sleep…"
Xiao Lin mumbled lazily, half-asleep.
"This guy… who knows where he went last night?"
Qian Renxue caught the faint scent of alcohol mixed with hints of wisteria and sandalwood lingering on him.
This guy…
Her temple throbbed, and she clenched her fists tightly.
Yes, she had been forced—but that didn't mean she could tolerate him going after other women, too!
"Wait… if he's interested in other women, doesn't that mean I'll be free?"
Qian Renxue took a deep breath to calm herself. Upon thinking it over, she realized that this might increase her chances of escaping him. She swallowed her anger.
But then she remembered… this guy had even laid hands on Bibi Dong…
Her fists clenched again.
"Calm down… He's not worth getting angry over."
She tiptoed out of bed. Fortunately, he hadn't touched her after coming back—he really must've been exhausted.
At least I escaped this time…
Noon – Royal Palace
"Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to the Moon Pavilion this afternoon. He said it's time to mingle with the noble ladies and select a crown princess."
As soon as Qian Renxue, still disguised as Xue Qinghe, entered the hall, a maid approached and relayed Emperor Xue Ye's decree.
"Understood."
Qian Renxue remained calm outwardly, but inside she was cursing Emperor Xue Ye to high heaven.
If I'd known securing the Crown Prince's position required producing heirs, I would've let someone else execute this absurd plan!
"Oh? Isn't that Teacher Zhao Wuji from Shrek Academy? What brings you personally to the palace today?"
"Your Highness, I've come to request the empire's assistance in hunting down a criminal."
"Oh? Do tell."
Qian Renxue's brows lifted slightly. Who's unlucky enough to get on Shrek's blacklist?
"We don't know his name, but we have this sketch of his appearance."
Zhao Wuji handed over the portrait that Liu Erlong herself had drawn.
"Hmm… Did this person commit some serious crime?"
Qian Renxue's heart skipped a beat. The person in the sketch looked just like Xiao Lin!
However, the drawing made him look much fiercer than he appeared in person. In truth, Xiao Lin always carried a lazy, mischievous grin. Judging by temperament, the drawing and reality seemed like two different people.
"He attacked our Shrek Academy's Headmaster Flender and Teacher Yu Xiaogang. We fear he may flee the city, so we came to request the imperial family's help."
Zhao Wuji's face was filled with hatred. Flender had been beaten worse than he ever had been by even Tang Hao, and Yu Xiaogang's legs were utterly crippled.
Their martial spirits couldn't even be summoned now—this was far worse than a simple spirit mutation problem.
"Understood. Leave this matter to me. You may return, Elder Zhao."
Qian Renxue casually accepted the request and quickly dismissed Zhao Wuji.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Zhao Wuji cupped his fists and took his leave.
Post this sketch throughout the city. Conduct strict inspections of anyone entering or leaving Heaven Dou City. If found, capture him immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Afternoon – Crown Prince's Chambers
Just as Qian Renxue was preparing to leave for the Moon Pavilion, she suddenly froze and turned back toward the bed—Xiao Lin had just woken up!
"You've got some nerve—first offending Spirit Hall, and now stirring up trouble with Shrek. Are you not afraid of leaving yourself nowhere to run?"
She sat by the bed, her tone surprisingly casual, clearly in a better mood.
"Heh, I can go wherever I want. Why don't you ask Shrek if they're scared of offending me?"
"Tell me—how did you end up clashing with Shrek?"
"Oh, it all started last night…"
Xiao Lin stretched lazily, then casually began recounting the tale when he saw her curious expression.
Qian Renxue listened with rapt attention, her beautiful eyes widening more and more as the story progressed. Her stunning face was full of disbelief.
"Seriously?! Liu… Wow, you're something! You're practically a hero of our generation! Honestly, Emperor Xue Ye should just hand over this marriage task to you!"
"Marriage task?"
"Uh, nothing. Anyway, just be careful out there. Your wanted posters are plastered all over the city."
Qian Renxue looked a bit awkward—after all, she had personally ordered those posters to be put up.
"No worries. Who would suspect that the most wanted criminal in the entire city is hiding right inside the Crown Prince's chambers?"
Xiao Lin seemed completely unbothered. He had no fear whatsoever—even boldly walking outside wouldn't faze him.
"Fair point. Wait… You went to the Moon Pavilion, didn't you?"
"How'd you know?"
Xiao Lin blinked, genuinely surprised. Was she following me?
"You didn't even bathe after coming back. You still reek of alcohol and that unique woodsy fragrance from the Moon Pavilion."
Qian Renxue rolled her eyes—her sense of smell was quite sharp.
[Target (Qian Renxue) Corruption Progress: 23%]
Xiao Lin couldn't help glancing at Qian Renxue—he hadn't even done anything this time. Women are strange creatures…