New NovelđȘ¶
âWhatâs there to be afraid of? Even if we bee intimate today, Iâd still be the one taking advantage,â Xu Zimo said with a relaxed smile. âBut youâre too young, Iâd worry you couldnât handle it.â
Hearing that, the overbearing little girlâs face flushed slightly.
She snorted coldly. âLooks like youâve never heard my name before. Youâre not from Fire Bane City, are you?â
âFire Bane CityâŠâ Xu Zimo murmured. He wasnât very familiar with the Inferno Crucible Heaven, but this city might serve as a good place to start gathering information.
âAre you famous, then?â Xu Zimo asked casually, following her lead.
âOf course I am! There isnât a single person in Fire Bane City who doesnât know the name Bian Yue,â the girl said proudly.
âOh? Then tell me a bit about this place,â Xu Zimo replied.
âThis is Fire Bane City,â she began. âItâs built over the Marshlands and governed by the Chaos Fire God Realm. There are seventeen million cities like Fire Bane across the region!â
Halfway through her explanation, Bian Yue suddenly realized what she was doing. Her eyes narrowed. âWait, why should I tell you any of this? Donât think you can trick me into revealing information!â
She squinted at him suspiciously. âAre you an infiltrator sent by the Water Beasts?â
âYep,â Xu Zimo said with a smirk. âYou just caught me.â
Bian Yue snorted again, just about to retort when heavy footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.
A group of people entered.
Leading them was a stern-looking middle-aged man. He too wore the black crow robes of the manor, with sharp eyes and a neatly trimmed beard. His face was so severe that a single glance could make one straighten up instinctively.
âSecond Uncle,â Bian Yue said quickly, her tone instantly more restrained.
âLittle Yue, what kind of nonsense are you up to now?â the man scolded even before reaching them. âHow could a stranger just walk into the Black Crow Dao Court?â
âSecond UncleâŠâ Bian Yueâs confidence faltered a little under his gaze.
âWho are you?â the middle-aged man demanded, staring down at Xu Zimo.
âHeâs my fiancee,â Bian Yue said before Xu Zimo could open his mouth.
Though clearly nervous, she forced herself to stand her ground.
âYour marriage has already been arranged. Itâs not your decision to make,â the man said coldly, frowning.
âIâve already told Father that if Iâm forced into that marriage, Iâll end my life right in front of him!â Bian Yue snapped back, her stubbornness flaring.
âI know what you said,â her uncle replied grimly. âBut do you really think you can just bring home some random man and expect us to approve a marriage?â
âThatâs for my father to decide, not you,â Bian Yue shot back.
Her uncleâs eyes darkened, but he said no more. The argument had already crossed the line.
He turned his gaze to Xu Zimo and said in a cold, threatening tone, âIf I were you, Iâd leave immediately. Get involved in the Black Crow Dao Courtâs affairs, and you might not even have a body left to bury.â
âI wasnât interested before,â Xu Zimo said with a faint smile. âBut now that youâve threatened me, Iâm starting to get curious.â
The manâs expression turned even uglier. Without another word, he gestured to his followers. âWeâre leaving.â
They came swiftly and left just as fast.
Bian Yue exhaled deeply once they were gone.
Though sheâd just stood up to her uncle, that courage had been fleeting. Now that the tension was gone, a hint of fear crept back into her eyes.
âThanks,â she said quietly, glancing at Xu Zimo.
After all, he hadnât backed down, heâd stood by her side, even if unintentionally.
âNo need to thank me. I didnât do it for you,â Xu Zimo replied, shaking his head.
He sat up from the stretcher.
After this period of rest, his body was recovered enough to move freely again. In a few more days, his strength would likely return pletely.
Seeing him sit up, Bian Yue was startled.
She had assumed he was badly injured and could barely move.
âWhatâs wrong? Whereâd that fierce attitude of yours go?â Xu Zimo said with a lazy wave of his hand. âNow be a good girl and bring me something to eat, and some clean clothes. Iâm taking a bath.â
âYou sure act like you own the place,â Bian Yue muttered, pouting. But she didnât refuse; she ordered a servant to make the arrangements.
âListen, girl,â Xu Zimo said calmly. âServe me well, and if Iâm in a good mood, maybe Iâll help solve that little marriage problem of yours.â
âYou think I actually want to marry you?â Bian Yue huffed. âEven if we do get married, itâs just for show, to get through the moment. Afterward, weâll go our separate ways.â
âYou little firebrand,â Xu Zimo chuckled.
Soon, servants brought clean clothes and a bath.
Xu Zimo washed up and changed into fresh clothes.
When he emerged, his long black hair tied into a bun, his features sharp as if carved by a blade, deep eyes, a handsome face full of demonic charm, and a tall muscular body.
For a moment, even Bian Yue was stunned.
âMaybe marrying him⊠wouldnât be so bad,â she murmured under her breath.
âHm? What was that?â Xu Zimoâs voice cut in suddenly.
âNânothing!â Bian Yue stammered, quickly waving her hands. âIâm going to talk to my father about this. You stay here in the courtyard, donât wander off.â
âIâd like to take a stroll through Fire Bane City,â Xu Zimo said casually.
âThereâs nothing worth seeing,â Bian Yue grumbled.
Then she called toward the gate, and a young maid entered.
The girl was pretty, dressed in a light green robe, with two small braids tied neatly atop her head.
âThis is my maid, Little Jade. If you insist on going out, sheâll acpany you,â Bian Yue instructed.
With that, she left to take care of her own matters, there was much to handle after Xu Zimoâs sudden arrival.
Xu Zimo didnât mind. He lounged in the pavilion, taking in the view.
The courtyard was beautiful, filled with flowers and birdsong, more like a peaceful garden than a warriorâs home.
Though the Inferno Crucible Heaven was scorching hot, a few cool breezes drifted through the courtyard, keeping it surprisingly pleasant.
âMaster,â Little Jade said softly, standing nearby.
âHow much do you know about this area?â Xu Zimo asked.
âThis area?â Little Jade looked puzzled, unsure how large a scope he meant.
âYou know about the Chaos Fire God Realm, right?â he asked.
âOf course,â she replied with relief. âAll our cities are under the Chaos Fire God Realmâs authority.â
âAnd outside the Chaos Fire God Realm?â Xu Zimo pressed.
âIâve never left it,â Little Jade admitted honestly. âBut Iâve heard there are seven vast regions in total across the Inferno Crucible Heaven. The Chaos Fire God Realm lies in the northwest in one of those regions. At the very center are the Radiant Lands, and the other six surround it.â
âThe Radiant Court must be located in the Radiant Lands, then,â Xu Zimo nodded.
âExactly,â Little Jade said. Then she tilted her head curiously at him.
Reviews
All reviews (0)