"Don't worry, esteemed elders. With this brother here, we're sure to get away."
Zhu Xu clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, a smile gracing his lips.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd recognized the man who had stepped forward, letting out a gasp of surprise.
"Isn't that Zhang Hongyi, the martial champion chosen just this year!"
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the throng.
"His portrait has been all over the streets these past few days. My goodness, I didn't even recognize him."
"I've seen him spar before; he's truly heroic and formidable! They say he's never lost a match!"
With these assurances, everyone else departed, relieved.
"Then let's go..." After the others had left, Zhang Hongyi, seeing that the three before him remained motionless, spoke again.
Zhang Hongyi, who had volunteered for the task, spoke with a deep, powerful voice that carried immense presence. Yet, as soon as he uttered these words, Zhu Xu unexpectedly advanced towards him.
Zhang Hongyi watched Zhu Xu approach, his eyes widening slightly.
The next moment, Zhu Xu stood before the man and, under Zhang Hongyi's bewildered and somewhat panicked gaze, swiftly raised his hand and struck the back of his neck.
Zhang Hongyi's legs immediately went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.
In the last instant before his vision faded, his eyes seemed to have lost their soul, offering no further resistance.
As the martial champion Zhang Hongyi, he had diligently practiced his martial arts for years and was naturally skilled.
Furthermore, Zhang Hongyi was a gentleman who understood the rules of engagement. Sparring was conducted openly, never through sneak attacks.
But how could Hongyi have foreseen such treachery in this world, or that a woman would be so utterly devoid of martial ethics!
"Alright, let's go." Zhu Xu rubbed his hands together, then turned to meet Xiu Yong's smiling gaze.
"Your Highness is indeed still Your Highness."
"Naturally."
Zhu Xu pretended not to notice the subtle teasing in Xiu Yong's smile, flashing a smug grin.
While they were speaking, Zhao Xue had already approached Zhu Xu and taken Zhu Xu's hand that had struck Zhang Hongyi.
Zhao Xue examined Zhu Xu's hand thoroughly, inside and out, corner to corner. Finding no red marks, his tense expression finally relaxed.
Zhao Xue said with solemnity, "In the future, let me handle such matters."
"Zhao Xue, I didn't feel anything at all, it didn't even hurt a bit." Zhu Xu squeezed Zhao Xue's finger joints, then guided Zhao Xue's hand downwards.
Zhao Xue pursed his lips.
Even if it didn't hurt Zhu Xu, it already pained Zhao Xue's heart.
But Xu Xu was simply like this.
Zhao Xue, who focused a large portion of his attention on Zhu Xu, could not possibly miss Zhu Xu's current composure and ease.
What Zhao Xue sought was merely to be with Zhu Xu, not for Zhu Xu to necessarily accompany him.
It was like if Zhu Xu were to transform into a phoenix and soar through the azure sky, Zhao Xue would surely wish to fly alongside him.
If the phoenix were displeased and turned to breathe fire upon him, even if Zhao Xue were reduced to ashes, he would still remain by Zhu Xu's side.
If the phoenix paid him no mind and their ultimate destination was some other rabbit, then Zhao Xue would hide the phoenix and find a way to kill that rabbit.
At this moment, Zhao Xue had not yet considered that Zhu Xu might resort to self-harm to threaten him.
If it truly came to that, how could Zhao Xue bear to cause Zhu Xu any sadness?
"Alright, Zhao Xue, it really didn't hurt at all." As Zhu Xu finished speaking, he stood on tiptoe and placed a gentle kiss on Zhao Xue's lips.
"Mmm."
It was only after Zhu Xu had pulled Zhao Xue away that Zhao Xue reacted.
The tips of Zhao Xue's ears turned a faint red as he responded softly, following Zhu Xu step by step behind him, looking remarkably obedient.
Witnessing the entire interaction between Zhao Xue and Zhu Xu, Xiu Yong felt his heart, which had been tinged with bitterness from the start, grow even more sorrowful.
Xiu Yong increasingly felt that these two looked incredibly well-matched.
Since the three of them had to sneak back to the inn to retrieve their belongings that evening, they had no specific destination for the moment and thus wandered aimlessly through the inn's vicinity.
It should have been a rather dull afternoon, but Zhu Xu, holding Zhao Xue's hand, followed his gaze with keen interest towards the lively street ahead, exhibiting a somewhat carefree spirit, as if they were wandering to the ends of the earth.
"Is this what they call earthly magic?"
Uncertain of what day it was, the three had not walked far before they spotted street performers practicing magic tricks.
Zhu Xu, still holding Zhao Xue's hand, squeezed into the crowd.
The place was already bustling with noise, and now, the crowd watching the magic tricks was a dense mass of people.
Under the high temperatures, mingled with various strange odors, Zhao Xue couldn't help but frown.
"Zhao Xue, look, that person is swallowing a sword!"
Zhu Xu's excited voice drew Zhao Xue's attention back.
Zhao Xue tilted his head slightly, watching Zhu Xu's captivated expression, the gloominess in his brows dissipating considerably.
"It looks so interesting. Maybe I could do it too! Once I'm proficient at sword swallowing, I can earn money to support Zhao Xue!"
As Zhu Xu spoke, his crescent-shaped eyes seemed to gleam.
"Xu Xu, we have money," Zhao Xue said, his voice a little stunned, before reminding him.
Ah, right, they had money. Though Zhao Xue wasn't sure where it had come from.
"Then can I not swallow swords?" Zhu Xu asked plaintively.
Zhu Xu glanced quickly at Zhao Xue, then his gaze swiftly returned to the stage.
Zhao Xue opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Zhao Xue wanted to say that swallowing swords was dangerous, but the sparkling eyes with which Zhu Xu was watching the stage, and his pitiful tone just now,
truly made it impossible for Zhao Xue to say anything that would dampen his spirits.
"You can! As long as Xu Xu is happy!"
"Happy!" Zhu Xu immediately responded after Zhao Xue's words.
Zhao Xue dotingly ruffled Zhu Xu's hair.
And so, Zhu Xu watched intently as the performer on stage first swallowed his sword, then proceeded to break stones on his chest, and after breaking stones, began to plunge his bare hand into a pot of boiling oil...
Zhu Xu found all of this fascinating.
It wasn't until the performer on stage began spitting fire that Zhu Xu froze.
He... he could actually spit fire.
Had a phoenix passed it on to him!
Wasn't this the ultimate secret technique of their phoenix clan!
Even fire masters required spiritual artifacts refined by their phoenix clan to wield fire.
How could this mortal possibly spit fire!
"Zhao Xue, when was our phoenix clan's secret technique stolen!"
Zhao Xue turned his head and met Zhu Xu's crescent-shaped eyes, momentarily startled.
These crescent eyes, which had been as bright as the sun moments ago, were now...
The phoenix clan's secret technique?
Zhao Xue remained silent for a moment, then asked uncertainly,
"Xu Xu, may I ask what the phoenix clan's secret technique is?"