Two days passed in a flash.
Lin Jie was currently on the road to Tuli Town, which wasn't far ahead. According to his calculations, the distance from Tuli to Rose City would take about a day at a leisurely pace, or just a few hours if he pushed himself.
He planned to rest overnight in Tuli and head for Rose City the next day. No rush.
But just then, he spotted three familiar figures up ahead. From their sneaky, suspicious movements, Lin Jie didn't even need to guess what they were up to.
Either robbery again, or some other petty mischief.
Curious, Lin Jie quietly followed them. With his strength, tailing them without being detected was easy.
He remembered this trio well. Just days ago, they'd tried to rob him. If he hadn't been as strong as he was, his valuables might have been stolen. To be fair, they only ever robbed for money—not lives—so they weren't the worst.
Not long after, he saw the three of them engaged in a scuffle—with a girl.
Blurs of motion flickered in the field ahead, and the fight seemed quite intense. But it didn't take long for the outcome to be decided—two of the men were sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. The tall one didn't seem too badly hurt.
The girl, slightly staggered, landed and barely managed to steady herself.
At that moment, Lin Jie stepped forward.
Something about her looked familiar.
As he walked closer, he saw the two injured men groaning on the ground, the tall Soul Master only lightly wounded.
Then his gaze landed on the girl.
She wore a form-fitting black outfit that clung tightly to her curves, highlighting her flawless figure. Her eyes were bright and clear, filled with a calm yet alluring charm. Her face was shaped like a delicate oval, with exquisite features that seemed gifted straight from the heavens. Her beauty was breathtaking—jet-black hair flowed freely down her back, revealing a slender, swan-like neck full of quiet elegance. Her shoulders were sharp, waist slender, and chest firm and full—entirely irresistible.
There was no mistaking her.
Zhu Zhuqing.
That sleek black outfit. That stunning figure. And—most telling of all—that familiar tail behind her.
She was the youngest of the Shrek Seven Monsters. But why was she here? Was she en route to Shrek Academy?
Probably. Traveling from the Star Luo Empire to Shrek's location would naturally take her through this region. He hadn't expected to meet her here, though.
Lin Jie looked again—she had a minor cut on her arm, but otherwise seemed unharmed.
He shifted his attention back to the familiar trio—the same ones who'd tried to rob him days ago.
Lin Jie eyed the tall Soul Master—Liu Bei, wasn't it? He smirked and said mockingly, "Well, if it isn't the famous trio: Liu, Guan, and Zhang. Back to your usual line of work, huh?"
Then he looked at the two collapsed men. "Aww, looks like someone got hurt again."
Liu Bei stiffened when he saw Lin Jie, a flicker of fear flashing across his eyes—but he couldn't show it.
All Liu Bei wanted to do now was leave. But he couldn't. The scene of being thoroughly beaten by Lin Jie last time still haunted him.
He glanced at the two men on the ground, then at Lin Jie. He wanted to back down, but with his little brothers watching, he had to keep up appearances. If he chickened out now, how would he stay their leader?
Trying to sound tough, though his voice trembled a little, he said, "Alright. What do you want?"
Lin Jie was a bit surprised.
Huh. He didn't drop to his knees and beg this time. Got some spine after all.
So much for all those webnovels he'd read—where side characters always collapsed under the protagonist's "aura" and started calling him Grandmaster. Clearly fiction wasn't reality.
Lin Jie glanced again at the two injured lackeys, then back at the tall one. He didn't even want to say his name anymore.
Tone flat, he said, "I recall warning you last time. If I saw you again, you'd know what the consequences would be. Isn't that right?"
Then he turned toward the girl behind him.
Would this count as saving a damsel in distress? Lin Jie wondered. Maybe Zhu Zhuqing would… offer herself in gratitude? Heh heh…
No—he remembered her personality. Cold. Definitely not that kind of girl.
He looked again at the icy, beautiful girl. Aside from the cut on her arm, she was perfect.
Back when he'd watched the anime in his previous life, Lin Jie had been shocked—how could a twelve-year-old have a body like that?
Now, being in this world, he finally understood. Twelve here was closer to eighteen in his past life—basically adulthood. So it made sense.
He wanted to go over and help her up, but thought better of it. They weren't familiar yet. It might not be worth the risk.
Putting on a more serious expression, Lin Jie stepped forward and asked gently, "Are you alright? Your injury…"
"I'm fine. I don't need your help." Her voice was cold, and she instinctively took a step back.
"…Uh." Lin Jie was speechless.
Yeah, she's definitely cold. But what's with stepping back? Like I'm gonna ambush her?
Still standing in place, he said, "That cut on your arm—if you don't treat it properly, it might leave a scar. Need any hel—"
"No need." She cut him off before he could even finish the word help.
Her icy tone made it clear—Zhu Zhuqing wasn't interested in making friends.
So much for breaking the ice.
Still, Lin Jie wasn't discouraged. It's fine. I've got time.
He reasoned that her reaction was understandable. For all she knew, he might be working with those three, just pretending to play the good guy to earn her trust.
He said, "Alright then. Since you don't need help, suit yourself. What are you planning to do about those three?"
Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have figured out that Lin Jie wasn't with them and walked toward the three men.
Without hesitation, she struck each of them with a swift Netherworld Hundred Claw. Surprisingly, even the tall one—Liu Bei—didn't resist.
Weren't you just acting tough a minute ago? Lin Jie thought.
The trio collapsed to the ground, unconscious—or pretending to be. Zhu Zhuqing turned and began walking toward Tuli Town.
Lin Jie looked at the three fallen men, then around the empty roadside. He muttered under his breath, "Hope some wild wolves come clean this up. Leaving them out here is an eyesore."
Then he left.
As he walked away, he thought he saw one of the men twitch.
Lin Jie quickened his pace, heading in the same direction as Zhu Zhuqing. Eventually, he caught up, walking a few steps behind her.
But she didn't say a word or even glance at him.
What the heck? Lin Jie was annoyed. Aren't you suspicious I might be with them? Say something. Anything! Even if you attack me, I'd accept that!
This couldn't go on.
He needed to find a way to start a real conversation.
At first, he stayed a few paces behind. Then, after scratching his chin thoughtfully, he sped up and came up beside her.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak—"You—" she cut him off again.
Oh come on!
In a cold tone, Zhu Zhuqing said, "You've been following me this whole time. What do you want? You trying to rob me too?"
Deflated, Lin Jie replied, "How could I possibly be with them? If I was, do you think you'd have made it out of that fight alive?"
She gave a noncommittal hmph and fell silent.
Lin Jie was exasperated.
Seriously? Just one grunt and that's it? We finally start talking and you go quiet again? If you weren't so damn pretty—uh, I mean… elegant—I wouldn't be wasting my breath.
Truthfully, Lin Jie found himself quite taken with Zhu Zhuqing.
"You're Zhu Zhuqing, right?" he asked.
She suddenly stopped—and shifted into a ready stance.
"…How do you know that?" she asked coldly.
Lin Jie saw she was about ready to fight and quickly said, "Just a guess! Seriously, would you believe me if I said that?"
Her eyes narrowed. "What do you think?"
Her tone was still cold, but slightly less so than before.
[Serious Promo]No following the Grandmaster. No joining the protagonist's group.
How do Soul Masters acquire soul skills from spirit rings?What exactly is left behind in a spirit ring after a soul beast dies?When soul skills are used, do they follow specific "paths" of power?
Wang Feng, Martial Soul: Green Light. By studying soul power and spirit rings, he forges his own path to power.
No matter how strong you are—take this Green Spit... Flash Kick! One kick, one KO!
[Silly Promo]Why has Yu Xiaogang always been surrounded by green?
Why does Dai Mubai get beat up every day?
Are Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo actually true love?Can the power of Lovesick Heartbroken Red help them smack down Tang San?
Why does Bibi Dong get so excited every time she sees green-haired Yu Xiaogang?
All for the sake of maximum enjoyment.