Chapter 33: Six Hundred and Twenty One Times
Soto City.
After days of travel, Zhu Zhuqing finally arrived at her destination. Her goal was Shrek Academy, located in the southern part of the city.
According to the information she had gathered from her family, her fiancé, Dai Mubai, was currently studying at this academy.
She wondered away from the oppressive environment of the Star Luo Empire, training in peace here, just how strong had he become?
As Zhu Zhuqing walked slowly down the street, this thought crossed her mind.
Her eyes scanned the surroundings, and then
She stopped.
The reason?
In the distance, a man flanked by two women stood out like a sore thumb.
The man had golden hair, broad shoulders, and a tall, muscular frame. His face was handsome, but the most striking feature was his twin pupils, giving him a distinctly sinister aura.
At that moment, this golden haired man was grinning smugly, his arms wrapped around the waists of both women as he strutted down the street with overwhelming arrogance.
As for the two women, it was immediately obvious what kind of people they were.
Heavy makeup.
Revealing clothing.
More skin exposed than covered.
And most noticeable of all
They were identical twins.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression darkened.
Her soul power instinctively withdrew, concealing her presence.
Then, without making a sound, she slipped into the shadows and silently observed the trio.
The more she watched…
The colder her gaze became.
Because the man in the middle was none other than Dai Mubai
The very person who was supposed to be diligently training.
The person who was supposed to be preparing for their fated battle.
Her fiancé.
Zhu Zhuqing remained hidden.
She wanted to see where this trio was headed.
She wanted to know what they were about to do.
Even though…
Deep down, she already knew the answer.
She just needed to see it for herself.
To confirm it.
So, she silently followed them.
The trio soon arrived at a hotel.
It was a three story building, not particularly large, but its exterior was painted entirely in deep rose red.
Its architecture resembled a blooming rose, instantly drawing the eye.
Zhu Zhuqing's heart sank.
She wasn't naive.
She wasn't a sheltered girl.
Raised in a noble family, she understood far more than other girls her age.
She knew exactly what kind of hotel this was.
A couples' hotel.
A place specifically designed for men and women to indulge in pleasure.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't hesitate.
She stepped out of the shadows and walked directly into the Rose Hotel.
The moment she entered, a strong fragrance of roses filled her nose.
The air was warm, carrying a faint, intoxicating scent.
The entire atmosphere felt charged
With romance. With seduction. With lust.
But she ignored all of it.
Without a word, Zhu Zhuqing strode straight to the front desk.
Then
BANG!
Her Martial Soul manifested, and she slammed her palm onto the counter.
The front desk attendant, who had just been about to greet her, jumped in fright.
When he saw the two soul rings hovering around her body
His face turned pale.
"Honorable Soul Master!" He swallowed nervously. "How… how may I assist you?"
"That man who just came in with two women." Zhu Zhuqing's voice was ice cold.
"Does he come here often?"
The attendant hesitated.
"Well… that's private information, I can't just "
The pressure around him intensified.
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze sharpened.
The attendant immediately caved.
"Please wait, I'll check the records!"
His hands trembled as he flipped through a thick register.
A moment later, he closed the book and spoke respectfully.
"Honorable Soul Master, that young lord Dai Mubai is one of our regular VIPs. He has frequented our hotel a total of… six hundred and twenty one times since three years ago."
Silence.
Zhu Zhuqing slowly withdrew her Martial Soul.
Without saying a single word, she turned around and walked out of the hotel.
Six hundred and twenty one times.
What did that number mean?
Dai Mubai had fled the Star Luo Empire at age 12.
He was now 15 years old.
Three years.
365 days a year.
That meant over 1,000 days had passed since his escape.
Yet in those 1,000 days, he had spent 621 nights in this hotel.
What did that mean?
It meant that for the past three years, Dai Mubai had not been training.
He had been sleeping with women.
Every other night.
Zhu Zhuqing felt a deep, bitter sadness.
She wasn't angry that Dai Mubai was lustful.
In this world, powerful men having multiple women was normal.
Especially royalty.
No one would criticize a prince for being womanizing
They would call him charming.
That wasn't what angered her.
What truly enraged her was that he had given up.
He had stopped trying.
He had surrendered before the battle even began.
She had thought…
That Dai Mubai had left the empire to train in solitude.
To become stronger.
To prepare for their inevitable battle.
But in reality
He had already abandoned everything.
He had already accepted defeat.
All this time, she had been fighting alone.
She had been clinging to hope
While he had already let go.
Zhu Zhuqing let out a cold laugh.
A self mocking laugh.
"How stupid I was."
She had been holding onto a dream.
A delusion.
She had thought she wasn't alone.
But in reality…
She had always been alone.
Hidden in the shadows…
Ye Cheng watched quietly.
He could see it
Zhu Zhuqing's disillusionment.
Her bitterness.
Her grief.
But this wasn't enough.
Because Zhu Zhuqing was stubborn.
Even after witnessing this, she would still give Dai Mubai one last chance.
She would still join Shrek Academy.
She would still try to save him.
She would still cling to hope.
So Ye Cheng waited.
He had to let her see the truth.
He had to let her realize it for herself.
Only when she had truly given up
When she had cut ties completely
Would it be time…
For him to make his move.
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