57: Chapter 57: Wang Dong'er: Darling, would you like to get out?

As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City was beyond reproach in terms of both consumption and prosperity.

Fortunately, Lu Jing and Wang Donger were not short on money, so they took three adjacent rooms in the best hotel.

After resting for most of the day, they only walked out of their rooms one after another when the sky outside the window turned ink-blue.

"Are you hungry?"

Lu Jing looked at Xiao Wu, who was rubbing her stomach, with a smile in his eyes and said, "I'll take you to try the night market in Heaven Dou City."

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up and she nodded repeatedly. Since leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, she had never eaten any delicacies outside of Nuoding City. After all, she was penniless right after her transformation.

Wang Donger straightened her skirt and followed. Her pinkish-blue long dress shimmered with a soft luster under the corridor lamps. As she walked through the alley paved with bluestones, her skirt swept across the ground, making a soft rustling sound.

Just as they turned out of the alley, the bustle of the night market rushed toward them.

The sounds of hawking, laughter, and children playing mixed together, accompanied by the fatty aroma of grilled skewers, the sweet scent of sugar-roasted chestnuts, and the crisp fragrance of sour plum soup, weaving a lively net.

"Wow! What's that?" Xiao Wu pointed to a skewer of hawthorns coated in frosting; the translucent sugar shells shimmered under the lanterns.

"Tanghulu."

Lu Jing conveniently bought a skewer and handed it to her, saying, "Want a taste?"

Xiao Wu took a careful bite. The sweet and sour flavor exploded on the tip of her tongue, and her eyes curved into crescent moons: "It's delicious!"

Wang Donger was also attracted by the Osmanthus cake at a nearby stall and bought a piece. It was soft and chewy in her mouth, with a faint scent of osmanthus.

She turned to look at Lu Jing and found him staring blankly in a certain direction, his brow slightly furrowed.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Lu Jing snapped out of it and shook his head: "Nothing, just seeing if there are any acquaintances."

Only he knew that at this moment, he was scanning the surroundings with his Mental Energy—Heaven Dou City was a mixed bag, especially near the imperial palace. There was no guarantee he wouldn't run into people from Spirit Hall or other troublesome characters.

For instance, Chen Xin and Gu Rong from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

[Relax, within a hundred-meter radius, the highest Soul Power is only at the Spirit Douluo level. There's no aura of a Titled Douluo.] Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's lazy voice echoed in his mind: [However, there's a rather special fluctuation of Soul Power to the northwest, with a bit of a royal entourage feel. Probably some noble out for a stroll.]

Lu Jing gave a hum of acknowledgment, not paying it much mind.

As long as the people from the Heaven Dou imperial family didn't take the initiative to cause trouble, he couldn't be bothered with them. After all, the current Qian Renxue was the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, and their trip was originally to find her, so naturally, he wouldn't look for trouble and cause her problems.

The three of them ate as they walked. Xiao Wu's hands were soon full of various snacks, from fried tofu to glutinous rice cakes, her mouth stuffed full like a little squirrel hoarding food.

Wang Donger occasionally helped her wipe away the sugar stains from the corners of her mouth. The two of them talked and laughed, and the atmosphere was quite lighthearted.

Just then, a slight commotion came from not far away.

Several guards dressed in brocade robes parted the crowd, escorting two people over.

Walking in front was a young man, dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, yet his brow carried a few hints of deliberate frivolity.

Beside him was a middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to the youth. His eyes were sharp, and a trace of calculation lingered at the corners of his mouth.

It was Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng.

The two had come out to get some air and gather information, but the moment they caught sight of Wang Donger, their footsteps came to a sudden halt.

Moonlight spilled onto the street, coating the pinkish-blue long dress in a layer of silver light.

Wang Donger was turning her head to listen to Xiao Wu. Her long hair fluttered slightly in the night breeze, revealing a smooth forehead and an exquisite profile. Her nose was high, and her lip line was soft. Although she was eighteen, she possessed both the brightness of a young girl and a bit of cold detachment, like a Blue Lotus blooming quietly under the moonlight.

Prince Xue Xing's eyes lit up instantly. He nudged Xue Beng beside him and lowered his voice: "See that? What do you think of that girl?"

Xue Beng's gaze was already glued to Wang Donger. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he stammered slightly: "Un... Uncle, she..."

"Pathetic."

Prince Xue Xing chuckled, his tone suggestive as he asked, "Do you want her?"

Xue Beng snapped back to his senses, a trace of hesitation appearing on his face: "But... but how do I get her?"

"Stupid."

Prince Xue Xing tapped his head with a folding fan and asked back, "Have you forgotten your status? As the Fourth Prince of Heaven Dou, is it not easy to want a woman?"

He leaned closer to Xue Beng's ear, his voice even lower as he reminded him, "Act like a playboy and take her directly back to the palace. A beauty like this being left outside will only be snatched by others; it's better to grasp her in your hands first."

Xue Beng frowned: "Is this... not very good? Forcibly seizing a commoner girl, if word gets out..."

"So what if word gets out?"

Prince Xue Xing snorted coldly, his gaze instantly turning cold as he said, "Have you forgotten how the Third Prince 'accidentally' fell into the water a while ago? The Crown Prince is watching in the palace. If you still cling to those so-called rules, the next accident might be you!"

Although he didn't know the true cause of death for the other princes, he was certain it was related to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, because the only one who benefited was the Crown Prince.

Thinking of this, he paused, his tone softening a bit with temptation: "Besides, this girl's appearance is worthy of your future throne, isn't it? Aren't you tempted?"

Xue Beng's eyes flickered.

Prince Xue Xing's words were like a thorn pricking his heart.

Life in the palace had been treacherous these years. If he wasn't a bit ruthless, he indeed wouldn't live long.

He looked at Wang Donger again. That face under the moonlight was breathtakingly beautiful, and the bit of hesitation in his heart was gradually suppressed by desire.

"Fine." He took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and tried his best to put on an arrogant and overbearing look as he walked toward the three of them.

Prince Xue Xing stood where he was, a satisfied smile curling his lips as he signaled the guards to follow from a distance and not get too close.

At this time, Wang Donger was laughing and talking with Lu Jing, holding a skewer of Grilled gluten, her eyes curved with joy.

"Hey beauty, are you alone?"

A somewhat deliberate, frivolous voice sounded from behind her.

Wang Donger was stunned for a moment. She turned around and saw Xue Beng's face with its fake smile. She blinked, her tone carrying doubt: "Are you talking to me?"

Xue Beng's heart skipped a beat—up close, this girl was even more stunning than from afar. Especially those eyes, as clear as a stream, making the playboy arrogance he had just brewed weaken for some reason.

But thinking of his uncle's words, he still bit the bullet and squeezed out what he thought was a charming smile: "Is there any other girl here more beautiful than you?"

Wang Donger's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

These words sounded like praise, but the slight in his tone made her very uncomfortable. She looked Xue Beng up and down and asked flatly, "Who are you? Is there something?"

"I am Xue Beng, the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

Xue Beng puffed out his chest, deliberately emphasizing the words "Fourth Prince," waiting to see the other party show an expression of surprise or fear.

But Wang Donger only gave an "oh," her face showing no ripples, as if what he said wasn't a prince, but just an ordinary passerby.

"And then?"

Xue Beng choked. This reaction was completely different from what he had expected. He composed himself and simply spoke directly: "I've taken a liking to you. Come back to the palace with me and be my consort."

As soon as these words came out, the surroundings instantly became much quieter.

Passersby stopped in their tracks, looking at this scene in surprise—the Fourth Prince snatching someone in public? And such a stunning girl?

Wang Donger was also stunned. She blinked, seemingly not reacting to what the other party was saying.

Beside her, Xiao Wu, biting her Tanghulu, leaned into Lu Jing's ear and whispered, "Lu Jing, Lu Jing, he seems to be treating you like air."

Lu Jing shrugged, still holding the Sugar painting he bought for Xiao Wu, a theatrical smile on his lips, not saying a word.

This kid Xue Beng was acting the playboy too deliberately; the nervousness in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

To put it bluntly, he was just a pathetic creature acting in front of Qian Renxue to stay alive. He didn't need to lower himself to argue with such a person.

Wang Donger finally reacted. She crossed her arms and looked at Xue Beng, snorting with disdain: "Sorry, I don't think much of you."

"Pfft—" Someone nearby couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Xue Beng's face turned red instantly, half from shame and half from anger.

In all his years, no one had ever dared to speak to him like this!

"Say that again?"

"I said, I don't think much of you."

Wang Donger spoke one word at a time, her voice clear as she said indifferently, "Never mind being the Fourth Prince, even if you were the Crown Prince or even the Emperor, I wouldn't care for you. Go back where you came from, don't block the way here."

She was originally the Young Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect from ten thousand years in the future; her nobility was inherently no less than these so-called princes. Thus, in her heart, she didn't care for these so-called princes at all.

"You!" Xue Beng was so angry his fingers were shaking. Seeing this, Prince Xue Xing's face darkened, and he stepped forward.

"Little girl, you'd better weigh your words carefully."

Prince Xue Xing's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable pressure as he asked, "Do you know who you are talking to?"

Wang Donger turned to look at him, her gaze calm: "And who are you?"

"The younger brother of the current Emperor, Prince Xue Xing."

Prince Xue Xing lifted his chin and explained with an arrogant tone, "And also the uncle of the prince before you."

"Oh, a Prince."

Wang Donger nodded, then suddenly smiled and asked very directly, "So, are you planning to use your power to bully and force me?"

Prince Xue Xing didn't answer, but only scanned her up and down with his eyes. That gaze was like evaluating a piece of merchandise, carrying an undisguised threat.

The anger in Wang Donger's heart flared up instantly.

She turned to look at Lu Jing and found that this guy was actually still teasing Xiao Wu, gesturing something to her with the Sugar painting, smiling happily as if he didn't see the conflict here at all.

She was being blocked and bullied here, yet he had the leisure to play with Xiao Wu?

Wang Donger's eyes darted around, and she suddenly took a step forward, grabbing Lu Jing's arm and leaning her head intimately against his shoulder, her voice sickeningly sweet: "I'm so sorry, I already have a beloved, so I won't trouble the Prince and the Imperial Highness to worry about it."

Lu Jing was stunned by this sudden intimacy. He looked down and met her eyes filled with craftiness, and he smiled helplessly in his heart—this girl was doing it on purpose.

Xue Beng's face turned ashen instantly. He glared at Lu Jing, his gaze fierce: "Tell him to beat it! This Prince can give you better!"

Wang Donger looked up at Xue Beng, her eyes curved with a smile that was full of provocation: "You want him to beat it?"

She turned to look at Lu Jing and deliberately drawled, "Darling, are you willing to beat it?"

Lu Jing raised an eyebrow and cooperatively put his arm around her waist, his tone lazy: "I think the one who should beat it isn't me."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an invisible aura that made both Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing feel a sudden wave of pressure.

Prince Xue Xing's face darkened completely. He hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary young man would dare to talk back.

He waved his hand, and the distant guards immediately surrounded them, hands on the hilts of the swords at their waists. The atmosphere became tense instantly.

"It seems you've chosen the hard way."

Prince Xue Xing's tone was extremely cold as he said, "In Heaven Dou City, no one has ever dared to snub the face of my imperial family."

Wang Donger stood up straight, the smile on her face vanishing, her gaze turning cold: "The face of the imperial family? In my eyes, it's not even worth as much as a piece of Osmanthus cake."

"You're looking for death!" Xue Beng roared, about to order the guards to act.

Just then, Lu Jing suddenly took a step forward, shielding Wang Donger and Xiao Wu.

He didn't release his Soul Power, yet the guards stopped their movements for some reason, as if what stood before them was not a person, but an insurmountable mountain.

Prince Xue Xing's face turned completely the color of pig liver. In all his life, he had never seen anyone dare to publicly contradict the imperial family in Heaven Dou City, let alone speak with such contemptuous tones.

"Rebellion! This is sheer rebellion!"

He suddenly flicked his sleeve and pointed at Lu Jing, roaring, "Seize him! Kill anyone who dares to resist on the spot!"

The guards who had surrounded them could no longer hold back. Hearing this, they immediately drew their blades. The sharp edges shimmered with cold light under the lanterns as they lunged at Lu Jing's group of three.

They had followed the Prince for years and were always adept at dealing with ordinary people; they didn't take this seemingly ordinary young man seriously at all.

But in the next second, everyone froze.

No one saw clearly how Lu Jing moved. They only felt a blur before their eyes, and the young man who was originally a few steps away seemed to instantly appear in the midst of the guards.

He didn't even use his Spirit; he just casually waved his hand. Wherever his fingertips passed, the steel blades in the guards' hands shattered inch by inch like they were made of paper.

"Ah—!"

Screams of agony rang out one after another, only to stop abruptly.

In the blink of an eye, the guards who were just aggressive and fierce fell straight to the ground. A thin bloodstain remained on each of their necks, and they were already breathless.

The blood on the ground meandered and flowed, soaking the bluestones, completely out of place with the bustling night market around them.

"Whoa—!"

The crowd of onlookers completely erupted. Some screamed and retreated in fear, while others covered their mouths, unable to believe their eyes.

This... this was too terrifying! To kill so many imperial guards in the blink of an eye?

Xiao Wu was also stunned. The Tanghulu in her hand fell to the ground with a "clatter." She subconsciously grabbed Lu Jing's hem, her large eyes full of fear—she had never seen such a clean and efficient slaughter.

Wang Donger, however, only furrowed her brow, as if she had long expected this.

She glanced at the corpses on the ground and said flatly, "You certainly move fast."

Xue Beng was trembling all over, his finger pointing at Lu Jing shaking: "You... you actually dared to kill imperial guards? Do you know what crime this is?!"

"Crime?"

Lu Jing sneered and walked slowly to him, looking down at him from above, mocking, "When you let them attack, you should have expected this end."

Before his voice finished, he raised his hand and delivered a slap.

"Slap!"

The crisp sound of the slap echoed on the street. Xue Beng was sent flying like a rag doll, crashing heavily against a wall, spitting out a mouthful of blood mixed with a few broken teeth.

"You dare hit me?!"

Xue Beng clutched his mouth, both shocked and furious, tears nearly flowing out.

In his entire life, let alone being hit, few people had even dared to say a harsh word to him.

Prince Xue Xing looked on with eyes nearly splitting from rage. He hadn't expected this young man would not only dare to kill but also dare to publicly strike a prince!

"Get him!"

Prince Xue Xing roared, "Kill him! This Prince will reward you handsomely!"

Following his words, over a dozen dark shadows suddenly pounced from the rooftops and alleys nearby. Each had a steady aura, clearly Spirit Master guards hidden in the shadows.

They held various weapons, their Soul Power fluctuations more than a level stronger than the guards from before, as they closed in on Lu Jing.

Lu Jing patted Xiao Wu's head, signaling her not to be afraid, and then looked at the Spirit Masters rushing over, a flash of coldness in his eyes.

"It seems you don't intend to let this end peacefully."