117: Chapter 117 Departure

Seeing Chen Shanzhi fly backward like a kite with its string cut, Murong Zhaoling stood in the stone pavilion, the annoyance on her pretty face instantly freezing.

Oh no, I hit him too hard.

That move just now was purely a Martial Artist's instinctive reaction. Who told that little thief to...

Thinking of that warm, moist, and sticky sensation on her earlobe just now, the anger Murong Zhaoling had just suppressed instantly turned into a flush that covered her face, burning all the way down to the base of her neck.

Seeing that Chen Shanzhi was about to fall flat on his face.

Murong Zhaoling lightly tapped her toes against the stone tiles.

Swoosh!

An emerald-green afterimage instantly stretched out.

The speed of a Life Fire Realm powerhouse was so fast it created a sonic boom. In the blink of an eye, she crossed a distance of over ten meters and appeared steadily beneath Chen Shanzhi's falling trajectory.

Murong Zhaoling reached out her jade-like hand, grabbing Chen Shanzhi's back. Her True Essence flowed out softly as she pulled back to dissipate the momentum.

Thump.

Chen Shanzhi was caught steadily in her arms, his feet touching the ground.

A delicate fragrance wafted toward him—it was the faint, feminine scent unique to Murong Zhaoling's body.

Chen Shanzhi's nose twitched, but he had no mind to enjoy this soft, fragrant embrace.

The moment he landed, every hair on his body stood on end.

Whoosh!

The True Essence at the soles of Chen Shanzhi's feet erupted instantly, and he slipped out of Murong Zhaoling's arms like a loach.

He leaped five meters away in one breath, his hands clutching his chest tightly, his face full of vigilance.

That was close. That shockwave from the Life Fire Realm felt like being hit head-on by a stampeding bull; his skeleton felt like it was about to fall apart.

This woman truly is a tigress who fought her way out of the border army; her combat instincts are simply ridiculous!

Chen Shanzhi looked up at the sky.

At this time, the red sun in the distant horizon had completely sunk, and the sunset clouds dyed the green bamboo in the courtyard a shade of orange-red.

Time to get out of here!

Chen Shanzhi cleared his throat awkwardly, his eyes darting around rapidly.

"Um... Miss Murong, you see, it's getting late.

I suddenly remembered there's some urgent business at my mansion. My aunt is very strict; if I return late, I won't be able to escape a physical punishment.

Thank you for the hospitality today. I shall take my leave now!"

As he spoke, Chen Shanzhi cautiously shuffled toward the courtyard gate, looking exactly like a quail ready to bolt at any moment.

His heart was thumping hard.

This woman won't suddenly flip out, lock the gate, and give me a one-sided thrashing, will she?

Murong Zhaoling stood where she was, gritting her silver teeth as she watched Chen Shanzhi's cowardly appearance, looking like a mouse seeing a cat.

She looked down at the emerald-green dress she had specially changed into, then at her empty hands.

A sense of grievance inexplicably rose in her heart.

Clearly, it was this little thief who had flirted with her first, and she had only acted in self-defense. Why was he acting like she was some man-eating Rakshasa demon?

An earlobe is a sensitive spot for a girl to begin with. It was one thing for you to lean in and breathe on it, but you... you even stuck out your tongue and licked it!

If it were any other hot-tempered Young Miss from a noble family in the capital, they would have long since drawn their sword and poked eighty-one holes in you!

I only used my True Essence to push you away and didn't even harm a single hair on your head, yet you're the one acting aggrieved?

Murong Zhaoling's delicate fists clenched unconsciously, her heart feeling stifled.

What she didn't know was that Murong Yun had been beaten by her since they were children.

Every time he was beaten and went to see Chen Shanzhi and the others, he would frantically talk about how terrifying his eldest sister was behind her back.

Thus, in the eyes of Chen Shanzhi and the others, Murong Zhaoling was the complete image of a tigress.

Seeing Chen Shanzhi's eager look, as if he didn't want to stay for a single second longer and wanted to draw a clear line and escape.

She sighed inwardly.

She had originally spent all last night thinking, wondering how to use Murong Yun's name to trick him into coming over today for a good chat.

She had even planned to set up a banquet in the estate for a casual dinner to close the distance between them.

Now it seemed that this dinner was completely ruined.

However, today's trip wasn't entirely in vain.

At least, she understood this man a bit better now.

Extremely high martial talent, meticulous mind, and sharp eyes.

As for the rumors that he was a lecher, seeing him today, it indeed wasn't groundless.

Thinking of this, Murong Zhaoling gave Chen Shanzhi an annoyed glare.

This little thief actually... actually licked her earlobe just now!

He truly has the audacity of a lecher!

Murong Zhaoling suppressed the shame and anger in her heart, lightly tidying her slightly messy lapel, and regained her poise as a dignified eldest daughter of a noble house.

She spoke in a cool and indifferent tone:

"Since Brother Chen's household is strict and you fear your elders will worry, then Zhaoling will not keep you any longer.

It just so happens that I can walk you to the estate entrance."

After saying that, Murong Zhaoling took a step with her breathtakingly long legs and led the way out of the courtyard.

"Whew—"

Standing behind her, Chen Shanzhi saw that she didn't blow up on the spot, and the heart that was in his throat finally settled back down as he let out a long breath of turbid air.

He took small steps, honestly following behind Murong Zhaoling.

The beauty in front of him swayed in her green dress, her slender and graceful waist moving gently with her steps, making Chen Shanzhi's eyes heat up.

However, at the thought of that terrifying Life Fire Realm shockwave from earlier, Chen Shanzhi instantly snapped back to his senses.

She's truly beautiful.

But she's also truly capable of fighting!

Following behind, Chen Shanzhi's mind was still filled with constant murmurs.

This tigress really doesn't plan to hold me accountable?

Could she be holding back some big move?

Could it be that she thinks the commotion of beating someone in her own small courtyard is too loud, and she plans to lead me to the main gate of the Murong Manor?

And then, in front of all the commoners on the street, hang me up and beat me to make an example out of me?

Thinking of this, Chen Shanzhi felt completely unwell.

He quietly mobilized the True Essence from the Xuanguan Nine Apertures in his Dantian, frantically gathering it at the soles of both feet.

As long as there was even the slightest sign of trouble once they stepped out the main gate.

He would immediately execute his fastest-ever "Art of Running Away," crawling and rolling into his own carriage.

The two of them walked one after another, each with their own thoughts, weaving through the garden corridors of the Murong Manor.

The servants and maids in the estate saw their eldest Young Miss leading a handsome Young Master with red lips and white teeth out.

One by one, they were so shocked they stopped their work, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.

That was the Eldest Young Miss!

Normally in the estate, which young man dared to approach within three steps of her?

Today she's actually personally seeing off a guest? The sun must have risen from the west!

Through the front hall, past the screen wall.

Until the main gate of the Murong Manor was fully revealed before them.

The slap and the beating Chen Shanzhi had anticipated still hadn't fallen.

He safely crossed the threshold.

The slightly cool evening breeze blew against his face, and the large stone hanging in Chen Shanzhi's heart finally landed back in his stomach.

Outside the gate, the carriage of the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion was parked steadily by the roadside.

Coachman Zhao Da was leaning against the carriage with his arms crossed, dozing off. Hearing the movement, he immediately stood up straight.

Murong Zhaoling stood on the high stone steps.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto her emerald-green dress, outlining a breathtakingly beautiful silhouette.

She looked at Chen Shanzhi with a proper smile on her face:

"Brother Chen, I was a poor host today. Zhaoling will not see you further. If you have time in the future, feel free to visit the Murong Manor often, and we shall enjoy wine and conversation."

Standing below the stone steps, Chen Shanzhi quickly cupped his hands.

"Miss Murong is too kind. Thank you for the hospitality today. The Bamboo Leaf Green wine of the Murong Manor is indeed one of a kind in the capital! Then I shall take my leave..."

As he spoke, Chen Shanzhi habitually looked up.

His gaze subconsciously glanced at Murong Zhaoling's earlobe, which was hidden beneath her silky black hair once more.