Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 150 This is clearly a form of mental torture!

Dai Tianxing gave Lin Xia a deep look, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through all pretense and reach the very core of her being. He spoke slowly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Yes, I understand. Focus on your search; the Empire will provide you with the necessary support. Remember, the restoration of the Starry Crown is crucial to the fate of the nation, and I... look forward to your performance."

The last few words, though spoken in a light tone, carried a heavy weight.

Lin Xia's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm as she respectfully replied:
"This humble servant will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

He carefully stored the soul tool containing rare materials, and under Dai Tianxing's watchful gaze, turned and left the dazzling yet treacherous imperial vault.

As Lin Xia stepped out of the slowly closing liquid metal door, his back tensed slightly. He could feel two deep gazes behind him, imprinted on him as if they were tangible.

Dai Tianxing's generosity was genuine, but behind this generosity lay immense pressure and an absolute demand for results.

"Yo-ji?"

Young Gilas nuzzled against his shoulder, its scarlet eyes questioning.

"It's okay, let's go back."

Lin Xia suppressed her emotions, rubbed the little guy's hardened shell, and turned to walk towards the Zhu residence.

The treasure trove trip was very fruitful. Next, we need to seize the time to study that nameless gray stone to see if it can be used as a substitute for the core gem of the Starry Crown. At the same time, we also need to prepare for the search for the Illusionary Star Glass.

However, as soon as they stepped through the familiar gates of the Zhu residence, an unusual atmosphere rushed towards them like a cold tide.

Although the atmosphere was oppressive on ordinary days, at least the orderly structure of a prominent family was maintained.

But at this moment, the air was filled with a tense atmosphere, interspersed with faint, suppressed sobs.

Lin Xia paused, her gaze instantly locking onto the scene under the front courtyard corridor.

Zhu Zhan, the head of the Zhu family, stood with a gloomy face, his hands behind his back, exuding a deliberately imposing aura that suggested an impending storm.

His brows were furrowed, his gaze sharp, filled with a sense of disappointment and sternness that said, "I never expected you to be this kind of daughter," as he stared intently at the small figure standing opposite him.

And that figure was none other than Zhu Zhuqing.

She seemed to have lost a little weight in the few days I hadn't seen her.

Wearing that little black dress that symbolized her status only accentuated her frail figure, making her look heartbreakingly thin.

Her small shoulders trembled slightly, her pale lips were tightly pressed together, and she stubbornly raised her head. Her dark eyes were filled with tears, but she bit her lower lip hard to prevent them from falling. Her thick eyelashes were already wet with tears and stuck to her eyelids.

Her eyes were filled with grievance, confusion, and a hint of hurt and disbelief at being treated this way by her closest relatives.

That stubbornness, on that tear-streaked little face, appeared both exceptionally fragile and exceptionally strong.

Around them, several servants and guards stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to breathe, but their eyes inadvertently revealed pity, indifference, or a hint of barely perceptible schadenfreude.

Lin Xia's heart sank.

How familiar this scene is!

Without much thought, combining Zhu Zhuyun's "refining" remarks in the teahouse with Zhu Zhan's tacit approval of the changing winds in the mansion, Lin Xia instantly understood.

This is just another act.

A play directed by Zhu Zhan himself, and possibly with Zhu Zhuyun's involvement, aimed at "tempering" Zhu Zhuqing's will, making her "recognize reality," and experience "isolation and helplessness" and "humiliation"! Lin Xia walked calmly to a servant woman who was a little further away and was secretly peeking, lowered her voice, and asked in a curious manner.

"Aunt Wang, what's wrong? Why is the second young lady crying like this?"

When Aunt Wang saw that it was Lin Xia, this special guest, she didn't dare to be negligent. With a bit of excitement at watching the excitement, she quickly and quietly "reported".

"Oh dear, Young Master Lin, you're finally back! Something's happened! This morning, Madam Zhang discovered that the ten gold soul coins she had been saving for so long were gone! Those were her daughter's dowry money! She was so worried she cried! But... but... sigh!"

Aunt Wang deliberately kept everyone in suspense, glancing at Zhu Zhuqing and lowering her voice, conveying a deliberate sense of mystery and guidance.

"As a result, someone said that yesterday evening, they saw the second young lady wandering around near Zhang Mama's house..."

Lin Xia's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Could this excuse be any more clumsy or perfunctory?!
Would a six-year-old noble lady steal ten gold soul coins that a servant had painstakingly saved?
Even though Zhu Zhuqing was neglected in the Zhu household, her monthly allowance and her food and clothing were far superior to those of a servant. What would she do with that little bit of money? Buy candy?
Anyone with eyes can see that this is slander! It's a frame-up!
But Zhu Zhan believed it! Or rather, he needed to "believe"!
Sure enough, Zhu Zhan's deliberately raised voice, filled with disappointment and heartache, rang out again, like a heavy hammer striking the silent air:

"Zhuqing! How have I taught you all this time?! Children of the Zhu family should stand tall and act with integrity! If you need anything, just ask! How could you resort to such underhanded theft?! This is not just a disgrace to you, it's a disgrace to the ancestors of the Zhu family!"

Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled violently, as if she were being whipped by an invisible whip.

She suddenly raised her head, and tears finally streamed down her face uncontrollably. But she still bit her lip tightly, offering no explanation. Her tear-filled eyes stared intently at Zhu Zhan, their eyes telling her, "It wasn't me! I didn't!"

Zhu Zhan seemed to be stung by that stubborn gaze, but his expression immediately became even more stern.

"You dare glare at me?! The evidence is irrefutable, and there are witnesses right here! You still don't know you're wrong?! Do I have to resort to family discipline before you'll bow your head and admit your mistake?!"

He pointed to a maidservant beside him who was looking away and had a "grief and indignation" expression on her face.

"I don't……"

Zhu Zhuqing finally managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth, her voice hoarse and choked with sobs, filled with extreme grievance and anger at being wronged, her small fists clenched tightly.

"How dare you quibble!"

Zhu Zhan roared, his voice so loud it seemed to make the corridor buzz.

"It seems I've been too lenient with you, causing you to lose even the most basic sense of shame! If you don't apologize to Mother Zhang in public and admit your mistakes today, this matter will not be over!"

Lin Xia felt an inexplicable anger surge to the top of her head.

Looking at Zhu Zhan's "heartbroken" face, at the servants around him who were silent yet secretly watching the show, and then at Zhu Zhuqing's swaying, desperate figure pushed into the abyss of despair by her loved ones, he felt a wave of nausea.

This is hardly education.

This is clearly a form of spiritual torture! It's an attempt to completely crush this little girl's dignity and trust!
Just then, Zhu Zhan caught a glimpse of Lin Xia standing on the periphery of the crowd.

His gaze sharpened slightly, clearly noticing the undisguised coldness and disapproval in Lin Xia's eyes.

But Zhu Zhan only paused slightly, then his eyes became even more "firm," as if to say:

You see, this is reality, this is what she has to face!

He addressed Zhu Zhuqing again, his voice even sterner:

"Zhu Qing! Apologize! Let this matter rest! Doesn't my Zhu family's daughter even have the courage to take responsibility for her mistakes?!"

(End of this chapter)