Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 171 I'm so envious!

"I can not……"

Zhu Zhan suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze hardening again, but beneath that hardness lay a bottomless weariness and helplessness.

The responsibilities of the clan leader and the survival of the family weighed heavily on him, like two unshakeable mountains, making it hard for him to breathe.

He could not allow his entire family to perish for his daughter's personal fate, nor could he possibly betray the Star Luo Empire.

However, Lin Xia... this variable...

Zhu Zhan's thoughts returned to the young man. Even a blind man could see his attitude towards Zhu Qing.

That protection, that guidance, went far beyond the friendship of ordinary partners.

What if... what if Lin Xia really could grow to the point where he said he could "overturn the chessboard"?
If he could truly become a Title Douluo, or even... higher?
An idea began to grow uncontrollably in Zhu Zhan's mind and rapidly expanded: Perhaps... it is not necessary for the Zhu family to break the rules.

Perhaps the rules themselves will be forcibly changed by an external, more powerful force!
And Zhu Qing... perhaps with Lin Xia's protection, can break free from this damned cage of fate!

"This might be... the only way out?"

Zhu Zhan muttered to himself.

He cannot actively destroy the rules, but if the rules are broken by others, if Zhu Qing is "taken away" by others... then the Zhu family can at least avoid becoming traitors.

Even... because of their "connection" with Lin Xia, they might be able to secure a sliver of hope for the Zhu family in the event of a potential upheaval in the future?
This idea carries a strong utilitarian motive, yet it also reflects a father's instinct to see a glimmer of light in dire straits.

He needed confirmation, he needed to pave the way for this faint hope, even just a little bit.

At least... within the limits of the rules, give Zhu Qing some breathing room.

At the same time, it is also necessary to let another person know.

"Someone is coming."

Zhu Zhan's voice regained its usual composure, but with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness.

A servant appeared silently at the door, bowing to receive orders.

"Go and invite Miss Zhuyun over."

Zhu Zhan paused, then added.

"Right now."

A short while later, the study door was gently pushed open.

Zhu Zhuyun walked in.

She had a slender figure and was already showing signs of girlish charm. Her black outfit accentuated her tall and straight curves, and her long hair was tied up, revealing her smooth forehead and beautifully contoured jawline.

Her expression was as calm as ever, even carrying a hint of reserve and composure befitting her status as "young master." Her black eyes, which inherited the blood of the Zhu family, were as deep as an ancient well, revealing little emotion.

"Father, are you looking for me?"

Zhu Zhuyun's voice was clear and crisp, carrying just the right amount of respect.

Zhu Zhan turned around and his gaze fell on his eldest daughter.

He keenly sensed that beneath Zhu Yun's seemingly calm eyes lay a suppressed sharpness and vigilance, like a bowstring always taut.

This is the mark left by fate, preventing her from being as innocent and carefree as an ordinary girl.

"Sit down." Zhu Zhan pointed to the chair next to him and sat down behind the desk.

He didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point, telling Zhu Zhuyun everything about his conversation with Lin Xia at the lakeside pavilion that night, including Lin Xia's special attention to Zhu Qing, Lin Xia's astonishing remarks about "stars not being eternal" and "overturning the chessboard," as well as his own cryptic speculations about the possibilities of the future.

He didn't try to be sentimental; he simply stated his points in the calmest and most objective tone, as if he were analyzing a family strategy report.

The study was deathly silent.

The glow of the soul-guided lamp cast intermittent shadows on Zhu Zhuyun's face.

She listened quietly, maintaining an upright posture throughout, her hands resting on her knees without trembling at all, demonstrating remarkable self-control.

However, when Zhu Zhan spoke of Lin Xia's attitude towards Zhu Qing, and his implication that Lin Xia might possess power in the future that could provide protection for Zhu Qing or even "break the deadlock," a huge meteorite seemed to have been thrown into the depths of Zhu Zhuyun's calm eyes!

What exploded was not anger, nor jealousy, but a... overwhelming torrent called envy that almost drowned her!

The envy was so intense, so bitter, so sharp that a crack finally appeared in her flawless mask.

Her pupils contracted involuntarily, and her long eyelashes trembled violently, like butterfly wings on the verge of breaking in the wind.

Her beautifully shaped lips, which had been tightly pressed together, were now pressed down slightly, revealing the turmoil in her heart.

What does she envy?
I envy Zhu Qing for having a brother like Lin Xia by her side.
I envy his undisguised care and protection towards Zhu Qing.
I envy him for daring to utter such unconventional yet exhilarating words as "overturn the chessboard" in front of his father.

Envy him for possessing that magical, miracle-creating soul beast, Young Giras?

I envy Zhu Qing... Even though she bears the same fate as the Netherworld Cat, she seems to have a glimmer of hope to be saved by external forces and break free from this endless cycle of darkness?
These thoughts, like poisoned needles, pierced Zhu Zhuyun's heart one after another.

She was older than Zhu Qing and experienced the coldness and cruelty of this fate earlier and more deeply.

She had long since forged herself into a cold weapon, burying all her tenderness and fantasies deep within her heart.

She forced herself to become stronger, forced herself to scheme, and forced herself to accept the fate of fighting to the death with her younger sister in the future.

She thought she was hard enough, numb enough.

But when her father uttered that "sliver of hope," she realized with absolute clarity that deep within her heart lay such a profound and painful longing—a longing to be saved, a longing to be protected, a longing... not to kill her sister, nor to be killed by her sister!
The envy came so overwhelmingly that it almost shattered the defenses she had built up over the years. She could even taste the bitterness spreading across her tongue.

Zhu Zhan took in the complex emotions that burst forth in his daughter's eyes in an instant, and felt a pang of pain in his heart.

He knew his daughter too well; this silent envy spoke volumes more than any tearful complaint.

He remained silent, offering neither urging nor comforting, but simply waiting quietly.

After a long while, so long that the air in the study almost seemed to freeze, Zhu Zhuyun finally took a deep, silent breath.

She forcibly suppressed all the turmoil in her eyes, and when she raised her head again, her face miraculously returned to its usual calm, and even... the corners of her mouth curled up with a very faint, almost invisible arc.

There was no joy in that smile, only a profound, resigned understanding, and a deeply hidden weariness.

She spoke slowly, her voice still clear and cold, but Zhu Zhan detected a subtle hoarseness:

"Really...that's really..."

Zhu Zhuyun paused, seemingly searching for the right words, and finally, she softly uttered three words, carrying a heartbreaking weight:

"I'm so envious."

(End of this chapter)