Douluo Continent: From Internal Martial Arts to the Law of Heaven and Earth

"And there's a young girl with her?"

Xiao Kuang was somewhat surprised. He couldn't help but think of the young man and girl he had met on that rooftop.

How could it be such a coincidence? Dispelling this somewhat absurd thought, the arrogant man casually asked, "Since we lost track of them, were any arrangements made at the city gate?"

"Your Highness, rest assured, I have already arranged for my men to keep an eye on things."

The squad leader answered meticulously, without much fear.

During this period, these soldiers managed to get a fairly good grasp of the prince's personality.

They like to target ordinary soldiers, but they don't seem to have much malice towards their officers, even the lowest-ranking ones. It's hard to say whether that's lucky or unlucky.

"It's all arranged. Originally, we wanted to capture Tang Shan from the Heaven Dou Empire, but Tang Shan disappeared without a trace. However, we might be able to capture a mysterious person from the Spirit Hall. It's quite unexpected."

He muttered wildly to himself, ignoring the squad leader beside him. The squad leader remained silent throughout, simply continuing to follow him.

After sorting out his plan, Xiao Kuang revealed an incredibly bright smile and turned to the squad leader beside him: "I remember you should be called Wang Wu, right? Why bother you to personally handle something as trivial as delivering a message? Just send one of your men."

Wang Wu's lips twitched: "If I come here myself, I can at least save my life. But if I send ordinary soldiers, they might end up missing limbs or even be put on the list of the dead."

Although he was inwardly complaining, Wang Wu still answered politely on the surface: "After all, this concerns the important affairs of the Star Luo Secret Service, so it's always better to be cautious."

"Alright." Xiao Kuang didn't dwell on this point and casually ordered, "I'll go inspect the soldiers' dormitories tonight and see how they're living. After all, they are the future pillars of the empire, and they can't live too comfortably."

Wang Wu, who had initially breathed a sigh of relief, froze upon hearing Xiao Kuang's subsequent words. After a long silence, he cautiously asked, "Isn't this... a bit inappropriate?"

Xiao Kuang glared at Wang Wu: "What, you have a problem with this? I'm doing this for the sake of the empire. Do you think there's something shady hidden in the soldiers' quarters, or are you secretly colluding with Tian Dou?"

"Of course not."

Wang Wu replied dryly, deciding not to interfere with Xiao Kuang's decision anymore. He, a mere captain, couldn't really get involved in this matter; he'd rather leave it to the general to worry about.

……

In the Zhu Family Reading Room of Xingluo City

Rows of heavy bookshelves are closely connected, stretching as far as the eye can see, like a dense forest made of stacked books.

On the bookshelf, yellowed ancient books, simple bamboo slips, and sturdy animal hide scrolls are neatly arranged, exuding a sense of antiquity, and the air is filled with the faint scent of ink and the unique aroma of old paper.

The Zhu family members moved quietly among the bookshelves, heads down, carefully searching for the information they needed.

Zhu Zhuyun sat cross-legged, holding a thick book in her hands. A passing member of the Zhu family glanced at it and immediately recognized its origin.

The book is called "The Netherworld Codex". It records the cultivation experiences of almost all the Netherworld Cat spirit masters. It has a remarkable guiding effect on the cultivation of the Netherworld Cat spirit. As the most outstanding genius of the Zhu family in this generation, it is not surprising that Zhu Zhuyun reads this book.

However, if someone were to look from behind, they would discover that the book in Zhu Zhuyun's hand held a hidden secret.

Tucked inside the thick book was a detailed map, a layout of the entire Xingluo City. It clearly marked the exact location of the imperial palace, the Zhu family's residence, and other important buildings. At this moment, Zhu Zhuyun used the pretext of reading the "Secret Codex of the Netherworld" to quickly memorize the layout of Xingluo City.

The layout map of Xingluo City is actually not difficult to obtain; it is openly displayed in the Zhu family's reading room.

As for what if someone leaks this map to the Heaven Dou Empire? Nothing. To make this map useful, you have to conquer Star Luo City, located in the heart of Star Luo. If you can't, this map is no different from a piece of waste paper.

It was for the reasons mentioned above that Zhu Zhuyun had the opportunity to devise a near-perfect escape route, provided that she was not discovered.

What is the purpose of your fiancée, a prince, plotting the layout of Star Luo City? To avoid arousing suspicion, Zhu Zhuyun could only use reading the "Secret Codex of the Netherworld" as a cover.

call!

Zhu Zhuyun took a slow, deep breath, her chest rising and falling slightly, her full curves outlining a captivating arc beneath her clothes.

Without making a sound, she pulled out the blueprint, gently rolled it up with her delicate fingers, and then smoothly placed the "Secret Codex of the Netherworld" back in its original place, her movements fluid and natural.

Chapter 327 Preparing to Leave

Standing up, Zhu Zhuyun casually stuffed the rolled-up blueprint back into its place, stretched, her waist and abdomen naturally tightening, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful figure, and calmly surveyed her surroundings.

After confirming that no one was paying attention to her, Zhu Zhuyun remained vigilant, pretending to casually glance around before focusing her gaze on the corner of the stacked bookshelves.

There, a black-haired girl sat leaning against the corner of the wall, holding a thick book in her hands, another "Secret Codex of the Underworld".

Seemingly sensing Zhu Zhuyun's gaze, the girl's eyes turned cold, filled with defensiveness and distance. However, through deliberate searching, Zhu Zhuyun still managed to discover the message the girl was subtly conveying.

Shaking the index fingers on both sides of the book at the same time means that no one is paying attention to you while you are reading.

Zhu Zhuyun did not respond. She slightly raised the corners of her lips, glanced at the girl, turned around, and walked steadily out of the reading room.

Several young men who had been secretly watching the Zhu sisters couldn't help but sigh with disappointment when they saw that the elder sister had already left.

"Alas, such a beauty, yet the family rules require her to choose one of two options, what a pity."

"Yes, that prince didn't know how to cherish it. If it were me, I wouldn't want to miss it, no matter how great the risk."

"Didn't you ever think about keeping both of them by your side?"

"I dream about it, but in reality, it's hard to even get close to one person."

"Alright, stop talking nonsense. One of them is the designated Crown Prince's wife, the future Crown Prince's principal wife. If this gets out, you'll lose your head."

An older young man interrupted their discussion, looking in the direction where Zhu Zhuyun had just been, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Ah, such beauty, such talent, such hard work..."

Zhu Zhuyun, having left the reading room, was unaware of the deep sorrow and grief felt by many members of the Zhu family after her departure, nor of the turbulent emotions swirling within one of them. After leaving the reading room, she went straight back to her own courtyard. She went to the swing, lightly leaped up, turned, and landed gracefully. Her toes touched the ground lightly, using the momentum to make the swing sway gently.

Night fell, swallowing up the last glimmer of light, leaving only thick darkness between heaven and earth. Heavy clouds completely obscured the starry sky, preventing even a single ray of starlight from piercing through. Looking up, all she saw was an endless expanse of darkness. She gazed at the night, lost in thought.

Can they escape? Zhu Zhuyun asked herself. To be honest, even she didn't know; maybe she could, maybe she couldn't. But she knew very well that if she didn't try, the probability was zero.

The spacious courtyard, the exquisite flowers, and even the future palace—everything seemed like a giant cage, imprisoning her body and soul.

What would happen if she didn't run away? Zhu Zhuyun had also considered this possibility. If nothing unexpected happened, she would move forward and eventually become the Empress of the Star Luo Empire. During this time, she would witness the cruel political struggles, even personally killing her own younger sister. Afterward, she would live in the palace for a long time, her role being that of a tool, specifically responsible for bearing offspring and becoming the other half of the Star Luo Emperor's Martial Soul Fusion Technique.

This predetermined future was not what Zhu Zhuyun wanted; she longed for freedom, to be unbound by anything.

As for the possibility of the Zhu family suffering retaliation from the Dai family after escaping, Zhu Zhuyun didn't care at all—her mother was already dead, and she wanted to take Zhu Zhuqing with her; she didn't care about anything else.

As for his father, Zhu Qinggao, the man who used his two daughters as tools of the royal family and stepping stones for his advancement, he doesn't deserve to be a father. If he really had a chance to escape, his fate would probably be very tragic.

The bewildered girl looked up at the sky, wondering when that ray of dawn would appear.

……

Time flies silently, and in the blink of an eye, five days have passed.

Arrogantly sitting on the city wall, he glanced at the people entering and leaving the city gate below, his tone indifferent and devoid of emotion: "How is it? Still no clues?"

Wang Wu stood beside him with a wry smile on his face: "Your Highness, we have had our spies draw a portrait of the young man we saw that day, but we haven't found anyone who even remotely resembles him."

"Is that so? Perhaps that person has the means to change their appearance and has already secretly left the city. If that's the case, then the quality of the Star Luo soldiers is truly disappointing."

His arrogant and pointed words made Wang Wu's lips twitch involuntarily. To be honest, even he was now unsure whether the prince before him was genuinely looking for someone, or using the search as a pretext to slaughter his soldiers.

"I wonder if Your Highness has any solutions?"

Since we can't be sure, let's just pretend we're looking for someone. Wang Wu asked, forcing himself to be brave.

"I'll just watch from here. With my senses, I should be able to tell if there's any disguise."

However, we'll have to trouble the soldiers to bring us our meals for the next few days.

Upon hearing that the arrogant enemy wanted ordinary soldiers again, Wang Wu frowned. In less than a week, the enemy had already killed ten soldiers under various pretexts. If they sent ordinary people again, rumors would likely start to circulate in the army.

Although they covered up these few rampant killings by claiming sacrifice, the fact that they tore off the arms of two soldiers in public when they first climbed the city wall cannot be concealed.

If all else fails, these officers can run errands for His Highness. Wang Wu couldn't bear to see his soldiers suffer casualties any longer, and made up his mind.

"Your Highness, recently the general has taken a group of soldiers out for training. How about I have the remaining officers take turns running errands for you?"

Wang Wu cautiously probed, and to prevent some low-key officers from accidentally falling victim to the arrogant and ruthless man, he deliberately emphasized the word "official".

Xiao Kuang glanced at Wang Wu with amusement and nodded: "Okay, I'm a little hungry now, go get me something to eat."

"Okay." Wang Wu didn't expect Xiao Kuang to agree so readily. Afraid that he would go back on his word, he quickly turned around and hurried to get food for this ancestor.

Watching Wang Wu leave, Xiao Kuang's lips curled into a contemptuous and mocking smile: "So you're supposed to be protecting your subordinates, then why didn't you come in person the first time, but instead sent ordinary soldiers again? It's utterly hypocritical and laughable." His whisper went unheard and dissipated with the wind.

He stood up, arrogantly spreading his arms as if embracing the sky. Recent events replayed in his mind like a rewind, and his mocking smile deepened: So what if you've figured out my habits? I do hate ordinary soldiers, and under normal circumstances, I will only attack them, but so what? Looking at your hypocritical masks already gives me immense pleasure.

……

Tang Shan had just emerged from his meditative state when he felt a gaze fixed on him.

Looking down, a delicate and attractive face came into view, with dark eyes staring intently at him, their gazes shifting and conveying a myriad of emotions.

"Is the cultivation over?"

The girl's voice was clear and crisp, her red lips were pink and delicate, making one want to take a bite.

Calming the slight ripples in her heart, Tang Shan nodded gently: "We're leaving today. Is there anything else you'd like to visit? If so, you can stay a few more days."

Gu Yue's eyelashes trembled slightly, her gaze averted for a moment, then quickly returned to him: "No need, we've already eaten everything we needed to. Let's go to the next city soon."

"it is good."

Tang Shan got up and went straight to the washroom.

"Are you sure you're not going to deal with that Star Luo spy's stronghold?" Gu Yue leaned against the wall, arms crossed, body slightly tilted to the side, and asked curiously.

Tang Shan shook his head slightly: "Forget it, that arrogant guy is still in Gengxin City. He stayed in their room for so many days for free, so let's just consider it payment for the room."

On his second day in Gengxin City, Tang Shan planned to go downstairs to extend his stay. When he arrived at the front desk to pay, the clerk told him that the room fee was waived, and that the order came from the boss.

Recalling his arrogant self-introduction, and knowing he couldn't very well just find him in person and force him to give him money, Tang Shan ultimately accepted the arrogant man's offer.

Having taken advantage of someone, and now turning around to attack their stronghold, is really unethical. Tangshan doesn't have the audacity to do such a thing.

Anyway, there are many Star Luo strongholds, and Gengxin City is not an exception. If we miss this one, we can just destroy another city.

After washing up, Tangshan and Guyue went downstairs side by side, just as people were checking in.

"I heard rooms are in high demand here, is that true? How much does it cost?"

"No, that happened four days ago. How many rooms do you need?"

"Three rooms."

"Ok."

The new guest passed by Tangshan, who simply placed the key on the table and requested to check out. The process was completed very quickly, in less than two minutes.

As they stepped out the door, Tang Shan and Gu Yue exchanged a glance, then simultaneously looked away, clearly feeling a little guilty—there were already vacant rooms available the day after they arrived, but they seemed to have subconsciously overlooked it. Why was that?

Well, it must be because they didn't know if the second room would be free, and they wanted to save some money, so they ignored this option.

The two of them found a rather absurd reason for themselves and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

As for why one person, backed by the Crown Prince of Tiandou, and another, a Soul Beast Master, would save money, that's not the point, and it's not important at all.