Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

Dai Mubai felt as if he had been hit by a mountain, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the official road, sliding for more than ten meters before coming to a stop.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the soil beneath him red.

He struggled to get up, but the sharp pain in his chest made it difficult for him to even breathe.

"Cough...cough..."

Commander Zhao walked up to him and looked down at him.

The moonlight behind him cast his shadow over Dai Mubai.

"Your Highness, why bother?"

He bent down, grabbed Dai Mubai by the collar, and lifted him off the ground like a chick.

Dai Mubai's face was covered in blood, and Zhao's expressionless face was reflected in his sinister eyes.

“Davis…will kill me.” His voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible.

Commander Zhao looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

"Maybe."

Then, dragging Dai Mubai along, he turned and headed towards Wuhun City.

……

Under the same night sky.

Another room in the Shrek Academy accommodations.

Zhu Zhuqing did not sleep.

She sat by the window, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her cat-like eyes reflecting the moonlight outside.

There was a glass of water on the table that had gone cold, but she didn't drink a drop.

She is waiting.

What are you waiting for?

She herself didn't know.

Waiting for dawn? Waiting for orders? Waiting for their own fate?

The night breeze rustled the window, making a soft creaking sound.

She heard it.

Very light footsteps came from the next room, crossed the corridor, pushed open the back door, and disappeared into the night.

That person ran away.

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes, a bitter smile curving her lips.

run?

Where are you going?

Having just won, Davis is not about to let the tiger return to the mountain.

Where could Dai Mubai possibly run off to?

She opened her eyes and her gaze fell on the glass of ice-cold water.

She won't run away.

It's not that I don't want to, it's that I can't.

Because she knew she couldn't escape.

Running away tonight will only lead to the same fate as Dai Mubai.

She understands Zhu Zhuyun.

That woman, seemingly gentle and kind, was actually frighteningly shrewd.

Today's victory in the ring will only make her more vigilant.

There must be someone watching outside my room, perhaps on the roof opposite my window, or perhaps in the shadows at the end of the corridor.

If she dares to take a single step, that gentle face will be torn to shreds instantly.

Zhu Zhuqing let out a soft breath and leaned against the window frame.

But she knew that she was actually luckier than Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai is a prince.

It was a direct threat to Davis's throne.

His blood, his martial spirit, his very existence, are a provocation against Davis's rule.

Therefore, Davis will not let him live.

But she's different.

She is the daughter of the Zhu family and the inheritor of the Netherworld Cat.

She will not threaten Davis's throne, but will only shake Zhu Zhuyun's favor.

Zhu Zhuyun was never a woman who would kill for the sake of favor.

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes, and the look in Zhu Zhuyun's eyes when she looked at her on the arena during the day flashed through her mind.

Compassionate, arrogant, condescending.

It's like watching a child who doesn't know any better.

"Zhuqing, you've worked hard."

She pondered those words, and the curve of her lips deepened into a bitter smile.

Hard?

Yes, it must be really tough.

He trained desperately, tried desperately to become stronger, and desperately wanted to prove that he was not a waste, not a vassal, and not a pawn that could be manipulated at will.

In the end, in Zhu Zhuyun's eyes, she was just a child who had worked hard.

Zhu Zhuqing tapped her fingers lightly twice on the windowsill.

She knew what she was about to face.

Davis won't kill her.

Her talent, her appearance, and her martial spirit are all valuable things.

Davis will keep her, perhaps to take her into his harem, perhaps to marry her off to a meritorious official, or perhaps as a bargaining chip to win over the Zhu family.

She will live, no matter what.

To continue living in another way.

Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, and the moonlight fell on her face, making her delicate features appear as pale as snow.

She didn't know if this could be considered lucky.

Maybe so.

At least, he's luckier than Dai Mubai.

The night breeze outside the window has stopped.

In the distance, the clock tower of Wuhun City rang the midnight bell.

Zhu Zhuqing stood up, walked to the bedside, lay down, and closed her eyes.

She needs to sleep.

Tomorrow, there are still many things to face.

……

Davis's room.

Bright lights.

Several bottles of fine fruit wine were placed on the coffee table. Zhu Zhuyun leaned back on the sofa, playing with an empty wine glass in her hand, a lazy smile on her lips.

Davis sat by the window, holding a piece of intelligence and reading it.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, and Commander Zhao strode in, kneeling on one knee.

"Your Highness, the person has been brought back."

Davis didn't even look up, turning the page of the intelligence report.

"Are you badly injured?"

"My men were a bit too heavy-handed, but they won't kill him."

"Ah."

Davis finally put down the intelligence in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"My younger brother is as stupid as ever."

His tone was light and casual, as if he were talking about something trivial.

"Did he think I'd give him a chance to escape? We just fought during the day, and he's running away at night? Does someone with that kind of brain even deserve to compete with me?"

Zhu Zhuyun chuckled and put down her wine cup: "Your Highness had already foreseen this?"

“His thoughts are written all over his face, it would be a waste of ink to say that.” Davis shook his head. “I could tell from his expression in the ring that he was scared. A scared person either accepts their fate or runs away. If he accepts his fate, I’ll think more highly of him.”

He paused, his eyes growing even colder.

"Unfortunately, he chose to run."

Zhu Zhuyun tilted her head slightly: "How does Your Highness intend to deal with him?"

Davis remained silent for a moment.