The Princess And The Lord

It took them a few minutes to reach the forbidden forest's entrance. They met a large group of people preparing to get in. They all glanced at Zhao Li Xin's group with amazement as they could sense the Hei Shen Sect members' strength. Walking inside the forbidden forest was a dangerous task and there was a high chance of leaving the place alive if you joined a strong group.  

"May I know where these young masters are from?" A middle-aged man with half grey hair approached them. He wanted to align the new group with his. He quickly jumped to invite them before others could.

Zhao Li Xin ignored the man and Bei Li Yan took charge. Bei Li Yan gave the man a dazzlingly smile, "We're nobodies. We are just here to explore the forbidden forest."

'Yeah, right!'

No one believed Bei Li Yan's words but they couldn't refute what he said. Although Bei Li Yan was smiling, one could see the threat in his eyes. The middle-aged man gave an awkward smile, "Yes, yes. The forest is quite mind-blowing once you get close to the ancient tomb."

"The journey inside the forbidden forest might be treacherous. Why..."

"We can take care of ourselves," Bei Li Yan cut the middle-aged man's words. He wasn't stupid to not know they wanted to take advantage of them. There was no way Bei Li Yan would let them do that. He gave them a sly smile, "You don't need to be worried."

The middle-aged man was perplexed by Bei Li Yan's words but there was nothing he could do. He also didn't wish to irk the group so he had no choice but to retreat. Lory watched the middle-aged man lose the battle of wits and wondered why the scene was familiar to her. It took her a moment to remembered Fredhard would crush other people with a smile. Lory's mouth curved slightly at the old memory.

Girsha hovered over everyone and his golden feathers attracted the people's attention. Their thoughts of capturing the beautiful bird were crushed when Girsha perched on Lory's shoulder, and Lory casually took out a grape from her spatial ring to feed the old bird.

Lory failed to notice the envious and greedy looks the people threw her but Zhao Li Xin was aware. He threw everyone a threatening look for coveting his savior's pet. His menacing look was enough to send chills down their spines. They all stopped looking at Lory.

[The beasts inside the forest are different from other normal beasts] Girsha used telepathy to speak to Lory [Many animals or beasts flee by instinct when they meet someone stronger, but the beasts inside this forest aren't like that. They are more aggressive than normal beast…]

Lory's heart raced with worry [Like a shadow beast?]

[No. Not like that!] Girsha assured Lory and her heart calmed [They still seem normal but their state of mind is a little different. Do you know how rabid dogs behave?]

Lorry tilted her head. She saw it once at an animal hospital in Herriond [Yes. Is it like that?]

Girsha nodded [I'm guessing it's because of the poison mist. The closer we get to the ancient tomb, the worse the beasts will be. It is good you are being smart for once as you brought the best OP group in the country]

[Hey... How rude! I know my limits…] Lory pursed her lips.

[Do you...?] Girsha looked at her with disbelief in his eyes.

History proved her wrong. Lory had a tendency of being reckless. People thought Lory was the careful one because she always seemed to be the obedient child when compared to Lucas. However, those close to her knew Lory tended to be reckless. The King reprimanded her more often than he did Lucas.

Zhao Li Xin noticed Lory had suddenly gotten quiet but thought she was nervous about getting into the forest. He took her hand gently and softly said, "Don't worry. I'm here."

Lory's cut off her telepathic conversation with Girsha as the warm hand grabbed hers. She looked at him and met Zhao Li Xin's gentle gaze. She didn't know what he had said but decided to smile at him in response. 

"Let's go!" Zhao Li Xin commanded his people. He didn't want to waste time outside the forest. Zhao Li Xin was using the principle of the earlier you left, the earlier you returned. He didn't want Lory to stay out longer than needed. They had taken a few steps towards the forest when they meet the Huang siblings and their flashy entourage dressed in white.

Huang Ni Yang's eyes glinted with excitement when she saw Zhao Li Xin, a man who had occupied her nightly dreams. He was even more handsome than she remembered. She tugged Huang Zi Feng's sleeve, "Brother, there he is. The man I told you about."

Huang Zi Feng frowned. He didn't want to admit the man his sister was referring to had a perfect carved face and the two men behind the man were also not ordinary looking. Huang Zi Feng clenched his hand. One of the things he hated the most was finding anyone who was more handsome than him yet he had stumbled over three handsome men at once. He was displeased.

Huang Ni Yang ignored her brother's disconcerted face and blocked Zhao Li Xin's path. She gave him a gorgeous smile and didn't hide her yearning gaze, "It has been a while, hasn't it? It's a pity we didn't have time to chat before. It is fortunate that we have met once again. Why don't you join our group so that we can look out for each other?"

Huang Ni Yang smiled sweetly as she believed no man would refuse her. Her thinking was true since there was no man who had ever turned her down since childhood. It could be because they either genuinely liked her or feared her. 

The other men watched Zhao Li Xin with envy. For him to be able to attract a beautiful person like Huang Ni Yang was considered a blessing for seven generations as the Heavenly Jade Pavilion's power was her backer. This would allow him to achieve a lot in this world.

Although they thought Zhao Li Xin was fortunate, they couldn't help but pity the woman beside him. The woman paled when compared to Huang Ni Yang. They could also tell she didn't have much Qi circulating in her body, a waste that could never match up to Huang Ni Yang. They also couldn't help but think of snatching her beautiful bird if the man chose to abandon her.

Girsha could feel his butt freeze from the dark thoughts aimed at him. He unconsciously rubbed his butt on Lory's shoulder and the princess glared at him. Lory was tempted to throw the impolite bird but thought she had to maintain her image.

Zhao Li Xin looked at Huang Ni Yang without emotion. His words were cold, "Who are you? You are in my way…"

Huang Ni Yang didn't know how to react as she had never been rejected before. Her face paled slightly. Zhao Li Xin was annoyed as the woman didn't step aside after he had kindly asked her. Zhao Li Xin forgot what he considered kind couldn't be measured to normal standards.

"Move…" Zhao Li Xin repeated with a flat voice.

Huang Ni Yang was shocked once more that she unconsciously took a few steps back. Zhao Li Xin held Lory's shoulders and passed. Bei Li Yan and the others smiled happily at the small show.

'This is the lord we used to know', The subordinates thought.

"HEY, YOU!" Huang Zi Feng yelled at Zhao Li Xin. He didn't like how Zhao Li Xin humiliated his sister as it could ruin his image. Zhao Li Xin halted his steps and turned calmly with an indifferent look. Jin Hao and the Mong brothers looked the same but Bei Li Yan could barely hide his teasing smile behind his fist. He always found it funny when people asked to be killed by his lord.

"How dare you treat my sister like that!" Huang Zi Feng glared at Zhao Li Xin. "My sister is being generous to you. You should be grateful my sister decided to be a little kind to you. You better not get in over your head."

"I don't know her…" Zhao Li Xin answered briefly. This was true as they had never met face to face.

Everyone was dumbfounded by this. Couldn't the man at least pretend to know Huang Ni Yang as there was nothing to lose to know such a beautiful lady?

Lory felt another unnecessary clash was going to happen. She wasn't worried Zhao Li Xin could lose but she didn't want Zhao Li Xin and his people to waste their power before they entered the forest. They might win but it would be disadvantageous if someone in her group got hurt. She also didn't wish to waste time.

"Mister, my fiancée has never seen your sister before but she decided to become too chummy towards him. My fiancée would naturally become wary. Won't you be wary if a stranger suddenly became too friendly to you, especially if she is a beautiful girl," Lory tried to knock some sense into everyone's heads.

Their audience could only agree with her words. It was possible the man didn't know her and Miss Huang Ni Yang didn't introduce herself properly. She may have assumed all men knew her. Their opinion on Huang Ni Yang lowered a few points. Bei Li Yan and Jin Hao were surprised Lory had the wits to fight Huang Zi Feng as they always thought Lory was a quiet girl.

"Thank you for your benevolent offer but my fiancée and his friends are more than capable of taking care of themselves. You don't need to worry about us," Lory used her politician's smile. "Your generosity is appreciated but we should all make haste before it gets dark."

Lory nodded politely at Huang Zi Feng, linked arms with Zhao Li Xin, and walked away before anyone could say anything. Zhao Li Xin's mind had stopped listening when Lory referred to him as her fiancée.

Everyone realized it was indeed getting late and didn't waste more time. They forget about the petty quarrel and followed Zhao Li Xin's group. It took a while for Huang Zi Feng to realize the group had left without an apology. It also dawned on him the girl who was a waste had led him by the nose. Huang Zi Feng's face turned from green to red while Huang Ni Yang…was still in shock...

Many ladies had received their first heartbreak on that day.

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