Chapter 401: How About Forming a Contract with Me

The Valoran Empire...

Yu Zhizhi looked over. ’The Duke won’t be coming, will he?’

’As for Tang Luo Ke, there’s been no word from him at all.’

The Valoran Empire’s delegation caravan slowly approached. Accompanying them was the Divine Hall Alliance. A young man from the Cat Clan sat atop a carriage, wearing a white mask from the Divine Hall. The Divine Hall guards traveling with him all wore identical masks.

The vast, imposing procession slowly came to a halt at the entrance of the Extreme Ice Palace.

The envoy from the Valoran Empire slowly stepped out of his carriage.

He was a middle-aged man dressed in deep red ceremonial robes. A medal symbolizing the council hung on his chest; he was likely one of the Empire’s councilors.

Seeing him, Yu Zhizhi slowly let out a sigh of relief.

’The Duke didn’t come.’

She had actually guessed as much. She’d heard Big Shark say before that the Duke would never leave the Valoran Imperial City.

The delegations from all Three Great Empires had now arrived.

After a round of polite pleasantries, the councilor from the Valoran Empire got straight to the point. "I have come today on behalf of the Valoran Empire to make a public announcement."

After speaking, he looked toward the Divine Hall Alliance.

The Cat Clan youth sitting on top of the carriage gave a slight nod. He opened his palm, and a Little Golden Ball slowly flew into the air.

He explained, "The Divine Hall Alliance and the Empire’s United Law Enforcement Team will bear witness to today’s events. This is an official recording device. Please, my lords, do not be concerned."

The moment Yu Zhizhi heard his voice, she recognized him—

Zero!

She couldn’t help but take two steps forward.

’It really is Zero, here with the Divine Hall Alliance! Didn’t he go to Demon Hunting City? Is his business there already finished?’

The Cat Clan youth noticed the little rabbit’s movement. He glanced over, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly beneath his mask.

The Divine Hall Alliance, like the Knight Alliance, was a neutral organization.

However, they leaned more toward a particular faith.

There were many believers within the Alliance.

As for the Empire’s United Law Enforcement Team, it was the highest law enforcement body, formed by the Three Great Empires of the Beast World Planet, and possessed the greatest public credibility.

This matter would be recorded in detail by the device.

Every resident of the Beast World Planet would bear witness together.

The marriage of an SS Level female was a matter of utmost importance, watched by all.

The Lord of Paradise’s gaze fell upon the Cat Clan youth.

’The Divine Hall Alliance, the Valoran Empire, and the Law Enforcement Team appearing together... they must have reached some kind of agreement.’

’So, the matter the Valoran Empire is about to announce...’

’...is probably related to the little rabbit’s marriage.’

The Valoran councilor smiled as he held up a Contract Book with both hands. The Little Golden Ball slowly floated toward it.

In the open space directly in front of the Extreme Ice Palace’s entrance, a massive screen materialized.

The Little Golden Ball’s live feed was projected onto it, clear for everyone to see.

"This is the Marriage Contract between Ms. Zhi Zhi and Lord Locke. Both parties have signed and affixed their thumbprints. It has been reviewed and stamped by the Imperial Matchmaking Hall and is now legally binding. My lords, please take a look."

’A Marriage Contract?!’

Yu Zhizhi stared in astonishment. On the massive floating screen was an official Marriage Contract, and on it was her own thumbprint.

At the signature line, it was indeed her name and Tang Luo Ke’s.

’...When?’

Yu Zhizhi’s heart pounded. ’Am I actually "married" to Tang Luo Ke? But... why don’t I remember it...?’

After thinking for a long time, Yu Zhizhi gradually seemed to recall a blurry image.

’It seemed to have been that night, when she was dazed and confused, and Tang Luo Ke had taken her hand and pressed it onto the paper...’

Ugh. She stopped reminiscing.

Too much had happened that day. She couldn’t remember anything clearly, only that she had clung to the Wolf Clan youth before her, kissing him again and again at his demand.

Seeing the Marriage Contract, the Lord of Paradise’s eyes darkened.

Aboard the Sea Whale, Shen He was wiping his bloodstained longsword. He glanced at the contract, a sneer spreading across his face.

’So this was the Valoran Empire’s plan all along.’

’No wonder they were so calm, arriving last.’

’They even brought the Divine Hall Alliance and the Law Enforcement Team to bear witness.’

Suspended in mid-air, Cang Lan stared intently at the signature and red thumbprint on the Marriage Contract. The date on it was long before she had arrived at the Extreme Ice Palace.

’This rabbit already had a Beast Husband when she came looking for me.’

’She hid it from me.’

Inside his carriage, Yusen watched the image appearing in his palm. The official seal on the Marriage Contract indicated it was real.

The Little Octopus was dumbfounded.

Huh? Tutu’s married! When?! Did it happen while I was asleep?!

It grabbed the hem of Yu Zhizhi’s dress with a tentacle. "Did you really put your thumbprint on that yourself?"

’Could it be a fake?!’

All eyes turned to her, considering a certain possibility—

It was highly likely the Valoran Empire had used some despicable means. Even if the official seal and the process were real, the person who signed might not have been her.

Yu Zhizhi’s face was pale. Steeling herself, she nodded. "It was me."

She had been the one to sign it, and she had been the one to make the thumbprint.

There was no mistake.

But she couldn’t explain to everyone what had happened at the time.

Yu Zhizhi’s feelings were a complicated mess. She was worried and nervous, but deep down, a faint thought surfaced that if her First Beast Husband was Tang Luo Ke, that would be pretty good...

After all, Tang’s whereabouts were still unknown.

’If a new mission starts, I should be able to complete it, right?’

The Valoran Empire’s councilor cleared his throat. "So, the current situation is that Ms. Zhi Zhi’s First Beast Husband is Lord Locke of Valoran’s K family."

The Valoran delegation had come this time for the sole purpose of announcing this fact.

Ms. Zhi Zhi already had a First Beast Husband.

Therefore, her marriage to the Crown Prince of the Moon Rising Empire was naturally void. After all, the wedding hadn’t taken place, and more importantly, there was no marriage contract.

Cang Lan grew increasingly furious. ’Just how many things about this little rabbit do I not know?’

’She already has a First Beast Husband—’

’Does she expect me, the dignified Crown Prince, to be her consort?!’

The elderly councilor from Moonrise looked regretful. If her First Beast Husband was from the Valoran Empire, it would be improper for Prince Canglan to insist on the marriage.

Even though Prince Canglan’s own mother, once the most revered female in the Moon Rising Empire, had taken other Beast Husbands, that was only after her marriage, and His Majesty the King’s position had been unchallengeable.

As for the Paradise Leader—

’He must be in as foul a mood as the Prince right now.’

’The Paradise Leader wasn’t even willing to share a wife with Prince Canglan, let alone with a male from another Empire.’

Just as the elderly councilor glanced over, he heard the Paradise Leader speak. "Tang Luo Ke isn’t here. Are you going to return to the Valoran Empire?"

The Lord of Paradise looked at the little Rabbit Clan female beside him. He saw her flinch slightly and knew that deep down, she didn’t want to go back at all.

’If she wanted to stay in Valoran, she wouldn’t have made a special trip to Moonrise.’

The Spider lifted his chin slightly. A hint of unease appeared on his pale face, and his voice was much gentler than usual. "Why not form a contract with me and return to Paradise together?"