Chapter 407 - 406: "Unwilling to Return?

A layer of mist rose from the surface of the sea, ethereal and illusory, as if forever out of reach.

It was almost impossible to see anything in the distance...

As the ship sailed on, the distance between it and the mist never changed.

Yu Zhizhi stood on the deck, letting the wind blow past her. This voyage’s direction was completely different from her previous one on Shen He’s ship; she was approaching an unfamiliar domain.

As the ship advanced, it gradually sailed into the misty region.

The moment they entered the mist, Yu Zhizhi’s heart gave a heavy thump!

This aura—

’It feels somewhat familiar.’

A faint sense of unease bloomed deep within her.

Beside her, Wild Dog also sensed something was wrong. All sorts of things could happen at sea, and heavy fog like this wasn’t rare, but this time, it didn’t seem to be a natural phenomenon. It felt man-made.

He slowly tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

Deep within the mist, what looked like a mirage began to appear.

Yu Zhizhi looked up at the figure gradually taking shape, her breath catching. "Duke...?"

The man’s form was illusory and ethereal. Perhaps it was the angle, but he looked like a divine statue enshrined in the Holy Temple.

’Is that really him?’

’Or a puppet?’

’Or maybe a projection?’

Yu Zhizhi was incredibly nervous, but she thought, ’Maybe the Duke is just here to see me off?’

She slowly took a step forward. "Duke, what brings you here?"

The Duke in the Cloud Mist slowly looked over. His pair of golden, vertical pupils were deep and dark, and the corners of his mouth held the faintest hint of a smile. "And where might you be going?"

"...To my territory." Yu Zhizhi answered honestly. "The Empire Alliance approved my application."

—It had been approved.

But that was merely an expedient measure.

It was simply to prevent her from choosing anyone at the Extreme Ice Palace.

Wild Dog also recognized the man.

He silently watched Duke Bolan in the Cloud Mist.

"What territory? Since you are already married to Tang Luo Ke, you will return to the Valoran Imperial City for the time being. In his absence, it is my duty to ensure your safety."

Yu Zhizhi’s heart skipped a beat!

’The Duke is here to take me back to Valoran!’

"N-No need for protection. I can take care of myself." Yu Zhizhi didn’t want to go back.

Tang Luo Ke wasn’t there. She...

She didn’t want to go back.

’What if the Duke still wants that Green Snake male to become my Beast Husband?’

"Unwilling to come back?" The Duke in the Cloud Mist didn’t seem surprised at all that the little rabbit would refuse. In fact, the smile on his face grew wider. "I’m afraid that’s not up to you."

Wild Dog impassively moved to shield Yu Zhizhi behind him.

The Duke glanced at him. "We meet again."

He had encountered this newly-promoted Knight Commander once before, when he went to the Chelsea Territory to retrieve the little female.

Wild Dog didn’t speak. He slowly drew the sharp sword from his side, an action that made his stance perfectly clear.

The Duke watched him indifferently. "Step aside."

The knight in black armor remained in front of the Rabbit Clan female, unmoving.

He showed no intention of moving.

Within the mist, Fog Blades gradually condensed, piercing through the clouds and shooting straight for the knight’s figure.

Wild Dog raised his treasured sword high, cleaving through the sharp, hard Fog Blades. The sound of the impacts was ear-piercing. Waves crashed against the deck, the sailboat rocked, and Yu Zhizhi began to lose her balance.

She quickly grabbed a nearby wooden mast, watching as Wild Dog was swarmed by the Fog Blades. The Duke’s every assault was overwhelmingly powerful. Wild Dog’s sword glowed with a faint red light, as if stained with fresh blood, tingeing even the white Fog Blades a rosy hue.

"No matter how you persist, it’s just a waste of time."

The Duke’s golden serpentine pupils darkened. A massive phantom python materialized behind him. The wind and waves grew more violent, nearly capsizing the entire ship.

The mist grew even thicker. Yu Zhizhi could barely see three steps in front of her, let alone the distant Duke.

Her heart leaped into her throat. "Don’t... don’t fight..."

Yu Zhizhi had a bad feeling.

The whistling wind filled her ears, mixed with the clang of sharp weapons colliding. Occasionally, she could see a flash of red through the dense fog—

’Is it the knight’s sword?’

’Or his blood?’

Yu Zhizhi was sick with worry. Unable to think of anything else, she could only grope her way forward.

"Ping... Ping’an..."

She called out, "Are you up ahead?"

Following a distinct, muffled grunt and a blast of frigid air, Yu Zhizhi ran right into a figure.

Wild Dog barely managed to stop himself. His black helmet, now cracked, suddenly fell off.

THUD!

Yu Zhizhi could finally see the person in front of her. She hurriedly supported his arm, her hand touching large, wet patches of blood.

In the mist, the young knight’s silhouette was somewhat blurry.

She could vaguely make out the long scar on his face.

"...An?"

She wanted to use her Healing Skill, but found that her spiritual power was "sealed" by something, completely unresponsive.

There was nothing but a vast expanse of white all around.

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t see a thing.

Wild Dog dropped to one knee. He suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, driving his sword into the deck in front of him.

The Duke’s voice seemed to come from far away, yet also seemed to float right by her ear.

"If you don’t want this Wild Dog to die, then you will come with me obediently."

Yu Zhizhi was frantic. "Duke, please stop fighting! I’ll go back with you..."

She really wanted to go to her territory.

But she was even more unwilling to see Wild Dog die in front of her.

This was a life she had saved in the Duke Mansion while doing a side quest. Seeing him able to start a new life had made her genuinely happy for him.

She couldn’t use her Healing Talent now, but even with her naked eye, she could tell that Wild Dog’s injuries were extremely severe.

Before the ship, a road of clouds leading into the distance materialized.

The Duke’s meaning was very clear.

He was determined to take her away.

Yu Zhizhi said softly, "The commission... let’s just end it here. When I get back, I’ll find a way to get you your payment."

Wild Dog suddenly grabbed her wrist. "Don’t go."

The young knight’s curly hair was soaked with sweat. He slowly turned his head, staring intently at the Rabbit Clan female before him. "He can’t keep this up for much longer. As soon as the mist disperses, he won’t be able to hide his aura anymore. Moonrise and Deep Sea will realize what’s happening. They’ll come and save you."

"Until then, let me protect you."

This was the longest sentence Yu Zhizhi had heard from Wild Dog since they were reunited.

’Wild Dog means...’

’If we just drag this out, the Duke won’t be able to take me?’

But—

Yu Zhizhi was still anxious. She shook her head. "No, no, you’ll die."

The Duke was dead set on taking her away.

If Wild Dog continued to block him, Yu Zhizhi didn’t dare to imagine what would happen next.

Wild Dog grasped the hilt of his sword and pulled the blade from the deck.

After a brief rest, he dragged his battered body to its feet.

His back was perfectly straight.

"It doesn’t matter."

"As long as it allows you to get what you want most."

"I am willing to die."

She said she wanted freedom, and he was willing to trade his life for it.