Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Disdain from a Student’s Parent
The visitor was a lone middle-aged man with cropped black hair, dressed in luxurious attire and exuding an extraordinary presence.
He sat inside the room, drinking alone, without any regard for the fact that this was someone else's home.
When Dan Heng walked in and saw him, he frowned slightly.
This man was rather rude—displeasing.
However, the aura he emitted was very similar to Zhu Zhuqing's, indicating that they shared the same martial soul.
Netherworld Spirit Cat—House Zhu of Star Luo.
So, had Zhu Zhuqing's family come looking for her?
Dan Heng immediately guessed the purpose of his visit. If the man intended to take Zhu Zhuqing away, he had no objections.
As the prince's fiancée of Star Luo Empire, she was entangled in the whirlpool of power—a walking embodiment of trouble.
The longer she stayed, the more certain it was that his peaceful life would be disrupted.
"You must be Zhuqing's teacher, Mr. Dan Heng. I am her father." Prince Zhu smiled slightly, his demeanor casual. As one of the highest-ranking nobles in the Star Luo Empire, he had every reason to look down on most people in the world.
Although his subordinates had sent reports describing Dan Heng as rather mysterious, he did not believe the exaggerated descriptions.
Dan Heng must have been using some kind of illusion to change the color and aura of his spirit rings.
But the number of rings could not be faked—Dan Heng's true cultivation was likely only at the Spirit Emperor level.
Dan Heng gave a slight nod. "You could say that. She's been learning from me here."
As he spoke, he took a seat across from Prince Zhu.
Noticing the wine cup in Prince Zhu's hand, he raised an eyebrow slightly. The finely crafted glassware was clearly not something that belonged in his simple farmhouse.
Prince Zhu noticed Dan Heng's gaze, glanced at the cup in his hand, and chuckled. "I'm not accustomed to drinking the wine from around here, and since this is your home, I didn't want to touch anything that wasn't mine."
"I was able to enter because the door wasn't closed, but I haven't disturbed anything inside."
Prince Zhu spoke seriously.
And indeed, he was not lying. After his investigation, he had determined that Dan Heng was just an unambitious Spirit Emperor.
There was no reason to engage with him further—he simply needed to retrieve his daughter.
Dan Heng hummed in acknowledgment, his wariness toward Prince Zhu slightly easing.
"What brings you here?" Dan Heng asked bluntly.
Prince Zhu fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering his words. After a few seconds, he smiled and said, "Mr. Dan Heng, after spending these past few days with Zhuqing, you should have some understanding of her situation. She is a very diligent child."
Dan Heng nodded. Although Zhu Zhuqing's talent and comprehension were average, her perseverance had truly impressed him.
"She trains so hard because she wants to improve her strength as quickly as possible. But staying here, she won't be able to get what she really needs. She may even face some unnecessary criticism—after all, she is still a young girl."
Prince Zhu spoke gently. When he mentioned Zhu Zhuqing, there was a hint of a smile on his face.
"That's true." Dan Heng agreed.
Prince Zhu's smile deepened—he was pleased that Dan Heng was being so cooperative.
"So, I wish to take her back to where she belongs. Keeping her here is simply a waste of her potential. Of course, Mr. Dan Heng, this is not meant to offend you—it's just that our circumstances are unique…"
To emphasize his point, Prince Zhu released his spirit rings.
Seven rings rose from beneath him—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—the optimal configuration.
His intention was clear: Zhu Zhuqing did not need the guidance of a mere Spirit Emperor.
If she stayed with the family, she would receive far superior resources and training.
Not to mention, in Dan Heng's home, there wasn't even a simulated training ground.
Dan Heng nodded. "I understand. I have no objections."
Prince Zhu stood up, a natural air of superiority in his demeanor. Smiling, he said, "Good. Since I have your permission, I am relieved. If you are willing to join the Zhu family…"
Dan Heng shook his head, refusing without hesitation.
Joining the House of Zhu? That would only invite trouble upon himself.
Prince Zhu smiled faintly. The Zhu family had no particular need for a Spirit Emperor. He had not even revealed his true identity because, in his eyes, Dan Heng was not worth considering.
From beginning to end, his only goal had been to take Zhu Zhuqing away without any further involvement with Dan Heng.
"Well then, where is my daughter?"
Prince Zhu walked to the doorway and asked one last question.
Dan Heng replied, "She went to the Star Dou Forest. She should return in a couple of days."
Prince Zhu acknowledged this with a nod before stepping out.
At the doorway, he did not bother closing the door. Instead, he took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, looking around with a faint expression of disdain.
His youngest daughter had truly been reckless. Instead of seeking out Dai Mubai, she had wasted a month here?
Once he found her, he would certainly reprimand her.
Dan Heng watched as the seat Prince Zhu had occupied was polished nearly to a shine.
It seemed that having Prince Zhu stay in his "humble abode" was truly a burden.
Hopefully, he would take Zhu Zhuqing away…
Dan Heng thought indifferently.
After leaving the courtyard, Prince Zhu arrived at the most prestigious inn in town. There, he gathered a group of black-clad subordinates.
His previously elegant and composed demeanor vanished, replaced by cold severity.
"How are you handling this? A mere Spirit Emperor managed to intimidate you?"
"Did it never occur to you to reveal your status as a noble of the Star Luo Empire? Would he really dare to defy you? You've allowed Zhuqing to waste an entire month here—can you take responsibility for this?"
Prince Zhu grew more and more annoyed as he thought about the rustic little courtyard.
How could Zhu Zhuqing have tolerated staying in such a place?
The black-clad men all bowed their heads in silence, not daring to make a sound.
Prince Zhu snorted coldly and ordered them to investigate when Gu Yuena and Zhu Zhuqing would be returning.
At the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
Gu Yuena had not taken Zhu Zhuqing deep into the forest. Instead, they waited in an open clearing near the edge, with their carriage parked nearby.
Neither of them had prepared any overnight supplies.
Zhu Zhuqing had reminded Gu Yuena of this, but she had waved it off dismissively and asked, "You don't actually think we'll be spending the night here, do you? I don't want to! I want to go home tonight—I miss your teacher already!"
Gu Yue Na made no effort to hide her affection for Dan Heng.
Zhu Zhuqing blushed on her behalf. However, in the vast Star Dou Forest, the real challenge was not just hunting spirit beasts or ensuring their own safety—it was finding a suitable spirit beast in the first place!
Soon, the sound of rustling leaves echoed from the forest's depths.
Zhu Zhuqing knew that it was the sound of something moving at high speed, pushing past leaves and grass.
The next second, before she could even warn Gu Yue Na to be on guard, a dark figure suddenly burst out of the forest.
It was a tall, imposing man with jet-black hair, exuding a domineering aura.
In each of his hands, he held a dying Shadow Lynx.
"!!"
Even from a distance, Zhu Zhuqing could feel the overwhelming power within him!
"Zhuqing, that's the little brother I mentioned—Di Tian. Now, go ahead and kill those two thousand-year-old spirit beasts according to your teacher's instructions. I want to see if what he said is really true."
Gu Yuena was still skeptical—Dan Heng's suggestion had seemed far too outrageous.
Di Tian muttered, "There's no precedent for this… It's absurd—"
"You're not allowed to say that."
Gu Yuena immediately cut him off.
(End of Chapter)