C8 Send You off
Murong Xiao was thoroughly prepared for his visit this time. He had dedicated three months to finding a gift that would be worthy of Wang Yunuo. His quest led him to a necklace renowned in the underworld—a piece with a beautiful name: Peerless Wind. It was said that only a true heroine could possess such a necklace, with gold refined by human blood casting a haunting red glow, and thousands of diamonds serving as its embellishments.
After a grueling two-month search, Murong Xiao finally tracked down the notorious smuggler queen. He took matters into his own hands, ending her reign to claim the necklace. But to have a mere bodyguard dismiss it as a counterfeit? He had never faced such an affront in his life!
"Dad!" Murong Xiao turned to his father, who immediately fixed a fierce glare on Chu Chenglong.
"Young man, do you realize what you've just said?" The Imperator's gaze was intimidating, one that few would dare meet.
"Surely everyone here understands plain English, don't they?" Chu Chenglong retorted, looking around dismissively.
"You're out of line, kid. But I'm here to see Miss Wang today, so I'll let it slide. Haha!" The Shadow Court's laughter boomed.
Murong Xiao smirked at Chu Chenglong. "Aren't you going to thank the Imperator? Considering you work for Miss Wang, I'll overlook your offense."
"Uncle Shadow Court!" Wang Yunuo interjected urgently. "You've got it all wrong. Chu Chenglong isn't my bodyguard; he's my fiancé!"
The revelation hit like a bolt from the blue, leaving the Imperator and Murong Xiao stunned as if they'd been struck by lightning. Fiancé? That couldn't be!
Their visit, under the guise of seeing Wang Shichong, had a different purpose—they had come to ask for her hand in marriage!
"Which family do you belong to, young man? State your name!" The Shadow Court demanded, his eyes burning with fury.
People from the war zone were known for their fiery temperaments, and the Imperator was notorious for his single-minded determination.
Once he set his sights on a daughter-in-law, she had to be brought into the family, no exceptions.
Chu Chenglong, however, was left utterly speechless.
He had been aware since yesterday that guests with significant influence were expected at the sanatorium.
But he certainly hadn't anticipated the arrival of two fools!
And to top it off, they had the audacity to present a counterfeit Flawless Beauty necklace as a gift...
Embarrassing!
How did he know the necklace was a fake? It was quite simple.
The genuine Flawless Beauty necklace was still in the possession of the smuggling Empress, locked away in Dragon's Maw Prison!
The Empress had once intended to gift the Flawless Beauty to him.
But he had scorned the item, deeming it too feminine, and had declined it.
Now Murong Xiao claimed he had slain the smuggling Empress?
Utterly absurd!
They were nothing but a pair of clueless fools!
"Wang Shichong, you're being unfair. I've made it clear long ago that my son is to marry your Yunuo. What happened to that agreement?" the Imperator of the Shadow Court turned to Wang Shichong, his displeasure evident with a dissatisfied huff. "Since we're all here today, let's settle this matter. The engagement between this young man and Yunuo is to be called off. How does that sound?"
What?
Wang Yunuo bit her lip in frustration. She hadn't expected the Imperator to go to such lengths for his son.
A Lord Commander of his stature should command respect and authority over his domain.
Yet here he was, meddling in matters more suited to a gossiping matron!
Wang Shichong had remained silent until now.
"Ah... the fault lies with me for not managing this properly," he finally spoke.
He sighed, "The engagement between Chu Chenglong and Yunuo was agreed upon many years ago. It's been so long that I had nearly forgotten about it!"
"I've only mentioned Yunuo in passing to the Imperator."
"I owe an apology to all of you young people, so perhaps it's best if you sort this out amongst yourselves?"
Wang Shichong also realized he had become forgetful with age, having caused such a significant oversight.
"Fine!" Murong Xiao was the first to respond, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at Chu Chenglong.
"How about a fair competition to see who truly deserves to protect Sister Yunuo for a lifetime?" he proposed, turning his gaze to Wang Yunuo.
Wang Yunuo felt a wave of revulsion, her skin crawling at the thought.
Wang Yunuo's temper flared, and she impulsively agreed to the challenge.
She glanced at Chu Chenglong.
Her gaze made her intentions clear.
She wanted Chu Chenglong to go up against Murong Xiao!
Even if he lost, it wouldn't matter. She would find a way to ditch Murong Xiao.
After all, she was still engaged to Chu Chenglong!
Yet, she was well aware of Murong Xiao's superior abilities, and that Chu Chenglong was no match for him.
When it came to combat strength,
Chu Chenglong might never reach the heights of Murong Xiao's prowess.
"He's too frail; I fear one blow from me would kill him instantly, so I won't challenge him in combat strength!" Murong Xiao said, feigning concern as he dismissed his own advantage.
"How about we test our shooting accuracy instead?" he suggested.
A shooting competition?
"Chenglong, can you shoot?" Wang Yunuo asked, turning to her fiancé.
"I can, but I don't want to compete with him."
Chu Chenglong shook his head, then turned and walked away.
He couldn't be bothered with such trivial games with these nobodies.
They could entertain themselves.
"Haha! Sister Yunuo, he's nothing but a coward. How can such a weakling be your husband and protect you?" Murong Xiao boasted, basking in his perceived triumph.
Wang Yunuo watched as Chu Chenglong's figure receded in the distance, unable to find the words.
Her secretary leaned in to whisper, "Miss, you should forget that good-for-nothing. Murong Xiao truly cares for you. He is thousands of times better than him. Why even hesitate, Miss?"
"Is it your place to speak?" Wang Yunuo's voice was colder than ever, her eyes flashing with a hint of menace.
The secretary quickly slapped himself, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Miss, I spoke out of turn!"
Determined, Wang Yunuo commanded, "Prepare the car! I'm going to see him off!"
"See him off? Wait, Sister Yunuo, why bother with that loser?" Murong Xiao was taken aback, his smugness fading as he realized she might still choose Chu Chenglong over him.
He had thought that winning would mean he could claim Yunuo as his sister.
But now, it seemed that wasn't the case at all!
Boom!
Yunuo floored the accelerator, catching up to Chenglong in no time.
She braked hard, coming to a smooth stop right beside him.
"Get in, I'll give you a lift!" Yunuo offered with a smile.
Chenglong pondered for a moment before getting into the car.
"Why turn him down? It's just shooting."
Yunuo let out a sigh in the car, "And even if you lose, I'm still your fiancée! But you're too hopeless, I'm very disappointed in you! Sigh…"