The gale from the explosion dissipated. Wang Zhong covered Zhu Zhuqing's eyes and said gently in her ear, "This child cannot be seen."
However, this only ignited the kitten-like curiosity in her. Zhu Zhuqing shook her head repeatedly, trying to shake off Wang Zhong's hand.
"Be good, listen to me, okay?"
The gentle tone, carrying sunlight-like warmth, reached her heart from her ear. Under such warmth, Zhu Zhuqing inexplicably felt a sense of languor.
Like a cat basking in the sun, feeling its warmth and wanting to nap for a while.
"Mmm, okay."
She nuzzled Wang Zhong's chin softly, responding in a sweet, tender voice.
Receiving this response, Wang Zhong slowly turned around. In the center of the explosion, a sinkhole about three meters wide held a headless corpse, mostly mutilated and emitting black smoke.
Around him, his subordinates who were waiting to watch the show were now either mangled or dead, with only scattered limbs and broken arms in sight.
Old Steward Wei had been sent far away at the start of the fight, so he was relatively unharmed.
Zhu Zhuya and Zhu Zhuyi felt that something was wrong and immediately retreated. With the speed of the Netherworld Spirit Cat, they had already disappeared into the distance before the explosion's power reached them, naturally sustaining no injuries.
On the other side, affected by the explosion's impact, the fight between Fatty and Zhu Zhuyun was also forced to a halt. They could only brace themselves against the residual shockwaves and gale.
As the storm subsided, the sight that greeted them made the three sisters' faces turn pale. Their stomachs churned, and they felt an urge to vomit.
In this regard, Fatty's reaction was far better than the three sisters. When the explosion's aftermath ceased, seeing the devastated scene and the dead Thin Guy, his eyes sharpened with ferocity.
He stomped his foot and turned into an afterimage, rushing fiercely towards Zhu Zhuyun. His hand, flashing with cold light like wolf claws, brought a sharp, chilling wind, attacking her slender neck.
If this strike landed, Zhu Zhuyun would surely die on the spot.
And what was worse, she, who had never taken a human life, was in a state of disarray under the shock of the scattered limbs and broken bodies.
"Big Sister!"
"Big Sister!"
Zhu Zhuya and Zhu Zhuyi cried out in alarm upon seeing this.
Amidst their cries, Zhu Zhuyun also reacted. However, Fatty's speed was extraordinary. While not as fast as her, it was certainly astonishing.
Before Zhu Zhuyun could make a move, a pair of sharp claws fiercely plunged towards her slender neck!
Zhu Zhuya and Zhu Zhuyi, their faces filled with panic, flashed towards Zhu Zhuyun, wanting to stop the attack. But they had retreated too far to escape the explosion, and it was too late.
Just as they thought blood would splatter on the spot, and Fatty felt a thrill at piercing a beautiful woman's neck with his own hands, a golden light flashed like lightning, striking his wrist heavily.
The fatal blow was deflected, missing Zhu Zhuyun's neck!
This scene not only shocked Fatty but also made Zhu Zhuya and Zhu Zhuyi momentarily dazed.
Having narrowly escaped death, Zhu Zhuyun's anger erupted. She activated her second spirit ability, her razor-like fingernails flashing.
The two figures parted. Fatty's neck suddenly tore open, blood gushing out. His eyes widened, and he died on the spot.
Her curvaceous body trembled slightly. Zhu Zhuyun stood in a daze, her blood-stained nails testifying to what she had just done.
She had killed someone!
Zhu Zhuya and Zhu Zhuyi came to Zhu Zhuyun's side, gently embracing her trembling body, wanting to offer some comfort and warmth.
Wang Zhong said nothing about this. Holding the almost asleep Zhu Zhuqing in his arms, he turned and returned to the carriage.
"Experiencing life-and-death peril, the fear of taking a life, and the comfort among sisters. If such a scene is etched into their minds, will the so-called Zhu family rules still be enforced to the fullest extent!"
"Killing one's own kin, sisters fighting sisters! Only a country like Star Luo, which is like a breeding ground for insects, could produce such a thing."
"And parents who agree to this can be considered utterly heartless and cruel! Sharing the same mother, same bloodline, they are truly devoid of affection."
"But the more ruthless the family rules, the fiercer the resistance they will provoke when they fall upon affectionate sisters!"
Gently stroking Zhu Zhuqing's long hair in his arms, Wang Zhong smiled. He was somewhat anticipating that scene.
Outside, rustling sounds mingled with comforting and caring voices. Before long, Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuya, and Zhu Zhuyi boarded the carriage one after another. The former's face was somewhat pale, while the latter two were filled with worry and concern.
"Uncle Wei, let's go!"
Wang Zhong poked his head out and called out with a light smile to Old Steward Wei, who was still hiding in the distance.
A short while later, the carriage set off again, heading towards the Star Luo Imperial City.
As the carriage departed and disappeared from view, the dwarf who had been lying on the ground suddenly jumped up. He looked around with lingering fear, feeling both relief and a sense of glee.
Fortunately, fortunately, he had feigned unconsciousness the moment it happened and thus avoided the same fate as Thin Guy and Fatty.
But the thought of Thin Guy and Fatty watching the three sisters attack him without offering any support ignited a spark of madness and bloodlust in the dwarf's eyes.
"Bastards, you deserve to be killed!"
"After so many years as brothers, you left me to die for the sake of three women."
"You truly deserve to die."
Gnashing his teeth, the dwarf walked to Fatty's corpse and stomped his head until it burst open. Looking at the scattered white brain matter and blood, a look of excitement and madness spread across his face.
"Hahaha, hahaha!"
"Your flesh and blood now belong to me! With you, I will become strong again!"
Extending his emaciated hands, the dwarf grabbed Fatty's corpse and brought it to his mouth. As he opened his mouth wide, the bear spirit behind him also had its eyes turn red, and black energy swirled around its body.
But just as he was about to take a bite, a spike several meters long shot out from the ground and pierced the dwarf entirely!
The corpse in his hands dropped to the ground. The dwarf stared at the spike piercing his chest, his eyes filled with deep confusion and bewilderment.
"What is this?"
"Who is nearby... Why... do you want to kill me..."
"Who is it... I... hate you!"
Blood flowed continuously from the dwarf's mouth like a spring. His words, spoken in a murmur or perhaps a curse, dissipated with the light breeze.
As his vision began to blur, in his peripheral vision, he saw a terrifying sight.
Within a radius of nearly a hundred meters, spikes had erupted from the earth. Their sharp tips were stained with crimson and blood, flowing down the spikes, turning the area into a thorny hellscape.
"Cut the root, but not the base, and it will grow again with the spring wind."
"Since it has been confirmed that you are from the Holy Spirit Cult, how could I possibly let you live!"
Inside the carriage, Wang Zhong turned his head to look out the window. Zhu Zhuqing lay asleep on his lap, while Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuyi opposite him appeared distracted.
Zhu Zhuyun, her head bowed low, her gaze lost.
She tightly clenched her hand, and a golden glow appeared in her palm – a golden soul coin!
A golden soul coin that had saved her life!