CHAPTER 11: WORLD OF ROYALTIES [VI]

"Master Feng, we've received news. The seventh prince has departed from Shuidong County and is heading toward Guiping County. He is expected to reach the capital in under a month," a gruff voice reported.

"Hmm. Instruct them to make preparations. The prince must not return to the capital, or all our years of planning will be for nothing. Ensure the twelve zodiacs know that I expect to see his body after the mission is completed. No body, no payment," Master Feng commanded. 

"Servant, Tu Ling will follow Master's orders," Tu Ling replied, and with a swift motion, he vanished into the wind.

"Hahahaha! Rui Huaein, your time has come. Hurry and depart from this world! Hahaha!" Master Feng laughed triumphantly.

*******

'Hah! Is this protagonist made of glacier? Why is he so damn stubborn! For the past two days, I've been trying to get him to break down his barriers. Three days! Three days! But this! This! Ahhhhh!' Lan Huyan fumed, small puffs of steam emitting from his head.

Since leaving Shuidong County, the trio had been traveling for four days, hurrying toward the capital. From Shuidong County to Guiping County, the journey is approximately three days.

During these days, the trio would stop to rest, eat, and, if they came across a river or water source, quickly clean themselves. Li Jun tried every method he could think of—flirting, flattering, being attentive, acting soft-hearted with the hope of warming Rui Huaein's heart, to even playing hard to get, thinking that the cold man preferred someone feisty. But it turned out, all his efforts were futile. No matter what, Lan Huyan couldn't stir Rui Huaein's cold heart.

'Wait… Does he have no heart?' Lan Huyan thought, trying to justify why he couldn't capture Rui Huaein's heart. Lan Huyan's question was as deep and mysterious as life itself, startling Pixie.

'Huh!? Is my host sick? How can he not have a heart? How would he be alive then? Hah!' Pixie thought in exasperation, observing Lan Huyan through his video transmitter .

Sitting by the carriage window as it sped through the dense forest, rushing like a June bug, the wind whispered gently, tugging at his soft, long golden hair that gleamed under the heavenly sun.

As the sunlight bathed Lan Huyan's figure, his flawless pale skin sparkled like an aigrette of stars. Lost in thought, Lan Huyan gazed up at the sky, his beautiful central heterochromia eyes—rich as dawn—piercing through the vast expanse, as if searching for his answers in the endless blue.

******

Further east, at the edge of the forest, lay a small village consisting of around 10 to 15 houses. Among them was a tiny hut, the smallest structure in the village. Made from wood, bamboo, and surprisingly a thatched roof with bricks, it was undoubtedly the most eye-catching.

Though small, the hut exuded a homely charm. Vibrant-colored flowers bloomed in the garden, infusing the air with a lively, visceral energy. Bricks formed a fence around the hut, keeping out both curious eyes and stray animals.

But the flowers and the bricks weren't the only things that captured attention. There, tending to the flowers, was a girl so beautiful that even the sun seemed to shine a little brighter when she smiled.

Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, dancing around like a snake in the wild. Her amber eyes, shining as bright as sunbeams, complemented her skin, pale as a drifting blossom.

Her small, well-proportioned face, with a button nose and red, plump lips, seemed like a perfect work of art. Long legs and a slender figure only added to her delicate beauty. She was like a radiant fragment fallen from the sky, illuminating the entire yard.

"Mmh, mhm, lala," her voice, rich and vibrant, hummed softly as she watered the flowers.

"Qin Xing, it's time!" a high-pitched voice called out.

"Okay. I'll be going now then," Qin Xing responded. Putting away the watering can, she made her way inside the hut. After about a few moments, she emerged once again.

"Mom! I'll be back!" Qin Xing called aloud. She carried a wooden basket and a cloth, and as she walked through the village, a dark-brown amber eyes peeking through one of the village houses, watched as she headed into the dense forest.

"Well, well, there goes the world's daughter, but not for long. Watch as I make this story mine—and mine alone," she said, with a vicious grin and fiery eyes.