Chapter 24: Belittled

Chapter 24: Belittled

"And who is this?" Dai Yao asked, his gaze moving to the unfamiliar woman.

"This is Zhu Zhuyue, my fiancée," Dai Yaming replied, proudly wrapping his arm around the girl's waist.

Zhu Zhuyue looked Dai Yao up and down with a sneer, then said, "You may be royalty, but you have such a pitiful air about you. Even the way you carry yourself reeks of poverty."

Dai Yao, after all, had just awakened his martial spirit and had spent his first six years in confinement within the Cold Palace, without any royal etiquette training. His manners were naturally different from those of a true noble. However, her comment was far harsher than warranted.

Uncertain whether her words stemmed from an honest nature or outright disdain, Dai Yao decided to put on a polite smile and replied, "Second Brother, you're fortunate to have such a beautiful wife."

Dai Yao's words were an attempt to maintain harmony, hoping Zhu Zhuyue might reciprocate in kind. After all, he'd only just begun his alliance with Dai Yaming, and Zhu Zhuyue was Zhu Zhuqing's sister. It would be unwise to jeopardize this alliance over a minor slight.

But she only snorted in response, saying, "And who are you to call me pretty?"

With a haughty expression, Zhu Zhuyue looked at Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing with disdain. Waving her hand as if to dispel an unpleasant odor, she sneered, "A pitiful wretch doesn't even deserve a response. My dear sister, your future husband is pathetic! There are plenty of good men out there; don't waste your life on this one. If you want a real man, I'll gladly find one for you. This turtle of a husband won't say a word."

Dai Yao's face froze in shock. He hadn't expected her to utter something so cruel. His hands clenched into tight fists as he turned his gaze to Dai Yaming and demanded coldly, "Second Prince, aren't you going to give me an explanation?"

He no longer called him "Second Brother"; the fury in his heart was too much. Zhu Zhuyue's words weren't just an insult to him; they belittled Zhu Zhuqing as well. But Zhu Zhuyue was Dai Yaming's fiancée, so Dai Yao held his tongue and refrained from lashing out.

"Fourth Brother, it's just a joke from your sister-in-law. Try to be more forgiving," Dai Yaming replied with a smile, showing little regard for the matter.

Behind him, Zhu Zhuqing trembled, as if caught in a terrible memory. Dai Yao gently patted her shaking hand, his face growing colder as he looked from Zhu Zhuyue to Dai Yaming. He said, voice heavy with sarcasm, "Allowing your allies to be insulted and attacked—is this how the Second Prince forms alliances?"

Zhu Zhuyue leaned back against Dai Yaming, sneering openly. "You? An eleven-level Soul Master, thinking you're qualified to ally with Yaming? You don't know your place."

Dai Yaming smiled gently, as if unbothered. "Your sister-in-law can be playful; you shouldn't take her too seriously. But from what you're saying, does this mean you're rejecting my offer of alliance?"

Fatty, who had been standing nearby, added with a sharp tone, "The Second Prince's offer to ally with you shows his respect. Don't throw it away carelessly."

The anger in Dai Yao's chest blazed hotter. The Second Prince and his lackeys clearly had little respect for him, though Zhu Zhuyue's words had made it obvious. To stay here and beg for an alliance now would mean completely sacrificing his dignity.

Dai Yao had already been insulted. Was he supposed to put his face forward and let them slap him a second time?

The real reason why the Second Prince felt free to mock him so openly was simple—Dai Yao's power was too insignificant to pose a threat to them.

"Second Prince, such arrogance," Dai Yao managed, his voice shaking with rage.

"Oh dear, struck a nerve, have I?" Zhu Zhuyue mocked, feigning fear as she leaned coquettishly against Dai Yaming.

Zhu Zhuqing tugged Dai Yao's sleeve, signaling him to leave. The Second Prince and his entourage were all powerful soul masters, and Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing had no chance against them.

Dai Yaming sighed lightly. He had never really taken Dai Yao seriously. All he'd wanted was to deceive him into drawing Dai Weisi's attention away, yet Zhu Zhuyue had ruined that plan.

As a child, Zhu Zhuyue had been bullied by Zhu Zhuyun, so she took her frustrations out on Zhu Zhuqing, verbally humiliating her and even physically tormenting her regularly.

Dai Yaming had thoroughly instructed Zhu Zhuyue to control herself, to remain calm and calculated when forming an alliance. But seeing Zhu Zhuqing again, she couldn't resist, letting her true colors show and effectively sabotaging the alliance.

Now that things had come to this, Dai Yao clearly wouldn't agree to an alliance.

Given the choice between an uncooperative pawn and his fiancée, the Second Prince didn't hesitate.

"Do as you wish with them," he said to Zhu Zhuyue.

There was no need for him to act personally. After all, it would be humiliating for someone of his rank to face a mere eleven-level Soul Master and a girl with no soul ring.

Zhu Zhuyue stepped out from Dai Yaming's embrace, her soul power surging as her martial spirit activated, transforming her into a shadowy, feline figure. Her black tight suit accentuated her graceful yet dangerous form, two yellow soul rings glowing ominously around her.

Dai Yao's gaze was fixed on those soul rings. Under the weight of her soul power, even his own energy felt stifled. He knew he was no match for her, but Zhu Zhuqing stood behind him. The thought of her lent him resolve.

Trapped as they were, escape wasn't an option. Through gritted teeth, he forced out, "You'll regret this."

"Regret? Who do you think you are?" Zhu Zhuyue sneered, dismissing him with utter contempt. To her, Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing were nothing more than toys to vent her frustration upon.

At Xingluo Royal Academy, she'd suffered repeated suppression as the Second Prince's fiancée, especially from Dai Weisi's faction. Her bitterness had nowhere to go, but now, with Zhu Zhuqing standing before her, she could finally release her pent-up anger.

Dai Yaming was well aware of his future wife's troubles. Now that allying with Dai Yao was out of the question, he was content to let Zhu Zhuyue vent her frustrations on them.

With a cruel smile, Zhu Zhuyue raised her hands, her claws gleaming with dark energy as her first soul ring began to glow.

"First Soul Skill—Nether Spike!"

In an instant, she crossed the several meters between them. A dark shadow appeared in front of Dai Yao, followed by a pair of gleaming claws emanating a deadly aura.

Though he knew he was no match for her, Dai Yao prepared to counter.

"Eight Extremes Burst!"

Yet there was no expected clash. Smoke filled the air, hiding them from view as Dai Yao felt a hand grip his.

Sensing something strange about the situation, Dai Yaming narrowed his eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.