Chapter 56: Be Right Back

In the hotel.

A spatial rift suddenly opened.

Dan Heng emerged from within, carrying Gu Yuena in his arms. He placed her gently on the bed.

He removed her shoes and dress—her pale skin was ice-cold—then covered her with a blanket.

Gu Yuena showed no reaction from beginning to end, sleeping deeply.

Dan Heng estimated that she would likely remain in this slumber for over three months. Even once she woke, she would not be fully healed.

Her body's self-recovery ability and the worsening of her injuries had reached a delicate balance.

"I need to make a trip to the God Realm..." Dan Heng sighed softly.

He couldn't just let Gu Yuena suffer in her sleep.

Even if there was no romantic attachment, even if they were merely teammates, he couldn't stand by and do nothing.

Back then, he had been willing to face the most painful aspects of his past for the sake of his comrades. Now, he could also go see the gods for Gu Yuena's sake.

But first, he had to deal with the person who had disrupted his peaceful life.

Dan Heng reached into the spatial rift behind him and grabbed a woman by the ankle, dragging her out. Zi Ji's body slid across the floor as she let out muffled sounds.

Because she was nearly upside down, her clothes had bunched up under her chest, revealing her snow-white abdomen.

"I'm so hot..." Zi Ji suddenly clung to Dan Heng's leg as if she were metal drawn to a magnet, rubbing her face against the top of his foot.

"..."

Dan Heng casually let go, causing Zi Ji to fall backward, her entire body hitting the floor with a thud.

Naturally, this didn't affect her at all. A dragon-type ferocious beast's physical resilience wouldn't be harmed by such a thing.

This was exactly why Dan Heng had been "rough" with her.

Even so, Zi Ji refused to release his leg.

Seeing that her drool was about to drip onto his shoe, Dan Heng finally lost patience. He lifted his foot and kicked her off.

Zi Ji was undeterred, crawling toward Dan Heng again like a large insect.

"So hot..."

Dan Heng bent down, watching her inch forward. With a swift chop of his hand, he struck the back of Zi Ji's neck.

Zi Ji's eyes rolled back as she finally lost consciousness, her face hitting the floor again.

Dan Heng spread his blanket on the floor and placed Zi Ji onto it.

By then, the spatial rift had disappeared.

He sensed a presence outside, standing guard at the door.

When he opened the door, the figure waiting outside was none other than Di Tian.

Di Tian looked at Dan Heng with mild surprise.

He had thought Dan Heng would stay a coward forever, never taking action. He hadn't expected him to actually bring their master back.

"Brother-in-law... How is my sister's condition?"

Dan Heng shook his head. "Please guard her for a while. I'll be back soon."

"What are you going to do?"

Di Tian frowned. In this situation, why was Dan Heng leaving instead of staying to protect his master?

Dan Heng didn't answer. He simply walked downstairs.

With Di Tian guarding the door, he felt assured enough to leave.

Turning the corner, a spatial rift appeared before him. He stepped inside.

The scene shifted.

A spatial rift opened in Charles' estate.

Dan Heng glanced at the people who had just been "petrified" and asked, "Where is he?"

His voice carried no real threat, yet everyone present turned pale with fear.

"H-he... h-he went to the palace..."

Dan Heng frowned slightly. If the palace was involved, this matter would become even more troublesome.

Should he go to the palace?

If he didn't, his thoughts would remain unsettled.

If he did, he would need to handle it properly—otherwise, provoking hostility from the Star Luo royal family would ruin his chance at a peaceful life.

"Hmm... And Zhu Zhuqing..."

Dan Heng furrowed his brows. The way Zhu Zhuqing had looked at him when she left that day was like an abandoned kitten or puppy...

Thinking of his student, he sighed. "I suppose I should make a trip."

Dan Heng's figure flickered and appeared inside the imperial palace.

Following Charles' aura, he arrived at the emperor's Palace.

But upon reflection, it made sense. Charles was a palace guard, the royal family's most loyal hound.

In a life-threatening situation, he would naturally seek the Star Luo Emperor's protection.

Dan Heng took a step toward Charles' location.

Perhaps because his bearing was too extraordinary, resembling that of nobility—

Or perhaps because he moved with such natural confidence—

The palace servants who saw him didn't even stop him to question his presence.

As he passed through a garden, he sensed Charles' presence at its center.

Just as he stepped inside, a voice suddenly spoke from behind him.

"If this old man isn't mistaken, you are trespassing in the imperial palace, aren't you?"

Dan Heng turned around and saw an elderly man with golden hair, wearing a yellow battle outfit. The man was burly, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, frowning as he looked at Dan Heng.

Dan Heng gave a simple nod. That was indeed the case.

At the same time, he instantly grasped the elder's strength.

A Titled Douluo-level expert.

The Star Luo Empire had no royal consecrated protectors, so for this man to be a Titled Douluo, he had to be an ancestor of the Star Luo royal family—perhaps even the previous or the one before that emperor.

Dai Ancestor!

Seeing Dan Heng admit it so straightforwardly, the Dai Ancestor was momentarily stunned.

For a moment, he doubted his own ears.

Had he misheard?

Or... did this man simply not care about the dignity of the Star Luo royal family?

As he walked toward Dan Heng, the Dai Ancestor tried to sense his energy.

But something was odd—he couldn't detect anything about Dan Heng at all.

It was as if Dan Heng had no secrets before him, yet at the same time, a mist concealed everything about him!

"What are you here for? Are you attempting to assassinate the emperor?"

The Dai Ancestor grinned as he asked.

No matter what Dan Heng's situation was, once he got close enough, he would find out the truth!

Dan Heng shook his head. "No."

"Then are you having an affair with one of the royal concubines? Sneaking in to meet your lover?"

The Dai Ancestor was now just a meter away from Dan Heng, frowning.

"Also no. Someone attempted to harm my wife and my loved ones. I've come for revenge... and to take my disciple back," Dan Heng answered bluntly, not wanting to waste any more time.

The Dai Ancestor sneered. "You're quite honest."

"But you've overlooked something. In the Star Luo Empire, one must maintain the utmost respect for the royal family. If you forget that, you will bring about your own destruction..."

As he spoke, he grabbed Dan Heng's shoulder, unleashing a surge of power.

He intended to force out Dan Heng's soul power, to see what this man was truly capable of!

However, no matter how much strength he used, Dan Heng didn't budge—his breathing didn't even change.

"???"

The Dai Ancestor increased his strength further, pouring in his full power in an instant.

Yet even so, Dan Heng's shoulder felt as solid as metal, completely unaffected.

Instead, the Dai Ancestor's hand started to ache!

Staring at Dan Heng's expression, he saw no sign of pain whatsoever.

"You... are you even human?" The Dai Ancestor asked in shock.

(End of Chapter)