SWNOVELXO Chapter 187: Chapter 187: "Evil" Bibi Dong?
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Upon hearing High Priest Zhu Hongye speak, a flicker of anger once again flashed across Zhu Hongxiu's eyes.
She instinctively clenched the silk handkerchief in her hands. "That woman Bibi Dong is simply too cruel!"
"Our Chengfeng is such a good child—he's always been so obedient."
"But he was captured by her men and taken to the Spirit Hall to be abused…"
Zhu Hongxiu's voice carried deep grievance and indignation, her tone trembling slightly. Her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears, filled with both pity for her child and a sense of injustice.
"This matter isn't over yet!"
Zhu Hongye nodded but simultaneously glanced cautiously around them, whispering a warning. "Your Majesty, be careful—walls have ears!"
Though Zhu Hongxiu was still seething, her chest rising and falling rapidly, she lowered her voice.
"So what if Bibi Dong hears? What can she do?"
"Our Chengfeng…"
Thinking of Dai Chengfeng, the anger in Zhu Hongxiu's eyes dissipated, replaced by boundless tenderness.
"Even when he was captured, Chengfeng didn't forget about us before leaving. He had his uncle send back the Great Rejuvenation Pill and those medicinal herbs."
"What kind of wrongdoing could a good child like him possibly commit?"
Zhu Hongye subconsciously nodded.
Her thoughts drifted back to the moment she broke through to become a Title Douluo, and a hint of emotion surfaced on her face.
After all, without the Great Rejuvenation Pill and that special herb Dai Chengfeng had given her, how could she have achieved what she has today?
Thinking about this, she also felt that Bibi Dong had gone too far this time. How could such a good child be treated this way?
Originally, Zhu Hongye had planned to come retrieve Dai Chengfeng much earlier, but under the persuasion of Emperor Dai An of the Star Luo Empire, she decided to obtain her soul ring first before coming.
After all, there was a significant difference between a Soul Douluo and a Title Douluo—even a newly minted one. In negotiations, it would give her more leverage.
At this moment, the carriage continued to roll slowly along the wide roads of Spirit City. The wheels crushed the gravel beneath, producing a rhythmic "gulu gulu" sound.
Until—a woman dressed in black combat attire approached the carriage at a brisk pace.
Her posture was upright, her gaze sharp like a hawk's. She gave a slight bow, speaking respectfully:
"I am Ling Yuan. I've been waiting here for the High Priest and Empress of the Star Luo Empire for some time now. His Holiness, the Pope, requests your presence."
Inside the carriage, Zhu Hongye and Zhu Hongxiu exchanged glances before stepping out of the carriage.
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In Death Canyon, a crystal-clear stream flowed gently, its waters shimmering with golden ripples under the glow of the setting sun.
Splash, splash—
The soft sounds of washing rippled across the water's surface.
After more than ten days, Dai Chengfeng had already grown accustomed to Hu Liena's presence as his persistent "little shadow."
At this moment, he had just finished bathing in the stream. Droplets of water slid down his muscular back, dampening the grass beneath his feet.
He was shirtless, his perfectly proportioned muscles glistening with a healthy glow under the sunlight.
Casually wiping his hair with a towel, he walked toward the campsite with steady, powerful strides.
Meanwhile, Hu Liena was inside the tent, head bowed as she jotted something down.
Hearing footsteps, she instinctively looked up.
In an instant, seeing Dai Chengfeng shirtless with his hair still damp, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she hastily lowered her gaze.
Even though she was used to seeing handsome men like her brother Xie Yue, Hu Liena couldn't help but admit internally—Dai Chengfeng was…
So handsome!
With this thought, she couldn't resist stealing a few more glances.
Her gaze darted like that of a startled deer—cautious yet curious. After a fleeting glance at Dai Chengfeng, she quickly averted her eyes, her heart pounding "thump thump" in her chest.
Dai Chengfeng merely glanced at Hu Liena peeking at him, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Then, he went about his own business, walking over to the side of the tent to prepare dinner.
Effortlessly gathering dry firewood, he lit the fire. Flames crackled and danced, casting flickering shadows across his face.
He skewered the pre-prepared game onto branches and placed them over the fire to roast slowly, occasionally turning them to prevent burning.
The aroma of the roasting meat gradually wafted into the air, spreading enticingly.
Hu Liena, smelling the irresistible fragrance, unconsciously swallowed her saliva. Her eyes were filled with longing, her throat bobbing slightly. At just the right moment, her stomach let out a soft "gurgle."
However, she wasn't Qian Renxue.
Thus, she could only sit there, sniffing the delicious aroma while watching Dai Chengfeng enjoy his meal heartily. Meanwhile, she quietly nibbled on her dry rations.
She had lost count of how long it had been since she last ate a proper meal. She had tried cooking herself, but the results were incomparable to Dai Chengfeng's culinary skills.
Ultimately, Hu Liena had to admit—she really wasn't cut out for cooking.
But this time, Dai Chengfeng suddenly spoke up: "Want to eat together?"
His voice was calm, as if it were just a casual question. His face remained expressionless, his focus entirely on the roasting meat.
"Huh?"
Hu Liena's eyes widened in surprise, brimming with delight.
She stared blankly at Dai Chengfeng for a moment before finally reacting. "Really?"
But then, a trace of unease crept into her expression. A flicker of doubt crossed her eyes. After all, Dai Chengfeng had always been indifferent toward her—why was he suddenly inviting her to share a meal?
Dai Chengfeng nodded. "There's one condition."
"What condition?" Hu Liena asked eagerly.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and her body leaned forward unconsciously. Her face radiated eagerness.
"After you finish eating, you clean up the pots and bowls."
As he rotated the roasting meat, Dai Chengfeng spoke indifferently.
Without hesitation, Hu Liena readily agreed. "No problem!"
A joyful smile spread across her face, her fox-like eyes curving into crescent moons.
Soon, the roasted meat was ready, and Dai Chengfeng even prepared a bowl of fish soup.
Hu Liena looked at the roasted meat in her hands and sniffed the fish soup, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Thank you…"
After a simple word of gratitude, she eagerly took a small bite of the roasted meat.
Instantly, her eyes widened. "No wonder—it tastes as good as it smells!"
"Dai Chengfeng, I never expected you to have such culinary skills!"
She praised him while eagerly taking another bite, not even bothering to wipe away the bits of meat clinging to the corners of her mouth. Her face was full of bliss.
Dai Chengfeng offered no explanation, quietly eating his own portion.
Finally, after Hu Liena finished her meal to her satisfaction, she patted her slightly rounded belly and smiled contentedly.
Watching her satisfied expression, a teasing glint appeared in Dai Chengfeng's eyes.
"Remember to clean up the dishes."
"Mm-hmm, leave it to me. Don't worry!"
Hu Liena nodded repeatedly, humming a cheerful tune. Even as she washed the dishes, her smile never faded.
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng had returned to his tent and lay down on his makeshift bed.
Staring up at the tent ceiling, he silently calculated the time. "Has it really been 26 days since I entered Death Canyon?"
"What a fruitful journey!"
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