Chapter 37: Shame

Under the scorching sun, the Star Dou Great Forest remained as cool as ever. The existence of the Star Dou Great Forest had been shrouded in mystery for countless years. It not only gave birth to a variety of soul beasts but also boasted towering trees that reached the sky, dense branches and leaves capable of shielding the scorching sunlight.

"Swoosh—"

The sound of breaking wind suddenly echoed as a dark figure swiftly darted out. Unfortunately, with an unintended misstep, a tree branch snapped, and the dark figure tumbled to the ground.

Rolling on the ground, she skillfully dissipated the impact, preventing herself from getting injured. However, she didn't immediately get up. Instead, she curled up behind a tree. Despite her not being tall, she appeared to be in her early teens, and her figure was rather alluring. If an ordinary man saw her, he would undoubtedly be captivated.

Zhu Zhuqing gasped violently, her pupils filled with fear. Crystal-clear sweat beads rolled down her pale face, and it took a while for her to recover from the shock.

Until she gradually calmed down, a wave of shame surged within her.

She... had actually fled!

Facing death for the first time, she chose to retreat.

Under the oppression of those fifteen soul beasts, coupled with the intimidating gaze of the one called "Tang San," she chose to run away!

She had once deeply despised Dai Mubai for retreating. She always believed that death was nothing to be afraid of—what was the big deal? Running away was the act of a coward.

But now, when she truly confronted death, she chose to abandon two of her father's subordinates and escape alone.

She had hated Dai Mubai so much before, and now she regretted it even more!

It shouldn't have been like this! She wasn't supposed to be this weak!

However, her trembling arms continuously reminded her that she wasn't much stronger than an ordinary person.

Regardless of how indifferent she usually appeared, or how lightly she regarded life and death, at this moment, her body's response clearly told her that she was still just an ordinary person who feared death. Her figure didn't prove anything, and her cold face couldn't conceal the fact that she was only ten years old.

Zhu Zhuqing curled up her legs, burying her head in her knees. The fairness of her chest was compressed, barely allowing room for breath through the gaps.

Her hands kept shaking, never stopping.

"Don't shake, don't shake! Stop shaking!" Zhu Zhuqing pressed down on her hands, hysterically howling.

"Swoosh—"

The sudden sound of breaking wind startled Zhu Zhuqing. She trembled, abruptly raising her head. Her pupils contracted to the size of a needlepoint. Impossible! How could this be so fast?! If it were that fast, he would have escaped long ago!

Without much time to think, Zhu Zhuqing, like a frightened bird, suddenly rushed out as if death were closely chasing her.

"Who?!"

The commotion caused by Zhu Zhuqing's sudden appearance wasn't small. The other party noticed it immediately, stopped, and looked towards the place she had just passed. An angry shout followed.

A figure swiftly rushed out, and the person sneered, "Trying to escape?"

Swish—

In the next moment, that person suddenly disappeared from the original spot, almost simultaneously appearing in the direction Zhu Zhuqing was attempting to flee, blocking her way.

Zhu Zhuqing immediately stopped, panicked and disoriented, quickly stepping backward.

"Second Miss?! Why are you here?" The person exclaimed in disbelief.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing only now managed to focus on the person's attire—it was the exclusive uniform of the Zhu Family Guards!

It's not him! It's not him, that's good...

Zhu Zhuqing's clothes were soaked in cold sweat. She breathed a sigh of relief, panting with lingering fear.

"Second Miss?" The person, seeing Zhu Zhuqing's delayed response, asked with confusion.

"Huh?" Zhu Zhuqing shivered again, belatedly asking, "Why are you here?"

"I was ordered by the patriarch to inspect the body of the Darkgold Fearclaw Bear, see if there's a soul bone." The person replied respectfully, "The patriarch just found a suitable soul beast, but there's a nine-thousand-year soul beast with him, so he plans to wait for the right moment."

"Don't go!" Zhu Zhuqing recalled those fifteen ferocious dark soul beasts and immediately said.

"Huh?" The person was somewhat puzzled.

"I mean, take me to Zhu Zhuyun's place."

The person instinctively felt that something was wrong. He raised his eyes but didn't see Zhu Zhuqing's two companions who were supposed to escort her. He immediately frowned and asked, "Second Miss, what about Zhu Lie and Zhu Lian? Weren't they supposed to escort you? Why are you alone?"

"They..." Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, but couldn't say it. She felt that her "escape" had been magnified infinitely. The other party's eyes, which had no intention at first, now seemed like a sharp blade scraping across her face, making her feel extremely ashamed.

"Zhu Lie is dead, and Zhu Lian... I don't know." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyelids, her gaze flickering.

"Dead?" The person's gaze condensed, immediately guessing something. He said, "Second Miss, please follow me. I'll take you to find the patriarch."

Saying that, the person led Zhu Zhuqing through the forest, heading towards the location where Zhu Mo and others were ambushing the soul beasts. However, before reaching there, they ran into Zhu Mo's team head-on.

Each of them had a relaxed expression on their faces, and Zhu Zhuyun was particularly joyful, with a satisfied smile on her lips.

"Hmm? Why are you back so soon?" Zhu Mo, upon seeing the newcomer, was somewhat puzzled. However, upon seeing Zhu Zhuqing behind him, he was stunned. "Zhuqing?"

"Chieftain, something's wrong!" The person came to Zhu Mo's side and bowed, saying, "Zhu Lie should be dead, and Zhu Lian's life and death are currently unknown."

Zhu Mo's gaze suddenly became sharp, and he questioned, "What happened?!"

"This... I'm not quite sure." Saying this, he looked towards the now calm Zhu Zhuqing.

"What did you encounter?" Zhu Mo's voice softened towards his daughter. Although she wasn't his most beloved, he didn't like scolding Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing hugged her arms, pursing her pale lips, not knowing where to start.

Zhu Mo remained patient, not urging her. After a long while, Zhu Zhuqing organized her words and told the entire incident to Zhu Mo.

After listening, Zhu Mo remained silent, his face unusually gloomy. He, a Soul Douluo, had unexpectedly been deceived by a child of barely ten years. No wonder he always felt that the boy's words were unreliable; he always felt that something was off!

It turned out that the boy's mouth was full of lies! "So, you didn't even wait for Zhu Lian's death, didn't even figure out his soul skills, and you ran away?" Zhu Zhuyun, upon hearing this, sneered, her face full of disdain and contempt. "Sure enough, you two are a perfect match. Your choices are identical."

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly raised her head. She knew who Zhu Zhuyun was referring to. Although she despised her own actions, for some reason, she found it difficult to accept Zhu Zhuyun's mockery.

Her fingernails embedded into her palms, an indescribable anger erupted from her heart. In Zhu Zhuqing's icy gaze, there seemed to be surging resentment.

Zhu Zhuyun sneered, casting a disdainful glance at Zhu Zhuqing, completely indifferent to her anger. "Oh? Do you want to fight me?"