TRWSB – Chapter 134 Crossing the Misty Forest

As expected by Zhuang Hao, a second wave of assassins soon arrived.

Originally, Zhuang Qian was worried about being unable to handle them. However, with Zhuang Hao and Yi Fan eagerly taking action, it almost felt like there weren’t enough people to kill.

Zhuang Hao had been holding back his aggression for some time and was eager to let loose, while Yi Fan was in a foul mood after sleepless nights.

“Why are such weaklings even bothering to pick a fight with us?” Zhuang Qian couldn’t help but complain.

“It’s probably because news of your brother’s sealed powers has spread. Those people likely think they have an easy opportunity. Your brother’s reputation is massive; if someone manages to kill him, they’ll become instantly famous and be remembered forever!” Qi Shaorong said, stroking his chin.

Zhuang Qian gritted his teeth and retorted, “Qi Shao, what nonsense are you spouting? It wouldn’t be fame; it would be infamy!”

Qi Shaorong chuckled indifferently. “Isn’t it all the same?”

Zhuang Qian rolled his eyes. “How could it possibly be the same?”

Qi Shaorong smiled at Zhuang Qian and waved dismissively. “Alright, it’s not a big deal. No need to take it so seriously.”

“I think the leak about my brother’s condition most likely came from Shangmeng Fenghe’s side!” Zhuang Qian pondered, stroking his chin.

“Doesn’t matter where it leaked from. Your brother has already recovered ahead of time, so there shouldn’t be much of a problem,” Qi Shaorong replied nonchalantly.

Zhuang Qian nodded. “Exactly! With my brother around, Qi Shao, you don’t have to worry at all.”

Qi Shaorong chuckled. “Judging from your brother’s recent performance, it might still be too early to say there’s nothing to worry about.”

Zhuang Qian thought of what Yun Hu had said and laughed awkwardly. “That was a special circumstance; it doesn’t count. My brother has fully recovered now.”

“Even so, your brother’s performance recently was truly… laughable!” Qi Shaorong burst into laughter.

Zhuang Qian: “…”

Yun Hu initially hoped to have a chance to showcase his strength, but he realized his only task was cleaning up the battlefield and collecting spoils.

Looking at Yi Fan and Zhuang Hao in the distance, a hint of envy flashed in Yun Hu’s eyes.

Yun Hu never knew that traversing the Cloud Mist Forest could be so easy.

Zhuang Hao tamed two level-eight magical beasts and six level-seven ones along the way. With the beasts leading the way, their journey was smooth and effortless.

Even the pervasive poisonous insects of the Cloud Mist Forest were no concern.

Yi Fan’s potions could repel the insects, and the stubborn ones that weren’t repelled became meals for Yi Fan’s magical beast.

The Radiant Unicorn galloped through the forest, its armor now replaced with a more dazzling set, far more striking than before.

Colorful gemstones gleamed brightly under the sunlight, their radiance blinding.

Watching the unicorn run about, Zhuang Qian frowned. “Qi Shao, you’ve really overfed your unicorn!”

Qi Shaorong chuckled. “Not really. It hasn’t had much exercise for a month and has already slimmed down a lot.”

Zhuang Qian glanced at the unicorn, whose weight had clearly exceeded all norms, and helplessly shook his head. Internally, he muttered: Qi Shaorong is treating this Radiant Unicorn like a pig. With all this fat, it’s hard to say if it can still fly.

Yun Hu’s eyes were glued to the bejeweled Radiant Unicorn, sparkling with amazement.

Qi Heng looked at Yun Hu and asked, “Boss Hu, what’s up? Thinking about tasting unicorn meat?”

Yun Hu shook his head vigorously. “No, no, absolutely not.”

Internally, Yun Hu thought: He had no interest in eating unicorn meat. He was just captivated by the luxurious armor. If he had such armor, he wouldn’t have to worry about food or shelter for life. Actually, he didn’t even need the whole set; just pulling off a couple of gemstones would suffice.

Sensing Yun Hu’s gaze, the Radiant Unicorn turned and charged at him.

Seeing the unicorn galloping towards him, Yun Hu panicked and scrambled up a tree.

The unicorn rammed the tree with its head, snapping the thick trunk in half and sending Yun Hu tumbling to the ground.

Qi Shaorong laughed as he watched Yun Hu land flat on his back, then casually recalled the Radiant Unicorn.

Yun Hu hobbled over to the side and sat down with a sigh.

Qi Shaorong approached, looking at Yun Hu with a grin. “Ah Hu, are you alright?”

Scratching his head awkwardly, Yun Hu replied, “I’m fine… but Little Hua doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

Gently patting the Radiant Unicorn’s head, Qi Shaorong said with a chuckle, “How could that be? He likes you; that’s why he wants to play with you!”

“But just now, it seemed like it wanted to kill me,” Yun Hu said, his teeth chattering as he recalled the near-death experience.

Qi Shaorong shook his head. “No, you’re overthinking it.”

“It really tried to crush me earlier!” Yun Hu stammered, still shaken.

Qi Shaorong smiled faintly. “Not at all. It’s just that you look so… well-padded. Little Hua probably thought you’d make a nice, bouncy cushion.”

Horrified, Yun Hu took a couple of steps back. “I’m not… that plump.”

Zhuang Hao approached, slapping Yun Hu on the shoulder with a grin. “No need to be modest. Among all of us here, you’re definitely the plumpest.”

Yun Hu could only gape in silence, unsure how to respond.

Qi Shaorong and his companions spent nearly two months traversing the Misty Forest, finally crossing into the borders of Yuan Country.

As they rode, Qi Shaorong peered out of the carriage at the scenery. “How many more days until we reach the capital?”

“Shouldn’t be too far now,” Zhuang Hao replied.

Trailing beside Zhuang Qian, Yun Hu asked curiously, “Young Master Qian, what do your family’s guards eat to be so strong?”

Zhuang Qian shot him a glance. “Don’t worry. You won’t go hungry.”

Scratching his hands together awkwardly, Yun Hu mumbled, “I’m not worried about that… I’ve just heard that the Zhuang family’s guards eat better than some wealthy young masters.”

Letting out a sigh, Zhuang Qian suddenly grabbed Yun Hu by the collar. “Once we’re in the capital, you’re not to utter a word about my brother. If you so much as let slip one sentence, I’ll slice you into pieces. Got it?”

Nodding fervently, Yun Hu stammered, “I-I won’t! I promise I won’t tell anyone that your brother once worked as my subordinate!”

Zhuang Qian glared at him menacingly. “You better not.”

“Of course! Of course!” Yun Hu glanced nervously at Zhuang Qian’s twisted expression, wondering how he’d ever thought this boss of his was mild-mannered.

Upon Zhuang Hao’s return to the capital, the Zhuang family’s guard contingent gathered to greet him.

“Greetings, Young Master Zhuang! Greetings, Fourth Young Master Qi!”

Wide-eyed, Yun Hu stared at the guards bowing in unison. “Your brother really is something else.”

Zhuang Qian stood with arms crossed and head held high. “Of course. My elder brother is the Zhuang family heir and already an eighth-level expert. If he weren’t so young, he’d have been granted a marquis title and fiefdom by now.”

Gazing at Zhuang Hao’s retreating figure, Yun Hu murmured, “He’s certainly powerful… But what’s even more impressive is how he managed to win over that black-market merchant.”

Zhuang Qian sighed inwardly. Though his brother and Qi Shaorong were getting along better lately, the question of whether Qi Shaorong would truly become the family’s sister-in-law remained uncertain.

“Your brother has so many people seeking him out,” Yun Hu remarked.

“Naturally,” Zhuang Qian replied. “He’s the family heir. It’s only expected.”

“Once we reach the family estate, he’ll be busy, won’t he?” Yun Hu asked.

“Of course,” Zhuang Qian affirmed.

“He won’t forget about finding me a mentor, will he?” Yun Hu asked nervously.

Zhuang Qian chuckled. “Don’t worry. My brother has already arranged everything. You’ll be under an excellent mentor, someone who will help you improve rapidly.”

Eyes shining with excitement, Yun Hu exclaimed, “Really? That’s amazing!”

Zhuang Qian nodded with a hint of mischief. Let’s hope this fool doesn’t get beaten to death, he thought to himself.

Upon their arrival in the capital, they were greeted by a member of the royal family.

“Zhuang Hao, Fourth Young Master Qi, you’ve finally returned,” said Tang Tianying with a smile as he approached.

Turning to Qi Shaorong, Tang Tianying continued, “It’s been a while, and you’ve become even more dazzling, Fourth Young Master.”

Qi Shaorong smiled lightly. “Indeed, I’m growing more handsome while Zhuang Hao grows uglier by the day.”

Tang Tianying: “…”

“Fourth Young Master, your skills are truly remarkable. So many healers failed to cure Feng Yuan’s illness, yet you succeeded as soon as you arrived,” Tang Tianying said.

“You’re too kind,” Qi Shaorong replied with a wave of his hand.

“I’ve arranged a banquet at Huangtian Pavilion to celebrate your return,” Tang Tianying announced.

“Your Highness is too generous,” Qi Shaorong said with a polite smile.

Standing nearby, Yun Hu’s eyes sparkled as he whispered, “Young Master Zhuang has so much influence. Even a prince is inviting him to dinner! Can I come along and freeload?”

Qi Heng shot Yun Hu a sharp glance but said nothing.

Elsewhere, not everyone greeted their return with enthusiasm.

“Qi Shaorong truly has a lot of clout, doesn’t he? Even the Fourth Prince personally welcomes him back,” muttered Tang Tianfeng, a rival prince, as he clenched his fists.

“Second Prince, patience. The future is still unwritten,” one of his advisors said soothingly.

Tang Tianfeng exhaled deeply. “If I’d known years ago that Yi Fan was connected to Qi Shaorong, I wouldn’t have married Mu Xuelan to him. But now…”

The advisor nodded gravely. “Qi Shaorong’s rapid rise is certainly cause for concern. If even two of his allies reach the ninth level, the Emperor himself might feel threatened.”

Tang Tianfeng narrowed his eyes. “Indeed. Let’s see how long he can keep this momentum.”