TRT -Chapter 52 Forcing One’s Way

Beyond Wangbei Pass, the sun sank in the west, dyeing the sky blood-red.

Our group rode out of the pass in silence. All around us were only the sound of wind brushing through the grass and the rhythmic clopping of hooves. Second Master still had no intention of putting me down even after we left the gates. I was sitting sideways on the horse, my whole body aching from being pressed awkwardly. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Um… hey, could you let me down first?”

Only then did Second Master seem to snap out of his thoughts. He lowered his head and glanced at me.

“You’re the woman Third Brother searched for inside the pass for more than three months? What’s your name?”

Third Brother? That must be White Hair. So this was his second brother.

“I’m Minmin… And you?”

He froze for a moment, then sneered.

“So Third Brother didn’t tell you? I thought he would’ve warned you to guard against me.”

“What kind of talk is that? As an elder brother…”

No wonder he couldn’t become king of the Chasing Wind Tribe!

“He never said anything bad about you!” I said coldly. “I think… it’s not that he wants to guard against you. It’s that you want him to.”

The sneer finally vanished from his face.

He suddenly yanked me back as I was about to dismount and hugged me tightly in a vengeful grip. Gritting his teeth beside my ear, he whispered:

“From now on, you’ll remember to guard against me forever!”

On horseback, I was completely overpowered. Our strength was worlds apart, and he was clearly trained. No matter how hard I struggled, I couldn’t move.

He grabbed the back of my head and kissed—half-biting, half-kissing—my neck fiercely.

It hurt so much I shrank back instinctively.

At that moment, something suddenly stirred inside my chest pouch—

My brave little Shaozi leaped out with a sharp flying claw!

Second Master hadn’t expected that. He instinctively raised his arm to block.

I seized the chance and escaped, but poor Shaozi ended up hanging onto his sleeve…

An eerie silence fell around us.

Embarrassed, I reached out, pried Shaozi’s claws loose, and stuffed him back into my pouch.

“That is… a fox-wolf?”
Second Master ignored his torn sleeve and stared in disbelief.
“You keep a fox-wolf as a pet?”

“Uh… yeah…”

My eyes darted around, clearly unwilling to continue this topic.

“Anyway… thank you for helping me today.”

I looked him straight in the eyes and thanked him sincerely.

No matter his motives, he had helped me.

He smiled faintly.

“No need to be polite.”

“But what you just did was too much! So we’re even!”
I rubbed my sore neck angrily.

“Even?”
He finally smiled for real and reached out for me.

Startled, I quickly sidestepped and slid off the horse.

Holding the reins, he looked down at me.

“You’re interesting, little girl. But you’re an outsider, with no power or backing. If Third Brother were smart, he’d marry Peifu of the Three-Bone Tribe.”

Then he sneered again.

“But I hope you’ll completely captivate him. That way, the Three-Bone Tribe’s power will fall into my hands.”

After giving me a pitying glance, he laughed wildly and rode away.

I stood there trembling with rage.

What did that pitying look mean?!

Did he think I couldn’t charm White Hair?!

Damn it! What am I lacking?!
I’ve got boobs, I’ve got legs!

I’ll show you! I’ll definitely charm him!
(White Hair, you should thank your second brother…)

Azu dragged me away solemnly as Second Master’s escort disappeared in clouds of dust.

From a hilltop, I looked out over grasslands like a green carpet, dotted with yellow and pale white from late autumn. In the middle lay a lake—pure blue, breathtakingly beautiful.

What surprised me most was that, as nomads, White Hair’s people didn’t live in yurts.

Instead, a historic palace stood surrounded by the largest lake.

Commoners lived in wooden houses or felt tents in scattered tribes.

Only then did I understand why White Hair always treated me like a child.

The women here were… stunning.

Tall, long-legged, honey-toned skin, flowing silver hair, enchanting smiles. When they sang and danced, they were fiery and seductive.

I felt like I was drowning in violet and rose-scented estrogen.

Even Nana, the maid helping me bathe and dress, was the type who could wipe out all female rivals in one appearance.

I couldn’t help feeling depressed.

With so many beauties around, why would White Hair like me?

Maybe he was tired of rich food and wanted something different…

Sigh.

“Forget it. I’ll stay a few days, then go find Master Mingjing…”

“Where are you going now?”

White Hair’s voice came from behind.

Nana smiled, bowed, and retreated.

White Hair strode forward angrily and grabbed my arm.

“You’re leaving? You don’t like it here? I’ll build you a palace wherever you like.”

I looked at his handsome, devilishly charming face. Back home, he didn’t wear a mask.

His brother had gone north with troops and was likely in danger. White Hair had rushed back to discuss rescue plans.

I thought he’d be stressed—but he looked fine.

What stamina.

I was wrong.

He was exhausted and anxious. Hearing that I’d met Second Master again made him even more worried.

And now I was talking about leaving.

In his eyes, my silence was confirmation.

His anger surged.

Suppressing it, he hugged me.

“You met Second Brother? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“Well… not exactly…”

I didn’t push him away.

Seeing me compliant, he relaxed.

His kisses trailed from my ear to my neck.

Then he froze.

His lips suddenly left me.

I felt cold.

I turned back—

“AAAAAHHHH!!!”

Was this really White Hair and not some demon?!

He stared at my neck, hair standing on end, eyes blazing red.

“What?! What?! What happened?!”

I touched the spot he was staring at.

Boom.

Oh no.

That place…

Hadn’t Second Master just…?

Was that a hickey?!

When White Hair saw the obvious, provocative kiss mark, all his rage exploded.

He grabbed my wrists painfully.

I cried out.

Normally, he’d let go.

This time, he didn’t.

He glared at me viciously.

I was terrified.

He’d lost his rationality.

I had to calm him down.

Enduring the pain, I tried to speak gently.

“W-White Hair… calm down, listen to me…”

“It was him.”

He said it with certainty.

“There are many reasons—listen, it’s all—”

“Mmph!”

He cut me off with a storm of kisses.

So fierce I nearly fell backward.

He grabbed my waist, pressed me tightly against him, and pinned my arms behind my back.

I couldn’t escape.

Like a bandit, he plundered my mouth wildly.

Chasing my tongue relentlessly.

Saliva overflowed, trailing down my neck in silver threads.

His kisses roamed greedily over my face, lashes, eyes—everywhere.

Then he bit hard on that hickey.

“Ow!”

My legs gave out.

I slid downward.

“Minmin… how can I keep you…”

He whispered hoarsely by my ear.

Eyes closed in pain and struggle.

Then, resolutely, he scooped me up and walked straight toward the bed curtains of the palace.