Chapter 45: 41. Chapter Regretful Tears, The Beautiful Woman Zhu Zhuyun Announces Her Submission!_1
"Hmm?"
Luo Yu's raised longsword suddenly paused, halting mid-air, not chopping down.
He glanced at Zhu Qing approaching him, and because of the height difference, he could look down and see the girl's explosively ample bosom, tightly wrapped in black leather, accentuating her perfect figure.
The girl's teeth were biting her red lips, her eyes revealing a hesitant and complex expression, "That... Can I... ask you..."
Luo Yu looked at Zhu Qing, finding it hard to begin speaking, his eyes showing confusion, "Ask me what? You're not thinking of asking me to spare her, are you?"
Zhu Qing's gaze shifted to the woman kneeling there with a vacant look in her eyes, her small hands clenched tightly, her knuckles turning somewhat white, as if she was wrestling with some difficult decision.
Finally, she took a deep breath, met the man's eyes, and gave a firm nod.
"Ha?" Luo Yu's eyes showed surprise, "You can't be serious, this woman has been hunting you down relentlessly, and you still want to spare her?"
Zhu Qing sighed, "Actually, she's a pitiful person."
Luo Yu spat out in disdain, "She's pitiful, and you're not? If you have that much compassion, better to save some for yourself. Why bother about her?"
Zhu Qing's eyes trembled, as harsh as the man's words were, for some reason, she felt there was a hint of concern in them, and a unique feeling surged in her heart.
Shaking her head, Zhu Qing softly explained, "Even though she treated me this way, the one I really hate isn't her."
"I hate that cold-blooded and heartless clan that treats its children like gu raising, where it doesn't matter if the other children die as long as there emerges a strongest one."
"Being born into such a clan is a tragedy. If you don't strive to kill your own kind, then you are the one who ends up dead. If I were in her place, with the advantage of age, perhaps I would also choose to eliminate all potential threats."
Luo Yu's fingers lightly flicked the sword edge, producing a crisp ringing sound.
"Wouldn't that be just perfect? One strike of my sword, and I'll help you clear the obstacles, freeing you from threats and letting you enjoy a boundless future."
Zhu Qing's face showed a struggle, "I've fantasized countless times that if I could just seize the chance, I would kill her, and then I'd be completely free."
"But now that this day has truly arrived, at the instant you swung your sword just now, I wavered."
"After all, she is my sister."
"If the clan is wrong, do I also have to keep making the same mistakes? Then what difference would there be between me and those cold-hearted members of the clan?"
Tears began to well up in Zhu Qing's eyes as she stared vacantly at Luo Yu, "I really don't want to become the kind of person I've always detested one day."
The figure of Zhu Zhuyun, who had been kneeling on the ground waiting for death, trembled violently.
Soon, her shoulders began to shake slightly.
No sound was heard, nor could the expression on her lowered head be seen, only the large, transparent tears.
Drip-drip—they continuously fell to the ground.
"Well now, young lady, your awakening is commendable," Luo Yu nodded.
Zhu Qing's pretty face just started to show joy, but Luo Yu suddenly changed his tone.
"You might be willing to forgive her, but I never said I would spare her."
"Ah?" Zhu Qing looked astounded, her small mouth agape.
Luo Yu snorted, "Don't forget, she and I share no blood relations, why should I forgive her? If I didn't know kung fu, I'd probably be a cold corpse by now."
Zhu Qing's brow furrowed with urgency, but she didn't know what to say.
Finally, with a timid face and in a weak, mosquito-like voice, she pleaded, "Then I beg you, please, spare her."
The girl's blushingly shy look exuded a different charm, causing Luo Yu's heart to flutter; the corners of his mouth imperceptibly curved into a faint smile as he denied her plea.
"We're neither kin nor kind, why should I let someone go just because you ask?"
Zhu Qing's face stiffened, she stammered, "But... we are friends, aren't we?"
"Do you even know my name?" Luo Yu asked, his smile teasing.
"I..." Zhu Qing was at a loss for words.
Luo Yu shook his head, "You just tagged along for my barbecue, and then I saved you. Now you're begging me to spare someone? Do I look that easy-going to you?"
Zhu Qing's cheeks instantly reddened, feeling she might indeed have been a bit too presumptuous.
With no connection between them, why should he listen to her? It was already a great act of kindness that he had intervened to save her life.
"I thought you seemed like a good person, so..."
"Stop, hold it right there!" Luo Yu quickly cut her off. Oh boy, she was trying to pin a good guy badge on him now? No way was he letting that happen.
"Alright, enough with the pretense, can we get to something more concrete?"
"Concrete?" Zhu Zhuqing looked puzzled.
Luo Yu sized her up and down.
Zhu Zhuqing felt as if she'd been stripped bare, like a naked lamb, her fair cheeks flushed with a charming, alluring glow.
"Tsk tsk, such fine looks you have..."
Zhu Zhuqing crossed her arms over her chest, trying to block his aggressive gaze, stepping back like a startled kitten, "What... what do you want to do?"
Luo Yu withdrew his gaze, shaking his head repeatedly, "Such fine looks, it'd be a waste not to have you do some laundry or cook for me."
"What?" Zhu Zhuqing was completely flabbergasted, she had thought the man would make some excessive demands.
She was no naive girl, she understood everything, in such a place, alone with a man, he could devour her without any issues, and she wouldn't be able to resist at all.
"What's the matter, you have a problem with that?" Luo Yu curved his lips, snorting, "Today I've suffered a great shock, feeling quite wronged. If you don't make some practical compensation, I won't forgive her."
Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes flashed with bemusement, inwardly she spat.
You're shocked? What a joke, if anything, you nearly scared everyone else to death.
She realized then that this man, when killing, was dead cold, but otherwise was quite different, a bit more humorous, even a bit... shameless!
Yet, this reassured her, and she playfully winked at him.
"Fine, fine, I'll just pour tea and fetch water to serve you from now on, alright? Please be magnanimous and forgive her. I believe that after this incident, she won't dare to be so arrogant again."
Luo Yu looked at her sideways, "You're doing this voluntarily, right? No one's forcing you?"
"No, no one's forcing me, it's completely voluntary."
Zhu Zhuqing felt a vein twitch on her forehead, somewhat doubting that this man was the same one brimming with murderous aura before.
But considering the man's temperament, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't find it in herself to dislike him, instead she found him authentic, quite unique, and was somewhat looking forward to their time together.
Luo Yu nodded in satisfaction, the light of the sword flashed, and Executioner was put away.
He turned his gaze to the ragged and kneeling stunning woman, his expression completely different from when he faced Zhu Zhuqing—his smile disappeared, his voice turned cold.
"Look up."
Zhu Zhuyun shivered, obediently lifting her face. Her radiant cheeks twisted with remorse, tears streaking down, lips tightly shut to hold back her sobs.
Luo Yu shook his head, "If only you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place? You heard what your sister just said, right?"
Zhu Zhuyun nodded vigorously, the pride once in her eyes replaced by endless shame.
"Zhu Yun knows her wrongs. I'm willing to compensate you, sir. Whatever you ask my sister to do, let me do it. Since I caused all this, I should be the one to pay it back."
"Come on, let's see how you're going to make amends," Luo Yu raised an eyebrow.
Zhu Zhuyun cautiously glanced at her sister, her voice timid, "Zhu Yun knows she has sinned greatly. I'm willing to be at your disposal, to fulfill whatever you ask without refusal."
Hiss.
This woman doesn't seem like a good person.
Luo Yu secretly speculated whether it was his mind that was twisted or if she was hinting at something to him.
"Open your mouth."
Zhu Zhuyun opened her red lips obediently, without any hesitation.
"Whoosh."
A pill shot straight into her mouth.
Luo Yu spoke softly, "If you truly repent, this will cure you."
"If you don't change your thieving ways, don't blame me."
Zhu Zhuyun nodded repeatedly, fear flashing through her beautiful eyes.
Luo Yu said, "Alright, get up."
Zhu Zhuyun respectfully stood up, looking at her sister with eyes filled with gratitude, "Thank you."
Zhu Zhuqing flicked her hand dismissively, not paying much attention to her, her thick eyelashes fluttering with curiosity as she moved closer to Luo Yu.
Looking left, then right, her heart filled with countless questions she wanted to ask...
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone