24 Small Progress

Prince Julius stood frozen in place. Her tired deep green eyes the expression of defeat on her, everything made his insides tremble.

Zhi Rui took her time sizing him up, the information on the paper told Prince Julius was a spoiled brat since young he was doting upon together with the youngest princes, he was carefree and playfull, he would pursue woman relentlessly. Zhi Rui looked behind him a tall blond woman wearing a red armor was looking at her, she had more three knights following behind her.

"Is prince here to mock me?" Zhi Rui turned her face to the window

Julius flustered, he walked to the seat in front of her awkwardly and stumbled, slightly.

"I-I am sorry I'm a bit clumsy." seeing no reaction from her he got even more restless.

"Ugh I'm sorry for my sister getting in your way to another light sect, I'm not here to mock or anything, in truth." Julius looked at her face with a dazed expression.

"I wanted to meet you because of that, what she did to you was wrong, andI applaud your will to keep on strong in spite of that."

Zhi Rui looked at his eyes, her eyes still depressed. she got up slowly

"I don't need your words prince, please do not bother me again." she turned and left.

Julius stayed frozen on his seat. he's the kingdom most spoiled prince this is the first time someone has treated him like this even princess from the other nation treated him with the utmost courtesy, he looked at her back as she walked away, entranced.

The tall blonde knight saw his face and saw the smile the girl gave when she turned her back. She frowned.

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On the way back, Zhi Rui saw carriages with crests from another country.

Zhi Rui frowned the contest only start appearing about three months earlier for the light sect's trials,they are already here but the day in her memories does is six months from now.

Zhi Rui started tapping her finger on the windowsill

'They must have moved forward so they can drown the voices talking about my death.'

She put her hands down on her lap, 'I have only three months then? to grow my level to rank two, and gain permanent control over the black side of the city.

'Can I do it?'

Zhi Rui put a nail on her mouth.

'I have to!"

Blood started to seep from her mouth, her eyes were bloodshot. she spoke trhough clenched teeth

"Either I get everything or I die!"

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Back in her own room, Zhi Rui felt a vibration on her waist.

She took the hope rock and threw it on her bed.

"Good evening miss, Mr. Izaya wanted to contact you."

Zhun Xuying 's face was heavily bruised, Zhi Rui could also see a purple-ish color peaking from her sleeves.

She stared at her silently. Zhun Xuyinf did not say anything, so she shifted to Izaya.

"Zhi Rui, I want to acceptyour offer."

Zhi Rui was surprised, frankly she did not expect him to agree, she even put a servant on the brothel with orders to immediately run to the gates to warn the soldiers to start the hunt in case they tried to go out.

Zhi Rui smiled gently "Good, then let's start, Zhun Xuying take Izaya's daughterto the market and buy her daily necessities at will, finished I need you to come here"

"Yes, young lady." Zhun Xuying bowed

Izaya eyes twitched, he wasn't a fool what these mean was obvious, 'Work well and your daughter will be well.'

Zhi Rui looked at him smilingly again

'Whatever his reason for accepting is. he can only remain faithful with his daughterby my side.'

"I need you tobring fruit from the barbarian lands, the red appleI need a lot of it I'm sure you know your place around there, You can ask anything you need from Zhun Xuying she will provide you."

Izaya nodded firmly.

Zhu Xuying eyed Zhi Ru, seeing her slight nod, she took the rock from the ground ending the conversation.

Still looking in the direction of the bed where the image was, Zhi Rui thought about Izaya, 'He runs all over the place for his daughter, now he's just gonna leave her with the enemy? even more now that she has her freedom? No, not him. He would need a guarantee... Who could help him, or offer such a sense of security?

She didn't have to think much, Hilda eyes when she made the symbolicpact with her emerged on her mind.

'She's a level two cultivator, who has no real loyalty to me, and will be working on the city.'

"Haha, aren't they the perfect couple?" Zhi Rui giggled.

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After two hours of wait, Izaya saw his daughter getting off the carriage with a new dress, he smiled at the pretty small thing.

"Lady Zhun Xuying said the things you need is inside the carriage, that you just need to enter and go." She said with a little apprehension, they been together for such little time but they have already separated again, her belly churned at the thought of staying alone with these people.

Izaya looked at the red-rimmed eyed girl with a smile and embraced her, whispering on her ear "When she have free time Hilda will teach you some techniques, learn it well it suits you mixed blood, also don't be shy, eat and drink however much you want, after all, they are separating us again Haha."

Izumi started sobbing "You will come back again right?"

"yes, yes little thing, don't worry."

Izaya released her and looked up, Hilda was seated on the edge of the ceilings, she gave him an assured nod.

Izaya got up on the carriage and drove off, alone. He did not look back