Just as Lu Zhaozhao's discomfort was getting worse and she was about to reach her limit, the other party spoke again: "I have watched this competition, and you are quite a character. I know that you are born from the Nüba tribe and will not easily submit, but as long as you agree to stand on our side, I guarantee that wealth, honor and fame will always be with you in the future."
Lu Zhaozhao lowered her eyes, thinking: Is this a recruitment offer?
Before she could reply, the other person continued, "What are your thoughts?"
This was forcing her to agree on the spot. Suppressing her displeasure, Lu Zhaozhao replied, "I can't make a decision on such an important matter right now. Why don't you let me think about it?"
The reply was correct, but the commander Cheng Sang in front of him suddenly turned cold, and his murderous aura intensified, making people feel uneasy.
Seeing that the situation was not right, Cheng Sangji reached out and gently pulled her from the blind spot, then stepped forward and asked, "Grandfather has not been to Ming Palace City for a long time. May I ask what brings you here?"
Commander Cheng Sang looked at Cheng Sangji with a deep gaze. Cheng Sangji was not afraid, but remained respectful.
Commander Cheng Sang then turned his gaze back to Lu Zhaozhao and said, "Since we are departing tomorrow, why don't you stay? I'll await your reply."
Having said that, he glanced at Cheng Sangji, then turned and left.
The moment he stepped out the door, Lu Zhaozhao clearly felt Cheng Sangji's tense body immediately relax.
"What's with your reaction? Isn't he your grandfather?" Lu Zhaozhao asked, but Cheng Sangji didn't answer, only looking at her with a strange expression.
Lu Zhaozhao felt a little uncomfortable being stared at and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
“No.” Cheng Sangji shook his head. “This is my grandfather’s study. Let me take you out. You should rest well today.”
Lu Zhaozhao had a feeling that he wanted to say something, but he didn't say it. She didn't press him for an answer, so she nodded in response.
Cheng Sangji led her to another courtyard away from the study. After hesitating for a long time, he handed her a string of beads, the very same bracelet that had shown its power when fighting Jiu Feng.
Lu Zhaozhao tilted her head in confusion, but Cheng Sangji remained calm and said, "I know you are proud and unwilling to be subordinate to others, but my grandfather is also a man of his word. Even if you are unwilling tomorrow, you must agree first. This string of beads is connected to me, and I can sense if anything happens to you in time."
Cheng Sangji's words were truly beyond her expectations. Lu Zhaozhao seemed to have seen something interesting and said with a smile, "Are you teaching me how to appease your grandfather?"
A hint of unease flashed across Cheng Sangji's face, but he refused to admit it: "I just felt it was a pity that you died here."
Lu Zhaozhao nodded, took the beaded necklace, waved to him, and said, "Thank you anyway."
After saying that, he went inside. Cheng Sangji stood outside for a long time, closed his eyes, and then turned and left.
The moment Lu Zhaozhao closed the door, the smile on her face vanished instantly, the veins on her arms bulged faintly, and she appeared tense and defensive.
She was currently in the territory of the Gu Diao Clan, and was to depart for the border tomorrow. She was about to meet the Demon Lord who was related to the Xuan Bird, and she absolutely could not afford to mess things up here.
Now that things have come to this, she has no choice but to agree to Commander Cheng Sang's demands. But if she really agrees, will the Demon Lord still have any intention of using her?
"Damn it!" Lu Zhaozhao cursed under her breath. She had thought that the Demon Lord had organized this competition to cultivate his own power, and since she had clashed with the eight clans in previous competitions, he should at least treat her differently, even if he couldn't completely trust her. But she didn't expect that the Gu Diao would act first before she even met the Demon Lord, putting her in a dilemma.
She entered the territory of the Gu Diao today. Even if she claims later that she did not agree to it, will the Demon Lord believe her?
Lu Zhaozhao was extremely annoyed. She sat by the window looking at the sky outside. The night passed quickly. She sat quietly all night until dawn the next day when Cheng Sangji knocked on the door.
"You...didn't you get enough rest last night?" Cheng Sangji asked, looking at Lu Zhaozhao's dark circles under her eyes.
Lu Zhaozhao was in a state of turmoil and found fault with everyone. Cheng Sangji caught her off guard, and she retorted sharply, "How can you say that Cheng Sang's room is not a good place to rest?"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Cheng Sangji didn't provoke her further. Instead, he said, "Grandfather went out this morning and hasn't returned yet. Before he left, he instructed me to go to the border with you. Oh, and Cheng Sanghu too. Even that black-robed man who came looking for you yesterday will be with us."
Lu Zhaozhao and Cheng Sangji walked side by side to the skull carriage. When they saw the black-robed man from yesterday, Lu Zhaozhao narrowed her eyes. So it was Anren who was by her side.
Cheng Sanghu bowed to Cheng Sangji and said, "My lord instructed me to ask Miss Guannan today whether she has thought through the question he asked yesterday?"
Lu Zhaozhao rolled her eyes at them and replied, "As you wish, I will stand with you."
After saying that, he got into the carriage.
Cheng Sangji, who was caught in the crossfire, smiled helplessly and got into the car.
After sitting down, Lu Zhaozhao began to think.
There were two squads of guards outside just now, led by Cheng Sanghu. Her perception could not detect Cheng Sanghu's cultivation level, but it should be higher than his. In terms of aura, it seemed similar to her senior brother Ying Che, so he should be a Nascent Soul stage expert. The guards he led were all at the Golden Core stage or above.
If she had answered no, she would have been killed on the spot.
"How arrogant!" Lu Zhaozhao thought to herself. "They dare to target the Demon Lord's personal guards so brazenly within Ming Palace City. The Eight Clans truly live up to their reputation."
Seeing that Guan Nan was biting her lip and not speaking, Cheng Sangjie assumed that she was still angry, so he didn't say anything more.
They traveled in silence until the carriage swayed and bumped its way to the outskirts of the Ming Palace, where quite a few people had already gathered.
"They're here!"
Nan Rongrui's voice came from afar; one could hear her voice before seeing her.
As soon as the carriage came to a stop, the curtain was lifted, and Nan Rongrui leaned inside.
But the next second, her smile vanished the moment she saw Lu Zhaozhao.
"What are you doing here!" she said irritably.
Lu Zhaozhao had no intention of arguing with her at this moment, and directly splashed water on Cheng Sangji's head: "Ask your brother."
Upon hearing this, Nan Rongrui turned to Cheng Sangji, her tone softening but still tinged with dissatisfaction: "Second brother, why is she here?"
Cheng Sang was speechless. Seeing that the atmosphere was not good, he simply advised, "Let us get off the carriage first, A-Rui."
Nan Rongrui was about to say something when Cheng Sangji stopped him in time, saying with a serious expression, "Listen to me." Nan Rongrui had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
After getting off the carriage, she nodded, though her expression was one of resentment, after hearing what Cheng Sangji and Nan Rongrui had said. Then, she glared at Lu Zhaozhao and stormed off.
Lu Zhaozhao ignored her and walked to her spot, where a strangely shaped magical beast attracted all her attention.
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