Chapter 44 The Thrill of Deliberate Capture and Conquest
"You... shameless!" she gritted her teeth and rebuked, but found that her usual composure always seemed to crumble easily in front of him.
"Shameless?"
Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over her reddened earlobes, his smile deepening. "I'm merely stating the facts. Miss Shen, you went to such lengths to 'invite' me here, only to stand aside and listen to me talk to these boorish people? That's a terrible waste."
He paused, his tone tinged with regret, "Or is it that your Baiyang Society is so short of talent that you have to send a delicate beauty like yourself to do this job of shouting and killing? You really... don't know how to cherish a beautiful woman."
His words were not only a sarcastic remark about Baiyang Society, but also a direct attack on Fangru's awkward position in the matter. He said it in a hooky tone, which made people feel both ashamed and angry.
Fangru felt a rush of blood to her head, and her chest heaved noticeably with anger.
She knew that arguing with this man any further would only make him appear more at ease, while she would completely fall into his rhythm and end up looking pathetic.
She abruptly turned her face away, no longer looking at Zhou Ling's repulsive face that seemed to control everything. She fixed her burning gaze on the dazed henchman, her voice as cold as ice: "You'd better think this through! If you abandon your post now and jeopardize the sect leader's important affairs, how many heads do you have to lose?!"
Zhou Ling chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a magnetic tremor, as if he didn't care about her threat at all.
He didn't look at Fangru again, but spoke to the henchman in an almost pitying tone:
"I will only give you this opportunity once. You will choose between clinging to this precarious livelihood or fighting for a stable and wealthy later life."
He leaned back slightly, still exuding an innate air of nobility and composure even though he was strapped into the chair. "As for certain people..."
He paused, his gaze finally slowly turning back to Fangru, his eyes like those of someone admiring a cat that was baring its teeth and claws but couldn't escape the palm of his hand, with a hint of amusement, a hint of inquiry, and a touch of indescribable depth.
"Putting personal interests before public duty, harboring grudges and seeking revenge—that shows a narrow-minded approach. Even Huang Jiang knows how to assess the situation, but your Baiyang Society... are you already being bossed around by a woman?"
These words struck Fangru's sore spot precisely, and subtly sowed discord between her and Baiyang Society.
Her fingertips trembled with anger, but Zhou Ling ignored her completely, as if her every reaction was exactly what he had expected.
This feeling of being completely seen through and controlled was more terrifying to her than direct humiliation.
Soon, heavy and hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
Huang Jiang returned, his body reeking of blood. His eyes were red and his emotions were turbulent, clearly indicating that he had just experienced a life-or-death battle.
He strode up to Zhou Ling, his gaze lingering for a moment on the bound emperor with a complex expression. To everyone's surprise, he clasped his hands in a deep bow, his voice hoarse with excitement: "Your Majesty... your words are law, that villain Jiang Yi has been executed! I, Huang... thank Your Majesty for granting my request!"
This scene was like being doused with ice water, instantly chilling Fangru to the bone.
He was actually right!
How could he possibly know the whereabouts of someone as insignificant as Jiang Yi?
This is intelligence that no ordinary emperor could possibly control!
An absurd yet chilling thought uncontrollably entered her mind: Could Zhou Ling... also be reborn like her?
But the next moment, she denied it herself.
impossible!
If he had truly been reborn and possessed memories of his past life, how could he knowingly step into this deadly trap? The Baiyang Society, these desperate criminals, were truly intent on taking his life!
unless……
An even more terrifying and suffocating possibility, like a grotesque ghostly hand in the darkness, suddenly seized her heart!
Unless, in his previous life, he already possessed all of this information!
Including Huang Jiang's weaknesses, Jiang Yi's whereabouts, and even... Baiyang Society's operation this time!
His silence at the time, letting things unfold as they would, was not because he was powerless to change the situation, but rather... going with the flow, or even... doing it on purpose!
He deliberately allowed himself to be captured, deliberately fell into the hands of the White Sun Society, and deliberately... was imprisoned with her in that dark and sunless cage!
Could it be that he risked everything, even using himself as bait, just to... create an opportunity to be alone with her, to spend every day with her?
The idea was too crazy, too absurd, yet it grew wildly like a vine, suffocating her.
If that's the case, then his seemingly accidental protection in his past life, those ambiguous glances, and his gradual approach in desperate situations... weren't they all just whims, but rather premeditated?
She subconsciously looked up at Zhou Ling, her heart pounding wildly.
Just then, Zhou Ling was also looking at her.
Where was there even a trace of the wretchedness of being a prisoner in those unfathomable eyes?
Her panic was clearly reflected there, surging with an all-knowing scrutiny, and... a trace of intense, heart-pounding patience and determination, as if a net had already been woven, waiting for her, this little bird, to fall into it.
He even winked at her almost imperceptibly and extremely slowly, a movement so subtle it was almost an illusion, yet carrying a deadly provocation and allure, as if to say: "You can't escape... my grasp."
Fangru felt a chill run down her spine to the top of her head. She suppressed the turmoil in her heart, knowing that this was not the time to delve into the matter.
The deeper Zhou Ling's schemes, the more necessary it is to eliminate him immediately, otherwise everyone will be doomed!
She abruptly turned to Huang Jiang, who was still immersed in the joy of revenge, her tone urgent and sharp: "Master Huang! Don't be fooled by him! He told you Jiang Yi's whereabouts just as a delaying tactic! Think about it, why did he tell you at this particular time? It's to buy time for his reinforcements! If you don't kill him now, once he escapes, you'll be the first one he targets! At that time, not only you, but the entire Baiyang Society will be buried with you!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Jiang's expression instantly shifted between light and dark.
Zhou Ling's earlier "gratitude" clashed fiercely with the harsh reality pointed out by Fang Ru.
However, the deep-seated fear of the court and the emperor ultimately prevailed.
His eyes hardened, and he gripped the hilt of his knife tightly again: "You're right! You dog emperor, prepare to die!"
At this critical moment!
"Report!"
A member of the White Sun Society scrambled in, his face ashen. "Master! It's terrible! Outside... outside is full of Imperial Guards! We're surrounded!"
Before the words were even finished, deafening shouts of battle surged in from all directions like a tidal wave!
Arrows pierced through the window, instantly felling several members of the congregation!
"How could they have arrived so quickly?!" Huang Jiang was horrified.
Zhou Ling sighed leisurely, as if he had been waiting for this for a long time: "I have said before that the gold of Ciyun Temple is not so easy to take."
In an instant, Fangru understood everything.
The so-called "Ciyun Temple Gold" was nothing but an elaborate trap!
Zhou Ling deliberately leaked this information to that greedy henchman, and may have even anticipated that she would try to stop him. There must have been some kind of agreement between him and the secret guards. Once someone digs under the banyan tree at Ciyun Temple, it will be a clear signal that the emperor is in danger and needs urgent rescue!
"Master Huang! Kill him now!" Fangru's voice was shrill, filled with unprecedented panic. "The Imperial Guards are on their way! If we don't act now, we'll all die!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Jiang's expression changed drastically, and he abruptly drew his waist knife.
However, it was too late!
Suddenly, deafening shouts of battle and the clanging of weapons erupted outside! Footsteps, like thunder, approached from afar and instantly surrounded the small house!
"The Imperial Guards are here! Traitors, surrender at once!"
The door was smashed open, and countless elite Imperial Guards in gleaming armor surged in like a tide. The leading general's eyes flashed like lightning, instantly locking onto the bound Zhou Ling. He knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, I have arrived late to save you! You have been frightened!"
In the chaos, the Baiyang followers panicked and tried to resist or escape, but against the well-equipped and well-trained Imperial Guards, it was like throwing eggs against rocks.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Huang Jiang let out a mournful roar and brandished his sword in a desperate attempt to fight back, but he was surrounded by several elite Imperial Guards and subdued in an instant.
Fangru knew something was wrong, and took advantage of the chaos to slip away and retreat to the back door.
She was agile and, using the tables, chairs, and the chaotic crowd as cover, managed to slip out of the small house and plunge into the pitch-black night.
She ran for her life, her heart pounding in her chest, the shouts of her pursuers and the ever-approaching hoofbeats filling her ears.
The cold night wind brushed against his cheeks, but it couldn't dispel the bone-chilling cold in his heart. Zhou Ling had already planned everything!
He was like the most skilled chess player, leisurely watching them struggle on the chessboard, yet he had already blocked every possible escape route for them!
Suddenly, a dark figure swept past the shadows of the trees like a ghost and landed steadily in front of her, completely blocking her way.
Fangru suddenly stopped in her tracks, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest, and her breathing abruptly stopped.
Zhou Ling stood with his hands behind his back, having somehow broken free of his restraints and changed into a clean set of dark-colored casual clothes. His robes fluttered slightly in the night breeze, and his posture was so relaxed that it was as if the prisoner from before had never existed.
The moonlight outlined his tall figure and sharply defined jawline, while the night breeze ruffled a few strands of dark hair on his forehead, adding to his untamed charm.
He gazed at her silently, as if admiring a lost masterpiece that had been recovered. His eyes were deep and unfathomable, carrying the satisfaction and appreciation of a hunter who had cornered his beloved prey and was about to savor the fruits of victory.
“Miss Chen,” he began, his voice deep and clear in the still night air, the last syllable carrying a languid yet dangerous magnetism, “It’s late and the dew is heavy, and you’re running blindly…where are you going?”
Fangru retreated step by step, her heels grinding against the dry branches, making a faint cracking sound, until her back pressed heavily against a rough, cold tree trunk, leaving her nowhere to retreat.
She watched him approach slowly and steadily, the powerful pressure like a tangible net, trapping her and almost suffocating her.
Zhou Ling finally stopped in front of her, so close that she could smell the faint scent of ambergris on him, mixed with a hint of the chilly night wind.
He reached out, not to grab her roughly, but to gently and slowly brush a strand of wet hair that had fallen across her cheek as she ran, his long fingers almost brushing against her burning earlobe.
Fangru trembled and tried to turn her head away, but her chin was gently pinched by his other hand.
The force wasn't strong, but it carried an irresistible control, forcing her to raise her eyes and meet his unfathomable gaze.
"Scared?" He chuckled softly, his thumb stroking her delicate jawline, feeling the subtle trembling beneath her skin.
His breath brushed against her lips, burning hot. "Weren't you quite sharp-tongued just now in the house, trying to take my life?"
Fangru wanted to rebuke her, but found her throat dry, and the voice that came out trembled slightly without her even realizing it: "You... let go!"
However, the body seemed to have developed its own consciousness.
The places touched by his fingertips trembled as if tiny flames had been ignited.
The familiar scent of him enveloped her powerfully, making her legs feel weak and even causing a shameful, conquering feeling to arise deep within her heart.
This instinctive bodily reaction filled her with immense shame, anger, and panic.
Zhou Ling clearly noticed her change. The darkness in his eyes deepened as he watched with satisfaction as her cheeks gradually flushed and her breathing became slightly rapid.
In the midst of this suffocating standoff, Fangru caught a glimpse of a steep grassy slope to her side out of the corner of her eye.
Driven by her survival instinct, she seized the moment when Zhou Ling's attention was slightly diverted, broke free from his grip on her chin, and rushed down the slope without a second thought!
But she forgot about the slippery ground and the steep slope. After running two steps, the tip of her shoe tripped on a protruding tree root, and she instantly lost her balance. With a scream, she fell towards the dark bottom of the slope!
The expected pain did not occur.
A strong, powerful arm quickly wrapped around her waist and pulled her back sharply!
In a dizzying moment, she was pulled back by a tremendous force and slammed heavily into a solid, warm chest.
Zhou Ling's aura instantly enveloped her completely.
He stood almost against her back, one hand tightly gripping her waist and abdomen, holding her firmly in his arms, while the other hand protected her in front of him, preventing her from struggling and slipping off again.
Their bodies were pressed tightly together, and through the thin fabric of their clothes, she could clearly feel the strong heartbeat and burning heat emanating from his chest.
"Why are you running?" His lips were almost touching her earlobe, his warm breath filling her ear and bringing a tingling, itchy sensation. "Didn't I tell you that you can't escape?"
Fangru was both shocked and angry. She struggled to twist her body to break free, but this only made the friction between the two more intense.
With each struggle, her back inevitably rubbed against his hard chest, and her buttocks even unintentionally brushed against his firm abdomen.
A strange, heart-pounding heat surged uncontrollably from where the two were touching, quickly spreading to her limbs and bones, making her weak all over, and even her toes curled up involuntarily.
Zhou Ling clearly felt the sudden stiffness and slight trembling of the delicate body in his arms.
He chuckled softly, tightening his grip on her waist as if trying to meld her into his very bones.
He lowered his head, his high, straight nose brushing lightly against the sensitive back of her neck, feeling her shudder violently.
“It seems,” his voice was a little hoarse, filled with undisguised lust and smugness, “that he’s not just being stubborn…he’s being quite unruly here too.” His hand, which was wrapped around her waist, moved down a little more at regular intervals, the heat of his palm making Fangru almost jump.
Fangru could even clearly feel the subtle, restrained tremors from his fingertips, and the masculine, vigorous power pressed against her back.
This pervasive sense of aggression made her feel like a butterfly caught in a spider's web, all her struggles futile and only arousing the predator's interest.
"It seems your body... is much more honest than your mouth."
He leaned down, his thin lips almost touching her earlobe, and whispered in a breathy voice that only the two of them could hear. His voice was filled with hot breaths and suggestive of desire.
These words struck Fangru like a thunderbolt, leaving her mind blank.
Humiliation, anger, and that damn, uncontrollable physical reaction all combined to nearly break her down.
He not only controlled her actions, but also arbitrarily interpreted and manipulated her body's most instinctive reactions, which made her feel more ashamed and desperate than any direct coercion.
Despair surged into my heart like a tide.
No! She must not fall into his control again! She must not repeat the same mistake! This useless body, this suffocating closeness, must end immediately!
In a flash, she suddenly raised her hand and used all her strength to break the Buddhist prayer beads bracelet that had accompanied her for many lifetimes!
The purple jade beads scattered on the ground with a crackling sound, and just as Zhou Ling's expression changed slightly and she reached out to stop them, she quickly put one of them into her mouth and swallowed it without hesitation!
Zhou Ling's pupils suddenly contracted, his previous composure vanished, replaced by an almost uncontrollable shock and anger: "What did you eat?! Throw it out!"
Fangru, nestled in his arms, felt the immense strength emanating from his arm and his suddenly disordered breathing, yet she managed to force a mocking and resolute smile onto her lips.
Consciousness rapidly faded, the last thing I perceived was Zhou Ling's eyes, those that had finally shattered their facade of calm, now filled with shock and panic...
...
When she opened her eyes again, the familiar hustle and bustle and dazzling lights of the Xuanji Banquet enveloped her once more.
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