"Sigh, ran into them again." Xiao Hongchen's eyes lit up, gaze landing on the pair ahead.
As reserve captain, his task included monitoring Shrek's next main force—this year's reserves. Su Wen, registered as reserve captain, was key.
"Who's that boy beside him? Kinda handsome~" Meng Hongchen nibbled gossip. "Wait! Something's off about them!"
"What's off? I'll go say hi." Xiao Hongchen strode forward.
Meng Hongchen murmured, "They… seem like lovers."
"Lovers… huh?!" Xiao Hongchen's eyes bulged, throat bobbing. With Meng's prompt, he noticed the gestures.
Gulp.
His foot halted and drew back.
"You sure?" He stared, dumbfounded.
"See for yourself." Meng rolled her eyes. "Shame, though—two handsome guys. I liked both."
"Cough—then forget it." The titanium-alloy straight man's skin crawled with goosebumps.
"…"
Su Wen didn't notice.
Being pulled around by Wang Dong felt awkward. He finally whispered, "How about… change into a dress?"
"Mm, okay." Wang Dong pretended reluctance but moved quickly. In no time she was back at Su Wen's side.
A girl in a snow-white long skirt, white shoes, only a strip of pale leg exposed. Light-blue hair over her shoulders, a perfect face blossoming with a sweet smile. Eyes like lakes fixed quietly on Su Wen—like a lotus: elegant, pure, breathtaking. Hands clasped behind her back; taking this step was still a bit hard, especially under the gasps and stares all around.
As Su Wen's "bro," she had no burden—slung arms, roughhousing—even enjoyed the thrill of being mistaken. But showing her true face made her faintly nervous.
"Pretty?"
It was her first time carefully dressing up before Su Wen. Back in the dorm, she'd always been sloppy.
To Su Wen, compared to big sisters like Tang Ya and Zhang Lexuan, this "makeup" was immature: mismatched lipstick shade, exaggerated blush, heavy shadow.
Just as she waited, Su Wen shook his head.
"Who taught you?"
"Sis Xiao Ya…" Wang Dong'er lowered her head.
Su Wen raised a hand, gently wiping off her eyebrows, blush, and shadow. "Sis Xiao Ya and the others need those to accent and correct. You don't. You're perfect as is—no one can find fault. Barefaced, you're a peerless beauty."
"Ah?!!" Wang Dong'er looked up, eyes wide.
"Your lips, press them together." Su Wen said softly.
"Oh~" She reflexively pursed her red lips.
Her light-blue eyes shrank suddenly as the familiar face drew close. Then she smiled like a flower, lifted her chin, leaned in, and wrapped porcelain arms around Su Wen's neck…
Their lips met in a tender, unhurried kiss that felt like the world had paused just for them. Su Wen's mouth was warm and gentle against hers, starting with a soft brush that sent a shiver down her spine. She parted her lips slightly, inviting him deeper, and he responded by tilting his head, his tongue tracing the seam of her mouth with a feather-light touch. The taste of him—faintly sweet, like fresh rain on summer leaves—mingled with the natural gloss of her lips, and she sighed into the kiss, her fingers threading through his hair to pull him closer. His hands settled on her waist, steady and reassuring, as their breaths intertwined in a slow, rhythmic dance. It wasn't rushed or frantic; it was pure, sweet affection, building like a gentle wave until they both pulled back just enough to share a lingering gaze, her cheeks flushed not from makeup, but from the warmth blooming in her chest.
Star Luo was open-minded.
Young couples kissing in the street drew few scolds—mostly hoots—especially when they were well-matched.
"Bro, look…"
In the crowd.
Meng Hongchen, stunned, poked Xiao Hongchen.
"Look at what? Star Luo's soul tool tech is trash. Half the shops are stamped 'Mingde Hall.' Boring. Only the food beats Sun-Moon." Xiao Hongchen mumbled around a piping-hot braised leopard head, slurping and complaining, then followed her finger.
"Su Wen?!"
He nearly spat his food.
Clamping his mouth, he swallowed hard. "Who's that girl?! Wasn't he walking with Wang Dong? Moved on already?"
"Idiot, that's Wang Dong!" Meng huffed.
"That's Wang Dong?!" Xiao Hongchen gulped, eyes lighting. "Damn, kinda does look like him."
"Didn't expect them to conform to worldly eyes… and have Wang Dong dress as female." Meng sighed. Wang Dong was born for women's clothing—even if "crossdressed," she fit perfectly, not the least jarring.
Even more beautiful…
"Tsk, such a pretty girl—but thinking he's male makes it so cursed." Xiao Hongchen grimaced.
"That's love." Meng hugged her head, starry-eyed.
Her beauty drew prying, even covetous, eyes. In the original, a Tier-0 face value was starting to show—just a bit green still.
This was the busiest commercial block in Star Luo's capital.
It meant a mixed crowd.
One street over stood the Star Luo Grand Hotel.
Su Wen suddenly stopped. Wang Dong'er paused, hand in his.
"Kid, sharp nose you've got."
Down a dim alley.
Seven or eight black-robed figures emerged from the dark, surrounding them. Their leader strolled out—scar across his cheek, gaunt, sallow middle-aged man, twirling a small knife dexterously between his fingers.
Seeing his trap sprung, he grinned.
"Is Star Luo's night security… this lousy?" Su Wen arched a brow.
Their auras weren't too strong—but not weak, either.
Five Soul Ancestors, one Soul King.
Though the robes hid them well, a faint killing intent seeped out.
Su Wen's face was calm.
They had killed, but lacked the battlefield's murderous reek. More like street thugs recruited as a noble's dirty gloves.
"Heh. The palace guards focus near the Grand Hotel and Star Luo Square. Not many people here." The leader smirked.
"This chick's nice. Give her to me. I'll return her tomorrow. How's that?"
"You know who I am?" Su Wen raised a brow.
"Don't know, but would like to." The man smiled and gestured for him to continue.
"Heh. Bold." Su Wen clicked his tongue.
Clearly, they knew he was from Shrek.
Yet dared to act…
These nobles had guts.
"A dragon from afar can't crush a local snake. Kid, I advise you to be sensible. Cooperate, and you won't suffer. I'll take your little girlfriend, send her back tomorrow so you can still compete. If you don't… hmph…"
He clapped.
The black robes stepped in closer. The ring tightened.
A frame-up?
Or nobles from Heaven Dou or Sun-Moon planning to take and run?
Exclude Holy Spirit Cult first. If it were them, they'd send crows and Zhang Peng-level experts to quietly kill him. They knew his strength too well.
Heaven Dou, Dou Ling, or Sun-Moon nobles here to watch?
Quite possible.
Do the deed and flee. Shrek might not catch them. This world wasn't like other martial world—no easy soul-searching, no branded disciples, no life tablets that point to the killer.
Handle it cleanly and exit the city before Shrek's seniors arrive—the continent is vast—Shrek might rage helplessly, then blame Xu Jiawei.
Investigate? Shrek's inspector team couldn't even recognize danger—forget investigating.
And sour Shrek's relationship with Star Luo…
Good for the other three countries.
Though "Three Kingdoms Alliance" on the surface, behind the scenes there was filth aplenty. Heaven Dou and Dou Ling nibbled land, arguing over borders. Star Luo and the others also disliked each other. Every year they sent geniuses to train at Shrek to prevent Shrek getting too close to any single nation.
If Shrek's students suffered on Star Luo soil—
Relations would turn to fire and water.
However…
He leaned toward internal Star Luo nobles.
To dare openly abduct him and Wang Dong'er, and boldly promise to return them tomorrow, likely meant they knew inside information—the strongest escort with the team was only Wang Yan. The main team had been taken back to Shrek by Xuan Zi.
In other words, at this moment in Star Luo's capital, Shrek's presence was a vacuum.
Yan Shaozhe and reinforcements would take days to arrive.
The Grand Hotel's security was good—but Su Wen and Wang Dong'er had walked into this on purpose.
And those who knew—only Dai Hao and the Star Luo Empire.
"Your backer is from Star Luo, right?" Su Wen said mildly.
"Kid, I advise—"
"Cheng Clan?"
Su Wen stared at him and uttered two words.
Though the man tried to hide it, panic flashed. He barked, "Don't force us to kill!"
"No wonder that eldest young master of the Chengs earlier went weak-kneed when he saw Dong'er, spouting how his grandpa is a Title Douluo and marrying him would grant her lifelong resources… So it was him." Su Wen realized.
Earlier in the night market, a drunk dandy had blocked them, tossing flirts at Wang Dong'er, reporting his name as some "Grandson of Cheng Elder," but was quickly dragged off. Su Wen hadn't bothered.
Thinking on it now—
Those who knew Shrek's situation were few.
The Emperor, Princess, a few Worshipers.
Perfect fit.
Cheng Gang, one of Star Luo's Worshipers.
Su Wen shook his head.
The middle-aged man's face soured.
They hadn't meant to harm Su Wen. But the girl… with no backing, likely a commoner. If they could seize and sleep her, then sneak her out of the city and lie low, clean up the trail—Shrek might not find the Chengs.
He was just a hired hand. The young master insisted—what could he do but risk his head.
But now… the paper was torn.
The Family Head did not know, let alone the Chengs' real big thigh.
The man's luck vanished. Cold wind cleared his mind—too late.
"Now you want to kill me?"
Su Wen smiled.
His gaze cooled.
"To make such a mess in Star Luo's capital… Xu Jiawei's a waste…"
"But for now, let's blow the roof off. If a Worshiper's grandson blocks me at midnight to snatch my wife, then he won't sleep tonight."
Su Wen spoke softly.
"Woo!"
In the next instant—
A figure was dragged into the dark alley.
The other five stared, stunned—what just flashed past?!!
"Save—"
Another was hauled into the shadows before their eyes.
The opponent was unbelievably fast.
"Ah—!!!"
Screams echoed deep in the alley, resounding through the night.
"Enough playing, Gale."
Su Wen said calmly.
"Finish the rest. Leave him alive. Take us to the door…"
"Roar—" A six-meter white ape emerged. The black-robes finally saw: blood speckled Gale's snowy fur; in its palm, a severed arm—theirs.
"Run!"
They fled in panic.
Within seconds, footsteps and screams ceased.
Only the leader remained, frozen as if nailed in place, drenched in sweat. He didn't dare look back. Fat droplets slid from his jaw.
"Not bad. Courageous." Su Wen smiled.
"Where's the Cheng estate?"
"Gulp—" The man's throat bobbed, face pale.