Chapter Fifty-Two: Zhou Ling'er

Chapter Fifty-Two: Zhou Ling’er

Wu Hong gazed at the woman before him. She was cold as ice, showing not a trace of gratitude for having been rescued by him, which left him feeling somewhat disappointed. Yet this woman was a rare beauty in the world, born with exceptional grace; even when angry, she was as lovely as a celestial maiden.

“You are truly beautiful!” Wu Hong, under normal circumstances, would never have uttered such a frivolous remark. But the woman before him was so radiant that even her slightest gesture tugged at his heart.

“Hmph—you’re a smooth-talking rogue! Surely not a good person!” The woman snorted coldly.

Wu Hong was momentarily taken aback, but smiled and replied, “Miss, your beauty is evident to the heavens and earth. I merely spoke my sincerest thought—how is that being smooth-tongued?”

She glanced at Wu Hong and saw that, though he smiled, his eyes were pure and clear, revealing the honesty of his words.

Over the past days, she had encountered many deceitful and scheming men, all eager to take advantage of her. Realizing Wu Hong’s praise was genuine, her cold expression softened as she said, “I am not nameless. Don’t keep calling me ‘Miss’—my name is Zhou Ling’er!”

“Nice to meet you! My name is Wu Hong.” Hearing her introduce herself, Wu Hong promptly offered his own name.

“Ah! You’re Wu Hong? The one who killed his father and escaped, who slew countless heroes of the martial world?” Zhou Ling’er’s eyes flashed brightly upon hearing his name, and she stood, circling Wu Hong several times.

Wu Hong realized she was familiar with his ill reputation, and his face changed. He thought, How foolish of me—my name is now synonymous with ‘demon’ to others. How could I have so carelessly admitted my identity?

“Hehe! You are indeed different from those honey-lipped, hypocritical people—much better!” Zhou Ling’er laughed, and Wu Hong felt as if bathed in spring breeze, forgetting everything else she said.

He stared at Zhou Ling’er, momentarily lost. He had never seen such a beautiful woman before. In the imperial city, he had seen all kinds of women, but none had moved his heart as she did.

How wonderful it would be to live on this boat forever with her! But then Wu Hong remembered his injustice and the responsibilities he bore. He was startled—since when had he become so infatuated with women?

His behavior seemed extremely rude to the woman; who stares endlessly at someone after complimenting their beauty?

Wu Hong realized his conduct was improper and quickly turned his head to admire the scenery on the lake, but all that filled his mind was Zhou Ling’er’s image—none of the lake’s beauty registered.

Zhou Ling’er seemed preoccupied as well, staring into the boundless waters, while Kun Kun paced back and forth on the boat.

Kun Kun, a rare species of Kunpeng, possessed extraordinary survival skills and a body so tough that even Wu Hong felt inferior.

At this moment, Kun Kun’s tiny claws pattered over to Zhou Ling’er, his small eyes glaring at her, perhaps upset by her indifference toward Wu Hong.

Seeing that she ignored him completely, Kun Kun grew more annoyed and suddenly pecked Zhou Ling’er on the calf.

“Ouch—” Zhou Ling’er cried, looking down to find a bird resembling a vulture had pecked her.

She was about to get angry and kick the bird away, but upon seeing Kun Kun, her expression shifted to surprise. “Oh?” Zhou Ling’er crouched to examine Kun Kun closely.

Wu Hong hadn’t expected Kun Kun to stand up for him and peck the woman; he shook his head with a wry smile. “Kun Kun is a little beast I’ve taken in. He’s always been my companion. Please forgive him, Miss Zhou; he’s just a child.”

Wu Hong was genuinely afraid Zhou Ling’er might harm Kun Kun, which would break his heart.

But Zhou Ling’er seemed not at all angry. Instead, she crouched down to meet Kun Kun’s gaze, her face brightening. “Can you give me this little beast?”

Wu Hong was caught off guard by her request. Zhou Ling’er was so beautiful he could hardly deny her anything, yet Kun Kun had always regarded him as a father; would it not be a betrayal to give him away?

Wu Hong was torn.

Kun Kun appeared to understand their conversation. Seeing Wu Hong hesitate, he ran to Wu Hong’s leg and looked up at him, eyes glistening with tears.

Wu Hong’s heart softened inexplicably. “Miss Zhou, this little beast and I are close. I can’t decide his fate—let him choose for himself.”

Zhou Ling’er’s brows lifted with joy at Wu Hong’s answer. “Come here, little bird, come to your sister. Sister has tasty treats for you!”

Kun Kun’s tiny face was filled with delight at the promise of food, and he scampered over, looking adorably clumsy, coming to stand before Zhou Ling’er.

She laughed heartily at the sight.

Wu Hong shook his head with a bitter smile. Beasts are always beasts; despite their intelligence, they cannot resist human temptation.

Zhou Ling’er produced two fruits from somewhere. They looked like peaches, the size of jade plates. One radiated an icy chill, the other glowed with a fiery heat.

The two fruits were crystal clear, shimmering with treasure light. When Wu Hong saw them clearly, he cried out in astonishment, “King of Xuan Yin and Xuan Yang Fruits?”

“Hmm! So the annoying fellow knows his treasures?” Zhou Ling’er, in excellent spirits, replied offhandedly, her attention entirely on Kun Kun.

She held Kun Kun beside the two fruits.

Kun Kun gazed at the fruits exuding such different energies, his little mouth already drooling. Suddenly, he lunged to bite the King of Xuan Yin Fruit.

Wu Hong was aghast, crying out, “No—” but it was too late. Kun Kun was already chewing a large chunk, yet his body showed no signs of freezing.

Zhou Ling’er and Kun Kun both looked at Wu Hong in confusion. His heart thudded wildly with anxiety.

He remembered clearly how, when he first tasted these King Fruits, he nearly died. But Kun Kun had devoured a chunk and was unharmed, and Wu Hong’s heart finally settled—it had been a false alarm.

Noticing both were looking at him, Wu Hong scratched his head and smiled foolishly. “Haha! It’s nothing—I thought the Xuan Yin Fruit couldn’t be eaten directly.”

“Hmph—do you think his body is as fragile as a human’s?” Zhou Ling’er snorted, but seeing Kun Kun eat so happily, she laughed again. “Little one, would you like to have these fruits forever? Sister has plenty!”

Wu Hong ignored her words, thinking to himself, I am human, and so are you. If my body is fragile, yours can’t be much better. But he recalled the girl’s remarkable internal energy—far beyond his own. He took her words as mere pride.

Kun Kun’s eyes sparkled with joy at the prospect of endless fruits.

Without waiting for Zhou Ling’er’s permission, he soon devoured the entire King of Xuan Yin Fruit, then moved on to the King of Xuan Yang Fruit, finishing that as well.

Zhou Ling’er produced three more King Fruits, tossing one to Wu Hong. “I’m taking your little beast today, so this fruit is compensation. And I’ll grant you one reasonable request.”

Wu Hong caught the King of Xuan Yang Fruit and shook his head helplessly. When did such treasures of heaven and earth become as common as turnips and cabbages in this girl’s hands?

Who was she, truly? He had never heard of anyone in the martial world with such deep internal strength and celestial beauty.

Could she be a master from another country? Yes—she must be. The world is vast and full of extraordinary people. Wu Hong lived only in a corner of the Great Qian Dynasty; his knowledge was truly limited.

Zhou Ling’er was delighted by Kun Kun’s messy eating, laughing as if she could communicate with him, utterly happy.

Wu Hong, seeing her so pleased and Kun Kun so content, thought perhaps it was a good thing for Kun Kun to follow her; she seemed likely to treat him kindly.

Wu Hong placed the King of Xuan Yang Fruit into his universe ring, then sat cross-legged, but his heart could not calm. Though their acquaintance had lasted less than half a day, Zhou Ling’er’s image seemed etched into his soul.

Moreover, Wu Hong noticed that, since meeting her, the Great Sun Tathagata True Solution in his mind had been burning hot, and the words “Joyous Buddha of Fixed Light” kept flashing with radiant light.

Wu Hong sat cross-legged on the boat, not knowing how much time had passed, his spiritual sense watching the girl and the beast. Zhou Ling’er, elated, kept producing fruit after fruit, seemingly without end.

Wu Hong’s jaw nearly dropped in astonishment. Who was this girl, to possess so many King Fruits?