Soul Land: Raiden Shogun Is My Martial Soul

Chapter 232: "I Am the Most Beautiful in the World!"

The group heading to Spirit City was resting, cooking their meals rather than continuing on the journey.

Kong followed Zhu Zhuqing out of the tent, curious to know what she wanted to say. Her small face looked so conflicted—what could be troubling her?

The Emperor Battle Team's position was at the forefront of the convoy. After walking for a few minutes, the two of them were alone, with no one else around.

Zhu Zhuqing kept her head down, her face slightly flushed, her expression full of hesitation. She didn't think her instincts were wrong.

With her woman's sixth sense, amplified by her cat martial soul, Zhu Zhuqing had an exceptionally sharp perception.

Kong looked at her thoughtfully, seemingly understanding a second interpretation of the saying, "A true beauty lowers her head, revealing a reflection of the one she loves." Even with her head bowed, her eyes still reflected him.

At the same time, by lowering her head, she literally couldn't see her toes.

"Zhuqing, is something the matter?" Kong asked, puzzled. Did she bring him out here to confess? The thought made his heart skip a beat with a touch of excitement.

"Well… um…"

Zhu Zhuqing continued to look down, her hands clasped together, her fingers twirling nervously—just like a reserved young girl.

Well, she was a young girl, after all.

Biting her lip, she seemed to muster her courage and finally said, "Kong, that… that Xue Qinghe feels a little off. 'He' looks at you in a very strange way! You need to be careful!"

After speaking, Zhu Zhuqing furrowed her brows and lifted her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Kong. She wanted to see if he would believe her.

After all, Xue Qinghe was a crown prince and seemed to have a good relationship with Kong. If she "slandered" him, what if Kong didn't believe her?

Kong's eye twitched, and his body stiffened. He hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to say that.

Xue Qinghe was suspicious?

Of course, she was!

After all, she wasn't the real Xue Qinghe!

Looking at him strangely?

Well, it seemed that Xue'er's acting skills weren't flawless—Zhu Zhuqing had seen through it. Did others notice as well? He'd better warn her later to be more cautious.

"Zhuqing, how did you notice something was off about her?" Kong patted her shoulder, smiling.

Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he froze. Did Zhu Zhuqing think he and Xue Qinghe…?

No way, right?

He was a married man! And surrounded by beautiful women…

Alright, to be fair, Xue'er's gaze toward him was a bit too intense. If it were her real appearance, it wouldn't be so bad. But disguised as Xue Qinghe?

Yikes!

When Kong patted Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder twice, her face turned even redder. She didn't refuse the gesture, even though dodging it would have been effortless for her.

"A person's appearance might deceive, but Xue Qinghe's gaze can't lie. The way 'he' looks at you is even more fervent than Rongrong's," Zhu Zhuqing said softly, her usually cold tone replaced with a gentler, more melodic voice.

She was convinced that something was seriously wrong with Xue Qinghe—big problems, in fact.

After all, even within the Star Luo imperial family, there were rumors of such issues. Royal families were never entirely free of complications!

"Zhuqing, there are some things I can't tell you yet, but for now, just know that she is not a problem," Kong said with a wry smile. "When the time is right, I'll explain everything."

Qian Renxue's true identity couldn't be exposed now. The fewer people who knew, the safer she would be.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing was puzzled but nodded obediently. Since Kong had said so, Xue Qinghe probably wasn't a threat. Maybe "he" had some hidden difficulties?

Never mind. She decided not to overthink it. When the time was right, Kong would tell her.

"Kong, after the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament ends, will you return to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

Finally alone with Kong, Zhu Zhuqing naturally wanted to ask the questions she had been curious about.

Kong, noticing that Zhu Zhuqing didn't press further on the previous topic, breathed a sigh of relief. After a brief pause, he shook his head and said, "I'm not entirely sure yet. I'll probably return to Heaven Dou City first; there are some things I need to take care of."

"I see. Rongrong and I will stay at Blue Tyrant Academy to continue our studies. We plan to leave after the next All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament," Zhu Zhuqing said.

Then, hesitating briefly, she asked, "Kong, why didn't General Raiden and Raiden Ying come with you to Spirit City?"

Kong froze for a moment. "Uh, they went ahead to Spirit City first!"

He couldn't exactly say that the two women could appear at his side at any moment.

"Kong, I like you. Do you like me?"

"…"

Well, well, after all that talk, was it just a buildup to this one question?

It was so subtle yet so straightforward at the same time.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's resolute and expectant gaze, Kong didn't hesitate. He pulled her into his arms. Accepting one was accepting, and accepting a few more was the same.

Honestly, to have someone who liked him so much, and someone he also liked, not being together would be a regret, wouldn't it?

Feeling his embrace and hearing his heartbeat… was that really his heartbeat?

She didn't have the heart to call him out on it!

"Kong, I love you. I don't know when it started," Zhu Zhuqing murmured. "Thank you for accepting me. I…"

Before she could finish, her voice trailed off as their lips met.

After a long moment, they broke apart. Zhu Zhuqing, catching her breath, looked up at Kong.

"Thank you for accepting me? Zhuqing, you need to change that mindset," Kong teased. "Do you know, if there were a beauty ranking on the Douluo Continent, you'd definitely be in the top five."

"You should say, 'I am the most beautiful woman in the world, and you're lucky to have me!'"

Hearing his playful tone, Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip and smiled, her initial shyness fading. "I'm not that narcissistic!"

"Well, Xue Qinghe is!" Kong joked.

And truth be told, Qian Renxue really was confident—after all, as the most beautiful woman on the Douluo Continent, she had every right to be!

"???"

Zhu Zhuqing froze, her eyes wide, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to speak but couldn't.

"Wait, she… she's a woman?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, her voice trembling.

"Secret," Kong replied with a mischievous smile. "But you absolutely can't tell anyone. Otherwise, she could be in danger."

"Understood!" Zhu Zhuqing quickly nodded. Now it all made sense—why Xue Qinghe's gaze at Kong was so passionate, almost like that of a lover.

To think that the Crown Prince was actually a woman!

Unbelievable.

Still, Zhu Zhuqing trusted Kong. If he said it was important, she wouldn't breathe a word—not even under threat of death.

"I swear on my martial soul, I won't say a thing."

Since Kong knew the truth about Xue Qinghe, she must be someone important to him. If so, as his future sister-in-law, Zhu Zhuqing would never harm her.

"Well then, Kong, let's not reveal our relationship just yet. I'm worried about how Rongrong might react…"

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