Chapter 289: Reunion with the Duke (Part 2)

What other choice did he have?

The little rabbit had been gone for so long. The original plan was for her to follow the Delegation from Moonrise back to the Valoran Imperial City, but the Deep Sea Empire beat them to it halfway there.

At the thought of the Deep Sea Empire, a dark light glinted in the Duke’s serpentine eyes.

He could guess their reasons for capturing the little rabbit with his eyes closed. It was either to use her as a hostage or for some other sordid scheme.

Ever since he learned she had become a Prisoner of War, the Duke had been unable to eat or sleep in peace.

In the end, he decided to take a risk.

He used Spirit Art to combine with a Clone, creating a puppet to leave behind in the Imperial City, while his real body had long since slipped out of the city unnoticed.

Even if he left any traces, he could use the Clone to cover them up.

Real or fake, no one could tell the difference.

The sound of rolling wheels gradually filled the long street.

The Little Octopus tilted its head and looked over. It seemed to be a merchant caravan. There were several carriages, and the accompanying guards were all tall and imposing.

Yu Zhizhi’s rabbit ears twitched.

The next second, she heard a familiar voice: "Master, the carriage is ready."

Geoffrey?

Yu Zhizhi looked over in astonishment and saw the flamboyantly dressed Peacock male winking at her.

The Duke slowly released his grip, gazing at the little female before him. "Get in the carriage first."

Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly.

She was led to the lavish carriage in the middle. After stepping on a small stool to get in, she saw the Little Octopus wriggling its tentacles and beginning to climb up as well.

She was about to give it a hand when the Duke’s voice drifted over coolly, "Go to the one in the back."

In the intelligence he had received, he had seen the photo taken by a passerby: on an ice road over the sea, the little female in the sled was accompanied by just such a conspicuous red octopus.

The Little Octopus huffed, turned around, and headed for the other carriage.

’When you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head.’

’This is all just temporary!’

’Once we get to Varolan, hmph, I’ll be free!’

Yu Zhizhi sat alone in the carriage. The entire interior was lined with thick, white fur blankets. In the center was a low table with a small incense burner on it. The carriage was warm, comfortable, and enclosed. A faint, pleasant fragrance filled the air, making it feel like a different world from the outside.

Gently lifting the curtain, she saw the Duke giving instructions to the jewelry merchant, Geoffrey, who looked extremely respectful.

Catching the movement of the curtain out of the corner of his eye, Geoffrey looked over and smiled at the Rabbit Clan female.

This time, he had followed the Duke all the way to the Chelsea East Territory.

Any further and they would be in the Deep Sea Domain, where it would be extremely easy to alert the enemy. That was why all arrangements had been made here.

The cover story was Geoffrey’s merchant team—

On the Beast World Planet, he was the largest jewelry supplier, known to everyone. With Geoffrey as a front, the caravan’s travel records needed no concealment.

The Chelsea East Territory was far from the internal strife, making it a preferred stopping point for countless travelers.

Continuing east, they could reach the Varolan border in roughly five days.

The route they chose was far from the sea.

The farther from the sea, the safer they would be.

News that Ms. Zhi Zhi had been captured as a prisoner by the Deep Sea Empire was severely delayed. At first, it was only speculation.

Noel claimed to have heard the distinct sound of ocean waves when he answered the call.

At the time, they could only confirm she was sailing on the sea, but couldn’t pinpoint the specific mastermind behind it.

It wasn’t until Ms. Zhi Zhi arrived in the Deep Sea Domain that she was finally spotted by a hidden scout, who reported it immediately.

The one who had taken her was none other than the Hai Giant Shark!

The Jewelry Merchant Team had actually been stationed in this area for a long time, secretly preparing, and had finally found their opportunity.

Geoffrey thought about the current chaos in the Chelsea Territory, and he still felt a little uneasy—

A single action could affect the whole situation. The Deep Sea Empire had already responded, and similarly, the Valoran Empire had to make a decision.

Fortunately, the Rabbit Clan Lady had been safely recovered, so they no longer had to hold back in their actions.

While the Duke was conferring with Geoffrey, he glanced at the carriage and saw the little female quietly lifting the curtain, seemingly very interested in their conversation.

The mere thought that he had gotten her back softened the Duke’s tone considerably.

With all instructions given.

The Duke boarded the carriage, and without a moment’s delay, the caravan began its return journey along the planned route.

This carriage was much larger than an ordinary one. Yu Zhizhi sat to one side, and after the Duke boarded, she hesitated for a moment before she couldn’t help but ask, "Louis... is he okay?"

Just now, in the conversation between the Duke and Geoffrey, Yu Zhizhi had faintly heard the name "Louis."

The Duke looked at the little female, her face filled with unconcealed worry. "Do you want him to be okay?"

Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly.

The Duke lowered his eyelids. An image of the young girl’s sincere invitation during the final hunt in Paradise flashed through his mind, and the corners of his mouth slowly curved into a lukewarm arc. "He’s fine."

The Lord of Paradise’s personality was temporarily suppressed. The one who had emerged was "Louis," his Strength greatly weakened. He was disguised as a common guard, deep within Chelsea’s territory.

Louis had also contributed a great deal to the successful rescue of the little rabbit this time.

This place was too close to the sea.

The caravan had to get away with all haste to increase their chances of successfully returning to Varolan.

Hearing that "Louis" was fine, Yu Zhizhi breathed a sigh of relief.

But she was a little disappointed.

She thought she would get to see Louis...

The carriage traveled onward through the eastern territory, delving deeper into the heartland. The salty, humid air of the sea grew more and more distant, and Yu Zhizhi knew she was also getting farther and farther from the Deep Sea Empire.

’I wonder how Yusen is doing, and... I never got to go undersea to see Mermaid Baby Su Su.’

’What a pity.’

’Also, about being a "smuggler"... the Valoran Empire must have ways to detect it, just like the Deep Sea Empire. If I’m discovered one day, how will the Duke see me?’

’I didn’t dare let the shark know, and it’s the same with the Duke.’

’If I ever have to ask for help, the only ones I can trust are Louis and Yusen.’

’As for that strange guy from the Divine Hall Alliance...’

’What he said seemed to be true.’

’But he also had the air of a "God Stick" about him.’

’It’s so contradictory.’

But if she really could see the real world through him, Yu Zhizhi desperately wanted to.

The one she was most concerned about was Little Amon.

His Constitution was poor, and he was bedridden. Despite the Snake Clan using their best resources, Little Amon’s condition was worsening day by day.

The thought of Little Amon’s dying appearance in the video made her heart ache. He clearly had no strength left, yet every time he saw her, he would excitedly rush to the screen and wag his tail with all his might.

She could see the anticipation in Little Amon’s eyes.

How he longed to see his mother.

How he wished his mother could hold him.

Yu Zhizhi wished she could fly back to the Duke Mansion in a single day.

She had finally obtained the "Evolution" talent, and she absolutely had to use it to give Little Amon a healthy body so he could grow up strong, just like his brothers.

She believed Little Amon’s own talent wasn’t weak; his body just couldn’t support it.

One day, he would be like Yu Meng from the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*—he would grow wings and soar into the sky.

Just as Yu Zhizhi was lost in thought, Geoffrey rode up to the outside of the carriage on his horse. He had received the latest news.

"Duke."

Geoffrey said softly through the carriage curtain, "I just received the latest report. The Hai Giant Shark has obtained two shark bloodlines."