Chapter 457 - 456: Silan City

The strong liquor burned down her throat, and Yu Zhizhi choked twice. Her eyes reddened at the corners. The Big Shark pinned both of her wrists with one hand, his scorching breath enveloping her. Amid the sounds of the sails, the waves, and the groaning ship, her faint whimpers could be heard.

Whimper...

She knew it. The Big Shark wouldn’t let her off so easily.

In her daze, she felt his large palm press against her stomach. "Regenerate. One more time."

...What?

Yu Zhizhi looked over. The man’s sharp profile was lost in the darkness. As he held her, she couldn’t help but tremble all over.

「The next day.」

Yu Zhizhi woke to see a figure standing beside her bed.

"Ms. Zhi Zhi."

The Female River Pufferfish bowed slightly.

She had just boarded the ship today.

She was here specifically to take care of the esteemed Rabbit Clan Lady.

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, attendants from outside the door brought in a rich and delicious meal.

Remembering last night, Yu Zhizhi only ate something simple to preserve her energy.

’That damn Big Shark...’

She sat at the table and picked up a spoon to eat.

The Female River Pufferfish said softly from the side, "We will be at Silan City soon. Ms. Zhi Zhi will be able to get a proper rest then."

For other clans, traveling by ship was much more tiring than traveling on land.

Yu Zhizhi took a bite of crispy toast.

They were very, very close to Silan City, but she still hadn’t figured out how to face the Duke.

After finishing her meal, she went to find the Little Octopus.

At the bottom of the pool.

She could faintly see its massive silhouette.

In just two short days, it seemed to have grown a little bigger.

When the Little Octopus was bored, it would blow bubbles in the pool. Hearing footsteps, it hid deeper. It still wasn’t quite used to the little rabbit seeing its current appearance.

But when the little rabbit said, "Let me see," it obediently extended a tentacle.

Yu Zhizhi could barely wrap both her hands around it.

She lowered her gaze slightly, and a pure white Healing Light gradually overflowed from her fingertips.

"You’re going to the wedding?" the Little Octopus’s voice emanated from the bottom of the pool.

It had heard that this warship was heading to Silan City.

Yu Zhizhi hesitated for a moment. "I don’t know..."

The Big Shark had brought her back to the Valoran Empire unexpectedly, so the Duke likely had no idea she was coming.

Compared to attending the wedding, Yu Zhizhi would much rather stay quietly in her room.

The Little Octopus nibbled on one of its tentacles, adopting a thoughtful expression. "Our territory is more fun anyway."

It suddenly wanted to go back to the Sky Star Territory.

That was the place it and the little rabbit had built up, bit by bit.

Yu Zhizhi looked at the mottled black markings on the tentacle. She stroked it gently, the corners of her mouth turning up. "Mmm~"

’Thankfully, I have my own territory now. I don’t have to wander all over the place anymore. It’s so much better than before.’

She stayed with the Little Octopus for a long time, only slowly returning to her room after night fell.

「Seven days later, the warship arrived in the Silan Sea Area.」

Yu Zhizhi changed into the attire of the Deep Sea Empire, with a white long robe draped over it. After putting on a mask, she used a card that concealed her aura and silently followed behind Shen He.

Shen He made no comment on her behavior.

Silan City wasn’t large, and the shore was lined with guards. The officer in charge of their reception was all smiles. "Lord Shen He."

He enthusiastically led the way, giving them an introduction to Silan City as they went.

This wedding was incredibly grand. After all, it was for the First Duke of the Valoran Empire. The many distinguished guests were all staying at the Silan Mansion.

The Little Octopus remained on the warship.

The Female River Pufferfish was tasked with looking after it for the next few days.

Yu Zhizhi felt a little uneasy and followed closely behind Shen He. On her other side, Buli noticed Miss Rabbit’s anxiety and tilted his head slightly, keeping a constant watch on her.

Along the way, many of the people they encountered didn’t dare to approach their group.

At the entrance to the mansion, Yu Zhizhi saw a familiar figure in the distance.

—The young man from the Rabbit Clan, Noel.

He was representing Greenfield City, and as usual, he was surrounded by many other Beastmen.

They all wanted to get closer to the exceptionally talented young black rabbit.

Wearing her mask, Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at him.

As she passed by him, the young Rabbit Clan man in the crowd seemed to glance over. He quickly retracted his gaze, his eyes turning indifferent as he stared at the distant coastline.

Once they reached their quarters, Shen He went to meet the other envoys from the Deep Sea Empire.

Yu Zhizhi was given her own room.

The mansion’s attendants treated her with great hospitality. She was the only female in Lord Shen He’s entourage from the Deep Sea Empire, and everyone was very curious about her relationship with him.

The young woman seemed very mysterious.

She wore a mask, and no aura could be scented from her.

It also concealed her Beast Clan features.

’She must also be from the Deep Sea, right? A member of some clan from within the ocean?’

Yu Zhizhi watched the attendants come and go. She looked at the desserts spread across the table—a creamy white cake dotted with cherries—and couldn’t help but purse her lips.

After the attendants left, she walked to the table, lifted her mask slightly, and popped a small piece of cake into her mouth.

A knock came from the door.

Yu Zhizhi quickly lowered her mask.

"Excuse me... is anyone there?"

Hearing a soft female voice, Yu Zhizhi put down the small cake, turned, and went to the main door.

When she opened the door, she saw a girl from the Snake Clan standing outside. The girl had a shy smile on her face. "Um, I... I’m looking for Lord Shen He."

"He hasn’t returned yet."

Yu Zhizhi replied softly.

The Snake Clan girl pulled a letter from her clothes. "Could I ask you to pass this to Lord Shen He for me?"

It was a blue envelope, with the words "Thank You" written on the seal.

Yu Zhizhi hesitated.

The Snake Clan girl quickly explained, "It’s a thank-you letter. Lord Shen He saved my father on the battlefield."

"I’ll take it." Buli appeared behind the girl.

He took the letter.

The girl handed the letter to Buli.

She glanced again at the masked Beast Clan female, unable to ascertain her identity. She said softly, "I’m staying in the room next door. If you get bored, you can come find me."

Yu Zhizhi nodded slightly.

The Snake Clan girl left happily.

Buli looked down at the letter and probed it briefly with his Spiritual Power, but found nothing unusual.

He put the letter away and asked with a smile, "Lord Shen He invites you to attend the welcome banquet with him tonight."

Yu Zhizhi had wanted to refuse, but when she thought about Shen He’s temperament, she agreed.

’Besides, no one here recognizes me anyway.’

That evening, Buli led her to the banquet hall.

Yu Zhizhi saw the Snake Clan girl who had delivered the letter again. She was currently talking with another female of the Snake Clan. Yu Zhizhi found the second female somewhat familiar, and as they drew closer, she heard Buli say, "Miss Yu Xiang, good evening."

The woman at the entrance of the banquet hall was Miss Yu Xiang of the Jinshe Clan—the Duke’s bride-to-be.