Chapter 481 - 480: Selfish Desire

On the coastal border of the Valoran Empire, Silan City seemed as if it had been forgotten by the world. The lanterns hanging from its ancient buildings quietly cast a lingering glow.

The imposing warship from Sun Ridge would sail toward the Deep Sea Empire.

A horn blast sounded, and the warship, like a slumbering behemoth, slowly awakened.

Yu Zhizhi gripped the empty glass medicine bottle with both hands as she felt the ship sway.

Almost simultaneously, the sound of an explosion came from the distance.

She froze for a moment, then stood up and walked toward the deck.

The soldiers on guard were also looking at Silan City across the water.

This ancient city had returned to calm after a brief period of commotion. The seven-day banquet was long over, yet at this very moment, brilliant fireworks erupted over the entirety of Silan City.

"BOOM!—"

"BOOM! BOOM!—"

The blossoming fireworks lit up the entire night sky, a magnificent and dazzling spectacle. On a starless, moonless night fresh after a downpour, the fireworks covered the whole sky in a display of immense scale.

Yu Zhizhi stood on the deck as the evening breeze brushed against her cheeks. She looked up at the receding Silan City, the light of the fireworks reflected in her eyes. Her hands slowly tightened on the hem of her dress, and her heartbeat grew loud and clear.

For a fleeting moment, she felt as if she could see the Duke.

This fireworks show felt like the Duke’s farewell.

Some said that Silan City, having undergone a baptism of blood, needed brilliant fireworks to cover up its tragic past.

Others said it was the Duke’s show of force against the old guard of the Snake Clan.

Still others said it was to celebrate the founding of "Chixing."

The warship slowly sailed out of the Valoran Empire’s waters and into neutral territory. The night wind was silent and mysterious. Far away, the border town, now out of sight, and its hazy fireworks seemed like another world.

Shen He finished his communication with the Deep Sea Empire and came out onto the deck. Among the many soldiers, he spotted the little female’s figure at a glance.

He saw the fireworks, too.

’Too ostentatious.’

’It was also a kind of provocation. A sign that tonight wasn’t the end, that nothing was settled yet. She belongs to Varolan. Forever.’

Shen He stared directly at the Empire across the sea.

’The little female is from Varolan, that’s true.’

’But her final home will definitely be the Deep Sea.’

...

"Lord Shen He?" The warship was already far from Silan City, surrounded by a sea that stretched endlessly in every direction.

The night wind had grown cold.

Just as Yu Zhizhi turned around, she saw the Big Shark, who had appeared behind her at some unknown point.

"Like it?" Shen He asked casually.

"What?"

"The fireworks."

At the mention of fireworks, a faint smile appeared on Yu Zhizhi’s face.

She nodded lightly.

’I do.’

’So beautiful, even more beautiful than the stars. They were colors and patterns she had never seen before, filling the entire horizon and illuminating everything from the night sky to the sea.’

’She even saw their reflections in the sea, swaying and shimmering.’

Shen He was silent for a moment.

Then he suddenly spoke again. "It only takes a single command."

Yu Zhizhi looked at him, only half-understanding.

’Mm, what is the Big Shark talking about?’

Knowing she didn’t understand, and also knowing his own words had been too abrupt, Shen He averted his gray eyes from the little rabbit’s face and gazed at the coastline ahead.

"For the one setting off the fireworks, it’s nothing more than giving a command. It takes no effort at all."

"Oh..." Yu Zhizhi responded in a small voice.

’Is the Big Shark talking about the Duke?’

Shen He glanced at her. "Don’t go thinking of running back just because he beckons with his finger. Vile males sometimes act just to satisfy their own selfish desires."

’Even if they don’t like someone, they still want to possess them.’

’Especially a female like this little rabbit—pretty, cute, obedient, gentle, and with powerful Fertility...’

Shen He’s gaze darkened slightly.

’Selfish desires.’

’Then again...’

’I have them too.’

Yu Zhizhi didn’t make a sound.

Feeling the night wind grow colder, she gently tugged on the Big Shark’s sleeve. "Lord Shen He, I’m going back to my room to rest."

"Alright."

After the little rabbit left, Shen He walked to the edge of the deck, where he saw Buli had been waiting for some time.

At just a look from him, Buli began his report.

"The candidate has been found. She will have a chance encounter with Duke Bolan on his way back to the Imperial City."

Buli presented a photograph.

Shen He glanced at it.

Rabbit Clan. Female. White fur. A passing resemblance. Pure and innocent.

’Buli wasn’t sure. Would finding a female from outside the Snake Clan really be useful? During his time in Silan City, he felt that Duke Bolan’s attitude toward Ms. Zhi Zhi was nothing special.’

’If it weren’t for the fact that she was the birth mother of a Snake Clan cub, he probably would have never let her enter the Holy Tower.’

’Lord Shen He seemed to suspect something.’

’According to his usual methods, if he thought Miss Rabbit was important to Duke Bolan, he would have just captured her, imprisoned her, used her, experimented on her, blackmailed him, and so on.’

’But now he was taking such a roundabout approach...’

’Finding a substitute to use as a pawn.’

Buli hesitated. "Even if Duke Bolan keeps her by his side, it’s unlikely he’ll trust her. She probably won’t be able to find out any useful information."

Shen He’s lips curved into a slight smile. "All she has to do is stay."

’As long as the Duke has another rabbit by his side,’

’this little female will understand that there’s nothing worth clinging to with that snake.’

’So she won’t cry her eyes red again and make him coax her.’

Shen He was still thinking about the little rabbit when he suddenly frowned. He glanced sideways, his eyes sweeping over the sea behind them.

In the churning undersea depths, something was tailing them.

’Has it targeted this warship?’

Shen He picked up his long saber. "Prepare for battle."

"Make it quick." After a pause, he added, "Don’t wake her."

Buli nodded. "Yes, sir!"

In her sleep, Yu Zhizhi thought she heard some faint sounds, but she was sleeping so soundly that she didn’t wake up.

「The next day.」

After getting up, she saw soldiers cleaning the deck. It was soaking wet, and they were wiping it down over and over with rags.

"Good morning, Ms. Zhi Zhi," Buli greeted her enthusiastically.

"Good morning, Buli."

Without a second thought, Yu Zhizhi asked directly, "Where is Lord Shen He?"

"He’s training," Buli replied familiarly as he led the way. "Ms. Zhi Zhi, let’s go have a meal first."

"Mhm~"

Yu Zhizhi had gotten used to being on the warship, and she noticed that some soldiers were injured. Buli explained that a group of uninvited guests had arrived last night, but they had all been taken care of.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Yu Zhizhi asked.

Buli replied, "Not at the moment. Lord Shen He specifically instructed that you shouldn’t overexert yourself."

She had to take care of the Little Octopus every day now.

Her spiritual power was depleted to Zero every day.

Ms. Zhi Zhi had never once complained, nor had she ever said she was suffering or tired. But Lord Shen He saw it all.

’Buli couldn’t help but feel emotional. Miss Rabbit was the most hardworking and diligent female he had ever seen. She already possessed countless riches and honors, yet she never neglected her talent.’

’Even on the ship, she would find time to study.’

As she traveled with the warship, Yu Zhizhi drew closer and closer to her own territory.

The Big Shark had not broken his promise.

Just as planned, they arrived at the Sky Star Territory on schedule. The massive warship stopped in the Sky Star Sea Area, where the territory’s guards, fully armed, watched the vessel with vigilance.