Somewhere inside a dark cave within the Law of Strength domain,
a yellow flame glowed quietly in the cave, casting two shadows on the walls.
"The poison has spread through your body critically."
Zhang Yong spread a scroll on the ground; it was filled with steel needles.
Long Yuliang was sitting in front of him with her back facing him, legs crossed.
Immediately, Zhang Yong took a needle, heated it over the fire, and struck the needle onto Long Yuliang's back through the fabric of her clothes.
Long Yuliang felt the needle's sting pierce her skin, but she made no sound; instead, she closed her eyes and endured the pain in silence.
"I have no spiritual energy to help you absorb the antidote; I will gather the poison and guide it, you must do the rest yourself."
Long Yuliang took a deep breath, then began circulating her spiritual energy along a specific pathway inside her body, as if following the trails of the needles Zhang Yong had inserted.
Zhang Yong's hand moved deftly, using the needle to strike specific points along her spine.
Each strike elicited a slight tremor within her body, causing blackness to condense and bulge in her veins.
After a few moments, Zhang Yong said in a calm but firm voice: "The poison is now trapped around the Zhongfu point. I will help you expel it."
Zhang Yong grabbed two needles and struck a point on her spine and the Tianzong point.
Then Zhang Yong raised his palm and struck forcefully between them.
At the moment of impact, Long Yuliang's body shook violently; she felt as if a thunderbolt had swept through her entire being.
And immediately, she spat out a mouthful of black blood. Long Yuliang gasped, then collapsed forward, her hands trembling from exhaustion.
Her breathing was irregular, but her pale face gradually began to regain some vitality.
Zhang Yong watched her for a few moments before saying coolly: "You're lucky you didn't lose your life to this poison. Take some time to recover your energy."
Long Yuliang, despite the exhaustion gnawing at her body, raised her head and looked at Zhang Yong with a weary smile. "As expected of my husband."
Zhang Yong's gaze narrowed with annoyance. "Stop this. I don't know you, and I'm not your husband. So stop this nonsense."
Long Yuliang laughed softly, despite the fatigue still weighing on her body. "Whether you admit it or not doesn't matter. I consider you my husband."
Zhang Yong gritted his teeth. "No need to continue like this. Sister Liu Yan told me about your vow. You don't need to pretend this way by using me as an excuse to escape a political marriage."
Long Yuliang stopped laughing, and her expression turned serious. Her breathing was still irregular, but she felt Zhang Yong's words were too much.
"Do you think I need that kind of excuse?"
Zhang Yong shook his head gently. Perhaps his words were harsh, but this situation would cause trouble. "I don't want to be part of your plans. If you've decided to tie your life to someone based on silly conditions, that's your business, but I won't be part of this game."
Long Yuliang frowned upon hearing that and shook her head. "No. Do you think I'd just tie myself to anyone, only to escape marriage?"
Zhang Yong raised his eyebrows slightly. "I don't want any relationship with you."
Long Yuliang's expression darkened further. "Why is that? Did I do something that makes you hate me? Is there something wrong with me? I'll change it, so please... accept me."
Long Yuliang couldn't believe it. Throughout her life, she had received many marriage proposals, and many men had pursued her, but she refused them all. And now, when she wanted someone, she was rejected.
It was the irony of fate.
Zhang Yong turned his head away and sighed. 'This girl, how many times will I have to say no to her? Why doesn't she understand?'
"Changing yourself for someone, huh? I probably won't ever know that feeling. There's nothing wrong with you, and I don't hate you—in fact, I don't even know you. And that's precisely the problem. You and I have only met once, and the only time we met, I hit you hard."
Zhang Yong paused for a moment, then continued in a cold voice, "You can't force things like this. And you can't force me."
Long Yuliang stopped talking, and a heavy silence fell in the cave, broken only by their intermittent breathing. Then Long Yuliang broke the silence. "Is this... because you already have someone in your heart?"
The words caught in Zhang Yong's throat for a moment as he tried to hide any confusion that might appear on his face. "Yes, there is a girl. Does that answer satisfy you?"
Zhang Yong said these words to push her away. If she knew he already had someone, she'd give up.
Or so he thought , even he can't predict a heart of a woman
Long Yuliang didn't expect this answer.
Instead of looking disappointed or retreating, she looked at Zhang Yong with a mysterious gaze. She was thinking about something. "Then accept me as your second wife. Even being a concubine would be good enough."
"What did you say?" Zhang Yong frowned deeply. This girl doesn't stop. What is driving her to all this?
"I'm serious. As long as you don't reject me, I don't care what I become," she said in a serious tone.
Zhang Yong slapped his forehead in despair. 'I'm too old to deal with this. I'm literally twice her age, and yet... I really wish someone would come kill me right now.'
However, a loud voice sounded in the place. "Zhang Yong! I'm coming to kill you!"
Zhang Yong's eyebrows rose when he heard the voice coming from outside the cave. He then looked at Long Yuliang, who also seemed surprised but quickly straightened her posture and became more alert.
'So this is what they mean by "be careful what you wish for."'
Zhang Yong sighed slowly as he rose from his spot. "We have no choice. I'll carry you on my back."
Long Yuliang, despite her exhaustion, widened her eyes in surprise, but she didn't oppose him. She didn't have the strength to escape alone, and fighting in her condition was suicide.
She hesitated for a moment, but she didn't have the luxury of thinking for long. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he smoothly lifted her onto his back.
"Hold on tight."
And before she could reply, Zhang Yong jumped upward, using his body strength to dash towards the cave entrance, where the angry voice was approaching rapidly.
Immediately, Zhang Yong was out of the cave. He compressed the air under his foot and jumped high into the sky, beginning what seemed like soaring high.
While his eyes were already scanning the lands below, his gaze met a pair of red eyes among the trees.
"Tsk! This won't end—" Before Zhang Yong could finish his words, a spark of lightning struck through his brain.
'He's close!' Zhang Yong realized immediately.
He compressed the air again and changed direction, heading somewhere.
Zhang Yong dashed swiftly through the sky, leaving behind waves of fierce winds.
Zhang Yong moved nimbly and spotted a group of people in the distance. He smiled calmly. "Found them."
As Zhang Yong approached the group, he could recognize them immediately.
Zhang Yong landed lightly on the ground in front of them. "It's been a short while, Su Ming."
Su Ming was surprised by Zhang Yong's sudden appearance, but he quickly regained his composure and replied with a smile: "Zhang Yong, I didn't expect to see you here. And still alive."
Zhang Yong laughed lightly. "Well, what can I say? It's hard to get rid of me."
Zhang Yong looked at the group. There was Su Ming, and surprisingly, Princess Jiang Ruoyan was there, and... Wu Ruoxian!
Su Ming looked at Long Yuliang, who was still on Zhang Yong's back. "Is that Long Yuliang?!"
Long Yuliang slowly descended from Zhang Yong's back. She still felt somewhat dizzy from the poison's effects, but she tried to maintain her balance.
When her gaze met Jiang Ruoyan's, a wave of emotions appeared in her eyes, but fatigue was evident on her features.
"Yuliang!" Jiang Ruoyan cried out in worry when she saw her in a wretched state.
The two were from the same sect and, of course, had met many times, not to mention that both were from influential families in the empire.
She quickly stepped forward and took her hand, examining her pale face. "What happened to you? Why do you look so pale?"
Long Yuliang smiled wearily, then looked at Zhang Yong with a mysterious gaze before saying: "I'm fine. I was poisoned, but my husband saved me."
Jiang Ruoyan paused for a moment, then looked at Zhang Yong with a complicated expression before clasping her hands together. "Pleased to meet you, Brother Zhang. I've heard about you from Su Ming. Thank you for saving my senior sister"
Zhang Yong smiled lightly and clasped his fists. "No need for thanks. It's an honor to meet Princess Jiang Ruoyan. Or should I say, sister-in-law?"
Immediately, both Su Ming's and Jiang Ruoyan's faces turned completely red.
Jiang Ruoyan couldn't hide her embarrassment and glanced quickly at Su Ming, who in turn coughed lightly, trying to maintain his composure.
"Zhang Yong, don't say such things in front of everyone..." Su Ming said, trying to correct the situation, but he couldn't hide the look of embarrassment that washed over his features.
Zhang Yong mocked, trying to provoke him. "What? It's not like it's a lie, is it?" Zhang Yong winked playfully.
Meanwhile, Wu Ruoxian was silently observing the scene. Her eyes narrowed when she noticed the way Long Yuliang was looking at Zhang Yong. She frowned slightly and stepped forward. "I hate to interrupt the atmosphere, but why did you call Zhang Yong that?" Her gaze was directed at Long Yuliang.
Long Yuliang raised her eyebrow slightly at Wu Ruoxian's question, then smiled calmly and said: "Because I consider him as such. It's natural, isn't it?"
Wu Ruoxian's eyes narrowed. "What are you thinking, calling my man that?"
After Wu Ruoxian's words fell, the jaws of both Zhang Yong and Su Ming dropped immediately. Long Yuliang and Jiang Ruoyan didn't look much better.
Long Yuliang immediately turned towards Zhang Yong. "So, she's the reason you rejected me?"
Zhang Yong looked shocked. "Hey, what?!" Immediately, Zhang Yong turned towards Wu Ruoxian. "You, what do you mean by that?!"
Wu Ruoxian shrugged, her expression indifferent. "What? You treat me like this after admitting it that day?"
Zhang Yong's eyebrows rose, and he couldn't help but feel confused for a moment. "Hey, wait a minute! I don't remember agreeing to anything!"
Wu Ruoxian smiled a mysterious smile, then put her hands on her waist, her eyes glinting cunningly. "But you didn't refuse me either. So it can be considered that you accepted the matter , and even....after that situation that day , you can't act like nothing happened between us"
Wu Ruoxian's words were very direct, yet ambiguous enough to put him in an awkward position.
"Hah... So this is the woman who managed to capture your heart?" Long Yuliang's expression darkened. "Impossible. It must be anyone but her. I won't allow this." Long Yuliang immediately raised her hand and drew her heavy sword.
Wu Ruoxian looked at her coldly, ignoring the escalating tension. "And what's wrong with that? Do you have a problem with me?"
"Face me, you man-stealer, home-wrecker!" Long Yuliang lunged towards Wu Ruoxian and swung her sword forcefully
"If you want to fight, I won't stop you," she said in a calm tone, but her eyes shone dangerously.
Su Ming and Jiang Ruoyan immediately stepped back, while Zhang Yong remained in place, sighing deeply in frustration as he held his forehead.
'Forget it, it doesn't matter anymore. I'll just let them kill each other. It's none of my business,' he thought as he cursed quietly in his heart.
"You two lunatics, stop fighting right now!" A voice sounded between the two, and a fist descended on both their heads at the same time. It was Liu Yan.
Her fists landed on Long Yuliang's and Wu Ruoxian's heads with enough force to calm them down immediately.
"This is no place for fighting, both of you!" Liu Yan looked angrily at the two.
Zhang Yong sighed internally. 'Good, Sister Liu is here. I think I can rest now—'
"Don't think you're out of this matter either." Liu Yan walked towards Zhang Yong, grabbed him by the ear, and pulled him away.
Zhang Yong's body flinched for a moment as he felt the pain in his ear. "Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
But he had no choice but to comply.
Immediately, Liu Yan forced him to kneel on the ground while she sat on a nearby rock.
"Really, I can't even get a moment of rest," he whispered to himself, ignoring the suppressed laughter beginning to escape from Su Ming's mouth.
Liu Yan immediately growled. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
Involuntarily, Zhang Yong's gaze returned to Liu Yan. His body was completely tense.
"Hmph, to think my little brother would cause trouble between two women. It seems I've been too lenient with you."
Zhang Yong sighed inwardly, trying to control his nerves. The situation was escalating in a way he hadn't expected. He swallowed his saliva and didn't answer.
"So, do you think you can escape so easily?" Liu Yan said in a serious tone, but she didn't hide a faint threatening smile on her lips.
Zhang Yong looked at the ground for a short while, then raised his head with a calm expression. "What do you want me to do?"
"You're nothing but a mischievous child!" Liu Yan said sharply. "How can someone like you leave all this chaos behind? You were supposed to be more serious."
Zhang Yong's head bowed involuntarily. Liu Yan had an iron grip—this was no exaggeration. Zhang Yong had personally tasted it.
When he and Su Ming returned that day from the Jade Sect, she literally put them on a stone grill, tied from all directions, leaving them unable to do anything but writhe like worms.
Liu Yan sighed deeply. "Those two girls won't stop fighting, and it seems they won't reconcile. In the end, you'll have to accept one, even if it hurts the other."
A displeased expression appeared on Zhang Yong's face, but he immediately covered it and cursed secretly in his heart. 'I'd rather be beaten for a month by every enemy I've ever killed than choose one of these two lunatics. One is bad news, and the other is worse. To hell with this choice.'
At that strange moment, as Zhang Yong was trying to calm himself, a massive sound was heard from afar, and the ground beneath them shook slightly.
The sound was like the deep roar of wind in a storm, but stronger and more terrifying—especially since Zhang Yong knew the source of the sound.
"Zhang Yong! I'll kill you!"
Immediately, everyone's gazes turned towards Zhang Yong. Su Ming immediately shouted, "Zhang Yong, what did you do this time?"
Zhang Yong summarized the matter simply. "A man named Huo Qiangda wants to make me his rival or kill me... and he's seeking to kill Law Body possessors."
A moment of heavy silence fell after Zhang Yong's words, before everyone looked at him with frozen expressions.