For reasons Bai Shuo couldn’t understand, Hua Hong had stuck to them like glue ever since they entered the palace, insisting on staying with them. She’d once thought Hua Hong was after the Wu Tong heartfire, but it hardly seemed valuable to a princess who could fight a Lord-level spirit like Rong Xian’s vengeful energy.
So why does she insist on following us? Bai Shuo eyed Hua Hong through the steam, then stole a glance at her apprentice.
Could it be she’s not following me but rather the big demon? Does she know Mumu’s identity?!
A pang of worry tightened in her chest. Strange City was filled with riddles, and Hua Hong’s special status made her uncertain if she could trust her.
“Come on, Mumu, take a dip! It feels amazing!” she called out, waving him over.
Mumu shook his head resolutely. “No, thank you.”
Hua Hong watched them, smiling as she splashed water idly, seemingly lost in thought.
Bai Shuo let out a deep sigh and covered her nose. “Come on, you haven’t bathed in days. Go on…” She glanced at Hua Hong. “Besides, with her around, we’re in the palace, and it’s safe.”
Fan Yue was like an innocent child to Bai Shuo. Having cultivated as an immortal, she had no thoughts of separating the genders and lived without reservation. Half her shoulder leaned out of the water, and her fresh, jade-like arm was nearly touching Fan Yue’s face. Startled, he shot up and walked away.
Only Hua Hong noticed that their normally stoic Lord, who rarely showed any reaction, had reddened ears.
“Safe? Where’d you get that idea, girl?” Hua Hong suddenly grabbed Bai Shuo’s arm, pulling her close with a dangerously narrowed gaze.
Swallowing hard, Bai Shuo blurted, “Are you following me because of Mumu?”
“Your little apprentice?” Hua Hong’s grip froze, glancing at Fan Yue’s retreating back, and lazily stretched. “He’s just a simple-minded tree spirit. What would I want with him?”
“You know who he is,” Bai Shuo said firmly.
There was no point beating around the bush with someone like the Stranger Princess, who had a way of playing dumb to get what she wanted. “Nan Wan brought me to Strange City to locate the Wu Tong heartfire, but as the princess, you have no reason to stick around, live in a shack in the southern sea city, or spend your days looking after chickens with me. I have nothing valuable to offer but my apprentice. Admit it—you’re after him.”
Hua Hong looked at her with amused interest and leaned close, whispering in her ear, “That boar said you were clever, but I don’t see it. You know who he is, and yet you still let him call you ‘Master’? Are you asking for trouble?”
Boar? Could she mean Long Yi the Boar?! Bai Shuo’s eyes widened. She’s from Hao Yue Hall after all!
Bai Shuo, feeling a surge of confidence, pushed Hua Hong aside, slipped out of her grip, and lazily floated in the hot spring. “Well, that’s my business…” she drawled, stretching her words, “Since you’re from Hao Yue Hall, I’d say we’re allies in a way. Big Iron, why were you banished from Strange City?” Bai Shuo fixed her gaze on Hua Hong and suddenly spoke up.
Fan Yue had lost his memory, and while Hua Hong knew that clumsy boar and had been protecting Fan Yue all along, she was still the Princess of Strange City. This place was full of hidden dangers, and who could say she wouldn’t turn on them when it mattered?
Hua Hong narrowed her eyes, a dark gleam flashing within them. Before she could respond, a startled voice came from outside the hot spring.
“Little Highness, there are guests here; you can’t enter!”
“Is Sister back? Move aside!” A child’s voice rang out, followed by the sound of stomping footsteps as someone stormed toward the spring.
“Oh heavens!” Bai Shuo hadn’t expected such chaos in the Strange King’s palace and shrank into the spring, leaving only her eyes above the water.
A shadow fell across the spring. Bai Shuo looked up and froze.
This wasn’t a child; it was a towering young man, wearing a tiger-head hat with a rattle tucked into his belt—a strange and comical sight.
“Sister!” The young man, oblivious to Bai Shuo hiding like a frightened quail in the spring, joyfully charged toward Hua Hong.
With a flick of her wrist, Hua Hong sent a blast of violent energy toward the young man’s feet, causing rocks to scatter and cut into his face, leaving a bleeding gash.
“Get out,” Hua Hong said coldly, her voice like shards of ice, without even sparing a glance at the young man.
The previously grinning young man’s face fell, and he shrank back, looking at her pitifully, ignoring the blood streaming down his face. “Sister…” he murmured softly, his face full of childlike grievance.
Bai Shuo, watching the young man, was dumbfounded. This was the rumored prince of Strange City? How could he be such a fool?
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