Free Web NovelChapter 197: Chapter 197: Better Kill Me Than Take Me to the Temple
The tension in the ruined hall had not yet settled when another figure slowly walked inside. His footsteps were calm and steady, as if the chaos around him meant nothing at all.
It was the Second Prince, Hu Lieyuan.
The moment the young boy saw him, his body visibly stiffened. A faint shiver ran through him, and he immediately lowered his head. For once, he stopped talking completely.
Hu Lieyuan’s eyes briefly swept across the open area. His gaze paused on Xing Luoye’s injured body, then on Feng Yanshen and Han Soi, before finally settling on Yue Yue.
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
He walked toward her with elegant steps, as if they were meeting at a peaceful garden instead of a battlefield.
"Lady Yue Yue," he said softly. "We meet again."
His voice sounded warm and polite. Slowly, he extended his hand toward her, intending to take her hand in his like a courteous noble greeting an old acquaintance.
But Yue Yue immediately stepped back.
Her movement was quick and decisive. She didn’t even look at him. Her gaze remained turned away, as if the person standing in front of her was nothing worth noticing.
Hu Lieyuan’s hand stopped midair.
For a brief second, the polite smile on his face almost cracked. His fingers slowly curled inward as his hand lowered.
Inside his heart, anger rose sharply.
Arrogant female.
His jaw tightened slightly. Just wait until I marry you. I will definitely put you in your place.
But on the outside, his expression remained perfectly calm. The gentle smile returned to his lips, as if nothing had happened at all.
He had worn this mask for too long to let it slip now.
Hu Lieyuan continued speaking in the same smooth tone, pretending not to notice her rejection.
"You must have gone through a lot," he said kindly. "But you don’t need to worry anymore. Everything is under control now."
Yue Yue still did not look at him.
For several seconds, she remained completely silent, as if his words meant nothing to her.
Hu Lieyuan’s eyes darkened slightly.
Then he decided to say something else.
"I was the one leading the attack," he added casually.
He said it proudly, hoping those words would finally catch her attention.
And they did.
Yue Yue’s head snapped toward him instantly. Her eyes locked onto his face for the first time since he entered the hall.
Hu Lieyuan felt satisfied seeing her reaction. He smiled slightly wider.
"I searched for you everywhere," he continued smoothly. "Do you know how long it took me to finally find you?"
His tone carried a faint hint of superiority.
"Compared to certain husbands of yours..." His gaze briefly moved toward Feng Yanshen and Han Soi with clear mockery.
"They couldn’t even locate you after searching for so long."
"I, however, found you."
His words hung in the air like a quiet challenge.
But instead of anger...
Yue Yue’s expression slowly fell.
The light in her eyes faded, replaced by something heavy and disappointed. Yue Yue did not respond to Hu Lieyuan at all.
It was as if he had never spoken.
Instead, she turned around and walked straight toward Xing Luoye. His body was still barely standing, his breathing weak and uneven as the poison slowly destroyed his strength.
Without hesitation, Yue Yue reached out and supported him.
Luoye’s body was heavy and unstable, but she still lifted him carefully, trying to hold him upright. Her movements were firm, as if she had already made up her mind.
Han Soi immediately stepped forward.
He silently took Luoye’s other arm and helped support his weight. His expression was dark, but he did not say anything.
Yue Yue finally looked at him and spoke calmly. freeweɓnovel.cøm
"We are taking him back with us."
Hu Lieyuan’s polite smile disappeared instantly. His expression slowly darkened as he stepped forward again.
"Lady Yue Yue," he said firmly, "you cannot take him."
His gaze turned cold as it landed on the injured prince.
"He is a prisoner of war."
Yue Yue immediately frowned. Her eyes turned sharp as she looked directly at him.
"My husband is not going anywhere," she said coldly. Her voice carried no hesitation.
"And if your empire cannot accept him..." she continued slowly, "then we will simply go somewhere else."
Hu Lieyuan’s expression froze. His brows furrowed deeply. Was she threatening him?
Did she really think he would allow her to leave like this?
His entire plan had one priority from the beginning.
Getting Yue Yue...not capturing Xing Luoye.
If she left now, everything he had done would become meaningless.
He could not allow that to happen.
But before he could say anything...
Another powerful presence suddenly descended into the hall. The air seemed to carry a faint calming aura.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the entrance.
A tall man slowly walked inside.
His long blue hair flowed behind him like water, and his deep ocean-colored eyes were calm and mysterious. His appearance was breathtakingly beautiful.
Behind him stood several equally handsome men, all wearing elegant sea-blue uniforms.
The man looked directly at Yue Yue and smiled gently.
"If the lady does not wish to go to the Land Empire," he said smoothly, "she is always welcome in the Sea Empire."
His voice was warm but confident. Before anyone could react, more presences arrived one after another.
Warriors from different empires began landing around the ruined hall.
For a moment, it seemed like everyone had forgotten that the man Yue Yue was protecting was their enemy.
Each group stepped forward with the same purpose.
"Lady Yue Yue, please come to the Sand Empire."
"Our Sky Empire will gladly welcome you."
"Our people will protect you."
Voices overlapped as every empire tried to invite her.
They all wanted the same thing.
Yue Yue.
Seeing this sudden situation, Yue Yue finally relaxed slightly.
It seemed she still had many choices left.
But Feng Yanshen’s face turned extremely dark. His patience had already reached its limit.
"My female will return to the Temple," he said coldly. His voice was low and filled with authority.
"The Temple is still alive."
A faint growl escaped his throat as he spoke. But before anyone could respond...A weak voice suddenly drifted near Yue Yue’s ear.
"I will not go... to the Temple."
Yue Yue immediately froze.
Xing Luoye’s hand suddenly tightened around hers with the last bit of strength he had left. His voice was hoarse and barely audible.
"You better... kill me instead."
