Free Web NovelChapter 288: Chapter 288: The Prickling Glare
This man was the legendary Fourth Prince of the Lions, a man who was destined to be a powerful "female lead’s" protector.
He is destined to be mine, Lin En thought, a vicious smile hidden behind her mask of innocence.
In the stories, he falls for the one who shows him kindness first. This time, she wouldn’t allow Yue Yue to snatch him. She’s already finished.
She looked at her masked "husband" standing nearby, then back at Lu Huoyan. She felt like a queen gathering her pieces on a chessboard.
The men who don’t fall for me will eventually be forced to. And the ones who do... well, they will be my weapons to destroy her.
On the other side of the clearing, the masked man in black combat gear had finished his slaughter. In a single, violent swipe of his blade, he had decapitated a dozen Zerg that were trying to sneak up on Yue Yue from behind. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
He moved with such terrifying speed and silence that it was almost supernatural.
Just as a stray Zerg had been about to burst from the ground at Yue Yue’s feet, he had stepped on its head, crushing it into the soil before anyone could see.
Because Lu Huoyan had arrived with such a flashy entrance, both females were completely focused on the red-haired archer.
No one noticed the masked man’s sneaky, protective movements. No one saw the way his hooded head tilted slightly toward Yue Yue, his body tensing every time a Zerg closed on her.
"We should move," Lu Huoyan said, his red eyes narrowing as he sensed more movement in the distance. "The swarm is gathering. If we stay in the open, even my arrows won’t be enough."
"Of course, Brother Lu!" Lin En chirped, her voice sweet and clinging.
She stepped closer to him, deliberately trying to crowd into his field of vision. "We’ll follow your lead. We feel so much safer now that you’re here."
Yue Yue only nodded, feeling a strange, heavy sensation in her chest. She looked at the red-haired lion, then at her friend, and finally at the silent masked man.
The trio had become a quartet, but the air felt more dangerous than ever.
"Let’s go," Lu Huoyan commanded.
The path through the gray ruins was filled with the sound of Lin En’s voice. She was putting all her effort into charming Lu Huoyan, the red-haired lion man. She laughed at his small movements, complimented his magnificent bow, and leaned closer to him with every step.
"Brother Lu, your archery is truly divine," Lin En said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I’ve never seen anyone move with such power. You must be the pride of the Blazing Lion Clan." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Lu Huoyan gave a polite, distracted nod. His red eyes were sharp, scanning the environment, but they kept drifting toward the silent girl walking a few steps behind them.
Yue Yue was lost in her own thoughts, her gemstone blue eyes drooping slightly as she wondered how to find her way back to the Empire.
Suddenly, Lu Huoyan stopped walking. He turned and looked at Yue Yue with a gaze that had grown incredibly intense. He stepped toward her, his breath hitching in his throat as if he had just realized something monumental.
"Wait..." he whispered, his eyes widening in shock. "This face...that aura... Are you not the legendary S+++ rank female? The treasure of four empires?"
Yue Yue was snapped out of her daze. She looked up at him, stunned. She didn’t think anyone would recognize her in this desolate wasteland, especially someone who had been wandering for days.
She slowly nodded her head. "I... I am Yue Yue."
Lu Huoyan’s expression shifted from shock to pure, unadulterated devotion. Without a second of hesitation, he dropped to one knee on the dusty ground. He reached out and gently took Yue Yue’s hand.
"Lady Yue Yue," he said, his voice deep with emotion. "I have the honor to protect you. You are the treasure of all four empires. To think that I would be lucky enough to stumble into your path... this must be the grace of the First Queen herself."
Before Yue Yue could react, he bowed his head and pressed a respectful, enthusiastic kiss onto the back of her hand.
Yue Yue’s face turned bright red. "Ah... please, you don’t need to do that! It’s embarrassing," she stammered, trying to pull her hand back.
But Lu Huoyan held on firmly, his red eyes looking up at her with the loyalty of a knight who had finally found his queen.
Nearby, Lin En’s face turned into a mask of pure, ugly jealousy. She had been working so hard to get this man’s attention, and within one second, Yue Yue had stolen it without even trying.
Lin En gave a sharp, dagger-like glare to Yue Yue’s back.
Yue Yue felt a sudden prickling sensation, like needles against her skin. She immediately turned her head and looked at Lin En. For a split second, she caught the look of absolute hatred on her friend’s face.
Lin En’s expression flickered instantly, transforming back into a forced, bright smile. "Oh, Yue Yue! You’re so famous! Even in the middle of a desert, people know who you are!"
Yue Yue felt a cold shiver.
Why is Lin En behaving so strangely? She wondered. She’s been clingy, but it feels... forced. Like she’s acting a part.
A strange feeling began to grow in Yue Yue’s heart. She looked at Lin En, then at the silent, masked husband in black combat gear, and then at the overly enthusiastic Lu Huoyan. She felt like she was trapped in a web of secrets.
"Brother Lu!" Lin En suddenly inserted herself between Lu Huoyan and Yue Yue, pouting her lips. "How could you be like this? I am a female here too, you know! You didn’t kiss my hand. Am I not pretty enough?"
Lu Huoyan let out a short, awkward laugh. He realized he had been a bit too focused on the treasure of four empires. "Ah, forgive me, Lady Lin En." He gave a polite bow and gave her hand a quick, complimentary kiss as well.
Only then did Lin En smile, though her eyes remained cold.
