Chapter Ninety-Eight: A Delightful Misunderstanding

Deep darkness!

Since entering, Tianming had been drifting in a daze through a tunnel filled with endless spatial turbulence and divine punishments. Were it not for the divine power bestowed by the former Celestial Star Lord, or the intervention of that worldly lord, he might have met an untimely death.

Now, Tianming couldn’t help but marvel at the strength of the former Celestial Star Lord, while also feeling deep concern.

He could only hope that there remained a shred of conscience within those people...

Although Tianming did not know why this earth-shattering former Celestial Star Lord had fallen to such a state, he was certain it was connected to himself. No matter what, Tianming felt obligated to rescue this star lord from the hands of that worldly lord in the times to come.

“...Chu Feng?”

Recalling the new identity granted by the former Celestial Star Lord, Tianming was filled with anticipation and a sense of novelty.

Soon after, a radiant beam of light suddenly illuminated the entire dark and deep tunnel in the distance...

“South Wilderness Continent, I’m coming!”

With a hearty laugh, Tianming swiftly passed through, and as he traversed the space-time tunnel, the white energy shield gradually dissipated into the vastness without leaving a trace.

...

Sputter!

Before Tianming could open his eyes, he felt an unbearably cold foreign object strike his back, sending a piercing pain surging through him.

“You useless wretch! How dare you defile my lady? You’re courting death.”

Accompanied by a childish yet icy voice, Tianming endured the pain and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a beautiful face streaked with tears, crying pitifully. He was seated atop the young lady herself.

“...This is a misunderstanding!”

Momentarily stunned, Tianming quickly grabbed the nearby quilt to cover the young lady’s bare, snowy-white body, hastily stepping away from her. His embarrassed actions made him momentarily forget the weapon that had wounded him on his back.

“...Wah, you scoundrel, you pervert!”

Seeing Tianming step off her, the young lady was both surprised and aggrieved. She was the eldest daughter of the Gu family, always pure and chaste. Now, she never expected to have her body exposed by the young master of the Chu family, though he had not succeeded in his intentions.

The maid, also astonished by Tianming’s resilience despite being struck by a sword, was rooted to the spot. What was going on with Chu Yun... But she quickly recovered and charged forward again, shouting, “Die!”

...

Without paying heed to the scene on the bed or the maid behind her, Tianming’s body shuddered fiercely. A deep, black primordial energy burst forth, shaking the weapon lodged in his back loose and flinging it away.

“Ouch!”

The maid, thinking she had the upper hand, was instead slammed into the wall by an overwhelming wave of energy. Objects and furnishings scattered like petals drifting to the ground.

“Clatter! Clatter, clatter!!”

The commotion quickly summoned a large group of guards. They didn’t charge in but lined up outside the door. Soon, louder footsteps echoed.

“Miss Qianlin, may I ask what happened here?”

At this voice, Tianming glanced around the chaotic room—it was a mess! Besides Miss Qianlin lying on the bed, still somewhat lucid, the maid had been knocked unconscious by him.

This was bad!

With such disorder, anyone entering would think a crime had taken place, and Tianming appeared to be the perpetrator. Clearing his name would be nearly impossible; just the thought made him shudder.

“Attempted assault...”

If this got out, his newly forged identity as “Chu Yun” would be ruined, and endless troubles would follow.

“Sigh!”

Though Tianming wasn’t afraid of the guards outside, he didn’t want to be falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit—this was the original body’s doing, not his.

...

“Miss Qianlin?”

The captain of the guards, about to enter, inquired again.

“I... I’m fine. Just feeling unwell, the pain is severe. Captain Ji, please bring a physician at once.”

Just as Tianming contemplated giving up and escaping through the rooftop with a cloth over his face, a weak voice inside the room dispelled his thoughts. Tianming’s gaze fell unexpectedly upon this beautiful young lady.

Her skin was whiter than snow, her eyes like a clear pool of water, fragile and pitiful, exuding an elegant and refined aura that captivated and humbled onlookers. Yet, within her cold and spirited demeanor lay a bewitching charm that was impossible to ignore.

“Such a pity for this boy!”

Looking at her icy beauty, Tianming found himself somewhat fascinated and even jealous of the original owner of this body. The misdeeds he had left behind now burdened Tianming to make amends—it was infuriating!

...

“Yes, Miss Qianlin! I will summon the physician immediately.”

Captain Ji outside exhaled in relief upon hearing her voice and dared not question further. He quickly gestured for the others to disperse.

“Thank you, Miss.”

Once the others left, Tianming bowed apologetically, his expression full of sincere remorse. He hadn’t expected this beautiful young lady to lie to protect him, risking her own purity.

“Chu Yun, you may leave. I won’t speak of today’s events, but please don’t tell anyone... agreed?”

Her complex gaze fixed on Tianming. She bit her delicate lips, glaring fiercely.

Usually, Chu Yun would address her as “Miss Qianlin” every other word, but now he didn’t. And his strength? Was this still the same useless Chu Yun?

He seemed like a completely different person, leaving her momentarily stunned. Though she was still reluctant, exposing this would harm no one. Besides, Chu Yun hadn’t gone all the way, so she decided to let it go. Seeing the look in Tianming’s eyes earlier, her heart involuntarily fluttered.

“Rest assured! I won’t reveal today’s events. But can we still be friends?”

Tianming nodded and smiled.

His only motive was to atone for the sins of the original owner of this body, after all, he had taken possession of it. This made him curious—where had the original owner’s soul gone? And why did his power remain?

“...We’ll see how you act,” she murmured coldly, turning her face aside.

Her heart pounded wildly. After their close encounter, she still felt a fluttering sensation. The strength Chu Yun unleashed earlier shocked her deeply, gradually melting her indifference toward him.

“Is that so? Well, don’t take what happened to heart. Just think of the one who ‘defiled’ you as dead. The Chu Yun you see now is not the one from before. I promise you’ll witness a brand-new Chu Yun...”

With that, Tianming transformed into a streak of plum blossom light, swiftly bursting through the rooftop, stepping into the air, and mounted his lightning sword to fly away.

“...So he was hiding his true self all along!” Her cheeks flushed as she whispered to herself.

She was momentarily mesmerized. Who would have thought that the young master, always called a “waste,” would today display such valor before her eyes! Thinking this over, she felt a twinge of regret—if the maid had arrived a bit later, perhaps...