Chapter 92 Partners in Crime

Chapter 92: Partners in Crime

The evil dragon was keeping watch at the door. To avoid alerting the dragon, Ling Qingjue used the Shadow Escape again, and they teleported into the princess's shadow inside the room.

Inside, flickering light came from a small lamp hanging on the stone wall, which held a flame crystal core.

Given the shabby surroundings, the princess was lying on a soft pink bed, wearing a silky nightgown.

Her long golden hair draped over her shoulders as she held a comic book in her hands, letting out weird laughs now and then.

Meng Shu was totally shocked. Was this really a kidnapping?

Why did it look like the princess was having fun?

Shock aside, the two of them emerged from the princess's shadow. To prevent her from screaming, Meng Shu lunged forward and clamped his hand over her mouth, while Ling Qingjue put up a barrier to muffle all sound.

Suddenly two people popped up, making the princess drop her comic. Her face was terrified. "You—"

"Shh!" Meng Shu lowered his voice. "Princess, we're knights the king sent to get you out of here. The evil dragon's right outside, so please just go along with us."

The princess blinked and grabbed at Meng Shu's hand. "Mmm..."

Meng Shu finally released her.

The princess caught her breath, stepped back, and a flush spread across her pale skin. She placed her right hand on her chest, gave a slight bow and curtsied to them. "I'm Valeria, the second princess of Klotant Kingdom. Thanks for risking your necks to save me..."

She stole a glance at Meng Shu. His silvery-white plate armor gave off a cold gleam, every plate meticulously forged, with entwined thorns and lily blossoms carved along the edges. The seams were stitched with fine gold thread, showcasing the knight's honor and status.

The family griffin crest was embossed on the center of the breastplate, with a shield pattern symbolizing protection pressed under its claws, shining brightly in the lamplight.

He was indeed from the knights' order...

But what's up with all those twisted cat heads embroidered on his cape?

Is that a normal knight thing?

What really blew her mind was that neither of them returned her salute.

The cold-faced guy with black hair totally ignored her, while the redhead was totally flustered, stammering, "Your Highness, let's get you out of here first..."

He didn't seem to know royal etiquette at all.

Valeria couldn't help but feel disappointed. Her voice was soft. "What country's noble are you?"

Meng Shu shook his head. "I'm not a noble."

"Not a noble..." Valeria sighed and turned her gaze to Ling Qingjue. This guy was ridiculously good-looking, with striking green eyes and this aloof, otherworldly vibe. He must be someone important.

She asked with a smile, "Then you must be a prince from some country! This knight is your attendant."

Ling Qingjue lowered his eyes and spoke sparingly. "Half. Right."

Valeria's eyes sparkled. "Then which country's prince are you?"

"He's not a prince..." Meng Shu said meekly. "I'm just his sidekick..."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Valeria's face, but it vanished quickly. She asked hopefully again, "Then he must be a noble, right?"

"No."

"Then he must be an important figure in the knights' order, right?" Valeria's smile looked like it was about to crack.

Meng Shu was baffled and answered on Ling Qingjue's behalf. "No. I'm just the errand boy in the knights' order. He's unemployed and usually lives in a small town, shaking people down for money..."

Ling Qingjue frowned. Is that how Meng Shu sees me?

"So you two are nobodies?"

Meng Shu, being totally honest, "We're just ordinary knights in the order..."

Valeria's fists tightened. "If you're neither nobles nor princes, what business do you have saving a princess!"

Since when do you have to be royalty to save a princess?

Meng Shu didn't get it. He was completely dumbfounded.

"Just leave. You're no match for the evil dragon. I don't know how you got in, but please leave as soon as possible."

"Don't you want to escape?"

The princess didn't seem interested. She yawned. "I don't want to escape with you."

The two, who'd gone through so much trouble to sneak in, were left speechless.

Ling Qingjue was even blunter. "Are you out of your mind?"

How could he talk to a girl like that! Meng Shu was freaking out, tugging Ling Qingjue's sleeve. "Cat, don't be mad. Maybe she's got her reasons..."

Valeria wasn't angry either. "Anyway, please go back. You can't beat the evil dragon. I'll be fine. Some prince will come and save me sooner or later."

"You're about to get killed by the dragon and you're still waiting for a prince? Read too many fairy tales?" Ling Qingjue sneered, wanting to crack her skull open to see what the hell was in there.

"I told you, I don't want you to save me!" Valeria was angry too. "Why are you forcing this on me?"

"What the hell is going on?" Meng Shu was totally lost.

In all the feel-good stories he'd read, he had never encountered this situation before!

Why doesn't the hostage want to escape?

"I don't care if you want to or not. Do you think I'm asking your permission?" Ling Qingjue had no patience at all. "I'll teleport your ass back to the palace. After that, do whatever you want."

The princess's face went pale. "No! You can't send me back!"

She hiked up her skirt and dashed out of the room. "Azakara! Intruders! Get rid of them!"

The two left behind were dumbfounded.

Nope, this wasn't how the story was supposed to go.

Why the hell are the princess and the dragon on the same team!

At the same time, Yueshi Azakara stood up instantly, letting out a roar that stirred up a gust of wind.

Ling Qingjue stood his ground like a rock. He always has a shield up—moving a single inch would be conceding defeat.

Meng Shu had already ducked behind him, peeking out. "Princess, what's—what's up with you?"

Valeria was furious. "I told you not to save me! Who asked you to stick your noses in? A couple of commoners trying to save a princess?"

Even Meng Shu, who had such a good temper, couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.

So after all this, they were just fooling themselves!

The princess raised an eyebrow. "Azkarra! Throw them out!"

As she spoke, a system warning popped up before Meng Shu's eyes.

——"You have triggered the world-class Boss——the Moon-Devouring Dragon, Azkarra"

——"Azkarra's coordinates have been sent to adventurers across the continent. All adventurers are requested to collaborate and defeat the Boss."

Moon-Devouring Dragon Azkarra slowly approached, its scorching breath enough to melt stone walls. "Wretched ants, face your death——"

Before the words were finished, Ling Qingjue impatiently dashed forward and punched it in the face!

It looked like a light punch, with no magical fluctuation at all, but the evil dragon was immediately sent flying hundreds of meters away!

It crashed through countless stone walls, was punched out of the cave and plummeted down the cliff.

With a loud crash, it fell off the cliff.

The princess's face turned pale with fright. As she ran, she shouted, "Azkarra! Are you still alive! Azkarra!"

She ran out.

Ling Qingjue stood still, shaking his hand slightly. That dragon sure had thick skin and tough scales; his fingers actually hurt from the punch.

He spun around, clearly annoyed, and grumbled, "My hand's all red."

Meng Shu snapped back to reality, took his right hand, and looked closely—the knuckles were really red.

Ling Qingjue felt a little put out, lowered his eyes, and said, "It hurts."

"Let me blow it for you!" Meng Shu lowered his head and blew on it a couple of times, feeling extremely distressed. "Next time, don't use your fist. Its scales are like a turtle shell. If you get hurt, I'll be heartbroken."

Ling Qingjue said "Oh" in acknowledgment.

He'd do it again next time.