Chapter Eleven: Departure

Sun Li looked as if he had just discovered a wonder of the world—was the usually proud and haughty queen actually shedding tears? Disbelieving, he rubbed his eyes and peered closer.

Su Yunyun noticed the curiosity on Sun Li’s face, and the grievance in her heart instantly transformed into anger. Was this damn Sun Li just waiting to see her make a fool of herself? How infuriating!

As Sun Li scrutinized her, Su Yunyun’s expression shifted rapidly, but the mist in her eyes never fell. Yet Sun Li thought that perhaps it would have been better if she had simply cried.

“Sun Li! Does it feel good to reject me? Are you just waiting to watch me lose face? I swear, even if it kills me, I’m going to give you a good beating today—this is infuriating!” Su Yunyun, usually so composed, found herself losing her cool whenever she faced Sun Li, behaving more like an angry or even a pouting girl.

Having been emperor for some time, Sun Li was hardly the type to simply stand there and take a beating or a scolding like an ordinary lover, nor could he bear to hurt Su Yunyun in any way. The result was that he pulled her into a strong embrace, using his superior strength to turn this tempestuous woman into a docile one. Of course, Sun Li, being the upright gentleman he was, would never take advantage of her vulnerability.

“Let me go, you shameless rogue! Let me teach you a lesson—otherwise, you’ll just keep bullying me. Wuwuwu…” Restrained by Sun Li, Su Yunyun seemed to revert to the mindset of a little girl, burying herself in his arms and sobbing.

Watching her cry in his embrace, Sun Li suddenly understood the immense pressure this outwardly strong leader of the wood elves must bear. The constant struggle of the resistance weighed heavily on her mind. Princess Yunyun had taken on far too many burdens, and when someone appeared whom she might rely on, her inner softness burst forth.

Alas, no matter how strong-willed she was, she was still a young woman after all.

For now, he would simply go along with her. If worst came to worst, he could always whisk her away—he was bound to reclaim everything in the end. Watching a beauty cry was a torment in itself.

Afterward, as Su Yunyun continued to weep, she was met with a slew of promises. Sun Li suddenly became exceedingly agreeable and agreed to everything she asked.

When her tears finally subsided, Su Yunyun lifted her head to meet Sun Li’s concerned gaze. She seemed to realize that all of this was probably nothing more than a beautiful lie, yet, despite herself, she felt a warmth blossom in her heart. Sun Li wasn’t so bad, after all.

Feeling Sun Li’s arms loosen around her, Su Yunyun abruptly realized something serious. With a start, she broke free from his embrace and immediately delivered a Black Tiger Steals the Heart punch. As a warrior, she would never stoop to slaps or underhanded attacks—such tactics were too underhanded for her taste. Instead, she gifted Sun Li a straight punch with all her strength, a heartfelt token of thanks for his “care.”

“Ah! Damn, that was vicious!” The moment Su Yunyun slipped from his arms, Sun Li was caught off guard as pain twisted through his abdomen. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach and howling in agony.

This proud queen really showed no mercy. It was just a hug—he hadn’t tried to take advantage of her. Was such violence truly necessary? Ouch, the pain was excruciating.

Watching Sun Li writhe in pain, Su Yunyun felt much of her own frustration dissipate. She clapped her hands lightly and, feigning ease, said to him, “It’s settled, then. Get ready, and we’ll set off tomorrow, my dear Grand Knight. I have things to do, so I’ll take my leave. See you tomorrow.”

“Hey, what do you mean ‘settled’? I was just talking nonsense! Don’t go! Is it heroic to punch someone and then run away? Well, she’s not exactly a hero—just a beauty—but still, you shouldn’t just hit someone and leave!” Glaring after her retreating figure, Sun Li grumbled to himself in frustration.

Ah, forget it. For giving me her sister, I’ll let her off this time. Sun Li tried to comfort himself with this excuse, then his thoughts drifted to that wonderful feeling just a moment ago. Princess Yunyun was truly something else, and she smelled so sweet. What a perfect match for a great ruler like me, Sun Li mused, successfully distracting himself until even his stomach hurt less.

Thank goodness I left Xiao Bai behind on this trip. If he’d seen me like this, he’d never let me live it down. I absolutely must not let something like this happen again!

The next morning, Sun Li, Su Yunyun, and Su Lulu boarded the English cruiser. As for why only these three were traveling without other guards: first, Sun Li felt his own strength was more than sufficient for their safety, and extra wood elves would only split his attention without adding much; second, this trip to Mexico was not for war, but to make contact with other wood elf kin and help Princess Yunyun rise to power—fewer people would attract less attention and make it easier to act.

As for Su Lulu, her inclusion was simple: Su Yunyun wanted her younger sister to stay close to Sun Li and nurture their relationship. Sun Li, for his part, had no objection to having a cute girl he liked by his side. According to his agreement with Su Yunyun, little Lulu was practically his fiancée already—or at least, that’s how Sun Li saw it.

There had originally been plans for other elders to accompany them, but the female wood elves had been privately ordered by Su Yunyun to form their own group to Mexico; she didn’t want them getting in the way of her sister and Sun Li’s budding feelings. The male wood elves, meanwhile, had been sternly warned by Sun Li himself. Intimidated by the Grand Knight’s presence, not one of them dared propose joining the expedition, which left Su Yunyun puzzled—how could just three people on the road feel so insecure?

After landing in Mexico, Su Yunyun considered bringing a few male wood elf crew members along, but the elves on the cruiser—already briefed by Sun Li—staunchly insisted that his protection was more than enough, and their presence would only complicate matters. With Sun Li’s earnest assurances, Su Yunyun could hardly undermine his confidence, so she allowed things to proceed.

Walking the narrow paths of Mexico, Su Yunyun soon realized that this must have been Sun Li’s doing. He’d plotted well: throughout the journey, he’d have two beautiful women accompanying him on an adventure—just his style.

She did regret not insisting on more elders or companions—male or female, numbers would have been preferable to this vulnerable trio.

Though Sun Li repeatedly promised he could protect both beautiful ladies, the greatest danger was him himself! Naturally, Su Yunyun maintained her guard against Sun Li at all times, but fortunately, with her innocent sister Su Lulu as a shield, Sun Li had no chance to take advantage.