Chapter 20

*It Hurts*
Port Seven—chaos—cheap smuggling ships.
Thick dust—rust—abandoned bus shells—might fall apart.
Lights strobe—signals flicker.
Zhu Yu pointed at one—“Flash codes—buyer and seller only know meaning.”
Paradis gossip—smugglers wary.
Masked hooded crowd—red hair on steps stood out—everyone saw her first.
Nan Gong—light blue open shirt—jeans—boots—would be western cowboy masked.
Wind in red hair—waved cool.
Zhu Yu never dreamed she’d be this loud—red bomb—no fear of attention.
Like her fantasy farewell.
“…”
Why dress like that—hateful Federation!!
Before leaving Zhu Yu told Bai Shuzhou the deal— omitted medal and herself.
Hearing fake tears and pirate gun on Nan Gong—Bai Shuzhou laughed pleased—tapped dry tear track—“Really fake?”
“Yes! Gave her all the gems—only this ring left.” Head down.
“Worthless—home—I’ll give new.”
Home again…
Zhu Yu adjusted veil—deep breath—pushed wheelchair.
“Good afternoon, beautiful lady—honored to escort you.”
Nan Gong bowed—hat off—smiling.
Zhu Yu bristled.
Imperial noble rite—hat—hand kiss—respect.
Zhu Yu didn’t know rite—but understood the hand—exploded—grabbed Nan Gong first—crush handshake.
Stop playing gentleman—want Bai Shuzhou’s hand!
“Hi hi!”
“Heh—you too.” Both hands—pressure up.
Alpha clash—palms nearly spark—
Stuck together—necessary? Bai Shuzhou looked away—bored.
No winner—Zhu Yu let go—sore hand—fake smile—“Paid in full—you call this a ship?”
Nan Gong’s craft like others—wider nose—travel agency inspection sticker.
Barely legal.
“Bad market—take what you get.” Laugh—“Expect Sol Ring honor guard?”
Sol Ring—Federation capital—sarcasm from her mouth.
Deal—send Bai Shuzhou to empire safe—Zhu Yu deletes timed video—returns with Nan Gong.
Tower red light—all ships red eyes stacked.
Black-clad guns rushed port—Zhu Yu in front of Bai Shuzhou—“What do you mean?!”
“Lockdown—” Nan Gong frowned—“Fine—they won’t search my ship.”
Small flag—triangle—same as Black Hat armband—Zhu Yu’s heart dropped.
“Nan Gong!” Loader whisper—both faces sour.
“Some… big trouble.”
Goosebumps—“Looking for me?”
“Not quite.” Pulled aside—sky dark—“Looking for Carland—the leader you beat.”
Black Hat Carland.
“Didn’t you take her?”
“Yes—but she matters—port lockdown—pirates sharper than I thought.”
Watching blacks—irritated pace—shoulders—“You can’t leave now.”
“You never planned to.” Eye roll suppressed for Bai Shuzhou—fake smile—“But princess must get home safe—alone I don’t trust.”
“Why not—she’s a dragon.” Cold laugh.
Dragons strongest—late emperor crossed black hole bodily.
Federation once doubted imperial humanity—but perception and mental power strongest—gene-perfect.
If not rare offspring—might rule the stars.
“Sickly” Bai Shuzhou—Nan Gong remembered “Imperial Rose” wasn’t for beauty.
E-rank barely sense power—D-rank brain-machine threshold for elite warriors.
SSS Bai Shuzhou—entity from childhood—six—roses on poisoned land.
Emperor Bai Qianze gifted too—if not for illness—throne unclear.
Nan Gong peace faction—no war—would send princess away anyway—hot potato.
“Tonight’s auction vital—lockdown may cancel—I won’t risk it.”
Pause—“Carland goes back.”
Bad feeling—
“You go in with her—as captive.”
Zhu Yu: ?!
Regular army beat pirates—she had thought.
“Anesthesia—double dose—dump her—won’t wake—”
“No—attacker on her raises alert—auction must run.”
“Why!” Fist tight—“Send princess safe—we agreed!”
Nan Gong close—ear—“Big fish tonight—I waited two years!”
Not my problem—you’re undercover scum!!!
Bai Shuzhou watched them close—whisper—vertical pupils dangerous.
Nan Gong stiff—amused glance—rumors of discord false—possessiveness strong.
Marriage conspiracies—People’s Star for commoner support—big sacrifice.
Zhu Yu wanted to peek—Nan Gong grabbed hair before turn:
“Think—your people sold—abused—incubators—cut the source or how many more?”
Source—Zhu Yu held scalp—angry—flash—“Federation central involved?”
Highest power.
Nan Gong silent beat—deflect—“Empire clean? What did you buy blind all these years?”
“You’re People’s Star—you swore—stay and stop this!”
“I’m not! Wanted criminal—send princess home—that’s all!”
Sister taught survive first—don’t cry loud—don’t provoke—run. Only sister ever hit her.
Mom never hit me!
Here—bugs—countrymen—crash—pirate kick—now walk into den?!
“I escort princess myself—throw me to pirates—I expose you—we both burn!”
Nan Gong nearly fainted.
“Zhu Yu—you’re a warrior—Alpha duty!”
Collar yank—“Not captive—undercover—medal back after.”
Head high—grin—“Don’t want it—gift to you.”
Last night’s shame—acting wasted on this one.
Eyes to Bai Shuzhou—released—smoothed collar—smile empty:
“Fine—deal off—grab Bai Shuzhou—dragon Omega on block shocks universe.”
“Empire just crushed pirates—wonder what pirates think—”
Death grip.
Pupils earthquake—“Unreasonable! Mad! Auction her?!”
Glance—Bai Shuzhou looking—through gauze—gentle concern maybe.
Pirate faces again—shiver—fist hard.
Nan Gong pressed—“Help me—after auction send you back—beloved princess together.”
Carrot and stick.
“Really?” Seconds—“Two things—I agree.”
“Two?”
“One—safe home. Two—I don’t die.”
“…”
Handshake—“Deal.”
Zhu Yu weak squeeze—Nan Gong spun her around smiling:
“Borrow Xiaoyu.”
Bai Shuzhou narrowed eyes.
Goosebumps—shoved Nan Gong—squatted level—“Sorry—you go first—I’m late—about—”
Nan Gong covered mouth—dragged—“Shut up—tell all—you both stay.”
“Oh.” Disappointed pinch on Nan Gong’s hand.
Bai Shuzhou watched—dark—“Zhu Yu—remember what I said.”
Head down—hard nod—“Every word!”
Ship door—two attendants—Nan Gong gesture—please board.
One moved to push wheelchair—cold eyes stopped.
“No.” Lip press—nothing asked—turned chair alone.
Side paint—“Happy Travel Agency.”
Door closing—Zhu Yu pinched wrist.
Dared not look—afraid no look back—afraid she’d ask her stay.
Head down—three seconds—three more.
Light wind—nothing.
Gone—just gone—no goodbye?
Ship moved—Zhu Yu followed—stared gray window—one glance—
Movie hero—one look—super evolution—
If blue eyes here—wave cool—undercover nothing!
Quiet—gray exhaust.
Could not follow.
“Real tears?” Nan Gong careful—paper on finger.
“Cry what—nothing!” Hard—“Mourning damn pirates—they’re dead!”
Nan Gong laughed—“Wow—your show then.”
Ten thousand meters—“Happy Travel Agency” veered off course.
Inside—attendants straight—button—blue energy dome—cage closed.
Would send princess home—not now.
Auction—contain variables.
Bai Shuzhou closed eyes—no joy no sorrow.
Agent peeked—gauze—melancholy—soft—“Blanket—sleep—you’re home soon.”
Home? Cold smile.
Agent turned—vines bypass monitors—console—precise commands on screen.
Agent fetched blanket—floor tremble—
Remote safe route—radar clean—unless—
Hand to gun—slow turn—
Door creak—pupils shrink—
Snow leopard appeared—beside silver hair—fierce yet tame—golden eyes flash—
Imperial elite—Bai Qianze’s Snow Leopard Knights!
White royal ship outside—warp—but how coordinates?
Agent swallowed—“Princess—misunderstanding—we mean well?”
Gauze off—creator’s favorite face—vertical pupils down.
“I decide if it’s misunderstanding.”
“Tell me your real plan.”
Rose crushed her—knees weak—who spread weak princess lies?!
Omega alone out—imperial plot?
Agent bit tooth pill—thud—
Cold heavier—if goodwill why suicide pill?
She read routes—not empire—Federation fortress.
Controlled—knight captain hand on heart—“Majesty worried—return soon—General Yzelia will take over—investigate—rest easy.”
“I handle it myself.”
Captain frowned—pressure still—she stood from wheelchair.
Tide of dominance—all knelt.
Window—blue eyes on Chaos town below.
Sleeve up—silver exoskeleton—Black Hat’s arm.
Zhu Yu told the deal—carefully fitted it—“self-defense.”
Taught use—Zhu Yu listened—
Girl gentle as forever—knuckles on joints—still warm—
“Zhu… Yu.” Name in teeth.
How dare you betray—fool—again and again.
…
Girl jolted from dark.
Pale dome—crowd around.
“Really Zhu Yu? No ID!”
“Who else beat Black Hat like that—caught anyway!”
“Scar matches—her.”
“Photo for girlfriend—cheese!”
Someone on her body—
Far senses—anesthesia—God view—screen flicker—
Should not wake—too early—consciousness torture.
Nan Gong promised extra million—and personal sedative shot.
Now she knew why—medical bill!
Crowd like beasts—fists rain—thud on flesh—
Dull pain—curses—not dream.
Excited faces—revenge—hyena joy—teen saw her eyes—foot stopped—covered face—
Fear spread—stopped—
Zhu Yu bound—weaponless—slow blink—
Watching them.
Pushed forward—tusk necklace Chen—“Cowards! Afraid of this?”
Thin man—“It’s Zhu Yu—those campaigns—”
Three of five anti-pirate wars—smiling slaughter—grudge—
Even dying—don’t be remembered—ghost revenge?
Slow finger move—reading faces—
Cannot control body—nightmare fall—
Falling—no bottom—
Bai Shuzhou—legs—like this?
Soft breath—good—sent her away—safe—
Empire best medics—she’d fix everything—
Small pride in pain—
My wife will crush you!
Oh Nan Gong—don’t slow tonight—
Smile on bruised face—horror—Chen’s boot to face—
Pull back—“Boss said no face—recognize her—else play!”
Spit—“Laughing? Used-up wanted trash! Hybrid climbed royalty on looks!”
Skill climb—smile back.
“Princess used you for clout!”
My honor.
Would megaphone envy hate—
Smile zero damage—Chen nearly fainted—
Beat but value alive—her leverage.
Anesthesia fading—pain means alive—fatal nothing!
Fast heal—Alpha maybe?
Not… pain.
Distance—phantom itch under skin—
Old belly wound split.
Nan Gong’s drug—double sleep—don’t trust strangers.
Hunger worse—no breakfast—empty stomach heart—
Ceiling—snow—little Bai Shuzhou—sugar cube—
Sweet—tongue slow melt—
Strength—blood taste—buzz down—
Cage—moving—doors—elevator—
Card familiar—Paradis logo—inverted palace—
Paradis—paradise—
Hell under heaven—
Last door—meaning clear—
Blood cages in golden hall—beasts chained tight—
Kick—Chen satisfied—bang cages:
“Look—Imperial hero Zhu Yu—begging cur!”
“Abandoned—beasts reborn—grateful!”
Numb eyes—tears—star fell before them—
Hands through bars—hope—
Low cries—Zhu Yu—Zhu Yu—river in pulse—
“Xiaoyu?!” Shan front—tears—
Chen proud—would Zhu Yu stay calm?
Crowd quiet—looking behind her—not fear—
Zhu Yu wormed up bars—stood—bright wave—
Mad—prisoner like star—gesture—
Freedom—
Peace dove—Shan’s factory signal—
Wanted to say don’t fear—
Throat dry—why stand—safer curl—
But those eyes—she stood—
Breath held—dignity hope—scale in her arms—
Shy dinner-girl and TV hero—touchable—
Kicks to knees—won’t kneel—bars grip—slow pain—
Imperials shout over flesh—
Not lost—not abandoned—
Don’t you give up!
Chains rage—
Opposite of plan—Chen rifle butt—blood forehead—eyes demonic—
One blink—kill intent—remember you—
Next blink—meek—down—
“Level two—with Phoenix!” Chen harsh—
Paradis basement two—
Cold inverted pyramid—luxury deeper hell—
Platinum floor—antiques—gold cage deepest—
Cold—Zhu Yu leaned warm feathers through bars—
“Xiaoyu—wake—okay?”
Water—open—“Shan!”
White breath—summer strange—
“How come—will they hurt you?”
Huge bird—white wings shielding—
“Feared you dead—water only—” Shan blink—collective fight—one bowl—
“Phoenix—finale auction—”
“Phoenix?” Face to bars—
“Lab peacock— hates staring—starving—injected—won’t be toy.”
Sick bird—dark eyes—lonely—
“Don’t fear.” Freedom sign—wink—
Shan wink—classroom secret—
Pocket—package—guard blind—
“Pastries—share.”
Shan: …
Tooth mark top—lark family—Bai Shuzhou barely ate—Zhu Yu kept—took Bai’s bite secretly—
Flattened but sweet—happy—
Poke bird butt—
Shan: “That’s its butt.”
“Oh sorry!”
Bird ate after they did—human form—thin girl—white lashes hair to floor—chain bloody ankles—
White hair—thought Bai Shuzhou—bird slurped crumbs—
Nose ache—last bite—all to bird—
Whisper Shan—“Princess home—she’ll save us!”
Shan quiet—“They say bird fled imperial lab—true?”
“Don’t trust them—she hated imperials first.”
Royal Academy live experiments—gene addiction—
Couldn’t lie—look away—“Turnaround maybe.”
Shan—“Sold tonight—then what?”
Nan Gong net—after that Federation scandal—
Chaos people stateless—pinch wrist—
“Secret path—auction splits guards—mixed admin—imperial mother—”
Shan ashamed—“Guards strong—you with us?”
Zhu Yu feared chase games—wait Nan Gong—
Silence—Shan sighed—“Too much—I understand.”
Bird ate—fireball warmed pastry—mutant!
Flame on sick white face—sleeve—pink deep scar like Bai Shuzhou’s—
Sleeves up—scars everywhere—fire peacock—“phoenix”—
Bird closed eyes obedient—
Heart tight—“What should I do?”
…
Paradis level three—oxygen hundred meters down—
Gold ring seats—masks—voice blur—
Alanka silk—red mole on wrist—
Snow leopard blocked stare—“Look what?” Golden eyes—
Woman sorry whisper—SVIP box—
“Yzelia—stay low.”
“Yes.” Youngest tiger general knelt—kissed hand—“Can’t wait to tear them apart.”
Yzelia—Zhu Yu’s ex-commander—Bai Shuzhou suitor—
Waited long.
Crystal auction—SVIP quiet—
Pool ripple—red resonance on ore—
Captain to earpiece—run—
Alarm—explosion—thirteen-meter silence layer shudder—
“Phoenix escaped—can’t fit pipe!”
“Human form—all birds helped—myth command.”
“Failed lab not real phoenix!”
“Live finale ruined!”
Thud—Chen from fire bloody—“Zhu Yu again—dismember!!”
Tunnel wind—firefly light to belly—Zhu Yu on wall—
Birds pull clothes—wound grind—hum—
“Go—I’m useful—they won’t kill me.”
True hundred-bird rise—fire melted cage—white girl ascended—
Not bird—too heavy—
Gun close—tit brushed cheek—“Chirp!”
“Go—I’m strongest Alpha—you slow me.”
Blood on fluff—“Princess saves me—plan part.”
Tit tears—“Chirp?”
Nod mysterious—“Really.”
Push birds up—slide down—“Go.”
Warmth to Shan’s wings—they flew—
Sticky sweat blood—
Never fought—today knew strength—not desperation—
Born knowing fist dodge—blood awake—laugh in head—
Your power—destroy all—
Ring red glow—exhausted—slide—
Guns at heart head—Chen stretcher—“Kill kill!”
Purple staff—boss parted hair—
“Little one—cost us dear.”
Clear eyes—no beast—strange.
Should be blood-soaked maniac—
“Touching—like childhood dog—then famine—we ate it.”
Stomach turn—pervert!!
“For the dog—empire pays—maybe live.”
“What want?”
“List sent—empire sincerity—or you replace Phoenix.”
“Fractus catalyst—rut chaos—D-rank livestream fun?”
Countdown three minutes—
Database pass—five hundred million credits—
Black hole demand—
“Princess loves you—nothing right?”
Avoid camera—
“Divorcing though—”
“Royal marriage—politics—D-rank kept her—”
Nails lip—teeth check—slave goods—
Thirty seconds—
Won’t agree—Bai Shuzhou no power alone—
She wouldn’t abandon—merciful princess—
Safe home?
Beep—
Zero.
【Refused.】
Attachment—wanted poster—smiling battle record—
Pirates disbelief—no bargain—provocation?!
Boss frown—“Resend—not imperial style—public opinion—”
“Media—hostage news—”
Assistant pale—“IP blocked—”
No mercy.
Pity in eyes—
Abandoned.
“I see—empire disowns you—hope and shame—”
“Sell well tonight.”
Boss floral scent—remember Bai Shuzhou—
Sleep before her—even breath—lashes—open clean eyes—tail swat—
Snap.
Silver case—cold needle—
Held down—straps tight—
Fractus in flesh—moan locked throat—
Muscle ache—nape hot—cold vs fever—curl—
Hurts…
First kiss memory—blood tears—cold fingers in hair—
Now only soft—rose in hair—
Kiss me again?