Chapter 139: Hush, Princess, I am not a bad person

In a Japanese-style courtyard, Princess Guiling Yuan was brewing tea over a small hearth, the atmosphere serene and delicate.

She possessed long, snow-white hair that reached her waist, two tiny pointed horns atop her head, and skin as fair as snow. Her features were as exquisite as a painting, and she wore a loose, peach-colored royal robe that highlighted her graceful physique. Hearing the sound of the door opening, the Ghost Princess lifted her beautiful eyes, gazing upon the Ghost White Tiger General as he stepped into the courtyard.

From the shadow space beneath the White Tiger’s feet, Cheng Feng watched this beautiful and dignified Ghost Princess through the void. He felt a momentary lapse in his senses, as if his very soul were being drawn away. Although Guiling Yuan was indeed stunning, Cheng Feng was not the type to be easily swayed by beauty. Yet, it felt as though his mind had been hexed; his consciousness was completely captured by her allure.

"Cheng Feng, snap out of it!" Xue Ju hopped up and tapped Cheng Feng’s head with its cat paw.

Cheng Feng shook his head, finally coming to his senses. He realized, with a sense of lingering dread, that he had been affected by some sort of magical influence. It was fortunate that Xue Ju had awakened him, and that he possessed the passive ability [Mind Protection], which granted immunity to mental-based effects, allowing his consciousness to stabilize.

"What just happened to me?" Cheng Feng asked, already suspecting the answer but seeking confirmation from Xue Ju.

"The Princess possesses an innate charm effect. Anyone with insufficient mental strength is easily seduced at a single glance," Xue Ju explained, exhaling in relief. "It looks like you're alright now."

"I see." Cheng Feng reflected on how the Princess’s mother, Yuzao Xueji, had once charmed an entire city of humans without needing raw strength, leading the whole population to fall. One could only imagine how beautiful she must have been. As her daughter, Guiling Yuan naturally possessed a similar ability to bewitch the masses; though perhaps not quite on her mother's level, she was still not to be underestimated.

Cheng Feng’s expression turned serious. "I've finally seen the Ghost Princess. Now, I just need to wait for the Ghost White Tiger to leave."

Outside the shadow space, the Ghost White Tiger had entered the courtyard, his eyes scanning the surroundings, but he found nothing out of the ordinary. He had been ordered by Ghost Xiuluo to investigate the Princess, only to find her calm and composed, sipping tea without a hint of anxiety—especially considering the Royal Selection Assembly was set to begin tomorrow. The White Tiger couldn't help but think the Princess had given up on herself.

Guiling Yuan lifted her gaze, her melodious voice carrying a touch of frost. "General White Tiger, what brings you here?"

The Ghost White Tiger feigned concern. "Your Highness, have you been well these past few days? Is the food to your liking?"

Guiling Yuan had no patience for such hypocrisy. "When will Ghost Xiuluo be willing to let me leave?"

The Ghost White Tiger smiled lightly. While he held a sliver of respect for this powerless Princess, he had no intention of making things difficult for her. He spoke the cold truth: "The Royal Selection Assembly begins tomorrow. Once Lord Xiuluo ascends the throne, he will deal with your situation. You need only behave yourself and wait for the outcome."

'Deal with' did not mean letting her go; it meant disposing of her. To Ghost Xiuluo, as long as a direct blood relative lived, it was a threat to his grip on power. This cold answer was expected, and Guiling Yuan showed no emotion, lowering her gaze. "Go back and tell Ghost Xiuluo that his plans will not succeed."

"Lord Xiuluo's plans?" The White Tiger was slightly puzzled.

Guiling Yuan said coldly, filled with resentment, "The real reason Ghost Xiuluo wants to become the City Lord is to use his power to wage war, leading the city's entire army to... invade Winterfell City."

The Ghost White Tiger narrowed his eyes. "I see you already know about that."

"His ambition is common knowledge," Guiling Yuan replied, her delicate face darkening. "If Ghost Xiuluo had no intention of starting a war, I might have stepped aside and yielded the throne to him. But... he will never abandon that goal."

She added with ironclad resolve, "If Crimson Moon City goes to war with humanity, the price will be too high. The worst-case scenario is that my mother’s century-old foundation... will be destroyed in an instant!"

"Is that so? Your Highness is indeed worried about war, but unfortunately—" The Ghost White Tiger stated the regrettable fact with an expressionless face. "Lord Xiuluo’s vision of launching a war is exactly what the monsters of this city desire."

Guiling Yuan was baffled. "His actions will only harm Crimson Moon City. Knowing this, why do you still follow him?"

The Ghost White Tiger couldn't help but scoff, wondering how the Princess could be so naive. Monsters and humans were inherently at odds; war was inevitable. Ghost Xiuluo’s actions were merely accelerating the start of that war. For the past hundred years, Crimson Moon City had not invaded Winterfell City, maintaining a state of peaceful coexistence. The reason was clear: when Yuzao Xueji was City Lord, she had explicitly forbidden the city from attacking Winterfell.

She had her reasons; as the third Abyssal, she had signed a pact with the other four, designating Winterfell City as the future battlefield for the [Hundred Ghost Night Parade]. Thus, no one dared to strike first. The monsters of Crimson Moon City had long suppressed their predatory nature, itching for a chance to slaughter, but none dared defy Yuzao Xueji’s authority.

The Ghost Princess was a pacifist, and naturally, she had few supporters among the monsters, who were inherently bloodthirsty. Compared to the hawk-like Ghost Xiuluo, the monsters naturally gravitated toward him. Even if he hadn't confined her, she would have lost the Assembly. To be City Lord, one needed both royal blood and overwhelming strength to command respect. Ghost Xiuluo possessed the necessary power, while Guiling Yuan was vastly inferior.

"Your Highness, take care of yourself. I shall take my leave." The Ghost White Tiger turned to go, making sure to shut the door behind him.

Just as Guiling Yuan was about to look away, she saw a man appear out of thin air at the doorway. She gasped in surprise, instinctively parting her lips to cry out.

Cheng Feng stepped forward, reaching out to cover the Princess’s mouth, whispering, "Hush, Princess. I'm not the enemy."