Chapter 66: Arrival at the Imperial Capital

In the end, Lin Wuming simply scooped the injured girl up by the waist and, ignoring her struggles, carried her into the carriage.

“Let me go… I won’t give in to you! Even if you take my body, my heart will never—”

Gurgle~

Just as she was righteously acting out her “chaste heroine” drama, her stomach suddenly betrayed her with a loud rumble.

Lin Wuming and He Yingying both looked at her, causing Zhao Ke’er to blush furiously in shame.

She shut her mouth and refused to speak further.

Lin Wuming let out a helpless sigh and took out a steamed bun from his travel bag, handing it to her.

“This is all I’ve got for now. Eat something.”

“T-Thank you…”

Zhao Ke’er took the bun with difficulty and stuffed it into her mouth without hesitation—clearly not worried at all that Lin Wuming might’ve laced it with computer chips or poison.

This was the type of girl who looked like she was hard to approach but could probably be tricked into bed ten times a day.

By comparison, his little junior sister was at least a little smarter—he’d had to put in a fair bit of effort to trick her into becoming his junior.

The lies he spun were so convincing that even he almost believed them.

“You’re… not bad people, are you?”

Zhao Ke’er asked after finishing the bun and licking her fingers, seemingly calmer now.

“What makes you think that?”

Lin Wuming raised an eyebrow.

Just moments ago she’d been accusing him of trying to violate her.

“Because… you gave me food?”

“…You’re serious?”

Was she dumb, or just innocent?

Though, to be fair, he really wasn’t a bad person.

“Relax. I won’t do anything to you.”

He waved dismissively, then asked, “So why are you out here, all beat up like that?”

“I…” Zhao Ke’er immediately pouted, feeling wronged.

“It’s all my stupid master’s fault! She left me here and hasn’t come back for me!”

Like a floodgate opening, she poured out all her frustrations and grievances in one breath.

Lin Wuming got a headache just listening, but at least he finally understood the situation.

“So your master left you to train here… and then just disappeared? Did she tell you to wait anywhere specific?”

Zhao Ke’er shook her head.

“Do you even know where this is?”

Another shake.

“…”

Lin Wuming thought,

‘Forget ten times—this one could be tricked twenty times a day with no effort at all.’

“You think I’m dumb, don’t you?”

Zhao Ke’er narrowed her eyes and muttered pitifully.

“Oh, so you do realize?”

Lin Wuming rolled his eyes.

“W-What else can I do…?” she huffed.

“My master says I’m not dumb, just pure! I just… don’t think of stuff like that!”

“So you assume anyone who feeds you must be a good person?”

“Not exactly…” Zhao Ke’er unexpectedly shook her head.

“I just… felt like you weren’t bad, but didn’t know how to explain it, so…”

“Pfft—”

Lin Wuming couldn’t help but laugh.

This silly girl really was kind of adorable.

Looking more closely, she had a round baby face but a surprisingly fierce look in her eyes—a textbook loli with attitude.

Compared to her, his junior sister suddenly seemed a bit bland.

Just being flat-chested and expressionless didn’t cut it anymore in this era of diverse female archetypes.

…Which probably explained the intense wave of murderous intent he felt coming from beside him.

“Well, since your master left you without any instructions, and you can’t stay out here in the wild, just come to the imperial capital with us.”

Lin Wuming ignored the killing intent and spoke casually.

Letting such a cute girl wander alone in the wilderness was a waste—might as well bring her back to warm his bed.

With her goofy personality, she’d make a fun distraction when he was bored.

“Alright, then.”

Zhao Ke’er thought about it.

Her master had ditched her, and there was no point in staying here.

At least in the city, she wouldn’t starve or freeze.

So she agreed.

The rest of the journey went smoothly, and before long, they reached the capital of the Yanhuang Empire.

“Halt! This is a restricted area! Unauthorized persons are not allowed in!”

Naturally, not just anyone could enter the imperial capital.

But He Yingying casually tossed out a token, which made the gate guards break into cold sweat.

They quickly apologized and let everyone through.

The sky hadn’t fully darkened yet, and Lin Wuming curiously took in the scene before him.

Compared to a small city like Luoshui, the imperial capital was clearly on another level—grand, bustling, and massive.

Even as dusk approached, the streets were still crowded with people and lively noise.

“Your Highness, will you return to the palace directly, or…?”

“L-Let’s not go back just yet.”

He Yingying sounded a little distracted.

“Then let’s stay out for the night.”

Lin Wuming glanced at her.

Her mood had been off during the whole trip—especially the closer they got to the capital.

It didn’t seem like homesickness either.

Even earlier, when he was teasing Zhao Ke’er, she hadn’t said a word, though she was clearly unhappy.

Lin Wuming wasn’t actually dumb.

He could sense that something about his junior sister’s attitude toward him had changed.

Maybe it wasn’t quite affection, but there was definitely some dependence and admiration mixed in.

He had no idea why a dignified princess would get the impression that he was dependable, though.

In fact, he was starting to wonder if he could actually win her over if he tried.

But still…

Forget compatibility for a second—if he really ended up in a relationship with his junior sister, what about his mission?

Once again, it was time to teach women that cultivation techniques matter more than love.

Yes, exactly.

This had nothing to do with the fact that he was a two-lifetime virgin with zero dating experience who got cold feet just thinking about it.

A princess… Honestly, her status felt way more real than that Liu family girl, even if she was the chief disciple of the Taixu Palace.

Either way, his junior sister was clearly acting odd right now.

“Your Highness, should we take this young lady to a clinic for treatment?”

The guard looked at Zhao Ke’er with concern.

Such a cute girl—seeing her all banged up like that made his heart ache a little.

“No need,” He Yingying shook her head.

“We’ll go directly to my residence in the city. I’ll give you the address.”

There was someone there whose medical skills surpassed even the palace doctors.

Why bother with a clinic?

“Very well.”

The guard nodded.

Since the princess had her own plan, there was no reason to object.

Besides escorting the princess, he had another mission from the city lord to complete—one nearly as important…