Chapter 17: Who is she married to?

After taking some time to rest, Shu Yue’s spirituality had recovered slightly.

It improved from its nearly depleted state, though the duration was too short, leaving her with only twenty or thirty percent of her total capacity.

This amount of spirituality was sufficient.

Although mages consumed a great deal of spirituality, it was not as much as an Alchemist required.

This was enough for Shu Yue to endure a single battle.

The time Shu Yue spent refining the Dragon Blood was short, so even with the rest period included, it had not been very long.

She straightened her clothes, and after ensuring she had not missed anything, she pushed open the door and stepped out.

Someone was waiting at the entrance.

The waitress was stunned upon seeing Shu Yue.

It was her first time seeing a guest exit an independent workshop so soon after entering.

She was surprised, especially since Shu Yue’s clothes were neat and tidy, showing no signs of an explosion.

Shu Yue ignored the woman’s gaze and headed straight for the exit.

She had achieved her goal for this trip.

Now, she only needed to return and absorb the one and a half drops of Dragon Blood Essence tonight to strengthen her Silver Dragon bloodline.

Once that was done, she would have enough power to move freely within Grey Pine City.

Of course, this “moving freely” was contingent on her not provoking any Rank 3 experts.

There was a world of difference between Rank 2 and Rank 3, which was why Rank 2 was associated with a Baron and Rank 3 with a Viscount.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious and elegant room, Vanessa received the news that Shu Yue had left the workshop.

Her eyes flickered as she asked the maid beside her, “What is the situation inside the workshop? Where is the Dragon Blood?”

“Miss, there are no signs that the alchemy equipment was used at all. Furthermore, the Dragon Blood is gone. However, the temperature inside the workshop is very high—nearly 20 degrees higher than outside…”

The maid recounted every detail she knew to Vanessa.

Vanessa was astonished by what she heard.

There was no doubt that the Dragon Blood had been delivered inside, but according to the maid’s report, Shu Yue had brought nothing out with her.

The Dragon Blood had vanished into thin air.

‘Could it be… that he drank it all?’

No, that was impossible.

Vanessa quickly dismissed the thought.

Perhaps some people could drink Dragon Blood directly, but with so many bottles, the volume alone made it impossible, to say nothing of the violent energy contained within.

Aside from that, what other possibilities were there?

Vanessa soon noticed a specific detail.

She turned her head and gazed deeply at the maid.

“You just said there was nothing left inside?”

“Yes.”

The maid’s face turned pale as she quickly lowered her head.

Vanessa frowned and continued her questioning.

“What about the glass test tubes that held the Dragon Blood? And the wooden crate?”

“…”

The maid thought back for a moment and shook her head.

Vanessa turned to look at Emily, who was wearing a bored expression at the mention of Shu Yue.

“Emily, let us go see her.”

“Huh?”

Emily paused, then looked at Vanessa in surprise.

She truly did not understand what was so interesting about Shu Yue.

Had they not already met once before?

Vanessa gave her no chance to refuse, standing up and pulling her along.

“Let’s go. Don’t you want to call off the engagement with him? Then go talk to him privately now. Get him to give up on you voluntarily, and then the two of you can go speak to your father about it together.”

“…”

Emily hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stood up.

She truly did not want to become someone’s wife.

—

Shu Yue had just returned to the guild hall and found Anna, who had been waiting there for a long time.

Suddenly, two graceful figures entered her field of vision and walked straight toward her.

Their target was clearly her.

She recognized these two individuals: one was Vanessa, whom she had just met, and the other was her nominal fiancée.

Vanessa wore her usual gentle smile, maintaining her approachable demeanor.

This was the second time Emily had come face-to-face with Shu Yue.

As usual, she was full of hostility.

She even seemed reluctant as she walked over, looking at Shu Yue with utter loathing.

Shu Yue curled her lips.

She had no time to waste on them; she would rather go back and prepare for the evening’s events.

She turned around, preparing to take Anna and leave.

“Hey, you, stop right there!”

Seeing Shu Yue trying to avoid her only served to irritate Emily’s sensitive nerves.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“…”

Shu Yue remained silent, acting as if she had not heard a word.

She grabbed Anna’s wrist and began walking toward the guild’s exit.

This made Emily both anxious and angry.

She quickly stepped forward to block Shu Yue’s path.

Anna, meanwhile, sensed the tension.

After taking a look at Emily, a flash of inferiority crossed her eyes.

In her eyes, Emily was a young, noble lady who possessed everything Anna yearned for.

This caused Anna to unconsciously lower her head.

However, as she looked at Shu Yue still holding her wrist, Anna felt a sense of pride.

Her importance was clearly greater than that of this fiancée!

Anna had already guessed the identity of this noble lady.

She was the fiancée Liya White was supposed to marry.

Shu Yue had mentioned this matter to her…

The young lady blocked Shu Yue’s path, and the atmosphere suddenly plunged into a strange silence.

Shu Yue let out a light sigh and said, “My name is not ‘Hey.’ If you cannot even bring yourself to say my name, I will not have any communication with you.”

“You!”

Emily was incensed.

This was the first time in her life she had ever been treated this way.

She was the precious daughter of a Baron’s house and possessed the strongest talent among her peers.

No matter where she went, she was praised and flattered.

None of the people who flocked around her ever dared to speak to her with such blatant impatience as Shu Yue did.

Shu Yue showed no courtesy whatsoever; she didn’t even plan to put on an act.

‘I’m running away tomorrow, so why should I bother being polite to you?’

Shu Yue shot Emily a charming glare, not even realizing how feminine the gesture was.

“You what? Can you not speak clearly?”

“…”

Emily’s pretty face turned completely dark.

Her upbringing as a young lady prevented her from uttering foul language, but she was currently very, very angry.

She simply wanted to grab Shu Yue by the throat and force her to apologize.

‘You hateful person, you must give me a very sincere apology!’

Vanessa stood to the side, covering her mouth as she giggled.

She also noticed that Shu Yue’s behavior was a bit girlish, but she did not take it to heart.

After all, watching her best friend swell up with anger like a pufferfish was far more entertaining.

“Now, now, stop fighting. You two are going to be husband and wife in the future.”

“Who is husband and wife with him?”

Emily shrieked.

Her outburst drew the attention of the surrounding people, who looked on in shock.

So it was just a couple’s quarrel.

Shu Yue had not expected this young lady to be such an airhead.

‘Staying around someone like this will probably make me stupid too. I don’t want to become an idiot; I’d better run away quickly!’

Emily realized her slip of the tongue had revealed her relationship with Shu Yue to everyone.

She was immediately overcome with shame and indignation.

Her watery eyes glared at Shu Yue; she was now incredibly furious.

“You! Come with me. I have something to say to you!”

“My name is not ‘You.'”

“You…”

“My name is not ‘You.'”

“Fine. Liya White, I have something I need to say to you.”

“I’m not going.”

Shu Yue did not want to get overly involved with Emily.

Wealthy young ladies like her were the biggest source of trouble.

She could not let Emily ruin her perfectly good mood.

Emily was ready to explode.

She had followed Shu Yue’s demand and addressed him by name, yet he still refused to go.

Wasn’t he just making a fool out of her?

The red-faced girl took several heavy strides forward, reaching out to grab Shu Yue’s collar.

However, before she could move two steps, Vanessa blocked her.

Vanessa gently calmed Emily’s emotions.

“There, there, don’t be angry.”

While stopping Emily, she also turned to Shu Yue and said, “Master Liya seems very interested in Dragon Blood. I happen to know some information regarding other sources.”

“Where?”

At the mention of Dragon Blood, Shu Yue was instantly alert.