Block or Not Block

Princess Olivia Gu's gaze immediately fell on the dignified man standing behind the Prime Minister.

But Chloe Zhu didn’t notice. She was mulling over what Princess Olivia had just said. Had she ever seen Evan Xiao in the Eastern Wilds Forest?

So, the story about Evan Xiao escorting her back—was that just Louis Lin making things up?

“Chloe Zhu, what are you doing here?” Princess Olivia called out to her again.

“Just following my dad out to broaden my horizons,” Chloe replied.

“Broaden your horizons? Are you going into the forest tomorrow?”

“Of course. Since I’m here, I might as well go,” Chloe said. “I heard the mountains are full of low-level spirit beasts. With guards and family around, it shouldn’t be dangerous.”

“Oh…” Princess Olivia nodded, looking distracted. “By the way, where’s your brother, Kevin Zhuo?”

Since Wendy Zhu is the Empress, Kevin Zhuo often goes to the palace.

“He came with the army,” Chloe said.

His rank isn’t high enough, so at times like these, he can only stand guard outside.

“Who’s the one standing behind your dad?” Princess Olivia finally got to the point.

Earlier, her maid told her that the one who saved her and brought her back was that very person.

Princess Olivia still remembered his scent—a fresh, grassy fragrance. It was really pleasant.

“That’s my eldest brother, Jason Zhuo,” Chloe said. “He rarely comes to the palace, so you probably haven’t met him.”

“Oh… your eldest brother…” Princess Olivia fell silent.

She’d also heard that the Prime Minister had adopted a child from a collateral branch, and he seemed even more impressive than Kevin Zhuo…

……

Soon, some people started sparring for entertainment.

All the participants were military officers.

Chloe spotted Kevin Zhuo—and Samuel Summers.

She didn’t recognize most of the others.

She wasn’t interested and just kept her head down, eating.

Suddenly, gasps erupted all around.

Who knows which deity she’d offended—Chloe looked up and saw a longsword, swift and fierce, shooting toward her like a meteor.

Damn, who did this?!

Chloe’s eyes widened. For a moment, she had no idea what to do.

Block it?

She’d have to reveal her cultivation.

Don’t block it… and just let it skewer her? Ouch, that’d hurt…

That thought flashed through her mind in an instant, and she quickly made her decision: Don’t block it.

Just dodge!

Judging by the sword’s trajectory, it was aimed straight at her heart.

If she just moved a little and raised her arm, it would pass right under her armpit.

That way, no one would suspect she was a spirit practitioner.

Plus, she was ninety percent sure she could pull it off.

So she let out a scream and pretended to be terrified, covering her mouth.

The sword was upon her in an instant.

But—it didn’t pass under her armpit.

Instead, it stopped right in front of her.

That wasn’t just any sword—it was a spirit weapon, glowing with faint blue light and wicked barbs lining both edges.

If that thing pierced flesh, you could only imagine the pain…

But why did it stop?

Chloe was still staring at the double-edged, barbed sword when—unexpectedly—it spun around and shot back even faster than before.

"Ah!" A scream of pain rang out.

Chloe looked to where the sword had gone—it was one of the two officers in the sparring match.

The sword had pierced his shoulder blade, leaving a bloody hole.

"Samuel Sun, what’s wrong with you!" Prime Minister Zhu exploded, sweating from fright. "Can’t even hold your weapon—why bother competing?"

“Prime Minister.” Samuel Sun clutched his wound, saying, “Weapons are blind in the arena. I swear I didn’t mean it. Please forgive me, sir.”