Chapter 82: A Joking Remark

"What?" Shock was all she felt. Arola could hardly believe her ears. "You said... you'll send me back to the Orc Kingdom?"

"Yes." Xu Feng nodded. "It's such a long journey, and there are no merchant caravans. How could I let you, a girl, travel alone?"

Arola fell silent, her heart filled with emotion. Just moments ago, she had indeed considered going alone, but Xu Feng had seen right through her. Not only did he not try to dissuade her, but he was even willing to accompany her.

What a thoughtful guy. Unconsciously, her fondness for him grew—love, after all, is a gradual process.

"Thank you!"

"Alright, the young princess I know is quite feisty. When did she become so coy? What's gotten into her?"

Despite his affection, Xu Feng loved to bicker with this girl, deliberately teasing her. As expected, Arola's pretty face darkened instantly, and she glared fiercely at Xu Feng. This jerk! "You're annoying! Who says I'm feisty?"

"No? But I seem to remember you being quite fiery. Are you worried you won't find a husband, so you're reinventing yourself to be gentle?"

This joke went a bit too far. The young princess blushed and immediately chased after Xu Feng to hit him. They began their journey, bantering and bickering playfully as they went, yet compared to before, there seemed to be an added intimacy.

Setting out from Victoria Town, the road was relatively smooth at first. However, after three days, it grew increasingly rough. The relationship between humans and the Orc Kingdom was far from harmonious; historically, conflicts had been constant. Although things had been relatively quiet lately, friction still cropped up now and then.

The Empire stationed a massive legion at the border—three hundred thousand cavalry, ever-vigilant. This was the Northern Legion. The Legion Commander of the Northern Legion was an extraordinary figure—not only had he married the empire's only elder princess, but he was also one of the three Grand Dukes!

*Powerful and influential* was the most fitting description. And Duke Assur's personality was also quite hot-headed. Perhaps due to his military background, he was a stickler for principles—or, to put it less kindly, he was inflexible.

Further along, they would soon enter the Northern Legion's territory. On this stretch, they actually encountered quite a few human merchant caravans. It was strange, very strange, but after asking around a bit, they understood.

As the saying goes, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Due to conflicts with the Behemoth King's subordinates, the border between the two kingdoms had been temporarily closed. As a result, specialties from the Orc Kingdom became extremely scarce, and prices had multiplied several times over. Driven by immense profits, some bold merchants thought of smuggling.

However, the situation wasn't as optimistic as they had imagined. Although the merchants who dared to do this certainly had backing, the Northern Legion recognized no kin. Merchants attempting to cross were all captured by patrols and severely punished according to imperial law.

The merchants complained bitterly, and their patrons were at a loss too. That the patrols dared to act this way was undoubtedly authorized by the Legion Commander. And Assur was not only high-ranking and noble, commanding a powerful army, but also a royal in-law. Although his actions offended many, those nobles could do nothing about it and had to swallow their losses.

Of course, many were undeterred, and each day, numerous merchant caravans still lingered near the border.

"What should we do?"

The young princess looked worried. She hadn't expected the journey home to be so complicated.

Xu Feng was also stumped. This Duke was notoriously inflexible in noble circles. Not only did Xu Feng have no acquaintance with him, but even with some connection, he might not let them pass. Should they just give up and return empty-handed? Xu Feng shook his head—he hated nothing more than giving up halfway.

"Don't worry, tomorrow we'll sneak across the border."

"But... I heard there are many patrols."

"I know." Xu Feng smiled slightly. "There are only two of us, not like a merchant caravan with a large target. If we're careful, we shouldn't be discovered."

"Alright." The young princess gave Xu Feng a long, deep look, deeply moved. Knowing how difficult it was, he was still willing to take this risk for her.

"Then get some rest early. We need to get up very early tomorrow." With that, Xu Feng walked out of the room. They were currently staying at an inn.

"Brother Xu Feng."

"Hmm?" The young man stopped. "Is there something else?"

"Thank you."

"I said there's no need to be so polite. Besides..." A mischievous smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "A verbal thank you isn't sincere. If you're truly grateful, give me a kiss."

For some reason, Xu Feng loved teasing this girl. After saying this, he was already prepared to run, expecting Arola to be furious out of embarrassment.

However... things turned out differently than expected.

Two blushes crept onto the girl's face. She hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked over. Xu Feng had intended to escape, but the young princess's shy expression made him freeze. Could it be that this girl actually...

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. To be fair, Arola had a very strong personality, but at this moment, she was no different from any shy young girl.

When she reached Xu Feng, she didn't even dare to look up, just stared at her own toes, her heart pounding like a startled deer, as if it might leap out of her chest.

The shyness of a young girl had its own unique charm. By now, the two were very close. Xu Feng could even smell the fragrance on the girl—an intoxicating scent.

Taking a deep breath, Arola finally looked up. Despite her shyness, her gaze no longer wavered... She truly was a girl with a strong will.

She stretched out her jade-like arms, wrapped them around the young man's neck, leaned in, and offered her sweet kiss. Poor young princess, born into nobility, when had she ever experienced something like this? She was so nervous her delicate body trembled.

Her soft cherry lips pressed against his cheek, her breath as fragrant as orchids. Although Xu Feng had dallied among flowers since crossing over, at this moment, he almost lost control. Clenching his fists, he warned himself inwardly: Don't be impatient. With a girl like this, you should gradually win her heart step by step. Being too eager would ruin things.

God only knows what willpower Xu Feng used to refrain from taking liberties with the young princess. With gentlemanly grace, he returned to his own room.

Lying on the cold bed, Xu Feng slowly calmed his heart through meditation. Everything was developing according to his expectations. Given Arola's noble status, if it were merely out of gratitude, she would never have kissed him. It meant that in her heart...

To be honest, Xu Feng's approach would seem very strange in the eyes of other nobles. If he wanted that Snake Clan girl, he could just use force. Why go through so much trouble? But as a Transmigrant, Xu Feng understood that love was far more than just physical desire. Mutual affection was the highest ideal. Besides, although this journey had its hardships, the scenery was also beautiful. He could treat it as a trip.

As for the young princess, that night she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Thinking about her earlier actions, she realized how bold she had been, yet she didn't regret it. Back in her clan, everyone said humans were cunning and wicked, but this experience... Thinking of Xu Feng, who loved to provoke her yet genuinely cared for her, a smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

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