"Your Highness Yuer, what happened?"
Originally, these twenty-four Palace Guards had thought something serious had occurred.
But after discovering that it was Xianhai Shuoyi who had been pinned firmly to the cliff by the young girl's oppressive aura, they were all somewhat bewildered.
After all, they knew very well that although Xianhai Shuoyi's status was humble, he had grown up alongside the young girl, and the two shared a very close relationship.
They had no idea what could have made the young girl so angry that she would treat Xianhai Shuoyi in such a manner.
But precisely because they knew that the young girl and Xianhai Shuoyi were normally on very good terms, even though they knew he had offended her, they did not move against him.
They all understood that given the special nature of their relationship, it was better for the young girl to handle this matter herself.
"Xianhai Shuoyi, there are some things I've wanted to say for a long time. Even though we grew up together and have been friends for many years..."
The young girl suddenly turned around, her expression solemn as she addressed Xianhai Shuoyi:
"But my feelings toward you are nothing more than what one would have for a brother. So please don't misunderstand the nature of our relationship."
"Furthermore, I've warned you before — no one is allowed to speak ill of the things I like."
"You want to know where this anklet came from? I'll tell you — it was a gift from a friend."
"That's right, it's merely an exotic weapon. But I like wearing it, and I won't allow anyone to speak ill of it."
Although her words were harsh, the young girl withdrew her oppressive aura.
Freed from the pressure of her aura, Xianhai Shuoyi was finally able to rise. He paid no attention to the dust on his body and instead addressed the young girl with deep remorse:
"Yuer, it's my fault. I shouldn't have run my mouth. As long as you like it, that's what matters. I'll never again..."
"There won't be a next time," the young girl said.
"What?" Xianhai Shuoyi froze for a moment, then asked, "Yuer, what... what do you mean?"
"All Palace Guards, heed my command!" the young girl suddenly called out in a commanding voice.
"The Palace Guards are here." The twenty-four powerful Palace Guards all dropped to one knee in unison.
"From this day forward, unless I personally summon him, Xianhai Shuoyi is not to be allowed into my residence at will," the young girl declared.
"As you command." The twenty-four Palace Guards responded in unison, their voices resounding powerfully across the sky.
Whoosh—
Having spoken, the young girl soared into the sky. Barefoot, she traversed the air with graceful steps.
Her movements appeared elegant and unhurried, yet her actual speed was extraordinarily fast — in the blink of an eye, she had vanished into the distant horizon.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Following close behind, the twenty-three remaining Palace Guards all soared into the air and gave chase.
Only one remained standing in place.
"Yuer, wait! Listen to my explanation — I really didn't mean anything by it!"
Seeing this, Xianhai Shuoyi panicked and hurriedly rose to give chase.
Ugh—
But at that very moment, a powerful force suddenly bound him and once again slammed him fiercely against the cliff.
It was the lone remaining Palace Guard who had struck — the very same middle-aged man who had previously allowed Xianhai Shuoyi to pass.
"Let me go! Let me go chase after Yuer!" Xianhai Shuoyi shouted anxiously.
"Have you no manners? That is Her Highness Yuer — how dare you address her by name?"
The middle-aged man rebuked him sternly, all traces of his earlier courtesy gone.
"Get out of my way! Who do you think you are to dare block me? Do you have any idea of my relationship with Yuer?"
"One word from me to Yuer, and you'll be stripped of your position as a Palace Guard immediately."
Xianhai Shuoyi was seething with fury. In that moment, he had lost all composure, torn away his mask of pretense, and blurted out what he truly wanted to say.
Slap slap—
Yet in that very instant, the middle-aged man raised his hand and delivered two slaps. Though struck from a distance through the air, the two slaps landed hard on Xianhai Shuoyi's face.
With those two slaps, the skin on both of Xianhai Shuoyi's cheeks split open, his once handsome face battered beyond recognition.
"You..." Xianhai Shuoyi stood there in a daze, somewhat at a loss. Only after confirming the searing pain on his face did he speak: "You dare hit me?"