Chapter 1617: 1617: Offering Myself (6)

Chapter 1617: Chapter 1617: Offering Myself (6)

“Big brother, I don’t need to…”

Gu Qingheng ignored Shadow Three and Shadow Six’s protests, instead turning his gaze to Xiaohei.

Xiaohei tilted its head and looked at the two injured companions, then let out two chirps before waddle-walking over.

Gu Qingheng placed Shadow Six onto Xiaohei’s back. “Hold on tight.”

“Big brother…” Gu Ning hugged Xiaohei’s neck but still seemed uneasy. “You should go first, I…”

“Let’s go.” Gu Qingheng didn’t hesitate, helping Shadow Three onto Xiaohei’s back as well. “Xiaohei, fly slower; they’re injured.”

Xiaohei let out another cry before taking off with a swoosh. In no time, it had disappeared from sight.

“I want to leave too!” Peng Jing suddenly shouted, pointing at Heihei. “You! Carry me out!”

Heihei couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge her and instead turned to waddle over to Gu Qingheng’s side. Her mate wasn’t around, the two snakes weren’t here either, so now she was fully committed to being protective of Gu Qingheng.

However, Xiaohei Jr., who earlier found its mother’s sand-flinging antics amusing, suddenly decided to flap its wings too.

As a result, Peng Jing found her mouth full of sand again. She looked at Gu Qingheng with a pitiful expression but only caught sight of his elegant back silhouette. Immediately, her frustration boiled over, but she was helpless to do anything.

Xiaohei Jr. was delighted, cheerfully chirping as it flapped its wings with even more fervor.

Left with no choice, Peng Jing turned her back and burst into tears.

Seeing that things had gone far enough, Gu Qingheng finally intervened, stopping Xiaohei Jr.’s little prank.

Having had its fill of fun, Xiaohei Jr. flew up into the skies, though even its cries carried an unmistakable smugness.

Peng Jing cast another aggrieved look toward Gu Qingheng, but he continued to ignore her entirely, instead commanding the group to continue moving forward. No matter how much resentment she bottled up, Peng Jing could only suppress it for now, planning her revenge for later once they returned. She was already scheming how she’d pluck every feather from these pesky birds.

Although Xiaohei and the others seemed fast in flight, the distance was still considerable. Everyone had to keep trekking, and it was clear they wouldn’t make it out before nightfall. They had no choice but to spend the night in the desert.

In the desert, the temperature difference between day and night was extreme.

Luckily, with a fire pit, their inner strength, and a ginseng root for each person to nibble on from time to time, the group didn’t struggle too much. Besides, Heihei and Xiaohei Jr. somehow caught a wild rabbit and a mountain goat from somewhere. Once roasted, they tasted surprisingly good.

Peng Jing glanced at the group, wrapped herself in a blanket, and shuffled over to Gu Qingheng, holding out a rabbit leg. “Gu Qingheng, here, eat this.”

Gu Qingheng didn’t even lift his eyelids, remaining seated with his eyes closed, resting.

Peng Jing didn’t give up. She scooted closer. “Gu Qingheng, you’re my savior; I must repay you.”

Suddenly, Gu Qingheng opened his eyes.

Startled, Peng Jing flinched but quickly regained her composure, breaking into a smile. “How about I offer myself to you? My status and looks would suit you perfectly…”

The people nearby couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of their mouths. They had seen shameless acts, like those of Li Mingyin, but this—this was on another level. Peng Jing was even worse than Li Mingyin.

“Not interested.” Gu Qingheng frowned at Peng Jing. “I’m already married.”

“But isn’t your wife just a village girl?” Peng Jing seemed indifferent, pressing on. “If you intend to climb the ranks, how can you manage without support? Forget my maternal family, the Wu Family; just look at the Peng Family—righteous and loyal through and through. Even the Emperor won’t overlook me or my brother. So marrying me brings only benefits, no drawbacks!”