Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty! Chapter 1659 - 686: Seventeen, Number One Under Heaven That Year

Just like that, it wasn't until they left Doris' castle that Tian Qi finally stopped, then quietly said to Doris, "Lady Doris."

"Compared to Qiu Tu, we've been old friends for years after all. We've got more tacit understanding in many things."

"Now, we're both under Lady Zhao Ji's banner again. If there's any intelligence, let's share more, keep in touch more."

Hearing Tian Qi's words, Doris' enchanting eyes flowed brilliantly. She smiled faintly and nodded, agreeing to Tian Qi's alliance proposal.

But after nodding, she still took the initiative to ask, "But… Lord Tian Qi, did you truly come here this time to pledge yourself to Lady Zhao Ji?"

Her eyes shifted slightly, and then she first spoke about her own position, "Actually… at first I didn't know a thing about her past life. I was completely schemed by Qiu Tu into being forced onto their side."

"If I could choose again, I'd probably be more cautious."

"After all, you know. In the Boundless Heart Sea, I can't say I get everything my way, but keeping a peaceful corner for myself isn't a problem."

"Taking a risk this big, with so little benefit, really isn't worth it."

It was unclear if Doris' words moved Tian Qi, but his eyes flickered slightly, as if pondering how to respond.

However, it was obvious he wasn't a simple character either. Even though Doris acted with utmost sincerity, after only a moment, his gaze became resolute again.

With a serious expression, he looked at Doris and said, "Lady Doris, I'm not the same as you. I truly wish to stay by Lady Zhao Ji's side."

"I understand how you feel. But I must tell you, following Lady Zhao Ji isn't wrong."

Hearing Tian Qi's "sincere" words, Doris was stunned for a second, then her whole face bloomed with a smile, and there was a hint of playfulness in her eyes…

...

In the small meeting earlier, Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji had made additional arrangements for Tian Qi.

Since Tian Qi chose to join Zhao Ji, it couldn't just be empty words. He had to offer something to show his sincerity.

It just so happened that Qiu Tu needed to consolidate the Human Camp to boost his own power, so the mission assigned to Tian Qi was to arrange for the Fog Hidden Association to withdraw from the "Southwest Region" and hand it over to the Human Camp.

After that, Qiu Tu required Tian Qi to lead the Fog Hidden Association in assisting the Human Camp to control the Southwest Region, and also lobby the second Sanctuary to merge into the Human Camp, making Qiu Tu the true Master of Mankind.

So from now on, Tian Qi was about to get a lot busier.

After sending Tian Qi off, Doris watched his departing figure, her arms crossed over her ample chest, slender jade fingers playing with the ends of her hair, eyes glittering with thoughts no one could guess.

She stood lost in thought for a while, then snapped back and turned, walking lightly back into the castle.

When she returned, Qiu Tu and Zhao Ji had already finished their conversation.

Seeing Zhao Ji again, Doris no longer had that initial resentment in her gaze—only admiration and reverence remained.

Evidently, not just Tian Qi, she had also been one of Zhao Ji's fangirls back in those days…

Perhaps Zhao Ji noticed Doris's look. Her cold gaze fell on Doris, staying for a few moments. Then she finally said, "Your father...was a good man."

No one knew why, but those words made Doris's eyes instantly redden.

Seeing this, a trace of sadness flashed across Zhao Ji's normally impassive face. But, always awkward with words, she didn't say more—just nodded slightly, and vanished from the spot in a blink.

After Zhao Ji left, Doris bowed her head, brushing a tear from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand.

Only then did she look up again, forcing a smile onto her face. She looked to Qiu Tu and, with her voice a little hoarse, asked, "Where did Lady Zhao Ji go?"

Hearing Doris's question, Qiu Tu clasped his hands behind his back, smiled, and said, "She went to give certain shameless people… a little dignity."

Doris slowly imagined a question mark appearing above her head at Qiu Tu's words.

She shot Qiu Tu a look full of doubt. But Qiu Tu clearly had no intention of explaining—he just turned around and left.

Watching this, Doris was truly so annoyed her teeth itched.

She was, after all, "the most beautiful woman of four kingdoms." How many men had fallen at her feet?

According to her admirers, "loving her was as easy as breathing."

But with Qiu Tu, none of this worked!

Thinking back over the past two days, Doris realized Qiu Tu had been scheming against her from their first meeting.

This man had absolutely no interest in beauty. All his previous gestures were just a show, staged for the different intelligence organizations to see.

Maybe because for centuries, Doris had been held up and adored by countless people, suddenly encountering someone like Qiu Tu—someone who played by his own rules—sparked a fierce desire to win in her heart.

She refused to believe it: mere Qiu Tu could escape from the palm of her hand?!

What's more, she hadn't come unprepared.

With this in mind, Doris didn't chase after Qiu Tu, but said behind him with a smirk, "Isn't Speaker Qiu curious what Tian Qi really wants?"

Sure enough, this grabbed Qiu Tu's attention.

His steps halted sharply, and he turned to look at Doris.

Doris stood there alluringly, her face covered with a bright smile…

.....

At the very same time, as Qiu Tu and Doris began sparring with words once more…