Chapter Seventy-Two: The Princess Training Plan

After a dozen strikes, the princess’s fair skin was already covered in crimson handprints. At first, she had been howling in anguish, but now she no longer had the strength to speak. Tears streamed down her cheeks in silvery lines. After venting his anger with those blows, Chu Han looked at her pale little bottom and couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed. He had indeed gone too far. She was, after all, a noble princess, unaccustomed to such humiliation. Still, his temper had flared uncontrollably just moments before.

“Do you admit your mistake?”

Chu Han’s tone did not soften; if anything, it grew colder, striking terror into the princess’s heart.

“Yes, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have called you a lowborn.”

At last, the princess yielded, uncertain how much longer Chu Han would continue the punishment. If it went on, her poor bottom would be ruined. Though anger still burned inside her, she dared not utter another word. Seeing her submit, Chu Han nodded with satisfaction, helped her pull up her trousers, set her down, and released the pressure point that had bound her.

Regaining her freedom, the princess gingerly sat on the ground, but the pain forced a cry from her lips. Chu Han showed no intention of helping; she could only grit her teeth and lower herself with care.

“Remember this: without the people of Great Chu, there would be no Great Chu. Without Great Chu, you are nothing. That is not your license for arrogance. If you continue to behave so haughtily, I will show no mercy.”

Chu Han stood and issued his warning, raising his palm with a mocking smile. The princess quickly nodded, and Chu Han, satisfied, turned and sat on a stone.

It must be said, the princess’s little bottom had a rather nice feel. He grinned to himself, saying nothing, simply closing his eyes to rest.

“Hey, low—Chu Han, do you have anything to eat? I haven’t eaten in days. I’m starving to death!”

Seeing his relaxed demeanor made the princess grind her teeth in frustration, but she had no choice. She needed him to escape this cursed place and to exact revenge for his assault on her dignity. She knew when to yield; survival was paramount.

She almost called him a lowborn, but upon seeing the icy flash in Chu Han’s eyes, she quickly corrected herself. She had no doubt that if she persisted, he would torment her again without hesitation. For the sake of her already suffering bottom, she changed her address.

Chu Han nodded, then pulled a packet of rations from his spatial ring and tossed it to her. He’d brought these provisions with him and, given his current strength, could go days without eating. These were just emergency supplies, so there was plenty left.

At that moment, he felt the system in his mind stir again, ticking up to ten percent. He frowned; it seemed he’d need to resolve this system issue upon his return.

“Chu Han, how did you do that? How did food just appear in your hand? That’s amazing!”

The princess seemed to forget his earlier violence, her curiosity piqued by his sleight of hand. She stared at him, wide-eyed with wonder.

“It’s none of your concern. Eat and get some sleep. I’ll take you home tomorrow.”

Chu Han’s tone was cold as he closed his eyes once more. In truth, he was checking the system, searching for another way to suppress it.

But he was disappointed. It seemed only the power of lightning could pause the system; nothing else worked. The system had always been a thorn in his side, but for now, it hadn’t erupted. Moreover, its undying ability was still something he needed.

With this thought, he felt more at ease. There was no rush to solve the system problem now; he could wait until his strength grew. With the system, he need not fear outside threats. As long as he kept it paused, he would be fine.

Yet he would never forget the day in his past life when, as he was breaking through to Heavenly Venerable, the system—previously paused—suddenly shot to one hundred percent under the assault of the Ten Venerables. Before he reached that realm again, he had to deal with the system once and for all.

“Hmph, if you don’t want to say, fine. No need to be so fierce. I don’t care anyway.” The princess pouted, huffing as she sat and devoured the food. Though it was only dry rations, to someone who had gone hungry for days, it tasted no less than a rare delicacy.

Sated, the princess lay down and soon drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep—the most restful she’d had in a long time. Perhaps it was because, with Chu Han nearby, she no longer feared danger in her slumber.

The night passed quietly.

At dawn the next day, Chu Han bid farewell to Tos and Toma, then set out with the princess. He had no choice but to retrace his steps; he could no longer conceal his presence, not while escorting another person. All he could do was pray they wouldn’t encounter any powerful magical beasts.

The princess, for her part, was uncharacteristically obedient. She knew the journey would be perilous and her own strength was meager; she had to rely on Chu Han. If she angered him and he abandoned her, she would be doomed.

Neither spoke as they traveled, the atmosphere awkward and tense. Eventually, the princess plopped down on the ground, panting heavily.

“I’m not going any further! I need a break. I’m exhausted.”

Seeing her like this, Chu Han could only shake his head. Did she think this was a game? Rest was a luxury in Mangdang Mountain, where danger lurked everywhere. For all they knew, a magical beast might already be stalking them, waiting to strike.

“No rest. It’s too dangerous here. You’ll have all the time you want to rest when you’re dead. If you want to die, stay here.”

Chu Han’s tone was icy as his sharp eyes swept their surroundings, his intuition keen enough to sense any hidden threat. Finding none, he relaxed slightly.

“Don’t you know how to show any tenderness? I’m a princess! When have I ever suffered like this? If you won’t help me, fine, but you don’t have to be so heartless. I’ll have my father cut off your head for this!”

Her outrage barely concealed her exhaustion. Just then, Chu Han’s expression changed; he rushed over and clapped a hand over her mouth.

“Are you insane? Shouting like that in Mangdang Mountain? Do you want to draw every beast within earshot? If you bring them down on us, I won’t save you. I’ll look out for myself. Whether you live or die is none of my concern. Do you understand?”

His cold whisper in her ear sent a chill through her, as though the words came straight from the underworld. The princess shivered and dared not raise her voice again.

“Do you know who you’re talking to? Don’t think you can push me around. I have ways to let my master know I’m alive. If you don’t take me back, you’re dead. I’m not that easy to bully.”

She spoke softly, her eyes darting slyly. Chu Han saw through her bluff; if she really could contact Zhang Yinshan, she’d have done it already.

Watching her petulant defiance, Chu Han gave a cold laugh and hatched a plan. He would tame this princess thoroughly on the journey back, or she’d drive him mad. He decided to call it the Princess Discipline Project.