Nadia''s voice wasced with a mixture of fury and fear, "How dare you threaten me in my own kingdom and use my daughter as a pawn! I should be the one making you regreting here. But you are too foolish and ignorant just like all those years ago."


    Lucas still had a cold smile hanging on his lips as he scoffed, "If being a fool means to not let people lie and betray you, then I would rather remain a fool."


    But suddenly he snapped his head to the side, narrowly avoiding a surge of qi energy that whizzed past him. He pivoted swiftly to face the new threat, his eyes narrowing.


    A tall, handsome figure in armor charged into the scene, his expression a mix of concern and burning anger. "Don''t you dare touch my queen," he bellowed, his stance protective as he positioned himself between Nadia and Lucas.


    "Qiang!" Nadia eximed, her tone filled with surprise. "What are you doing here?"


    Qiang quickly bowed, his gaze never leaving Lucas. "Forgive me, my queen," he said, his voice softening as he addressed Nadia. "I was concerned for your safety and followed you. And it seems my fears were not unfounded."


    Lucas smirked, a cold gleam in his eyes. "Ah, the queen''s number one fuckboy arrives. I was nning to kill you, but I suppose a little punishment is in order first."


    Nadia''s cheeks flushed with anger, but before she could respond, Qiang seethed, "Enough, you ungrateful dog. Anyone who dares insult my queen does not deserve to live another moment." With those words, he lunged towards Lucas with incredible speed.


    Their sh was immediate and fierce, sending shockwaves throughout the already damaged pagoda. Qiang''s attacks were precise, fueled by his dedication to Nadia. Each strike he delivered was backed by the force of his unwavering loyalty, his sword moving in blinding arcs aimed at Lucas.Lucas, however, was no less skilled. His agility and mastery in closebat were evident as he parried and countered Qiang''s blows, his movements fluid and lethal. The two were locked in a deadly dance, their power resonating through the air, sending more debris flying from the crumbling structure.


    Nadia watched, her heart pounding with a mix of tension and determination. The battle before her was not just a sh of physical might but also a battle of past and present, of loyalty and betrayal.


    But she frowned upon seeing Qiang getting suppressed quickly and couldn''t believe Lucas managed to be this powerful within just 18 years. What happened to him after that day? She remembered how he had a severe problem with his dantian that prevented him from cultivating properly. Who cured him since a weak boy couldn''t have done it on his own.


    What was he doing all these years to be like this? Was he nning to destroy her all along?


    She wanted to join in and teach this bastard a lesson for trying to ruin her and her daughter''s life for his own sins and help Qiang. But her hand caressed her protruding belly, feeling worried for her unborn child since engaging in battle would be risky.


    Nadia''s voice rang out,ced with desperation and authority, "Lucas, stop this madness! Do you wish to die a dog''s death?" Her hands clenched into fists, trembling with the effort to control her rising anxiety.


    But her plea fell on deaf ears. Lucas, his face twisted into that of cruel satisfaction, continued his brutal assault on Qiang. Blow after blow, he battered the loyal protector, his fists relentless and unforgiving. Qiang''s face was soon swollen and bloodied, his breath ragged, his arms hanging limply at his sides.


    With a merciless grip, Lucas seized Qiang''s hair, tilting his head up to face Nadia. "Look at your queen," he sneered, his voice filled with disdain. "You pledged your loyalty, your life to her, and yet, she does nothing but stand there, concerned only for herself."


    "That''s not true!" Nadia retorted through gritted teeth, her heart pounding with fear and anger.


    Qiang, blood trickling from his mouth, red at Lucas with pure loathing. "You worthless scum... She is the queen," he spat, "and owes me nothing..."


    His eyes, filled with pain and unwavering devotion, shifted towards Nadia. Summoning his remaining strength, he gasped, "My queen... Please run... I''ll hold him off."


    With a sudden surge of energy, Qiang raised his arm in a desperate attempt to strike Lucas.


    But Lucas, unfazed, caught the feeble punch with ease. "You''re even more foolish than I thought, lover boy," he taunted, his voice cold and unfeeling.


    In a swift, brutal motion, Lucas twisted Qiang''s arm, snapping it. Qiang''s agonized howl filled the air, echoing through the damaged pagoda.


    Nadia''s face crumpled at the sound of Qiang''s pain. With a heart heavy with guilt and anger, she turned around to flee for she had to protect her unborn child. Lucas was far too strong and she wasn''t confident she could win, not without killing her child.


    Lucas moved with a speed and agility that seemed to defy thews of nature. In a blink, he was standing in front of Nadia, his hand shooting out to grip her neck with an irond hold.


    His face, only inches from hers, bore an expression of cold anger mixed with a twisted satisfaction.


    "Running from your fate, mother? How quaint," he taunted, his voice causing the temperature to drop, "Your loyal protector still awaits his due punishment. It would be rude to keep him waiting, wouldn''t it?"