Fuyao almost jumped up.
'Liar! Liar!
Who told you to lie regardless of the occasion, time, place, and place!
Her first instinct was to rush out and find a rake to beat him up.
Her second instinct was that he was not calm enough to give others an opportunity to subdue him without a fight.
Her third instinct was that silence was the greatest form of disdain. Disregard it.
Thus, she turned her head and looked straight ahead. With a solemn face, she followed the crowd and bowed to the hall, forgetting whether she should kneel to Zhan Nancheng or not.
Zhan Nancheng's expression did not look too good. After all, Gu Lingfeng, who was the most likely to win the tournament, had been mysteriously eliminated. Only one of the remaining contestants had entered the top ten, so there was no hope for him to be the champion. However, he still maintained the graceful bearing of a great emperor. He smiled and introduced Zhangsun Wuji personally. "Prince Zhaoxu of Wuji Nation favors you and traveled thousands of miles to preside over the final round of the Golden Palace Competition. My nation is honored."
Zhangsun Wuji bowed and smiled. "I'm incompetent. I'm just an arbitrator because I don't dare to disappoint Your Majesty."
Zhan Nancheng continued, "It's been hard on you, Prince. You've just arrived in Tiansha, but you've already come to preside over the competition. My nation has been impolite."
Zhangsun Wuji replied politely, "Of course, Your Majesty need not be so polite."
Both of them looked at each other and smiled. The commotion behind the screen became more intense. Beautiful hair and beautiful faces were squeezed together. The place was more like a palace than a martial arts arena.
Zhan Nancheng had a rather helpless look on his face. Of course, he didn't want the True Martial Arts Assembly to turn out like this. He could only blame Zhangsun Wuji for becoming famous too early and having too much prestige. He was a figure who had long been deified by the royal families of the various countries. There were already unofficial historical biographies of him being sung by scholars and poets in the streets. These ladies of the royal family, in their long and lonely lives, mostly relied on reading his biographies and daydreaming to pass the time of boredom. Now that he had finally come to this world, these women had already turned the heavens upside down. They ran to the imperial palace day and night to ask for his help, just to have a look at him.
Zhan Nancheng felt a little awkward seeing the women making a ruckus. He cleared his throat and changed the topic on purpose. "General Meng from your country is indeed a young hero. The battle three days ago shook the entire capital. Wuji Nation is indeed a place of great talent. I am envious of you."
Zhangsun Wuji glanced at the expressionless Meng Fuyao and paused for a moment before replying, "It's the fortune of my country."
Meng Fuyao rubbed her arms and pretended to brush off goosebumps. 'Lucky, lucky my ass. Just looking at you makes me feel so unlucky.'
Zhangsun Wuji smiled and actually reached out from afar, inconspicuously making a gesture of picking up goosebumps. Meng Fuyao glared at him. She really felt that this person was a devil. He was thick-skinned and black-hearted, killing people for their belongings and beheading them with a flying sword from 3,000 miles away.
She took a step back and retreated behind Yun Hen. She rubbed her nose, not intending to confront that devil. Yun Hen tilted his head slightly to look at her and then at Zhangsun Wuji. He did not know about the entanglement between Zhangsun Wuji and Meng Fuyao. He only felt that something was wrong with Meng Fuyao the moment she entered the palace. Someone as bold and unbridled as her actually showed an expression of uneasiness … Was it because of Crown Prince Zhao Xu?
Yun Hen's eyes dimmed, but Meng Fuyao hid behind him. His eyes flashed, revealing a hint of a smile.
The last round was still presided over by Zhan Beiheng. He first read out the name list. The remaining ten were: Meng Fuyao, Yun Hen, Yan Jingchen, Ya Lanzhu, Chang Tao from Xuanyuan, Wei Shanrui from Shangyuan, Tantai Yu from Taiyuan, Shen Ming from Tiansha, Tang Yizhong from Xuanji, and Ba Gu from Fufeng.
Only after reading the name list did she realize that something was wrong. Why was Yan Jingchen not here?
It was not easy to get through all the difficulties to reach the Golden Palace Competition, the last round of the True Martial Arts Meet. How could anyone be absent?
Zhan Beiheng frowned slightly and whispered a few words to the servant beside him, instructing him to summon Yan Jingchen. The servant hurried down the steps and bumped into a reporting eunuch. The eunuch hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Taiyuan Madam Yan requests an audience."
Pei Yuan? What was she doing here? Meng Fuyao frowned. Hadn't she embarrassed herself enough yesterday?
Zhan Nancheng was taken aback. "Summon."
A drawn-out voice rang out, and everyone turned their heads to look. The sunlight had washed the long white marble steps in front of the main hall, making them look like pear blossoms and snow. The woman walked in the light with her head held high. Her eyes were still red, and her long shadow was plated on the dark red bronze door bit by bit. She seemed to be a little thin, but her back was straight.
Meng Fuyao looked at her eyes, which were exposed through the veil, and her heart trembled slightly. This woman's eyes were full of death, like a pool of blood. It was quiet, but strangely threatening. Pei Yuan did not look at anyone.
After bowing, she did not even get up. She prostrated on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, my husband Jingchen is not feeling well at night and can no longer participate in the True Martial Arts Meet. But since my husband and I have come from afar to Tiansha, we do not wish to leave without a fight. Since I share the same body as my husband, please fight on my husband's behalf!"
"Ridiculous!" Zhan Nancheng rejected immediately. "The one who obtained the right to compete in the Golden Hall of the True Martial Arts Meet is Jingchen, not you, Madam Yan. If you fight on his behalf, how will it be fair to the other losers?"
"I merely did not participate in the fight for the championship." Pei Yuan raised her head. "What Jingchen did, I can too!"
Zhan Nancheng was stunned and looked at Zhan Beiheng. Zhan Beiheng said, "There is a precedent for a wife to fight on her husband's behalf. After all, Jingchen lost the chance to compete for no reason. It is not fair to him."
Zhan Nancheng pondered for a while. His expression had already softened. He smiled and asked Zhangsun Wuji, "The Crown Prince is the judge of the meet. It is better for you to decide."
Meng Fuyao wrinkled her nose. 'What a pair of treacherous foxes. You have already made your stance clear. What else can Zhangsun Wuji say?'
Zhangsun Wuji looked at Pei Yuan and said after a while, "Madam, you think that you have the strength to qualify. I dare not refute you, but words are not proof. To convince the heroes of the world, strength is the key."
Pei Yuan immediately said, "Crown Prince, please pick any one of the ten to compete with me! If I lose, I will plead guilty for disturbing the Emperor! "
"That's good." Zhangsun Wuji smiled. He looked at the ten people and smiled at Meng Fuyao.
Meng Fuyao thought that he was going to point at her so that she could chase Pei Yuan out of the hall. She immediately rolled up her sleeves and got ready to beat Pei Yuan up. Unexpectedly, Zhangsun Wuji's gaze slid over her and smiled at Ya Lanzhu. "Sorry to trouble you, Princess Ya."
Ya Lanzhu was startled. She then smiled and said, "Alright. Anyway, I have a bye this round. With one less fight, I can practice my punches and kicks."
She walked over unhurriedly, blew on her fist, and waved her hand with a smile. "Come on."
Pei Yuan's back was facing Meng Fuyao, so she could not see her expression. Instead, she realized that Ya Lanzhu, who was standing opposite her, still looked innocent and lively. However, the expression in her eyes was no longer the same. She stared into Pei Yuan's eyes, which were dark and sparkling like colored glass.
'Pei Yuan … Is there something wrong?'
Meng Fuyao suddenly felt that there was a deeper meaning behind Zhangsun Wuji's actions of forcing Pei Yuan to voluntarily challenge him and pointing at Ya Lanzhu. Did he notice something?
She looked over in confusion, but a clear shout rang out in the hall. Colorful and red lights danced in the air. Pei Yuan and Ya Lanzhu were already fighting.
The moment Ya Lanzhu made her move, Meng Fuyao knew that she was not lying. Although her skills were not as good as Yan Jingchen's, she was more familiar with the Vigorous Thunder Technique than him. Her swordsmanship was in no way inferior to his. Only God knew how she had advanced to such a level in a short year. Moreover, it was obvious that her true force was the same as Yan Jingchen's — they both learned from Yan Sha. Meng Fuyao felt that this couple was a complete mystery. How did they get married? Was it Yan Sha or Yan Jingchen who taught her true qi? They looked so strange. Was there a secret behind their union? How did Yan Sha allow Yan Jingchen to marry her?
She was deep in thought while paying attention to the battle. Ya Lanzhu was from the Fufeng Royal Family, and that country had countless secret techniques, so her martial arts foundation was very good. This was especially so after chasing Zhan Beiye for so many years. She had developed a powerful qinggong, and when she flew, she was like a beautiful rainbow, dazzling to the point of dizziness. She also used a pair of strange and exquisite weapons, which looked like two copper cups. From time to time, they would make clear or ear-piercing sounds. The sounds were all over the place, and the colors were all over the place, making people feel dizzy wherever they went.
Pei Yuan, on the other hand, was different. She used her sword in a standard manner. Every strike of her sword carried smoke and the sound of wind and thunder. The air flow was thick and heavy, and she deliberately used her true force to suppress Ya Lanzhu's agile and disruptive tactics. It had to be said that this method was very effective. The butterfly-like Ya Lanzhu gradually slowed down. She had no choice but to meet force with force. Their weapons clashed from time to time, producing clanging sounds.
After one hundred and twenty-seven moves, the standard battle situation finally changed. Ya Lanzhu's true force was not exhausted, but Pei Yuan seemed to be unable to keep up. After all, her martial arts had been destroyed. No matter how hard she tried, she could not catch up to Ya Lanzhu, who had an excellent foundation. Her eyes turned cold as she watched her colorful sleeves flutter like a rainbow.
Suddenly, she shook her sword slightly.
There was still smoke within the sword light, but the smoke had suddenly changed. It had changed from its original light grey to light black, and there was also a faint fishy smell. She shot out her sword with a sneer, aiming straight for Ya Lanzhu's face. All of her attacks were only aimed at Ya Lanzhu's face.
Ya Lanzhu habitually turned her head to the side to evade, but the tip of the sword suddenly exploded. An extremely small black bead burst out from the smoke, aiming straight for Ya Lanzhu's ear.
The angle was extremely strange. Her heart skipped a beat, and she vaguely felt that something was wrong. Then, she saw the black bead suddenly stretch out, revealing an even smaller claw!
It was alive!
What was that thing?
It was as fast as a shooting star. What would happen if it shot into Ya Lanzhu's ear?
Meng Fuyao almost jumped up, but then she saw Ya Lanzhu's half-twisted body suddenly turn around.
The black claw in the air actually turned around and chased after Ya Lanzhu relentlessly. However, Ya Lanzhu actually spun herself 360 degrees, as if she had no bones. This time, she was once again facing Pei Yuan. Then, she suddenly raised her copper goblet.
The goblet suddenly opened a slit, and a wisp of red light flashed in the gap. The happily flying black claw trembled, and then, as if it was being sucked in, it was slowly pulled into the gap.
With Meng Fuyao's eyesight, she could see that the black claw was desperately struggling in the air, trying to break free. However, no matter how hard it tried, it could not resist the red object in Ya Lanzhu's strange weapon. Finally, it was sucked into the gap.
Pei Yuan's sword immediately slowed down. She was clearly only missing a black bead, but her face suddenly turned gray. Ya Lanzhu giggled and said, "You're playing this in front of the ancestor of venomous insects? You're so cute, Big Sister. "
She then knocked the two goblets together and happily said, "Little Bao has snacks to eat again!"
Meng Fuyao suddenly understood. No wonder the pair of goblets felt strange and familiar. They were actually goblets used to rear venomous insects! Zhangsun Wuji must have noticed that something was wrong with Pei Yuan. Afraid that she would play tricks in the hall, he simply pointed at Ya Lanzhu, who was from the Fufeng royal family.
Who else could be more adept than Ya Lanzhu, who was from one of the three great sorcerer tribes of Fufeng?
Pei Yuan retreated with her sword. Ya Lanzhu put away the goblets and walked back. Halfway, Pei Yuan suddenly slid forward and, without a word, stabbed her in the back!
Halfway, Ya Lanzhu felt the wind behind her tighten. She looked up and saw Pei Yuan's figure looming over her head. She hurriedly raised her hand to block.
With a clang, Ya Lanzhu's goblets flew out of her hands. Pei Yuan's sword, however, was already slashing at the top of her skull!
A shadow flashed, and a light purple light flashed.
The light, which was originally in the hall, suddenly appeared in the hall. It was a cloud, a ray of light, a breath as light as the wind, a feather falling from the peak of a divine mountain, or a flying cloud floating above the Nine Heavens. In an instant, it soared into the sky and traversed the mortal world.
The light flew over, scattered, and condensed into a tall, jade-like light purple figure. With a lift of his finger, he lifted the tip of Pei Yuan's sword.
Pei Yuan tried her best to slash down, but she could not. She wanted to withdraw her sword, but she could not.
Zhangsun Wuji smiled and gently pulled out Pei Yuan's sword, saying, "Madam Yan, you can stop now."
His words were calm and dignified. The ruthless Pei Yuan opened her mouth, but did not dare to speak. Behind the screen, there was another gasp. Meng Fuyao furrowed her brows. She was filled with anger towards Pei Yuan. She could hear the chattering, "No, I'm going to faint …" "Ah … as quiet as a virgin, and as agile as a rabbit … the disposition of a deity …" She could not help but curse, "Showoff!"
That person turned around and smiled. Then, she whispered, "Fuyao, you're the prettiest when you're jealous."
Meng Fuyao sucked in a breath, shut her mouth, and took three steps back. Someone was thick-skinned, so scolding him was useless. She could only scold him in her heart, and that was it.
At that moment, Zhan Beiheng came over and said, "Princess Ya's weapon has landed. Madam Yan wins."
With a bang, Meng Fuyao's little universe exploded.
There really was no most shameless, only more shameless.
She took a step forward and stared at Zhan Beiheng curiously. "Your Highness, the people of Tiansha Nation are really noble and unafraid of hardship. How admirable."
Zhan Beiheng stared at her warily. "What do you mean, General Meng?"
"You sent a letter from thousands of miles away to invite the Wuji Crown Prince to come to Tiansha to preside over the True Martial Arts Meet's Golden Palace Competition, but you couldn't bear to see the Crown Prince work so hard. You always take the lead. Your painstaking efforts are so touching that I'm about to cry …" She looked up at Zhangsun Wuji and asked innocently, "Crown Prince, are you about to cry?"
Zhangsun Wuji raised his long eyelashes and looked at her deeply. His eyes were half-smiling, and he did not look at the embarrassed Zhan Beiheng. After a while, he answered, "General Meng, you always know my heart."
'Know your hair,' Meng Fuyao cursed in her heart, but she smiled like a flower and said humbly, "Occasionally, just occasionally."
The corner of Zhan Beiheng's mouth twitched. He did not know whether to laugh or blame her. He just stood there awkwardly. Zhan Nancheng saw that this was not going to be a problem, so he quickly tried to smooth things over. "Beiheng, you've been too rash. The Crown Prince should naturally preside over the arbitration."
"It's alright," Zhangsun Wuji said leisurely as he walked back. "Prince Heng is wise, and everyone knows it. Of course, he's not wrong."
Pei Yuan looked up in surprise. Zhangsun Wuji continued, "Madam Yan did not admit defeat and attacked again. Although it's against morality, it's within reason. But Madam Yan's weapon was also struck down by Princess Ya. In this case, the two of them are even."
Pei Yuan's face turned pale. In today's Zhen Wu Champion Battle, Zhangsun Wuji seemed to be lenient, but his casual judgment of "although it's against morality" would definitely spread throughout the world. From now on, she would never be able to roam the Jianghu again.
Meng Fuyao was indignant and wanted to kick Pei Yuan out. But then she saw Pei Yuan staring at her coldly from the corner of her eyes, and Ya Lanzhu glaring at Pei Yuan with her teeth itching, looking as if she wanted to skin her alive. She suddenly realized that in the last round of battle, Ya Lanzhu would definitely not be in the mood to fight for the championship. She would definitely pester Pei Yuan endlessly, and Pei Yuan would definitely not have the chance to do anything bad to her. In that case, Meng Fuyao would have virtually eliminated two formidable opponents.
'Sigh, this scheming fellow is even scheming against Ya Lanzhu, whom she has a good relationship with. How shameless.'
= = =
Next up was the drawing of lots. Meng Fuyao against Tang Yizhong, Yun Hen against Ya Lanzhu, Pei Yuan against Shen Ming, Wei Shanrui against Tantai Yu, and Chang Tao against Ba Gu.
Meng Fuyao heaved a sigh of relief. She was in a dilemma. What should she do if she drew Yun Hen or Ya Lanzhu? Defeat them? Ya Lanzhu was fine. She was just playing around, so she would not feel too guilty if she defeated her. At most, she would just have to let down Zhangsun Wuji's painstaking arrangements. But Yun Hen, on the other hand, was a man who was about to make a name for himself. How could she have the heart to deprive him of such a precious opportunity?
Yun Hen against Ya Lanzhu, with an 80% chance of losing. That child loved to play around and was not as hardworking as Yun Hen, nor was she as experienced as Zhangsun Wuji. Otherwise, she would not have been ambushed by Pei Yuan from behind. Meng Fuyao sighed and glanced at Zhangsun Wuji. 'Are you playing tricks? Didn't Ya Lanzhu not make it to the final five? '
Zhangsun Wuji smiled leisurely, ignoring Meng Fuyao's provocation. He sipped his tea and chatted with Zhan Nancheng from time to time.
Meng Fuyao was furious. There were such people in this world who did not know how to write the word 'guilt'!
She lifted her sleeves and strode out. This time, she was the first to fight.
Tang Yizhong, who was unlucky enough to have drawn her, smiled bitterly and drew his swords. Before the battle began, he bowed and said, "Xuanji's Tang Yizhong requests to fight, General Meng."
He bowed politely. Meng Fuyao was about to return the gesture when she suddenly heard him say in a low voice, "I'm willing to admit defeat quickly to preserve General Meng's strength. Please show mercy, General Meng."
Meng Fuyao glanced at him with a smile that was not a smile. This guy was crafty. He saw that she was angry and wanted to find someone to beat him up, but he knew that he would not be able to win, so he preemptively came.
She bowed and replied in a low voice, "Don't worry, I only beat up those who deserve it."
The ones who deserved it were the ones sitting high up in the hall.
The two of them began to fight — it was really beautiful. The two swords danced like flowers, and the single saber swayed like a rainbow. It was just beautiful. In less than a hundred moves, Tang Yizhong jumped up thirty feet and threw himself down with his body wide open.
This kind of fighting stance, like an eagle hunting a rabbit in the sky, could only be used by the strong against the weak. Using this move against Meng Fuyao was equivalent to sending himself to the door, so Meng Fuyao could only accept it.
She sent Tang Yizhong flying with a kick.
Tang Yizhong somersaulted three times in the air in an exaggerated manner before falling to the ground. When he landed, his face was not red, and he was not out of breath. He 'threw away his sword in shame' and said loudly, "Admirable! Admirable! "
Meng Fuyao held back her laughter and returned the gesture. "You let me win, you let me win." She could not help but take another look at this average-looking guy. What a wonderful person, smart, open-minded, and interesting. If she went to Xuanji in the future, she could make friends with him.
In the hall, Zhan Nancheng applauded and said with a smile, "This is a wonderful fight." He then asked Zhangsun Wuji, "What do you think, Crown Prince?"
The royal family of the five continents were all experts in martial arts. Naturally, they could see that this fight was child's play. Zhangsun Wuji smiled faintly. "Very good. Brother Tang's strength is not weak. He could have lasted more than two hundred moves. It's rare that he is so indifferent."
Zhan Nancheng replied, "Oh?" Zhan Nancheng replied, "The Crown Prince is really sincere. I thought you would say something for General Meng."
"How would I dare to deceive you, Your Majesty?" Zhangsun Wuji stared at the green tea in his cup and smiled faintly.
"I heard that General Meng is very favored by the Crown Prince," Zhan Nancheng probed.
Zhangsun Wuji was quiet for a while before answering, "He is a handsome and outstanding man. Anyone in a superior position should love him."
"Oh … if General Meng wins the Zhenwu Competition, how does the Wuji Nation plan to reward him?"
"My country is very sorry that General Guo did not enter the top ten," Zhangsun Wuji said, "Otherwise, with General Guo's hundreds of military achievements, loyalty to the dynasty, and a very popular old general, if you can enter the top three of Zhenwu, the position of Jinwu Great General will be in your hands."
In other words, the Wuji Imperial Court had never considered giving a prestigious position to General Meng, who had no military merits and no qualifications.
Zhan Nancheng's eyes flashed. He had vaguely heard that General Meng was favored by the Crown Prince, but he was more like a boy toy. It was said that the Crown Prince often took him with him when he went out and didn't avoid others. And General Meng's position was also very worthy of consideration. That great merit of protecting the city and breaking the army, but it was not a real position, but an honorary title, which didn't match his merits. That merit also sounded illusory. Breaking into the military camp alone? Killing seven generals by himself? Being forced to commit suicide at the city gate? Hiding in the De King's army? How could such a heroic deed be done by this rascal? It was probably made up by Zhangsun Wuji in order to promote him.
Today in the Golden Hall, looking at the expressions of him and Zhangsun Wuji, there was something wrong. Thinking of the boy toy, Zhan Nancheng's eyes flashed. The more he looked at him, the more he felt that it was true. Zhangsun Wuji was not a person who liked to meddle in other people's business. Why did he accept the invitation of arbitration? Could it be that he was here for him? Looking at Zhangsun Wuji's expression, there was a hint of uneasiness in it, and it didn't seem fake. If he had purposely distanced himself from Meng Fuyao, Zhan Nancheng wouldn't dare to believe him. After all, Zhangsun Wuji's Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart was famous, and Zhan Nancheng only dared to believe his words. However, his subtle expression made Zhan Nancheng think a few more times.
He couldn't help but look at Meng Fuyao. She looked the same. Her expression seemed natural, but she seemed to be dissatisfied with Zhangsun Wuji. And she didn't seem to be acting. Could there really be a problem between the two? Was Meng Fuyao really as he had heard? Dissatisfied with her status as a boy toy, she came all the way to Tiansha to fight for another achievement?
Zhan Nancheng gently stroked his knee, sighing silently in his heart. Tiansha's military talents had withered, and Beiqi had mysteriously died in the Chang Han Mountains. Gu Lingfeng was now a silent and inanimate cripple. The two most outstanding generals had both been destroyed, and Zhan Beiye had yet to be captured. The existence of this younger brother was like a shadow that weighed heavily on the hearts of the Tiansha Imperial Family. He could vaguely feel the impending danger, but he was troubled by the lack of talents. If he had not been forced to do so, why would he have set his eyes on the generals of other countries?
He pressed his hand on his thigh, feeling a faint pain somewhere. He couldn't help but look at Zhan Beiheng coldly. That night at the Xihua Palace, the saddle with the hidden needles had made him suffer quite a bit. Even now, he was still receiving treatment every day. He was afraid that he would really be crippled because of this. Every time he thought about it, his anger would rise, and he couldn't help but tremble.
'That black-robed youth that night, if I ever find out who you are, I'll definitely cut you into pieces!'
= = =
In the hall, everyone was beating around the bush. The battle was still in full swing. Pei Yuan had already defeated Shen Ming, and next was Yun Hen against Ya Lanzhu.
Ya Lanzhu swung her braids and jumped into the arena, giggling. She hooked her finger at Yun Hen and said, "Fight well. Don't expect me to go easy on you."
Yun Hen smiled and glanced at Meng Fuyao as he got up. There was something strange in his eyes that made Meng Fuyao's heart skip a beat, but she didn't understand what it meant.
However, when the two of them started fighting, she gradually began to understand the meaning of his gaze.
Ya Lanzhu, who was flying around the arena like a colorful light, had excellent Qinggong and moves, but her inner strength was no match for Yun Hen's. Moreover, she had familiarized herself with Yun Hen over the past few days, so she naturally wouldn't use her venom. Thus, against Yun Hen, whose Qinggong and sword techniques were not weaker than hers, and whose inner strength was stronger than hers, there was naturally no way she could win.
However, that was not the case in the arena.
The seven-colored butterfly circled and danced in a beautiful trajectory, twining and twining around Yun Hen. Yun Hen's sword aura, which could have broken through the colorful fog in an instant, seemed to have dimmed. It dashed left and right in the fog, but the range of the greenish-white sword light became smaller and smaller. From the outside, one could see the rainbow-like colors gradually encircling the greenish-white, forcing it into the center.
'How could this be?' Yun Hen had indeed been injured in the third round, but fortunately, it wasn't a serious internal injury. After Zong Yue's recuperation, he had mostly recovered. 'How could he suddenly be so weak?
His spirit and Qi were worlds apart from his previous match. Where was his courage and perseverance? Didn't he come all the way to Tiansha to fight for the top three in Zhen Wu? '
After the 308th move, the colorful light faded and the green light faded. Ya Lanzhu held a short spear against Yun Hen's throat and laughed crisply. "You've lost."
Yun Hen smiled brightly and calmly. He withdrew his sword, bowed silently, and turned to leave.
Ya Lan Zhu stood in the middle of the field, looking at his silhouette. Her eyes were filled with admiration. She then glanced at Fuyao and curled up the corners of her lips into a smile.
That smile was envy.
Meng Fuyao fell silent.
She understood that look.
Abandonment and sacrifice.
The sacrifice a young man with great ambitions had made for her.
He had also seen through Zhangsun Wuji's intention of keeping Ya Lanzhu. He was worried that if he won, he might not be able to restrain Pei Yuan's sinister witchcraft. Therefore, he had given up his position in the top five to Ya Lanzhu, who possessed the Gu King.
The most promising contender for first place in Taiyuan, the young man who was destined to realize his highest value in front of all the martial artists in the world, had given up his dream of becoming one of the top five in Zhen Wu just for her safety.
Who knew how long he had been preparing for this opportunity? Who knew what would await him if he lost this chance?
Meng Fuyao pressed her fingers against her forehead, desperately trying to hold back her tears.
She had been too polite to Pei Yuan!
She should have killed her long ago!
= = =
In the last round, the depressed Meng Fuyao was thinking of being the first to go up and start a massacre. Unexpectedly, Zhangsun Wuji said to Zhan Nancheng, "Your Majesty, how about we postpone the last round to tomorrow?"
Zhan Nancheng frowned. "What do you mean, Crown Prince?"
"Most of you are exhausted after today's battle. I'm afraid you won't have enough strength to fight again." Zhangsun Wuji pointed at the empty air and smiled. "Especially Princess Ya and Madam Yan, who have both fought two rounds. It would be unfair for them to participate in the final battle for the top five now."
Zhan Nancheng muttered to himself. Zhangsun Wuji smiled. "Along the way, I've heard that the True Martial Arts Tournament strives for fairness. Even the lot boxes have been put in. I wouldn't dare to go against the rules of the tournament …"
"Alright," Zhan Nancheng answered immediately.
Meng Fuyao hid her hands in her sleeves and looked up at the sky. 'Fine, one day late. I'll kill you all the same.'
She could feel Pei Yuan's gaze. Intentionally or unintentionally, she looked over coldly. This woman was fated to be unable to coexist with her. The only thing she found strange was that the Yan couple knew her identity as a woman. Why didn't they tell the Zhan brothers? Yan Jingchen hadn't told her, but why hadn't Pei Yuan told her either? Or was she too conceited and thought that the secret was useless? She just wanted to kill her?
She snorted and strode out of the hall without looking back, ignoring the gaze that was glued to her back. 'Zhangsun Wuji, don't come looking for me tonight if you have the guts.'
It was a pity that her guts and someone else's guts were never the same thing …
= = =
That night, when Meng Fuyao was eating, she kept putting food into Yun Hen's bowl. "Come, eat, eat more." She kept piling food into Yun Hen's bowl, as if trying to make up for her guilt with the chicken, duck, and fish.
Yun Hen just ate calmly, eating as much as Meng Fuyao gave him. She suddenly remembered that Yun Hen didn't like to eat meat and rarely ate. There was no way he could eat so much greasy food.
Yet, he ate calmly because he didn't want to go against her good intentions.
Meng Fuyao put down her chopsticks and looked at his normal expression. He was still that cold young man with a calm and sharp temperament. He was like a bamboo standing alone in the autumn wind, not losing its luster because of the ups and downs of the world. It only extended its branches and leaves in one direction. The green leaves swayed and fell with the wind, but his mind was as calm as a clear abyss.
He wasn't disappointed or depressed. He didn't think that he had done her a good deed. He didn't think that giving up like that was a sacrifice. He didn't even try to comfort her. He knew that the more he did, the more guilty she would feel.
Her good intentions seemed to be useless and unnecessary to him.
The atmosphere at the dining table became gloomy. Ya Lanzhu put down her chopsticks and said unhappily, "I just won against Yun Hen by accident … He didn't do it on purpose …"
Meng Fuyao smiled and gave her a piece of Dongpo meat. "Yes, it's not your fault. Come and eat the meat."
"I'll puke if it's so fat," Ya Lanzhu rejected.
"That's good. You can puke on Pei Yuan tomorrow." Meng Fuyao shook her head and didn't reply. She saw Lord Ingot holding his stomach and squatting at the side, his eyes darting around. She couldn't help but be curious. "What's wrong, Haozi? Are you having your period? "
Lord Ingot raised his head and gave her a wretched smile.
Meng Fuyao was so shocked by that laugh that she had a bad premonition. Then, she heard Tie Cheng, who had just finished his meal, yell angrily from outside the room. "Whoosh!" A fierce gust of wind rolled up.
Everyone was startled, thinking that an enemy had come to attack. Zong Yue flicked his sleeve and a white light shot out.
When the white light shot out of the door, there was no movement. Even Tie Cheng's voice disappeared. Zong Yue raised his eyebrows. Yun Hen and Meng Fuyao had already stood up and rushed out.
Meng Fuyao was the first to rush out. She was originally close to the door. When she reached the threshold, she stuck her head out and took a look. She immediately took a step back and knocked Yun Hen back. She then slammed the door shut and bolted it. She even dragged a stool to the back of the door. She wasn't satisfied with the first stool, so she dragged another one, and then another. When she reached the third stool, she couldn't move it anymore.
There was someone sitting on it, dressed in a light purple robe with faint silver patterns.
Meng Fuyao's hand froze. She slowly moved her gaze up and saw the person sitting steadily. He smiled and looked down. "Fuyao, you're so considerate. You know I'm tired, so you helped me drag the stool."
Meng Fuyao looked into his eyes for half a second. Without another word, she drew her knife!
Her knife was as bright as the snow on the Firmament Divine Mountain and as fast as a shooting star in the sky above the Evergreen Temple. With one slash, the leg was broken!
The stool's leg was broken.
Four of the stool's legs were chopped off, leaving only the stool's surface. Meng Fuyao sheathed her knife and laughed. Sit! Sit! Sit!
Her laughter was suddenly stuck in her throat.
On the opposite side, as soon as the leg of the stool was chopped off, there was a flash of white light. Lord Ingot rolled over with a wooden block. He rolled right under the stool with the broken leg and firmly supported the stool.
…
'Damn it, traitors and lackeys are the most deserving of extinction in this world!'
Meng Fuyao clenched her teeth and sheathed her knife. She glanced at Zong Yue, who had a strange expression on his face, and Yun Hen, who was silently watching them. She could not afford to be entangled with this black-bellied ancestor. She kicked the door open and rushed to her room. "Zhangsun Wuji, don't follow me if you have the guts …"
"I wouldn't follow you if I didn't have the guts." Zhangsun Wuji followed behind her leisurely, carrying Ingot. "Fuyao …"
"Shut up!"
"Squeak, squeak!"
"Shut your beak!"
Lord Ingot felt wronged. It was clearly a rat's mouth, so how did it become a bird's mouth?
Meng Fuyao was about to kick open the door to her room when she suddenly felt that something was wrong. What was this? Inviting a wolf into the house? She suddenly turned around and leaned against the door. "If you have something to say, say it here!"
"Are you sure you want to say it here?" Zhangsun Wuji smiled and looked around. "Are you sure?"
Meng Fuyao raised her head in confusion. She grabbed the flower pot on the windowsill and threw it out. "Kill all peepers!"
With a bang, the flower pot smashed into the shadows behind the flowering trees in the courtyard. Chickens flew and dogs jumped, and the people ran like wolves.
After smashing the flower pot, Meng Fuyao clapped her hands and said, "Your Highness, if you have something to say, say it quickly so I can sleep. Also, don't ask me why I'm angry. Although you have your reasons for asking, let me remind you that the question will only make me angrier."
"I know the question will make you angrier." Zhangsun Wuji hugged Ingot and leaned against the tree. "Fuyao, I'm really glad that you can't hide your temper."
He paused and smiled meaningfully. "Thanks to your temper, I more or less feel that our pursuit, which seemed destined to be forever rejected, is not completely hopeless." Meng Fuyao laughed coldly.
"Yes, Your Highness, I admit that I'm angry, but I won't put on an act and say that I don't care while spitting out blood in front of others. But please don't be so narcissistic as to think that I'm angry because I'm in love with you. I just think that even if we're friends, it's not appropriate for us to swear with sincerity and hide the truth to benefit from both sides. That's a serious character problem, and I'm very angry!"
"Alright, I know you won't admit it." Zhangsun Wuji sighed helplessly and walked over. Meng Fuyao immediately jumped back. "Don't come any closer!"
The Crown Prince couldn't hear her.
Meng Fuyao jumped again. "If you come any closer, I'll break all ties with you —"
"Clang."
She tripped over the doorsill and fell backward. She was not afraid that the back of her head would make intimate contact with the ground, but she was afraid that someone would take the opportunity to make intimate contact with her.
She rolled even faster in an attempt to get out of this disadvantageous situation, but someone was always one step ahead of her. She felt her body stop, and suddenly, a hand appeared on her back. Once it occupied her position, it did not stop, and in an instant, it struck seven of her major acupoints.
Meng Fuyao looked up at the sky with tears in her eyes. 'God, you're helping the evildoer!'
Zhangsun Wuji picked her up and murmured, "Why are you so light now? Sometimes I really want to tie you to my side … "He calmly carried her into the house and calmly closed the door under the watchful eyes of some people.
The lights in the house were not lit, and Zhangsun Wuji did not light the lamps either. He gently placed Meng Fuyao on the bed, fetched some water, and carefully washed away her disguise under the moonlight. His gaze was as soft as silk, and his light purple brocade sleeves brushed against her cheeks. It was as smooth and soft as the spring breeze. His fingers holding the face cloth slowly wiped her forehead, eyes, cheeks, nose, and finally, her lips.
His fingers stopped at a certain spot on her upper lip. He pressed extremely gently, as if afraid of hurting her. Then, he let out a long sigh.
"Fuyao … You always make me worry …" he said.
Meng Fuyao could not be touched. Killing him with her gaze — hypocrite!
Zhangsun Wuji was indifferent to her gaze. After wiping her face, he went to wipe her hand to wash away the dark stain. When his fingers touched Fuyao's right little finger, he stopped again. Then, through the face cloth, he gently held onto the slightly deformed finger.
He held it for a long time, slightly raising his head, as if he wanted to deeply carve the outline of the slightly protruding joints into his heart through this long touch. The moonlight shone in faintly, his figure and aura in the shadows, quiet and slightly cold.
Then, he let go of the face cloth and used his other hand to feel Fuyao's pulse.
Meng Fuyao only felt the aura in her body tremble. A long and thick stream of genuine Qi flowed from her pulse and quickly flowed throughout her body, rushing towards her unhealed internal injuries. The path of the genuine Qi was extremely familiar. It was Zhangsun Wuji's internal Qi. She subconsciously wanted to raise her Qi to resist, but her vision suddenly went black.
Some unscrupulous person had made her fall asleep again.
When Meng Fuyao was mercifully awakened, she only saw the back of Zhangsun Wuji leaning against the bed and gazing at the moonlight. His long hair was loose, and his breath was lazy. When he heard her sit up, he did not even turn his head.
"Fuyao."
Meng Fuyao kept a straight face and did not reply.
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