Chapter 381.1: A Couple’s Reality
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Azurixa] [Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]
O R A N G E S T A R
[Fazzienaz] [K.Rom] [Manon] [Smurfinbatik] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Chlaudette P.] [Gwyneth T.] [Leticia P.] [Mel Melz] [Passerby] [Xena]
G O L D S T A R
[Cindy] [Debra W] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Nevy] [Nicole]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Allie] [Amanda] [Kiiayame] [kuroneko_chan] [Liznel M.] [Peggy F.]
T H E S U N
[Caroline] [Haruka N.] [Hong] [Lily J.] [Malinkat]
[Michelle K.] [onepiece] [Reece P.]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
Gu Jiao learned from Ning Wang that the top three fighters in the underground arena had the qualification to go to the State of Yan for a competition and could even bring people along with them.
Gu Jiao was aware of the relationship between the State of Zhao and the State of Yan. The State of Yan was the superior state, and even the Emperor of the State of Zhao couldn't easily go there without the consent of the State of Yan. However, a small underground martial arts arena had the capability to send experts to the State of Yan.
In name, it was for a martial arts competition, but in reality, it was an opportunity to recruit experts from other countries.
Such martial arts arenas existed in all six states. The methods used by the State of Yan were indeed quite straightforward and crude.
Ning Wang said, "The first and second ranked fighters haven't appeared for many years, so there's no chance to challenge them. The third ranked expert has only recently joined the underground arena."
Ning Wang's intention was obvious. Gu Jiao only needed to defeat the third ranked fighter.
"I believe in the skills of Young Hero Heaven." Ning Wang said.
However, Gu Jiao didn't believe that he had said these words to her alone. She feared that they were casting a wide net and focusing on cultivating someone.
Additionally, Gu Jiao gleaned another piece of information from their conversation, which was that Ning Wang wanted to go to the State of Yan.
"What do you think, Young Hero Heaven?" Ning Wang asked.
Gu Jiao glanced at the incense on the table, stood up suddenly, and gestured with her eyes, indicating that the time was up.
"...!!" Ning Wang almost choked on his words.
After Gu Jiao left, the guards at the door looked around vigilantly and then returned to report to Ning Wang, "Your Highness, someone was watching us nearby just now."
"Have they left?" Ning Wang asked.
"They have." The guard nodded.
Ning Wang's gaze dimmed slightly, "Were you able to see who it was?"
The guard shook his head. "I didn't get a clear look at his face, but his figure felt somewhat familiar. He seemed to be someone from the Crown Prince's side."
Ning Wang picked up his teacup, "So, the Crown Prince has also come?"
The guard's expression tightened, "Could it be... Has the Crown Prince discovered us?"
Ning Wang wasn't worried at all. He calmly took a sip of tea and said, "Even if he has discovered us, it doesn't matter. He has no evidence. Be more careful next time and don't let anyone tail us."
"Yes!" The guard replied.
Meanwhile, the servant circled around Ning Wang's room but found nothing. Then, he inquired with the gatekeeper before returning to report to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, "This servant has arrived late; that person had already left."
"Gone?" The Crown Prince frowned, looking displeased.
The Crown Princess asked, "Did you find out who he was? Who invited him just now?"
The servant truthfully relayed the information he had gathered, "His name is Heaven Dominator, and this servant doesn’t know who invited him. He stayed in the room to the east."
Following his finger, the Crown Princess glanced in that direction and noticed a gourd hanging from the door of the room, realizing that the person's identity was not ordinary.
The Crown Prince asked curiously, "How can someone have such an unpleasant name?"
"It should be an alias." The servant replied. "Nobody here uses their real names."
The Crown Princess paused for a moment and then said, "Go and find out who brought this Heaven Dominator here."
"Yes!" The servant agreed and left the room.
The Crown Princess sighed, lowered her gaze, and lifted the teacup.
The Crown Prince looked at her affectionately and said, "Linlang, don't be upset. He's just a newcomer among the experts. Even without him, there are others. I'll make sure to bring you to the State of Yan to meet Old Master Meng."
The Crown Princess lowered her eyes and said, "Your Highness, am I being selfish? I am the Crown Princess of the State of Zhao, and I already have so much. Why do I still long to meet Old Master Meng?"
The Crown Prince replied earnestly, "How can that be considered selfish? It's only right for you to meet Old Master Meng. You have deciphered Old Master Meng's chess games. If he finds out, he will surely appreciate you. The State of Yan hasn't replied yet, and I suspect the message hasn't reached Old Master Meng's hands. Once we go to the State of Yan and meet him, everything will be resolved. I know you want to be a disciple of Old Master Meng, and I will help you to make that happen."
The Crown Princess's eyes glistened with tears as she said, "My desire to go to the State of Yan isn’t just to meet Old Master Meng. I also want to see the culture of the State of Yan, understand what this leading nation is like, and learn from the State of Yan's ruler's governance. Then, after I return, I will be able to better assist Your Highness."
The Crown Prince was moved and said, "Linglang, you are truly wonderful."
The Crown Princess replied with a smile, "Your Highness, you are my husband. It's what I should do. Earlier, when I heard about that young hero, I thought this Heaven Dominator is talented and has great potential."
The Crown Prince replied, "Since you say so, then I will go and invite him properly!"
The Crown Princess spoke in earnest, "Young martial artists in the martial world are inevitably filled with spirit. It's possible for them to be a bit reckless and impetuous in their youth. Your Highness, please remember to treat others with respect and never let an incident like what happened with Binu occur again.”
At the mention of that incident, a trace of unease flashed within the Crown Prince's eyes.
Binu was a powerful Turkic expert who was incredibly strong and agile. He ranked thirty-ninth on the leaderboard. The Crown Princess had asked the Crown Prince to win him over, but instead, he responded to the Crown Prince with some arrogant words. As a result, the Crown Prince accused him of disrespect and punished him severely.
The incident occurred outside the underground arena, so the underground arena itself didn't interfere. However, the Turkic expert spread the word, causing them to lose several talented individuals who disapproved of the Crown Prince's actions.
The Crown Prince cleared his throat and said, "Don't worry, this time I won't use my status to suppress the other party. I will calmly and peacefully talk to him."
Gu Jiao was unaware that she had caught someone else's attention again.
It was still early, not yet time for Little Jing Kong to finish school. After leaving Narcissus Embroidery House, Gu Jiao went back to the medical hall.
She entered through the back door, making sure no one saw her.
In her own small courtyard, she took off her mask, freshened up, and changed into her regular clothes.
Just as she finished, a commotion could be heard outside the courtyard.
"Why did you bump into me!"
... It was a girl's voice.
"Who bumped into you?! It was clearly you who bumped into me!"
Now it was a man’s voice, and it sounded somewhat familiar, like... Gu Chengfeng's.
"Hornet!"
"Barrel!"
Indeed, Gu Chengfeng, who came to buy hair tonic for his brother, and Yuan Tong, who accompanied her sister for treatment, had run into each other.
This encounter was like a needle tip against a wheat awn.
Yuan Tong widened her eyes and said, "You intentionally bumped into me! I can't believe you, a grown man, is so small-minded that you would bully women!"
Gu Chengfeng raised his right foot angrily and exclaimed, "Who bullied you! Look at my shoe! It was clearly you who stepped on me! I haven’t said anything yet, but you’re accusing me of bumping into you!? You’re being unreasonable!"
Yuan Tong took a closer look and indeed found a shoe print on it. Her eyes flickered, and she stammered, "Wh-who asked you to not pay attention to where you're walking?"
References
1. — a Chinese idiom used to describe a situation where a small or insignificant entity or force confronts a much larger or more powerful one.Raz P.'s Thoughts
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