Provocation

After introducing both sides, Zhào Yù grew curious. Wanting to pry for information, he asked Duàn Yì how he had met Yuè'er in Daming County and how the two had become acquainted.

Duàn Yì looked troubled. It was not that there was anything unspeakable, but speaking of how he had met Helan Yue'er would inevitably involve Zhou Xiufen and Zhou Xiong. Thus, he remained silent.

Seeing that Duàn Yì was not speaking, Helan Yue'er seemed to recall something. Covering her mouth, she chuckled softly and gave a detailed account of everything that had happened before and after she met Duàn Yì that day.

In particular, she vividly reenacted the part where Zhou Xiufen wanted to snatch Duàn Yì away as her husband. Her tone and expression carried several shades of Zhou Xiufen's lovestruck foolishness.

Yet perhaps people truly were different. Zhou Xiufen's lovestruck manner only gave people headaches and disgust, while Helan Yue'er made hearts stir all the more. Zhào Yù and Ruan Dong's minds swayed involuntarily, and even Duàn Yì felt as though a cat's claws were scratching at his heart, restless and eager to move.

Hearing of such a strange affair as a woman snatching a man—especially when she was Zhou Xiong's sister—Leng Qingmei and Ruan Dong burst into laughter. Even Zhào Yù wore a strange expression, looking at Duàn Yì with a face full of sympathy.

"I have also had the fortune of meeting Zhou Xiong's sister once. She is indeed quite... well-fed. Who would have thought she would fall in love with Junior Brother Duàn at first sight? Junior Brother truly has remarkable charm."

Deep down, however, an idea began to take root in Zhào Yù's mind. Could he use Zhou Xiong and his sister to deal with Duàn Yì?

If he could bring about this marriage, then even if Helan Yue'er had feelings for Duàn Yì, she would surely give up sooner or later. Then his chance would come. The more he considered it, the more feasible it seemed. Once this busy stretch was over, he would begin making arrangements.

Duàn Yì had no idea that Senior Brother Zhào, who looked so sunny, frank, and handsome, was actually so sinister and wanted to push him into a pit of fire. If he knew, he would certainly curse him to his face, and might even strike back in anger.

Once the conversation opened up, everyone's relationship grew much closer. They joined together and headed toward the arena ahead.

Leaning close to Duàn Yì, Helan Yue'er bit her lip and whispered resentfully,

"That day, I kindly invited you to eat, yet you actually teased me and took advantage of me. What do you plan to do about this?"

When they had first met that day, Helan Yue'er had been rude and arrogant. Duàn Yì was a straightforward man, so naturally he had not indulged her. He had used the title of husband as an excuse to take advantage of her. Looking back, it really had been childish and improper.

"What happened that day was my fault. Duàn Yì apologizes to you here.

"Miss Yuè'er, you are so beautiful and broad-minded. Surely you will not hold it against me, right?"

Feeling the cold stares cast over from the two elders behind Yuè'er, Duàn Yì inconspicuously shifted to the side and gave a bitter smile.

She was only a little girl, with no great schemes in her heart. A few nice words and an apology should more or less settle the matter. Was she going to make him kneel and apologize to her?

"Hmph, I do not care about that. You took advantage of me and made me call you hus—call you that.

"So you must agree to one thing for me. Only then will I forgive you."

Helan Yue'er had nearly blurted out "husband," but remembering that others were nearby—and all of them had accomplished internal cultivation—she hurriedly covered her mouth, changed to a vague phrase, and made her demand.

She looked fierce, but her bright eyes were full of anticipation.

Duàn Yì was speechless. This was far too casual, was it not? Agree to anything she asked? What if she told him to kill himself?

Still, he knew that a child would not harbor such vicious intentions. He nodded and casually humored her.

Thinking that Duàn Yì had agreed, Helan Yue'er's little face blossomed into a smile. She was lovelier than any flower, and Zhào Yù and Ruan Dong, walking alongside them, stared blankly for a moment.

Yet it was precisely because of that smile that Zhào Yù and Ruan Dong became even more certain that this boy toy, Duàn Yì, posed far too great a threat. If this continued, would there be any place left beside Yuè'er for them to stand?

Though Zhào Yù was young, he was deeply calculating and rational enough to control his outward reactions. He said nothing.

Ruan Dong, however, was merely a youth in the throes of adolescence. Seeing the girl he fancied give another man such a sweet and bashful smile, his anger and jealousy flared up at once. How could he endure it? He said coldly,

"Martial Uncle Bái is known as the Golden Cauldron Sect's foremost expert. His martial arts are exceptional, and he roams Hebei unhindered. I wonder how much of Martial Uncle's bearing you have learned, Duàn Yì? I am very curious."

Strictly speaking, Duàn Yì was not a member of the Golden Cauldron Sect, so Ruan Dong directly addressed him by name. The hostility in his tone was so obvious that anyone could taste it.

Zhào Yù frowned, seeming greatly displeased by Ruan Dong's hostility. Yet inwardly, he gave the boy a thumbs-up. Well done. Keep confronting him like that. Let Yuè'er see what it meant to be gold and jade on the outside, rotten cotton within.

Zhào Yù understood Ruan Dong's little thoughts perfectly, but he did not take him seriously at all, much less regard him as a rival. Still, if the boy could put his remaining heat to use and make Duàn Yì lose face, that would not be bad.

Of course, another thought arose in Zhào Yù's mind. He intended to egg Ruan Dong on into testing Duàn Yì's martial arts, to verify whether the martial arts Duàn Yì practiced had anything to do with the Invincible Treasure Codex and thereby complete the task Qū Dōng Liú had assigned him.

Leng Qingmei, who had remained quiet all along, changed expression and shot Ruan Dong a severe glare.

"Junior Brother, do not speak nonsense. You know that Junior Brother Duàn only came up the mountain recently. Even if he has trained martial arts under Martial Uncle Bái, he has only been polishing his foundation. How can you use this to strike at his confidence?"

One had to know that, aside from those who encountered extraordinary opportunities, most people practiced martial arts step by step. Someone like Duàn Yì, who had only practiced for a few days, was at most a little stronger than an ordinary person. His progress would not be obvious.

This was especially true of the path of Qi Nourishing, which tested one's patience and aptitude most severely.

Once someone suffered a blow, it was easy for them to lose confidence, and then lose their motivation to practice martial arts.

As one of the few female disciples in the Golden Cauldron Sect, and the personal disciple of Vice Sect Master Liu Zhiwei, Leng Qingmei usually seemed gentle and soft-spoken. But once she put on a stern face, she was quite imposing. Ruan Dong shrank his neck, unwilling yet not daring to talk back.

"Junior Sister Leng, that is not right. What you speak of applies to mediocre people. Those new to martial arts naturally cannot bear much praise, but Junior Brother Duàn is different. In just a few days, he has already succeeded in Qi Nourishing and caught a first glimpse of the mysteries of internal cultivation. How could ordinary people compare?

"In my view, Junior Brother Duàn possesses extraordinary aptitude, a steady character, and wisdom. He has fully inherited the bearing Martial Uncle Bái possessed in his youth. I wonder whether Senior An and Senior Qiu agree with this junior's words?"

Seeing Ruan Dong crushed into silence by just a few words from Leng Qingmei, Zhào Yù cursed him as useless inwardly. At the same time, he narrowed his eyes as though he were indignant that Leng Qingmei had underestimated Duàn Yì, and sought confirmation from Granny An and Eunuch Qiu, who had remained at Yuè'er's side.

Naturally, his intention was not truly to praise Duàn Yì, but to further provoke Ruan Dong.

"Zhào Yù is correct. I remember when I first met this boy Duàn in Daming County, he had only practiced one Capturing Hand technique and knew nothing whatsoever of internal breathing exercises. Yet now his inner qi has formed, and his breathing is methodical. Clearly, his progress has been rapid.

"This naturally requires instruction from a famous teacher like Bái Xī Wén, but his own aptitude and comprehension must also be rare. He deserves to be called an outstanding talent. Girl Leng, you have underestimated him."

Eunuch Qiu had already admired Duàn Yì's skills and decisiveness. Now that Zhào Yù had asked, he did not spare his praise. Clearly, he too cherished talent, and these were his sincere words.

"The old man is right, Ruan Dong. You pride yourself on having decent martial arts.

"Yet in internal cultivation alone, you have been on the mountain for three years, and your current realm is merely equal to his. Only your true qi is slightly stronger."

If Eunuch Qiu had merely spoken according to objective facts, then Granny An seemed to be raising Duàn Yì up by stepping on Ruan Dong. Who knew whether she disliked Ruan Dong or thought Duàn Yì had been having too easy a time and wanted to find him some trouble.

Her words plainly told everyone that Duàn Yì's efforts over several days equaled Ruan Dong's bitter cultivation over three years.

The greater a genius Duàn Yì was, the more stupid and dull Ruan Dong appeared.

Though Granny An was a senior of the martial world and unfathomably profound, hearing such an evaluation so suddenly still made the young Ruan Dong flush crimson with rage. His eyes seemed to spit fire, and every heavy breath he drew brimmed with indignation.

Yet he did not dare target Granny An. He could only vent his anger on Duàn Yì.

"If that is the case, Duàn Yì, do you dare fight me? Let me see just how impressive you, this martial arts prodigy, truly are."