"Very well, Young Master Chu. How about I perform a sword dance for you?" A tall figure squeezed in front of Feng Yao, shielding her from view.
This person was none other than Feng Xiaoyao.
Feng Xiaoyao naturally protected Feng Yao behind him. Though he did not know why his cousin had caught Eldest Young Master Chu's eye, his cousin already had a Dao companion. Nothing could possibly happen between her and Eldest Young Master Chu.
Still, he was from the outer city, and within Haiyuan City, he had to give Chu Yun some face. He could not openly oppose him.
Of course, it was not because Feng Xiaoyao could not defeat Chu Yun. It was merely that Feng Xiaoyao had to give the Chu Family face.
While Feng Xiaoyao and Chu Yun wrangled with each other, below the pavilion, one man among the group clenched his fists tightly. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared up at the pavilion, two hoarse, low words rasping from his throat.
"Chu Yun!"
His bearing was as if he wanted to devour someone alive.
"Brother Li! Don't act rashly!" Standing beside Li Quan was Zhang Maoxi. Zhang Maoxi held Li Quan down firmly, his own brows slightly furrowed as he looked toward the pavilion.
He had merely brought his juniors to attend the poetry gathering, yet something like this had happened. Though Li Quan was not one of his subordinates, he was still part of the escort agency. Now Eldest Young Master Chu actually harbored such thoughts toward Li Quan's Dao companion.
Should he intervene? If he did, it would likely offend Chu Yun, which went against his original purpose of attending the poetry gathering and making friends.
But if he did not intervene, someone was eyeing a disciple of his own faction's Dao companion like this. That was equally hard to justify.
Zhang Maoxi was instantly caught in a dilemma.
Meanwhile, a graceful figure at the side stepped forward with a sword in hand.
Above the pavilion, Chu Yun occasionally raised his jade fan to cover his face. His expression was mild as he ignored Feng Xiaoyao and looked at Feng Yao, greed gleaming in his eyes.
This petite type was exactly his favorite! Especially since this girl was a Late Qi and Blood Stage martial artist—such ones were even harder to find.
Though she was also a disciple of the Fengxing Family, the Fengxing Family's influence did not reach Haiyuan City at all. Even if he did something, the Fengxing Family would be utterly unable to deal with him.
Within Haiyuan City, women who met such conditions were generally descendants of powerful factions, making them difficult for Chu Yun to get his hands on. But Feng Yao was different.
Only Feng Xiaoyao was somewhat of a nuisance. Still, he had already arranged for people to act. When the time came, everyone around Feng Yao would be lured away, and no one would be able to hinder him.
Just as Chu Yun was about to say something, a crisp and pleasant voice rang out below.
"Young Master Chu, Beichuan Wan has recently made some breakthroughs in her swordsmanship. Allow me to make a fool of myself!" Looking over, they saw a beautiful woman in a blue ruqun glide across the water and land in the open pavilion at the center of the small lake.
This pavilion stood at the very heart of the garden and was the most eye-catching spot. There was no better place to dance with a sword.
Beichuan Wan swept Chu Yun a glance, her eyes calm and unruffled. Then her longsword began to dance, as graceful and extraordinary as a phoenix spreading its wings.
Quite a few young masters were instantly entranced. Those who had not clearly heard Beichuan Wan announce her name began asking around.
Oh, Beichuan Wan? Then never mind.
Everyone knew that Beichuan Wan was the young mistress of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, and Zhang Maoxi of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency had feelings for her. Many were unwilling to make an enemy of Zhang Maoxi.
Above the pavilion, gratitude appeared in Feng Yao's eyes as she silently thanked Beichuan Wan for coming to her rescue.
Chu Yun, on the other hand, was rather irritated. He had wanted to use sword dancing as a pretext to dance with Feng Yao and take advantage of her.
Still, there was no need to rush.
Chu Yun looked down into the grounds. Enhanced by her beautiful sword technique, Beichuan Wan's figure appeared even more supple and graceful. Even someone like Chu Yun, who was interested only in petite women, could not help but praise her.
"As expected of the Phoenix Cry Sword Technique of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency. As expected of Miss Beichuan."
Hearing Chu Yun's words, Zhang Maoxi suddenly cast him a wary glance. What did he mean by that?
"So beautiful! Is this the Phoenix Cry Sword Technique?"
"Miss Beichuan's mastery of the sword is truly profound."
"This is not even Miss Beichuan's true standard! Last time, Miss Beichuan displayed a sword technique at the major accomplishment level!"
"But it seems she still could not defeat that person whose reputation has recently soared..."
"Why bring that up? I'll dance with my sword!"
"My family's inherited Four Seas Sword Technique is quite pleasing to watch as well."
"Can I dance with a saber? Hahaha!"
Beichuan Wan had single-handedly stirred up the atmosphere across the entire venue. The garden suddenly became lively and bustling.
"Then I'll bring my younger cousin to dance with our swords as well!" Feng Xiaoyao's expression relaxed. Naturally taking Feng Yao with him, he arrived atop the lake, using qi and blood to increase the pressure beneath his feet against the water's surface, and began dancing with swords upon the lake.
Feng Xiaoyao and Feng Yao were not the only ones doing this. Quite a few people had already begun dancing with swords on the lake.
For a time, in the beautiful garden and atop the small lake, countless young masters and lovely ladies danced lightly over the water, as though immortals were dancing upon the lake.
The scene instantly became ethereal and dreamlike, yet Chu Yun's gaze was not on the immortal-like beauty of the lake. Instead, he kept staring at petite Feng Yao, his eyes filled with greed, lust, and other emotions.
After finishing her sword dance, Beichuan Wan slightly cupped her hands toward Eldest Young Master Chu before returning to shore. Someone else immediately took her place and began dancing with a sword.
"Wanwan... you're so beautiful..." Upon returning to the group, Beichuan Wan frowned at once. Zhang Maoxi was staring at her with the lecherous expression of a pig.
Beichuan Wan gave a soft snort and ignored him, instead turning her gaze toward Chu Yun on the platform.
When Chu Yun saw Beichuan Wan looking his way, his expression relaxed and returned to normal.
Chu Yun was not in a good mood right now, but this was not his only opportunity.
The Fengxing Family held little influence in Haiyuan City. Would it not be as easy as turning over his hand for him to control an ordinary female disciple of the Fengxing Family?
If Feng Yao had been a direct daughter of the Fengxing Family, Chu Yun would have exercised some restraint. But Feng Yao was merely from a collateral branch.
The Fengxing Family would not make trouble for him, the eldest young master of the Chu Family, Haiyuan City's foremost Lineage, over Feng Yao.
With that thought, Chu Yun suddenly became patient.
He quietly watched the sword dances on the lake, occasionally offering praise. On the surface, everything appeared harmonious and joyful.
But since it was a poetry gathering, poetry naturally had to be recited.
Once the sword dances had mostly ended, Chu Yun said, "It is the season of autumn, when chrysanthemums bloom in splendid abundance. Why don't we compose poems on the subject of chrysanthemums?"
"Excellent!"
"Very good. I happen to have composed an outstanding poem a few days ago."
"Poetry again? Sword dancing is better. I know absolutely nothing about composing poems."
"I'll go first. My poem is simply titled 'Chrysanthemum'..."
With the lively atmosphere created by the sword dances, the poetic recitations naturally became just as animated. Everyone composed poems to the best of their ability.
Those present were all descendants of great families or disciples of other major factions. Their foundations were deep. Though not everyone could compose poetry, there were truly quite a few who could.
One talented man or woman after another recited poems. Those seated below who did not understand poetry cheered regardless of whether the poems were good or bad, and the atmosphere did not cool.
Things also became lively around Feng Xiaoyao.
"Young Master Feng, I have long heard of your literary reputation. Might you compose a poem for this humble woman?"
"Ah, this...?"
"Come with me, this humble woman. Let's compose poems over there. Several of my sisters also wish to witness the great talent of Young Master Feng!"
The coquettish pleas of several beauties made Feng Xiaoyao blush furiously. For a moment, he had no idea what to do.
Chu Yun took this chance to approach Feng Yao.
"Miss Feng, I recently acquired an excellent spear. I have heard that your family's Wild Wind Spear Technique is also quite remarkable. Would Miss Feng be willing to admire this long spear with me?"
While everyone's attention was scattered, Chu Yun actually came to Feng Yao's side. At some point, a one-man-long sandalwood box had appeared in the hands of his attendant.
Chu Yun spoke gently to Feng Yao, yet his hand tightly gripped her delicate hand.
Feng Yao panicked and tried to break free, but there was nothing she could do.
"Enough! Chu Yun! I want you dead!" A furious roar interrupted the poetry of the talented men and women.