Capital City Storms — Humiliation (1)

"Rou." I murmured her name as if in a dream. In an instant, I snapped out of my daze and returned to my usual refined demeanor. "Miss Yuwen, long time no see. Have you been well these past days?"

Yuwen Rou had stayed at home since childhood, with nothing to do but read. What she loved most were the romance novels about women that circulated among high society. Having read countless books, she understood many things and had matured early. While other girls were mischievous and played about, she worried over the fates of the women in her books. Though she was only ten years old now, what she did and thought was already much like that of an eighteen-year-old girl. She already understood what love was!

Yuwen Rou looked at Zhang Xingfeng before her—the boy she had always worried about, the boy who seemed not to care about anything, the boy who had failed to come to school for two weeks after term began, the boy who had been cast out of his family yet still lived with relish, the boy she had thought about for two whole weeks...

Yuwen Rou could not explain what she was feeling at that moment. Was it joy at seeing him? Or resentment that he had vanished for two weeks without a word? Yet she understood in her heart that she could never truly be angry with him. She would simply wait for him in silence, no matter how long it took.

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Zhang. Yuwen Rou has been doing quite well these past days." Yuwen Rou returned to her usual tranquil elegance. No one would have believed that she was the one who had first cried out the boy's name, "Zhang Xingfeng." She had simply been too happy just then, and had involuntarily called out what was in her heart.

How could Yuwen Rou have known that Zhang Xingfeng had also involuntarily called out "Rou" just now? But it had been little more than a dreamlike murmur—how could a girl like Yuwen Rou, who knew no martial arts at all, possibly have heard it? At this moment, Yuwen Rou still did not know that Zhang Xingfeng, too, had fallen deeply in love with her.

I smiled. "Miss Yuwen, let's not stand here foolishly. Let's go in together!"

Yun'er, Yuwen Rou's maid, knew very well what place Zhang Xingfeng held in her young lady's heart. She was furious at Zhang Xingfeng's complete lack of romantic sensitivity, but what could she, a mere maid, do?

I walked along the stone path leading to the little island beside the girl I loved. Looking out over the boundless lake, with the fragrance of plum blossoms rushing toward us, my mood improved greatly.

"Miss Yuwen, what a pleasure to meet you here. Isn't this Young Master Zhang, Zhang Xingfeng, who disappeared for two weeks? You came to school today too. Do you know how long I've been thinking about you? Why did you leave without even saying goodbye? Did you not consider me a friend?"

I turned around. Li Tianxiang, the man I loathed, had appeared before me again. With my Spiritual Sense now much stronger than before, I saw through that false smile of his with ease. This hypocrite was deliberately trying to damage the relationship between Rou and me. Wasn't he making Rou think I did not consider her a good friend? I secretly glanced toward Rou. Her eyes had already reddened. How despicable, I cursed inwardly.

But that was all I could think in my heart. If I wanted to achieve anything great in business, I could not offend the powerful Li Family.

I suppressed the anger in my heart and put on a smiling face, speaking as though deeply moved. "Young Master Li cares so much about me. This humble younger brother is truly honored beyond measure. I am deeply touched."

Seeing how moved I appeared, Li Tianxiang hated me all the more. You cast-off brat, today I saw you with my Rou again. Flattering me now is useless. If I don't make you wish you were dead today, then I, Li Tianxiang, am not the heir of the Li Family.

Yet appearances still had to be maintained. Li Tianxiang continued chatting nonsense with me as though we were brothers who had not met in ages, while Yuwen Rou was delighted to see us getting along so harmoniously. For a time, the three of us seemed very friendly and congenial.

After passing through the gate of the little island, Wang Er saw me again. This time, though, he was secretly delighted. I said that kid was from some prominent family. Aren't those beside him Young Master Li and Miss Yuwen?

The moment I approached him, he immediately greeted the three of us and even gave me an especially fawning smile.

We could not be bothered with such a minor figure. The three of us headed straight for the classroom Rou was going to.

Yuwen Rou and I entered a classroom together, and Li Tianxiang came in with us as well. It seemed this fellow had some thoughts about Yuwen Rou too. How could I possibly lose to someone like you? Fight me, and you are doomed to lose! A mysterious smile appeared at the corner of my lips.

The seats were unassigned, so the three of us sat in the same row.

"Today, we will learn about true combat sparring. I hope everyone will cherish this opportunity. After nearly two weeks of theoretical instruction, I hope you have all improved!" A middle-aged man announced loudly from the platform.

Not bad. This man actually possessed the strength of a Third Rank expert. It seemed the Emperor had invested heavily in the National Martial Academy.

I also wanted to see how they taught here.

"Let's all go together. Opportunities like this are rare!" Li Tianxiang urged Rou and me from the side. I could not help finding it strange. How had the dignified eldest young master of the Li Family become so fond of joining the excitement? Still, I could not refuse over such a minor doubt and risk offending Li Tianxiang.

Yuwen Rou had never liked things such as wielding spears and swinging staffs, but Li Tianxiang had already suggested it, and "he" had not refused either, so she went with them to have a look.

Since neither Rou nor I objected, it naturally followed that we would go watch.

Most of my attention was on Rou, and I failed to notice the chilling smile at the corner of Li Tianxiang's mouth.

"Now, I would like to invite two students to come up and spar for everyone. I will explain the mistakes they make during the match, so that you may understand what practical combat experience is and recognize its importance! Which two students would be willing to come up and give everyone a demonstration?" The middle-aged teacher said to us with a smile.

I nodded inwardly. Only those who had experienced real battle could understand the importance of practical combat experience. This truly was a good method. The teachers here were indeed highly capable.

Li Tianxiang was the first to leap forward, landing on the grass at the front. Turning back to the students around him, he said, "Everyone, Tianxiang will make a fool of himself first. Young Master Zhang, let us give everyone a demonstration!" With that, he looked at me.

When I saw him go up, I had wanted to watch a good show. Who would have thought that he would call me out directly? Should I go up or not?

From the corner of my eye, I saw Rou beside me looking forward to my taking the field. A surge of impulse rose within me. With my martial arts, what did I have to fear?

With a flying leap, I swept onto the grass like a great roc spreading its wings, drawing wave after wave of cheers.

Yuwen Rou watched the boy she loved, so outstanding beneath everyone's gaze, her face flushed red. Her heart was stirred, and she wished even more to see his performance.

Li Tianxiang saw me receive such applause, then saw that his Rou seemed to have already developed feelings for this brat. He sneered inwardly. Keep being proud. Let's see how much longer you can stay proud. Later, don't blame me—who told you to keep fighting me for what is mine?

"Young Master Zhang, please!" Li Tianxiang clasped his hands in salute and politely gestured for me to begin.

"Young Master Li, please!" I could not be discourteous either, so I immediately returned the salute.

Li Tianxiang's hands moved along marvelous trajectories, forming an opening stance.

An expert. The moment I saw it, I knew. Though this fellow was only at the Sixth Rank, his martial arts were undoubtedly exceptionally sophisticated. But before me, what did that amount to?

I raised my hand at a steady speed. A faint breeze stirred. As my hand swept through the air, it froze in an instant—without the slightest warning, without slowing at all, it went directly from steady motion to stillness.

Li Tianxiang was startled, and immediately began to take the boy before him seriously.

A battle was about to begin. Everyone around them sensed that this match seemed to be more than a simple sparring contest, but who would say it aloud? Every person widened their eyes and watched the battle!