Face-Slapping

Qi Bei seemed to have fallen into a strange state, completely unaware of what was happening to him.

It was not until sunset that he suddenly came to his senses. Just like that, an entire day had passed.

Qi Bei scratched his head. When he tried to recall what had happened, he found his mind completely blank. It seemed he had merely closed his eyes, and the day had vanished.

"Mother, I'm leaving. I'll come see you again next time." Qi Bei spoke softly to the portrait on the tombstone. For some reason, the mother in the portrait made him feel even closer to her, as if his soul had accompanied this body from beginning to end, carrying on this body's bloodline.

Qi Bei walked out of the cemetery, the sunset's afterglow stretching his shadow long—long indeed.

The environment in the western outskirts of the Imperial Capital was quite pleasant, with green mountains and clear waters, birdsong and fragrant flowers.

At sunset, many noble youths came out in groups to enjoy the spring scenery. Qi Bei's solitary figure stood out sharply.

"Fifth Young Master."

"Fifth Young Master, good to see you."

Several noble young masters and ladies from relatively prominent families called out to Qi Bei one after another. After all, in the Imperial Capital's noble circles, there truly were not many who did not know Qi Bei.

Qi Bei gave a faint nod in response, ignoring the invitations from some of the noble youths. He did not want to return to the decadent noble life he had once lived.

His former soul had been muddleheaded and lost, but now he had dreams and aspirations. These would become the foundation on which he established himself in this world.

"Qi Bei, over here!" Just then, Qi Bei heard a clear, melodious voice calling out to him.

Qi Bei looked over and saw, beside a small river not far away, a group of noble young men and women in gorgeous clothes clustered around Princess Mingyue, Feng Ruoyun, and Feng Ruoyu like stars around the moon. The one calling out was Feng Ruoyu, who was waving excitedly at him.

Qi Bei had originally intended to wave and leave, but then he saw Princess Mingyue's delicate brows crease slightly. Clearly, she did not really want to see him.

Qi Bei suddenly changed his mind. With a faint smile, he walked toward them.

"You little rascal, you're getting impertinent again. Yesterday you still called me Brother Qi Bei, and today you're calling me by my name?" Qi Bei came up to Feng Ruoyu and flicked her on the nose.

"Annoying." Feng Ruoyu slapped his hand away and stamped her little foot coquettishly.

The intimacy between them deepened the coldness in Princess Mingyue's eyes, while a trace of unease flashed through Feng Ruoyun's heart.

"Sister-in-law, you look beautiful today." Qi Bei smiled at Feng Ruoyun.

"Thank you." Feng Ruoyun calmly accepted Qi Bei's address and compliment in front of everyone, making the expressions of several noble youths who still harbored even the slightest hope turn ugly.

In the upper circles of the Golden Leaf Dynasty, Feng Ruoyun's reputation was no lower than Princess Mingyue's. It was said that, in the Feng Family's struggle to contain the Goths in the south, Feng Ruoyun was one of the masterminds behind the scenes.

Naturally, she had countless admirers.

At that moment, Qi Bei's gaze met Princess Mingyue's, carrying an aggression that was difficult to detect. Princess Mingyue, however, remained indifferent from beginning to end, as though she were looking at a stranger.

Even so, a trace of surprise flashed through Princess Mingyue's heart.

In the past, Qi Bei's gaze toward her had been filled with infatuation, love, and undisguised, nauseating lust.

But now, Qi Bei's eyes were clear and transparent. There was only one thing that remained the same: they still made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Mingyue, long time no see." Qi Bei flashed his teeth in a smile. His smile was exceptionally clean, and it made the eyes of several other noble young ladies shimmer.

"Yes. I still owe you a thank-you." Princess Mingyue spoke faintly, clearly being perfunctory. Since Qi Bei had returned from the Undead Mountain Range, as someone whose life he had saved, she should have been the first to go and thank him. If they had not happened to run into each other here, she probably would not have thought of taking the initiative to see him.

"We're practically one body now, sharing both honor and disgrace. Why bother with such polite words?" Qi Bei laughed and stepped forward twice, stopping only a single step away from Princess Mingyue. He could even smell the faint, orchid-like fragrance wafting from her.

Princess Mingyue's delicate brows creased slightly, but she did not retreat. Her beautiful eyes simply fixed themselves indifferently on Qi Bei.

"Whine..." Just then, the little white dog that had been darting around nearby suddenly barked angrily, sending a faint bolt of lightning toward Qi Bei.

Qi Bei raised his swordlike brows and stepped forward. His body brushed past Princess Mingyue's delicate figure and circled behind her, dodging the lightning. At the same time, his large hand boldly wrapped around her slender waist, instantly making their posture ambiguous.

Princess Mingyue was a mage. At such close range, she simply could not keep up with Qi Bei's rhythm. Although she carried defensive magical items, Qi Bei was merely holding her waist, which could not be considered an attack.

"Let go!" Princess Mingyue shouted in a low voice. The anger gathering in her beautiful eyes instantly transformed her detached bearing into something sharp.

Qi Bei knew when to stop. He immediately released her and took a step back, though he felt somewhat regretful inside. The Dragon Seal in his palm had not reacted just now, which meant Princess Mingyue was not a perfect Yin Body. Still, the soft, supple curve of her waist had left an aftertaste that lingered endlessly.

At this moment, the Unicorn Cub, which looked like a little dog, sprang out fiercely. Qi Bei glared at it with both eyes.

For some unknown reason, the Unicorn Cub suddenly slammed on the brakes, then leaped somewhat fearfully into Princess Mingyue's arms, whimpering nonstop.

Princess Mingyue was astonished. Unicorns were seventh-rank Magic Beasts. Although Xiao Bai was still in its infancy, it absolutely would not be afraid even when facing adult fourth- or fifth-rank Magic Beasts. How could it have become so frightened from a single glare from Qi Bei? He must have secretly done something.

"The famous Nord Family's heir is nothing more than a street thug. A thousand-year-old family? Empty reputation." Just then, a handsome young man in a pale-blue water-element mage robe walked out and looked at Qi Bei mockingly.

Qi Bei swept a glance over the young man. From the style of his mage robe and the guild emblem embroidered on it, he could determine that the young man was from the Saint Ana Alliance.

Qi Bei laughed and asked, "May I ask your esteemed name, honored mage?"

"I am..."

Smack!

The young man was just about to proudly introduce his noble identity when, before he had even finished speaking, Qi Bei's hand had already struck his face with the speed of thunder.

Five bloody finger marks instantly appeared on the young man's fair, handsome face. Paired with his dazed expression, they were painfully conspicuous.

"On second thought, this young master has no interest in knowing who you are. You insulted our Nord Family, so merely giving you a slap was already letting you off easy. Next time you put on airs, don't forget whose territory you're standing on." Qi Bei spoke indifferently and turned to leave.

The young man came to his senses. His handsome face flushed crimson, and rage caused his reason to gradually collapse. He raised the magic staff in his hand as dense water-element magic began gathering in the air.

"First Prince, you'd better think this through. His elder brother is my brother-in-law—the one known as Nord Menghu—and his temper is a hundred times worse than his. He cripples people's limbs at the drop of a hat." At that moment, Feng Ruoyu widened her large, lake-green eyes and offered him a well-meaning warning.

The magic incantation on the young man's lips faltered, and he could no longer continue reciting it. He had heard of Nord Menghu's reputation as well. He was one of the three commanders of the famous Black Armored Army. It was said that the ruler of the Jade Kingdom within the Saint Ana Alliance, who had only just ascended the throne, had had his left leg crippled by him.

"Qi Bei, you'd better apologize." Just when everyone thought the matter would end without consequence, Princess Mingyue suddenly spoke.