Bibi Dong: Don't Force Me to Kneel and Beg You!

"You still dare bring that up!" Bibi Dong's pretty face flushed crimson, embarrassment and anger mixing as her delicate fists clenched with a crackle. "Speak! Sneaking over here in the dead of night instead of sleeping—what exactly do you want?"

"I came to retrieve..." Zhao Linchuan had barely begun.

"You're not allowed to say that!" Bibi Dong immediately cut him off, her voice rising several pitches as her cheeks burned even hotter.

"Fine, fine, I won't say that." Zhao Linchuan went along readily, immediately putting on a serious expression. "Actually, it's nothing important."

"I've been busy all day and haven't eaten a single grain of rice. I'm starving."

"I saw that Miss left around the same time as me, so I figured you probably didn't get a chance to eat either?" He paused, an earnest—at least seemingly earnest—smile appearing on his face. "The night is long, and sleep won't come."

"Therefore, I came especially to invite this beautiful Miss to honor me with her presence and find something to eat together. What do you say?"

"Hmph! I won't eat your food!" Bibi Dong lifted her chin tsunderely.

However, the moment her words fell—

"Grrrrumble~~ Grrrrumble~~"

A clear, prolonged growl of hunger sounded most inappropriately from her flat lower abdomen, exceptionally loud atop the silent roof.

Bibi Dong's face turned scarlet in an instant. She wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

"Oh?" Zhao Linchuan raised a brow, his face showing sudden realization. "So Miss really isn't hungry."

"Then I won't force the matter."

His tone carried a trace of regret as azure light flashed in his right palm.

The Azure Light Demon-Slaying Sword instantly appeared. The blade hummed, expanding against the wind and becoming a massive sword nine feet long in the blink of an eye, hovering steadily at the edge of the eaves.

"What are you trying to do?!" Bibi Dong instantly became vigilant, Soul Power surging again.

"What else could I be doing in the middle of the night?" Zhao Linchuan looked utterly frank as he stepped forward and lightly set foot upon the broad blade.

The massive sword nimbly spun in the air, its tip pointing into the distance.

Standing atop the sword, he cupped his hands toward Bibi Dong with a carefree smile. "Since Miss's refined interest has already faded and you have no need of my company, then let us part here. We shall meet again someday."

"Wait!" As Bibi Dong looked at the miraculous floating greatsword beneath his feet, intense curiosity instantly burst from her eyes, temporarily suppressing her earlier embarrassment and anger.

She withdrew her Martial Soul and hurried to the edge of the eaves, staring intensely at the greatsword. "Th-this... is this also one of your Self-Created Soul Skills?"

"No." Zhao Linchuan shook his head, his tone casual. "It's merely some basic Soul Power control techniques. Nothing worth mentioning."

"You mean... I can learn it too?" Bibi Dong's voice carried a trace of expectation and excitement that even she had not noticed. Her eyes shone as though she were a child who had discovered a new toy.

"If someone is willing to teach you..." Zhao Linchuan stroked his chin and pretended to ponder. "Hmm... with Miss's talent, you should... be able to learn it, right?" He dragged out the final words, the bait obvious.

Bibi Dong stood at the edge of the eaves, lifting her chin slightly without speaking. She merely extended her left arm, bending it halfway in a posture that awaited support.

Her gaze drifted toward the deep night sky. Moonlight outlined the lovely curve of her profile, as if she were silently saying, "What are you still standing around for?"

"Give this Miss an excuse already!"

"Must I kneel and beg you?"

Zhao Linchuan caught her meaning, a smile tugging at his lips. "Then, honored Miss, would you grant me the pleasure of accompanying me to sample some midnight delicacies?"

Only then did Bibi Dong reservedly turn her head aside and softly hum in reply.

Zhao Linchuan controlled the flying sword, bringing it to a steady stop beneath the eaves in front of Bibi Dong, perfectly level with where she stood.

He extended his hand and firmly grasped Bibi Dong's offered soft hand. With a slight pull, he lightly drew her onto the broad blade, where she stood behind him.

"Stand steady. I'm accelerating!" Zhao Linchuan reminded her, a barely perceptible hint of teasing in his voice.

"Mhm!" Bibi Dong curiously watched the houses and streets beneath her rapidly shrink away. The night wind brushed her face, bringing a sense of freedom she had never experienced before.

Buzzz—!

The massive sword beneath their feet gave a clear sword cry, and its speed abruptly soared!

"Ah!" Caught off guard by the sudden acceleration, Bibi Dong's body jerked backward, nearly sending her tumbling off the sword!

With a startled cry, she instinctively spread her arms and tightly wrapped them around Zhao Linchuan's sturdy waist in front of her, pressing her entire body against his broad back.

"Slow down!" Bibi Dong was both embarrassed and annoyed. Her cheeks pressed tightly against his back, feeling the warmth beneath his clothes and the contours of his muscles as her hands clung to him without daring to loosen.

"Sorry, sorry!" Zhao Linchuan's voice carried laughter, though it did not sound apologetic in the slightest.

"I'm still not quite skilled at precisely controlling my own Soul Power, so I didn't manage the speed very well. You'd better hold on tight!"

Before his words had even faded, the flying sword accelerated again, slicing through the night wind with a howling roar.

The powerful airflow left Bibi Dong barely able to open her eyes. She could only hug the person in front of her even more tightly, her entire body pressing close against him, her figure becoming somewhat distorted.

"You! You're lying!!" Bibi Dong shouted accusingly from behind him, both flustered and angry. "You know so many Self-Created Soul Skills. How could your Soul Power control possibly be that poor?!"

"You're obviously doing this on purpose!!!"

"No! Absolutely not!" Zhao Linchuan denied it flatly, though the amusement in his voice only deepened.

Thus, amid Bibi Dong's continual coquettish complaints and accusations, azure sword light tore through the night sky, racing a hundred li before slowly descending beside a seaside cliff.

The cliff offered a wide-open view, and the sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent against their faces.

A small square table had already been set up, with two white jade wine cups and a pot of fragrant fine wine resting upon it.

Not far away, a bonfire crackled merrily as it burned, its bright flames driving away the slight chill of the night.

Beside the bonfire stood a grill, upon which lay a whole roasted lamb, golden and crisp, sizzling with enticing oil.

The rich scent of meat mixed with spices drifted into their nostrils, instantly stirring their appetites.

"We're here!" Zhao Linchuan abruptly pulled back his sword momentum, and the flying sword came to a steady stop at the cliff's edge.

The immense inertia made the two soft cushions on Bibi Dong's chest, pressed against his back, slam into him once more, serving as perfect cushions.

"You bastard!!" Bibi Dong jumped off the flying sword, mortified and furious.

After steadying herself, the first thing she did was rub the slightly numb cushions that had been struck, her beautiful eyes blazing as she glared at the "innocent"-looking culprit. "You absolutely did that on purpose!!"

"You just wanted to take advantage of me!"

"Please keep reading, please keep reading."

"Just let it pass review already. Even 'please keep reading' has become forbidden wording—how am I supposed to revise this?"