Women Only Affect the Speed of My Draw!

"Who is the number one beauty of the [Four Prefectures of the Northern Territory]...?"

Xiao Yang was stunned.

The original owner had spent years cooped up in the royal residence, oblivious to the outside world, so naturally he had no impression of her.

"Of course, it's Yan Ruyu of [Jixia Academy]!"

Qiu Ya was somewhat surprised. She had not expected Xiao Yang to be so ignorant, so she began explaining.

"Yan Ruyu isn't just an unparalleled beauty. She's proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and can memorize the Four Books and Five Classics after reading them once. She's only twenty years old, yet her fame has already spread throughout the world!"

"Moreover, in the thousand years since [Jixia Academy] was founded, she's the first Female Master Teacher. Her admirers are as numerous as carp crossing a river."

"However, none of those admirers can compare with my prince! Some time ago, His Highness spent a fortune purchasing the Lifebound Character of a Seventh Grade great scholar and presented it to Miss Yan. She even gave him a sachet in return!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yang's expression became rather strange.

It seemed that his cheap Second Brother was quite the lovesick fool, being led around by the nose!

The Lifebound Character of a Seventh Grade great scholar contained [Principle] and was a rare treasure that could not be measured in money.

And the other party had returned a worthless sachet. It was not even a pair of intimate, worn stockings, yet it had left Xiao Ziwen utterly lovestruck.

Wasn't this just a modern-day gold digger?

Still, Xiao Yang was somewhat curious about this Female Master Teacher. Just what kind of peerless beauty was she?

He wondered who was more beautiful, her or Ning Hongye.

At dusk, Orchid Pavilion.

Orchid Pavilion was not inside the city but in a garden more than ten miles outside it.

The scenery was secluded and elegant, with winding streams for floating wine cups and all kinds of rare trees arranged in pleasing disorder.

"Wu Wuji, son of the Governor of Jianzhou, has arrived!"

"Gongsun Ming, grandson of the Governor of Qingzhou, has arrived!"

"Wang Xizhi, disciple of the Sage of Calligraphy, has arrived!"

"Young Master Kongxu of Langya Academy has arrived!"

"Liu Changqing, the Poetry Champion, has arrived!"

Second Prince Xiao Ziwen had hosted a Poetry Gathering. Distinguished guests filled the venue, and the lanterns shone brightly.

Countless lavish carriages arrived from all directions.

The [Four Prefectures of the Northern Territory] were Jianzhou, Qingzhou, Cangzhou, and Jingzhou. Although they were nominally all under the jurisdiction of King Zhenbei, each prefecture had different powers in control.

Those invited today included both the noble sons and grandsons of the four prefectures and famous scholars and literary talents.

"Clop, clop, clop!"

At that moment, Xiao Yang entered Orchid Pavilion alone without bringing any attendants, keeping an extremely low profile.

Moreover, it was his first time attending a Poetry Gathering, so no one around him recognized him.

However, he was handsome and graceful. After taking the Yin Yang Creation Pill and undergoing a complete transformation, his bearing was like a firefly in the night, exceptionally striking and outstanding.

"What a handsome young master!"

"It's a shame he's wearing an eyepatch. Could he be injured?"

"I wonder which family's young master he is. Is he married?"

The surrounding people began discussing him animatedly. Quite a few unmarried young ladies from prominent families were among them, their pretty faces flushed as they secretly sent flirtatious glances his way.

Xiao Yang, however, had no interest in them.

Women... only affect the speed of my draw!

"Brother, I've never seen anyone so handsome. You're practically several times more handsome than I am right after taking a bath!"

Suddenly, a fat man in splendid clothes rushed over to Xiao Yang.

He wore a broad grin that was not greasy at all. He looked somewhat simple-minded and was exceptionally friendly.

"May I ask who you are?" Xiao Yang asked.

"My name is Ma Wencai, and I'm from the Ma Family of Cangzhou." Ma Wencai introduced himself.

Xiao Yang raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised.

The Ma Family was the richest family in Cangzhou. They controlled the salt, iron, and canal-transport businesses and were fabulously wealthy and extravagantly luxurious.

It was said that half of Cangzhou's military expenses were provided by the Ma Family.

Although merchants held a low status in Great Xia, once a family reached the Ma Family's level, it could be called "Half-Cangzhou Ma."

As the son of Cangzhou's richest man, Ma Wencai was certainly no ordinary person.

"So it's Brother Ma! But Cangzhou is over a thousand li from Xuelong Pass. Why did you travel all this way?" Xiao Yang asked in confusion.

Ma Wencai suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Of course, I received a message by carrier pigeon from His Highness Second Prince, summoning everyone here to give Ninth Young Master a thorough lesson!"

"I set off before dawn and changed horses three times along the way. My butt nearly got shaken apart! After rushing all the way here, I finally made it without being late!"

Xiao Yang remained outwardly calm and secretly probed, "What do you mean?"

"It isn't just me. More than half of the distinguished guests and talented scholars here received instructions from Second Prince!"

"I heard that Ninth Young Master has thrown in his lot with that Fiend Star Woman of the Vermilion Bird Army. He has no regard for his elder brothers and does whatever he pleases!"

"That kind of barbarian surely doesn't understand poetry and literature! Today, we'll make him embarrass himself at the Poetry Gathering and become a laughingstock! Hahaha..."

Ma Wencai burst into laughter.

These people who play with brushes are really sinister!

Xiao Yang cursed inwardly. He had not expected this to be a Hongmen Banquet aimed at him.

"By the way, brother, you have an imposing bearing, so your family background must be extraordinary. I still don't know your identity?" Ma Wencai asked proactively.

"Well..."

Xiao Yang thought for a moment before saying mischievously, "You may address me as 'Nine Radiances' Mister Xiao!"

"Huh?"

Ma Wencai was slightly surprised.

Born into a merchant family, he had well-connected sources of information, yet he had never heard of these "Nine Radiances." He did not know what force they belonged to or how many disciples they had.

Just as he was puzzled, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.

"Look quickly, Miss Yan has arrived!"

"Why call her Miss? She's the Female Master Teacher of [Jixia Academy]!"

"She's so beautiful! Even if all we did today was catch a distant glimpse of Miss Yan, this trip would have been worthwhile!"

Xiao Yang followed everyone's gaze and looked outside.

A woman surrounded by an ethereal Immortal Qi appeared in his sight.

She looked to be just over twenty. Wearing feathered robes and a star crown, she rode over on a White Deer, her clothes moving without any wind and displaying embroidered Sage patterns.

This entrance was even more impressive than a Ferrari in his previous life!

Her pretty face was enchanting, her eyes seductive and soul-stirring, her complexion as radiant as peach blossoms. Every frown and smile revealed endless charm.

She possessed both a holy and bewitching air, blending the two perfectly.

Beneath her gauze skirt, her two lotus feet were exposed. Her toes were crystal-clear, like ten grapes.

She was simply too beautiful!

"Gulp! Gulp! Gulp..."

For a time, countless sounds of people swallowing saliva rang throughout the venue.

Many seemingly respectable scholars could not help bending slightly at the waist and desperately suppressing themselves, afraid of losing control in public.

"What kind of Female Master Teacher is she? She's a top-tier succubus!" Xiao Yang could not help saying.

"Brother, you don't know the whole story!"

Ma Wencai wiped away his drool and began explaining.

"It's said that Miss Yan was born with a Bewitching Bone. She was destined to enter the palace as a consort, but she entered the [Confucian Temple] when she was young, studied the sages' teachings, and devoted herself to the Dao. She's never had a scandal!"

"But there's also a rumor that her constitution is special. As long as someone joins with her, their cultivation can increase dramatically. That's also why she's so sought after!"

"I see!"

Xiao Yang nodded and quietly activated the [Break Delusion] divine ability of his Double Pupils toward Yan Ruyu in the distance.

[Target: Yan Ruyu]

[Innate Yin-Yang Sacred Body (Yin): Attraction to the opposite sex +100, naturally endowed with a Bewitching Bone, a calamity of beauty]

[Weakness 1: Clear Voice]

[Weakness 2: Soft Body]

[Weakness 3: Easy to Push Down]