Women Only Slow Down My Sword-Drawing Speed!

"The number one beauty of the Four Prefectures of the Northern Territory... who is that?"

Xiao Yang was taken aback.

The original body had spent years holed up in the prince's manor, oblivious to the outside world, so naturally he had no impression of this.

"Naturally, it's Yan Ruyu of Jixia Academy!"

Qiu Ya was somewhat surprised that Xiao Yang was so ignorant, so she began to explain.

"Yan Ruyu isn't just a peerless beauty; she's skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and can recite the Four Books and Five Classics from memory. At just twenty years old, she's already famous throughout the land!"

"Moreover, she's the first Female Master Teacher in the thousand-year history of Jixia Academy, and her suitors are as numerous as carp crossing a river."

"But none of those suitors compare to Your Highness! The other day, Your Highness spent a fortune to buy a Seventh Grade great scholar's life-character and gifted it to Miss Yan, and she returned a sachet!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yang's expression turned somewhat odd.

It seemed his cheap second brother was a lovesick fool, being played for a fool!

A Seventh Grade great scholar's life-character, containing 'reason,' was a rare treasure beyond monetary value.

And in return, she gave a worthless sachet—not even something intimate like worn stockings—yet it had Xiao Ziwen completely enchanted.

Wasn't this just a modern gold digger?

Still, Xiao Yang was curious about this Female Master Teacher. Just how stunning was she?

And how did she compare to Ning Hongye in beauty?

By evening, at Orchid Pavilion.

Orchid Pavilion wasn't inside the city but in a garden a dozen li outside.

The scenery was serene and elegant, with winding streams and a variety of rare trees arranged in perfect disorder.

"The son of the Jianzhou Governor, Wei Wuji, has arrived!"

"The grandson of the Qingzhou Prefect, Gongsun Ming, has arrived!"

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

"Young Master Kongxu of Langya Academy, has arrived!"

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

Second Prince Xiao Ziwen was hosting a Poetry Gathering, with a full house of distinguished guests and lanterns blazing bright.

Countless luxurious carriages came from all directions.

The Four Prefectures of the Northern Territory—Jianzhou, Qingzhou, Cangzhou, and Jingzhou—though nominally under King Zhenbei's jurisdiction, each had different powers in control.

Among those invited today were both noble scions from these four prefectures and renowned literary talents.

"Thud, thud, thud!"

At that moment, Xiao Yang entered Orchid Pavilion alone, without any attendants, keeping a very low profile.

Since it was his first time at a Poetry Gathering, no one around recognized him.

However, his handsome features and graceful bearing, combined with the transformation after taking the Yin Yang Creation Pill, made his aura stand out like a firefly in the dark night—exceptionally striking.

"What a handsome young master!"

"Pity he's wearing an eyepatch. Could he be injured?"

"I wonder which family's son he is, and if he's betrothed?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, including many unmarried noble ladies, their cheeks flushing as they cast flirtatious glances.

But Xiao Yang had no interest in them.

Women... only slow down my sword-drawing speed!

"Brother, I've never seen anyone so handsome—almost a few points more handsome than me right after a bath!"

Suddenly, a fat man in fine robes rushed up to Xiao Yang.

He wore a smile that wasn't greasy, a bit simple and honest, acting very familiar.

"And you are?" Xiao Yang asked.

"I'm Ma Wencai, from the Ma Family of Cangzhou." Ma Wencai introduced himself.

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

The Ma Family was the wealthiest in Cangzhou, controlling salt, iron, and water transport—immensely rich and extravagant.

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

Though merchants held low status in Great Xia, at the Ma Family's level, they could be called 'Half-Cangzhou Ma.'

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

"So it's Brother Ma! But Cangzhou is a thousand li from Xuelong Pass. Why travel all this way?" Xiao Yang asked, puzzled.

Ma Wencai suddenly lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "I received a carrier pigeon message from Second Prince, summoning me to teach Ninth Young Master a harsh lesson!"

"I set out before dawn, changed horses three times along the way, and my ass is nearly jolted to pieces! Rushing all the way, at least I'm not late!"

Xiao Yang kept his expression neutral as he probed, "How so?"

"Not just me—most of these honored guests and talents here have received the Second Prince's instructions!"

"They say the Ninth Young Master has thrown in with that Fiend Star Woman of the Vermilion Bird Army, showing no respect for his elder brother, lawless and unruly!"

"A brute like that surely knows nothing of poetry and song! Today, we'll make him a laughingstock at the Poetry Gathering! Hahaha..."

Ma Wencai burst into laughter.

These pen-pushing scholars were truly underhanded!

Xiao Yang cursed inwardly, realizing this was a Hongmen Banquet aimed at him.

"By the way, brother, you carry yourself with distinction—you must come from an extraordinary family. I haven't yet learned your identity?" Ma Wencai asked proactively.

"Well..."

Xiao Yang thought for a moment, then said with a mischievous streak, "You may call me 'Nine Radiances' Mister Xiao!"

"Eh?"

Ma Wencai was slightly taken aback.

Born into a merchant family with broad connections, he had never heard of this "Nine Radiances," nor did he know what faction it was or how many disciples it had.

Just as he was puzzled, a commotion stirred outside.

"Look, Miss Yan has arrived!"

"Don't call her miss—she's a Female Master Teacher from the Jixia Academy!"

"So beautiful! To see Miss Yan, even from afar, today is not wasted!"

Xiao Yang followed the crowd's gaze and looked outside.

In his line of sight appeared a woman drifting with Immortal Qi.

She was about twenty years old, clad in feathered robes and a starry crown, her garments fluttering without wind, embroidered with Sage patterns, riding a white deer.

Her entrance was flashier than a Ferrari in his past life!

On her charming face, bewitching eyes hooked the soul, cheeks like peach blossoms, every smile and frown brimming with allure.

She possessed both holiness and seduction, perfectly blended.

Beneath her gauze skirt, two lotus feet were exposed, her toes crystalline and translucent, like ten grapes.

Too jade-like!

"Gulp! Gulp! Gulp..."

For a moment, the venue filled with the sound of countless swallows.

Many sanctimonious scholars and talents couldn't help but bend slightly, forcibly suppressing themselves, afraid to lose composure in public.

"What Female Master Teacher is this—she's a top-tier succubus?!" Xiao Yang couldn't help but say.

"Brother, you don't know!"

Ma Wencai beside him wiped his drool and began to explain.

"They say Miss Yan was born with a Bewitching Bone, destined to enter the palace as a consort, but she entered the Confucian Temple from a young age, studied the Sage's books, and devoted herself to the Way, never stirring up rumors!"

"Yet there are also tales that her physique is special—anyone who unites with her can greatly boost their cultivation. That's why she's so sought after!"

"I see!"

Xiao Yang nodded, secretly activating his Double Pupils' [Break Delusion] ability on Yan Ruyu in the distance.

[Target: Yan Ruyu]

[Innate Yin-Yang Sacred Body (Yin): Attraction to the opposite sex +100, born with a Bewitching Bone, a femme fatale]

[Weakness 1: Pure Sound]

[Weakness 2: Soft Body]

[Weakness 3: Easily Pushed Down]