Teasing the Young Lady

Ouyang Zhentian's expression sharpened. He hastily raised a palm to meet the blow, and a ripple spread between them.

The teacups around them overturned and shattered with a string of bangs and clangs.

Ouyang Zhentian looked coldly at Master Huang, his voice frosty:

"With strength like that, you want the Ouyang Household to yield? I'm afraid that won't happen."

Master Huang smiled faintly:

"It's rather cramped here, and the youngsters are present. It wouldn't do to injure them by accident if we went all out."

"You..." Ouyang Zhentian's words cut like knives. He gave a cold snort. "Very well. Since Master Huang wishes to test his skills, let's fight outside."

"But let me be blunt. Though our lineages lag a little behind the martial arts school, the gap isn't that large. If Master Huang can only fight me to a draw, I'm afraid the school's reputation will suffer."

"And if someone swallows up the school because of it, don't blame the Ouyang Household for failing to warn you."

"Hahaha!" Master Huang kept laughing. "It seems that last exchange gave the household head quite a bit of confidence. Come, let's settle this outside."

The two strode off. With a creak, the door swung open as though pushed by an unseen hand, and in a blink they were outside.

Willow leaves drifted around them. A breeze passed now and then, carrying waves of their scent.

Lin Xiaotian and the others from the Ouyang Household followed them out.

The space here was broad, with room to move and a wide field of view.

"After you, Ouyang Household Head."

At those words, Ouyang Zhentian wasted no time on courtesies. Their earlier exchange had felt evenly matched, but the martial arts school had not earned its reputation for nothing. He could not afford to be careless.

He launched the first attack.

Master Huang smiled coldly:

"You're not a fool after all. You've earned your place as household head."

Even as he spoke, he thrust out both fists, unleashing the Eight Extremes Force of the first form of Eight Extremes Mountain-Shattering Force.

Boom!

Ouyang Zhentian's fists met the oncoming blows, and an invisible force surged against him.

His heart lurched. His eyes widened in disbelief as the force swept past his fists and exploded at his wrists.

Pop! Pop!

It sounded like firecrackers.

Fortunately, Ouyang Zhentian was an Internal Force expert. The moment the force reached his wrists, he blocked it, and it burst apart.

Even so, several cuts had split open across his palms and wrists, and blood flowed from them.

"Do you still want to fight?" Master Huang asked mildly.

Ouyang Zhentian raised his hands and looked at his opponent's composed expression. Then he suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! Master Huang's Martial Dao is formidable indeed. Seeing it today has opened my eyes."

"If I hadn't used this method, I would never have learned how far Master Huang has advanced. I believe you have a chance of stepping into the ranks of Hidden Force."

Master Huang waved a hand.

"I've only just entered Initial Internal Force. There's no point dreaming of a level like Hidden Force. Besides, our Martial Dao resources are limited. If we truly want to reach Hidden Force, we'll have to rely on the lords in the county seat."

Ouyang Zhentian's expression dimmed a little at that. Then shock overtook it. "Master Huang, what... what did you just say? You've only just entered Initial Internal Force? But your strength is surely at the level of Mid Internal Force!"

"Would Master Huang be willing to teach me a little of this method of circulating force? The Ouyang Household would reward you handsomely."

Master Huang said nothing. He merely chuckled.

Ouyang Zhentian understood the meaning of that laugh and shook his head helplessly. This concerned the secrets of Martial Dao. How could they be shown to others so easily?

"Well then, Master Huang, please come have a look at the Ouyang Household's mine. We would also welcome your guidance. If you spot any shortcomings, we can improve them later."

"You're too kind, household head. Didn't you just say this old fellow wasn't allowed in?"

"Hahaha! Master Huang, you jest. Anyone else might be barred, but you are certainly an exception."

The two traded compliments back and forth.

A moment ago, they had been at daggers drawn. Now they were like old friends reunited after years apart, warm in manner and easy in conversation.

Lin Xiaotian followed behind them and climbed into the carriage, which headed toward the Ouyang Household's mine.

Laughter filled the journey. Household Head Ouyang held forth with sweeping confidence, commenting on everything they saw and heard along the way.

He really did make an excellent guide.

Master Huang naturally joined in with a cheerful smile.

Oddly, while Master Huang and Ouyang Zhentian were deep in conversation, Ouyang Nianci came over and sat close to Lin Xiaotian.

A faint fragrance reached him, stirring a flutter in his heart.

Lin Xiaotian was a little puzzled. He had barely dealt with her, and their last meeting had been unpleasant.

Yet her behavior now was far too unusual. She was drawing close and showing him goodwill.

Given her status, how could she possibly lower herself like this? It was as if a fairy from the heavens had suddenly declared that she fancied a mud-legged farmer. Anyone would be startled and suspicious.

"Hello, Young Lady. Aren't we... um, sitting a little too close?"

"Heehee." Nian Ci covered her mouth as she laughed. "Junior Brother Lin, your master pays such close attention to you. I'd say he treats you as a direct disciple of the martial arts school."

Lin Xiaotian raised an eyebrow.

"Young Lady, until I reach External Force, even the most monstrous talent I've shown counts for nothing."

Nian Ci laughed softly again.

"That might be true for others, but you're different. You have a good older sister."

"My sister... I haven't seen her in so long..."

"Your sister has an excellent eye, of course. The fact that she took you in means she recognized your worth. Otherwise, that person's strength wouldn't have suddenly grown so much..."

"That person?" Lin Xiaotian knew she had let something slip, but he played dumb.

Ouyang Nianci covered her mouth. "Enough about that. What do you think of the Ouyang Household?"

"Hmm. Powerful," Lin Xiaotian said frankly.

"Hehe, you are straightforward. Then I'll be direct too. Would you be interested in joining the Ouyang Household?"

"Joining your household?" Lin Xiaotian blinked.

"Yes!" Nian Ci confirmed.

Lin Xiaotian studied the strikingly beautiful young lady and felt like teasing her.

"Hmm. Do you mean marrying into the household, Young Lady? Or something else?"

Ouyang Nianci smiled.

"Marrying in, of course. The Ouyang Household has no shortage of women blessed with both beauty and Martial Dao talent. Junior Brother Lin, you may choose one and marry into our household."

Lin Xiaotian blinked, then fixed his gaze on Ouyang Nianci. There was a boldness in his eyes now, and he spoke with the air of a spoiled young master:

"What if the one I've taken a fancy to is you, Young Lady?"

By the end of the question, his eyes seemed welded to Ouyang Nianci. There was even a hint of greed in them. He was just short of licking his lips.

His words and stare startled Ouyang Nianci. Anger made her chest rise and fall, and fury flashed in her eyes.

She was following her father's wishes. She had even considered that, if it truly came to it, she could set aside her own feelings for a youth with such potential.

But being eyed so rudely, as though she were merchandise, inevitably brought her pride as a woman surging to the surface.

Boom!

Her blood and qi flared, and a powerful gust sent her clothes and hair billowing.

Lin Xiaotian remained unmoved, a faint smile on his lips. It would have been stranger if she hadn't gotten angry!

The instant her blood and qi erupted, Ouyang Nianci forced it back down and put on a faint smile.

"Very well. Once you reach External Force, you and I can marry, and you can join the Ouyang Household."

Lin Xiaotian froze for a moment.

Good heavens! She could put up with teasing like that? The Ouyang Household is staking so much on this. They must be after something big!