Ning Rongrong led Zhang Fei out of the main hall and headed east along the covered corridor.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's grounds were far larger than Zhang Fei had imagined.
Corridor linked to corridor, courtyard nested within courtyard, and every turn revealed an entirely different view.
Zhang Fei could barely take it all in, his eyes darting around nonstop.
But Ning Rongrong had clearly grown tired of the scenery at home. Her steps grew faster and faster, as though she were eager to get somewhere.
After walking for about the time it took an incense stick to burn, she suddenly slowed and tilted her head to glance at Zhang Fei beside her.
Her large, sparkling eyes darted about, and a sly smile curled at the corners of her mouth.
"Hey, Zhang Fei, how about I take you somewhere fun?"
Zhang Fei was studying an oddly shaped plant on the right. Hearing her, he replied offhandedly, "I'll leave everything to you, Young Lady Ning. Wherever you take me, I'll go."
Ning Rongrong gave a satisfied hum, turned, and ducked down a side path.
Naturally, Zhang Fei had no idea what medicine she was hiding in her gourd. Surely a little girl couldn't sell him off? He followed her without a second thought.
After Ning Rongrong led him around a few turns, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a broad, level training ground.
The training ground measured over a hundred meters across, its surface paved with hard, blue-gray stone slabs.
Quite a few disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were training there, ranging from seven or eight to their teens. Some practiced alone, while others sparred in pairs. The clash of weapons and shouted calls rose one after another, filling the grounds with lively noise.
Ning Rongrong stopped, glanced back at Zhang Fei, then hooked her arm through his without the slightest hesitation.
Zhang Fei's whole body went rigid.
The little girl's arm was soft, and a faint fragrance drifted from her.
Ning Rongrong clung to his arm as naturally as could be, leaning so close that her head rested against his shoulder, looking utterly affectionate.
She lifted her face and gave Zhang Fei a sweet smile. "Come on, I'll show you around inside."
Zhang Fei's head buzzed.
This little girl actually threw herself at me and took my arm? Am I really that handsome already?
Then wouldn't the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's enormous estate...
Zhang Fei had even started imagining what to name their future children. She? Or Zhang? Surely they wouldn't have to be called Ning?
But before he could decide, Ning Rongrong had already dragged him into the center of the training ground.
He immediately felt dozens of gazes fall on him in unison as the disciples stopped their training one after another.
Everyone looked at Ning Rongrong first, then swiftly shifted their attention to Zhang Fei, whose arm she was holding. Their gazes were anything but friendly.
Their fists clenched with audible cracks as they stared straight at Zhang Fei, as though someone had stolen their family heirlooms.
Zhang Fei swept his gaze around and quickly understood.
Ning Rongrong had grown up among these disciples. With her outstanding looks, exalted status, and position as the sect master's only cherished daughter, she naturally had no shortage of admirers and followers.
Zhang Fei looked down at Ning Rongrong, who was clinging to his arm and putting on an innocent face. His giddy smugness instantly vanished like smoke on the wind.
This girl is putting on this whole act just to draw their hatred toward me.
She's bored and using me for amusement. A clever, mischievous little princess spoiled from birth loves nothing more than watching people fight over her.
The corner of Zhang Fei's mouth twitched. He was about to pull his arm free when Ning Rongrong released him.
With both hands behind her back, she smiled at the boy in the crowd wearing the darkest expression. "Zhao Qiang, you're training today too? What a coincidence."
The boy called Zhao Qiang was around nine years old and quite sturdy for his age. His shoulders were broad, and the contours of his arm muscles were clearly visible.
Zhao Qiang's voice was thick with jealousy. "Young Lady Rongrong, who's this? How come I've never seen him before?"
"Oh, his name's Zhang Fei. He's a guest His Highness the Crown Prince brought here. He's so much fun." Ning Rongrong pretended to be very fond of Zhang Fei.
Zhao Qiang sized Zhang Fei up. He was half a head shorter than Zhao Qiang and nowhere near as sturdy, but his face was exceptionally handsome, fair and clean-cut.
The fire inside him flared even higher. Damn it! He's just a pretty boy. What use is he besides that good-looking face? Why him?
Zhao Qiang's tone turned distinctly rude. "If you're a guest, why have you come to our training ground? This isn't a place for sightseeing."
Before Zhang Fei could answer, Ning Rongrong cut in. "Well, Fei said that since our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is one of the Upper Three Sects, he wanted to see just how strong its disciples were. So I brought him here."
The corner of Zhang Fei's eye twitched.
She called him "Fei" with such heartfelt affection that, to Zhao Qiang, it was practically pouring oil onto the fire.
And with that line about wanting to see how strong the disciples were, wasn't she plainly shoving him into a fire pit?
Zhang Fei glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him. She could barely suppress the sly smile on her lips.
I fell for it. No wonder she was the notorious Little Demoness in the original story. Like father, like daughter-they're both foxes that have grown cunning with age.
Zhang Fei silently sighed.
He didn't want to stir up trouble for Xue Qinghe, so he hurriedly said, "Young Lady Ning offered to show me around, so I followed her here. If I've interrupted your training, I'll leave right away. Farewell."
He was just about to turn when Zhao Qiang stepped sideways and blocked his path.
"Stop." Zhao Qiang's voice carried a provocative edge. "From the look of you, you're a Soul Master too, aren't you? Since you're here, why rush off? How about stepping into the ring for a spar? Let us see just how capable His Highness the Crown Prince's man is."
As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples around the training ground gathered around, their jeers rising one after another.
"Yeah, let's have a spar!"
"We can learn from each other!"
"You're not scared, are you?"
Before Zhang Fei could speak, Ning Rongrong cut in again, deliberately stepping in front of him. "Zhao Qiang, Fei is my guest. You're not allowed to bully him."
Her words sounded like she was defending Zhang Fei, but the implication was clearly that he didn't dare accept.
In his mind, Zhang Fei had already pinned the little girl to the ground and scrubbed the floor with her a thousand times.
Zhao Qiang's expression darkened further. Seeing Zhang Fei still refusing to respond, he taunted him even harder. "What? Are you even a man? If you've got any guts, stop hiding behind a girl."
Damn! Now he's questioning my manhood.
I've already crossed into the Douluo Continent. How could I let a nine-year-old kid climb onto my head?
If I back down today, I'll not only disgrace the Crown Prince, but how am I supposed to make my way on this continent afterward?
He shoved aside Ning Rongrong, who stood in front of him trying to hold back her laughter, and took half a step forward. "Fine. You think I'm afraid of you?"
Zhao Qiang immediately smiled in triumph and gave a cold laugh. "Good, you've got guts! There's a ring over there. After you."
"Yes, yes! We've got a good show!" Ning Rongrong finally dropped the act. Looking ready to enjoy the spectacle, she skipped toward the ring.
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