(75) Are You Sure?
1027 Words
Two figures 'sparred' on the stage again as students crowded to watch the extreme fight. Zi Yingjun and Shi Zhao had another match, saying it was a friendly one. However, the way they moved agilely and attacked one another doesn't look friendly at all. They've been sparring against each other every Friday. No one can tell who will win since they both ended up in a tie in every spar.
Zi Yingjun can tell Shi Zhao is taking it seriously. Shi Zhao must have realized if he shows an opening, Zi Yingjun will defeat him. Back then, he only won because the Bleak Night Sword broke apart. It was reasonable since an inferior level weapon is still a step below an intermediate one. Zi Yingjun had wanted Shi Zhao to think like this. Once Shi Zhao knows their difference, he will surely do his best to keep Zi Yingjun below his feet. However, by doing so, he never realized Zi Yingjun is taking advantage of his hostility.
Shi Zhao leaned down to aim his fist towards Zi Yingjun's abdomen. Zi Yingjun reacted quickly and elbowed his back. This caused Shi Zhao to fall down as Zi Yingjun tried to bring him up. Shi Zhao can guess Zi Yingjun will beat him but he will not let his enemy do so. He quickly raised himself. Zi Yingjun smiled lightly then raised his foot to kick Shi Zhao's face. The young boy caught his ankle easily. Out of everyone's expectation, Zi Yingjun leapt even with one foot on the ground and locked Shi Zhao's neck between them. He turned himself as both of them fell with a thud. The teacher in charge moved in worry. What Zi Yingjun did is very fatal!
"S-Shi Zhao lost?"
One student asked amidst the deafening silence. Zi Yingjun stood up fine without a scratch on him while Shi Zhao coughed fervently. He showed a look of pain, his hand clutching his neck. Healing cultivators quickly assisted him.
"Well, Shi Zhao is a good actor." Zi Yingjun thought and stared at the healers moving in panic. Shi Zhao is a Foundation Building Stage cultivator. A mere injury like that is nothing because he already finished Qi Refinement. Moreover, those that enters the Foundation Building have gone through catastrophes in order to lay their foundation. Their body will toughen so it is impossible Shi Zhao is that badly injured.
"Yingjun, that was a spar. Why do you have to take it seriously?" Zi Yan Yue blocked his way once he got down the stage after Shi Zhao was taken away.
"He'll be fine." Zi Yingjun could care less. He looked around and since he still have time, he decided to check on Shi Zhao.
"Sss... It still hurts here." Shi Zhao hissed and rubbed his neck. Like what he speculated, Zi Yingjun is better than him if they fight without weapons. That is a good thing since he own an intermediate sword and high quality techniques unlike Zi Yingjun who lives in a secluded clan.
"I got carried away there." Zi Yingjun showed a humble look he never used once but he never mouthed his apology. Zi Yan Yue and Shi Zhao didn't notice his insincerity. This is how Zi Yingjun is. He doesn't usually apologize.
"Where is Young Master Yingjun?!" the door suddenly opened and a doll-like girl stood there with a furious look. The three of them turned to her direction as Zi Yingjun raised a brow. Hai Liang walked with heavy steps and stood in front of him. She looked up with an angry face while her hands stayed on her waist. "What are you doing here? You forgot you have to take care of me? Come, let's go to the manor already."
She raised her hand where her bracelet was. Hai Liang thought Zi Yingjun will hold her hand but he grabbed her wrist instead.
"Well, I have to go. Ah Yue, are you coming?" Zi Yingjun asked unhurriedly. Zi Yan Yue is about to nod when Shi Zhao spoke.
"Wait!" he exclaimed. They froze for a while as Shi Zhao frowned. "That little girl, what is her name? And where did your bracelet came from?"
"Oh, this?" Hai Liang's eyes settled on the pearl bracelet. "Im Hai Liang, from the Eastern Sea's hegemonic Hai Empire. This is my ancestral bracelet, it is what my Empress Mother gave me."
"Crown Princess?!" Shi Zhao quickly recognized her. He pursed his lips upon receiving a confused inquiring gaze from them. Shi Zhao hesitated whether to tell the truth or not. But what harm will it give? Nothing. Even more than that, it will give him advantage. "Well, I came from outside Da Long Mountain like fellow Zi Yan Yue and Zi Yingjun knows. My family and I had lived inside Ye Empire but before I left, I heard that an envoy from the Eastern Sea will come to bring the Crown Princess of Hai Empire."
"You're a Ye descendant?" Hai Liang quickly went to the bed with an expectant look. She felt like her luck never runs out. "Help me, please. I was supposed to meet with Southern Border's Ye Royal Family princes for an arrangement. But, there was a little accident and I landed here."
"Ehm..." Shi Zhao cant answer immediately. He needs to choose the right words or with how smart Zi Yingjun was, he can expose his true identity. "Crown Princess, I can but I will need some help. Venturing outside is not easy. I was able to get here with the help of a senior but that senior already left me. If there is someone reliable for the expedition to lend a hand, then I can certainly help."
"Zi Yingjun can!" she hurriedly pointed at Zi Yingjun. There is no way she will leave him here. He's already marked as hers!
"Me?"
"Yingjun?"
"Him?"
The three of them asked at the same time. Zi Yingjun have a questioning look while Zi Yan Yue frowned and Shi Zhao's face was complicated. Hai Liang nodded with a bright smile.
"Are you sure?" they asked the little girl again. Why Zi Yingjun?
- Writer
