At the gate of the main entrance of Imperial View High, were carriages after carriages waiting to collect young masters.
In a dark carriage, Yan Xiangma was leisurely humming a tune with his eyes closed.
âMy eyes are hungry as I stare through space, swallowing my saliva. Lovesickness piercing through my bones, like autumn ripples passing through me. Even a metal and stone my, would be entangled by emotionsââOld Lu, what time is it?â
As the curtain was uncovered, Li Daluâs pandering face was seen right outside the window of the carriage.
Li Dalu was Yan Xiangmaâs former subordinate in Jiangnan. When Yan Xiangma accompanied Cui Xiaoxin back to Tiandu, he also brought along his several powerful confidants with him. Therefore, they also stayed with Yan Xiangma in Tiandu and continued to listen to his orders.
âYoung master, Iâve asked the time, Miss Li should be coming out soon.â Li Dalu happily answered.
âI asked you what time it is now, why did you ask about Miss Li? What Miss Li? Which Miss Li?â
âMaster, I didnât mean thatâânow it isâââ
âFine, fine. Go and see when Miss Li comes out. The moment you see her come tell me. Young master, I, will coincidently run into her.â
âCoincidentally?â
âCoincidentally.â Yan Xiangma said firmly. âEach person will brush past someone countless times in their life. However, Li Shinian happens to come out of that door and I just happen to wait at the doorââIs that not a coincidence?â
âYes, yes. Itâs a coincidence. Li Dalu repeatedly nodded.
There was a sudden commotion at the school gate, and then students dressed in school uniforms began to come out in twos and threes.
One wave after another, one group after another.
From the start till the end, and until no one came out of the school, Li Dalu still saw no signs of Li Shinian.
Impatient, Yan Xiangma, jumped out from inside the carriage, yelling: âWhatâs going on? Why isnât she out yet?â
âMaster, Miss LiââCould she have ran away through other places?â
âRun away? Why would she run away? Am I a demon that eats people?â
âNo, no, no, I didnât mean thatâââ
âBesides, the other places where she can escape are also guarded by our people, where could she have gone?.â
âMaybe sheâs still inside.â Li Dalu said comfortingly. âYoung master donât be anxious, weâll wait a little longer.â
âWhy would I be anxious?â Yan Xiangma said coldly. âJust a woman. I am a young master of Jiangnan, a senior investigating censorate official of the Monitoring Division, why would I care about a woman?â
âYes. What kind of person is Young Master, Miss Li is such a common womanâââ
Pakââ
Yan Xiangma whacked Li Dalu with his fan again as he scolded: âWhat qualifications do you have to say Li Shinian is a common woman, see if Iâll break your dog headâââ
âYoung Master, forgive me. I said something wrong, Miss Li is beautiful like an angelâââ Li Dalu said in a panic.
They anxiously waited another while, yet still no signs of Li Shinian coming out of the school gate.
Yan Xiangma waited another moment, and then hastily trotted towards the school gate.
He grabbed Xiao Huan by the arm and asked: âXiao Huan, whereâs Li Shinian? Why isnât she out yet?â
âYan Young masterâââ Xiao Huan looked at Yan Xiangma, her eyes sparkling like stars, as she said: âBig sister Shinian did not come to school today, she asked for leave of absence.â
âLeave of absence?â Yan Xiangmaâs face suddenly clouded over. âWhen?â
âYesterday.â
ââââ
âYan Young Master, are you going home? We were also on our wayâââ
âXiao Huan, you go back home first. I may not come back for a few months.â
âHuh?â
âGo. Donât miss me. A sad personââis currently sad.â
After seeing Xiao Huan off, who turned to look back at every step, Yan Xiangma had a disappointed blank look on his face.
âYoung Master, weâll come back tomorrow. I donât believe Miss Li will be off school again tomorrow.â Li Dalu tried to comfort him.
âTomorrow, Iâm leaving.â Yan Xiangma let out a long sighââ â
ââââââââââââââ-
The breeze was gentle and the sun was bright, illuminating thousands of miles.
After a bath Lu Qiji changed into Starry Sky Academyâs White Cloud uniform, when knocking sounds came from the door.
Knock, Knockââ
It was two gentle knocks and then it quieted down.
It did not sound like knocking, rather a little reminder: reminding the owner of the house that someone was waiting at the door.
Lu Qiji pulled open the door, where Chu Xun, dressed in a black outfit, was patiently waiting at the door.
His long hair was tied up and a sword was hanging at his waist. He looked charming, determined and full of energy.
Lu Qijiâs brow scrunched up, asking: âWhat for?â
âToday is the day of the battle between me and Li Muyang, so I have to dress more appropriately and to move freely.â Chu Xun said with a smile. He bowed slightly, waved his hand in front and said with a smile: âPlease go ahead.â
Although he was a little prince, but he had always treated and took care of Lu Qiji like a princess.
As Lu Qiji walked past him, Chu Xun did not forgot to help her close the courtyard door behind him and then quickly followed after Lu Qiji.
âYou really have to do battle with him?â
âWeâve already agreed on the date, how can I break a promise?â Chu Xun said with a smile.
âCanât you cancel?â
âIf Li Muyang came to apologise and begged for forgiveness, then since weâre classmate, I will obviously agree to cancel the duel. But until now he hasnât, so it seems that he is sufficiently prepared. If I proposed to cancel the battle, wouldnât people think that Iâm afraid of him? If he does not say yes, wouldnât that be humiliating and embarrassing for me?â
Lu Qiji remained silent for a moment, then said: âIf you agree, I can go talk to him. We can set aside this matter and no one will bring it up again.â
Chu Xun thoughtfully gazed at Lu Qiji, before he replied: âAre you worried about me? Or worried about him?â
âWhat do you think?â
âIf youâre worried about me, Iâd be really happy. However, I hope you can have some confidence in me. Other people I cannot guarantee, but Li Muyang, his cultivation level should be far below me, right? I have tested him before, he is nothing but in the Empty Valley realm, and his sea of qi is not filled yet. To fight with him, is fighting a one-sided battle.â
âAre you reallyââthat sure?â Lu Qiji sighed. She could tell that Chu Xun was really confident. It seemed that he did not attach any importance to his rival.
However, she could not tell Chu Xun about Li Muyangâs true identity. Even she herself did not know of Li Muyangâs current stateâ-
She only knew that, the monster that merged with the Tear of the Dragon King, the bastard that inherited the Black Dragonâs mantle,is presumablyââhard to handle?
Even herself, she did not have the certainty to say that she can kill Li Muyang.
The smile on Chu Xunâs face faded. âIt seems you donât believe me. What? Do you know of the true state of Li Muyang? Or has he recently mastered something I donât know about?â
âI just donât want to see you lose.â Lu Qiji said.
The corners of Chu Xunâs mouth curved into a smile as he said: âDonât worry. Youâre not going to see that.â
Lu Qijiâs face remained emotionless, unwilling to linger on this topic.
Today at noon was Teacher Yang Xiaohuâs Dragon Language class, so Li Muyang arrived early at the lecture place.
He first greeted Cai Pa, who came a little earlier than him, and immediately opened his âLanguage of Dragonsâ book and began to work hard.
After fusing with the Tear of the Dragon King, the language of dragons was no longer a problem for him. Apart from some of the most obscure old spells or worship speech, others were no different to the Chinese Language.
The reason why he pretended to be so serious before was that he was worried that his outstanding ability in the Language of Dragons would arouse suspicion. Heavens rewards the diligent; he could tell others that his hard work and diligent practice led him to have such achievement.
Qiandu and Lin Canghai arrived; Lu Qiji and Chu Xun also came.
Seeing Chu Xunâs manner of dressing, Li Muyangâs eyes flashed, and then quickly returned to calm state.
He was still wearing the cloud robe and did not deliberately change his clothes for his battle.
He had not forgotten about the duel today, rather did not see it as particularly important. He felt it was a very insignificant thing, that it doesnât matter whether he fight or not.
Doesnât matter.
Chu Xun looked at Li Muyang in the eye, a cold sneer twisted his lips, before he turned to find his own seat.
Tie Muxin took a seat next to Li Muyang and nudged Li Muyangâs arm on the table, whispering: âThere is murderous intent in that boyâs eyes. It seems itâs hard to avoid your battle today.â
Li Muyang smiled and said: âIf others want to fight, then I have to play to the end. Escaping is not my style.â
âAre you confident of winning?â
âIâve never fought before, and I also donât know his level, how can I talk about the certainty of victory?â Li Muyang smiled as he continued. âIâll just do my best.â
âWould you like me to talk to him first, and thenâââ He did not continue, but did a âsnappingâ motion with his hands.
The last time he and Chu Xun clashed because of Lu Qiji. He didnât expect this kid to hold grudges.
âThank you, Brother Muxin.â Li Muyang likes people who are direct and straightforward. However, he still refused his offer, saying: âIf you break his arm first, then wouldnât I have an unfair advantage? Even if I win, Iâd lose face, donât you think?â
âOf course, if brother Muxin really wanted to, I wonât stop you, after all, everyone has a right to make their own decision. Just because I have a duel with Chu Xun, it doesnât mean I donât permit others to clash with himââthis is not fair to Brother Muxin.â
Tie Muxin clapped on the shoulder of Li Muyang and said with a wide grin: âBrother Muyang, I like your personality. You say what you want to say, and never hide anything. Youâre a real man.â
âBrother Muyang, donât worry, if you want to fight with that kid, I absolutely will not spoil your good occasion. You fight with him first, and if you lose, I will help you. With us brothers working together, we absolutely will not let him off lightly.â
ââââ Li Muyang stared wide-eyed at Tie Muxin. Is this guy lacking intelligence? Hurry fill it with gold. Did he not understand what he meant? Li Muyang had never thought about playing a fair game with Chu Xun, all right?
His victory was expected, because heâs a dragon.
But what if he loses? What about his dragon face?