Chapter 89: Will You Reject My Kindness?

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Huang Shing and Bei Hong drink freely and laugh. There is no trace of the hostility and imminent violence that had been so prominent in their interactions until just a few hours ago. Joining forces against a common foe, it seems, is a good way to put aside grudges.

Which really shouldn’t have come as a surprise to Liu Jin.

After all, the Eastern Port City Tournament was an important step in his and Xiao Fang’s relationship. Annoying as it may be to admit it, perhaps there are certain things that can only be achieved through conflict.

Conflict and victory.

“Congratulations!” Bei Hong raises his cup. His cheeks are flushed from all the alcohol. “Everyone at this table should be proud of themselves!”

After the ruckus they had caused, Liu Jin had been worried someone would try to stop them from leaving the Sparring Hall. Thankfully, that hadn’t happened. Their defeated foes had settled for glowering at their backs, letting the four of them reach the Inner Disciples’ living quarters unimpeded.

Like most buildings in the Eternal Flame Clan’s compound, it is predominantly red. Unlike the modest, almost utilitarian living quarters of the Outer Disciples, the Inner Disciples live in a mansion. Even though it is meant to house less people, the building occupies a far larger area. It has impressive golden gates, ample rooms, and a lush garden with beautiful flowers surrounds it.

Upon arriving here, they had presented their bracelets. Their names were written down, their points subtracted, and new robes issued to them.

That is all it took.

Just like that, the four of them became Inner Disciples of one of the strongest Sects in the Crimson Cloud Empire.

It is a step in the right direction. A step closer to Murong Bang and the Storm Dragon Empire. It is what Liu Jin has spent so many months preparing for. It is why he took up a new name and dyed his hair. By all means, it should be a momentous occasion for Liu Jin, but it has happened so quickly, it almost doesn’t feel real.

Never had he expected for things to be so ridiculously simple.

Perhaps that is why he is celebrating with Bei Hong and the others instead of doing something more productive with his time. The older teen had suggested it, Huang Shing had eagerly agreed, and Lu Mei had cut him off before he could say no. However, even if he had been given the chance, it is unlikely he would have rejected the invitation. That is how perplexed Liu Jin feels right now.

They are on the first floor of the Inner Disciples’ mansion. Unlike the second, third, and fourth floors, the first floor has various meeting rooms where groups can sit down and relax. These rooms can be reserved with points, and one can also use points to have food and drinks be brought over.

Since they had enough points leftover from their promotion, they had splurged a bit. Or rather, Bei Hong and Huang Shing, who had fought the most, had splurged a bit.

“Brother Bei is completely right!”

Huang Shing’s face is even more flushed than Bei Hong’s. It is almost as if he has completely forgotten he is celebrating with the person who had been a hair’s breadth away from inflicting grievous harm on him not even two days ago. Had a fight started back then, Bei Hong wouldn’t have held back.

Then again, neither would Huang Shing.

“Everyone here is amazing. Especially Brother Bei. His fourth match ended so quickly my eyes barely caught it!”

“I’m in the Third Level of the Spirit Realm! It’s expected I should be at least that strong. I’m not so frail I’ll lose to someone even one level above me, but you!” He gestures at Huang Shing with his cup. The wine spills over as it shakes. “You’re just in the Ninth Level of the Nascent Realm, but that counter in your second match? That! That was good!”

Huang Shing laughs. “No, that was nothing special. I was more impressed by Brother Bei’s finisher in his fifth match. In pure arm strength, I’m no match!”

“That was a good one, wasn’t it?” Bei Hong puffs his chest and smiles. “Still, I am saying this right now. I take back what I said earlier. You’re not trash at all!”

“I also take back all the bad things I said earlier!”

The two fools laugh loudly as they continue drinking and praising each other.

Frankly, it is a bit annoying.

“Must you look so displeased? We’re meant to be celebrating.” Lu Mei smiles at him, even as she nods in Bei Hong and Huang Shing’s direction. “You could stand to learn from those two fools. So easily pleased. If only everyone could be so simple.”

She does not bother lowering her voice. The other two are so caught up in their drinking, they’re unlikely to hear her.

“I am afraid a serious face is the only face I know how to make.”

“Hmm, I can almost believe that,” Lu Mei replies. She says it so easily Liu Jin’s eyebrow cannot help but twitch.

“It may also be that I am a bit confused as to why senior sister is suddenly willing to spend time with people who, just days ago, tainted the air by the mere act of breathing.”

Lu Mei’s motives could be as simple as trying to make it so he and Huang Shing have no choice but to side with her and Bei Hong, or it may be that there is something else at play. Regardless, her sudden change in attitude is suspicious.

“Easily changing her mind is a woman’s prerogative,” Lu Mei replies without shame. “You should be thankful for the fate that has so kindly allowed you to enjoy my attention. Many men would kill to be in your place.”

“If those men wished to trade places with me, I’d happily let them.”

“Would you, really?” Lu Mei asks, bringing her cup to her lips. Under the low lighting of the room, her golden eyes seem to glow. “Based on how we first met, you’d probably try to warn them about me. It wouldn’t work, but you’d try.”

“Wouldn’t it?”

“Of course, not. I am stunning. No man would pick your side over mine.”

“This might be the first time I have heard a woman refer to herself as stunning.”

Which is not to say she is not wrong. Liu Jin can recognize that much. Her wild hair, her intense golden eyes, her bold stance. Lu Mei’s beauty is neither elegant nor traditional. It is wild and unrestrained, but no lesser because of it. Even without her charm techniques and perfume, Lu Mei is easily one of the most beautiful girls he has ever seen.

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“Would you prefer false modesty? That is an accessory only women who are trying to lure empty-headed fools wear, and you do not seem as easily led as your friend.”

“If senior sister Lu realizes that, then would it be too much to ask for her to stop?”

The entire time.

The entire time they’ve been talking, Lu Mei has been using that Charm Technique on him.

If Liu Jin has to be honest, he finds her technique somewhat interesting. When her Qi reaches out to his, it does so in lances of pure emotion. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Lu Mei can make her Qi Lust-attuned much in the same way Liu Jin can make his Qi poison-attuned.

At first, Liu Jin thought defending himself from the technique was simply a matter of completely rejecting her Qi, but that is a substandard method for dealing with it. Instead, the best way to counter it is to allow the attack to reach him while not allowing his Qi to be disturbed by hers.

It is a good exercise.

It is really annoying.

“Oh? So you did notice.” Far from looking embarrassed or remotely remorseful at being caught, the most Lu Mei does is raise an eyebrow. “I was beginning to wonder if maybe you were a bit too young to feel such things.”

“I don’t feel you stopping, senior sister.”

“Don’t misunderstand. You looked so miserable my mood was beginning to sour. I simply had to cheer you up or risk being miserable as well. There was no choice, you see.”

“Cheering people up is what the alcohol is for.”

“Most people don’t cheat by nullifying its effects.” Lu Mei points to the two teens next to them. “You have drunk as much as they have, yet you’re still perfectly sober. How thoroughly unfair of you.”

“Should senior sister really be the one to say that to me?”

Lu Mei smiles and leans closer. “Oh?”