14 Dugu Xiao Yi

Suddenly, a memory from Jun Xie’s past life flashed before his eyes. He was startled. He had also been wandering around the main street in his past life when he had seen ‘her’. She was so beautiful that he had to turn around to take a second glance at her. That young woman had also been angry. She had also shouted at him, "What are you staring at? You rascal, haven’t you seen a beautiful woman before?" Who knew that they would become acquaintances in the future? Jun Xie was an ace assassin. Therefore, he always made sure to avoid as many troubles as possible. Now, both of them had been separated by two worlds. Jun Xie started to feel melancholic as this thought crossed his mind.

Jun Xie felt warm in his heart since this young woman had reminded him of his past life. He said, "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

The young woman clenched her teeth in frustration. She glared at Jun Xie and said, "You useless person! I know who you are. Third Younger Master, what new tricks do you have up your sleeve? Are you playing the game of the first encounter?"

[Eh… So, I do know her.] Jun Xie started to search for memories related to this woman in his mind. He then laughed and spoke in an embarrassed tone, "Miss Dugu, it’s our fate that we know each other."

[This is fate? What kind of a madness is this?]

Miss Dugu was dumbfounded. She stared at Jun Xie with dismayed eyes. One of her female bodyguards couldn’t control her laughter, and burst out laughing. In the meantime, Tang Yuan had returned to locate Jun Xie after having noticed his absence behind him. He too had heard Jun Xie’s words. He couldn’t help but admire him. Third Master Jun was truly a professional when it came to courting women. Moreover, his guts were worthy of being praised. Not many people could dare to speak in such a manner in front of the most irrational woman of the Tian Xiang kingdom.

Dugu Xiao Yi stared at Jun Xie with fierce eyes. She then said, "Have you forgotten the last beating that you received from me? As you can see… I’m already not in a fine mood today. I can help you in getting rid of your bones… if you want."

Jun Xie was startled. He finally recalled that this woman ­– Dugu Xiao Yi was the biggest terror in Jun Mo Xie’s life. He had been beaten-up by this woman in the past because of some action of his’. The beating had been so severe that it had taken him nearly a fortnight to get off his bed.

"Miss Dugu, I hope you’re doing fine. Aaahhhh… I wanted to say that this Little Brother has some important matter to take care of. So, I’ll take my leave. I’ll see you later." Jun Xie tried to leave the place as soon as possible. The young lady seemed as if she was about to pounce on him and give him a good beating. According to Jun Xie’s memories, the young woman had great fighting abilities even though she was extremely young. She could easily defeat not one... but several Jun Mo Xies with her skills. Jun Xie wasn’t scared of her. But, it was important for him to conceal his true strength at this point of time. Moreover, he believed in playing safe. [Errr…. Good guys don’t beat-up women.]

"Stop!" Dugu Xiao Yi held her head high, and looked at Jun Xie in an arrogant manner. "Where are you going? Are you planning any mischief? You’ve bumped into me. So, you can forget about your mischievous plans. Come here… Let me vent out my anger on you. Then, I’ll let you go."

Tang Yuan was perspiring like a pig. He stomped his feet and thought, [Third Young Master, people change their paths rather than coming face-to-face with this woman. Why did you have to provoke her? It’s true that she’s beautiful. But, she’s isn’t as important as your life.]

An idea crossed Jun Xie’s mind as he looked at the arrogant face of the woman standing in front of him. He whispered in a secretive tone, "Miss Dugu, it’s inappropriate for girls to visit the place that we’re going to…"

"What? Are you going to a brothel?" Dugu Xiao Yi had spoken these words without any hesitation. She was clearly an extremely bold woman.

She let out a cold sigh as she stared at the two men with contempt in her eyes, "You filthy people!"

Jun Xie pretended as if he was shocked. His face looked as if he had been wronged. He said, "Who said that we’re going to a brothel? Not everyone’s like you." He continued, "We’re going to the Thousand Gold Hall… to gamble. Eh?" Suddenly, he realized that he had spoken too much. So, he quickly shut his mouth.

"Going to Thousand Gold Hall for gambling?" Dugu Xiao Yi lost her temper as she heard the first part of Jun Xie’s reply. However, her eyes lit-up as she heard the latter part. She squinted her eyes and smiled. "I’ve never been there… Will you take me with you?" She had spoken these words in a dominating voice; which hadn’t left any room for a refusal from Jun Xie’s side. The way that woman had jumped from one thought to the other was really admirable.

"Miss…" One of Dugu Xiao Yi’s female bodyguards tugged at her sleeve in an attempt to discourage her. She couldn’t be blamed for trying to stop Miss Dugu from visiting a place where two of the most notorious men of the Tian Xiang city were headed. She was the most prized person of her family. How could she hang out with two hooligans like them?

However, Dugu Xiao Yi didn’t seem to care about anything. She said in an excited manner, "Don’t worry. These two brothers of mine never get tired of talking about the Thousand Gold Hall. So, there should be something special about that place. Why shouldn’t I go and check it out myself?" She then grabbed Jun Xie’s ear and said, "Take me there… I’ll let you go then."

Jun Xie let her hold his ear even though he could’ve easily avoided her. He pretended that he was going through a lot of pain as she kept on holding his ear while moving forward.

Jun Xie’s bodyguards looked at each other and smiled bitterly. Then, they started to follow them. Dugu Xiao Yi’s bodyguards also followed them as they didn’t seem to have any other choice. All the sixteen bodyguards had been stuck in the same situation. No one among them was in a position to do anything but restrain themselves. Jun Xie’s bodyguards were blaming the Dugu family, and vice versa.

Tang Yuan sighed. He thought, [How did we manage to cross our paths with a tigress? If she sees the promissory note…] he shivered, [… then she’ll spread this news in the entire city within a span of few hours. All the important people in the kingdom will come to know about it within two days. Then, I’ll be left with no other choice… but to end my life on my own.]

They finally arrived at the Thousand Mile Fragrance Restaurant. They crossed the outer courtyard, and then entered the huge courtyard at the back of the restaurant. Tang Yuan quickly rushed inside and shouted, "Third Young Master Jun is here. Give it to me quickly… Give it to me…"

Six youngsters appeared at the doorway; all of them were laughing. They were about to say something when they noticed Dugu Xiao Yi approach them while holding Jun Mo Xie’s ear. Their expressions changed, and their faces became as pale as the earth.

Only two families were neutral regarding the princes’ fight over the throne. One was the Jun family, and the other was the Dugu family. Both these families held an important position in the court and military circles.

Dugu Xiao Yi was the only daughter of the Dugu family. She had seven brothers. She had been greatly pampered as she was the only daughter of the family. So, she had become spoilt and conceited. However, she was extremely skilled. Her level of cultivation in Xuan Qi had reached a superior level even though she was very young. Moreover, she was blessed with a great sense of justice. She was famous throughout Tian Xiang city, and was known as the ‘Nemesis of Debauchees’. All the Young Masters present in the Thousand Gold Hall had had a bitter experience with her in the past.

It was believed that her grandfather – Dugu Zongheng — was an efficient Xuan Qi expert who had reached the Sky Xuan rank. He was the only person in the entire kingdom who had the capabilities to challenge Jun Zhan Tian of the Jun family. He was also a Grand Duke. Dugu Xiao Yi’s father – Dugu Wudi and three uncles were great generals in the kingdom. Moreover, her seven brothers were serving in the military. Therefore, the might of the Dugu family was only slightly behind the present Jun family’s.