Chapter 121 - How Dare You Mention My Beautiful Sweetheart!

As soon as Bu Jinglan said these words, the lively atmosphere in the hall instantly froze. Bu Jinglan previously said that he had come here on a marriage mission to find his princess. But now he mentioned letting his entourage learn from people of Da’an. He clearly wanted to use this to improve his status, indicating to the world that even if the Great Yue Kingdom took the initiative to put forward a marriage proposal to Da’an, they would get the upper hand!

Baili Qingcang’s eyes moved slightly, and a faint coldness flowed through his eyes. “Since you said it was an exchange, that’s not a bad idea. Where are your people? Why didn’t you bring them along?”

Bu Jinglan raised his eyes and clapped his hands. The ten people waiting outside the door came in one after another. These men and women stood in two lines and greeted Baili Qingcang unanimously.

Their voice of shouting “Long Live Your Majesty” was extremely loud, which almost shook people’s hearts.

Shen Ninghua’s pupils suddenly shrank when she saw these people, who were clearly Bu Jinglan’s guards and maids! With these people as the rivals, Da’an had nothing to be proud of even if they won. If they lost, then they would really lose face.

Many officials also thought of this and stared at Bu Jinglan with hostility.

Bu Jinglan stood motionless in the middle of the hall with a gentle smile on his face.

Shen Ninghua was puzzled. A few days ago, this person conflicted with her because of Shen Linghan. At that time, he acted like an impulsive young man. But now, he was standing there smiling, giving off an unfathomable aura. Such contradictory personalities appeared in the same person, which was unusual in every perspective. Was he disguising himself too well or was there some other reason?

“Your Majesty, the contestants of our Great Yue Kingdom are all here. What would Your Majesty like to be the first contest?” Bu Jinglan looked around and smiled confidently.

If his previous disdain was still obscure, then this question was simply slapping Da’an in the face. The opponent was only a few guards and maids, and Da’an was given the chance to select the contest in advance. This was ridiculous! For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was rather tense.

“Sixth Prince was really a causal person. As visitors, you are our guests. I understand your intention of letting us specify the contest, but our Da’an is a grand and courteous country. We treat our guests with kindness and generosity. So, you just tell us your choice of the contest, and we will accept gladly.”

As soon as these words were spoken, many people cheered in their hearts. They all turned their heads to look for the person who said those words.

Chu Junyi was now exposed to everyone’s gaze. He held the wine cup in his hand and slightly turned to the right. His starry eyes glittered on his handsome face and his lips carried a charming smile. People could not help but admire this handsome young master.

Bu Jinglan’s expression changed. Just as he was about to embarrass Da’an, this person put a label on him for disrespecting protocol. It was really interesting.

“This young master is sitting in the back. May I know your official rank?”

Chu Junyi put down his wine cup and sat up straight. “I’m just a low-ranking imperial editor who isn’t worth your attention. However, when it comes to contests and exchanges, I do have some ideas.”

Bu Jinglan narrowed his eyes. “I’d like to hear your ideas.”

“Contests and exchanges are either literal or martial ones. For men, literal contests involve poems, essays, and proses, and martial arts are about nothing more than using all kinds of weapons. For women, they are even simpler, just poems, musical instruments, dancing skills and needlework. There is nothing really interesting. What kind of contests do you want, Sixth Prince?”

Shen Ninghua couldn’t help but laugh in her heart. Chu Junyi’s words were utterly choking. He first named all the items of contests, and then said these were boring. Finally, he asked Bu Jinglan for his opinion. What else was there to say?

Bu Jinglan laughed softly. A dangerous light flashed through his eyes, and he directly provoked. “Although these items are quite common, they are the best options for contests. Judging from what you said, you are very confident. Why don’t you attend the first contest?”

Chu Junyi waved his sleeves and swept his gaze across the two rows of men and women from the Great Yue Kingdom. A trace of contempt flashed through his eyes. “What’s the big deal? It’s just a competition.”

He stood up and walked to the center of the hall. Then, he saluted Baili Qingcang and said, “Your Majesty, although I’m only an insignificant imperial editor and don’t possess much talent, I would like to have the pleasure of experiencing the power of the Great Yue warriors. Please allow me to attend the first contest, Your Majesty.”

With his current status and rank, even if he lost in the end, it wouldn’t affect the dignity of Da’an at all. There was no reason for Baili Qingcang to disagree, so he directly ordered someone to confer a cup of wine to Chu Junyi. “Alright, I’ll leave the first contest to you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Chu Junyi stood up and turned to look at Bu Jinglan. “Your Highness, what do you want to compete about?”

Bu Jinglan smiled. “There is no first place in literature and no second place in martial arts. If we compete about literature, then it is really not easy to decide which side is the winner. It is better to compete in martial arts.”

“Indeed, it’s faster and also the most straightforward way. Then let’s compete in martial arts.” Chu Junyi stood straight, and his lips carried a trace of coldness.

Shen Ninghua raised her eyes. If Bu Jinglan dared to say this, he must be well prepared. Those ten guards were definitely skilled in martial arts. Although Chu Junyi had the title of Peerless Dual Master, he was most praised for his literary talent, not his skills in martial arts. Didn’t he intend to hide his talent in martial arts anymore?

Chu Junyi looked at Shen Ninghua, and his eyes flashed with warmth. She had been conferred the title of Prefectural Princess, which pushed her to the forefront of the storm. In addition, the Second Prince and the others were eyeing her covetously. The title Peerless Dual Master alone could not match her. This time, it could be considered as his battle for fame! His sweetheart was so beautiful that she deserved to enjoy unparalleled glory!

Under Baili Qingcang’s command, a tall arena was soon erected.

Shen Ninghua and the others moved to seats outside.

“Rub-a dub!”

The sound of drumbeats rang out, and the warm air was filled with a chilly atmosphere.

Bu Jinglan cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, although this contest is only for the purpose of exchange, fists have no eyes. Please forgive me if there some injuries were caused to the contestants.”

“It’s OK.”

The civil and military officials felt a chill in their bodies and their hearts trembled. Many generals glared at Bu Jinglan. It was not suitable for them to volunteer to be a contestant in kind of occasion. Otherwise, how could they allow this callow youth to be so arrogant?

Bu Jinglan had exactly taken advantage of their mentality. The several people who came to compete on the arena were all common guards. If their rivals were military officers of Da’an, whether the officers won or not, Baili Qingcang would lose his face. Bu Jinglan was confident that his own people would easily deal with a young master from an aristocratic family who did not live up to his name.

Someone from the Great Yue Kingdom had already started to move. With a swift leap, he borrowed some strength from the edge of the arena to leap up higher before landing on the arena. Then, he waved his fist at Chu Junyi who was below the arena. “Imperial editor, please forgive me if you are injured.”

Chu Junyi smiled coldly and walked up the stairs step by step.

Seeing this scene, many people of Great Yue who were seated below the arena laughed out loud.

“He looks exactly like a civil official. To compete with us in martial arts, he is truly overestimating himself.”

“Haha, I wonder if his body can withstand one single punch from the warrior of our Great Yue.”

“I’m dying of laughter. He even needed to walk up the arena. Should we send someone to help him? The stairs are so high, and it would be dangerous if he fell down.”

Da’an officials were completely silent as they glared angrily at the Great Yue people opposite to them. Many people clenched their fists secretly under the arena, wishing they could go forward and give the Great Yue people some beating.

Shen Ninghua looked at the arena and stopped fiddling with the jade bracelet on her wrist. She felt her heart in her mouth. Chu Junyi, what exactly do you want to do?

Chu Junyi stood on the arena, and his gorgeous robes fluttered, in stark contrast to the stalwart Great Yue warrior who was dressed in a martial uniform.

“You really know how to bluff. Don’t ask me to spare you in a while.”

Chu Junyi sneered. A cold killing intent flashed through his deep eyes. “Originally, I wanted to spare your life, but your filthy mouth cannot utter decent language. Since that’s the case, then I’ll do as your master has said. Didn’t he say that fists have no eyes? I’ll cripple you today!”

“What a tone! The people of Da’an are all cowards who only know how to play with their tongues. Today, I will beat you to tears and make you beg for mercy.” Since no one could hear their conversation on the arena, the Great Yue warrior became even more unscrupulous.

“Kill!” The warrior abruptly stomped his foot, and his enormous body rose from the ground. His hammer-like fist targeted Chu Junyi head-on.

However, Chu Junyi did not dodge at all. He stood upright like a green pine.

Below the arena, Shen Ninghua unconsciously tightened her grip on the silk handkerchief in her hand, and her face tensed up. Many people had already cried out in alarm, not daring to raise their heads to look at the arena.

Yang Yingxue leaned closer to Shen Ninghua, and her face became pale.

On the arena, when the warrior’s fist was about to approach his face, Chu Junyi suddenly bent back. The fierce fist brushed against the tip of his nose, generating a strong gust that caused his cheeks to ache.

“Brat, you really know how to fight.” The Great Yue warrior missed his target. He retracted his arm and clenched his fists back and forth, producing crackling sounds in his joints. Then, he held his breath and rushed towards Chu Junyi again.

One attacked fiercely while the other dodged with his hands folded behind his back, creating a series of afterimages on the arena.

Bu Jinglan put down his wine cup and stared at the two people on the arena with a complicated expression. His heart sank. He had investigated Chu Junyi before. This person who had the title of Peerless Dual Master had been quiet for a lot of years. Other than accidentally writing one or two stunning poems, he had done few things that could attract people’s attention. He had thought that Chu Junyi didn’t live up to his reputation and only angled for fame, but he didn’t expect that his martial arts skills were so high.

The Great Yue warrior panted heavily and glared at Chu Junyi with scarlet eyes. He wished he could tear him apart and eat him alive. “You only know how to dodge, you turtle! Which woman would like a cowardly turtle like you!”

Chu Junyi paused abruptly and a murderous intent surged out. “I had meant to play cat and mouse with you, but now it seems that there is no need.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure suddenly disappeared from where he was. After a loud bang, the Great Yue warrior screamed miserably.

“Ah!”

Everyone below the arena was dazzled. A figure fell heavily onto the ground from the arena, stirring up a patch of dust.

Chu Junyi stood at the edge of the arena and looked at the Great Yue warrior who had fainted. He coldly curled his lips and said, “I enjoy a good relation with my black-hearted girl. Remember this lesson from me and don’t ridicule other people by mentioning their beautiful sweethearts in the future. Look, you are injured, right? Well, some of your ribs have probably been broken. I have shown mercy to you in this kick.”