Chapter 502 - Chapter 502: Chapter 502: Taste the Feeling of Being Beaten

Chapter 502: Chapter 502: Taste the Feeling of Being Beaten

Although everyone in Xuan Country knew that Miss Dugu had a fiery temper, they hadn’t expected it to be so explosive. The people present were all geniuses from various places within Xuan Country. But Dugu Nian wasn’t giving anyone any face and instead told them all to shut up directly.

Several people wore embarrassed expressions. Having been scolded by Dugu Nian like that, it was somewhat humiliating. After all, they were just talking about teaching Fang Lin a lesson on her behalf, but then she completely disregarded them and was even annoyed by their noise.

However, no one dared to lose their temper, even if they were dissatisfied with Dugu Nian, they didn’t show it.

“How dare you, Fang Lin! You come into my territory and don’t satisfy your obligation to see me right away. You even try to avoid me! What are you trying to say?” Dugu Nian placed her hands on her hips and glared at him with wide-open eyes, delivering her scathing words loudly without a care for her image.

Everyone was dumbfounded. They’d heard rumors about Miss Dugu’s volatile temper, but seeing it firsthand, it was not just explosive but entirely ferocious.

She constantly referred to herself as “this young master”—was this really coming from the mouth of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl?

Princess Xiruo and Saintess Han Li were also at a loss for words. They had known Dugu Nian for a long time and understood her temper well. Prior to this, both of them had repeatedly warned Dugu Nian to control her temper, but now it seemed that she didn’t heed their advice at all.

Yet they were also curious about what kind of person this Fang Lin was. What could cause Miss Dugu to act so unseemly? It didn’t seem like they were enemies, rather it appeared they were acting more like lovers playfully quarreling with each other.

“Look, please have some grace. You are, after all, the young miss of the prestigious Dugu Family. You shouldn’t be acting like a shrew,” Fang Lin said, somewhat helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Dugu Nian became even angrier and shouted louder, “Are you saying I act like a shrew? Where do I resemble a shrew? Have you ever seen a shrew as young and beautiful as me? Are you blind or something?”

Everyone secretly agreed with Fang Lin’s words. At this moment, Dugu Nian truly did resemble a shrew.

Of course, even if she did resemble a shrew, she was a young and beautiful one.

Fang Lin, on the receiving end of her rant, didn’t dare talk back. Firstly, he was on her turf, and the moment she called upon them, numerous people would jump out to beat him up.

Secondly, he and Dugu Nian were old acquaintances, and he was familiar with her temper.

“Are you avoiding me on purpose?” After she finished with her outburst, Dugu Nian asked again and kept a steady gaze on Fang Lin, anticipating his response.

Fang Lin felt extremely awkward under her unceasing stare and had no clue where to place his gaze. He mumbled a reply, “Where did you get that idea? I’m new here, I hardly know anyone, let alone how to contact you. Otherwise, I would’ve been the first to get in touch with you, knowing you are here.”

He paused before adding in a forced mature voice, “After all, I still am your master.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback — Fang Lin was Dugu Nian’s master? What was happening?

The geniuses present were all dumbstruck. Who exactly was this Fang Lin? They’d heard he was just some genius from the Lower Three Kingdoms, so how did he turn out to be Dugu Nian’s master?

The fact that Dugu Nian had stayed behind in the Purple Mist Sect to accept Fang Lin as her master was only known to a few within the Dugu Family and didn’t circulate widely.

After all, if something like this were to get out, it would be embarrassing, and the Dugu Family didn’t want people of Xuan Country to find out that Dugu Nian had had an ambiguous relationship with a boy from the Lower Three Kingdoms.

“Psh, what kind of a master are you? All you know is how to bully me,” Dugu Nian replied aggressively.

“What? This guy bullied Miss Dugu?”

“This is the most shocking news I’ve heard today!”

“I smell gossip!”

“My curiosity has been piqued.”

····

All the young geniuses there stared, wide-eyed; they were all admirers of Dugu Nian. They could hardly manage to speak a word to her in regular times, yet Fang Lin was found guilty of bullying her. This was absolutely unforgivable.

“Fang Lin! I challenge you to a duel!”

“Evil scoundrel Fang Lin! May you be hacked to a thousand pieces!”

“Dare to bully Miss Dugu, are you tired of living?”

····

Upon seeing these young geniuses with red-rimmed eyes, Fang Lin grimaced. He felt as if he’d just slaughtered their entire families.

Dugu Nian shot an impatient glare at those people, instantly quelling their anger. This was the power of a single gaze — they couldn’t withstand it.

“Just what exactly are you trying to do?” Fang Lin conceded. This girl was indeed a bad omen; crossing paths with her never led to anything good.

Dugu Nian humphed, her coquettish manner was conspicuous. She declared, “I heard you were pretty good in the Lower Three Kingdoms. I just want to see if you’re still better than me.”

Fang Lin was taken aback. This was what Dugu Nian intended to do? Beat him up?

Dugu Nian revealed a scheming smile. Back in Qian Country, she couldn’t beat Fang Lin. But now, having been training intensively within her family, her strength had significantly increased. She wanted revenge and make Fang Lin taste the defeat she had once experienced.

“What do you say? Are you scared? Just admit it if you are. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Dugu Nian smugly provoked, using an obvious tactic to goad him into action.

“This is the Crown Prince’s Palace and it’s unseemly to start a fight here,” just as Fang Lin finished speaking, Crown Prince Zhou Yishui appeared.

“No worries, if Miss Dugu is interested, there’s no harm in having a friendly match. We can take it to the Martial Arts Academy,” Zhou Yishui said with a smile.

Having seen Zhou Yishui, Dugu Nian gave a small bow before continuing to challenge Fang Lin with her gaze.

Fang Lin was exasperated. He was already in too deep and had to accept the challenge.

“Alright, I suppose I, your teacher, should give a few pointers then,” Fang Lin said, feigning reluctance, which caused everyone to yearn to punch him even more.

They all arrived at the Martial Art Academy, a spacious place suitable for duels. This was clearly the place where Crown Prince Zhou Yishui practiced martial arts.

Fang Lin and Dugu Nian stood facing each other. Over a year had passed since they had last seen each other, and they hadn’t expected they would meet again under these circumstances.

“Can Miss Dugu win against that Fang Lin?”

“Hard to say, he seems to be quite unassuming.”

“Earlier, Qin Tianchuan was also knocked back by his punch.”

“Are you stupid? Do you think if this kid even touches Miss Dugu, he would walk out of here alive?”

“True, and Miss Dugu’s strength is also not to be underestimated.”

···

The match hadn’t even started, but people were already speculating. Many of them were watching Fang Lin; if he dared to harm Miss Dugu in any way, they would instantly step in to suppress him forcefully.

“Both of you can start when ready,” Zhou Yishui announced, standing with his hands behind his back.

With a confident expression, Dugu Nian leaped lightly and initiated her moves towards Fang Lin.