The young man wouldn’t stop until his words shocked everyone.
Yun Qingxue blinked. Indeed, in this fantastical world, those who couldn’t use magic were bound to suffer.
With a wave of the young man’s hand, Yun Qingxue’s immobilization spell was lifted, and she could move freely again.
“Listen, don’t even think about running before we’ve cleared things up, or else… hmph…” A wisp of mist rose from the young man’s hand, his threatening intent unmistakable.
Yun Qingxue rolled her eyes. “Big brother, you’re way too full of yourself. I have zero interest in you, not even a tiny bit! Alright, I’ve said my piece. Can I go now?”
“No!”
The young man stepped forward, blocking Yun Qingxue’s path. “If you’re not secretly in love with me, why were you peeping at me while I was bathing?”
“Ugh!” Yun Qingxue suppressed the urge to punch the young man senseless (not that she didn’t want to, but he knew magic).
“Listen, I just wanted to…” Yun Qingxue tried to negotiate.
But before she could finish, the young man covered his chest and stepped back, his gaze wary.
Yun Qingxue was so irritated by his reaction that she nearly exploded. Where did this ridiculous narcissist even come from?
“I wanted to fight you!”
“Huh?” The young man looked surprised.
Yun Qingxue pointed a slender finger at his face. “Dare to fight me without using magic?”
The young man’s eyes flickered as he considered it. “Even though you peeped at me bathing… beating you up still doesn’t seem right!”
Yun Qingxue rolled her eyes again, her patience wearing thin. “Cut the nonsense! Just say whether you dare to fight me or not. If you don’t have the guts, then get out of my way, you coward!”
“Who says I don’t dare?”
The young man straightened his neck defiantly. “I’m a full-grown man—why would I be afraid of a little girl like you?! I was just worried about hurting…” you.
“Bam!”
The word “you” was cut off as Yun Qingxue suddenly threw a punch, landing squarely on his lips.
“Oww—!”
He clutched his eye, glaring at her indignantly. “You… you… you actually ambushed me?!”
“That punch was just to teach you not to underestimate girls. Without magic, you might not even be a match for me! Enough talk—no magic allowed. Fight me or not?”
Yun Qingxue showed no remorse, only impatience as she challenged him.
“Fine!”
The young man rolled up his sleeves. “Don’t say I bullied you just because you’re a girl. You’re the one who asked for this.”
“Mm.” Yun Qingxue nodded.
But after rolling up his sleeves, the young man just stood there, unmoving. Yun Qingxue didn’t move either, waiting.
“Hey!” Yun Qingxue called out.
“What?” the young man replied stiffly. In the pitch-black night, Yun Qingxue couldn’t make out his expression.
“Well… this place is too cramped for a fight. Besides, you know my status as the Flower King—a big shot like me has to maintain some dignity…”
“So… we’re not fighting?” the young man ventured.
“Oh, we’re fighting!” Yun Qingxue waved a hand. “But we should change locations.”
“Alright.”
The young man agreed and, without warning, grabbed her arm.
In an instant, the world around them blurred into streaks of light and shadow. The next moment, the scenery had completely changed.
No longer surrounded by oppressive darkness, they now stood in an elegantly antique room, its walls adorned with softly glowing night pearls.
“Where is this?”
“My home.”
The young man grinned, revealing a row of neat white teeth.
Yun Qingxue inwardly wept. She had only suggested changing locations to avoid being found by the nightingale, but now he had dragged her straight to his house…
“If I beat you up, your family won’t come after me for revenge, right?”
For the sake of her safety, she had to clarify things upfront.
“They won’t,” the young man answered confidently.
“Are you sure? Absolutely sure?”
After all, she was now on his turf…
“Are we fighting or not? Oh—”
The young man suddenly feigned realization. “Or is this all just an excuse to get close to me? Is fighting your way of—”
“Ow!” Before he could finish, Yun Qingxue punched him square in the eye again.
“Couldn’t you at least warn me before hitting me?” the young man whined, rubbing his eye.
Yun Qingxue flexed her wrist. “Speed is key in battle. And besides… you were asking for it!”
She threw another punch. How dare he accuse her of secretly admiring him or peeping at him? Where did this guy get his overconfidence? Today, she’d use her fists to knock some sense into him!
Seeing her fist coming, the young man was prepared this time. He leaped backward, effortlessly dodging.
Yun Qingxue missed and planted her hands on her hips. “We agreed—no magic!”
“I didn’t use any,” the young man said innocently.
“And no flying! Just fight like a normal person!”
The young man frowned. “That’s so… unrefined.”
“Scared?” Yun Qingxue taunted.
That single word was enough to provoke him. “Who’s scared?! A real man like me wouldn’t be afraid of a little girl like you! Fine, no magic—but don’t cry if I hurt you!”
“Who hurts who remains to be seen!” Yun Qingxue swung again. This time, the young man refrained from any flashy moves, simply raising his arms to block like an ordinary person.
When her punch missed, Yun Qingxue immediately aimed a kick at his knee. Having grown up in an orphanage, she had never formally learned martial arts or taekwondo, but what was most abundant in an orphanage? Kids! With so many children fighting over toys, candy, or petty conflicts, she had picked up plenty of brawling skills early on. They might not be sophisticated, but they got the job done.
The young man sidestepped her kick, avoiding her knee strike—only for her to yank his hair instead.
“Fighting is one thing, but why are you pulling my hair?!”
His face twisted slightly as he leaned his head toward her to ease the pain.
“All’s fair in war! Surprise attacks win battles—as long as it works, who cares how?”
With that, she tugged his hair even harder.
“Ow—!” The young man winced.
“Do you yield?” Yun Qingxue demanded.
“Never!” he declared proudly.
“Then take this!”
She lifted her foot to kick his knee again. This time, the young man ignored his trapped hair and lunged at her in desperation. With one leg already raised, Yun Qingxue couldn’t dodge in time.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage