Chapter 162: Fangirl
Seeing the three Investigative Bureau Officials sit down on the folding stools, Xie Bo withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes to rest his mind. Although he had already decided to go all out against Lu Yun in order to obtain the complete cultivation method, his heart was extremely tormented, not knowing how to face the condemnation of his conscience.
“I should still try not to damage his meridians fundamentally, just beat his flesh, muscles, and bones a bit miserably,” Xie Bo secretly calculated: “This way, although he will look very miserable, he can recover after recuperating for a year or half a year.” Thinking this way, Xie Bo felt a bit better in his heart.
After waiting for a while longer, clamor of voices came from outside the Maple Forest. The three Investigative Bureau Officials simultaneously raised their heads and looked over, only to see dozens of young masters and young ladies in brocade clothes and fine attire approaching from afar while chatting and laughing.
The three officials immediately frowned tightly. The one in the lead gave a slight signal, and the two beside him rose from the folding stools and went to meet the crowd.
“Oh my, there seems to be some excitement ahead!” The several lackeys leading the way pointed at the clearing in the woods, pretending to be greatly surprised.
“Haha, there’s excitement, we must watch it!” The crowd of young masters and young ladies also chimed in with great interest: “Let’s go take a look.”
“Everyone, please stop.” The two Investigative Bureau Officials came forward and raised their hands to block their path. “There’s a competition ahead; no approaching allowed.”
“What, a competition?” The lackeys were overjoyed upon hearing this: “Then we must go take a look!”
“Exactly, better late than never. Everyone hurry over; if we’re late, there’ll be nothing to see!” Several lackeys swarmed forward according to the plan they had discussed earlier, surrounding the two officials completely. The young masters and young ladies took the chance to laugh and rush past them toward the clearing in the woods.
The two Investigative Bureau Officials were furious, but they couldn’t lay hands on these delicate young masters and young ladies over such a small matter, so they could only sternly warn them a few times, which was all taken as wind past their ears…
In the blink of an eye, the young masters and young ladies reached the edge of the clearing, selecting advantageous viewing spots on one side while excitedly looking toward the field. Xiahou Yanran naturally took the best spot and looked at the person in the field, asking: “Who is that? He doesn’t look like Lu Yun in terms of age.”
“And he’s not good-looking either.” Several young ladies nodded in agreement. It was as if they hadn’t come for the competition but to see handsome guys.
“Of course, that’s Xie Bo. Lu Yun hasn’t arrived yet.” The lackeys hurriedly introduced him.
“He wouldn’t not dare to come, right?” The young masters and young ladies couldn’t help but worry; he wouldn’t make everyone come for nothing, would he?
“He wouldn’t dare not come!” A knowledgeable young master said confidently: “Next year he has to participate in the Nine Rank Official Appraisal; just on the count of breaking his word, he absolutely couldn’t enter High Rank.”
“That’s good…” Only then could the young masters and young ladies relax and wait for Lu Yun’s arrival.
The two Investigative Bureau Officials walked to their superior with ashamed expressions and softly pleaded guilty: “This subordinate is useless.”
“Forget it.” The leader sighed helplessly. He had already seen Xiahou Yanran and Xie Tian, these troublemaking devils; how could he dare say anything more? Worst case, once Lu Yun arrived, if he thought the scene didn’t meet the agreed conditions, he could agree to reschedule the competition.
。
Time passed bit by bit. As the sun rose higher, the sunlight illuminated the clearing in the woods very brightly, making the red leaves on the ground even more blood-red and dazzling to the eyes. A gentle autumn breeze blew, and the fallen leaves danced lightly, like flames of bright red fire burning across the ground.
But no one had the mind to appreciate this beautiful scene before them anymore; they were already getting impatient from the wait. Xiahou Yanran furrowed her delicate brows and looked at Xie Tian unkindly: “That Lu Yun wouldn’t really be chickening out at the last moment, would he?”
“Probably, it’s this late already.” Several young masters nodded, both pleased and annoyed. They were pleased that Lu Yun forfeiting would mean they all win money, but coming all this way for nothing was infuriating.
“Probably… not…” Xie Tian wiped the sweat from his forehead. Big Sister always kept her word; if that damned Lu Yun didn’t come, he would have to be the turtle.
“Wait one last incense stick. If he doesn’t come, you learn to crawl down the mountain like a turtle.” Xiahou Yanran snorted displeasedly: “I was originally going to put in a good word for that Lu Yun, but now I just want to beat him up!”
“Yes, yes.” Xie Tian gave a dry laugh, uglier than crying, and his hatred for Lu Yun grew even more in his heart. “Little beast, even if you shrink into your shell like a turtle, I can still make you ruined in body and name, worse than death!”
In the clearing, the three Investigative Bureau Officials occasionally looked up at the sun. Seeing it was about time for chenshi and Lu Yun still hadn’t come, they rose from the folding stools and walked toward Xie Bo.
Xie Bo knew this meant announcing the opponent’s forfeiture and his victory. He couldn’t help but breathe a huge sigh of relief, secretly thinking: “This is truly the best situation.”
Xiahou Yanran sighed in disappointment and turned to leave. Her followers hurriedly followed.
“Young Master Xie.” The leading Investigative Bureau Official had a businesslike expression as he looked at Xie Bo: “Chenshi has arrived, but your opponent hasn’t, so the Investigative Bureau announces your challenge…”
The word “success” hadn’t yet left his mouth when the crowd of onlookers suddenly stirred. The girls who hadn’t gone far with Xiahou Yanran excitedly shouted: “Wow! Wow! Wow!”
Xiahou Yanran and the others had just taken a couple of steps when they saw a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth in white robes strolling out from the fiery red Maple Forest.
White robes whiter than snow, red leaves like fire. The young master was like a figure from a painting, as exquisite as jade.
With just one glance, including Xiahou Yanran, all the girls were stunned in place.
Lu Yun’s figure drew closer and closer, his features becoming clearer and clearer. The young ladies stared at him unblinkingly; only now did they believe that there really were men in the world more handsome than girls…
Seeing even Xiahou Yanran with a lovestruck expression, the young masters were naturally extremely jealous of Lu Yun and wished to throw him into the field immediately to let Xie Bo smash that devastatingly beautiful face. They shouted noisily toward the field: “He’s here, he’s here! He came!”
“…” The Investigative Bureau Officials had long heard the commotion and stopped speaking. They frowned as Lu Yun walked into the field and said with obvious displeasure: “Young Master Lu, you are late.”
“Sorry.” A shy expression appeared on Lu Yun’s handsome face, and he smiled embarrassedly: “I got lost.”
“Wow, so cute…” The young ladies let out another chorus of squeals. They firmly believed that with this face, no matter what mistake he made, it could be forgiven.
“Oh my god, I’m going to faint…” One young lady clutched her chest, her little face flushed with excitement: “When I get back, I’ll have my dad propose marriage; none of you fight me for him!”
“Why you!” The girls immediately objected; the handsome guy belonged to everyone—how could she have him all to herself?
。
In the field, after hearing Lu Yun’s explanation, the Investigative Bureau Official looked at Xie Bo: “Young Master Xie, what do you say?”
Xie Bo looked at Lu Yun helplessly and secretly cursed: “Idiot, if you got lost, don’t come; why come suffer again?!” But in front of Xie Tian, he could only grit his teeth: “I don’t mind.”
“Good.” The Investigative Bureau Official then said: “Since Young Master Xie doesn’t pursue it, Young Master Lu’s lateness is overlooked.” Then he looked at Lu Yun: “Young Master Lu, according to your prior conditions, this competition cannot have spectators, and the conditions are not met now, so you can choose to compete another day.”
“To hell with that…” The young masters were furious upon hearing this: “No, it can’t be canceled!”
“Cancel, cancel!” The young ladies, however, flipped sides and became Lu Yun’s fans.
“Cough…” Lu Yun coughed awkwardly and smiled at the Investigative Bureau Official: “I don’t mind either.”
“Ah…” The young ladies paled in dismay: “Young Master Lu, you’ll get hurt!”
“Alright then.” The Investigative Bureau Official took out three copies of the life-and-death agreement and had the two sign and seal them. The content was nothing more than both parties voluntarily competing, life and death by Heaven’s Mandate, and families not to pursue.
The two then picked up pens and signed and sealed the life-and-death agreements. The Investigative Bureau Official kept one copy for the record and said to them: “You two may begin at any time.” Then he retreated to the side of the field.
In the field, only Lu Yun and Xie Bo remained.
