C64 Chosen 36

"Not that people can't look, but animals like you aren't allowed!" Outside the shop, Li Jing strode in. "This is the No-south House's shop. Get out of here right now!"

Huang Qing turned around, sneering at Li Jing. "I wondered who it was. Turns out it's just a snot-nosed kid like you. Where's old man Li?"

"My father doesn't need to deal with scum like you!" Li Jing, still lacking some composure, threw a punch immediately.

Huang Qing, already fuming from earlier events, was itching for a fight. Seeing Li Jing charge at him, his eyes turned cold.

Nearby, Meiniang noticed Huang Qing's lethal intent, especially with a poisoned needle clutched in his fist, her eyes flickered slightly.

"Ah—"

A scream echoed as Huang Qing and Li Jing's fists collided. Huang Qing's entire arm felt like it was being crushed, pain shooting through him like a lightning bolt.

Li Jing was stunned. Since when was he this strong?

At that moment, Meiniang suddenly looked up. In her line of sight, a white figure passed by.

That woman from the other day...

Feng Tiange had always thought the Shadowless Needle was just a legend—a technique where energy transforms into needles that pierce the body, then dissipate back into energy, slicing through the body like invisible blades.

Someone with such skill must be a top-tier master in the martial world. Who would've thought the owner of Meiniang's shop was hiding such prowess?

Stumbling upon this scene was purely by chance. Tiange originally intended to find Xiaotian to gather intel on the latest shipment route into the capital. The Marquis of Martial Peace had already fallen out with Xie Jin, and the urgent task was to create an opportunity for Soong Yu to prove himself. This opportunity was to eliminate the bandits.

Tiange planned to leak the shipment route to the bandits. Once they hijacked the goods, Xie Jin would be furious and send troops to reclaim his property, and those troops would have to be led by Soong Yu. Typically, thankless tasks in the Ministry of War fell to him...

The vast sky was as deep and unfathomable as ink, with stars shimmering like the glistening waves of a river. Occasionally, drifting clouds would obscure the crescent moon, casting shadows on the ground. Suddenly, a scorching wave of heat erupted, like a massive stone breaking the valley's tranquility. Bai Yushuang swung her long sword, and with a flash of cold light, several massive trees fell with a crash!

The sword rose again, cutting through the air with a sharp hiss, carving a deep trench before Bai Yushuang. "General..." A man emerged from the shadows, respectfully standing by her side, his voice filled with concern. "Dugu Yan claims the reason I keep losing battles is that I've chosen the wrong weapon, that the sword is unlucky," Bai Yushuang said, her voice rough yet exuding unmatched charisma. "Her Wind Slash Sword might be lucky, but it sure didn't save her!"

In contrast, the man beside him had a fair complexion and delicate features, a true gentleman. "Why does it seem like you're not happy about Dugu Yan's death, General?"

"Happy? Of course, I'm happy! Why wouldn't I be? From now on, I won't have to secretly curse him or beg the heavens to take that creep away..." Bai Yushuang suddenly stopped speaking and turned to the man in front of him. "Dao Wu, do you think Dugu Yan died because of my curse?"

"Dugu Yan was cornered by Beiming Yuan at the Heaven Obeying Hall and took his own life," Dao Wu replied seriously.

Bai Yushuang fell silent, then smirked coldly. "In that case, I really owe Beiming Yuan a thank you."

Watching Bai Yushuang drag his sword, Wind Slash, towards the deep valley, Dao Wu was puzzled. His general's happiness seemed a bit unusual...

Bai Yushuang's mission to Qi was no secret. The Ministry of Rites had already received the documents and reported to the court. Since Bai Yushuang was carrying a state letter with the Zhao King's seal, the reception had to be impeccable. The Ministry of Rites was in charge of all arrangements.

In a quiet alley, there was an unassuming tavern. Feng Yan filled Xie Jin's cup and raised his own, drinking first as a gesture of respect.

"If Bai Yushuang dies in Qi territory, how will we explain this to King Zhao?" Xie Jin asked, frowning as he held his wine glass.

"Dugu Yan is Bai Yushuang's arch-enemy on the battlefield, and since Silver Mask is still at large, it would seem Bai Yushuang... fell to Silver Mask," Feng Yan replied, setting down his glass. "Forgive my bluntness, but you cannot afford any more mistakes. The Crown Prince seems displeased with your recent performance."

Xie Jin knew the issues with the Martial Academy and Meiniang's establishment were minor. The Crown Prince was truly upset about the private salt shipment he recently brought to the capital being intercepted, which was a critical blow.

"By the way," Feng Yan hesitated, looking troubled, "my son Ranxiu will return in a few days. I was hoping... if it's convenient for you, could you possibly arrange for him to be transferred to the Tiger Cavalry Battalion for some experience?"

When Xie Jin looked up, Feng Yan had already pulled out a stack of banknotes from his sleeve.

"Hey! There's no need for that between us. Put it away," Xie Jin said, pushing the banknotes back. "This isn't difficult for me to arrange. All it takes is a document. The real question is whether the South Suppressing Marquis will accept him."

Feng Yan nodded, "I'll handle things on my brother's end."

"Then there's no problem. Come on, let's drink!" Xie Jin raised his glass and downed it in one go...

After the selection at the Imperial Academy, Feng Tiange attended her first Go class at the Wenn Mansion.

If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Tiange could hardly believe it—there were exactly twenty people in the chess room, including her. Rong Qi's charm was truly something else!

Just as Tiange settled into her seat, someone made a fashionably late entrance. Dressed in white, exuding an ethereal and noble aura, Rong Qi stepped in, and the room erupted in thunderous applause that nearly made Tiange slide off her chair. She caught snippets of the chatter around her:

"Didn't you say Prince Rong likes purple? Why are you wearing blue?"

"Maybe he actually likes blue?"

"Do you think Prince Rong will like me? Will he, will he?"

"He's the man of my dreams. I got into the Imperial Academy just for him..."

Tiange sighed deeply, feeling a bit exasperated. "Ladies, can't your ambitions reach a little higher?"

Of course, aside from the starstruck admirers, there were plenty of normal folks in the room, like Ye Zhixi, Shangguan Jing, and her own sister, who, despite having just recovered, looked unusually flushed.

Well, maybe not Xueyao. Her eyes were filled with an unmistakable longing for Rong Qi.

The chess room had individual tables, each with a jade-carved chessboard and a set of ivory pieces beside it.

Completing the entire set would cost at least a thousand dollars, so the Imperial Academy certainly isn't short on funds. As far as Feng Tiange knows, the Academy also has influence in the Fish Market...

"Since you've all managed to get into the Literary Mansion, your chess skills must be quite impressive. Today, I'll set up a chess problem, and anyone who can solve it will be considered to have passed," Rong Qi said as he arranged the pieces on the raised wooden chessboard.

"And then what?" Tang Siyan asked on behalf of those who weren't overly impressed.

"Then..." Rong Qi seemed to ponder seriously for a moment before flipping open a slightly yellowed document on the table. "Then, each time you come here, I'll set up a new chess problem based on these records. Once you've solved the final problem, you'll be able to leave the Imperial Academy successfully."

Feng Tiange's mouth twitched. Who in the Academy had the poor judgment to choose him?