C17 The 17th Chapter

Yan Xiuchuan relaxed, leisurely picking up a piece of cake and taking a bite. "Oh, it's osmanthus cake. No wonder it's from the Prime Minister's Mansion; it tastes better than what we have at home."

Wu Chengzhao, noticing that his champion beetle had just lost another leg, wasn't in the mood to discuss cakes. "Third Young Master Yan, you're really something."

Yan Xiuchuan nodded with a smile. "I've always been quite capable."

Wu Chengzhao was exasperated.

Suddenly, the clouded leopard, tired of the cat-and-mouse game, spread its wings and lunged at the champion beetle. Everyone gasped, and both Wu Chengzhao and Yan Xiuchuan held their breath. Wu was shocked by the leopard's unexpected move, while Yan worried that the small leopard might be thrown off by the beetle.

But the clever leopard didn't charge directly. Instead, it darted under the beetle's belly and gave a powerful shove. Somehow, with its small frame, it managed to flip the large beetle over.

In a flash, the leopard opened its jaws wide.

"Oh no," Wu Chengzhao shouted, quickly ordering his servants to separate them.

Just as quickly as it happened, the dark clouded leopard had already bitten through the belly of the undefeated champion, spilling green liquid all over the ground.

"Oh no, my undefeated champion!" Wu Chengzhao exclaimed, stamping his feet in distress.

"Squeak... chirp, squeak chirp." The dark clouded leopard jumped to the edge of the porcelain plate, flapping its wings triumphantly.

"Hahaha," Yan Xiuchuan laughed heartily. "Wu, a bet's a bet. That piece of land is mine now."

They had made a wager: if Wu Chengzhao lost, the private estate outside Yuan'an City would go to Yan Xiuchuan, and vice versa.

Wu Chengzhao instructed his attendants to bring the deed, signed it over, and handed it to Yan Xiuchuan. "You got lucky this time. Next time, we'll race horses. I want that lakeside property of yours."

The "property" was actually a hundred acres, including the house. The vast lands of the region were filled with powerful families, each owning thousands of acres.

Yan Xiuchuan accepted the deed with joy, agreeing without hesitation, laughing, "Alright, Wu, you better have that deed ready."

As he prepared to put the dark clouded leopard back into its bamboo container, everyone gathered around, eager to see the creature that had so easily defeated Wu Chengzhao's undefeated champion. Wu was known as an expert in this field, and he would never let his champion fight unless he was confident of victory. The undefeated champion was a fierce breed, and any cricket in Yuan'an City that crossed its path was either dead or severely injured.

"Too bad, today we ran into a tough opponent."

"Sanlang, your little cricket is something else. What breed is it?"

Yan Xiuchuan shook his head and replied calmly, "I don't know either."

No one believed him, and they all teased Yan Xiuchuan. Suddenly, someone exclaimed, "Could it be a snake cricket?"

"What snake cricket?" Everyone was puzzled and looked at the speaker, who turned out to be Jiang Lin. Jiang Lin was the only talented one among the group, fond of poetry and skilled in music. He was usually shy and quiet, but when he spoke, it always made sense.

"Sanlang, did your Black Cloud Leopard grow up in a place where snakes are common?"

Yan Xiuchuan recalled the scene of countless snakes that night, feeling a chill down his spine, and nodded, "Indeed, it did."

Jiang Lin clapped his hands and said, "That explains it. The Wei Ming Chronicles mention that snake crickets like damp and shady places and often live with snakes. They're skilled fighters, strong, and cunning." He glanced at the lifeless General Ever-Victorious. "General Ever-Victorious didn't lose unfairly. Mr. Wu, your cricket may be a champion, but Sanlang's snake cricket is the king of crickets! How can a general win against an emperor?"

Wu Chengzhao's eyes lit up with envy, his fingers itching to try his old tricks and take what he fancied.

But Yan Xiuchuan quickly put the Black Cloud Leopard back into a bamboo tube, hiding it securely. "Thank you, Jiang, for clearing that up. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what a treasure my friend gave me!"

Everyone was curious and kept asking which friend it was. Yan Xiuchuan chuckled and said, "As the saying goes, it's better left unsaid."

Having bested Wu Chengzhao, Yan Xiuchuan was in high spirits. As he walked, he tossed a bamboo tube into the air like a child, catching it and giving it a playful kiss. In his haste, he accidentally bumped into someone. Stumbling back a few steps before regaining his balance, he angrily demanded, "Who dares to be so bold?"

The young woman had already knelt down, bowing repeatedly. Judging by her attire, she was likely a personal maid to one of the ladies. Knowing it's wise to consider the master before scolding the servant, Yan Xiuchuan softened his tone, "Look up and speak."

She slowly lifted her head, revealing a delicate face with tears glistening like raindrops on a flower, and a few strands of hair falling softly by her temples. She looked pitiful. "I am Feng Biyin, a maid lost in thought. I didn't see you, sir. Please forgive me."

Yan Xiuchuan asked, "Which household are you from?"

In a gentle voice, Feng Biyin replied, "I serve the Fourth Madam."

Feeling too cheerful to hold a grudge, Yan Xiuchuan said, "Bumping into me is no big deal, but if it had been my second brother, an apology wouldn't suffice. Be more careful next time!" With that, he continued on his way.

As he passed by Feng Biyin, a subtle, elegant fragrance caught his attention, a blend of floral notes and earthy undertones, leaving him momentarily stunned.

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