novelraw Chapter 128 - 126: Peeping
Chapter 128 - 126: Peeping
Youn Yuqing and Gao Dandan were staunch supporters, while Shurou and Wan Fanghua formed the opposition. None of them could figure out how Wang Meng had managed to capture their Senior Sister’s affection.
After a long wait, the door finally opened, and Yang Ying appeared. The four of them immediately swarmed her. They were the closest of sisters; while others couldn’t ask directly, they had no such reservations.
Yang Ying smiled faintly. "I know what you want to ask. The rumors outside are true."
The four of them had a million things to say, but seeing Yang Ying so composed, they were left speechless.
After a long pause, Shurou asked, "Why?"
"I want to have a taste of love, too."
She left them with that cryptic remark. "I’ll be busy for the next few days. Don’t come looking for me."
The four of them were dumbstruck. ’Heavens above! Isn’t this moving a little too fast???’
The only thing in this world that can defeat a rumor is... a bigger rumor!
Yang Ying moved into Thunderlight Hall!
This news was enough to obliterate all other rumors and give rise to countless fantasies. It even made some of Yang Ying’s pursuers wish they could storm Thunderlight Peak, level Thunderlight Hall, drag Wang Meng out, and flick his little birdie until he died. No, even after he was dead, they’d keep on flicking it!
As for all the rumors and the commotion, they didn’t seem to concern Wang Meng at all. He continued to read his Pill Books and practice his Alchemy... and, of course, continue to blow up his Pill Furnaces.
After his fifth reserve Pill Furnace ascended to the heavens, a soot-covered Wang Meng scrambled out. ’How strange. Why doesn’t the method described in the Pill Book work?’
A puzzled Wang Meng saw Yang Ying. Standing there, alone with her sword, Yang Ying couldn’t help but break into a radiant smile upon seeing the ball of ash that was Wang Meng. It was possibly the most beautiful smile in the world.
"Ah, what are you doing here?"
Wang Meng wiped the soot from his face, his words completely ruining the mood.
"Our three-day agreement is up. Don’t tell me you can help me practice my sword from all the way over at Flying Phoenix Hall? Or were you interested in a short stay there?"
Wang Meng rubbed his nose. "Forget it, forget it. There’s nothing in this world more troublesome than women. But where would you stay? Ha, I’ve got it! You can stay here, and I’ll go stay at Old Zhou’s place. Wait, his place is nicer... I’ll go arrange a swap for you!"
Yang Ying waved her hand. "No need. I’ve brought my own things. I will need to make some modifications, though. You don’t mind, do you?"
"Whatever. You could tear the place down and it wouldn’t matter. There’s nothing inside anyway."
Once he cleared out the Pill Furnaces, the place was basically empty.
For Wang Meng, this meant he could finally occupy Old Zhou’s territory openly and justifiably.
Beneath Yang Ying’s beautiful exterior was a strong heart. She was doing this to make everyone who pursued her give up hope.
This news indeed startled Thunderlight Hall. When Ma Tian’Er heard it, her face turned pale. To be precise, she had been absent-minded during her special training these past few days, and the news that had just arrived was quite a blow to her.
Liuu Mei didn’t know how to console her dear friend. After all, anyone whose boyfriend was "stolen" by Yang Ying could only concede defeat.
"Tian’Er, I’m going to go beat that bastard up!"
Liuu Mei was truly the type to do as she said, so Ma Tian’Er quickly grabbed her.
"Senior Sister, don’t. If he really likes Senior Sister Yang, then I wish him well."
Ma Tian’Er’s pale face made Liuu Mei’s heart ache. "You silly girl, why torture yourself? There are plenty of other fish in the sea."
Ma Tian’Er forced a smile. "Don’t worry, I’m just a little sad. I’ll get over it soon. Just let me get used to it. Losing to Senior Sister Yang... I have no complaints."
Since she’d said that much, Liuu Mei could only stay and comfort Ma Tian’Er, while shooting a fierce glare at the innocent Zhang Xiaopang.
Yang Ying was a guest, after all, and had to be welcomed properly on her first day. Wang Meng knew his own meager skills weren’t presentable, but Suo Ming’s cooking was unrivaled.
After receiving the message from Spirit Rhinoceros Xiaoben, Suo Ming immediately began preparing the ingredients. Soon, dish after dish was ready. Being asked to do something by Wang Meng was the greatest joy in his life.
Yang Ying never expected that a Body Cultivator, with the hands of a blacksmith, could prepare such a beautiful, aromatic, and delicious feast.
"Senior Sister, try some. I’m not just bragging; Suo Ming’s skills are unbeatable."
"Junior Brother Suo, please eat with us. I feel a bit bad otherwise," Yang Ying said.
"I can’t, Boss, Senior Sister Yang. Please, enjoy your meal. My master is waiting for me to return for training."
Yang Ying didn’t insist. She took a bite, and a look of surprise immediately appeared on her pretty face. It tasted even better than it looked. "Suo Ming seems to respect you a lot?"
"Haha, I just like bullying honest folk," Wang Meng chuckled, pouring himself a glass of wine. With Old Zhou away, he had a good excuse to enjoy it himself.
Wang Meng’s casual nature made Yang Ying feel very comfortable. This was another reason she had agreed to his proposal—there was no pressure, and it wasn’t awkward being around him.
"When you faced my Sword Qi, why did you choose to attack directly? How were you so sure you wouldn’t be injured by the force of the Sword Qi?"
Despite the delicious food before her, Yang Ying was clearly more concerned with questions about Sword Techniques.
Wang Meng took a large bite of meat and washed it down with wine, completely satisfied. "Heh, I think the senior who created this Sword Technique back in the day was probably at the Minor Perfection realm or higher. What you’re practicing now should be a simplified version. Due to insufficient Elemental Power, the highly lethal Starting Sword Form has become a feint. Of course, I know it hides a trap, but it’s useless against something like a flying sword."
"Very few Sword Cultivators would use a flying sword right from the start, and even if they did, it wouldn’t be that accurate."
Yang Ying had already put down her chopsticks and continued to press for more.
Wang Meng hurriedly swallowed two large chunks of meat. "Actually, anyone with even a little sensitivity to cultivation won’t rely on their eyes, but on their body’s natural reaction to Sword Qi. A flashy Starting Sword Form like that might be useful in the early stages, but it becomes a burden later on."
This statement hit Yang Ying right where it hurt. She had discovered this very problem, which was why she had grown more worried the more she practiced. However, the Life Mark Combination for every Sword Technique was fixed, and no one dared to alter it lightly.
"Senior Sister, you don’t need to fret. In a way, this is actually a good thing."
"How so?"
"Although it’s a Profound Skill, the most practical way to break it is with a flying sword. Breaking the starting form of Phoenix Dance in the Nine Heavens relies on one’s senses. You just need to make the Profound Skill of the starting form target those senses, instead of their sight."
After speaking, Wang Meng continued to eat and drink heartily. Fine wine, a beautiful woman, and a great feast—these were truly the pleasures of life.
Wang Meng had never experienced this kind of life before. Cultivation was mostly a bitter grind, but it couldn’t be like that all the time, could it?
A boorish man was gorging himself on food and drink, the delicacies and wine on the table clearly more alluring to him than the beauty beside him. Meanwhile, the beautiful girl just quietly watched the man stuff his face.
This made the people hiding and peeking clench their teeth in frustration. ’That damn idiot Wang Meng, is he a starved ghost reincarnated? A beauty is right in front of him, and he can still eat? Does he not know the saying that a beautiful woman is a feast for the eyes?’
In truth, Yang Ying wasn’t looking at Wang Meng but pondering his words. That one sentence was a true awakening. Those who couldn’t sense the mystique of the Starting Sword Form could be dealt with without this move anyway. For those who could sense it, the move was ineffective. All she had to do was target their Sword Sense. Yang Ying understood this because she had it too.
"Waking" from her epiphany, Yang Ying couldn’t help but frown. The Flying Phoenix Sword unsheathed itself without a sound, and streaks of sword light shot through the air, looking exceptionally dazzling under the moonlight.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Streaks of Sword Qi grazed past the scalps of the peepers. Yang Ying stood up. "Any more peepers will be killed without mercy!"
These guys seemed to have forgotten who they were watching: the Senior Sister of Flying Phoenix Hall, one of the top three experts of the Holy Hall’s younger generation.
Instantly, the group scattered like startled rats. Xiaoben chirped with delight.
Wang Meng, however, couldn’t care less. ’Let them watch if they want.’ He wasn’t trying to show off, anyway. As long as he achieved his goal, that was all that mattered.
Zhou Feng was back. To be precise, he had returned early. Flush with success, Elder Zhou was in an even better mood than before, smiling from ear to ear all day. But that kid Wang Meng was really something else. He had shared his own secrets with the boy, yet the kid had kept this huge news hidden.
Even though he was at the Main Hall, he knew that Yang Ying was, after all, the most outstanding female disciple in recent years. Who she would choose as a partner was a major event. Some Elders in the Main Hall had even tried to play matchmaker for her, but none had succeeded. To think she had chosen that kid Wang Meng.
Zhou Feng kicked the door. "Kid, get out here! I’m back!"
There was no loud-mouthed shout from Wang Meng as usual. Instead, the door opened slowly. Yang Ying saw Zhou Feng and smiled slightly. "Disciple Yang Ying greets Elder Zhou."
Elder Zhou’s foot, which had been halfway raised for another kick, quickly retracted. He instantly put on a dignified and virtuous appearance. ’This is so embarrassing! Holy crap, this kid is incredible! They’ve already reached this stage? That’s godly speed! About on par with his talent for Alchemy.’
"Ahem, Yang Ying. Very good, very good. You have good taste."
Zhou Feng laughed. Of course he was happy. He was half-master, half-friend to Wang Meng, and Yang Ying was truly excellent. This really brought him glory. Although he and Luu Yun had made up, their habit of bickering hadn’t changed. Luu Yun knew Wang Meng was talented, but she couldn’t stand Zhou Feng’s constant boasting about how he was "one of a kind, unmatched on heaven and earth." Besides, she had her own disciples! How were her disciples supposed to feel?
"Thank you, Elder."
Yang Ying appeared calm and graceful, which greatly pleased Zhou Feng. He wasn’t actually familiar with Yang Ying, but seeing her today, he could tell that the number one disciple of Flying Phoenix Hall was indeed extraordinary.
Zhou Feng could guess where Wang Meng was sleeping even without thinking. The kid had definitely taken over his place.
He kicked open the door and found his own room in a total mess.
Wang Meng, however, was amused. "Ah, Old Zhou, you’re back. Good to see you made it."
"Damn it! You little brat, something this big happens and you don’t even tell me? That’s just not right!"
"What big thing?"
"’What big thing?!’" Zhou Feng jutted his chin toward the other room. "Yang Ying is the number one beauty among the Holy Hall Disciples, with standards higher than the sky. I have no idea what kind of Enchantment she’s under to have taken a liking to you. Sigh, a few of the other Elders’ disciples were getting ready to put you in your place."
Zhou Feng was deliberately teasing him, eager to give the kid a taste of his own medicine.
"Old Zhou, you know me better than that. Senior Sister Yang is just helping me out with a favor. You know about my situation."
Zhou Feng’s enthusiasm was instantly extinguished. It took him a moment to realize what Wang Meng meant. ’So it was for Ma Tian’Er’s sake.’ He wanted her to back down in the face of an insurmountable obstacle, but he also wanted to make it easier on her. One could say his intentions were truly painstaking. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)