“Ye Chu!” Chen Bowen suddenly roared, his voice thundering through the room. The smile vanished from his face entirely, and the shock of it silenced everyone present.
All of them knew that Ye Chu had enraged Chen Bowen. It was no surprise. When had Chen Bowen ever not been fawned over? Yet now Ye Chu had insulted him with those words. How could he not be furious?
“What’s the matter? Is there a problem?” Ye Chu still smiled as he looked at Chen Bowen. “We were only debating a man’s proper place. Did you need to shout my name so loudly? Anyone who didn’t know better might think you had fallen in love with me, only to be rejected, and now you’re lashing out in embarrassment!”
Ye Chu spoke with a laugh, but the crowd around them stared with bulging eyes. They thought this was the most outrageous thing they had heard all day. Did Ye Chu even know who stood before him in Yao City?
“Alright, I’m rather tired now. I won’t play with you lot any longer!” Ye Chu smiled at Su Rong and her group. Chen Bowen had just schemed to have everyone curse him, so he had fired back with an insult of his own. That made them even, and he had no interest in continuing the game.
As Ye Chu turned to leave, Chen Bowen bellowed, “Stop right there!”
The explosive shout ripped away Chen Bowen’s usual restrained, sunny facade, revealing a raw fury none had seen before. He glared straight at Ye Chu, immense pressure radiating outward. Almost everyone sensed it. Chen Bowen was in a thunderous rage. They held their breath, not daring to meet his eyes.
Yet only Ye Chu, with his defiant smile, turned back and said slowly, word by word, “I said… I’m tired.”
The quiet voice rang through the bookstore. Many girls covered their mouths, unable to believe anyone dared confront Chen Bowen head-on. In Yao City, who among the younger generation would challenge his edge? They thought this was the boldest thing they had ever heard.
Chen Bowen himself had never expected anyone in Yao City to treat him this way. For a moment he was stunned, blankly watching Ye Chu’s retreating back. By the time he snapped out of it, Ye Chu had already stepped through the bookstore door.
Su Rong watched Ye Chu face Chen Bowen with such overwhelming force. Seeing Chen Bowen clench his fists as if to chase after him, she smiled and stepped in front, subtly blocking his path. “Brother Bowen, it’s been ages since we’ve seen your calligraphy and paintings. Won’t you show us today?”
Though Zhang Su’er did not know why Su Rong was blocking him, she followed suit and smiled. “Yes! Brother Bowen rarely comes out. We should all enjoy ourselves!”
With the two girls speaking up, the others quickly joined in. “Exactly! Why would Big Brother Bowen bother with a lowlife like that?”
Everyone chimed in, one after another, until Chen Bowen’s urge to pursue faded. He tucked away his rage and restored his bright, cheerful laugh.
Su Rong let out a quiet breath of relief and glanced at Chen Bowen. She thought to herself that it was fortunate no fight had broken out, or there would have been more trouble. If that black-robed figure in the palace really was Ye Chu, then his strength was even greater than she had imagined. She had seen with her own eyes how the black-robed man repelled the guard captain with a single palm.
Chen Bowen was formidable, no doubt, but was Ye Chu any less so? If they truly fought, even if Chen Bowen won, it would not be easy. Moreover, Chen Bowen would soon face the challenge from Sha Country. He could not afford to waste his energy on Ye Chu now.
“Brother Bowen! I heard that Sha Country sent an envoy to Yao City this time and challenged our Yao cultivators. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is,” Chen Bowen replied with a smile. “In three days, the decisive battle will take place atop Yao City’s tower.”
“It’s really happening?” someone exclaimed. “Sha Country is bold. Rumour says they have wagered an entire city this time. Is that true?”
“Yes,” Chen Bowen nodded. “Sha Country has long dwelt in the Gobi. We have no interest in their cities. Winter is coming soon, and they seek a better place to settle. Taking one of Yao’s cities is their true aim.”
“Thieves! How dare they even dream of it!” someone fumed. “Brother Bowen, you must crush them all. Don’t let them win our city!”
“What nonsense are you talking?” A girl rapped the speaker’s head in annoyance. “When Brother Bowen fights, who can stand against him? Dealing with Sha Country’s cultivators will be child’s play!”
“Exactly! Are Yao City’s cultivators inferior to theirs? Crushing them would be effortless!”
“If you can’t speak sensibly, keep quiet. With Brother Bowen here, victory is certain!”
The crowd glared at the first speaker until he smiled sheepishly and fell silent.
Chen Bowen smiled at everyone, then turned his gaze to Su Rong. Looking at the radiant yet cool beauty before him, his heart stirred irresistibly. He wanted desperately to possess her.
“Su Rong, in three days I will face Sha Country’s warriors. Could you come to the general’s mansion these next three days to paint and write with me, to help me settle my mind?” Chen Bowen asked.
His words made everyone hold their breath, eyes fixed on Su Rong and Chen Bowen. The meaning was clear. This was a gentle confession. No one had expected him to declare himself at this moment.
Though the crowd saw them as a perfect match, that was only their opinion. In truth, it was not so. Would this confession finally make it real?
“Ah…” Su Rong’s cheeks flushed faintly. She too had not expected him to say such a thing now.
Looking at the handsome, sunny man before her, Su Rong could not deny she felt favour toward him. It was like seeing something beautiful. One naturally wanted to draw near, and sometimes she blushed for Chen Bowen just as other girls did. Yet that slight favour did not mean she would accept him.
“I’m sorry. These next few days there are family matters, so…” Su Rong shook her head apologetically, refusing gently.
Her words drew sighs from everyone around. They all turned to look at her.
“Su Rong truly isn’t easily won. Good thing I never confessed. If even Chen Bowen was refused, I’d have had no chance.”
“Su Rong is still a crane soaring in the heavens, lofty and untouchable.”
“A true pearl. Even Chen Bowen cannot fully bring her down to earth.”
Countless people sighed inwardly, thinking Su Rong was indeed a proud, pure blossom that perhaps no one could ever pluck.
“It’s fine,” Chen Bowen said, his smile still bright, though now somewhat strained.
“Brother Bowen, we’ll gather again another time. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave,” Su Rong said, standing and smiling at him as if she had not understood his meaning.
With that, she took Zhang Su’er and left under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Once outside the bookstore, Zhang Su’er asked, “Why refuse Chen Bowen? Among Yao City’s younger generation, isn’t he the one you favour most?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Su Rong said, her face reddening.
“What kind of friends are we? How could I not know who you like?” Zhang Su’er laughed. “You actually turned him down. I’m surprised. But then again, who is truly worthy of our white swan? Hehe. Our little swan said as a child that only a great hero, accomplished in both civil and martial arts, towering between heaven and earth, would ever win her hand!”
“Keep talking nonsense and I’ll tear your mouth off!” Su Rong swatted at Zhang Su’er to silence her. Zhang Su’er burst into laughter, and the two playfully bickered all the way down the street.
