Fame in One Battle!
The name Ye Chu spread like wildfire among Yao City’s younger generation. Unlike his previous notorious reputation, this time people discussed his strength. They were stunned that he had defeated Ding Kaiwei. No one wanted to believe it.
After seeing Ding Kaiwei dispatched in a single move, Pang Shao pestered Ye Chu to help him regain face. But after a few kicks sent him rolling away, Pang Shao finally behaved. He limped out of the residence in misery.
“You inscribed on the plaque at Ding Martial Hall?” Bai Xuan blinked her beautiful eyes. Hearing the news left her utterly astonished. “Do you know who hung that plaque there?”
Ye Chu gazed at Bai Xuan’s long eyelashes trembling slightly. He stared unblinkingly at her flawless face, marvelling at how much effort the heavens must have expended to create such a stunning woman. “I did not know before smashing it. Afterwards, I heard it was inscribed by the King himself.”
Seeing Ye Chu smile as he gazed at her, his eyes burning. Bai Xuan could not help glaring at him. She bit her lip lightly, glaring while a charming shyness filled her angry eyes. “Hurry and put away those wandering eyes of yours. And knowing it was the King’s inscription, you still dared touch it. Are you not afraid the court will hold you accountable?”
“Is Sister Bai Xuan worried about me?” Ye Chu smiled as he stared at her, showing no concern over the plaque. His clear eyes remained fixed on her without shifting.
Seeing Ye Chu meet her scolding gaze without flinching, his eyes widening instead, that fervent look seeming determined to peer into her heart. Bai Xuan felt an inexplicable flutter. Unable to bear it, she turned away first. In her mind, how old was this boy? His gaze was devouring, utterly lacking the innocence a youth should have.
“I could not care less about worrying for you.” Bai Xuan rolled her eyes, answering contrary to her heart. “But Yaoyao likes being with you. If something happened to you, she would not be happy.”
“If Sister Bai Xuan no longer cares for me, why should I bother with that little brat?” Ye Chu shrugged. “If the court deals with me, it would end this nightmare of playing in the mud every day. Sister Bai Xuan does not know the misery of being treated as an idiot.”
“Pfft…” Bai Xuan burst into laughter, like a sudden bloom of rare udumbara flower. Charmingly, she pointed at Ye Chu without reason. “Serves you right.”
“This look of yours is the most alluring. No man could resist Sister Bai Xuan’s enchanting smile.” Ye Chu tilted his head, staring at her. In his heart, such a radiant beauty truly possessed devastating charm no one could withstand.
“Nonsense.” Bai Xuan shot him a reproachful glance. She had grown accustomed to Ye Chu’s occasional flirtations. This fellow could not be viewed through the lens of an ordinary youth.
Unable to endure his heated gaze, Bai Xuan covered his eyes with her hand. “That was an imperial plaque. The issue is neither major nor minor. If the court overlooks it, nothing will happen. If they pursue it, you will face serious trouble. Pang Shao’s background seems extraordinary. Have him speak on your behalf. Perhaps it can avert this crisis.”
After days of contact, Bai Xuan no longer felt the former disgust towards Ye Chu. He was not as bad as outsiders claimed, merely unrestrained and carefree in a way that displeased people. Yet such a casual, libertine nature should not bear such vile slander.
Sometimes Bai Xuan felt Ye Chu was rather pitiable. At such a young age, bearing the scorn of an entire city. Was that not too cruel for a seventeen-year-old?
“Mm.” Ye Chu nodded casually to ease Bai Xuan’s worry. But he paid no heed to the plaque matter. The court would hardly make a grand fuss over one plaque to deal with him. Aside from a few individuals in the court, Ye Chu truly feared no one.
Would the court deploy those few over a mere plaque? That was clearly absurd.
Ye Chu chatted idly with Bai Xuan for a while. Seeing Bai Bao enter with Yaoyao, Bai Xuan caught the girl leaping into her arms. Sensing her father wished to speak privately with Ye Chu, she prepared to leave with Yaoyao.
But Yaoyao refused to go, prompting Ye Chu to pinch her little cheek. “Be good. Yaoyao go out first. I will play with you soon.”
Yaoyao answered in her childish voice, blinking her innocent clear eyes. “Auntie. Brother Ye Chu does not want me anymore. Let us go. Men’s words truly cannot be trusted. He said he would play with me, yet always finds excuses to delay.”
“Pfft…”
Her attempt at sounding grown-up made Bai Xuan laugh uncontrollably. She glanced sympathetically at the dumbfounded Ye Chu before carrying Yaoyao away.
“Haha…” Bai Bao laughed heartily too. “Where did this little one learn that? Already knowing men’s words are unreliable. Who taught her such things?”
Ye Chu shrank his neck guiltily, tears in his heart with nowhere to vent. He had originally told Yaoyao those things hoping she would not be easily deceived by men when older. Who knew she would use them on him.
“Er, Uncle Bai, did you need me for something?” Ye Chu looked at Bai Bao. After days of recovery, the man’s vitality had greatly improved. Full restoration would likely come soon.
“You have nothing you wish to ask me?” Bai Bao smiled ambiguously at Ye Chu. “If not, I will leave.”
“Ah.” Ye Chu had not expected Bai Bao to say this suddenly and was caught off guard.
“After these days together, I know what kind of person you are. Lazy by nature. If you can avoid trouble, you certainly will not seek it. Yet you treated me without expecting reward. My body is clear to me. Healing it is extremely troublesome. I heard you personally sought the three-hundred-year lingzhi. For someone as lazy as you to expend such effort on something so bothersome, you must want something.” Bai Bao smiled.
Seeing Bai Bao lay it bare, Ye Chu laughed. “Perhaps I fancied Sister Bai Xuan’s beauty and harboured improper thoughts.”
“Haha. You little rascal, precocious indeed. Quite the lecher. I was worried before, given your notorious reputation in Yao City. But hearing Bai Xuan say you once refused her offer to accompany you as payment, I felt though you are bad, your character is not utterly deplorable. Otherwise, do you think Bai Xuan would still show you a pleasant face?” Bai Bao laughed loudly.
Pausing, Bai Bao continued. “You can treat the baleful energy in my body, so you must have seen its source. For lazy you to disregard trouble and heal me, you seek something from me?”
The words silenced both men. This was undoubtedly Ye Chu’s aim. He had planned to probe indirectly, but Bai Bao had spoken plainly.
“Uncle Bai has sharp eyes. Saving you was indeed for the Great General’s Tomb.” Ye Chu did not deny it. “I am very curious how Uncle Bai entered. I know the tomb’s terror well. Even the empire’s retired emperor dares not go inside. For Uncle Bai to enter, you must have a special method. May I know if Uncle Bai can tell me?”
After speaking, Ye Chu stared directly at Bai Bao. This was a secret he desperately wanted to know.
