Capítulo 4: 4. Flirtatious Madam

"Pah!"

"What a sight to behold! Brother Yifei, your martial prowess has truly reached the pinnacle!"

Wu Sansi was the first to shake off his shock, his eyes brimming with admiration and astonishment.

He knew Zhang Chu's strength well. As a second-rate master, Zhang Chu was formidable enough to be feared by many. Yet here was Li Yifei, a mere teenager who seemed no older than eighteen, dispatching him with a single move. Such power was as profound as it was terrifying.

Wu Sansi couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at his fortune. Who would have thought that the young man rejected by the Ministry of War was, in reality, a hidden martial arts prodigy?

"How terrifying! Has this kid's strength already reached the level of a first-rate master? Otherwise, how could someone like Zhang Chu be defeated in just one move?"

The guests at the Wu Mansion were filled with awe as they looked at Li Yifei. No longer did they see a mere boy; in their eyes was now a deep fear.

A first-rate master at just eighteen? The implications were clear to them—this young man was destined for greatness, someone they could never afford to offend.

"A top-notch expert?"

Li Yifei merely curled his lips, not bothering to respond. His gaze shifted to Wu Sansi. "Master Wu, do you find my skills satisfactory?"

"More than satisfactory, Brother Yifei! Your martial arts are unparalleled. It is an honor to have a young hero like you in my household. From today on, you are one of us. If you ever need anything, just come to me, and I will see to it."

Wu Sansi laughed heartily, genuinely pleased to have such a powerful ally.

"Yifei is grateful for your kindness," Li Yifei said with a respectful bow.

---

Life had been smooth for Li Yifei since he became a guest of the Wu Mansion. Wu Sansi hadn't assigned him any specific duties, simply urging him to train diligently and strive to win the martial arts championship.

Li Yifei had no intention of slacking off. He knew that only by winning the championship could he get close to the demon queen and finally avenge his parents.

During this period of leisure, Li Yifei took the opportunity to explore the entire Wu Mansion, getting to know the other guests.

Once they learned of his extraordinary strength and potential, these usually arrogant individuals quickly set aside their pride and began treating him as a brother. Their relationships developed rapidly, and soon, Li Yifei had formed bonds of friendship with them.

Of course, Li Yifei's generosity with his wealth also helped him gain their support.

Yet, despite the leisure and the friendships, Li Yifei never forgot the teachings and expectations of his late mentor. While others indulged in wine and song, he spent his nights alone in the courtyard, practicing with his sword.

One evening, Li Yifei went to a secluded garden to practice his swordsmanship under the vast canopy of stars. The starlight illuminated the garden, casting an enchanting glow on the surroundings.

As he danced with his sword, his graceful and heroic figure seemed to merge with the garden itself.

At that moment, a beautiful woman, drawn by the sound of his swordplay, paused outside the garden. Her eyes, which had not been stirred for a long time, suddenly lit up when they beheld Li Yifei's elegant movements and handsome face.

"What a handsome young man! The servants say he's the new guest Master Wu has recently hired. He doesn't look much older than Cui'er, yet his martial skills are extraordinary!"

The woman was so captivated that she accidentally stepped on a stone.

"Ouch!"

The sharp pain in her ankle made her cry out involuntarily.

"Who's there?"

Li Yifei's sharp senses immediately detected the sound. He halted his movements, his eyes scanning the garden like an eagle's.

He quickly spotted the woman standing at the garden's edge, her brows knitted in pain. The dim starlight obscured her features at first, but as he approached, he was struck by her mature beauty.

She was a woman of elegance and grace, adorned with gold and silver jewelry. Her aura exuded a quiet nobility. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her figure voluptuous and perfectly proportioned. Her large, expressive eyes seemed to speak, and her slender neck was smooth and flawless, her waist as slender as a willow branch.

Though the woman appeared to be in her early thirties, there was a hint of weariness in her eyes that suggested she was older than she seemed.

"Sir?"

The woman's voice, tinged with both anger and joy, brought Li Yifei back to reality. He asked, somewhat embarrassed, "Madam, are you injured?"

"I twisted my ankle," she replied, glancing up shyly, her seductive eyes full of allure.

"What a flirtatious woman! She's certainly a temptress," Li Yifei thought, smiling mischievously. "Madam, I know a bit about medicine. Shall I help you to a seat and take a look at your injury?"

"I would be most grateful, sir," she responded, her voice soft and inviting.

Understanding her intention, Li Yifei quickly moved to support her. As his hand touched her skin, he couldn't help but marvel at its softness. "So smooth! I wonder how Madam maintains such delicate skin."

"What did you say, sir?" she asked, looking up in surprise.

"Nothing, Madam. Let me take a look at your injury first," Li Yifei said, knowing that haste would only ruin the moment. He helped her to sit down, preparing to lift her long skirt to examine the wound.

But the woman lowered her head shyly and softly pleaded, "Sir, could you please not lift my skirt?"

"Madam, how can I check your injury if I don't? Besides, you wouldn't want to sit here in the cold wind for too long," Li Yifei responded calmly, not rushing the matter.

She glanced up at the sky, then looked into Li Yifei's seemingly innocent eyes and nodded gently. "Very well, but please be gentle, young master."

"I promise, I will be very gentle, Madam," Li Yifei said with a smile that hinted at unspoken thoughts.

His words stirred her imagination, and she playfully scolded him, "You little rogue! Daring to take advantage of me—aren't you afraid my husband will have your head?"

"Your husband? Madam, are you the concubine of Lord Wu?" Li Yifei asked in surprise, not expecting that the woman before him was Wu Sansi's wife.

"Concubine? I am Wu Sansi's legal wife!" she retorted, feigning anger.

"The legal wife? No way! Madam, you look no older than your twenties, hardly older than my sister. How could you be Lord Wu's wife?" Li Yifei widened his eyes, pretending to be utterly shocked.

"Hehe, you cheeky boy!" she said, tapping his forehead lightly with her slender fingers, her eyes sparkling with flirtation. "I'm old enough to be your grandmother, not your sister."