บท 250: An Unwelcome Invitation
Niu Hai rolled around and forced himself to stand up again. He definitely couldn't go down after just one strike! He had to at least exchange a few moves with him!
Qiu Ling heard the rustling of clothes behind him and turned around with an excited expression. Thankfully, this guy had gotten up again! He straightened his sleeves and waited until Niu Hai had caught his breath. Unfortunately, his opponent didn't seem like he would hold on for long. The fight would probably still be a short one.
Niu Hai lifted his weapon again and stared at Qiu Ling. He had to find some kind of weakness and use it to his advantage. He tried to circle him but Qiu Ling didn't react as he had thought. While he stepped right, that guy just continued to stand there and only inclined his head a bit. When he went back to the left that guy still didn't move but just turned his head to the other side. What the hell was he doing?! Shouldn't they both test each other? Then again, that guy probably didn't need it …
Niu Hai winced. His collarbone hurt like hell. It was actually getting hard to breathe and his vision had dimmed a bit. He had to be fast if he wanted to score at least some points in this fight!
He clenched his fist and once again ran forward, brandishing his dadao at Qiu Ling. The weapon didn't go for his shoulder this time but instead for his leg. Niu Hai hoped to catch him off-guard but instead, he saw Qiu Ling's eyes sparkle the moment the blade lowered for the strike.
Qiu Ling took a quick glance at his beloved, lifted his leg to evade the dadao and simultaneously kicked Niu Hai in the chest. The direct disciple flew out and crashed into the ground once more. This time, he could struggle however much he wanted he couldn't get up anymore.
The Elder in charge of the duel just stared at them. Had the guy who didn't want a duel to the death just won? He had thought that disciple was afraid and had just searched for an excuse but it seemed he had really said the truth! After all, why wouldn't he dare to have a duel to the death if he could take out his opponent in just two moves?
The Elder shook his head, stunned. The result of the duel was obvious, though. He stepped forward, took a closer look at Niu Hai just to make sure and nodded before turning to the elevated seats. "Disciple Long Jun wins the duel."
Two of Niu Hai's friends ran over, picked him up and carried him back to their division. Qiu Ling turned around and wanted to hurry back to Jing Yi but unfortunately, quite a few people had already prepared themselves for the Elder's announcement. A tight ring of Martial Sisters had formed around him the moment Niu Hai was being carried away.
Qiu Ling frowned and looked over at Jing Yi. How dare these mortals bar his way to his beloved?!
Jing Yi smiled. This was just like last year at the Gathering of Practitioners. Back then, Qiu Ling also hadn't been able to come over because of all those women. But back then, they hadn't been a couple. Now, things were different.
He stood up and wanted to go over but just then, Grandmaster Shen stood up, too. "Jing He."
Jing Yi turned around and looked up at him. He didn't know what to think of this man. He seemed nice but … Maybe all of this was also just a plan? "Grandmaster." He cupped his fists and bowed.
"Hong Bao seems to like you very much and I do admire your fiance. How about the two of you come over to eat with us this evening?"
The Elders and disciples around them turned away and stopped moving particularly inconspicuously.
Jing Yi's gaze swiveled around. He wasn't like Qiu Ling who could just continue being like always in front of so many people. Speaking with such an important person while being observed made him nervous.
"We … We'd be honored."
"Mn. Then I won't disturb you any longer." Shen An De turned around, took the hand of his wife and went his way.
Hong Bao stayed behind, though. She grabbed Jing Yi's sleeve and smiled. "It's great your fiance won! How about we talk about your wedding now?"
"Now?" Jing Yi didn't know how to react. He looked over to Qiu Ling who was angrily staring at the women around him. Strangely enough, his expression smoothed out as soon as Jing Yi gazed at him and even managed to smile. Unfortunately, that made the Martial Sisters around him only go crazier.
Jing Yi smiled and turned back to Hong Bao. "I'm afraid that could prove difficult. You see how it is. Qiu Ling might have some trouble getting out of there."
Hong Bao looked over and frowned. "We should go over! That's your fiance, those women should leave him alone."
Before Jing Yi could respond, he was already dragged along and into the fray. The Martial Sisters were everything else but happy at being shoved to the side but it proved useful to have Hong Bao with him. As soon as one of the women turned around and noticed her, she gulped down whatever she had wanted to say. Most likely everyone knew she was associated with the Grandmaster.
Jing Yi heaved a sigh of relief. Well, whatever her reason was for coming here, at least she wouldn't suffer. And he might be able to find out everything else when he spend a bit more time with her. It shouldn't be too hard. Hong Bao obviously loved to talk.
With her help, they managed to reach the inner circle. Qiu Ling's eyes lit up and he hurried over, pulling Jing Yi out of Hong Bao's grab and into his arms. He even went as far as straightening out the sleeve Hong Bao had slightly crumpled.
"My love! You came over. How did I do?"
Jing Yi nodded. "You did well." He tiptoed and rewarded him with a kiss. "By the way, uhm … Grandmaster Shen invited us over."
"Oh."
While the disciples around them went into an uproar upon that message Qiu Ling pursed his lips. He had wanted to spend the day alone with his beloved and not go to some old guy with him to hang out.
Jing Yi knew him good enough to figure out what his problem was. He took Qiu Ling's hand and gently stroked the back. "It's only in the evening. Until then …"
"Mn." Qiu Ling didn't care for the people around them anymore. He picked Jing Yi up, leaped into the air and carried him away. Even Hong Bao was left behind.
She sighed and made her way out of the encirclement again. "Seems like I'll have to continue planning their wedding alone …"
"Oh?" Just then, somebody stopped next to her.
She looked up and … found herself in front of the fourth most handsome guy she had ever seen. Well, she might have judged differently if she still remembered Shun Tao.
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yansusustories
yansusustories Ah, it's chapter 250 already ... Well, by now, we're already approaching the turning point of volume 3. I guess it's about time after that seemingly endless set up :D
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