Chapter 319: Sunrise at Mount Hua
Chapter 319: Sunrise at Mount Hua
Ji Xinghu immediately bowed his head, and it was a long time before he raised his head again, only to find that Zhao Manying's eyes were hazy, as if she wanted more.
"Let's go back," Ji Xinghu said, about to fly down the mountain.
"No," Zhao Manying said, hugging his neck and whispering in his ear, "Let's stay here."
"Ah?"
Ji Xinghu was stunned before he understood her meaning. Was she suggesting something so stimulating for their first time?
He wasn't the kind of person who only cared about his own pleasure. Concerned, he asked, "Didn't you say you were visiting relatives?"
"Yesterday was the last day. I'm free now," Zhao Manying replied, her voice filled with shy anticipation but also determination. "This is where we confessed our feelings for each other. I want to create even more beautiful memories here."
No man in the world could refuse such a request.
Ji Xinghu's head spun with desire.
He slowly flew back to the summit and found a flat area of rock. He took off his jacket and spread it on the ground.
Zhao Manying's clothes had been torn during the battle, revealing her stunning figure. Even in the darkness of night, Ji Xinghu could see her clearly, and he couldn't help but praise, "Manying, you're so beautiful!"
Unconsciously, he began to compare Zhao Manying to Ren Jie in his mind.
Both women were flawless beauties with perfect appearances and figures, but their postures and charms were distinct.
Zhao Manying appeared taller and more slender. Her height of 1.8 meters was accentuated by a pair of round and straight long legs that seemed like a perfect masterpiece, giving off a sense of untouchable allure.
Her years of practicing martial arts and swordsmanship had honed her body to be lithe and graceful, with well-proportioned curves. There wasn't a single imperfection to be found.
Ji Xinghu was momentarily stunned.
Zhao Manying didn't wait for Ji Xinghu's next move. She opened her eyes and gazed at him, chiding, "How long are you going to stare?"
"Coming..."
Ji Xinghu lay down on the ground as well.
On this summer night, he had led Zhao Manying on a climb up Mount Hua, navigating treacherous terrain. They had climbed over mountain ridges and through deep valleys, quickening their pace in rhythm before slowing down when their stamina waned, whispering softly to each other.
"Mmm..." Zhao Manying's skin flushed, and a intoxicated hum escaped from her nose.
After a few hours of intimate exploration, the two worked in perfect harmony, hand in hand, as they reached the summit.
It was just in time for sunrise.
The sun rose from the eastern horizon, its rays spilling across the land and painting the mountains with a golden hue.
Ji Xinghu sat on the edge of the cliff, taking in the breathtaking view.
Zhao Manying sat beside him, her body draped in his jacket to conceal her exposed curves. She leaned her head on his shoulder, adding a touch of allure to her exquisite and beautiful face.
Suddenly, she turned her head and coquettishly asked, "Aren't you done yet?"
Ji Xinghu stopped his caressing hand on her leg and simply hugged her waist, pulling her closer, and laughed, "I could do this for a lifetime."
"Rogue!" Zhao Manying playfully scolded, her heart filled with sweetness.
"It's too late now if you've only realized I'm a rogue," Ji Xinghu laughed, but he didn't take it any further.
As the sunrise ended and the sun continued to rise, it illuminated the area.
Although they were on a mountaintop, a highway was just a few hundred meters away. Moreover, they might be captured by satellites after sunrise, and if those images were to spread, it wouldn't matter much for him as a man, but Zhao Manying's reputation would be ruined.
"We should go back," Ji Xinghu said.
"Mmm," Zhao Manying nodded. "Let's wait a few more minutes."
Before long, a maglev car sped up the winding mountain road. Ji Xinghu recognized it as Zhao Manying's car, which had driven itself from her home and switched to flight mode near the summit, landing smoothly on the mountaintop.
"You're so smart, Manying," Ji Xinghu smiled. "I was wondering how to get you down without exposing you."
"There are plenty of ways," Zhao Manying said as she got up and quickly got into the car.
Despite it being her first time and after a night of climbing, her speed and movements were unaffected.
Ji Xinghu hurriedly followed, and the car flew back onto the highway, heading toward Chang'an.
When the maglev car arrived at Zhao Manying's home in the Miyang Building, it hovered in the garage without anyone getting out. The car shook at a high frequency for over half an hour before Ji Xinghu finally got out, holding Zhao Manying, and headed into the bathroom.
Soaking in the spacious bathtub, Ji Xinghu spread his hands out on the edge and asked, "What's your plan for today?"
"The team needs to train tactics," Zhao Manying replied.
"Can you take a leave?"
"No," Zhao Manying hesitated and shook her head. "We have a match tonight against a strong opponent. The coach wants to work on specific tactics, so I need to practice with the team. We can't be careless."
"Okay, then I'll drive you to the club," Ji Xinghu said, although he had only asked casually, intending for her to rest for the day.
Zhao Manying thought he had other ideas, so she snuggled closer and said, "I'll come back to accompany you after the match tonight."
Ji Xinghu smiled and began scrubbing her back.
After freshening up and having breakfast, the two got into the car, with Ji Xinghu in the driver's seat. They sped off, arriving at the Dixing Club right on time.
He had been there many times and was very familiar with the place.
"Do you want to come in with me?"
Ji Xinghu thought for a moment and nodded. "Sure."
He scanned the entire club with his electromagnetic induction, but didn't detect Shi Renzhong, indicating that he hadn't arrived yet.
Shi Daoyuan was currently being detained and interrogated by the Sword Bureau. He would be prosecuted and sentenced, and with the crimes he had committed, the death penalty was inevitable.
What would the Shi family do now? Despite Shi Daoyuan's confession that he was the only high-ranking member of the Qianyu Society, and that the rest of the Shi family was not involved, Ji Xinghu felt that things were not that simple.
Shi Daoyuan's greatest skill was that he was Shi Hongyi's son and the group's vice president. How could he secretly organize and participate in the Qianyu Society, controlling several branches, without his father's knowledge, given that he was just a super esper? Even the Sword Bureau's swordsmen had their suspicions.
However, without evidence, the Asia-Pacific Community, being a nation that abided by the law, could not implicate Shi Daoyuan's family just because of his crimes.
Moreover, Shi Hongyi was a Celestial King and the country's richest man.
Zhao Manying linked arms with Ji Xinghu as they walked towards the training ground. Along the way, they attracted curious stares from the club's staff.
After exchanging greetings, each one turned back to glance at them.
"You're even more famous than I am now. It's my turn to bask in your glory," Zhao Manying said softly with a laugh.
Ji Xinghu maintained a calm expression. "I'd rather they didn't know me at all."
"That's impossible." Zhao Manying shook her head gently. "One day, everyone on Earth will know your name."
When they arrived at the training ground, Zhao Manying headed to the changing room to change into her training gear.
Ji Xinghu waited alone by the sidelines, but as soon as he arrived, he realized that everyone's attention was on him. The competitive espers on the team, the coaching staff, and even the club employees were all looking at him.
"Xinghu!"
Qi Feng immediately approached him enthusiastically.
"It's been a while, Qi Feng," Ji Xinghu greeted him. Qi Feng was the second most powerful member of the Emperor Star Team. He was a Heat Stringer and had ranked 85th on the Celestial Ladder the previous year, rising to 52nd this year.
Since Zhao Manying joined the Emperor Star Team, Qi Feng had always been her teammate, and together, they had won eight championships.
They had achieved fame and greatly enhanced their status.
Moreover, at 35 years old, he was considered a senior member, and the younger teammates called him "Feng Bro."
"I almost couldn't handle that 'Feng Bro' of yours just now. Hahaha..." Qi Feng laughed heartily.
He nudged Ji Xinghu playfully, his eyes filled with curiosity and admiration. "You went to the Starry Realm for a year, and when you came back, you were the top of the Celestial Ladder, renowned worldwide. Sigh, I should've gone to the Starry Realm earlier. Being a competitive esper just doesn't cut it."
Competitive espers enjoyed both fame and fortune, and they didn't have to worry about the dangers of evolution.
However, for those competitive espers who wanted to go further on the path of evolution, eventually entering the Starry Realm was inevitable.
The Starry Realm was a path that all espers had to tread.
Even the most successful competitive espers, those who had never ventured into the Starry Realm, would feel a sense of insecurity when faced with espers who had honed their skills in that realm.
Not to mention, Ji Xinghu was at the top of the Celestial Ladder, and his formidable strength was evident to all.
"You're just joking, Qi Feng. The achievements you've attained are something countless espers could only dream of," Ji Xinghu said.
Qi Feng waved his hand dismissively. "It's easy for family to understand family matters. I rode on the Sword Immortal's coattails to win a few championships, so I do have some skill. But if I were to enter the Starry Realm, compared to those who have made a name for themselves there, like you, I'd still fall short."
His eyes shone with eagerness. "If there's an opportunity in the future, Xinghu, you have to take me with you."
As Zhao Manying's longest-serving teammate, Qi Feng was well aware that she wouldn't remain a competitive esper forever. Eventually, she would venture into the Starry Realm, and as her boyfriend, Ji Xinghu would undoubtedly bring her along.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
If he could join Ji Xinghu and Zhao Manying's team, he might not soar to the heavens, but he would certainly avoid many detours and have his safety guaranteed.
Ji Xinghu pondered for a few seconds. "No problem."
Qi Feng had top-notch talent and strength. He had the potential to break into the top ten on the Celestial Ladder. His relationship with Zhao Manying was good, and he was straightforward and reliable. He would make a valuable addition to the team, and for Zhao Manying's sake, Ji Xinghu was willing to bring him along.
Of course, he wouldn't be a permanent member of their team. Later on, he would be introduced to his second brother and friends.
"Then it's settled!" Qi Feng was overjoyed.
Ji Xinghu chatted with him for a while, and Zhao Manying soon emerged, changed into her combat uniform. Seeing the two of them, she asked, "What were you two talking about?"
Qi Feng immediately repeated what they had just discussed.
Zhao Manying glanced at Ji Xinghu, guessing his thoughts, and readily agreed.
"Let's begin training!"
Head Coach Wang Chongheng called out, and the team members gathered, only to realize that one person was missing—Shi Renzhong hadn't arrived yet.
"Renzhong has something to attend to today, so let's start training without him," Wang Chongheng announced.
On the sidelines, Ji Xinghu heard this and nodded to Zhao Manying before leaving the Emperor Star Club.
(End of Chapter)
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