Legend of Fuyao 157 Untitled

"Fuyao… Fuayo…"

Yan Jingchen had no idea what he was calling out for. His heart slowly sank in excruciating pain to the depths of his chest. The pain seemed to destroy his kidneys and rip apart his lungs, and it penetrated deep into his bone marrows, causing him to suffocate in agony.

Those decisions that he made as a smart alec, those destinies that were a result of his mistake after mistake, and those punishments that were long fated to arrive…

"You will sooner or later suffer."

Yan Jingchen puked out a mouthful of blood, which spread out like blossoms on the dusty, grey floor.

While Yan Jingchen suffered, perspiration was dripping down Meng Fuyao's back. She felt that she was going to experience a mental disorder, and that sense of helplessness as she neared the dark abyss caused her to almost black out. As she raised her head, she looked desperately at Xuanyuan Yun for help, but he only knew how to blink and cry.

'Save me… though it's a really eye-catching pose, my life will still be in danger from posing too long…'

Behind her, someone with a cool and refreshing aura walked up. A chilly palm held onto her, and he spoke calmly, "You must be tired, let's go."

The palm was steady and strong, and a slightly cold inner energy emerged. It traveled through her veins and slowly appeased the heat and chaos in her body. As her own ruthless and tyrannical inner energy calmed down like a stream returning to the ocean, she realized that she could move.

She had survived.

Meng Fuyao let out a deep breath and was so grateful that her eyes were teary. Turning back, she muttered, "Yun Hen…"

At such a crucial moment, though he sat far away, he could see the precarious state she was in!

This transfer of inner energy really came at the right moment, helping her to pass through the most difficult stage after she had forcefully upgraded her skills. If he had not done so, Meng Fuyao could very well be a winner who died on stage, and appeared on the headlines as "someone who was overly excited, and died as a result".

Meanwhile, Yun Hen just faintly smiled at her, and the sparks in his eyes shone radiantly like a sparkling galaxy. In his expression, there was joy because of her victory, and relief because she had managed to accomplish a breakthrough in her skills.

He was the type of man who would reside in high mountains and listen to the flow of the river as he laid down peacefully. A resilient man whose whereabouts could not be traced.

As he held her hand, he slowly walked down from the right side of the stage.

"Hold on to me," he said.

"If misfortune is on the left, I'll bring you towards the right."

In the next few days, Meng Fuyao was undoubtedly the most famous character in Pandu. Everyone was discussing how she was the unexpected black horse who beat the strongest Xuanyuan Yun and froze on the stage in delight after her victory. Even the guinea pig heard about this rumor when he went shopping with Tiecheng, and when he came back, he would clutch his stomach and roar with laughter. Luckily, no one understood his language, and even Meng Fuyao just foolishly laughed along with him. This made the guinea pig even happier, and he decided to report this back to his master.

After a few days of rest, the black horse had not fully recuperated, but she was forced to go to the stage of the last round, which would be held at the palace. When the three of them arrived, there were not many bystanders, but an entire round of folding screen was set up. Behind those translucent screens, there were the sounds of clattering beads and ornaments, and a slightly aromatic scent wafted in the air - crowds of countless beauties were lined up. There were even the pleasant voices of the beauties.

"He's coming, he's coming."

"Quick, take a look!"

"Don't squeeze me -"

"Ouch, you stepped on my feet…"

When Meng Fuyao walked in, there was a commotion among the beautiful ladies. They looked neatly in a single direction, and some even ignored their status, boldly standing up and screaming with their faces covered by their fans.

Meng Fuyao was so happy, thinking that she had finally shot to fame. As she walked in big strides across the palace, she grinned from ear to ear and waved her hands at her admirers.

The "admirers" took a look at her and neatly turned their heads away.

As Meng Fuyao stood dumbfoundedly, there was a loud call. "The Emperor has arrived-"

A stream of people walked out from the inner palace, and one could sense a magnificent entourage and powerful aura.

When Meng Fuyao heard the announcement, she immediately looked away. She had suddenly thought of a very serious problem - she had to bow to Zhan Nancheng? How depressing…

Meng Fuyao shook her tiny head in frustration, pondering over what methods she should use to skip the ritual… She sprained her back? Fractured her hand? Injured her spine?

Out of the corner of her eyes, she vaguely saw that those people had sat according to their positions and had even politely let the other parties sit first.

'Disgrace to the true gentlemen!' she thought.

Then, she heard another wave of commotion behind the folding screen. The ladies were stepping on each other's skirts, tripping over each other's socks and panting amongst the mess.

Seeing such a sight, Meng Fuyao felt even more angered. 'Sh*t, there's still a bunch of obsessed women!'

However, she suddenly felt that something was not quite right.

The aura was wrong!

Not an aura of a human!

Furthermore, from her peripheral vision, who was that person with the purple robe and silver embroidery?

Stiffly, with her bones making cracking noises, her neck turned towards the other direction.

In front of her, on the jade steps, someone was slightly tilted towards Zhan Nancheng and talking to him. Wearing a purple-golden crown and a grey belt, that person downed a shiny light-purple gown befitting of a Prince. His hair was like ink, and his complexion was like jade, and an exquisite mask covered half of his beautiful face. Even so, the visible eyes were still as radiant as a God.

Sensing Meng Fuyao's stare, he was all smiles as his gaze landed upon her. Instantly, Meng Fuyao felt that her entire body, including her inner garments, were scrutinized by his hawk-like eyes. As though a look was not enough, that person slowly, elegantly, and alluringly gave her a smile, which made people mad and hateful but at the same time, could not help but be attracted towards.

Then, Meng Fuyao heard a smile in his voice, which secretly emerged only at her ear.

"Fuyao, I've missed you so much."

Meng Fuyao almost jumped.

'A lie, continue to lie!'

'Continue to always lie no matter the time and place!'

Her first instinct - dash out, find a rake and give him an aggressive beating.

Her second instinct - this move was too anxious of her and would only give him a chance to counter her. She had to defeat him without battling him.

The third instinct - silence was the greatest humiliation. She should look away and ignore him.

As such, she turned her head away determinedly and put on a solemn expression as she stared towards the front. She followed the others and bowed, not caring whether she had to kowtow to Zhan Nancheng.

In the meantime, Zhan Nancheng did not look very pleased, since Heaven Demon's most able candidate Gu Lingfeng was strangely defeated in the Meet. Only one from their nation entered the top ten, and there was no chance of him winning the champion title. However, he still retained the mannerisms of a major nation's Emperor and put on a smile as he introduced Zhangsun Wuji. "We are more than honored to have the Crown Prince of Wuji come from miles away to personally referee the last round of the Meet in this palace."

Zhangsun Wuji slightly bowed and smiled. "I am not as able. Taking on the position as a referee was merely because I did not want to let down your invite, Your Majesty," Zhangsun Wuji responded.

Zhan Nancheng added, "You have endured much trouble. It is our lack of manners that it's your first time here in Heaven Demon, and we're already hurrying you to be a referee without a proper welcome."

Zhangsun Wuji again politely replied, "It is reasonable, Your Majesty. You do not have to be so polite."

Both people exchanged glances and smiled. There were rustling movements behind the screens as the ladies squeezed against each other and spoke in low voices. The entire setting really seemed more like a brothel than a sparring stage.

Zhan Nancheng became slightly displeased. He was not willing for the Meet to turn out this way, but Zhangsun Wuji was already famous at a young age and was a legendary figure among the royals of various nations. In each nation, there would be scholars coming up with tunes about his biography to praise his achievements. These noble ladies had been too lonely and miserly living alone in their rooms and had to rely on reading his biography to let their imagination run wild as a pastime. Since it was a rare occasion that he came to Heaven Demon, these ladies had gone mad, coming to the palace day and night to ask for entry to take a look at their fantasy.

Seeing that the ladies had gone over the top, Zhan Nancheng was also mildly embarrassed. Hence, he cleared his throat and change the topic. "Your nation's General Meng is truly a young hero. Three days ago, that battle stirred an uproar in the city. There are truly many talents in Wuji nation," he said.

Zhangsun Wuji swept his glance past Meng Fuyao, who had no expression on her face but her evil eyes, and paused before answering, "We are lucky."

Immediately, Meng Fuyao rubbed her arms, as if trying to soothe out her goosebumps. 'Lucky, lucky my foot! I feel very unlucky seeing your face.'

Zhangsun Wuji smiled, extended his hand and discretely made a grabbing motion, as if to pick out her goosebumps, causing Meng Fuyao to stare at him. She really felt that he was a thick-skinned and black-hearted demon, who could slaughter the heads of those 3,000 miles away with just a fling of his sword.

As she thought, Meng Fuyao took a step back to stand behind Yun Hen, and she rubbed her nose, deciding not to confront that demon.

Being a sensitive person, Yun Hen slanted his head to look at her and then turned to look at Zhangsun Wuji. He was not sure what happened between them, but he felt that Meng Fuyao became abnormal once she stepped into the palace. A bold and fearless person like her actually looked uncomfortable… was it because of the Crown Prince?

His face fell at that thought. But when Meng Fuyao hid behind him, his eyes lit up, and a gentle smile spread across his face.

Meanwhile, Zhan Beiheng continued to host the last round, and he read the names of the ten finalists - Meng Fuyao, Yun Hen, Yan Jingchen, Ya Lanzhu, Changtao from Xuanyuan, Wei Shanrui from Shangyuan, Yan Taiyu from Taiyuan, Shen Ming from Heaven Demon, Tang Yizhong from Xuanji, and Bagu from Fufeng.

After the list has been read, everyone realized that something was off. Why was Yan Jingchen absent?

Everyone took great pains to overcome each stage and arrive at the last round of the Meet. Why would someone give up such an opportunity?

Zhan Beiheng's brows were furrowed. He instructed the palace servant beside him to summon Yan Jingchen, and the servant hurried down the stairs, but he bumped right into a eunuch at the entrance. That eunuch spoke in a hurried tone, "Your Majesty, Mrs. Yan of Taiyuan wishes to be granted an audience."

'Pei Yuan? What's she doing here?' Meng Fuyao thought as she frowned in confusion. 'Hasn't she already made a fool of herself yesterday?'

In the meantime, Zhan Nancheng was slightly stunned, but he recovered and said, "Summon her."

Chapter end