Qi and Jiu (Part 3)
Back home, Master Qi was cherished as a Princess. Unlike her aloof elder sister, she was always an adorable treasure in the eyes of all the clan sect elders. They only allowed her to leave their sights alone because she needed real-world experience, and because the job at Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor was easy. At Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor, Master Qi may have served Li Muye, but she was on the same level as him. Therefore, expecting her to even reply to a random person’s courtship was viewed as a waste of breath.
As an experienced wingman for his senior, the fellow had enough confidence in dealing with these repeat situations. Thus, he smirked. “Quite the attitude, huh? Do you know who the young master is? Jiujiang’s Yan Clan is part of Mount Lu Sword Sanctuary. It is your honour to receive a drink from him.”
Master Qi slammed the table. “You better stop before this gets messy.” She opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on Hong Jiu. “Hey, you not going to stand up for me?”
Hong Jiu just kept eating.
“I’m talking to you.”
Hong Jiu replied, “Miss, you are more than capable enough of handling this situation. Why do you need my involvement?”
The ignorant fellow said to Hong Jiu, “You beggar-like, not-beggar-like p-”
Continuing to eat his mantou, Hong Jiu wagged his free hand. “No, I am a beggar, professional beggar.”
To salvage his embarrassing predicament, the fellow tried to change the topic. “Since you’re a beggar, why don’t you behave like one and eat out of a broken b-” He finally noticed Hong Jiu was eating out of a broken bowl. “Who are you to stick your nose in our business?! Shall I bury you where you sit?!”
“I dare not involve myself. Please go about your business.” Hong Jiu walked over to another table, taking his half bowl of food with him.
Because he was dressed in fragmented garments, Hong Jiu’s intimidating size was pronounced. Although he showed no intention of fighting, his size enough was enough to help him deter challengers.
“This beggar…” The wingman was mad enough to hit Hong Jiu, but, on second thought, he deemed it unnecessary. Rather, he convinced himself Hong Jiu was too scared to fight. “Miss, this way…”
“Are you really just going to spectate?” Master Qi spoke only to Hong Jiu.
Inflamed, the sideman reached for Master Qi’s wrist.
“Stop.” A short young man sitting by one of the window-side tables timidly walked over. “Sh-she does not want to drink with you, so why give her grief?” He was polite, but he didn’t sound feminine.
Zhao Da grinned. “What? You have the hots for her, too?”
The young man bashfully waved his hands in front of him. “She is clearly the partner of the other gentleman. How could this one be so rude?”
“I’m not his partner!” Amused with the young man’s flinching reaction, Master Qi’s glare turned into a smile. “Out of appreciation for your intervention, I’ll forgive you this once. You best stay out of this, though.”
“You aren’t?” The seventeen year old scratched his head. “I saw you pick up food for him and speak closely without reservation, which crosses the mutual friendship line, yet you s-”
“Stop, stop, stop! What madness is that, kiddo?! Since when did I cross whatever line?!”
Yan Fuli: They really aren’t a couple?
While he was a playboy, Yan Fuli was raised properly, so he wasn’t some unbearably domineering pervert; he even called himself a hero of the orthodox factions. Master Qi was just so breathtaking to him that he needed a kiss before he’d quit.
Yan Fuli held his hands up in salute. “This one is Yan Fuli, a descendant of Jiujiang’s Flash Sword Sect’s Yan Clan. Would he be able to boldly ask for your name, Miss?”
Zhao Da smirked. “Young Master Yan, you need not be so formal. If she refuses to comply, I shall make her wise up.”
Yan Fuli pulled his brows together. “Brother Zhao, do not be so rude to a lady.” He subsequently gave Master Qi a friendly smile and conveyed, “If it is not too much to ask for, would you join this one at his table? This one is somewhat familiar enough with this town to be your tour guide.”
Master Qi looked away. The two men definitely felt awkward, but they couldn’t continue because someone started chuckling loud enough for everyone to look in the direction of the laugher.
Another young man sitting by the window curled up on his table as his chuckle turned to laughter that almost knocked the wind out of him.
Zhao Da thundered, “What’s so funny?”
The young man in white paused his laughing to face Zhao Da. Simpering, the twenty-four year old responded, “You played good guy, bad guy to force yourselves on a girl, only to both be metaphorically slapped simultaneously. What’s funny is that you think you can court a belle with your demented faces. You don’t think it’s funny?” After, he saluted Master Qi and the timid youngster. “Miss, Brother, this one respects both of you. Please allow this one to take your side.”
The timid black-haired youth expressed, “Thank you for your assistance.”
Keen to know the white-robed man’s identity, Master Qi stole a gander of his one-handed broadsword on his table. She turned her squinted eyes to Hong Jiu, hoping to seek confirmation. Howbeit, Hong Jiu was in his own mantou world.
Confronted by someone who looked equally dashing as himself and a sharper tongue, Yan Fuli gyrated his lips, a subtle gesture that Zhao Da didn’t miss. Zhao da, consequently, winked at his junior.
The astute junior who received the hint grabbed the white-robed man’s collar. “Who do you think you are?”
Glossary
Flash Sword Sect – Literally, their name is “Quick Sword Sect”, but I opted to use “flash” for the “cool” vibe.
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