Hearing this, the Zhou family branch disciple—who had beaten Cui Youlin a bit too harshly out of annoyance because the latter clung to him like a wet blanket—instantly stopped his hands. In fear and trepidation, he said: “I failed to exercise proper restraint. I hope Chief Disciple Bai can forgive me.”
Zhou Zixing, seated in the host's seat, was somewhat surprised. However, he quickly chimed in with a few words about stopping at a touch, before trying to make excuses for his relative to Bai Yujing.
Cui Youlin slowly lowered the hands protecting his head. He had never expected Senior Brother Bai to speak up for him, and his heart swelled with gratitude.
He immediately voiced his thanks in a hurry before stepping off the stage.
He had expected to be scolded by Senior Sister Chen upon his return, but to his surprise, she was unusually gentle.
“Junior Brother Cui, just as Senior Brother Bai said, matches are meant to stop at a touch. Why did you push yourself so hard?”
Hearing Chen Jinzhu's chiding tone, he did not dare mention that she was the one who had ordered it. Lowering his head, he said: “My desire to win was too strong. I have made a fool of myself in front of Senior Brother Bai and Senior Sister Chen.”
“Mm, go find a physician to look at your injuries.”
“Thank you, Senior Sister Chen!”
Watching Cui Youlin's departing back, Chen Jinzhu cast a secretly expectant glance at Qing'er beside her, as if asking, “How did I do just now?”
Receiving a smiling nod from the maid, she was overjoyed, fantasizing that her gentle and considerate behavior just now must have earned Senior Brother Bai's deep admiration.
“Senior Brother Bai really takes good care of his junior sister,” Zhou Ziruo said with a hint of jealousy, assuming Bai Yujing had stopped the match for Chen Jinzhu's sake.
Huh?! Is Cui Youlin a girl?!
Zhuang Xun was stunned for a moment before realizing—oh, she was talking about Chen Jinzhu. In a flat tone, he corrected her: “He is a junior brother.”
Zhou Ziruo instantly understood Bai Yujing's meaning. Covering her mouth, she let out a bell-like giggle. Her picturesque, beautiful eyes curved as she looked at Chen Jinzhu with an expression that was half-mocking and half-pitying.
After Bai Yujing spoke up, everyone who stepped onto the stage showed more restraint in their moves, and their words became a bit more polite.
It became even more boring.
Zhuang Xun calculated the time in his head, planning to sit for a bit longer and leave once a full shichen had passed.
He had been putting on a front for so long that he was starting to lose his grip on the act.
Thus, Bai Yujing's posture grew a bit lazier. He leaned his head against his hand, which rested on the armrest, his eyelids half-drooping as he watched the field, his slender fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of his white jade teacup.
However, this did not seem impolite at all. Instead, because it added a touch of lively human warmth to his demeanor, it made him even more captivating.
At the same time, Zhuang Xun used Yan Pingsheng's third-person perspective to observe Bai Yujing, further adjusting his posture.
Wow, so handsome. As expected of my most perfect masterpiece. Hmm, let's relax the hand a bit more here. Oh, and I should find an opportunity to let a few strands of hair fall over the forehead...
Right at this moment, a youth with delicate facial features but a build as sturdy as a tiger stepped onto the field.
Unlike the others before him who waited for challengers, he directly called someone out.
“Ye Lantian! When I was young, you took the lead in bullying me because I was weak! Now that I have succeeded in my martial arts, do you dare come up and fight me!”
In the crowd, Ye Lantian, who had been chatting happily with his friends, instantly had his face turn dark. Sneering as he walked forward, he said: “Why wouldn't I dare? Ye Guichen, have you forgotten the sight of yourself being beaten by me, sprawling on the ground like a dead dog?”
“Hmph! Today is not like the past! Today, I shall wash away my former disgrace!”
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap...
This scene, which felt exactly like the plot of an old-school web novel, made Zhuang Xun repeatedly curse in his mind.
He suddenly remembered that he had only crossed over because of a game.
Could it be that he had crossed over into a game world, and was now running into the game's protagonist?
But that didn't make sense either. He had brought his Character Creation Panel with him. Shouldn't the player be the protagonist?
And what kind of garbage plot was this? A game in 2025 was still using such outdated tropes... He subconsciously began to complain in his mind.
This shouldn't be a game world... There's no killing monsters to level up, and no brainless NPCs. I probably just experienced a classic sudden-death transmigration while playing a game, and happened to bring the game's Character Creation Panel along as a cheat.
And this Ye Guichen is probably some sort of child of fortune. But I can't be sure; maybe it's just a coincidence.
“Hmph, a useless trash with a Low-grade Skeletal Structure dares to challenge Young Master Ye?”
“A bastard born of a maid servant. Just because he was lucky enough to enter the Wanxing Martial Academy, he actually thinks he can stand on equal footing with Young Master Ye.”
“He even rebelled against the Ye family? Laughable. Once a year passes and he fails to reach Nine Stones of strength, he'll be expelled from the Wanxing Martial Academy. This Ye family traitor will have a miserable time waiting for him!”
“With only Five Stones of strength, he actually dares to challenge Young Master Ye, who has Nine Stones of strength. He is truly bringing humiliation upon himself!”
“Trash! Get down! Don't embarrass yourself here!”
...
Hearing the jeering comments of the bystanders, Zhuang Xun's sense of déjà vu grew stronger and stronger, and he even felt a bit amused.
“Huh? Ye Guichen? Why did he go up?”
Hearing Li Xiangzhi's confusion, Yan Pingsheng asked: “Brother Li, do you know him?”
Li Xiangzhi nodded. “We've crossed paths a few times. He's from the Fifth Courtyard next door. I heard he only had Five Stones of strength during last month's monthly examination, but just a few days ago, he defeated the number one disciple of his courtyard.”
An Dafu also said: “I've also heard a bit about this Ye Guichen. He's supposedly an illegitimate son born to the Ye Family Head and a maid servant. For some reason, he rebelled against the Ye family over three months ago. However, because he entered the Wanxing Martial Academy, the Ye family has been unable to do anything to him.”
“In Zechuan City, the Ye family is considered one of the most powerful clans just below the seven great families.”
Holy crap, this is too hard to keep a straight face. Every single trope is present... Zhuang Xun was laughing so hard his insides were twitching.
Aside from his initial surprise, his heart was completely calm now; he only wanted to watch the drama unfold.
Because his Clone One, Yan Pingsheng, was just a bystander character. As long as he didn't actively provoke Ye Guichen, he wouldn't end up as a villain.
Meanwhile, his Clone Two, Bai Yujing, did have the potential to become a villain, but would more likely be a second male lead. After all, Zhuang Xun had rarely seen any novel where the villain was designed to be this handsome.
Still, he had to stay far away from Ye Guichen. Protagonists always brought the most trouble.
Zhuang Xun decided that after today, he would keep Ye Guichen at arm's length. Unless absolutely necessary, he would avoid contact entirely.
...
Ye Lantian's face was dark as he lowered his voice to Ye Guichen: “Kneel and surrender on your own. I don't want to dirty the eyes of Chief Disciple Bai and Young Master Zhou. Then, come back with me, and I might spare your life.”
“Heh.” After a cold laugh, Ye Guichen shouted clearly: “Ye Lantian! If you lose, you must go back and make that old geezer acknowledge that I have severed all ties with him and have nothing to do with the Ye family anymore! Do you dare or not!”
“You are truly seeking death!” Ye Lantian's expression turned hideous.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, there was no way he would show weakness. He immediately agreed, saying: “Fine! But if you lose... you must return to the Ye family with me to atone for your sins!”
“Heh! What sin have I, Ye Guichen, committed? If I lose, I shall slit my own throat right here!”
If you lose, why are you dying in my house? Zhou Ziruo's picturesque eyebrows knitted slightly. Just as she was about to call a stop to this life-and-death bet, she saw Zhou Zixing suddenly stand up.
“Hahaha! Good, good, good! Young men should possess such hot blood! Then this young master shall serve as a witness for you both!”
“Thank you, Young Master Zhou,” Ye Guichen said, cupping his fists in a salute.
“No need, no need. This young master thinks highly of you. Don't disappoint me.”
“Tsk.” Zhou Ziruo frowned at Zhou Zixing, saying with a fake smile: “Brother, since you admire this Junior Brother Ye so much, why don't you go along with him later?”
“Ah? Go where?” Zhou Zixing looked at Zhou Ziruo blankly.
Seated between them, Bai Yujing lowered his head slightly, raising his long sleeve to cover his upturned lips.
Rate on N.U.
