Chapter 51

Thinking about this, he took a deep look at Zhao Ying, the woman he deeply loved, who had become his shame. He needed to defeat her to truly stand up and regain his manly dignity!

He took a deep breath, steeled his heart, and suddenly stepped back out of the circle, "Junior Sister Zhao, I'm going to get serious now!"

Zhao Ying sheathed her sword, "Senior Brother Zhuo, let's stop here. I'm not your match. I didn't expect Senior Brother Zhuo to have truly entered the先天 realm!"

"Junior Sister Zhao, you haven't lost!" Zhuo Feiyang said gravely, "Your Swallow Sword Technique is very proficient. Come, let me see how strong you really are!"

With that, he activated the Blood Ignition Technique.

Instantly, his blood surged and boiled, as if it had turned into kerosene and was ignited, making his entire body feel scorching hot, as if he wanted to jump into the lake.

But with the heat came surging power, endless power.

His eyes turned red, and every muscle in his body seemed to be jumping, eager to unleash the pent-up energy, yearning for a life-and-death battle, with blood splattering on the spot.

"Swish!" He thrust his sword, a whistling sound echoing, as fast as lightning.

Zhao Ying sidestepped, barely avoiding it, startled. She hadn't expected him to suddenly become so fast. His eyes were bloodshot, his expression fierce and terrifying, as if he wanted to devour her.

Instinctively, she drew her sword.

"Clang..." The two swords clashed. Zhao Ying felt a powerful force surge through her sword, her hand instantly going numb and losing control. Her sword flew out of her hand, and the tip of his sword touched her throat, the coldness penetrating her.

Zhuo Feiyang touched her throat with the tip of his sword, then immediately sheathed it, saying coolly, "Junior Sister Zhao, you've done well!"

Zhao Ying forced a smile, "Senior Brother Zhuo, I'm impressed!"

She touched her throat, the coldness still lingering, as if the sword tip was still pressing against it, making her body stiff and unable to move.

She suddenly had a feeling that just now, Zhuo Feiyang had wanted to kill her, and only with great effort had he controlled himself and retracted his sword. Thinking about this, she suddenly felt that Zhuo Feiyang had become a stranger. The original Zhuo Feiyang was selfish and self-centered, but not this cold.

Zhuo Feiyang bowed, "Junior Sister Zhao, let's talk another day!"

He turned and walked away, striding out of the training ground and jumping onto a small boat, "Set off quickly!"

Bai Zhijie hurriedly pushed off, and the small boat glided away from the shore, moving swiftly.

Zhuo Feiyang sat cross-legged at the bow, eyes closed, meditating. Bai Zhijie saw his face turn red as blood, and asked softly, "Young Master, are you alright?"

"No problem!" Zhuo Feiyang said coolly.

Bai Zhijie breathed a sigh of relief but was secretly worried. Recently, the young master had been practicing too intensely, secluding himself in the small courtyard, practicing day and night with almost no rest. He suspected that if he didn't break through to the先天 realm soon, he might suffer a mental breakdown.

The small boat returned to the island where Zhuo Feiyang's courtyard was located. Bai Zhijie slowed down, standing quietly without disturbing him.

"Ah!" Zhuo Feiyang suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.

The blood fell into the lake, quickly turning the water red before fading.

"Young Master?" Bai Zhijie was startled.

Zhuo Feiyang seemed much more relaxed after spitting out the blood, his face turning pale.

He sighed, wiped his mouth, and glared at Bai Zhijie, "Don't make a fuss, I'm fine!"

"Yes." Bai Zhijie hurriedly replied.

"Help me up!" Zhuo Feiyang extended his hand, glaring impatiently, "Can't you use your eyes?!"

Bai Zhijie hurriedly helped him up. If it were the old days, Zhuo Feiyang would never have let anyone help him.

Once on shore, Zhuo Feiyang immediately pushed him away and walked steadily back to his courtyard. On the way, he smiled and nodded at acquaintances, being very polite.

Back in bed, Zhuo Feiyang collapsed like a pile of mud. Fortunately, he had only used one strike after activating the Blood Ignition Technique, otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy.

The Blood Ignition Technique was indeed incredibly powerful. He recalled the previous strike, which was truly as fast as lightning, striking before the opponent could react. Even if it were Chu Li, he wouldn't have been able to block such a fast strike!

"Ha ha..." He laughed out loud.

---

The next evening, Chu Li returned to the East Garden. The flowers and plants in the East Garden were very delicate and required careful attention. He was worried about Li Yue, so he came back to check every few days.

As soon as he landed, Li Yue and Zhao Ying came out to greet him.

Chu Li smiled at Zhao Ying, "Junior Sister, you're out of seclusion?"

"Senior Brother." Zhao Ying wore a light green silk robe, looking gentle and beautiful.

Chu Li looked at her charming face and figure, feeling a surge of tenderness. Knowing he couldn't rush things, he smiled at Li Yue, "Brother Li, is there a problem again?"

"It's not the flowers!" Li Yue waved his hand and handed him a red invitation, "Here, this is from Zhuo Feiyang!"

Chu Li glanced at it but didn't take it, "A challenge? Boring, just throw it away!"

"You're not accepting it?" Li Yue's eyes widened.

Chu Li smiled, "Of course not, I'm a bodyguard, not a guard!"

"Ha ha, you're just a bodyguard in name." Li Yue laughed and shook his head, "Aren't you embarrassed to not accept it?"

Chu Li was the first bodyguard in the Duke's residence to reach the先天 realm.

Chu Li said, "I don't have time to play with him, I won't accept it!"

"Zhuo Feiyang has also reached the先天 realm. This morning, he broke into the Ninth Rank Hall and is now a Sixth Rank Guard!" Li Yue shook his head and sighed, "He's become very popular, and his reputation as a genius is even louder!"

Chu Li smiled, "He was already quite famous as a genius before."

"It's different." Li Yue shook his head, "Zhuo Feiyang is known as the top young expert in the residence!"

"Really?" Chu Li raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhao Ying, "Junior Sister, you can't beat him either?"

Zhao Ying shook her head, "Senior Brother, Zhuo Senior Brother is a先天 expert!"

Chu Li said, "You're almost at the先天 realm too. Besides, with your sword technique, dealing with a newly minted先天 expert shouldn't be a problem."

"I can't even withstand one strike from Zhuo Senior Brother!" Zhao Ying pursed her lips, somewhat unwillingly.

"Interesting, it seems he's made great progress!" Chu Li smiled and walked inside, coming to the small courtyard.

The three of them sat at a stone table. Li Yue skillfully brewed tea, and the small red clay stove was already steaming.

Li Yue handed him a porcelain cup, "Come, try it. Is my tea as good as the beautiful maid's?"

"Beautiful maid?" Zhao Ying looked at him in confusion.

Chu Li glared at Li Yue, who quickly shrank back and fell silent.

Zhao Ying looked at Chu Li, "What beautiful maid, Senior Brother?"

Chu Li smiled, "Don't listen to Brother Li's nonsense."

Zhao Ying looked at Li Yue, huffing, "Senior Brother Li, are you lying to me?"

Li Yue hurriedly waved his hands, "Forget I said it!"

"Senior Brother Li!" Zhao Ying glared at him.

Li Yue quickly said, "Chu Brother has a maid, very beautiful... of course, not as beautiful as Junior Sister Zhao!"

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Chu!" Zhao Ying turned to look at Chu Li, smiling slyly, "Having a beautiful maid must be very enjoyable. Bring her over, I'd like to meet her."

Chu Li coughed lightly and smiled, "Arranged by Manager Su, she has a bit of beauty, but she's far from you. Brother Li just thinks she's beautiful; his taste is different from others!"

Li Yue opened his mouth to argue about his taste but knew that speaking out of turn would cause trouble, so he swallowed his words.

Zhao Ying glanced at Chu Li. The more he explained, the more it seemed the maid was beautiful, especially since she was sent by Manager Su, who wouldn't send someone unattractive!

Li Yue quickly said, "Brother, are you really not accepting the challenge?"

Chu Li shook his head with a smile.

Li Yue said, "Zhuo Feiyang will surely spread it around and tarnish your reputation."

"I'm just a bodyguard." Chu Li laughed.

Li Yue looked at Zhao Ying.

Zhao Ying quickly said, "I agree with Senior Brother, there's no need to accept it."

"I think Zhuo Feiyang won't give up easily!" Li Yue slowly shook his head and sighed, "He's a genius and can't tolerate failure, especially losing to you. This is a lifelong stain, and he'll do everything to wash it away!"

"Let him do as he pleases, I won't accept the challenge." Chu Li said.

Li Yue said, "Given his character, he might do anything if pushed to the limit."

Chu Li smiled, "That's fine. If he attacks me, he'll learn the power of the residence's rules."

Zhao Ying frowned thoughtfully.

She also thought Li Yue had a point. Zhuo Senior Brother had always been a genius, pampered and unable to tolerate failure, especially at the hands of Chu Li. He would definitely force Chu Senior Brother to accept the challenge, and might even do something foolish.

---

The sun set, casting a red glow on the lake.

Bai Zhijie landed and pushed open the door to a small courtyard. Zhuo Feiyang was practicing sword techniques in the courtyard. He glanced at Bai Zhijie but didn't stop, asking casually, "What about Chu? Did he accept?"

Bai Zhijie shook his head, "Young Master, Chu didn't accept."

"Hmph, a coward, he's afraid!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "I should have waited before breaking into the Ninth Rank Hall!"

Bai Zhijie hesitated but didn't speak.

"Is there something else? Speak!" Zhuo Feiyang said.

Bai Zhijie looked at him and said softly, "Miss Zhao also went to the East Garden. What if...?"

"Nonsense!" Zhuo Feiyang interrupted, his handsome face darkening, "Junior Sister Zhao has never liked our fights!"

"Yes." Bai Zhijie nodded quickly, "This Chu is too shameless. As soon as he saw Young Master's strength, he became a coward, not worthy of being a man!"

"This guy always uses tricks!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "But if Junior Sister Zhao went, he should have been able to hold back, which is not like a man!"

If it were him, in front of the woman he loved, he would never back down, even if he couldn't win, he would still fight. This was a matter of a man's courage and dignity, and he would never allow cowardice!

"Young Master, what should we do?" Bai Zhijie asked, "If he really doesn't accept, there's not much we can do. He doesn't go to the training hall and always stays in the East Garden. We can't even find him to scold him!"

"I'll write another letter and scold him properly!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "I don't believe he can hold back!"

"Great!" Bai Zhijie smiled, "I'll deliver it personally and see his reaction!"

"Bold, aren't you? Not afraid he'll take it out on you?"

"He'll be in trouble if he attacks me." Bai Zhijie smiled, "Third Miss is fair and just, and he won't escape severe punishment, even if he's her man!"

---

The sun set, casting a red glow on the lake.

Bai Zhijie landed and pushed open the door to a small courtyard. Zhuo Feiyang was practicing sword techniques in the courtyard. He glanced at Bai Zhijie but didn't stop, asking casually, "What about Chu? Did he accept?"

Bai Zhijie shook his head, "Young Master, Chu didn't accept."

"Hmph, a coward, he's afraid!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "I should have waited before breaking into the Ninth Rank Hall!"

Bai Zhijie hesitated but didn't speak.

"Is there something else? Speak!" Zhuo Feiyang said.

Bai Zhijie looked at him and said softly, "Miss Zhao also went to the East Garden. What if...?"

"Nonsense!" Zhuo Feiyang interrupted, his handsome face darkening, "Junior Sister Zhao has never liked our fights!"

"Yes." Bai Zhijie nodded quickly, "This Chu is too shameless. As soon as he saw Young Master's strength, he became a coward, not worthy of being a man!"

"This guy always uses tricks!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "But if Junior Sister Zhao went, he should have been able to hold back, which is not like a man!"

If it were him, in front of the woman he loved, he would never back down, even if he couldn't win, he would still fight. This was a matter of a man's courage and dignity, and he would never allow cowardice!

"Young Master, what should we do?" Bai Zhijie asked, "If he really doesn't accept, there's not much we can do. He doesn't go to the training hall and always stays in the East Garden. We can't even find him to scold him!"

"I'll write another letter and scold him properly!" Zhuo Feiyang sneered, "I don't believe he can hold back!"

"Great!" Bai Zhijie smiled, "I'll deliver it personally and see his reaction!"

"Bold, aren't you? Not afraid he'll take it out on you?"

"He'll be in trouble if he attacks me." Bai Zhijie smiled, "Third Miss is fair and just, and he won't escape severe punishment, even if he's her man!"