Chapter 40: Hunter and Prey
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
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Mystic Arts Academy, Training Grounds.
Dozens of bare-chested figures lay sprawled on the training ground like mud, gasping for breath, too exhausted to move a finger.
They had first stood in horse stance for what felt like an eternity, then hopped around the grounds like frogs, and finally, ran a full twenty laps. Some had even resorted to crawling to finish the last lap.
Exhausted! Utterly exhausted!
Many now regretted choosing this course. The martial arts instructor, in their eyes, was a demon.
Lin Xiu also lay on the ground, feigning exhaustion. He had no choice. His stamina and strength had already surpassed normal human limits. If he appeared unfazed after all that, it would surely arouse suspicion.
On the other side, the women had just finished their ten laps. Though tired, they still maintained a semblance of ladylike composure, refraining from collapsing on the ground like their male counterparts.
From their vantage point, they could perfectly admire that alluring physique.
Someone whispered, “Who is that young master? He’s so handsome, and his physique is so perfect. I’ve never seen him before.”
“I don’t know. I wonder how old he is, and if he’s married…”
“Whoever marries him will be so lucky.”
Though typically reserved, they occasionally indulged in private, less-than-proper gossip. Undeniably, that young master was the ideal husband in many of their minds.
Appearance aside, just his alluring physique… who wouldn’t be tempted?
Just then, a woman among them said, “Don’t even dream. That’s Young Master Lin Xiu of the Ping’an Estate. He’s already taken.”
The words sparked an uproar.
“By whom? Who has such fortune?”
“The son of Ping’an Estate?”
“Lin Xiu?”
“That name sounds… familiar…”
In the Capital, there were plenty who hadn’t met Lin Xiu, but few hadn’t heard his name. Soon, someone remembered, exclaiming in shock, “Lin Xiu…isn’t he the one engaged to that Zhao family’s…”
“That’s him. Give up now.”
Upon learning Lin Xiu’s identity, those harboring any romantic notions could only sigh in disappointment. The engagement between Lin Xiu, son of Ping’an Estate, and the Zhao family’s prodigy, Zhao Lingjun, was practically common knowledge in the Capital. Who could possibly compete with Zhao Lingjun?
She was a woman whose mere name made the women of the Capital shrink from comparison. Before her, countless bright pearls of the Capital dimmed.
Therefore, she was also disliked by the women of the Capital. If there were a vote for the most disliked woman in the Capital, Zhao Lingjun would undoubtedly top the list.
Then, a disdainful chuckle came from the crowd. “So what about Zhao Lingjun? She’s just like us, one nose, two eyes. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and she’s not even in the Capital. Who knows who will win in the end…”
“Hee hee, Xue Ning’er, do you have your eye on Zhao Lingjun’s fiancé?”
“Why not? She gets everything, even such a fine man!”
“I support you. In matters of the heart, there’s no such thing as first come, first served.”
“I support you too!”
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Zhao Lingjun. The prodigy of the Great Xia Dynasty, the object of envy and jealousy of all women her age in the Capital. Since birth, she had been showered with praise, her life a smooth, effortless journey.
Awakening a powerful mystic ability, her entire family rose to prominence. At a young age, she studied under renowned masters, and even the Emperor held high hopes for her. She had never experienced any setbacks in her life. If her fiancé were stolen, it would surely become the biggest joke in the Capital…
Then, people would realize that the seemingly untouchable goddess was, perhaps, just ordinary, unable to even keep hold of her own fiancé…
The thought of pulling that goddess down from her pedestal filled them with a thrill.
Xue Ning’er clearly thought the same. In terms of family background, she was superior to Zhao Lingjun. In terms of beauty, she believed she was no less stunning. But since childhood, that woman had always stood at the peak, a figure she could only look up to. If…
If her fiancé fell for her, wouldn’t that count as a victory?
This thought, once ignited, became an uncontrollable flame.
She truly longed to defeat that woman, even just once…
Gradually, her gaze settled on the figure lying on the ground, her eyes gleaming with a strange light, as if she had spotted her prey.
Lin Xiu, bare-chested, sat up from the ground, a sudden feeling washing over him. His gaze drifted towards a particular spot.
At the end of his gaze was a group of women. One of them, Xue Ning’er, was looking at him with unusually fervent eyes.
Li Bozhang sat beside Lin Xiu, sighing, “Brother Lin, I think Xue Ning’er has taken a liking to you. The way she looks at you… I think she sees you as prey.”
His tone was a mix of admiration and envy.
Clearly, Lin Xiu and he were kindred spirits, but Lin Xiu was clearly better at it. Otherwise, it would be him, not Lin Xiu, that Xue Ning’er had set her sights on.
Li Bozhang wasn’t surprised. If he were Xue Ning’er, he would choose Lin Xiu too.
That physique alone…who could resist?
He had lost, and he conceded defeat wholeheartedly.
Lin Xiu paid no mind to Li Bozhang’s words. He had promised Lingyin to remain chaste until their engagement was annulled. A man of his word, even if a stunning beauty lay naked before him, he wouldn’t be swayed.
After resting for a while, Instructor Sun had everyone loosen up before announcing the end of today’s martial arts class.
Lin Xiu hadn’t learned much today, but he wasn’t anxious. This class was clearly just Instructor Sun’s way of assessing everyone. He was filled with anticipation for the future lessons.
Dressed, Lin Xiu and Li Bozhang walked towards the exit.
A woman walked past him, suddenly stumbled, and nearly fell. Lin Xiu instinctively reached out to steady her, then realized it was Xue Ning’er.
Supported by Lin Xiu, Xue Ning’er’s pretty face flushed slightly. “Thank you, young master,” she murmured.
Lin Xiu released her, returning her smile. “You’re welcome, miss.”
Xue Ning’er was about to leave when she furrowed her brow slightly. “Young master,” she said to Lin Xiu, “I think I’ve twisted my ankle…”
“Miss Ning’er, I’ll help you back!”
“Miss Ning’er, I’ll carry you!”
“Get out of the way, I’ll carry Miss Ning’er!”
As soon as Xue Ning’er spoke, the men from the martial arts class swarmed around her, vying for her attention.
Xue Ning’er merely glanced at them indifferently. “But…do you even have the strength?” she asked.
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the flames of passion in their hearts. They had been momentarily blinded by beauty, only now realizing that after Instructor Sun’s brutal training, they could barely walk themselves, let alone carry a beauty.
Then, Xue Ning’er looked at Lin Xiu with helpless eyes. “Young master,” she asked, “do you still have any strength left? Could you carry me back?”
Such a golden opportunity, Lin Xiu was naturally more than willing. Not because he was lecherous, but because helping others was a traditional virtue. Even if Lingyin asked, he had a ready-made excuse. Moreover, when he had helped Xue Ning’er earlier, the power within him had stirred.
But before Lin Xiu could agree, the female instructor walked over and said to Xue Ning’er, “Did you hurt your ankle? I’ll take you back.”
Though annoyed, Xue Ning’er forced a grateful expression. “Thank you, instructor…” she said. If she persisted, her intentions would be too obvious. She could only wait for another opportunity.
Watching the female instructor carry Xue Ning’er away, Li Bozhang sighed, “She really sees you as prey. Brother Lin, you’re quite the charmer. On your first day, you’ve already captured the heart of one of the Four Beauties of the Mystic Arts Academy…”
“The Four Beauties?”
“Brother Lin, haven’t you heard? Miss Lingyin, Princess Minghe, Miss Wan’er, and Xue Ning’er are known as the Four Beauties.”
Lin Xiu smiled faintly. “This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Li Bozhang glanced in the direction Xue Ning’er had disappeared, then suddenly said to Lin Xiu, “It’s good to have a beauty’s favor, but Brother Lin, you should think thrice. Xue Ning’er comes from a powerful background. Her grandfather is a Duke. Countless noble young masters have pursued her over the years, yet she has never shown interest in anyone. Why you, Brother Lin, and no one else…?”
A playful smile appeared on Lin Xiu’s face. It seemed his fiancée was truly unpopular…
All old foxes playing Liaozhai. Lin Xiu had seen plenty of women’s scheming and power struggles. He may not understand much, but he understood women. This time, she had delivered herself to him.
He smiled faintly and asked, seemingly casually, “I wonder, what ability has Miss Ning’er awakened?”
Li Bozhang thought for a moment. “Flight, I think…”
“Flight…” Lin Xiu nodded. “A useful ability.”
She could fly, yet asked him to carry her. If that wasn’t treating him like prey, what was?
But while Xue Ning’er saw him as prey, wasn’t she also his?
If she truly had ulterior motives, Lin Xiu would show her that the best hunters often appear as prey…
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