“Tch, this is getting a bit out of hand.”
Gu Sanqiu strolled around the arena like an old man, watching the younger generation spar. The elders would only step in once the youths had finished their matches. It was more of a demonstration to show how the big shots fought, while giving old friends—who probably couldn’t stand each other on a good day—a chance to stretch their muscles.
It was kind of like getting together with old buddies at the internet café during New Year’s, where nobody cared about actually winning the game. Instead, everyone’s goal was to troll each other as much as possible.
Wait, those two ideas might actually be the same.
Watching Tartaglia casually fire off another three-shot combo to send another youngster flying off the stage, Gu Sanqiu couldn’t help but cringe a little.
By now, the young contestants were completely obsessed. The ones who had already been beaten by Tartaglia were joined by others, and even those who had already fought other opponents were now charging onto the stage, eager to face him.
Only to be knocked off even faster than before.
“Is this all there is? I thought Liyue would—”
Tartaglia’s boast was cut short when he felt an intense gaze fix on him.
Gu Sanqiu: …
I knew it. This guy’s about to start running his mouth!
If Tartaglia actually said something like “Everyone here is trash,” the peaceful atmosphere would be shattered, and the situation could become impossible to control.
“Heh, seems like this guy’s getting pretty cocky, huh?”
Two masked figures wearing straw hats chatted nearby. “What do you think? Wanna take a shot at humbling him?”
“Why don’t you go? That guy looks tough. Even if I fought him, the best outcome would be a tie.”
“Relax. That guy—or rather, the person egging him on—probably knows better than to let this continue. If nobody steps up to stop him soon, it’ll turn from boosting morale to straight-up demoralizing everyone. That’s not going to end well.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll give it a go. But remember, you owe me that limited-edition popsicle from your merchant’s guild. It’s scorching out here!”
“Yeah, yeah. Now get up there.”
One of them removed his straw hat and mask, revealing icy-blue hair and eyes. With a massive sword strapped to his back, he began making his way toward the arena.
“Hey, isn’t that Chongyun?”
“Who? Oh, you mean that exorcist from the Chong family?”
“I thought I heard wrong. That guy never shows up to these things. What’s he doing here?”
“Who knows.”
Meanwhile, the girls who had been gossiping and discussing skincare products moments before had instantly transformed into fangirls the moment they spotted Chongyun.
(灬ºωº灬)♡
(•ॢ◡-ॢ)-♡
(´ε｀)♡
“Ahhh! Chongyun! I love you!”
“Yunyun! Come over here to your big sis!”
“Chongyun! Only your cuteness can cool my burning heart. Let me hug you!”
…
The other masked figure sighed and facepalmed. “That idiot. I forgot to tell him to keep the mask on until after he got to the stage.”
Chongyun, now receiving waves of admiration—and dodging a few overly enthusiastic older sisters—was visibly sweating.
I should have waited until I got to the stage to take off my mask…
Chongyun?
Gu Sanqiu blinked and looked at the young man now exchanging respectful bows with the other competitors.
Didn’t expect him to show up at something like this. Isn’t he afraid of overheating?
For others, the warning Don’t play with fire might just be a saying, but for Chongyun, it could become a literal reality.
No sunlight, no hot water, no warm food, no spicy dishes, no thick clothing… Chongyun had set strict rules for himself, essentially avoiding anything with heat. In a way, his lifestyle was more restricted than Qiqi’s—at least Qiqi wasn’t basically living like a vampire.
Or maybe, he’s found a way to control his Pure Yang body?
“Chongyun of the Exorcist Clan greets you.”
After a polite exchange with his fellow contestants, Chongyun stepped onto the stage.
“Oh? Judging by your look, you must be no stranger to real combat.”
Tartaglia’s previously relaxed expression sharpened, like a predator laying eyes on prey.
“Your insight is keen,” Chongyun replied, gripping the hilt of his sword. “I can sense the stench of blood on you. Thank you for showing mercy to them.”
“Not a big deal, not a big deal. I think I understand now why I’m here.”
Tartaglia’s face twisted with displeasure, but as he took a closer look at Chongyun, a grin crept across his face.
“Still, seeing you here makes all the boredom worthwhile.”
(ΩДΩ)
Chongyun froze, then quickly took a few steps back, alarm flashing in his eyes.
“Uh, um, I-I like soft, fragrant girls, you know! I-I’m not really into… whatever transcendent ideals you’re into!”
(⊙_⊙)?
Tartaglia also froze for a moment, then his face twisted into a smirk as he raised his bow.
“Seems like you’ve come prepared for a fight. Using jokes to provoke me, huh?”
“No, no, that’s not—”
“Take this!”
“Damn it! By my command!”
Ice erupted from the ground, thick frost blanketing the stage. Even the arrows Tartaglia shot were frozen mid-air.
“Not bad,” Tartaglia remarked as his bow morphed into a spear.
“You’re worth getting a bit more serious!”
While the two combatants went all out on stage, the crowd below scrambled to back away, leaving only the referee standing resolutely at the edge.
“So, this is why I always say that referees are the real unsung heroes when big shots throw down.”
Gu Sanqiu rubbed his hands together, a small flame flickering in his palm to ward off the cold.
“I completely agree. By the way, that guy—is he your doing?”
Another straw-hat-wearing figure appeared beside Gu Sanqiu.
“He’s an executive officer, one of the Harbingers known as Tartaglia. Isn’t it a bit much to have him fighting the younger generation?”
“The age difference is what, three, five years tops? Sure, he’s a Harbinger, but it wasn’t just talent that got him there—he worked for it. So why shouldn’t he be allowed to compete?”
Gu Sanqiu’s tone was calm. “Only by letting a predator like him into the comfortable little bubble can you push these guys to strive for more strength and ambition.”
“Well, your methods are as direct as ever. Doesn’t really suit your reputation.”
“But it’s effective.”
Gu Sanqiu glanced over his shoulder, eyeing the smirking youth behind him.
“So, why’d you bring him along? Trying to get your friend killed?”
“This place doesn’t have the best feng shui. If you’re trying to help him off himself, I can ask Hu Tao to find you a nice burial spot. I’m sure your Feiyun Commerce Guild can afford it.”
“Come on, I’m not trying to kill him. What do you take me for? I just made some new progress, so I figured I’d test it out.”
The youth declared confidently, “In everything I do, justice and righteousness are my guiding principles. There’s no way I’d betray a friend.”
“You sure about that?”
Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow.
“Be more confident. You’re exactly that kind of person.”
…
Σ(⊙▽⊙”
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