Chapter 348 - The Princess Decree (1/2)

Chapter 348 The Princess’ Decree

Zuoqiu Hongyuan heaved a long sigh. The only reason he had stopped the fight earlier was to prevent such an incident from happening.

However, the moment he left the scene, he immediately crossed paths with that person.

Had that person been anyone else, Zuoqiu Hongyuan would not hesitate to take them on, and he would have used every technique at his disposal to deal with them, even if there was no chance of winning. That was his philosophy, that no matter how a battle would end, he would still inflict the greatest harm he could onto his opponent.

However, upon realizing who his opponent was…

Zuoqiu Hongyuan plummeting body suddenly halted, and as if he had weighed nothing, he was immediately sent back to the mountain’s peak.

The moment he made contact with the ground, Zuoqiu Hongyuan sprinted to Ou Yangming’s side as if he wanted to take a stand with him.

The corner of Ou Yangming’s mouth twitched, and mentally cursed, ‘Why is she here?’ Following that, he muttered, “She has nothing to do with me, don’t believe her words.”

Startled, Zuoqiu Hongyuan gave Ou Yangming a quizzical glance, as if he were asking, “But I didn’t even accuse you of anything?” Ou Yangming stated in a deeper tone, “I’m not lying to you.” Zuoqiu Hongyuan was starting to get suspicious of Ou Yangming. Although he had also heard of a rumor about him, upon noticing how strongly Ou Yangming had objected, he was starting to think that there was some truth to the rumor.

The sword-light traveled to the top of the mountain, and once it had subsided, a beautiful figure was revealed. Indeed, that person was none other than Her Royal Highness, Wu Hanning.

With a frigid look in her eyes, she scrutinized the two outstanding men before her.

Zuoqiu Hongyuan hurriedly greeted, “Your Royal Highness.”

Ou Yangming hesitated for a moment before following suit. “Your Royal Highness.”

To his chagrin, Wu Hanning flitted to the side and avoided his bow. Noticing this, Zuoqiu Hongyuan’s gaze turned odd. He snuck a glance at Ou Yangming as if he had found the situation amusing. ‘You’re really dishonest, huh!’

Ou Yangming shook his head in exasperation. He was aware that by this point, no amount of convincing would make the young powerhouse from Huangsha County think otherwise.

Despite having a veil over her face, as usual, it had not affected her magnificence in the slightest. She then declared, “Under His Majesty’s decree, no one is allowed to challenge Master Ou without prior permission. Violators of this law shall be meted out due punishment.”

Zuoqiu Hongyuan was unsurprised. As if he had already expected this outcome, he responded, “I understand, I will accept whatever punishment His Majesty lays out.”

On the other hand, Ou Yangming’s expression darkened. Although he understood the emperor’s worry that one would lay harm on him, he wondered, was it really the right call to make?

It was also in that moment, that Ou Yangming had come to grasp just how overbearing and tyrannical the imperial family was.

Wu Hanning’s sleeves fluttered in the wind as she turned around to head down the mountain. Before she left, she added one final statement, “His Majesty has also given an additional instruction. I shall inform you of it at the foot of the mountain, Ou Yangming.” With that, the princess vanished before their eyes.

After heaving a long sigh, Zuoqiu Hongyuan then patted Ou Yangming’s shoulder and joked, “You have a tough time ahead of you, Brother Ou.”

Ou Yangming snapped, “I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, She. Has. Nothing. To. Do. With. Me.”

Zuoqiu Hongyuan chuckled, “Brother Ou, Her Highness is a genius of your caliber, and she’s also the number one beauty within the capital! Do you have any idea how many people wish to be in your position right now?”

Ou Yangming asked suspiciously, “And just how did you learn that she’s the number one beauty of the capital?”

Although Ou Yangming doubted that Wu Hanning was a hideous beast, to claim that she was the number one beauty of the capital was… ‘Wait, could she be even more beautiful than Bai s.h.i.+xue?”

Zuoqiu Hongyuan shrugged his shoulders and answered, “it is a rumor that is pa.s.sed down from the imperial family. However, from what bits of her face I’ve seen, there’s a high likelihood of it being true!” He then giggled and exclaimed, “You are one lucky man, Brother Ou!”

Ou Yangming rubbed his temples as he could feel a headache surfacing. He sighed, “Since you’re so envious, Brother Zuoqiu, why don’t I offer her to you instead?”

“To me?” Zuoqiu Hongyuan froze, but a moment later, he shook his head and answered resolutely, “I appreciate the offer, but she’s too headstrong for me. I worry that she’ll dominate me instead.” He then looked far ahead, and within his gaze, a sliver of mellowness could be found.

Ou Yangming froze and asked, “You have someone in mind already, don’t you, Brother Zuoqiu?”

Zuoqiu Hongyuan chuckled and responded, “Such a person does indeed exist, yes. However, I fear that the feeling is not mutual.”

Ou Yangming exclaimed, “Just what kind of person is she? How can you fail to charm her maiden heart with your das.h.i.+ng looks?”.

As if annoyed, Zuoqiu Hongyuan responded, “She’s a prodigy, and… How should I put this?” After giving it some thought, Zuoqiu Hongyuan suddenly asked, “Just how long have you been practicing martial arts?”

“About a year.”