238 Trials 6 (1/2)
”What happened?”
Qin Feng felt the weight of Li Changhai's puzzled stare as if it was a huge stone, and almost winced. But he managed to keep a straight face. Even when the Second Ducal Prince asked in a very strange tone of voice:
”You didn't see? Brother Liushui lured him into using his Eagle Snatches The Carp move, and slipped past his attack to break his leg. Weren't you watching the match?”
”I got distracted. See? The Snow Swallow Palace people have arrived,” he replied, with a laugh, thankfully without blushing, as he pointed at the opposite stands.
However, he realized his mistake as soon as he did that. Wu Batian was glaring at him as though he wanted to devour Qin Feng alive, because of that guffaw he gave out. Or to tear him apart, limb from limb. Whichever would cause him more pain.
No doubt, the old leader of the Black Eagle Mountain contingent was thinking that he was commenting about his loss. And how his own son had been so badly beaten up. After all, Qin Feng did have a weak smile on his face, and someone like Wu Batian would never believe that a youngster like Qin Feng would miss a chance to mock him.
And how could Qin Feng explain, that he was looking at the pretty woman sitting down three seats away from his location? While some of the younger men would certainly allow that it was true, which of them would dare to risk Wu Batian's wrath, by saying that?
Lin Liushui, in the meantime, had already made it back to the stands, and was collapsing into the seat on the other side of Li Changhai. The Second Ducal Prince looked on with worry, as he half-fell into his chair, prompting the strategist to grin.
”That was a harder fight than I had expected. But I wore out his patience, and so got that opportunity. I believe that he was distracted by Xu Yanzhi as well, when she arrived. So maybe I should thank her later, for arousing his lust, and so distracting him.”
”Xu Yanzhi? That's the young girl in green?”
Lin Liushui looked up at Qin Feng's question with obvious amusement. ”Ah? Young Brother Qin Feng is showing interest in a woman? That is a surprise. I had not thought that highly of little Yanzhi's charms. But not to worry, she is distantly related to me, like a cousin. Several times removed. If you are interested, I will introduce you to her later, Brother Qin.”
Qin Feng managed to plaster a smile on his lips. It was still fake, although he didn't need too much effort to make it work this time. ”Not necessary. I have met her before. I think that she remembers me too. Or rather, she remembers my face. She won't know my name. Since I did not give it. The last time we met.”
It was embarrassing. How come his words had come out like that? As though he had difficulty expressing himself? It was likely because this was the first time that he had tried to bandy words with Lin Liushui, he told himself.
But looking at the expressions on everyone's faces - everybody around him, that is! Well, it was clear that they all got the wrong impression, didn't they?
Was that why they were all staring at him in silence?
Then Du Yan broke the spell, and laughed weakly as he coughed into his left fist. ”Well, that aside, I think it is my turn to make a move. Say, that fellow that called me out earlier: would he make a good target?”
He had turned to ask Lin Liushui, who gave his fan a quick shake before he answered:
”An excellent target! That's Bei Mohuang, the second son of the leader of the Golden Shield School. A rather good martial practitioner but his Golden Shield has not reached the peak state yet. So you should be able to take him, if you get him with a fully strengthened blow.
”Getting one in, however, will be your problem!”
Qin Feng's smile then, was a more genuine one. The stage had been cleared, and the injured Wu Zhenyang carried away. But there were marks on the flagstones, and it was clear that he had attacked Lin Liushui with some vigor. If he concentrated, he could still get a gist of the trace of Lin Liushui's final blow. That was something that he could use!