AST 1589 - Battle with Silver Battle King Crab (1/2)

Without looking back, Qing Shui stopped in his tracks for a brief moment before he walked away with long strides again. Watching his retreating back, there was a trace of perplexing melancholy in the woman’s eyes that couldn’t be expressed with words.

Qing Shui went back without knowing the woman’s name or even knowing if she was the Mistress of Sunset Palace. Perhaps affected by the concept of monogamy in his previous life, he had an innate phobia towards relationships; to have more than one woman in his life made him feel as though he had wronged them all.

All of his women were outstanding. After some time together, he could also understand the rationale behind Yiye Jiange’s choice this time. None of his women would intervene with his relationships; they would settle with minding their own affairs because there was no way they could have Qing Shui to themselves at all times.

Qing Shui knew by now that the thought of gathering them would be a difficult feat, much less living with them under the same roof.

Pushing aside these thoughts, he recalled the Portrait of Twelve Beauties—there was only one left. His view on relationships was ever-changing and at this point, even he wasn’t sure about where he stood on them anymore. All that he knew was that he had to evade any more prospective relationships and focus on cherishing what he had now.

Yet, this was just the natural course of life: meeting what you want to avoid, and losing what you want to find.

Qing Shui returned straight to his tent. The two women were still there, seemingly in discussion. Seeing Qing Shui, they greeted him in passing.

“I haven’t seen you for half the day. Did something happen?” Yiye Jiange asked when Qing Shui took a seat.

“I met the Mistress of Sunset Palace.” Qing Shui replied.

“You met the Mistress of Sunset Palace? What did she say?” Muyun Qingge questioned in shock. If it had been anyone else, she would have assumed he was lying—it was difficult for strangers, especially men, to meet her.

“She said that if I’m willing to wed her, then she’ll withdraw all the forces and no longer pursue the matter with the Sea Dragon Palace and the Vicious Shark Palace.”

Muyun Qingge was stunned, then broke into a smile. “I realized you can spout words that are utterly unexpected sometimes. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed this. Right, Jiange?”

“I think he’s pretty smug at times.” Yiye Jiange said with a smile. Neither Qing Shui nor Muyun Qingge could guess what was on her mind.

Qing Shui shook his head in resignation. Even when he spoke the truth, there would always be someone who didn’t believe him. “But I rejected her.”

“I guessed it right this time.” Muyun Qingge said seriously.

“However, she gave another condition. A one-on-one duel tomorrow, and they’ll be sending the Silver Battle King Crab. If we win, they’ll withdraw temporarily.”

Muyun Qingge pondered before speaking up again. “The Silver Battle King Crab is really powerful, even more so than the Violet Crystal Crowned Shark King. They are natural warriors with exceptionally strong combat skills. However, forcing a retreat out of him shouldn’t be an issue. I’ll fight him this time.”

“You’re the Palace Mistress of the Sea King’s Palace. It’ll be beneath your social status to fight.” Qing Shui smiled. Muyun Qingge and Yiye Jiange’s strength shouldn’t be inferior to the Silver Battle King Crab, but it was still hard to tell. They had both improved dramatically since when they fought against the Sea Dragon Palace and the Vicious Shark Palace, especially Yiye Jiange.

There was also the Nine-Headed Crystal Beast. Back then, just by using the Nine-Headed Crystal Beast, they were able to scarcely defend themselves against an opponent on the Violet Crystal Crowned Shark King’s level. Now that their strength had increased this much, perhaps the Nine-Headed Crystal Beast would be able to hitch a victory against Silver Battle King Crab.

Of course, this was just his speculation.

“Then who do you think will be a suitable candidate to fight?” Muyun Qingge looked towards Qing Shui as she asked.

“Me.” He smiled.

“You’re the Guardian of Sea King’s Palace. You can’t get into just any battle you please either. If you were going to do it anyway, then you might as well let me do it.” Muyun Qingge frowned.

“That’s different. As a Guardian, I have yet to develop a reputation; there are many out there who don’t even know of my existence. Which is why, as a Guardian, I will need to participate in battles in order to declare my existence, and prove that I have the ability to protect.” Qing Shui maintained his smile as he said this.

“That sounds good. I have faith in your strength.” Muyun Qingge conceded eventually.

Yiye Jiange, on the other hand, turned her focus towards Qing Shui. “Be careful!”

“Don’t worry, there aren’t many who can kill me now. My greatest strength lies in the fact that I can survive even through the worst beatings.” Qing Shui reassured her through this earnest statement that was somehow also a joke.

It wasn’t long before the news spread: the Guardian of the Sea King’s Palace would be battling the Silver Battle King Crab of Sunset Palace tomorrow. The Sunset Palace would retreat upon defeat, however, if the Sea King’s Palace failed in defeating their opponent, then they couldn’t blame Sunset Palace for being discourteous.

Of course, retaliation was always an option.

“What are your thoughts about the Guardian of our Sea King’s Palace?” Among the martial artists gathered in Sea King’s Palace, someone spoke up.

“Our Guardian is the youngest and also the one with the most potential. Even the Violet Crystal Crowned Shark King and the Golden Sea-Dragon Merman died in his hands.”

“That’s right. I am optimistic about our Guardian.”

“I’ve heard that Silver Battle King Crab of Sunset Palace is from an ancient bloodline. Its might is terrifying. This will be a fierce battle.”

“The Silver Battle King Crab is one of the many skilled warriors in the Sunset Palace. It’s fortunate that it isn’t the Golden Battle King Crab that will be fighting this time. Otherwise, it’d be hard to tell. To be honest, the disparity in might between the Sea King’s Palace and the Sunset Palace is quite large.”

……

While those warriors were speculating, Qing Shui was entangled with Yiye Jiange. He was head over heels for this gorgeously delicate body. Their soft moans continued filling the air around them as their sweet melody rushed into his ears.

Qing Shui kissed her body over and over again and the intimacy soon led them to their peak.