2 17 Years Later (2/2)

Fuyao dusted off her hands and casually tucked the black token into her clothes. When the token was hidden, a barely audible noise that sounded like gold and jade colliding was heard. There were two other similar tokens with slightly different shapes in her robes, each one representing a different country.

As she listened attentively to the noise, Meng Fuyao smiled.

'When I collect all the entrance seals for the Seven Kingdoms, I will finally...'

”Fuyao!”

When she heard the sound of footsteps moving closer behind her, Fuyao narrowed her eyes and sealed the acupoint of the person on the ground. Then, she flew to the shrubs ahead with a single leap.

When she landed, turned around and looked at the person who had arrived, a smile started to form on the corner of her lips. Her eyes were shining radiantly with a hint of happiness and concern that could not be restrained.

”Jingchen.”

The young man in green, who was walking toward her, was tall and handsome and had a beautiful complexion. Based on his clothes and aura, it was easy to discern that he had a good family background. There was a hint of a warm, amiable smile at the corner of his lips, as if one was being caressed by a spring breeze.

Yan Jingchen, who was the most outstanding disciple of the Mystic Essence Sword Sect, had been born into a wealthy and influential aristocratic family, so he was really popular amongst female disciples in the Sword Sect.

”Playing in the mountains again, I see...” Yan Jingchen stopped three feet away from Fuyao. A warm but accusing hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. ”If you don't train properly, you will place last again at the martial arts competition tomorrow. Do you like getting scolded?”

Fuyao smiled nonchalantly and casually swept her hair. ”It's alright, I lose all the time. I'm used to it by now.”

She absent-mindedly repeated the answers to the conversation that they frequently had, but did not notice the conflicted, hesitant look in Jingchen's eyes. When he heard her answer, Jingchen's expression darkened. However, she didn't notice it.

”Fuyao!” Jingchen stared at her for a long while. In the end, he could not resist taking a step forward. ”Can't you spend more time practising your martial art techniques? Power is widely respected in the Five Region Continent. A person who learns martial arts but never improves will be met with cold stares and many difficulties when they travel the realm. You... Have you never thought of trying harder to improve your situation?” he said in a low voice.

He paused before adding, ”Even if you did it only for me?”

Even if you did it only for me.

Fuyao felt a stirring in her heart. When she looked deeply into Jingchen's eyes, she was able to see his hesitance, unease and even a faint hint of pain. The pain caused the bottom of her heart to ache. She recalled that the disappointment in his gaze had been appearing more and more frequently during the past few days.

The instant Fuyao opened her mouth, she felt the urge to tell him the secret she had been hiding at the bottom of her heart.

She wanted to tell him that she was not bad at practising martial arts. The reason she was unwilling to practise the Mystic Essence's internal energy was because it clashed with her sect's Cleaving Nine Heavens martial arts. She also wanted to tell him, 'Just a little more. One day, I'll make you proud. You won't have to be mocked and humiliated because of me anymore. You will never again lose your dignity or be placed in a difficult position. Just... Not yet!'

Her Teacher's reminders before they parted were still ringing in her ears. 'Never reveal your original martial arts to any sect.'

Meng Fuyao had sworn a heavy oath that she could not break.

Jingchen was loyal to his sect and infatuated with martial arts. If she told him the truth, the Mystic Essence Sect's leader would be informed sooner or later.

Meng Fuyao took a deep breath and fluttered her thick eyelashes. Her bright, pure gaze was reflected in the eyes of Jingchen, whose gaze carried a trace of despair due to his long wait.

”Jingchen, I have tried my best...”

Yan Jingchen stared at her. After a long while, he exhaled slowly. When he heard her answer, the anxiety and despair in his eyes dwindled and was replaced with a sense of resignation and helplessness.

Suddenly, he changed the topic. ”In a year, the True Martial Arts Meet that will be held in the Heaven Demon Dynasty Capital will bring together expert martial art practitioners from all seven kingdoms. The participants will be tested in martial arts, the art of war and strategies to fight for the top seven positions in the world. The winners will have control over the military power of the seven kingdoms. Teacher said that Pei Yuan and I will represent the Mystic Essence Sword Sect. I will be rushing home tomorrow to prepare for the competition.”

As he spoke, his voice held little emotion. The glistening sun over the distant mountain shone its rays down on Yan Jingchen, whose back was facing the light, making him appear distant. He had an indistinguishable expression on his face.

Meng Fuyao's heart shuddered as she smiled reluctantly. ”The two of you are the most outstanding pair of disciples in the Sword Sect. Lord Tai Yuan has even bestowed you with the title Pearl Jade Double Swords. It is only natural that the Mystic Essence Sword Sect would send both of you to compete.”

As Yan Jingcheng stared deeply at her, his voice sounded strange. ”Fuyao, I would actually rather that this title refers just to the two of us.”

The smile on Meng Fuyao's face became even more strained. She also wished as much. No matter how generous a girl was, she would never want her beloved to be paired up with another girl and be proclaimed a perfect match.

As the sunset passed quickly, the sky, that had been previously alight with romantic hues of red, orange and purple, was now only left with a shade of faint red. As it shone through the green leaves, it made Yan Jingchen, who remained standing three feet away, seem unreal.

A wave of unexplainable nervousness rushed from the bottom of Meng Fuyao's heart, making her heartbeat quicken. This intense sense of unease gave her an ominous feeling. She had to say something now. Otherwise, she would not get another chance in the future.

”Jingchen, I need to tell you-”

”Fuyao, I need to tell you something.” Yan Jingchen suddenly cut her off quickly. If he spoke slower, he would never get the words out. ”My family has sent me a letter. They have arranged for me to marry Pei Yuan, and her family has agreed. The wedding will take place after the True Martial Arts Meet.”

The words that Meng Fuyao had intended to say suddenly got stuck in her throat.

She raised her eyes and stared at Yan Jingchen. However, he was not looking at her. Instead, he was gazing at a half-withered flower as he talked rapidly.

”Considering your current situation, my family would not allow us to be together. The Pei family is related to the imperial family. Despite my family's background, my status is lower compared to theirs. We didn't expect much from this proposal, but I heard that Pei Yuan agreed personally. Since the Pei family has already given their word, there is no reason to break the engagement. Plus, my family cannot afford to offend the Pei family.”