"Would you be willing to be my concubine? Let me dote on you." Zhan Yun's sudden words silenced the crowd by Ming Lake. Everyone was stunned.
How many women wished to be the concubine of the current Martial Arts Alliance Leader, yet he chose such an unremarkable woman.
After a moment of silence, there were shouts and curses, until Liu Liu quickly got up. She had only wanted to test how afraid Zhan Yun was of women.
She remembered him saying last time that he liked men. He liked men yet married a beautiful wife. She hadn't expected him to be lying then, nor that he would want to take her as a concubine.
She wanted to laugh. Aren't concubines supposed to be flirtatious and beloved by all, charming both people and flowers?
For an ugly woman like her to be a concubine, it was no wonder the crowd erupted like a pot of boiling water. It was a pity she didn't want to be a concubine. Her expression turned cold, and as she prepared to rise, she found she couldn't break free from his grip.
He had the audacity to hold her captive in his arms. Rage flared within her, and just as she was about to act, a chilling voice sounded from behind.
"So, Alliance Leader Zhan likes this type of woman." The voice carried deep disdain, yet was laced with a brewing fury.
Liu Liu glanced through Zhan Yun's arms. It was Cang Lang speaking from behind him.
Although his words were harsh, Liu Liu had a gut feeling he was helping her. Unfortunately, his words had no effect; instead, Zhan Yun tightened his hold.
Liu Liu's small face was more than just unsightly at this moment. If she could use her martial arts, she would have kicked this man away. Moreover, she sensed a meaningful glint in Cang Lang's eyes, completely unlike his previously placid demeanor.
Zhan Yun had actually declared his intention to take her as a concubine in front of so many people in Black Wind City. The Martial Arts Alliance Leader taking an ugly woman as a concubine – she believed this news would spread throughout Black Wind City by tomorrow.
The moon shone like silk, and both pairs of eyes gleamed with a faint light. The atmosphere grew heavier. Liu Liu's pretty little face tensed, a cold smile appearing on her lips. Just as she was about to deliver a heavy blow to Zhan Yun, someone rushed straight out from the crowd.
A fragrant woman, pushing her aside directly, spoke with a pout.
"Brother Yun, I told Father I wanted to be your concubine. How can you marry this ugly woman?"
The speaker was a pretty young lady, dressed in a silver-red brocade Guangling Hexuan long dress, complementing Zhan Yun's crimson attire. They looked like a perfect match.
Liu Liu breathed a sigh of relief. At least she didn't have to use her martial arts to escape. However, thinking of this man's arrogance, her expression turned as cold as December frost. She walked straight forward, tilted her head up, and stared coldly at Zhan Yun, who was entangled with the other woman.
With a sweep of her hand, she slapped him hard across the face. Her chilling words echoed in the night.
"You think too highly of yourself. I have no habit of being a concubine." She then left quickly, unwilling to get entangled with this man any further.
It seemed tonight's plan had gone awry. She hadn't expected an ugly woman to have such good fortune with romance. The crowd automatically parted to let her leave. They were too shocked that this woman had just slapped the Martial Arts Alliance Leader and left as if nothing had happened.
Zhan Yun's face turned red, then white, then green under the moonlight. He hadn't expected this woman to be so cold and unfeeling, completely unlike her previous pitiable demeanor. He had misjudged her. Did she think she could just leave after hitting him? He yanked his arm away and roared, "Xiao Chan, let go."
"I won't let go." The woman called Xiao Chan was precisely the daughter of the wealthy merchant Ye of this region, who was determined to marry Zhan Yun as a concubine. She paid no heed to Zhan Yun's roar and continued to clutch his long arm.
In the blink of an eye, Liu Liu had merged with the crowd. The banks of Ming Lake were thronged with people.
Where could one find the figure of a frail woman? And he had been hit by her. Even after being hit by her, he still wanted to take her as a concubine, that kind of woman who would be cherished and doted upon.
Zhan Yun's dark eyes flickered. Impatiently ignoring the woman clinging to his arm, he flung her aside. Ye Xiao Chan was thrown to the ground, crying in anger, causing many women by Ming Lake to snicker and whisper.
It was all because this Lin Xiao Chan always presented herself as the Alliance Leader's concubine. Now, she finally learned her lesson. It seemed the Alliance Leader didn't like her at all.
But the thought that the Alliance Leader actually liked an ugly woman made the young ladies of Black Wind City restless. Such an ugly woman was unwilling to be the Alliance Leader's concubine.
After all, that was a position they had competed for a long time without success.
Cang Lang and Zhan Yun boarded a painted boat. Liu Liu, standing in the distance, breathed a sigh of relief, fearing they might come looking for her. Just as she was about to turn back, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure – someone from the Emperor's retinue.
Ri Ying. She knew that Ri Ying and Yue Ying never left the Emperor's side. Therefore, Feng Xie must also have come to Black Wind City. What was he doing here?
Liu Liu frowned and looked up. The normally clear sky was covered with a layer of gray. Could this martial arts gathering have another hidden agenda? Her expression turned somber, and she said nothing. Footsteps sounded behind her. She listened carefully and recognized it as Dai Mei.
"Master, you scared me to death just now. That Alliance Leader Zhan is such a strange person. Why would he inexplicably grab someone and want to take them as a concubine? Doesn't he have a wife?"
Liu Liu shook her head. She didn't understand this either. Why would Zhan Yun, with a wife, still want to take a concubine? And one he pulled from the street so casually? She truly couldn't comprehend his actions.
Liu Liu looked into the distance and saw Ri Ying boarding Zhan Yun's painted boat. As soon as Zhan Yun saw Ri Ying, he walked out from the boat.
The two men lowered their heads and whispered. Liu Liu was stunned. Could it be that Zhan Yun was the Emperor's man? This was too incredible. The Martial Arts Alliance Leader was actually Emperor Feng Xie's subordinate.
Dai Mei, not understanding why her master's expression had changed, looked at her with a cold, serious, and determined gaze, her whole body exuding restrained anticipation.
Dai Mei thought her master was angry at Alliance Leader Zhan's recklessness and was about to advise her not to take it to heart, when she heard Liu Liu's chilling voice.
"The Emperor has come to Black Wind City."
Hearing Liu Liu's words, Dai Mei was startled and turned to look around, muttering softly, "Where? Where?"
"Let's follow Zhan Yun's shadow from ahead. Keep a distance from them. These two are highly skilled in martial arts and agile. If we get too close, they'll surely spot us." Liu Liu led the way towards the shadows, pointing to where Zhan Yun had disappeared in the distance, and quickly followed her master.
As the martial arts大会 was about to begin, the streets were crowded with people. Many were in the western suburbs watching the excitement. A high platform for martial arts competitions had already been erected there, with large red lanterns hanging all around and colorful banners fluttering.
At this moment, singers and dancers were performing, and many people were gathered around the platform watching the performances.
Although Zhan Yun and Ri Ying were vigilant, Liu Liu and her companion were far away, and with the many passersby, they didn't believe anyone would notice them. Thus, they were careless.
Liu Liu watched them enter a luxurious inn. The inn looked grand and imposing, with red gates and tall buildings. Only the wealthy and influential entered and exited, and ordinary people could not afford to stay in such an inn.
Liu Liu wanted to follow with Dai Mei, but fearing exposure, she hid in a small tea house across the street to watch.
The moonlight illuminated the inn's name, "Full Moon Tower," its three large characters shining brightly.