Book 14: Chapter 44
Jingjing
As expected, the energy and pa.s.sion of youth for glory was ubiquitous on the first day of the academy idol compet.i.tion. Why was I strolling around the academy and only watching from afar? Because there was no longer any need for me to partake.
Thanks to Su Xiao’s “shorting” strategy, they managed to send eight teams’ compet.i.tors to the doctors in the first round of rites through beautiful trips. In the second round of calligraphy, they put something into the ink of other compet.i.tors, drawing a swarm of bees to their compet.i.tors, resulting in another dozen teams needing medical attention. Wu Dayong proudly accepted the insulting nicknames they were a.s.signed after the first day.
As a result of Quanmu’s activities, Che Gulu managed to take home first place in rites and calligraphy without even knowing how. Song Chi’s clique forfeited events without falling prey to Quanmu’s dirty tactics and walked away with third place. By the looks of things, Song Chi’s clique had yet to catch on to Su Xiao’s ploy.
Honestly, I didn’t feel I could do any better than Su Xiao even if I joined them, so I had a lucky break from work.
The dangerous a.s.sa.s.sins after me had been eliminated. I had cleared up Daren Academy’s misunderstanding. Zhao Tiankui kowtowed to me, cracking the floor with his head, apologised and boasted he’d be willing to help me with anything I ever needed him for. Needless to say, I accepted his apology and offer. I expected His Majesty to double my reward when I shared the success of negotiations with Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor, but he only gave me a short sentence of praise. Never again was I going to slave away for the d.a.m.n cheapskate.
Jingan’s intentions, the White Princes’ scheme and Gongsun Chu’s whereabouts were the last three problems I needed to address, and all of them were a pain to deal with.
“So that is why you came to visit me?” Jin Zhaoying – or rather, Jingan – interacted with me as eloquently and lovingly as always.
“Yeah. I’ve never been able to figure out what you’re thinking, after all.” I didn’t have any qualms eating the food on the table.
Although Jingan was fairly nonchalant about most things, when it came to her food, she was very particular. You’d never find another chef who could reproduce a comparable flavour to her chef. Since Jin Zhaoying’s maids were maids Jingan a.s.signed, the chef had to be her personal chef from Hangzhou, too.
“Here is the chilled plum wine you love.”
I certainly loved the chill and taste of plums that went down the hatch every time I was at Jingan’s abode. However, I was stumped for a moment because we were in summer. Where would you get ice from if you didn’t have a few hours to prepare beforehand in summer?
“I had to prepare the ice since I knew you were coming,” stated Jingan, seemingly reading my mind.
“I’ve defeated everyone you sent. What other tricks do you have up your sleeve?”
Jingan covered her mouth and laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
Jingan looked at me in a teasing way. “Would you have lasted if I actually sent people after you?”
“D-d-d-d-don’t you give me that! Don’t go doing whatever you want in Miss Jin’s skin. This trick doesn’t work on me.”
Jingan tilted her head. “So it would work if it was me personally?”
I gasped. “N-n-no, it won’t work no matter who it is! Answer the question!”
This la.s.s always makes conversing a ch.o.r.e!
“Are you saying I haven’t encountered the people you sent?”
“Did I say that?“
“Didn’t you?”
“Mm… I did, but I do not acknowledge it.”
… What the h.e.l.l is she on about?!
I could never understand what Jingan actually meant, and I could never tell if she meant what she said. She, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy me watching me confused.
“I still have some questions I would like to ask you. If you answer them, I will tell you everything I know,” said Jingan.
“Really?!”
Jingan telling the truth was rarer than rare, so I forgot what she demanded of me for a second.
“What… do you want to ask? I’ll have you know we Mount Daluo disciples eat and dr-, have a lot of secrets. Don’t even try. I won’t answer.”
“Whatever secrets Mount Daluo has, your s.h.i.+fu divulges them at the brothels. If you feel the questions are too hard to answer, you do not have to answer. You have nothing to lose, after all.”
“Let’s hear them first…”
“What is so good about Shen Yiren?”
I nearly sprayed the wine from my mouth. “What sort of question is that?!”
“Are you going to answer it or not?”
“No!” I flicked my sleeve and went to put on a serious face when I saw her fiddling with something, so I queried, “What’s that?”
“Navagraha Star Summoner.”
“What’s it used for…?”
“To summon Tianhu.”
“Didn’t Tianhu head… If he comes back now, then Mount Daluo…” I smiled. “Jingjing.”
“Yes?”
“You’re naughty.”
Jingan bashfully nodded. “I am.”
I leapt over to Jingan. “Give it here!”
“No.”
Jingan managed to foresee the angle I’d approach from and pre-emptively dodged out of the way. However, she was a weak woman at the end of the day, so it made no difference even if she had more arms and legs than me.
“Hand it over, or you’ll have to suffer physically!”
“If you want it, come take it.” Jingan opened her collar and stuffed the piece of jade into her valley. “Hehehe, come get it, Fuma.”
“D-d-d-don’t think that will deter me! Even if it’s Miss Jin’s body, it’s still you who’s in the wrong.”
“Then, what are you waiting for?”
“I’ll have you know I’m no gentleman. I’ll peep and then a.s.sert I never saw anything!”
“Wow, how exciting!”
This la.s.s is completely off the rails! I’ll teach you what perverted means in real life!