Chapter 272 - The Body Of Charm
Chapter 272 The Body Of Charm
‘These young people are truly full of vigor and energy,’ Jin Shengjie shook his head and thought. He later laughed and asked, “My good niece, you’re hoping that Lil’ Friend Ou will go all out to help you, am I right?”
Bai Shixue blushed. Although Ou Yangming foresaw it and knew she was likely pretending, he was still somewhat moved.
“Master Jin, aren’t you asking the obvious?” Bai Shixue expressed softly, “We hope that Master Ou will give his all, but we’d also like you to lend us a helping hand!”
Jin Shengjie sighed. “You should know that while I participate in the Myriad Treasure Meet, I’ve always attended it as an individual; I’ve never been roped in by any force.”
“I understand, but since you’re here, I obviously have to try my luck,” Bai Shixue quickly explained. She then pursed her lips and smiled. “If you become drunk and agree to help us, wouldn’t I be overjoyed?”
“I can’t believe you came up with such a plan, little girl.” Jin Shengjie could not help but laugh, then he suddenly said, “Fine. If you’re able to promise me something, Lil’ Friend Ou and me will help you.”
Bai Shixue’s eyes lit up right away, but she did not give her response just yet. She hesitated for a while before she replied to the master, “Master Jin, please give me the order.”
Jin Shengjie had never formed cliques and sects, and he was never too close to any force.
Based on his detached identity as a Superior Blacksmith, those powerful forces would only work with him and would never fight with him.
However, when Jin Shengjie changed his decision, Bai Shixue kept her guard up even though she was elated. ‘What exactly made this stubborn old man give up his persistence?’
Moreover, she also knew that Jin Shengjie was not going to make a small request.
Jin Shengjie asked, “Given that the Yi Pavilion has stores across the world, do you know of Master Lu from Changlong County?”
Bai Shixue looked up at Jin Shengjie in shock. “Master Jin, are you saying that you want to promote the matter?”
“You’re right. Since it’ll benefit the people greatly, I’ll spare no effort in promoting it.” Jin Shengjie nodded.
“But I’m just afraid that… It won’t be easy to convince the imperial family!” Ou Yangming tensed up a little because he finally understood why Li Xinfan and Jin Shengjie mumbled as if they were hiding something when they spoke about the matter. It turned out that they were concerned about the imperial family.
“Young Lady Bai, if the thing about upgrading the quality of economical armaments becomes popularized, I suppose the imperial family will benefit from it the most?” Ou Yangming was confused. “Why are they making things difficult?”
Bai Shixue lifted the wine pot and filled Ou Yangming’s cup before she answered gently, “If Master Lu is willing to enter the capital to become the imperial family’s tributary and guarantees that the technique won’t be spread, I’m sure the imperial family’s elders will be happy to see it happen.”
Ou Yangming raised his eyebrow because he instantly understood what she meant.
“The imperial family’s elders can’t be that petty, right?” Ou Yangming asked dubiously. “They’re not petty; too much is involved in the matter, so those with authority can’t tolerate this formidable technique of upgrading armaments ending up with someone else,” Jin Shengjie shook his head and explained helplessly, “It’ll be fine if Master Lu is willing to come to the capital, but if he refuses to and discovers something else, hehe…”
Ou Yangming felt a chill in his heart, and his face took on a ghastly expression. ‘Will Master Lu’s ending be my future?’
Nonetheless, Ou Yangming’s martial arts cultivation base was far beyond Master Lu’s reach. Perhaps Master Lu could not resist, but it would not mean that the young fellow would allow himself to be captured without putting up a fight. “Hmph! How can they do that? Aren’t they afraid of the beast tide?” Ou Yangming felt indignant.
Bai Shixue’s eyes glowed, and she looked at Ou Yangming in surprise because it was not simple for him to know about the beast tide at such a young age.
Jin Shengjie scoffed. “When the beast tide comes, the local forces from each county will be the first to bear the brunt of the attack. In particular, big families with profound inheritances will suffer terrible losses. Perhaps the elders from the imperial family would love to hear and see that happen…”
“Master Jin!” Bai Shixue immediately shouted coquettishly to cut off Jin Shengjie. “You made a slip of the tongue!”
Jin Shengjie was stunned for some time before he sighed. “Ah, I said too much. Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore!”
Ou Yangming kept quiet, but he found out about many secrets from their short conversation.
He vaguely understood why the Ni family chose to disclose the rune through Master Lu instead of doing it themselves. It might not be because it would not conform with an aristocratic family’s benefits, but because they knew from the start it would cause such trouble.
“My dear niece, I’m not going to have empty talks with you. Are you willing to run about for this?” Jin Shengjie lifted his cup and downed his drink before he asked Bai Shixue in a heroic spirit. With bright eyes, he assured the lady. “As long as you promise to help, Lil’ Friend Ou and me will do our best. We dare not guarantee that we’ll make you victorious in the Myriad Treasure Meet, but we’ll at least let you be one of the top three.”
Bai Shixue pondered for a moment and asked, “Master Jin, do you trust me that much? Aren’t you going to discuss it with my father?”
Jin Shengjie could not help but laugh. “If I don’t trust you, why would I discuss it with you? Besides, when has that old man ever objected to any of your decisions?” “Thank you for trusting me, Master Jin.” Bai Shixue curled her lips into a smile. She glanced at the two masters for some time before she expressed, “Since you value me so much, Master Jin, I’m willing to follow your lead and give it a shot!”
“Very well, I’m confident now that I have your word.” Jin Shengjie’s eyes lit up. He raised his cup and uttered, “Come, let’s drink up and congratulate ourselves in advance for a successful attempt.”
With that, the three of them downed their drinks, but they knew it would be difficult to complete the task.
Ou Yangming was about to return to his courtyard after the feast when Bai Shixue led him to another residence.
As compared to the previous small courtyard, the residence was truly luxurious. The decorations inside were marvelous, and it was evident from the details that thoughtful work was done. Though Ou Yangming expected that he would enjoy better treatments from now on, he was shocked because he did not think it would happen in a flash.
After he sent Bai Shixue away, he rather admired the youthful young lady, who was heroic and was not inferior to men at all.
On the next morning, once Ou Yangming was done with his morning practice and had his breakfast, Jin Shengjie visited him.
The old man was clearly regretful about failing to invite Ou Yangming to his residence.
Jin Shengjie cut to the chase as soon as they met. “Let’s go meet Brother Wu; he’s a key person, so if we’re able to gain his support, we’ll have a much higher chance.”
Ou Yangming nodded. “I’ll follow your arrangements, senior.”
In actuality, before Ou Yangming entered the capital, Li Xinfan had briefed him and agreed to introduce the gentlemen in the imperial court to promote the matter together.
While Ou Yangming had not gone according to Li Xinfan’s path, he was not inferior and was even superior in terms of influence.
When Ou Yangming expressed his desire to visit Master Wu Hongxi, the Yi Pavilion prepared the most luxurious carriage at once. The carriage was of a higher grade than Jin Shengjie’s carriage yesterday, but Ou Yangming was somewhat low-spirited because Bai Shixue had not shown up yet. The young fellow felt like there was a lack of color when the beautiful and graceful figure was not around.
Nevertheless, Ou Yangming came back to his senses after a brief moment as he realized that his emotions were a bit off.
He hesitated for a while after he entered the carriage, but he raised the question in the end, “Master Jin, what secret technique does Young Lady Bai cultivate?”
Jin Shengjie smiled mysteriously and questioned, “Were you moved?”
Ou Yangming blushed. “Senior, you’re kidding me. I just felt that she’s… Unordinary.”
“She’s unordinary indeed. Hehe, if she was normal, Elder Bai wouldn’t have let her manage the huge Yi Pavilion.” Jin Shengjie sighed and lowered his voice after a pause. “Shixue doesn’t cultivate any unique secret technique; she was only born with the Body of Charm.”
Ou Yangming was taken aback. Countless thoughts crossed his mind as he recalled the ancient books that he read from the Ni family’s library.
Back then, Ou Yangming prioritized learning the path of runes, but he casually read books from other aspects too.
Humans had a great many powerhouses for generations. There were thousands and ten thousands of them whose names were known, let alone those whose names were never recorded in history.
Powerhouses had extremely complicated backgrounds, but there was a kind of powerhouse that was known as a born powerhouse.
If one had physiques like the Body of Extreme Yang, the Body of Extreme Yin, the Body of the Five Elements, and so on, one would certainly become a target for all great forces.
It was the same for the Body of Charm. It was not as known as the bodies of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements, but it seemed to be one of the higher-ranked physiques in ancient records.
Ou Yangming was confused about it before this, but he came to a sudden realization after having witnessed it yesterday.
He could not forget about Bai Shixue after he met her just once yesterday, to the extent that her twinkles and smiles during the feast would appear in front of him at any time.
Ou Yangming had mighty mental power but was still deeply captivated by the young lady, and everything happened soundlessly. Based on this alone, it was clear that Bai Shixue’s Body of Charm was unbelievable.
The young fellow asked as he was struck with a thought, “Master Jin, why weren’t you moved then?” If Bai Shixue truly had the Body of Charm, it would only make sense that men and women of all ages would be drawn to her without any exception.
Jin Shengjie looked at him and asked, “Hehe, how do you know if I wasn’t attracted to her?”
Ou Yangming was startled for some time. When he stared at Jin Shengjie’s old face, he thought, ‘This is how it is when someone’s face is as thick as a city’s wall!’