Eventually, Xiahou Jie calmed down her anger. Staring at Linghu Qiang, she asked, “When is that shameful man coming?”

When Linghu Qiang heard her comment, he was slightly awkward. He knew the girl was simply venting out her anger, but Jing Wen was a possible marriage candidate for her; how could she insult him in such a manner? Stroking his beard, Linghu Qiang said, “Xiao Jie, you can’t say such things. His Highness had intended for Sir Jing to recover his reputation in the capital through his literary capabilities now that his martial art is just ordinary. If you want to blame someone, blame His Highness.”

How could a girl who was still a year away from her hair combing ceremony refute an old ginger. Harrumphing angrily, she pulled Linghu Qiang’s beard, refusing to let go or speak.

Linghu Qiang sucked in a breath of cold air, suppressing the pain. Gently coaxing her, he said, “Xiao Jie, what if Sir Jing sees you like this? He will certainly think of you as a brute.”

Suddenly, Xiahou Jie released Linghu Qiang’s beard and smiled coldly. “So what if I’m a brute; wasn’t he famous for his martial arts? Let’s compare who’s more of a brute.”

Linghu Qiang inwardly sighed; the Xiahou family were indeed all strange creatures obsessed with martial arts. As he opened his mouth to persuade Xiahou Jie again, he saw a figure approaching the walkway accompanied by a maidservant. The person was naturally Jing Wen, and before Linghu Qiang could even stand up, Xiahou Jie had arrived before him.

Jing Wen noticed Xiahou Jie and gave a slight bow in greeting. “I presume you are Miss Xiahou?”

Unexpected to Linghu Qiang, Xiahou Jie gave a slight curtsy and responded meekly, “Then you should be Sir Jing.”

Jing Wen had heard of rumours about Xiahou Jie’s unruly nature, but seeing her, thought of them as mere rumours. Giving another bow, he said, “Please forgive me for being so delayed.”

“What if I don’t?” said Xiahou Jie abruptly.

Jing Wen observed that the girl did not like him, but also did not bear hostility towards him. This was normal; the two of them were complete strangers who had the potential to become husband and wife, in such a situation, who can be happy? Slightly amused, he said, “Then how can I make you forgive me? After all, the hearts of man is complicated, so I need Miss Xiahou’s guidance.”

Hearing this, Xiahou Jie was reminded of her defeat at Zhou Aimin’s hands. She thought to herself that Jing Wen must have seen the game and her embarrassing, later behaviour, only revealing himself after it was over. Her anger spilling over, she said, “Sir Jing, I did not think of you as such a bully.”

Jing Wen was surprised and did not understand why Xiahou Jie had said that. However, he had already been belittled earlier by those scholars, and wasn’t too willing to take another chastising in the same day. Giving Linghu Qiang a slight bow, he left the walkway without a word.

As Jing Wen walked out from the silk covering, Xiahou Jie emerged from the curtains. Seeing Jing Wen searching around for the carriage, she gave a slightly absent smile, saying, “Why don’t you let the carriage bring you out of the capital?”

Jing Wen could not ignore her comment, and after sending away the servants following him and Xiahou Jie, Jing Wen turned towards her and said with a slight frown, “Miss Xiahou, I recommend you to return to Lingnan yourself. You clearly still need some education from your family.”

Xiahou Jie did not expect her offhanded comment would result in such a reprimand from Jing Wen. “What rights do you have to criticise my father?”

Jing Wen shook his head, saying, “General Xiahou is sacrificing his time with his family in order to guard the border with Nanwang. How can I criticise him?”

Xiahou Jie finally realised Jing Wen was admonishing her from the start. Becoming even angrier, she said, “You’re not much better. You’re just a scoundrel!”

Jing Wen was slightly dumbfounded. “How am I a scoundrel?”

“You have so many girls following you around - even now, when you are neither a scholar nor soldier.” Xiahou Jie spat out, “You must be tricking them!”

Jing Wen coughed slightly to alleviate the awkwardness. He understood that acting up in anger would only cause Xiahou Jie to become more furious. He gently said, “Miss Xiahou, you cannot slander me in such a manner. I have not met with most of those women; they only know me through hearsay. Rather, I had come to greet you to cancel his Majesty’s edict to being with; would a scoundrel do such a thing?”

Xiahou Jie pursued her lips when she heard such provocation. “That’s because you don’t want to be known as an old cow eating tender grass (老牛吃嫩草)!”

Jing Wen sighed. “I’m only two years older than you.”

Xiahou Jie struggled to find any words to refute Jing Wen, but how can she object to something as concrete as time? Stomping her foot angrily, she bit her cherry-like lips and reached the hilt of her sword. After a moment of contemplation, she drew it and pointed its edge towards Jing Wen.

The Great Zhu had originated from the Yanjing and inherited the region’s martial tradition; even in the traditionally peaceful South, it was common to see weapons being carried around. Naturally, many of the youths would establish some communication to duel with each other.

Jing Wen had been challenged by aspiring youths seeking to climb up the Xinqingnian countless times and was thus unfazed by Xiahou Jie’s actions. In fact, he had already anticipated this, which was why he had initially sent away the servants to being with.

With no prying eyes, the events that occur after such a challenge by Xiahou Jie would remain ambiguous. There were only two people, if one denied what the other said, who can confirm what is true or false?

“Sir Jing, I have always heard of my father’s praise of your martial prowesses. I hope you will enlighten me.” Strangely, after pulling out that sword, Xiahou Jie’s entire person challenged. No trace of anger could be found within her, and her eyes as beautiful as pearls became completely still in calmness. What kind of power was hidden within this daughter of one of the Great Zhu’s greatest general?

Although he had anticipated her actions, Jing Wen was still pleasantly surprised to find out that she was the kind of girl to keep her abilities hidden. Placing his hands behind his back, Jing Wen said, “I refuse.”

Xiahou Jie sneered, “I’m a woman and you’re a man. Are you not ashamed?”

Jing Wen explained calmly, “Miss Xiahou, I am not aware of what caused your anger, but there is no reason to hold hostility towards me. The servants had also been sent away, so there is no need to worry about your reputation as well.”

After explaining himself, Jing Wen had no intentions of delaying any longer and turned to leave.

However, as he did so, a clear yell erupted in rage. In a single moment, Xiahou Jie charged towards him with her fist.

Feeling the shift in the wind around him, Jing Wen circulated the Qi within his body and, without turning to face her, shifted to the right in an unnatural quickness with a single tap of his foot.

Xiahou Jie’s fist, filled with lethal intent, brushed against that piece of cloth and missed entirely.

That piece of cloth slightly fluttering, Jing Wen sent a small strand of Qi into his left hand. With a casual motion, it gripped Xiahou Jie’s collar, catching the silly girl.

Jing Wen could sense that though she had initiated the duel despite his refusal, she had avoided the use of cold weapons and even warned him beforehand with the yell. At least, this gave him enough goodwill for him to not interfere with her internal circulation as he had done with Lei Li.

Xiahou Jie maintained a strange silence as she twisted her body akin to a snake, thrust out with her palm as she did so. Jing Wen’s brows furrowed as he retreated back three steps with rather strange footwork.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Three deep indentations appeared on the ground before him, crushing the stonework into powder.

Jing Wen ‘looked’ at Xiahou, who was shocked that he could avoid her technique so easily through instinct alone. His tone had was slightly disapproving as he said, “Lady Xiahou, I’m a blind person. Even if you are a woman, I’m more disadvantaged than you. How can you use the Zhengshan Zhenjing (征山真經 - Mountain Crushing Manual)?”

Xiahou Jie clenched her teeth and charged at Jing Wen once more with even more ferocity. Her tender and small hands were no different from the weight of the heavens bearing down upon the world.

Jing Wen frowned and circulated the Qi within his body at a frightening speed. Yet once he took the first step towards Xiahou Jie, the torrent Qi throughout his body suddenly channelled into his right hand as though they were descending down a cliff unimaginably lofty into a single point.

Once the second step was taken, he and Xiahou Jie were no more than a hair’s width apart. At this point, her frightening palm was about to strike Jing Wen’s chest, when his index finger touched Xiahou Jie’s armpit.

The next moment, Xiahou Jie’s hand completely stopped. Jing Wen had sent the strand of Qi into her arm, deaden it before it could strike.

Having been completely counter by Jing Wen, Xiahou Jie was thoroughly shaken, but still maintained a degree of collectiveness. Without warning, she kicked towards Jing Wen’s tibia. If it connected, there was a chance Jing Wen would fall atop of her in an inappropriate due to the pain, but how could Xiahou Jie have the time to consider such a matter?

Yet right before the kick landed, Jing Wen stabbed out with his own punch.

A soft crack sound could be heard in the courtyard and, combined with the splash of blood that trailed in the air, it produced a strangely melancholy feeling.

---

Xiahou Jie immediately knelt down and clutched her nose. Upon seeing the blood flow through her fingers, she immediately began wailing, sounding particularly sorrowful.

Jing Wen felt it was rather unfair. He had declined the duel in the first place, and now that she has suffered the consequence of her actions, she now cries?

Still, Jing Wen abided by the rules of proper conduct and wiped Xiahou Jie’s bloodied nose with a handkerchief. Since he had already sent away the servants, he shook his head and went off to find a basin of water to treat her.

Once he returned, the sobbing Xiahou Jie had already calmed down. When she looked at Jing Wen again, there was still a trace of anger left, but also a sense of reverence. She was, after all, the daughter of the General to Pacify the South and had just been humbled earlier by Zhou Aimin. Struggling to salute Jing Wen, she readily admitted her defeat.

Of course, Jing Wen was not aware of the help he had from the Little Taoist. Slightly surprised by how openhearted she was, Jing Wen tried to divert the mood and said, “Lady Xiahou, I had once worked with someone who knew the Zhengshan Zhenjing. Although you are much younger than him, your skills are already much better.”

Xiahou Jie sniffed and responded defiantly, “I’m the one conceding, but it has nothing to do with the technique. If my father were here, he would definitely beat you!”

Jing Wen found Xiahou Jie’s statement slightly cute and amusing. He commented, “Regardless, for a young lady like you to achieve such a level of martial arts is quite admirable.”

Although no one could see her, Xiahou Jie continued to cover her nose. Clearing her throat, she said, “Actually, I had intended to challenge you in archery?”

Jing Wen was pretty familiar with the branch families of the Xiahou family in Lin’an and understood that every one of them was obsessed with martial arts. Since he wasn’t anxious to return, he gave a faint smile and said, “Then shall we continue with it?”

Hearing Jing Wen’s amicable words, Xiahou Jie was shocked for a moment, before accepting it with a nod.

As they were wandering beneath the walkway, Xiahou Jie secretly thought, “I was right to being with; he certainly is a scoundrel who tricks little girls!”