Although she was currently starting to view Ning Wuque with slightly more favor, she was still far from agreeing to his marriage with Mu Yunshang.
Just as Mu Yunshang felt despair and helplessness, a warm current surged into her palm. It was Ning Wuque, who gently squeezed her delicate little hand and gave her a reassuring look.
He walked straight toward Ouyang Jing.
Ouyang Jing frowned and said, "What do you thi—"
*Slap!*
Ning Wuque whipped his hand around and struck her across the face with Su Qingluan's embroidered shoe.
The blow left Ouyang Jing completely dazed.
Equally stunned were Su Qingluan, Mu Yunshang, and everyone else present.
"Y-Y-You dare hit me?" Ouyang Jing felt as if she were losing her mind.
She was, after all, the esteemed secondary consort of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate. How could anyone dare slap her right outside its gates?
*Slap!*
Ning Wuque struck her again with the shoe.
"Ning! Wu! Que!"
Both of Ouyang Jing's cheeks swelled up.
*Slap, slap, slap!*
After delivering six or seven consecutive slaps that left Ouyang Jing clutching her face, too terrified to utter another word, Ning Wuque finally stopped and said coldly, "My woman is not someone you have any right to lecture. If you ever dare speak insolently to Yunshang again, I'll slap you just the same!"
"You're dead, Ning Wuque! How dare you hit me—I'll tear you to pieces!" Ouyang Jing's eyes were filled with venom.
Some guards of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate had finally regained their wits, and dozens of them closed in on him with hostile glares.
Ning Wuque showed not a shred of fear, sweeping his gaze across the crowd with a sneer. "Go ahead and try touching me... At least for now, His Majesty has not annulled my engagement to Yunshang, which makes me the son-in-law of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate. If any of you dare lay a single finger on me, you can gamble on whether I die first, or your entire clan is executed for treason..."
"..."
The guards exchanged glances, not daring to step forward.
Seeing that he had cowed everyone, Ning Wuque turned to the dumbfounded Su Qingluan. "Princess Consort, Yunshang and I are truly in love. I hope you will grant us your blessing."
"Mother, I will marry no one but Brother Wuque!" Mu Yunshang declared with a resolute gaze.
"This..."
Su Qingluan hesitated.
She, too, had been startled by Ning Wuque's sudden violence. Yet, upon second thought, looking at Ouyang Jing's heavily swollen face, she felt a wave of exhilarating satisfaction.
Even so, to agree to Ning Wuque's request just like that was something she found deeply unwilling.
After a moment of hesitation, Su Qingluan said, "Ning Wuque, since you profess your love for Yunshang so loudly, you surely don't want her to suffer any grievances. Although you are no longer the heir of Prince Shenwu's Estate, a true man in this world does not need to rely entirely on his family's background. How about this: during the Martial Arts Imperial Examination a year from now, if you can win the title of top scorer in the martial examinations, I will agree to this marriage. What do you say?"
Mu Yunshang panicked. "Top scorer in the martial examinations? Mother, you're going too far! The Martial Arts Imperial Examination is held only once every decade, and anyone from eighteen to forty years of age can participate. Brother Wuque has just recovered from severe injuries and is now only at the First Layer of Qi Condensation Realm. In a span of one year, how could he possibly win the top score?"
Su Qingluan ignored Mu Yunshang and kept her eyes fixed on Ning Wuque.
Mu Yunshang hastily turned to him. "Brother Wuque, don't listen to her! No matter what your status is—even if you were merely a peddler or a common laborer—I would still marry you!"
"The top scorer in the martial examinations, is it? I accept your terms. One year from now, I will undoubtedly secure that title..."
Ning Wuque tightened his grip on Mu Yunshang's hand. "Yunshang, wait for me one more year. A year from now, I will give you a grand and glorious wedding!"
Chapter 7: The Martial Arts Imperial Examination
"Alright, I'll wait for you!"
Mu Yunshang gazed intently at Ning Wuque and nodded solemnly.
Just as she had known his plight yet rushed to Prince Shenwu's Estate without a second thought to bring him back, she possessed a blind, ultimate trust in him.
"Hahaha, you're making me laugh to death! The top scorer? You, with that kind of strength, want to win the top score? Do you even know what cultivation realm the previous top scorer had? He was at the Peak of Tongxuan Realm! You're merely at the Qi Condensation Realm right now. Forget one year—even if you were given five or ten years, you might not be able to win that title!"
Ouyang Jing's face, swollen like a pig's head, was contorted with derision as she mocked him.
Ning Wuque swept a glance at her. "Did I give you too much face? Have you not had enough of those slaps just now?"
"You..."
Ouyang Jing recoiled two steps in fright.
Ning Wuque had already proven through actual deeds that he truly dared to hit her!
"Alright, Ouyang Jing, say less!"
Su Qingluan glanced sidelong at Ouyang Jing. Ignoring the latter's dark expression—so gloomy water could almost be wrung from it—she stared at Ning Wuque and said in a deep voice, "Since you've agreed to my conditions, your marriage with Yunshang will wait until a year from now for a final decision."
"Rest assured, Princess Consort, a year from now you will willingly marry Yunshang to me!" Ning Wuque said earnestly.
"Mm, Mother, I believe Brother Wuque!" Mu Yunshang chimed in.
"Shut your mouth!"
Su Qingluan snapped with a darkened face, pulling Mu Yunshang over to her side. She looked at Ning Wuque and asked, "There is still some time before the Martial Arts Imperial Examination begins. Do you plan to return to the Northern Frontier first, or remain here in my Southern Frontier?"
Ning Wuque replied without a moment's hesitation, "I'll stay right in Nanjiang City!"
Su Qingluan murmured an acknowledgment. "Staying in Nanjiang City is fine as well. However, until you meet my requirements, I will not acknowledge you as the son-in-law of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, nor will I allow you to stay within our estate. Everything you do in the Southern Frontier must depend entirely on yourself!"
"Rest assured, Princess Consort, I know what to do," Ning Wuque nodded.
He had never intended to rely on anyone in the first place.
Su Qingluan continued, "In that case, we shall wait and see, and judge the outcome a year from now!" With that, she glared fiercely at Ning Wuque. "Now, can you return my shoe to me?"
"Uh..."
A trace of awkwardness appeared on Ning Wuque's face.
Having just used that embroidered shoe to savagely slap Ouyang Jing several times, he had gotten so used to swinging it that he had simply forgotten to return it to Su Qingluan.
"Apologies, it slipped my mind because I got too used to using it!"
Ning Wuque rubbed his nose and handed the other embroidered shoe back to Su Qingluan.
*Got too used to using it?*
Su Qingluan instinctively glanced at Ouyang Jing beside her.
Ouyang Jing's pretty face darkened.
The shoe print on her face was still clearly visible!
Furious, Ouyang Jing let out a cold snort and turned to stride briskly toward the estate.
The corners of Su Qingluan's lips curved upward into a smug smile. Slipping the shoe back onto her foot, she said to Mu Yunshang, "You reckless girl, are you coming back to the estate with me or not?"
"Mother, you go on ahead! Brother Wuque has just arrived, so I'll show him around Nanjiang City first," Mu Yunshang said, blinking her eyes.
"Nonsense, you—"
Before Su Qingluan could say more, Mu Yunshang had already skipped over to Ning Wuque's side.
Taking his large hand in her small one, she pulled him along as they walked off into the distance.
Su Qingluan stamped her feet in exasperation, yet she could do nothing about it.
...
On the broad street, Mu Yunshang chattered like an oriole, introducing Ning Wuque to everything they saw along the way, as well as the local customs of Nanjiang City. "Brother Wuque, half a month from now is our Southern Frontier's grandest festival, the 'Holy Water Festival.' I'll take you to experience it properly then. Let me tell you, the Holy Water Festival is so much fun..."
"Mm!"
A gentle smile played on the corners of Ning Wuque's lips as he nodded slightly, walking quietly beside Mu Yunshang and listening to her endless stream of chatter.
He showed not the slightest sign of impatience.
This girl was the light that had appeared in the darkest period of his life!
"Oh, right, Brother Wuque, since Mother won't let you stay at the estate, where do you plan to live? I've saved up some private money over the years; let me take it out and buy a small courtyard for you..." Mu Yunshang asked in a low voice, blinking her eyes.
Fearing that doing so might hurt Ning Wuque's self-esteem, she spoke with utmost caution.
Looking at this girl who considered his feelings at every turn, a warm current surged in Ning Wuque's heart. He smiled and shook his head, saying, "No need. I'll figure out a place to stay myself. You should keep that private money to buy things for our baby!"
"Wh-What baby? You're so annoying..."
Her face blushing crimson, Mu Yunshang lowered her head and whispered a mild scold.
Yet the eyes that kept flashing with eager expectation betrayed her true thoughts.
The two walked side by side for a while.
Seeming to remember something, Mu Yunshang suddenly raised her head to stare at Ning Wuque. "Brother Wuque, it won't be easy to win the top score in the Martial Arts Imperial Examination. I—I'm just saying, even if you fail to become the top scorer next year, I will still marry you. At worst, we can elope and leave the Southern Frontier, or even leave the Dayan Dynasty..."
She lifted her chin, looking stubborn and resolute.
Ning Wuque affectionately ruffled her hair and smiled. "Alright, I'll listen to you in everything!"
Though he said that, deep inside his heart, his determination to win the top scorer's title grew only firmer.
Mu Yunshang might be willing to risk everything to be with him.
That did not mean he could calmly accept all of that.
A marriage without the support of parents and family was, for any young woman, bound to be unhappy.
Ning Wuque asked, "Yunshang, are you familiar with the Martial Arts Imperial Examination?"
"I heard my father talk about it. Our Dayan Dynasty was founded on martial prowess, and the Martial Arts Imperial Examination is the court's premier event for selecting talent. It's divided into four stages: City Examination, Prefecture Examination, Territory Examination, and Palace Examination. The City Examination is a preliminary test held in the candidates' respective cities this coming August. As long as one meets the age requirement and has reached at least the Mortal Shedding Realm in cultivation, one can qualify for the Prefecture Examination!"
Mu Yunshang thought for a moment and continued, "The Prefecture Examination takes place in October, with testing sites only in cities of the prefectural capital level. Our Southern Frontier has a total of thirteen prefectural capitals. Passing the Prefecture Examination grants one the status of a martial scholar, allowing them to participate in the Territory Examination in December. The top ten finishers of the Territory Examination are designated as martial masters and earn the opportunity to travel to Yanjing City for the Palace Examination. At that time, all martial masters from across the country will compete to decide the rankings for the top scorer, second place, and third place..."
"The City Examination, Prefecture Examination, Territory Examination, and Palace Examination, is it? It's only early May now, so there are about three months left until the City Examination. That should be enough time to break through to the Mortal Shedding Realm!" Ning Wuque murmured softly.
If these words were to spread, they would undoubtedly cause an uproar.
He was currently only at the First Layer of Qi Condensation Realm, yet he intended to break through to the Mortal Shedding Realm in a mere three months.
Such a speed was unprecedented even in the history of the Dayan Dynasty.
Yet Ning Wuque was not shooting in the dark.
Possessing the Chaotic Sword Body and the *Chaotic Infinite Swords Dao*, he was fully confident he could pull it off.
Mu Yunshang said, "Brother Wuque, you just focus on your cultivation. During this time, I will try my best to gather information on the other candidates participating in the Martial Arts Imperial Examination."
"Mm!"
Ning Wuque smiled and nodded.
As the two walked along the bustling street, Mu Yunshang suddenly stopped.
Ning Wuque looked at her in confusion. "What is it?"
Mu Yunshang said, "Brother Wuque, let's go take a look over there!"
"Huh?"
Ning Wuque was stunned, following the direction of her finger.
It was an elixir shop named "Hundred Herbs Hall." Standing at the entrance, one could already smell a rich aroma of medicinal herbs wafting out.
"Brother Wuque, come with me quickly!" Without waiting for a response, Mu Yunshang pulled Ning Wuque and ran toward Hundred Herbs Hall.
As soon as they entered, a shop assistant hurried over. Glancing at their attire, the assistant's face immediately blossomed into a wide smile. "Welcome to Hundred Herbs Hall, two honored guests. Are you looking to buy medicinal herbs or finished elixirs?"
Mu Yunshang asked, "Do you have Qi Condensation Pills for sale here?"
"We do!"
The assistant nodded eagerly. "You two have come at just the right time. Our chief alchemist, Master Luan Hongyi, successfully refined a batch of supreme-quality Qi Condensation Pills just yesterday. Please wait a moment, and I'll go fetch them for you to inspect!"
"Alright, hurry back!" Mu Yunshang said.
Once the assistant left, Ning Wuque spoke up, "Yunshang, why are you buying Qi Condensation Pills?"
A radiant smile lit up Mu Yunshang's face, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she said with a grin, "To help with your cultivation, of course! I'm waiting for Brother Wuque to win the top score next year and give me a grand, glorious wedding! Since I can't help you with your cultivation, and you won't let me buy a house for you, I can at least buy you some elixirs!"
Looking at her innocent smile, Ning Wuque felt a chord in his heart gently plucked.
Ever since he was a child, he had always faced everything alone, overcoming obstacles by himself.
Mu Yunshang's delicate care made him feel deeply warmed.
At that moment, the assistant returned carrying a jade bottle, presenting it like a treasure as he handed it to Ning Wuque. "Have a look, honored guests. These are the supreme-quality Qi Condensation Pills refined by Master Luan. I'm not boasting, but you won't find a second place in Nanjiang City that can match this level of quality!"
"I've heard of Master Luan Hongyi's great reputation; his mastery in refining Qi Condensation Pills is indeed matched by very few!"
Mu Yunshang nodded and asked, "What is the price for this bottle of Qi Condensation Pills?"
Qi Condensation Pills could enhance the cultivation speed of Qi Condensation Realm martial artists. Ordinary quality could increase speed by thirty percent; superior quality by fifty percent; as for supreme quality, it could boost speed by a staggering ninety percent.
It was practically a twofold enhancement!
The assistant smiled brightly. "There are a total of ten supreme-quality Qi Condensation Pills in this bottle, priced at one hundred taels of silver per pill. If you purchase the whole bottle, we can offer you a ten percent discount!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Mu Yunshang said, "I'll take the whole bottle. Nine hundred taels of silver, right? You can count it!"
The assistant took a stack of silver notes from Mu Yunshang's hand, a flash of greed crossing the depths of his eyes as he smiled. "The amount is correct! Please wait a moment, two honored guests; I'll go wrap up the elixirs for you right now!"
A short while later, the assistant returned with a jade bottle, handing it to Mu Yunshang. "Please keep your elixirs safe!"
"Much obliged!"
Mu Yunshang took the jade bottle and handed it to Ning Wuque like a precious offering. "Brother Wuque, this is the first gift I've prepared for you, so you must not refuse!"
"Alright!"
Ning Wuque gave a faint smile, took the jade bottle, and popped open the cap, intending to check the quantity of the pills.
Yet the moment the cap was opened, Ning Wuque's expression shifted slightly. His sword-like brows locked together as he stared at the assistant and said coldly, "We don't want these elixirs anymore!"
Chapter 8: What Else Do You Have to Say?
"W-W-What did you say?"
The assistant's pupils contracted sharply as he blurted out.
Expressionless, Ning Wuque repeated, "We don't want these elixirs anymore!"
"Brother Wuque..."
Mu Yunshang looked at him in bewilderment. Thinking that he deemed the elixirs too expensive and was thus reluctant to accept them, she hastily tried to persuade him with an anxious expression. "This is the first gift I've prepared for you, and you promised just now that you wouldn't refuse. Why..."
Ning Wuque shook his head at her. "It's not that I won't accept your gift. There's another reason, and I'll explain it to you in a moment!"
Seeing him say this, Mu Yunshang could only suppress the doubts in her heart and stay silent.
Her trust in Ning Wuque was blind!
The assistant's expression turned somewhat ugly as he stared intently at Ning Wuque. "Esteemed guest, once elixirs are sold at my Hundred Herbs Hall, they cannot be returned or exchanged unless there is a sufficient reason."
"A reason? Don't you know well enough in your own heart?"
Ning Wuque let out a cold laugh. "Give me my money back right now, or else I'll expose the truth. Don't blame me if I ruin Hundred Herbs Hall's reputation!"
"This..."
The assistant's expression flickered slightly, his peripheral vision drifting toward the curtain separating the front hall from the back rooms.
A shadowy figure was faintly visible behind it.
Naturally, Ning Wuque had caught the assistant's petty action. He deliberately raised his voice and said, "If you can't make the decision, then go find someone who can. I'll give you three breaths to consider, or else don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
"Three!"
"Two..."
Just as Ning Wuque was about to call out one, the curtain was suddenly flung open.
A lean young man dressed in brocade robes, with fair skin and red lips, but bearing two dark circles under his eyes, walked out.
The assistant quickly said, "Young Shopkeeper!"
"Get lost to the side!"
Sha Wei first glared fiercely at the assistant, then swaggered over to Ning Wuque. "Was it you causing trouble in my Hundred Herbs Hall?"
Looking at Sha Wei, who was clearly hollowed out by wine and women, Ning Wuque frowned and said, "What do you mean by causing trouble? Your Hundred Herbs Hall is selling goods that don't match what was advertised—aren't I even allowed to return them?"
"Kid, you can talk nonsense about food, but you can't talk nonsense with your words! My Hundred Herbs Hall has been in Nanjiang City for nearly a hundred years, and our foundation is built on genuine goods and treating young and old with equal fairness. Who in Nanjiang City doesn't give a thumbs-up when talking about our reputation? Yet you claim our elixirs are fake or substandard. I suspect you're smearing us with the intent to extort us..." Sha Wei interrogated him in a rapid-fire string of accusations.
In the main hall, other patrons who were buying elixirs and herbs also nodded in agreement.
"He's right about that. The reputation of Hundred Herbs Hall is definitely trustworthy!"
"This kid looks refined, yet who would've thought he'd pull such a low-class stunt like extortion?"
"Appearances can be deceiving!"
How could Mu Yunshang ever tolerate others slandering Ning Wuque?
Her face darkened as she rebuked, "Rubbish! Brother Wuque only said he wanted to return the purchase—when did he ever try to extort you?"
"Oho, this little lady isn't bad-looking at all!"
The eyes Sha Wei cast upon Mu Yunshang glowed with an eerie green light, and his scarlet tongue instinctively licked his lips.
With a flash of movement, Ning Wuque stepped in front of Mu Yunshang, gazing coldly at Sha Wei. "Look again, and I'll gouge your eyeballs out."
As he spoke, an icy killing intent emanated from Ning Wuque, firmly locking onto the young man.
Ever since he was eight years old, he had fought battles across all directions for Prince Shenwu's Estate.
The enemies he had killed over the past eight years numbered at least eight or ten thousand. The intensity of his bloodlust was simply unmatched by ordinary people!
*Hiss!*
Sha Wei shuddered violently, feeling as though he had plunged into an ice cellar.
He instinctively swallowed a mouthful of saliva, no longer daring to stare at Mu Yunshang as recklessly as before. Instead, he muttered under his breath, "What's with the fierce look? Looking doesn't make a piece of meat fall off!"
Ignoring the young man's muttering, Ning Wuque demanded, "I'll ask you once more: are you going to take back this bottle of elixirs or not?"
"No returns!"