Función clerical

Capítulo 18

A murmur rippled through the audience.

The arena competition isn't about fighting; once you fail to defend your title, you're eliminated. The later you enter the arena, the better, since no one can withstand a series of matches. But Twelve Nights' words clearly indicate he intends to defend his title from the very beginning. Although he's been number one for years, this is still a bit much…

Before the discussions had subsided, Su Chenche had already taken the stage.

White robes and a plain sword.

The man and his sword exuded an aura that was surprisingly imposing.

Shen Zhili looked at Su Chenche and rubbed her forehead. Based on her understanding of Su Chenche, Su Chenche wouldn't do this just to get rid of all those men she had seen before... one by one.

...Unexpectedly naive.

Chapter Sixteen

"I am Young Master Twelve Nights, may I ask..."

Su Chenche smiled gently, holding his sword, completely unaware of how terrifying that smile appeared to others.

Upon hearing the sound, the person took two steps back, bracing themselves with their hands in front of them, and said with feigned composure, "Don't come any closer, don't come any closer, I'll get down myself!"

After saying that, he jumped off the stage.

Ten moves!

More than a dozen young heroes came up, but not one of them could withstand ten moves from Su Chenche.

I knew Su Chenche was strong, but I didn't expect him to be this strong among his peers!

Although it was only ten moves, those who received the blows were often panting heavily, while Su Chenche appeared calm and composed, clearly still having energy to spare.

Some tried to use their special moves to win by taking a risk, but they were invariably thrown off the ring in all sorts of bizarre ways.

There was a rustling sound among the group of young heroes.

Someone leaped onto the high platform, cupped his hands, and said, "Du Yizhi of Hengshan hopes that Young Master Twelve Nights will give me more guidance."

"Du Yizhi?"

Su Chenche smiled innocently as always: "I have long heard that Young Hero Du's Spring Water Sword Technique is superb. I wonder if I could learn a thing or two from him?"

This was the first time Su Chenche had said something like this, and everyone turned to look at the stage.

Du Yizhi looked at the renowned and elegant young master in front of him and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He had a feeling that the other party was up to no good... It must just be his imagination. Young Master Twelve Nights is praised by everyone for his character and conduct, and he is second to none in the martial arts world. How could he do anything bad?

The worst thing to do when sparring is to have your mind wandering.

As Du Yizhi raised his ancestral Spring Water Sword and assumed his starting stance, fierce attacks came from the other side, like endless waves.

Du Yizhi then understood why the previous people had been unable to withstand it; it was simply a one-sided, suppressive attack!

The feeling of being suppressed by others in every move was really unpleasant. Du Yizhi also knew very well that he was no match for Prince Twelve Nights. He raised his sword to block and was about to admit defeat when suddenly he seemed to trip over something and crashed straight into a pillar on the side.

He immediately used his lightness skill to dodge to the side, but his arm was suddenly pulled, and a sharp pain surged in his abdomen, so painful that Du Yizhi's vision went black for a moment.

What on earth happened?!

Then someone hurriedly stopped his falling body. Before Du Yizhi lost consciousness, he heard an urgent male voice: "Young Master Du, Young Master Du... what are you standing there for? Quickly go and get a doctor..."

When he woke up, he still saw those clear eyes.

Su Chenche sat by his bedside, his face full of guilt, and said, "Young Master Du, when I saw you suddenly fall towards the pillar, I hurriedly pulled you up, but I didn't expect my sword to hit you instead..."

He sighed and shook his head as if quite ashamed, his clear and handsome face showing no trace of pretense.

A faint feeling of gratitude welled up in Du Yizhi's heart, and he immediately said, "Why do you say that, young master? I still remember how you saved me before I fainted. I am grateful enough, how could I blame you?"

Su Chenche shook his head and said, "If only I could have stopped you sooner..."

His amber eyes lowered, his expression revealing deep frustration.

He truly is a gentleman worthy of admiration!

Du Yizhi was even more moved. He grasped Su Chenche's hand and was about to deliver a passionate speech when a bowl was placed in front of him with a clatter.

Shen Zhili: "Drink your medicine!"

Upon seeing that it was Shen Zhili, Du Yizhi swallowed the medicine without thinking. He turned around and was about to continue his conversation with Young Master Twelve Nights when he suddenly realized that the man had disappeared!

No, he's still in this room!

only……

In the blink of an eye, Su Chenche was by his bedside; in the blink of an eye, Su Chenche was already beside Shen Zhili, his smile earnest and ingratiating: "I'll take care of brewing the medicine! You should go and rest."

Du Yizhi was astonished; why did he seem to see a huge tail swaying behind Prince Twelve Nights?

It's an illusion! It must be an illusion!

Shen Zhili said expressionlessly, "Su... Twelve, don't disturb the patient, come out with me." After a pause, she said to Du Yizhi, "Young Master Du, you should rest well. Your injury is not serious. There is ointment by the bedside. You can apply it to the injured area on your waist yourself."

After closing the door behind him, Shen Zhili gritted her teeth and said to Su Chenche, "Did you have to be so ruthless!"

Su Chenche looked at him innocently: "I didn't mean to."

Shen Zhili stared into his incredibly clear eyes and said seriously, word by word, "Really?"

Unable to avoid Shen Zhili's gaze, Su Chenche sighed helplessly, "...It's fake." He then pouted and added, "Your smile at him is so beautiful, I'm jealous."

Shen Zhili sighed and rubbed his forehead: "...You should know your limits. If you had used any more force, this guy surnamed Du would have been childless."

Su Chenche remained silent, which was his true intention, as he found it difficult to speak...

A few tinkling bells rang out, and a beautiful young woman peeked in from outside, saying somewhat shyly, "Young Master Twelve Nights..."

Su Chenche turned around, revealing his usual gentle smile: "Yes, it is. May I ask what brings you here, young lady?"

Du Xiaoxiao repeatedly snapped the silver hairpin in her hand, suppressing her shyness in front of her beloved: "I...I've admired you for a long time...I wonder if I could get to know you?"

Su Chenche smiled and said, "I'm sorry, my sweetheart is here. It wouldn't be good to make friends with other women in front of her and upset her."

Du Xiaoxiao was unwilling to accept this, pointing at Shen Zhili: "She's clearly, clearly not pretty at all. I'm younger and prettier than her, and I know so many other things too, like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, sword dancing, and... why can't I do it..."

Su Chenche's smile suddenly faded.

"In my eyes, she is the most beautiful, and no one can compare to her."

His tone was casual, but the weight of his words was immense.

Du Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment, suddenly unsure of what to say.

Shen Zhili patted her shoulder and said calmly, "You know how to confess to a man, but don't you know how to go in and see your brother? Although his injury isn't too serious, he'll still be bedridden for several days."

Even though it wasn't outwardly expressed, Du Xiaoxiao could detect a hint of blame in her voice.

Wanting to refute her but not knowing how, Du Xiaoxiao stamped her foot and slipped into the house.

Watching Du Xiaoxiao's retreating figure, Shen Zhili thought to himself: "She truly doesn't know how lucky she is." Having witnessed Su Chenche's attitude towards Ye Qianqian, he knew that neither liking Su Chenche nor being liked by him was a good thing.

He can be so good to the person he likes that he'd risk his life for them, but he can also say to the person he liked in the past, "If you don't remember, then she doesn't exist." So who knows if she might be the next Ye Qianqian?

"Knowing separation."

Shen Zhili responded unconsciously and turned around.

Darkness descended, and Su Chenche covered her eyes with his hand. She heard that low, gentle voice in her ear, but it sounded somewhat uneasy: "Zhi Li, don't look at me like that... as if you might leave me at any moment."

Even without seeing Su Chenche's expression, one can imagine that his usually smiling brows are furrowed, and he looks aggrieved.

Shen Zhili chuckled: "All good things must come to an end. You should be more mature than me..."

He paused, then his tone suddenly changed, "Hey, Su Chenche, what are you doing with your hands! Don't think you can do whatever you want just because I can't see you, get them out of my collar right now, you bastard!"

Su Chenche muttered, "No, the banquet will end. I just need to stay with you... Uh, Zhili, what I just pinched was yours... cough cough..." He silently turned his head, "How could it be so small..."

A murderous aura emanated from Shen Zhili: "...Go to hell."

******************************************************************************

Although the competition was not completed due to Du Yizhi's incident, none of the young heroes had any objection to Su Chenche continuing as the new martial arts star.

The next day was the Grandmaster-level competition, and there were significantly more spectators than the day before.

Because of Shen Zhili's treatment of Du Yizhi's injuries, the news that Shen Zhili was the Valley Master of Huichun Valley gradually spread. Not only did the number of people making appointments for her treatment increase, but even the organizer of the conference, the head of Huashan Sect, specially prepared a seat for Shen Zhili. The only drawback was that the seat happened to be right next to Su Chenche.

Being taken advantage of is a minor matter, but being taken advantage of and then being looked down upon... is simply intolerable!

Shen Zhili decided... at least during the martial arts tournament, to ignore everything Su Chenche said.

But the man clearly didn't notice anything amiss. He eagerly brought over a plate of sliced orange fruit and pushed it towards Shen Zhili, saying gently, "Zhili, how about trying these papayas?" Seeing that Shen Zhili didn't look at him, Su Chenche kindly added, "It's said that papayas are very beneficial for a woman's certain area..." As he spoke, his gaze kept sweeping down from Shen Zhili's neck to her waist.

Shen Zhili turned her head and met Su Chenche's gaze.

There was nothing obscene about it; it remained clear and pure. However… no matter how you looked at it, there was a hint of worry about it.

Worry!

What do you have to worry about?

Shen Zhili patiently looked away, pretending not to see him.

Su Chenche continued his persuasion: "Zhi Li, I just tried it, it tastes very good, you really don't want to try it..."

Shen Zhili ignored it.

Su Chenche said aggrievedly, "These papayas are very rare here. I asked people to search for a long time before I finally found this one..."

Shen Zhili continued to ignore it.

Su Chenche: "...It cost fifty taels of silver."

Fifty taels!!!

Shen Zhili turned around, furious: "Are you crazy or stupid! Fifty taels of silver for just one melon! Is this melon made of gold?! How can you even afford to spend it? With so much money, why don't you go and do disaster relief? Why don't you go and build river dams?! No, you might as well become the emperor! Should we build you a palace?"

Su Chenche pulled the melon back and said with his head down, "Since you, Zhili, refuse to eat it, I'll just throw it away."

"What a waste!" Before he could make another move, Shen Zhili snatched the plate away, gazing at the small, orange-yellow pieces cut into pieces with heartache, as if they were some rare treasure. She murmured softly, "Fifty taels of melon, fifty taels... just this little bit, fifty taels..."

Su Chenche tilted his head, his gaze lingering intently on Shen Zhili's face, and he smiled unconsciously.

The competition offstage had already gone through several rounds.

Only a handsome middle-aged man in his forties with striking features remained on the arena. His cloud-like black hair was loosely tied with a dark blue ribbon, and he wore a sect leader's robe embroidered with black patterns. A faint smile played on his lips.

The cheers from all around were already deafening, and among them were even the wives of heroes who had already started families.

"This is……"