I've never seen this move before; it's definitely not the Free and Unfettered Sword Technique!
He drew his longsword, picked up my sword from the ground, combined the two swords, and laughed, "You lost!"
I stamped my foot and said, "You're not using the Free and Unfettered Sword Technique."
"That's not what you're using either. I never said you had to use the Free and Unfettered Sword Technique!"
"You!" I was convinced. When it comes to being a cheat, I'm no match for him.
"Well, you promised me you'd get a kiss if you lost."
Jiang Chen smiled and leaned closer, looking at me with affection. Then, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell on my lips.
I panicked and turned to run away. But first my sleeve was pulled, then my wrist was grabbed, and then my waist was pulled down.
"Xiao Mo, you have to keep your word."
In a moment of panic, I instinctively twisted my waist and delivered a flying kick, trying to make him let go.
He let go, but then grabbed my ankle.
This posture was really indecent. My face flushed and my heart pounded with embarrassment. I blurted out, "Jiang Chen, I, I didn't say anything about kissing. If you want to kiss, kiss my toes." After saying that, I silently felt ashamed. Sure enough, you become like those you associate with. Now I've learned to be shameless too.
He chuckled and said, "Xiao Mo, you're so unromantic."
I nodded frantically: "So, let go now."
"How can that be? We men of the martial world keep our word. You can't go back on your word again." As he spoke, he took off my shoes, and I was stunned.
He... he really wants to kiss my feet?! In a panic, I decided to stick to my act and reached out to push him away. However, I lost my balance and ended up half-lying against his chest. He grabbed my ankle with one hand and supported my waist with the other, laughing, "Little Mo, you look so alluring in that pose."
I knew this posture was rather inappropriate; half of my skirt rippled gently in the river breeze, like a lotus leaf gracefully emerging from the water, its delicate tip held in his palm. This posture was undeniably alluring and seductive.
I tilted my head slightly upwards, his features so close to mine, handsome and charming, radiating tenderness. I knew my face must be burning red, and I was so flustered that I didn't know how to break free.
He slowly lowered his head, and I panicked, involuntarily closing my eyes.
Suddenly, I felt a warm, soft sensation on my forehead, which quickly disappeared upon touch.
Such a gentleman? This is quite unlike his usual behavior. I was a little surprised. I opened my eyes and saw him smiling mischievously: "I'll kiss you from top to bottom. This time it's the forehead, the next time if I lose it's the nose, the next time it's the lips, and the time after that, where do you think it will be?"
His gaze followed my lips downwards, and he smiled like a fox, his eyes crinkling like stars.
My face flushed, I felt both ashamed and angry, but I truly admired him. His method was far more effective than using a whip to motivate me. I will definitely practice very hard, otherwise…
Life on the ship became exceptionally fulfilling due to the pressure. I was busy every day, and I had never practiced martial arts so diligently before. However, even with such diligence, he still won three times. It has to be said that some people are born smarter than others, some are born to be early birds that fly high, while others, no matter how hard they try, can't compare to someone who can win in the blink of an eye.
I've always been easygoing about winning and losing, but this time I'm really concerned about it. Because what worries me isn't losing to him, but rather, where exactly will he kiss me after I lose? (Note: The editor said that anything below the neck is considered inappropriate.)
My heart was pounding with anxiety, and I desperately wanted to take some kind of magic pill to instantly boost my power.
He made a deal with me to spar every three days. On the night of the twelfth day, I lost again, much to my dismay. The moment the sword slipped from my hand, I made up my mind: if he dared to kiss me below the neck, I would fight him to the death.
Jiang Chen chuckled and took my longsword in his hand, then said with a smile, "Wife, do you want to pay back the debt today, or would you like to owe it to me first and pay it back all at once later?"
I let out a long sigh and muttered to myself, "I'll owe you for now."
He smiled and tapped my nose: "Okay, I'll pay you back later. You can't go back on your word."
Me? Of course I'm pretty good!
The remaining days flew by. Before we knew it, it was early June, and the ship arrived at the dock in Shahai Town. Jiang Chen and I disembarked and found an inn in Shahai Town to stay in. Liujin Island was about five miles from the beach in Shahai Town.
Jiang Chen inquired about Flowing Gold Island, and those who heard about it all changed their expressions.
"Golden Island, no one has dared to go there for so many years."
"After it was taken over by Lord Murong, we common people avoided it like the plague. We can't afford to mess with people in the martial arts world who don't know martial arts."
"That's right, don't go if there's nothing wrong, and don't go even if there is something wrong."
Jiang Chen smiled at me, and I smiled back at him. Grandpa, he really is someone everyone fears; in everyone's eyes, he's like a demon.
Jiang Chen chartered a small boat in a fishing village by the sea. When the boatman heard that we were going to Liujin Island, he absolutely refused to go, so Jiang Chen and I had to row there ourselves.
The sea was calm and still, with seabirds occasionally swooping by. As noon approached, the shimmering sunlight reflected off the sea, and my heart seemed to jump uneasily up and down with those points of light.
Soon, the small boat reached the island. The lush trees obscured the view of the island. Jiang Chen removed the gold lock from his neck and placed it in my palm, then smiled slightly: "It's alright. We're so good-looking, we look like kind people, not here to cause trouble."
He boasted with an earnest expression, without blushing at all, appearing completely truthful. Looking at him, I couldn't help but want to laugh, and the tension in my heart eased a little.
Jiang Chen docked the boat and led me onto the island.
I was wondering why there was no one on the island when suddenly a giant silver net fell from the tree!
It's easy to come, but hard to leave.
Jiang Chen hurriedly used his lightness skill to pull me back several steps. The wind was like a hidden weapon, whistling past my ears. In the blink of an eye, the silver net barely landed on the instep of my foot. If I had been a fraction slower, I would have been caught in the net!
Before I could catch my breath or think, a whoosh of wind and a murderous aura rushed in from behind. Jiang Chen hurriedly drew his longsword, and without turning around, he blocked with his backhand. With a clang, several sparks flew from the blade. Seven men in black attacked in the Seven Star Formation. Jiang Chen shielded me behind him, his longsword flashing. In the light of the sword, which was as fast as light, I said urgently, "I have a token and wish to see Palace Master Murong."
The men in black halted their attack, and seven longswords were simultaneously pointed at Jiang Chen and me, their tips gleaming coldly in the bright sunlight. One of the men in black put a finger to his lips and whistled.