64: Chapter 64 Let's make a bet? If you lose, you'll be my bed warmer.

Ye Qingwu's charming face, still retaining its grace, was now as red as a ripe peach.

She had lived for hundreds of years, spending all her time in the Dao of the Sword and cultivation. Where had she ever seen such a display? Which of the male cultivators pursuing her wasn't respectful, even careful when stealing a glance?

Someone like Xu Chen, who not only dared to look her straight in the eye but even leaned in to whisper and tease her, was simply a... libertine!

Yet, frustratingly, this libertine's attainment in the Dao of the Sword was so high that even she, a Saint, felt her heart tremble.

"Ahem!"

Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly strange, Jian Wuchen quickly coughed heavily twice, breaking the awkward silence.

"Um... Supreme Elder, Young Master Xu... he really did come with sincerity."

He pointed to the mountain of betrothal gifts outside and reminded her in a low voice.

Ye Qingwu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shame and panic in her heart. She tidied her slightly disheveled lapel and regained her cold and noble appearance as a Supreme Elder.

"Young Master Xu."

She looked at Xu Chen with a complex gaze.

"Even though your sword skills are divine, it doesn't mean you can do whatever you want in my Sword Sect."

"And it certainly doesn't mean you can insult my disciple at will."

Ye Qingwu pulled the still-dazed Nangong Waner to her side, her protective instincts kicking in once more.

"Waner is Born with a Sword Spirit, the future hope of our Sword Sect. You want her to be your... Private Consultant? That is absolutely impossible."

"Oh?"

Xu Chen raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling upon the green-robed young woman who was still staring at him with a stubborn expression.

"Senior, your words are a bit too absolute."

"A fine bird chooses its tree. I never said I would kidnap a commoner; shouldn't this depend on Miss Nangong's own wishes?"

"I am not willing!"

Nangong Waner finally snapped out of it, shouting loudly like a cat that had its tail stepped on.

She pointed her long sword forward, her beautiful eyes wide with anger:

"Xu Chen, stop putting on an act!"

"You must have used some sorcery just now, or perhaps you're carrying some Imperial Weapon that suppresses sword qi, which made my Sword Intent fail!"

"I don't believe a playboy like you truly understands anything about the Dao of the Sword!"

In Nangong Waner's worldview, the Dao of the Sword required day after day, year after year of bitter cultivation and refinement. How old was Xu Chen? And he indulged in women all day; how could he possibly possess a realm that made ten thousand swords submit?

It had to be cheating!

Seeing the girl's tsundere "I'm not listening" attitude, Xu Chen wasn't angry; instead, he found it somewhat cute.

Taming this kind of little wildcat who hadn't seen the world would bring a real sense of accomplishment.

"You don't believe me?"

Xu Chen closed his folding fan and lightly tapped it against his palm.

"Since you don't believe me, why don't we... make a bet?"

"Bet on what?" Nangong Waner asked warily.

"Let's bet on the sword."

Xu Chen extended a finger, pointing at the Azure Lotus Sword in her hand, then at himself.

"We'll have a match."

"I won't use any cultivation or any magical treasures. We will purely compete in Sword Intent and techniques."

"If you win, all eighteen ships of treasures outside will be yours. Furthermore, I, Xu Chen, will kowtow and apologize to you in front of the whole world, admitting that I am a piece of trash."

Hearing this stake, everyone in the hall began to breathe heavily.

Eighteen ships of treasures! That was wealth enough to buy half of the Central Continent!

Even Ye Qingwu was somewhat tempted.

But Xu Chen's next words caused Nangong Waner's face to instantly flush all the way to her ears.

"But..."

A wicked smile played on the corners of Xu Chen's mouth as his gaze shamelessly swept over her.

"If you lose."

"You'll have to obediently follow me back to the Xu Family and be my... Personal Sword Attendant."

"Not only will you have to practice the sword with me, but you'll also be responsible for serving me tea, pouring water, massaging my legs, rubbing my shoulders, and even..."

Xu Chen intentionally trailed off, his eyes full of ambiguity.

"If one day this Young Master feels cold at night, you'll also be responsible for... warming my bed."

"Boom!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Nangong Waner felt as if something had exploded in her mind.

"Bed-warming?!"

He actually wanted her—the dignified Chief Disciple of the Sword Sect, the pure and noble Born with a Sword Spirit—to warm his bed?!

"In your dreams!!"

Nangong Waner was overwhelmed with shame and fury, the sword in her hand trembling.

"What? You don't dare?"

Xu Chen ignored her anger, instead looking at her with a gaze of extreme contempt.

"So this is the so-called Chief Disciple of the Sword Sect?"

"You don't even dare to accept a bet where 'cultivation cannot be used'?"

"It seems the title of Born with a Sword Spirit is just a hollow boast, isn't it?"

Provocation.

Although it was a cliché, for a sword fanatic like Nangong Waner, who was proud and couldn't tolerate the slightest slight, it was a lethal poison.

"Who says I don't dare?!"

Nangong Waner took the bait, as expected.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"No cultivation? No magical treasures?"

"Purely competing in Sword Intent and techniques?"

"Humph!"

"If it were a contest of cultivation, she might truly be inferior to this Young Master of the Imperial Clan who relied on pills. But if it were a contest of pure sword dao... she, Nangong Waner, had never feared anyone!"

She had practiced the sword since she was three and realized Sword Intent at ten, hailed as a sword dao genius rarely seen in ten thousand years!

How could she lose to a playboy who only knew how to wallow among women all day?

"Fine! I'll bet with you!"

Nangong Waner stepped forward, her gaze firm and sharp.

"Xu Chen, you're the one seeking death!"

"When you lose later, don't go crying to your parents to complain!"

"It's a deal."

Xu Chen snapped his fingers, the smile on his face becoming even more radiant.

The fish has taken the bait.

"Wait."

Ye Qingwu, who had been watching from the side, suddenly spoke up.

She looked at Xu Chen, a trace of suspicion flashing in her eyes. This man was too confident—confidently abnormal.

"Since it's a bet, there must be a witness."

Ye Qingwu slowly walked between the two, her Saintly aura spreading out once again.

"I will be the referee for this match."

"Young Master Xu, let me be clear from the start."

"If you use even a shred of cultivation or any magical treasure during the match, it will be considered your loss. At that time, don't blame me for not showing the Xu Family respect."

She was truly afraid Xu Chen would cheat. After all, in her understanding, Xu Chen's current reputation was mostly built on those endless Imperial Weapons and methods.

"No problem."

Xu Chen agreed very readily.

He even took the initiative to unfasten the Storage Ring from his waist and tossed it to a nearby elder for safekeeping. Then he spread his arms, allowing Ye Qingwu's divine sense to sweep over him, confirming there was no possibility of cheating.

"In that case..."

Xu Chen casually pulled an ordinary iron sword from the weapon rack in the corner of the hall.

He lightly flicked the blade, producing a somewhat dull sound.

"Then, I ask for Miss Nangong's guidance."

"I hope your sword is... a bit harder than your mouth."

Seeing Xu Chen's nonchalant manner, the fire of anger in Nangong Waner's heart burned to the extreme.

"You will pay the price for your arrogance!"

Nangong Waner shook the Azure Lotus Sword in her hand, and a sharp, matchless sword momentum instantly took shape.

"Please!"

As that single word was uttered.