8: Shooting contest

"Move aside, move aside!"

"Anyone who doesn't want to die, get the hell away from This Young Master!"

Su Quan rode a red-maned steed, holding a long whip in his hand, swaggering through the bustling market street.

The young man's sword-like eyebrows were raised, clad in fine silk robes, radiating such Divine Qi!

The scene, which had just been leisurely and lively, was instantly thrown into chaos.

The commoners scattered in all directions, fearing they would be trampled by the horse's hooves and lose their lives in vain.

In reality.

If one looked closely, they would find that Su Quan's control over horsemanship had reached a level of pure perfection; he could create a huge commotion without actually harming any innocent people.

In this world where human life was as cheap as grass, the strong killed without blinking, and Immortals stood high above, viewing the common people as ants.

By comparison, Su Quan was still too pure and kind.

After he rode his horse far away, the shaken commoners dared to gather again and whisper.

"This Little Demon Man, he is clearly born with a beauty that could topple nations, it's just a pity he has the heart of a scorpion."

"With such a willful and arrogant one, This old lady wouldn't dare marry him home; who knows if I'd be tormented to death in bed one day!"

"Heh, Cuilian, why don't you take a piss and look at your own reflection? You want to marry the Su Family's Third Young Master? That's like an old man crawling into a quilt—it's laughable!"

"That's not nice to hear. We're all lonely souls, can't we fantasize a little?"

"If you ask me, I'd love to marry Young Master Su home. 'Better to die under the peony flower, even as a ghost, I'd be romantic.' To be able to see Young Master Su's stunning face while he lies beneath me, it wouldn't be a wasted life!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

Sounds of gulping saliva rose and fell.

It must be said that women are creatures of the lower body; their values follow their visual preferences.

Although Young Master Su was notorious in Yongning City, there was no woman who didn't covet his stunning masculine beauty.

...

However, none of this had anything to do with Su Quan.

Women who could not contribute regret value would never be kept in his heart.

A moment later.

"Whoa—"

Su Quan tightened the reins, and the steed's front hooves reared high before it finally came to a steady stop in front of the Shangguan Residence gate.

The guards who were still dozing off, upon seeing the visitor's face, were instantly jolted awake and scrambled into the courtyard in a panic.

"It's bad, it's really bad! The Little Demon Man has come knocking again..."

Su Quan dismounted, casually tossing the reins to a guard who was still in a daze, and with his hands behind his back, he scolded softly: "Hey, keep an eye on This Young Master's horse. If anything happens to it, This Young Master will skin you alive!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

The young woman snapped out of her daze, her teeth chattering with fear.

Su Quan stopped looking at her and swaggered into the residence. Although there were many guards, no one dared to come out and stop him.

Shangguan Zhiming, in blue official robes, rushed out from inside. Her expression changed slightly, and she stood in front of the young man, saying in a deep voice: "May I ask why Young Master Su is trespassing in my Shangguan Residence?"

"This Young Master is not here for you. Tell that distant relative of yours, that woman surnamed Mu, to come out. Yesterday, I accidentally lost a move to her, but that was just because I wasn't in good form. I'll fight again today!"

Su Quan smiled, looking full of enthusiasm.

"This..."

Shangguan Zhiming's eyes flickered. Remembering Mu Xiyan's previous instructions, she still made a gesture of invitation.

"Young Master Su, please follow this Old Woman!"

Soon.

The two of them, one after the other, arrived at a secluded and elegant courtyard behind the Shangguan Residence.

The crisp and melodious sound of a young girl reading drifted from afar.

"To please the people, they forget their toil; to please them in times of difficulty, they forget their death..."

The young girl sat cross-legged on a blue stone by the pond, her dark hair hanging over her chest. The morning sun shone on her voluptuous body, adding a unique charm.

Su Quan crossed his arms, examining the girl's delicate profile with great interest.

Her fair skin had a rosy tint.

He just wondered what it would feel like to touch.

Noticing the movement, Mu Xiyan closed the scroll and looked over, her golden eyes revealing surprise.

"Young Master Su, you're here?"

"I didn't expect that Miss Mu is not only skilled in martial arts but also reads poetry and books. You truly deserve to be called both scholarly and martial!" Su Quan said with a smile.

"Young Master Su, you flatter me. It's just that when my mother was alive, she taught me diligently to study poetry and books to cultivate my character. I only know a little, nothing worth mentioning as 'both scholarly and martial'!"

Mu Xiyan stood up, her words humble.

At her signal, Shangguan Zhiming quietly left.

"Just a little? That's good then!"

The smile on Su Quan's face suddenly vanished, his gaze becoming extremely cold: "This Young Master hates those so-called romantic talented women the most!"

Upon hearing this.

The smile on Mu Xiyan's face froze.

She had prided herself that no boy could resist exceptional talent, but she didn't expect to fail right at the start.

"Why is that?"

"Because..."

Su Quan looked toward the bamboo forest in the distance, his eyes becoming hazy: "This Young Master grew up listening to storytelling. In those stories, those romantic talented women, without exception, are all heartless women who abandon their lovers after toying with them!"

"By comparison, I yearn more for those wild women who dance with spears and sticks. They can share joys and sorrows with their beloved, support each other, and roam the Jianghu together. How carefree and happy that would be!"

The young man's current demeanor was exactly that of a boy who had just awakened to love, full of longing for romantic matters.

Mu Xiyan's heart relaxed slightly. She smiled calmly and explained: "Young Master Su, you might have some prejudice. Those stories are just widely circulated, which is why they create the illusion that talented women are all heartless!"

"But in fact..."

"Alright, alright, I won't listen, I don't care. Anyway, scholars are heartless women, and I like women who can dance with spears and sticks!" Su Quan interrupted her directly.

"That's why when my mother made me learn the zither, chess, poetry, and painting when I was young, I resisted in every way, and instead fell in love with martial arts!"

"So that's how it is!"

Mu Xiyan nodded slightly.

But this happened to suit her taste perfectly.

As early as the age of ten, she had been thrown into the military camp by her mother the Emperor to train.

At twelve, she had personally beheaded a barbarian.

Long-term immersion in the iron-blooded atmosphere of the military camp meant that after returning to the palace, she found she had no interest in those affected, shy, and coy men.

Instead, she couldn't help but feel a bit of affection for a 'fake woman' like Su Quan, who had a straightforward personality and loved martial arts.

"That's a coincidence. Although I focus on hand-to-hand combat, I am also very good at playing with spears!"

Mu Xiyan chose to go along with what he said.

"Really?"

Su Quan's interest seemed to be piqued, and he said: "The spear is the master of killing and warfare; it is a heavy weapon on the battlefield. Those generals with superb spear techniques are simply dashing!"

"Then why don't we have a contest of spear techniques today?"

"Good!"