The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 278: It Can Last for Three Days

Chapter 278: It Can Last for Three Days

"Don’t worry, A’Li," Ye Siheng said, "I will only spar with the master, nothing more."

"At least you have some self-awareness," Yun Yubai snorted.

They moved to the courtyard. The lanterns under the eaves cast a weak light, their faces merging into the night. Concerned about the danger of real swords, Nanli had the servants bring wooden ones. Though neither was pleased, they couldn’t refuse her request.

The day’s heat lingered, and a hot wind blew through. Yun Yubai wasn’t in a rush, waiting for Ye Siheng to strike first. He was old enough to let the younger man make the first move, hoping to show Nanli his other skills and maybe change her mind.

Ye Siheng understood Yun Yubai’s intent and didn’t hold back. He raised his wooden sword and aimed directly for Yun Yubai’s vital points. Even with a wooden sword, it stirred a sharp wind.

Yun Yubai narrowed his eyes, easily parrying the attack. He was disdainful, thinking this was the revered Ninth Prince of Mu Nation? Not much, he thought.

However, Nanli suddenly shouted, "Master, don’t be careless!"

Yun Yubai frowned, thinking he wasn’t being careless—just a few moves, and he could defeat Ye Siheng. But then, Ye Siheng transformed, his footwork and swordplay perfectly in sync. The wooden swords clashed with a sharp clang, resonating in the still heat.

Yun Yubai was suddenly out of rhythm, shocked at Ye Siheng’s refined swordsmanship. Ye Siheng’s face was expressionless, his wooden sword wielding like a storm, filled with lethal intent.

Forced to defend, Yun Yubai found no opportunity to counter. Qing Feng and the black-armored guards were stunned, their faces flushed with embarrassment, realizing the prince had never shown his true strength against them.

Yun Yubai quickly regained his breath, his eyes narrowing as he found a chance to counter. He thrust his wooden sword towards Ye Siheng’s heart. Ye Siheng dodged swiftly, twisting his wrist to strike Yun Yubai’s wrist instead.

Yun Yubai had to evade. Without using internal strength or other techniques, he had to adhere to the rules. But each step back led Ye Siheng to press forward, his wooden sword gleaming under the moonlight, a cold menace.

Yun Yubai’s scalp tingled. He dodged the lethal strike, but his left shoulder was grazed by the wooden sword. He paled.

He had lost. To a mortal.

Ye Siheng retrieved his sword, his expression cold. "Master, thank you for letting me win."

Yun Yubai panted, sweat beading on his forehead. He pursed his lips, reluctantly admitting, "I haven’t practiced in a while, and I underestimated you. But a loss is a loss. I will honor our bet and leave the capital."

Ye Siheng glanced at him, "Thank you, master."

Yun Yubai put away the wooden sword and headed back to the flower hall. Facing Ye Siheng, he grumbled, "No rush. Let me eat first."

Ye Siheng had no choice but to comply. Yun Yubai gulped down tea, feeling unsatisfied, and asked if there was any good wine in the house.

The prince’s household lacked nothing. Though Nanli didn’t drink, she ordered the best wine for Yun Yubai. He praised the wine, drank a pot, and asked for more to take on the road.

Ye Siheng was visibly displeased. "Master, you have a thick skin."

Yun Yubai laughed, "Thanks for the compliment." He placed the wine in his storage pouch. Despite losing the duel, the good wine was worth it.

The kitchen served dinner, and Yun Yubai, knowing he was about to leave, ate most of the food. Finally, he patted his full stomach, burping, "This should last for three days."

Even Ye Siheng’s calm demeanor cracked, his lips twitching.

Though Yun Yubai claimed he was full, he continued to drink half a pot of wine, his handsome face flushed. Seeing the opportunity, Nanli asked, "Master, since I’ve treated you to dinner, shouldn’t you give something in return?"

Yun Yubai smiled, pointing at Nanli. "I knew you wouldn’t want to lose out. What do you want in return?"

"Master, please look," Nanli showed a spirit pearl in her palm, glowing with a crystalline light. "This is my treasure, providing me with some power. But it’s tainted with malevolent energy and was split by a strike."

Yun Yubai, initially indifferent, widened his eyes at the sight of the pearl. He stuttered, "Y-Your...?"

Nanli nodded, "Yes, it’s been with me since birth."

Yun Yubai’s eyes filled with complex emotions, difficult to decipher. He stared at Nanli, then shot a force into the pearl, enveloping it completely. After sensing it, he was shocked.

"Who was the scoundrel that split it?"

"I only know she was a woman, powerful, and obscured her face," Nanli said.

Yun Yubai was silent. In the world of cultivators, this was a simple spell, easily done by anyone with spiritual roots or inner core. Yet, he never expected another cultivator to have come secretly to the mortal realm and struck so viciously.

"Master?" Ye Siheng’s tone softened, realizing Yun Yubai’s potential use. "Can you repair the pearl?"

Yun Yubai’s gaze deepened. "Repairing it isn’t hard, but this inner core..."

His eyes showed both amazement and pain, fixed on Nanli, unable to look away. Tears welled up, falling from his eyes, his face full of sorrow.

"Master, what’s wrong?" Nanli was startled, his sadness touching her.

"I..." Yun Yubai closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, they were clear. "Don’t worry. I will restore your pearl."

Nanli was taken aback. She had only meant to ask, not to trouble Yun Yubai.

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