Chapter 45: A Clever Escape
Chapter 45: A Clever Escape
After the music ended, Cheng Lingyu pulled Miao Sanxu away. The Jade Fan Scholar was the center of attention at the piano court that day, and Cheng Lingyu had no interest in staying for the spectacle.
“Tell me about the Jade Fan Scholar’s background,” Cheng Lingyu said.
Miao Sanxu replied, “He’s a well-known figure in Yunyang City named Lian Yunxiang. He’s one of the ten elite disciples of the Xuanhuo Sect, with a cultivation level in the Soul Martial Realm. Handsome, charismatic, and always surrounded by admirers.”
Cheng Lingyu was surprised to learn Lian Yunxiang belonged to the Xuanhuo Sect.
“We’re heading to the chess academy in the southern part of the city. The four courts of piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting are spread across the four directions—east, south, west, and north.”
Cheng Lingyu frowned. “I’ve seen the piano court. Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s skill is undeniable, but are people truly there just to listen? No hidden agendas?”
Miao Sanxu chuckled. “Of course there are agendas. But Hong Xiu Tian Xiang is picky. Few meet her standards. Today, the Jade Fan Scholar got lucky, but such chances are rare—maybe once a year.”
“She’s talented and beautiful. Why stay at the piano court?”
“Jin Miaoyi once speculated she’s gathering intelligence. Her background isn’t ordinary.”
“Makes sense. Are the other courts similar?”
“Each has its own twist. Hong Xiu Tian Xiang at the piano court, Caiyun at chess, Xiuling at calligraphy, and Ruyun at painting. All famous, but Caiyun’s the most celebrated.”
“Caiyun? Known for her chess?”
“She’s undefeated in three years. Countless challengers have fallen to her. Xiuling’s calligraphy hides sword techniques—she befriends swordsmen through her art. Ruyun’s paintings double as formations, unmatched in creativity.”
Cheng Lingyu laughed. “So ‘piano, chess, calligraphy, painting’ are just covers.”
“The four courts only welcome cultivators. Ordinary folks aren’t allowed. Naturally, there’s more beneath the surface.”
They soon reached the chess academy, buzzing with excitement. Ouyang Lie, Yunyang City’s top prodigy, was challenging Caiyun.
“Perfect timing! Ouyang Lie claims mastery of all four arts, and Caiyun’s unbeaten streak spans three years. This’ll be a clash of titans!”
Miao Sanxu dragged Cheng Lingyu to the garden, where nearly a hundred cultivators stood watching from a distance.
Ouyang Lie, clad in silver, sat confidently across from Caiyun—a twenty-year-old beauty with sharp features, porcelain skin, and piercing eyes. Her colorful robes accentuated her poised yet striking figure as she studied the chessboard.
The match was Go, and whispers rippled through the crowd.
“Ouyang Lie’s moves are flawless. She’s cornered!”
“Every step’s a trap, layered like fog. My head spins just watching…”
Cheng Lingyu observed quietly. He’d seen Ouyang Lie once on Green Island—a Blood Martial Realm cultivator with terrifying power.
Caiyun’s aura differed entirely from Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s. Where Hong Xiu exuded grace, Caiyun radiated bold elegance, her beauty unrivaled.
Ouyang Lei smirked, victory already gleaming in his eyes, unbothered by the ticking time.
Miss Caiyun sank into deep thought, her position on the chessboard extremely precarious. It seemed to be the critical moment where a single misplaced stone could lose the entire game.
Cheng Lingyu observed the chess game with sharp eyes. Though not masterful in music, chess, calligraphy or painting, he possessed decent knowledge.
Ouyang Lie played black stones, forming a dragon-and-snake entwined formation full of hidden lethal intent that pressed forward relentlessly.
The chess game appeared bizarre – puzzles within puzzles, traps within traps, forming an unsolvable knot.
Many spectators tried analyzing it but became trapped themselves, their eyes glazing over like soulless husks.
Miao Sanxu fell into obsession after brief observation. Cheng Lingyu tugged his sleeve repeatedly without getting any reaction.
“Strange. This chess formation contains lethal traps. Could it also possess soul-snaring power to trap people’s minds?”
Cheng Lingyu grew alarmed and scrutinized the board, soon noticing abnormalities.
Ouyang Lie’s arrangement proved extraordinarily profound – the greater one’s chess skills, the easier to become ensnared.
All nearby spectators were competent players now completely mesmerized by the game.
Miss Caiyun’s delicate brows furrowed as she struggled, her strong willpower barely keeping her from complete entrapment.
Cheng Lingyu frowned. His Dreamless Technique resisted all seductive powers, allowing him to see through the once-mysterious chess formation.
“What exquisite strategy! Truly unprecedented.”
Cheng Lingyu pretended deep fascination, unconsciously moving closer to the players.
Most entranced spectators paid him no heed.
Ouyang Lie kept smiling at Caiyun, apparently channeling mental pressure to maintain her trapped state.
Cheng Lingyu reached Caiyun’s side, staring fixedly at the chessboard as if captivated.
He picked up a white stone, arm hovering uncertainly above the board.
Ouyang Lie spared him a dismissive glance, maintaining arrogant composure while focusing on Caiyun.
Cheng Lingyu feigned hesitation, unwilling to provoke a Blood Martial Realm expert like Ouyang Lie.
Yet he couldn’t let Ouyang Lie win either, sensing this eerie chess formation was actually a deadly trap targeting Caiyun.
After several pretended hesitations while monitoring surroundings, Cheng Lingyu “accidentally” let the white stone slip onto the board.
The clacking stone jolted Caiyun from her trance. Ouyang Lie’s smile vanished as spectators awoke confused.
The misplaced stone shattered the formation, breaking its soul-binding power.
Ouyang Lie glared darkly at the intruder.
“Who dares disrupt my game?”
Miao Sanxu paled, fearing for his friend.
Cheng Lingyu felt Ouyang Lie’s murderous aura crushing down like physical blades.
“Please forgive him, Master Ouyang. This junior apprentice lacks self-control when seeing fine chess.”
Caiyun gripped Cheng Lingyu’s arm, her intervention dispelling the lethal pressure instantly.
Cheng Lingyu remained silent, head bowed beneath Ouyang Lie’s burning gaze.
Ouyang Lie snorted coldly. This time, he had been certain of success, as none of the chess spectators could solve his puzzle. Yet Cheng Lingyu had ruined everything.
“Today’s annoyance means I don’t wish to see this person again.”
Miss Caiyun laughed. “Rest assured, Young Master Ouyang. This round won’t count. Next time, I’ll ensure he’s sent away before the match begins, so he can’t watch.”
Ouyang Lie’s face tightened. He swept his sleeves and stormed off.
“Farewell, Young Master Ouyang.”
Caiyun rose, tugging Cheng Lingyu along.
Miao Sanxu watched and muttered, “That brat stumbled into luck.”
Before leaving, Cheng Lingyu glanced at Miao Sanxu and sent a voice transmission: “Wait outside. I’ll find you afterward.”
Caiyun pulled Cheng Lingyu into the house, studying him intently. Her piercing gaze unsettled him.
“Sit, junior apprentice.”
Caiyun’s smile held a teasing edge, her demeanor mesmerizing.
Cheng Lingyu said nothing, scanning the room before sitting.
“I’m Cheng Lingyu. My earlier recklessness must’ve amused Miss Caiyun.”
Caiyun settled across from him, producing a chessboard.
“Let’s play.”
Cheng Lingyu paused, as if recalling something, but didn’t refuse.
Though competent, Cheng Lingyu was swiftly outmatched.
Caiyun’s brows knit. “You resisted the Temptation?”
Cheng Lingyu nodded, aware deception was futile. “Your skill surpasses Ouyang Lie’s. Why permit his Dragon-Snare Gambit?”
Caiyun tilted her head. “Call me Senior Sister, and I’ll explain.”
“You’re serious?”
“Do I jest?”
Cheng Lingyu studied her face, finding no uncertainty.
“…Senior Sister.”
Caiyun’s smile brightened. “Good lad, junior apprentice.”
She led him upstairs to her fragrance-scented chamber, sparingly adorned.
Eighteen-year-old Cheng Lingyu flushed, unused to such proximity.
Noticing his stiffness, Caiyun scoffed. “Little fool—still a boy, not yet a man.”