socalfunplaces Chapter 157 Date with a Knife Dance
Chapter 157 Date with a Knife Dance
Chapter 157 Date with a Knife Dance
For the next few days, Dai Youheng was like a wound-up puppet, appearing at the princess's residence on time without fail.
His behavior pattern subtly changed; he no longer practiced with a balanced approach, but instead fell into a near-self-destructive madness.
As dawn broke, he plunged into his meditation room, circulating his soul power continuously until lunchtime. Even when the maid knocked on the door repeatedly to urge him on, he ignored her, as if the world of meditation was his only refuge.
After a short rest in the afternoon, he took the ferocious Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade to the courtyard again. The blade flashed and the wind howled. He would not stop until he had squeezed out the last bit of his soul power and exhausted his physical strength. Often, it was not until night fell that he dragged his nearly exhausted body back to the hotel.
At first, Xu Jiujiu and Manyi felt gratified, thinking it was a testament to their resilience in turning grief into strength. But soon, Xu Jiujiu realized something was amiss. The cultivation had gone beyond reasonable bounds, carrying a reckless, impatient, and even slightly demonic tendency.
"Youheng." That day, Xu Jiujiu finally couldn't hold back any longer and stopped him after he had once again exhausted himself and sheathed his sword. Looking at his pale, sweat-drenched face and the lingering redness in his eyes, her voice was full of worry, "The path of cultivation emphasizes a balance of tension and relaxation. You've gone too far these past few days. If you continue like this, you'll collapse before you even avenge your grudge. Take a day off tomorrow, and I'll take you out for a walk to clear your mind."
Dai Youheng stopped, his breathing still a little rapid. He looked up at Xu Jiujiu, his eyes revealing a timely hint of being touched by her concern and a touch of weariness. He nodded obediently, "Alright, I'll do as the princess says. Thank you for your concern, princess."
He outwardly expressed his gratitude, but inwardly he thought: "The plan works."
His recent "madness" was a carefully orchestrated performance. He understands people well and knows that some goals are much more natural and harder to refuse when the other party takes the initiative than when he asks for them himself.
He gradually reinforced the impression of "over-cultivation," waiting for this perceptive and caring pawn, Xu Jiujiu, to fall as he expected, suggesting that he rest and preferably accompany him personally.
He even had a backup plan. If Xu Jiujiu simply told him to go back and rest, he would refuse on the grounds that "being alone makes one miss one's family and adds to the sorrow," and then take the opportunity to ask, "If the princess has some free time, could we go on a trip together to relax?"
Now that Xu Jiujiu has directly extended an invitation, it saves him a lot of talking.
The next day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle. Instead of choosing the bustling city center, the two rode in an inconspicuous carriage to a scenic lakeside outside Xingluo City.
The vast expanse of blue water shimmered and sparkled, while the distant mountains remained shrouded in mist, a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of the city. A gentle breeze carried the moist air and the fragrance of grass and trees, slightly dispelling the oppressive feeling of the past few days.
They rented a small painted boat and drifted gently on the waves.
Nebula Douluo Manyi didn't come out to be a third wheel, but stayed hidden in the shadows to protect the two of them.
Looking at Dai Youheng beside her for a long time, who seemed to have relaxed a bit, she smiled slightly and, unusually, became interested in talking. She started talking about the past, saying, "It's true that it's good to relax. You look much calmer now. Speaking of which, you used to give me a real headache."
Her tone was slightly teasing, but not malicious, "Knowing full well that I don't like it, they still keep finding ways to show up in front of me and give me... well... not very practical gifts."
Upon hearing this, Dai Youheng was not annoyed at all; instead, she laughed. Her smile appeared somewhat lazy in the sunlight, yet it was still very beautiful. "Your Highness's words are so heartless, they really hit a nerve."
"Where have I been heartless?" Xu Jiujiu slightly raised her chin, feigning reproach, her eyes sparkling with a charming allure. "I call it being straightforward! If I don't like something, I don't like it. I've never played games with you; I've always rejected you clearly and directly. Besides, I haven't accepted a single gift from you. In the entire Star Luo City, there aren't many good girls like me who aren't greedy for vanity or play with feelings."
Seeing this rare display of girlishness in her, Dai Youheng naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to refute her. Instead, he readily nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, Your Highness is indeed very kind. Perhaps it's precisely because of your honesty and integrity..."
It's that straightforwardness, that makes it so hard for me to forget her.
His tone gradually lowered, tinged with a hint of emotion, "You see, now that I've finally managed to become somewhat outstanding, the princess has begun to look at me with new respect. Fortunately, I wasn't easily deterred by your cold words back then, otherwise, wouldn't I have missed out on such a rare gem as Your Highness?"
His words were half true and half false, flattering Xu Jiujiu while subtly fitting her image as a devoted lover. Xu Jiujiu felt pleased, her cheeks flushing slightly, and she couldn't help but chuckle, "Smooth talker! You'll need to be more proactive in the future, but—"
Her tone shifted, and she earnestly reminded him, "Being proactive doesn't mean you're obsessed with cultivation! Your health is the foundation. If you ruin your body, then everything else is meaningless. Now that you're out, you must not think about cultivation anymore! Aunt Bai and Luo Li certainly don't want you to become like this because of them. They would definitely wish that you could live happily in this world, carrying their legacy, instead of being constantly overwhelmed by hatred."
"I will obey Your Highness's decree," Dai Youheng replied with a smile. After a brief pause, he suddenly said, "I have long heard that Your Highness is skilled in music and dance. Today, with the scenery of the lake and mountains so beautiful, I, Youheng, would like to perform a sword dance for Your Highness to enhance your enjoyment. What do you say?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu glared at him irritably, "You just talked about balancing work and rest, and now you're thinking about getting involved with knives and guns? We came out today to relax, not to watch you practice your kung fu."
Dai Youheng shook his head, his expression serious, and said, "Princess, you misunderstand. This is not a fighting technique, but a sword dance. Women have graceful dances, and men naturally have vigorous dances. This dance is only for expressing feelings and having fun, and it has no murderous intent."
Hearing him say that, Xu Jiujiu became somewhat curious. "Sword dance? That's quite novel. Very well, I'll let you perform it for me."
Dai Youheng smiled slightly, then leaped lightly onto the lake surface. He channeled his soul power into his feet, standing on the water as if walking on flat ground.
He stood solemnly, his expression composed, slowly raising the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade in his hand, holding it horizontally before his brow. The cold blade gleamed with a refined, chilling light in the sunlight, as sinister as ice.
Suddenly, he flipped his wrist, and a flash of light appeared!
A chilling glint of light cleaved through the air like tearing brocade, producing a sharp whistling sound! His steps were steady and powerful, each step like a firmly planted stake landing, steady and forceful.
Yet, as he spun, he moved with the lightness of a dragon swimming in the snow, agile and unpredictable. The sharp blade light tightly enveloped his body, impenetrable to water, forming a dazzling silver barrier.
Each swing carries a resolute determination to sever everything, whistling through the air; each parry seems to contain the immense power of metal clashing against stone, unleashing invisible shockwaves. This is by no means a graceful dance to please others, but a magnificent chapter of flesh and blood harnessing a storm of steel!
The blade's momentum grew ever faster, like a sudden blizzard in the North, raging and unrestrained. The blade's light stretched endlessly, transforming into a ceaseless, surging silver tide.
The blade tip moved with incredible precision, slicing, wiping, and sweeping, each movement brimming with explosive power, as if to shatter all the troubles and injustices of the world. Yet, at the very peak of its power, it would suddenly recede, the blade tip trembling slightly, concentrating on a single point, like an icy ridge hanging from an eave, containing a thousand chills, held back yet not unleashed.
This masterful control, so effortless and precise, is truly an art!
Finally, all the wild and unrestrained sword intent suddenly subsided with a low shout! His figure suddenly leaped into the air, like an eagle soaring through the sky, full of power and beauty, and then with a powerful strike, he crashed down with the force of a mountain splitting!
The entire lake was split in two. After a long while, he smiled slightly and used the power of the Star Guardian to protect the small boat. Even though the lake water was turbulent, the small boat remained as stable as Mount Tai.
Only when the lake surface gradually calmed did Dai Youheng land slowly and steadily. His long sword pointed diagonally behind him, the cold light flowing on its blade like a cascading galaxy from the heavens, dazzling and radiant. The surging aura around him instantly subsided, leaving only the faint sound of the lake breeze brushing against his clothes and hair.
This is by no means a dance of gentle flattery, but a romantic chapter written by a man with his whole heart and soul as ink, his unyielding spirit as an inkstone, and the blade in his hand as a pen, for the person he cherishes in his heart.
Its momentum is like the first avalanche, its posture like an ancient pine tree facing the wind; within its extreme ferocity lies a touch of tenderness.