Chapter 5: 005 How Thick-Skinned

Even with her considerable experience, Shangguan Erya was momentarily stunned by those teasing words.

In her memory, the social distinctions between men and women in the Southern Liang Kingdom were not overly strict, yet she had rarely encountered someone so shameless.

To be mesmerized just by looking at a silhouette?

Shangguan Erya sneered; did he take himself for some celestial immortal?

It had always been her turn to tease others; when did it become her turn to be trifled with?

"I was watching to see how long you intended to pretend to be asleep!"

Having said that, she stood in place and scanned the room. Seeing hot tea and pastries on the table, she unceremoniously walked over, sat down, and began to eat. Having just consumed strong liquor, her head was heavy, and her stomach had long since begun to protest.

The room fell silent for a long while. Shangguan Erya looked up; the man on the long couch remained motionless in sleep. Just as she thought he had truly fallen asleep, the man finally spoke slowly.

"Just now, I did indeed save you, young lady."

The man's voice carried a slight raspiness, as if he had truly just woken from a nap before answering.

"Did you?" Shangguan Erya tilted her head, lying through her teeth with her eyes wide open. "I merely happened to be passing by. Besides, how do I look like a thief?"

The man gave a low chuckle. "Taking without asking is stealing, and a thief's appearance makes no difference."

He was speaking with implication.

Shangguan Erya looked at the pastry in her hand and pretended not to understand. Only after she had finished eating did she lean closer, smiling wickedly. "Fine, let's just say you helped me. In that case, why don't you help me one more time!"

The man smiled faintly. "You are truly not one for formalities, young lady."

The words were somewhat euphemistic; to put it bluntly, he was saying she was thick-skinned.

Shangguan Erya did not bother being polite with him either, saying with a grin, "Likewise."

In truth, even Shangguan Erya found it strange that she could speak so easily and comfortably with a stranger. She wondered to herself if perhaps the other party recognized her, which was why he had stepped in to help.

Regardless, the man had indeed helped her.

Shangguan Erya deliberately craned her neck, trying to see what the man actually looked like, thinking she might recognize him. Suddenly, before she could react, the man spoke, calling out: "Yu Yue."

The man in black outside immediately entered. Upon seeing that Shangguan Erya was actually inside the room, he barked coldly, "Why are you here?"

Shangguan Erya blinked innocently. "Didn't you bring me here?"

Yu Yue shuddered. He had completely failed to expect that Shangguan Erya would follow him. Was her martial arts skill actually higher than his own?

Unbelievable!

The man on the couch spoke in a voice devoid of emotion: "Yu Yue, deal with the trouble you've caused yourself."

Yu Yue felt a surge of annoyance in his heart; this Shangguan Erya was indeed a massive problem!

He did not show a hint of it on his face, responding lowly, "Yes."

Shangguan Erya did not mind being called a "trouble." She observed everything; although she did not know the man's identity, judging by the guards around him, they were clearly well-trained.

She smiled, preparing to leave, but suddenly thought of something. Standing at the doorway, she turned around and said with a serious expression, "My name is Shangguan Erya. Thank you for today. I will surely repay this favor to you in the future."

Her manner was elegant and poised, without a trace of affectation. Her eyes held sincerity, and every word came from the heart.

However, the man on the couch did not see it, and Yu Yue did not believe it at all.

The man never turned around, seemingly not caring in the slightest. He let out a drowsy yawn. "No need to see me out..."

Shangguan Erya did not say more and left following Yu Yue.

The room finally returned to silence. Only then did the man slowly rise. His hair, like a waterfall, instantly cascaded over his exquisite face. His jet-black hair and fair skin caught the fragmented light by the window frame. His amber peach-blossom eyes held a charming mystery, and beneath his high bridge of the nose, a lingering, demonic allure clung to his lips.

This man had perfectly combined the dual auras of elegance and wicked charm; he could truly be called a "demon."

A moment later, Yu Yue returned to the room. Without saying a word, he knelt directly on the floor. "Master, this subordinate accepts punishment."

The man remained indifferent. "Have you determined who is superior?"

Yu Yue lowered his head, still unwilling to admit in his heart that Shangguan Erya's martial arts were superior to his.

The man let out a sighing laugh. "Shangguan Erya was once the champion of the Martial Venerable Tournament for three consecutive terms. It is no disgrace to lose to her."

Yu Yue was somewhat indignant. "But she has lost three consecutive terms as well."

"Is what the world sees always the truth?" The man gazed at him, his voice unreadable. "In the great noble clans, who isn't living behind a mask?"

Yu Yue was completely speechless. If that were the case, who knew how many people were being deceived by Shangguan Erya's innocent and peerless countenance?

After calming his mind for a while, Yu Yue finally spoke to report: "Master, just now, Shangguan Erya asked this subordinate for some gauze for bandaging."

Speaking of this, Yu Yue was very curious as to what Shangguan Erya wanted gauze for, as she had no injuries on her.

A demonic light flashed again in the man's deep eyes. He idly rubbed an object in his hand, smiling as if not smiling. "Yu Yue, let us go join the fun."

Some debts, he would personally come to collect.