NOVEL WEB Chapter 188: Talk Less
Chen Shixian's actions made everyone re-evaluate the strength of the Ancient Divine Body. Coupled with her beauty, she quickly caught the attention of many young talents.
After the battle ended, quite a few people approached her with very clear intentions.
If they can't defeat the Divine Body in battle, then... they'll pin her down and ravage her to their heart's content, conquering the Ancient Divine Body that way. The thought alone is thrilling.
"Sorry, I'm busy!"
"My apologies."
"Can you please stay further away from me?"
"I don't want to talk to you!"
Within just an hour, dozens of self-proclaimed geniuses, all suave young men, had come attempting to strike up a conversation with Chen Shixian.
Chen Shixian felt helpless. Isn't my attitude obvious enough?
As time went on, more and more of them were rebuffed. This quieted the restless geniuses considerably. Shaking their heads, they suppressed the thoughts in their hearts.
Nearby, Shi Yi couldn't help but chuckle.
「Elsewhere.」
After watching for a long time, Chen Pingping propped his chin on his hand and mused, This girl, does she truly have someone in her heart, or is she just pretending? If there really were someone occupying her heart, with so many talents approaching her, shouldn't her first instinct be to draw her sword? And then curse their entire families. Yet Chen Shixian's attitude is enigmatic. Her refusals are polite, almost smiling, with no overly aggressive reactions. Playing hard to get?
This led Chen Pingping to a realization. The person she fancies is right here, but that fellow doesn't know she likes him. So... Chen Shixian is gently declining everyone while waiting for that specific guy to approach her. So that's how it is!
Chen Pingping's interest was piqued, a wide smile spreading across his face. Let this young master guess who that fellow might be... Heh-heh... Liu Changqing?
Hong You was speechless.
As he spoke, Chen Pingping rose and walked out.
His appearance caused quite a stir. The geniuses were horrified. After destroying Chong Tower, he actually didn't leave? He's still in Chaoge City!
"Is Chen Pingping going to try and chat up the Ancient Divine Body?" someone murmured.
"No way! Seriously? Isn't he the guy famous for rejecting even the Saintess? How could he possibly try to strike up a conversation with the Divine Body?"
"He's so outstanding; the Divine Body probably wouldn't refuse him, right?"
"That's not necessarily true!"
At the inn, Chen Shixian also saw Chen Pingping approaching her. Her heart skipped a beat. For some reason, the annoyance and composure she had maintained until moments ago instantly dissolved into chaos.
Her cheeks flushed slightly; she felt nervous, even... afraid. Her breathing quickened, as if she were anticipating something yet simultaneously dreading it.
It's over, it's all over! With so many people coming up to me just now, he must have misunderstood. Damn it! That bastard, why did he have to show up right at this moment? I... Stay calm; you're the Divine Body, after all!
Chen Shixian took a deep breath, forcibly calming herself. She then picked up the teacup from the table, drained it in one gulp, and whispered, "Nice tea!"
"Sister, that was my liquor," Shi Yi said, looking exasperated, unable to stop himself.
She paid him no mind.
He had noticed the shift in Chen Shixian's emotions and expression. Inexplicably, at that moment, she exuded the air of a delicate young woman.
Incredible! This woman is always so proud and aloof; how could she have such an expression? Huh? Her face is blushing? And she's clutching the corner of her dress. Shi Yi's eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost. He glanced at Chen Pingping walking toward them, then back at her...
"Well, now, even the mighty Divine Body has to resort to matchmaking, eh?" Chen Pingping said with a roguish grin.
The crowd froze, petrified. Many stumbled and fell.
Chen Shixian was dumbfounded.
All her previous emotional turmoil vanished in that instant. There was no anticipation, no fear, no nervousness—only pure, unadulterated anger towards Chen Pingping.
Behind them, Hong You had thought Chen Pingping approached because he understood the situation. She never imagined he was here to mock Chen Shixian.
It's hopeless. Hong You's mouth twitched.
"HA HA HA HA!" Chen Pingping roared with laughter. "I saw them! That bunch just now was truly pathetic—ugly and weak. But... you shouldn't set your standards so high. Lower them a bit, then you might actually get married!"
"Why are you glaring at me? I didn't say anything wrong..."
"Hey, hey, hey, talking is one thing, but what's the meaning of drawing your sword?" Chen Pingping yelped, spinning around to flee.
Behind him, Chen Shixian's voice, tight with fury, rang out, "I'm going to kill you! Bastard! Don't run if you have any guts!"
"Then don't draw your sword if you have any guts!" he taunted back.
"You're so dead!"
And so, the two of them enacted another scene in their ongoing game of cat and mouse.
The geniuses watched, mouths agape, utterly dumbfounded.
The Divine Body was chasing Chen Pingping, sword drawn, once again.
Huh? Why 'again'? This scene feels strangely familiar.
As time passed, the crowd seemed to grow accustomed to it, watching the spectacle with great interest.
"HA HA HA! You can't hit me! NYAH NYAH NYAH! Annoying, isn't it?"
"Come on! Chase me!"
"Quick, come and get me!" He was being an absolute scoundrel, and clearly enjoying every moment of it.
Guang Xiaoyu stared as if seeing his senior brother for the first time, his eyes nearly popping out. This behavior was the complete antithesis of his usually composed demeanor; it was the other extreme.
「An hour later.」
Chen Shixian, panting, finally stopped. She glared at Chen Pingping ahead, seething, her face grim, teeth clenched. She wanted to use her Divine Body's unique manifestation to suppress this jerk.
But it was just a fleeting thought, vanishing in an instant.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself over a long moment, and then returned to the inn.
I can't beat him. Not now, at least. One day, when this lady is invincible, I will trap you in a pit toilet and make you eat crap every day!
She picked up the teacup from the table again and gulped it down. "Good wine!"
Shi Yi's face darkened. "That's your tea!"
"Shut up!" Chen Shixian glared at him. "Whatever I say it is, that's what it is!"
Chen Pingping also returned to where the young women were. His playful expression had vanished, replaced by a gentle calm. He smiled lightly. "Let's go!"
Huh?
The young women were baffled, unable to comprehend his sudden change of mind. They had just been having so much fun; why leave now?
Chen Shixian watched him depart, remaining silent.
"Should we chase him?" Shi Yi asked tentatively.
"Just talk less!" Chen Shixian snapped, looking at him.
She couldn't understand Chen Pingping's actions.
Why? Why provoke me, only to leave so casually? Was it a prank? Or did he want to put on a show for everyone? What was the point?
Chen Shixian was in a terrible mood. She barked at the innkeeper, "Innkeeper, bring wine! Your strongest!"
「As night fell.」
After Guang Xiaoyu and Zi Ji had gone to sleep, Hong You approached Chen Pingping and asked quietly, "Were you trying to help her?"
"Who?" Chen Pingping asked, feigning surprise.
"The Divine Body!"
"Why would I help her?" He rolled his eyes.
Alright! If he won't admit it, so be it! Hong You shook her head and didn't press further.
Watching her retreating figure, Chen Pingping grinned. But as he smiled, a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. She's an Ancient Divine Body, after all. She needs to show some fighting spirit.
What was the point? Chen Pingping couldn't quite articulate it himself. He only knew that their playful bickering made it seem like he and Chen Shixian had a good relationship.
This would naturally make any powerful enemies lurking in the shadows hesitate to act rashly.
Otherwise, with her current cultivation realm, she would struggle to survive the deadly onslaught that her status as an Ancient Divine Body invited.