Chapter 77: Fighting Qi

  It wasn't until the middle of the night that they finally gave up searching for the pearl, but fortunately, aside from running into Lin Shu-sheng, there were other gains to be had, or else Qing Xia would have been driven to death.

  He stormed over to the table, poured a cup of tea, and gulped it down, only then slightly calming the anger in his heart.

  She has never been one to wear her emotions on her sleeve, and after all these years of doing intelligence work, she had developed a thick skin and always carried dozens of different masks in her pocket, ready to put on at any moment when facing different people. But unexpectedly, that bookworm really did have the potential to be infuriating, and it turned out that she was too confident in herself, thinking that he was truly captivated by her charm.

  "Ah, if only ancient people were all this foolish." Qing Xia sighed softly, and in her mind, she involuntarily conjured up the narrow, elongated eyes of Chu Lixiao, as well as Qin Zhiyan's schemes that had stirred up unrest in Southern Chu with an air of nonchalance.

  Forget it, Qing Xia shook her head. Someone like Lin Mu Bai was a rare treasure that might not appear even in several thousand years, and yet she had run into him herself.

  She took off her outer cloak, changed into soft and light muslin shirt, combed her hair simply, and was ready for bed. The girl in the mirror had a pale complexion and a beautiful face. Qing Xia hesitated slightly as she passed by the mirror, wondering when she had lost her discomfort with looking at herself. It seemed that she was indeed a resilient person who could quickly adapt to any awkward situation.

  Let's just consider it a long-term task, Qing Xia comforted herself in her heart again. The people here are still relatively good to her, and before she died, she had heard rumors that Li Yang was dragging a task, which would likely fall on her shoulders if she didn't die. It is said that there may be a possibility of going to Costa Rica as an undercover prostitute. Such a high-difficulty task, she hadn't received one until her death. Now, although the environment she is in is quite eerie, at least she has food and drink, and most basic human respect, which is much better than being a prostitute.

  Thinking of this, Qing Xia walked to the bedside, the sky was already very late, and there were only two hours left before dawn. Qing Xia yawned, feeling sleepy, lifted the quilt and crawled in.

  A warm feeling in the quilt, Qing Xia stretched out her hands and feet comfortably, but suddenly bumped into a solid body.

  There is an ambush!

  Her misty eyes suddenly widened, and in almost 0.01 seconds, the petite woman who was originally drowsy and sleepy suddenly threw off her covers, flipped over, and got up. Her black long hair drew a beautiful arc in mid-air, and her white nightgown perfectly wrapped around her lovely curves, making her movements even more decisive and sharp. She swiftly pulled out the dagger tied to her calf, grabbed the opponent's arm with a small grasping hand, jerked it backward, bent her knees to wrap her legs around his waist, pressed against his lower back, instantly grabbed his hair, and placed the dagger at his throat, thus cleanly and efficiently completing a perfect capture and kill.

  Everything happened in an instant, Qing Xia's reaction was incredibly fast. Her eyes gleaming sharply, she grabbed the man's hair and shouted in a short, murderous tone: "Who are you!"

  "Cough...cough...cough..."

  A series of stifled coughs suddenly erupted, Qing Xia was taken aback and looked over seriously.

  Chu Li was wearing a moon-white cotton robe, his handsome face flushed red, his hair disheveled and grasped in his hand, as he coughed loudly without any elegance.

  "Ah! How is it you?!" Qing Xia exclaimed softly, hastily releasing the restraints on Chu Li. A careful smile quickly spread across her face as she half-knelt on the bed, tidying up Chu Li's disheveled clothes and hair that was mussed like a chicken's feathers. "You came but didn't make a sound?"

  "Hmph!" Chu Li's face sank, his eyes blazing with anger as he stared at the woman in front of him. It had only been less than three days since they met, and he had already lost count of how many times she had beaten him up. Even though Chu Li had a tragic childhood and a bleak past that had forged his extraordinary perseverance and endurance, he still couldn't help but feel his anger surge to the point where it was about to erupt. Was this going to be his fate from now on, being beaten up by her every now and then for no reason?

  "Barbaric woman!" Chu Li angrily shouted.

  Qing Xia knew she had overreacted earlier and didn't retort back, instead continued to help him tidy up his clothes.

  "Absolutely no manners! It's simply unbelievable!"

  Understanding the man's shameless and despicable thoughts, Qing Xia made up her mind to continue enduring.

  "Behaving so coarsely and being so reckless, how can someone like you be considered a woman?"

  "Hey! That's enough!" Qing Xia suddenly stood up, her angry voice ringing out: "Did I invite you here? Who asked you to sneak into my room and sleep in my quilt? You're asking for a beating!"

  Chu Li's eyes suddenly turned red, and he stood up, his tall stature towering over Qing Xia by half a head. With a stern expression, he shouted: "I am the Emperor of Southern Chu, the entire world is mine, this camp is also mine, I can sleep wherever I want, no need for you to interfere!"

  "Am I meddling in other people's business?" Qing Xia raised her neck, glaring at the tall and imposing Chu Li, shouting angrily: "Are you out of your mind?! You sneak into someone else's room in the middle of the night and still think you're in the right?!"

  "I am the Son of Heaven today, and what I say is reason!"

  "Hey! You with the surname Chu! I'm warning you, don't be too arrogant!" Qing Xia shouted angrily, raising an eyebrow.

  Chu Li's face was full of self-satisfaction, with a big-tailed wolf's arrogant expression. "As the ruler of a country, I naturally have the capital to be arrogant!"

  "You're just looking for trouble because you've got nothing better to do!"

  Chu Li's sword eyebrow rose, and he said loudly: "Zhuang Qingxia, I'm telling you, in the past, I thought you were a woman and didn't bother to fight with you. Don't think that just because you have a bit of skill, you can open a dyeing workshop, and really think I'm easy to bully!"

  "That's great!" Qing Xia took a step back, struck a pose and said loudly: "Then come on over!"

  Chu Li was taken aback, and the scene of being beaten by Qing Xia two days ago, rolling on the ground and finally being thrown into a snow pile, reappeared in his mind. He glared at the petite woman in front of him for half a day, finally humming angrily and turning to leave with a flick of his sleeve.

  "Whatever!" Qing Xia snorted disdainfully and flipped over, burrowing into the warm bed.

  Chu Li obviously heard Qing Xia's words, his body shook violently, and he was almost trembling with rage. The curtain moved, and the Southern Chu Emperor hastily walked out, Qing Xia stretched lazily and muttered to himself: "What an idiot!"

  As soon as the words fell, a gust of cold wind suddenly rushed in. Qing Xia was shocked and turned her head around, only to see Chu Li walking back with a gloomy face and big strides.

  "What did you come back for?"

  "What makes you think I'll be driven away by you?" Chu Li sneered with a slanted gaze, "This is my territory, and I'm willing to sleep here tonight."

  "Alright." Tonight was indeed an unlucky night for him. Qing Xia slowly let out a breath and said in a low voice, "This is what you asked for, don't blame me!"

  "If you dare to make a move, I'll call the black-clad guards in and have them tie you up and hang you from the outside beam." Chu Li said lightly, leaning lazily against the warm couch.

  Qing Xia was furious, frowning and shouting: "You cowardly man, bullying the few with the many?"

  Chu Li slanted her eyes, slightly raised an eyebrow, and didn't say a word. Her expression clearly said: I'm bullying you, what can you do about it?

  "Fine! Chuli, you're ruthless!" Qingxia snarled, her momentum surging as she fell onto the bed, pulling all the quilts over herself, turning her back on Chuli and refusing to acknowledge this perverted man again.

  What sympathy and pity, what war in the south border, girl will leave tomorrow morning and never suffer this humiliation again!

  Chu Li, who was behind, had a big smile on his face and quickly lay down next to Qing Xia. He must have done it many times before, as he easily slipped under the covers with a quick roll.

  The warm fragrance of the big tent filled the air, and the brazier under the bed crackled with burning flames, filling the entire tent with warmth. Chu Li and Qing Xia's bodies under the thin quilt had only been there for a moment when they began to sweat slightly. Chu Li closed his eyes, a sly smile spreading across his face, full of cunning and deceit. Suddenly, the man who had taken advantage of the situation slowly stretched out an arm and placed it on Qing Xia's waist, letting out a snore as if he were asleep.

  Qing Xia's lungs were about to burst, he grabbed Chu Li's hand and slapped it away with a loud crack.

  The man was relentless, this time even more so, and actually hooked a leg over hers, his entire body pressing against her, separated only by a thin layer of clothing, tightly adhering to Qing Xia's body.

  The fabric was thin, already drenched with sweat, and in the heavy breathing, Qing Xia could even feel the muscular physique on Chu Li's body. His lower abdomen was hotly pressed against her waist, his thighs wrapped around her legs, and his arms, which had been knocked down earlier, were now wrapped around her again, crossing over each other and clasped onto Qing Xia's shoulders. Even through layers of clothing, she could still feel the calluses on his palms from practicing archery and sword fighting.

  A faintly ambiguous scent emerged in the air, thick breathing sprayed on Qing Xia's neck, carrying a thread of heat, as Qing Xia's slightly trembling body shook lightly, Chu Li's lips suddenly and lightly brushed against Qing Xia's snowy white neck.

  It was as if a sudden surge of electricity had passed through her, and Qing Xia's whole body trembled with a shiver.

  "Hmm..."

  A low laugh suddenly sounded from behind, Qing Xia's head suddenly went black, her hands and feet numb, she threw off the quilt and sat up with a start.

  "Haha!" Chu left with a big laugh, propping up his head with his hand, and looked at Qing Xia sideways with a smile on his handsome face: "Isn't this your room? Where are you going now?"

  "I don't want to waste words with a scoundrel like you!" Qing Xia shouted, grabbing her own pillow and blanket, walking down from the bed like a wronged little wife, coming to a corner of the big tent, neatly spreading out her bedding, and lying down on the ground, deliberately keeping a distance from Chu Li, not even looking at him once, turning over and preparing to sleep.

  How can a man who has been an emperor be so shameless? Qing Xia cursed the man in her heart, and closed her eyes in anger.

  Chu Li no longer bothered with Qing Xia, and the excitement of his original plan also faded away. Chu Li sat alone on the bed, looking somewhat dazed. He had expected her to be furious, but instead she avoided him, like a powerful punch hitting a ball of cotton. The feeling of defeat was overwhelming. However, he couldn't continue to cling to her and lie down beside her, so Chu Li's face turned uglier, and he finally let out an angry hum, turning his back on Qing Xia and lying down on the bed.

  The soft breathing sound gradually came, Chu Li tossed and turned, unable to sleep, finally carefully turning his head back, secretly looking at Qing Xia not far away.

  She seems to have fallen asleep, curled up into a small ball, just like a little cat.

  The wind at night was getting stronger and stronger, the strong wind howled like a beast's roar. The warm bed was still warm, but in the corner far from the brazier, it seemed very cold. Qing Xia covered herself with a small quilt, looking like a hairless little dog, very cold. Chu Li's heart suddenly had a hint of regret, now that things have come to this point, should he go and call her? How could he save face?

  "Hmm!" The man on the bed hummed, indicating that he was still awake and waiting for someone to talk to him downstairs. But after a while, Qing Xia seemed to have fallen asleep, not even moving at all.

  Chu Li was getting anxious, turning over and making all sorts of noises, non-stop.

  Qing Xia was about to go crazy, she felt her anger had swept through her entire brain, if she didn't vent it out, she might be suffocated to death.

  "I'm telling you, you're mentally ill! You can't sleep, so go out and run a couple of laps, exercise that weak and fragile body of yours. Otherwise, how will you die on the battlefield in the future?" The girl in the corner suddenly sat up and shouted loudly.

  Chu Li's goal of drawing attention to himself had been achieved, but he hadn't expected Qing Xia to come out with such a statement. How could this be? Where was the problem? According to his past experience, shouldn't women at this time say something like "Your Majesty, you haven't slept yet?" in a gentle and affectionate tone? Looking at Qing Xia's disdainful gaze, Chu Li's anger suddenly flared up, and he shouted: "My martial arts skills are used on the battlefield, not to be compared with a woman like you! I am invincible on the battlefield, and you shallow woman doesn't know my prowess!"

  Qing Xia helplessly sighed and looked at the man in disbelief.

  My god, is this still the same South Chu prince who was so gloomy and ruthless when we first met? How did his IQ drop so much after becoming emperor.

  Qing Xia's silent gaze was more infuriating to Chu Li than his biting words, and he was just about to lose his temper when he suddenly noticed that a corner of the curtain had been blown up by the strong wind. The cold wind blew in through the door, and Qing Xia, who was thinly dressed and far from the brazier, couldn't help but shiver with cold.

  This woman would rather freeze than stay by my side. Chu Li thought angrily, finally getting up with a huff, throwing on his outer robe and striding out.

  Qing Xia saw him leave, her heart filled with great joy, happily hugging the pillow, she climbed onto the warm bed.

  The quilt is thick and soft, with a thick layer of down feathers underneath, and the mattress is so comfortable!

  Qing Xia happily opened her mouth and curled up like a kitten, burrowing into the quilt.

  Chu Li this bastard, dares to fight with me!

  Qing Xia silently cursed in her heart, let out a big yawn, and drowsily fell asleep.

  Just as he was about to fall asleep, a sudden burst of clashing steel and pounding drums erupted outside, causing Qing Xia to pause, perk up his ears and listen intently. It sounded like someone was practicing martial arts right in front of his tent.

  When a woman gossips, it's really scary. Qing Xia had never discovered that she also had such potential before. But in fact, she was still curious and jumped out of bed, ran barefoot to the door, carefully lifted up one corner of the curtain and looked outside.

  Chu Li wore a silver-white armor, with a heroic face and sword-like eyebrows, standing in front of Qing Xia's camp, holding a 2-meter-long red spear, making the wind and water rise, and the water couldn't get in. Seeing that Qing Xia's curtain was lifted by one corner, he was even more spirited, deliberately showing off, using all his skills to come and go like lightning, as if assisted by gods, and also gave a wink to the black-clad guards beside him.

  In the dead of night, several people who were dragged out of bed by Chu Li had sleepy eyes, and some were still yawning. However, the emperor's orders were absolute, and they couldn't resist. Seeing Chu Li's signal, several people quickly opened their mouths and loudly shouted "Good!"

  "Your Majesty, this move is truly extraordinary! Left and right turns, rising and falling, like a dragon flying through the clouds. Even if General Xu had practiced his spear techniques for thirty years, he wouldn't be Your Majesty's match in one combination!" Xu Quan was able to rise to his current position, naturally he wasn't an ordinary person. Seeing Chu Li's hint, he hastily shouted out first.

  Chu's face was full of joy, a long whistle, the gun flower was as big as a dipper, floating and uncertain, mysterious and unpredictable.

  Luo Song also refused to show weakness, shouting loudly: "Good! This move is even more wonderful. If you're riding a horse, targeting the enemy's helmet, one move can be fatal, Ghost Axe Divine Work!"

  The other guards now seemed to understand what was going on and everyone shouted loudly, cheering and applause filled the air.

  Chu Li boasted about his exceptional marksmanship and how he would excel on the battlefield, but unfortunately had no chance to prove it. After leaving the camp, he couldn't shake off the feeling of discontent and ran to the subordinate's tent, gathering them all here to watch him practice his shooting skills. Seeing the crowd cheering around him, he felt elated and began to practice with abandon.

  Qing Xia stood in the tent, listening to the noisy sounds outside, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.

  This fool! He pulled up the curtains, stormed to the corner, blew out the candle with one puff, jumped onto the bed, covered himself with the quilt and fell fast asleep, ignoring all the noise outside.

  Chu Li was elated, but suddenly saw Qing Xia's camp extinguish its lights, and immediately lost interest, feeling unentertained, and instantly withdrew his momentum. In a fit of anger, he threw his silver spear to the ground and stormed towards his own central command tent.

  "What? Your Majesty isn't going to practice anymore?" Le Song asked in confusion, but only received a cold and sinister glare from Chu Li as he turned his head around.

  "Alas!" Xu Quan sympathetically patted Le Song's shoulder, showing sympathy for this colleague who didn't understand the subtleties of human relationships. He waved his hand at the others and said, "All of you go back to sleep, who knows what His Majesty will do tomorrow? Go back and rest your spirits."

  The camp was suddenly quiet for a moment, and in the blink of an eye, people left and the building was empty. Only the bright moon remained, still quietly hanging in the sky.