Rebirth: The Blood Demon Empress Chapter 78: A Match for the Chess Opponent
The four messengers of Wind, Flower, Snow and Moon each have their own unique style, and every one of them has a particularly distinct personality that cannot be denied, yet they are all standard beauties.
At this moment, standing on the stage, a thin white veil covered their faces, leaving only those eyes with different expressions.
A water-blue, lotus-embroidered cheongsam dress hid a pair of golden lotus-like small feet, wearing a pair of green embroidered shoes, with high-bunned green silk, and an inlaid hollow-carved jade hairpin was inserted among the flowers on her hair bun. Her skin was as smooth as jade, lightly powdered, holding a white silk handkerchief in her hand, taking light steps like a lotus flower, her clear voice passed through everyone's ears.
"Miss, may I ask if it was you who suggested to the shopkeeper that we play a game of chess together?" The bright and clear eyes stared straight at Mu Rongyun without any flicker or fear.
In Xia Hua's eyes, the only master was Leng Ziyue. Whoever dared to disobey her master would be taught a lesson by her for their audacity.
Her chess skills may not be the most exquisite, but they are not the worst either. At least since the Drunken Guest Pavilion set up this arena, she has never lost a game.
"It's exactly." Mu Rong Yun raised her head high, her eyes scanning Xia Hua and the people standing beside her - Chun Feng, Qiu Yue, and Dong Xue - with a look of disdain, like a proud peacock.
Xia Hua's eyebrows slightly furrowed, looking at her arrogant appearance, he really wanted to slap her a few times. "May I ask the young lady's surname, do you know the rules of playing chess, do I need to repeat them again?"
The young master said that no matter how unpleasant he felt in his heart, he must not show it on his face. Except for smiling, smiling non-stop, Xia Hua really couldn't find any expression that suited her current mood.
She is addicted to killing on the chessboard.
"No need for you to lecture me, my surname is Mu." Mu Rongyun coldly refused. How could she possibly lose to a lowly performing girl? Let her thoroughly crush Qi Yuanguo's prestige. "Cousin, I'm going."
Xi Men Tong faintly revealed a smile, nodded slightly, but his gaze turned to Leng Ziyue. From the whispers of those people just now, he knew that Leng Ziyue's piano skills were unparalleled.
The Drunken Guest has branches in all five nations, and the four main skills of qin, qi, shu, and hua are also renowned. Since things have already turned out this way, he didn't need to waste any more words, it's better to just quietly observe.
"Please..." Xia Hua smiled and made a gesture for him to sit down, then sat down herself.
Mu Rong Yun gave Xia Hua a fierce stare, thinking to herself that she was pretending to be noble but wasn't much better than a prostitute. "Let's play rock-paper-scissors to decide."
Leng Xue dropped her chopsticks, rubbed her bulging belly, and with a satisfied expression, propped up her cheek to gaze out the window. She followed Madam Qiao all the way until they stopped at a desolate slope five miles outside the city. They waited for half an hour before the person Madam Qiao was waiting for finally appeared.
It would have been quite interesting if Aunt Qiao hadn't been slapped hard, flying several meters away, and landing in a sorry state, I reckon she wouldn't have woken up.
It was clear that she was a cunning and unyielding vixen, so why was she willing to humbly obey the orders of that middle-aged man, it was something she couldn't figure out no matter how hard she thought.
She had just returned to Zui Ke Ju, her butt hadn't even warmed up yet, when Huang Zhuang Jie rushed in and told her that someone wanted to challenge Xia Hua. Moreover, they didn't seem like people from Qi Yue Guo, so she could only tidy herself up and come out to take a look.
Who the hell is this guy, daring to come and kick her out of her own turf?
Beautiful eyebrows were tied in countless knots, Leng Xueyu lightly blinked her eyes and whispered, "Su Xing took a closer look at the middle-aged man's appearance, drew it out in the evening, and handed it over to Dian Qi to investigate clearly."
If she could find the truth of what happened back then by following the clues, she would also be doing justice to the original owner of her body and avenging her cheap mother.
Chang Sun is not an idiot, nor a fool. She can't be completely unaware of the people and things around her. The only possible explanation is that she has the heart but lacks the strength.
If things were really as she had guessed, then the events of that year might have hidden a huge conspiracy.
The closer she got to the truth, the more tangled her emotions became. Heaven knows that if she were to live again, she would only want to live a carefree life, following her heart's desires, good or bad. But alas, she couldn't escape the arrangements of fate, and was entangled in one conspiracy after another, unable to break free and walk alone.
Because there is a concern in heart, it can't be put down lightly again.
"Miss Mu, please choose whether you want to play with black or white pieces." MMD, your heart is already black, just choose the black pieces and be done with it, so I won't have to look at something disgusting.
Xia Hua's smile was as bright as a flower, but in her heart, she had already torn Mu Rong Yun to shreds countless times.
"This lady wants a black go." Mu Rongyun liked to hold the black go, she must beat the woman in front of her until she couldn't lift her head, and see if she still smiled.
Xia Hua's mouth twitched, and her forehead was covered with black lines. She had indeed guessed correctly and chose the black piece. "Hehe, since Miss Mu chose the black piece, the white piece belongs to me now. You won at rock-paper-scissors, please make your move first."
"Bì zhū, go to her side and tell her not to be willful, otherwise tomorrow she'll be sent away from Qíyuè country. Do you understand?" Xīmén Táng whispered to Mù Róngjiāng's personal maid.
He was too familiar with Mu Rongxiu's temperament, and as long as things were not to her liking, she would definitely throw a tantrum. After all, their identities were now very special and it was inconvenient for others to know, especially the imperial family of Qi Yue.
The quarrel just now has already been spread far and wide, and it's hard not to expose her temper if she continues like this. He doesn't want to be the target of other people's gossip at all.
"Yes." With a respectful nod, Bi Zhu walked slowly to the back of Mu Rong Yun and quietly recounted the words that Xi Men Tang had entrusted her with into Mu Rong Yun's ear, not daring to be even slightly slow.
Mu Rong Xiang bit her lip, turned her head to meet Xi Men Tong's smiling eyes, and her body trembled slightly. She would rather see Xi Men Tong with angry eyes than look at his exceptionally gentle eyes, which was the most terrifying time for him.
When a person is angry, at least you know he's mad and might even kill you; but when someone who is obviously furious stares at you with a harmless smile in his eyes, that feeling is the most terrifying. Because you don't know when he will suddenly strike and take your life.
"What are you thinking about, why do you frown so tightly?" Ximen Tong's gaze fell on Leng Qingyue, but the latter seemed to have already forgotten that he was there, lost in her own thoughts.
The breathtakingly beautiful profile, shaded by the sunlight, added a few degrees of gentleness, inviting people to get close, but in those clear and transparent black eyes, there was also a hint of intimidating mystery, every move exuded an air of effortless elegance that made one's heart involuntarily want to surrender, making it impossible for others to underestimate her.
She seemed like a queen high above, with an overbearing aura that looked down on the world.
On the chessboard, Xia Hua and Mu Rongyun were almost evenly matched. You made a move, I made a move, you captured one of my pieces, I swallowed one of yours, and both sides were deadlocked.
In the blink of an eye, half a time had passed, and neither of them had gained any advantage. It seemed that they were about to reach a stalemate.
The people eating had lost their appetite, and every pair of eyes were fixed on the huge chessboard on the stage and the young women sitting opposite each other, neither giving in.
Such an extraordinary chess skill, how can it not make people admire?
In the third floor's elegant room, Ming Wang Baili Changjian, Feng Wang Baili Hongfeng, Ying Wang Baili Ziyin, and Ling Wang Zhang Xiao coincidentally gathered together, ultimately having no choice but to enter the same elegant room to dine together.
What one says with their mouth is one set of things, what they think in their heart is another set of things, and what they actually do is yet another set of things.
The argument between Leng Xue and Mu Rongyun, from start to finish, was all in their eyes, but she didn't know when she became so fond of meddling in other people's business, and being so enthusiastic about a humble shop assistant.
It doesn't seem like her style at all.
"That blue-clothed woman's chess skills are extraordinary, and it seems like she still has a hidden move. Ba Li Chang Jian stroked the stubble on his chin, that woman's anxiety seemed to be feigned, somewhat interesting."
Zhang Xiao was willing to find him personally, determined to follow him and conquer the world. For him, it was also one of the most exciting things recently. Fortunately, he could truly put down Leng Ziyue, and last night, he even spent a night in the brothel with Zhang Xiao to test his loyalty.
In the past, he would never enter that place where fireworks were sold.
"I used to think that the four masters of Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua at Zhu Ke Ju were just a way to attract customers, but it turns out they are truly talented. This chess master's skills are quite impressive too, taking so long to reveal his weakness. No wonder those self-proclaimed noble ladies in the imperial city have never won a single game." Baili Hongfeng crossed his arms and gazed at the chessboard, where the white pieces were already on the brink of defeat.
Such a weak and delicate woman, yet she didn't even suggest giving up, still gritting her teeth and persevering. Her temperament was surprisingly similar to that of Leng Ziyue.
"It's not over until the last moment, and the outcome is still uncertain." The clear wine in the cup was drained in one gulp, and Baili Zhiyin withdrew his gaze. He felt that as long as Leng Xueying was sitting there, the woman in blue wouldn't be able to win.
It's a strange feeling, but he just thought so.
"What do you think?" Zhang's mouth curved into a smile, he was afraid to let his gaze fall on Leng Ziyue's body, but she was so attractive that no matter how he tried to avoid it, he couldn't escape.
His eyes involuntarily turned towards her, unable to control his own behavior.
Suddenly recalling what Jin Hu said to him, Leng Ziyue and Baili Chuanxin held hands and went out of the city for a stroll, their hearts were like being torn open, with blood gushing out.
There is such a jealousy, fermenting in madness.
"It seems like we're going to lose." Jing Changke let out a somewhat helpless sigh. Whether it was the purple-robed man or the blue-robed woman, neither of them seemed likely to be merchants, and their identities were still pending confirmation. After all, he still hoped that his own country's people would win.
"Fourth brother, how can you think it's still undecided when the white pieces of the chess master have all been blocked and killed? What else can they do to survive?" Ba Li Hong Feng raised an eyebrow, staring at Ba Li Zi Ying.
Recently his fourth brother has also been restless and very active, making it hard for him to ignore.
"Just be patient and watch." He slightly lifted his head, and with a glance at the current situation on the chessboard, even he couldn't think of a way to salvage it for the time being.
Mu Rongyan's smile was so triumphant and arrogant, looking down at Xia Hua with disdain, she sneered: "Do you still want to continue? All the roads have been blocked, you've already lost."
She is the best at chess, although it has to be admitted that Xia Hua, who sits opposite her, has managed to make her fully focused on this game of chess, and winning is also quite thrilling.
It's fortunate that she didn't underestimate her opponent, otherwise, it would have been difficult for her to concede defeat.
Xia Hua ignored the sarcasm of Mu Rongyun, all her attention was focused on the chessboard in front of her, repeatedly telling herself to calm down, only by being calm could she see the life and death on the chessboard.
By the third move, she realized that the woman in blue, surnamed Muo, was a chess mastermind. What she didn't expect was that this woman could push her to such an extent, which made her somewhat angry with herself.
"Aren't you conceding yet?" Mu Rongyun's patience was almost exhausted, it was already a dead endgame, what was the point of struggling on, "Do you want to lose even more miserably..."
The words got stuck in her throat, she turned around and stared fiercely at the speaking Leng Ziyue, "Life is like a summer flower, it should be burned out recklessly, why be bound by those rules and regulations."
Xia Hua lifted her head, a pair of panicked eyes fixed on Leng Ziyue, and in those clear black eyes, she read two simple words: "Trust".
It turned out that the young master trusted her so much.
She remembered that once she thought her name didn't sound good, Xia Hua Xia Hua, always felt vulgar.
Leng Xue told her that since she was born, she should live like a summer flower in full bloom, living out her own flavor and splendor. The flowers that bloom in the summer may only be in season for a short time, but they show off their beauty to the fullest, revealing their most resplendent side to the world.
She is going to be a person who does whatever it takes to achieve her goals, no matter what the cost, even if it means losing in the end.
Bai Li's fingers picked up a white piece, without trembling or hesitation. Xia Hua dropped that one piece decisively and said in a low voice: "Miss Mu, please..."
Her chess strategy is to catch off guard, put it in a desperate situation and then revive.
If the other party can see through her mind, even if she loses, she will lose with a good grace.
Leng Xueyu innocently shrugged and said to Mu Rongyun, who was staring at her with all her might: "Don't stare at me like that, think carefully about where your chess piece should fall instead. I didn't mention a single chess piece just now, so staring won't do you any good."
Lazy lazy don't turn your head away, Xia Hua that girl really is a bit transparent.
"Yu... Yu..." Murong Yun's face turned bright red, and she indeed didn't mention a single chess piece. Who knew what kind of secret language they were speaking?
"Miss, calm down and play chess." Bi Zhu pulled at Mu Rong Yun's sleeve, glanced at Xi Men Tang with a hint of fear, and lowered her head.
After a faint hum, Mu Rongyun looked at the chessboard and thought carefully for a moment. A thread of delight and a thread of doubt flashed through her eyes at the same time.
The place where she fell is simply looking for death, as long as she blocks two chess pieces, she will win steadily.
"Miss Mu also had moments of hesitation, and it's really true that the wheel of fortune turns every ten years!" You rascal, you were asked to gloat, you were asked to mock me. Xia Hua let go of her hands and feet to play chess, no longer afraid of losing, shedding that layer of psychological burden, and the changes on the chessboard became even clearer.
"Go die!" As soon as the words fell, Hei Zi's dust settled.
"Haha, you lost." Xia Hua made a face, and with one move, the outcome was decided.
White wins by one point, narrowly winning.
Mu Rong's eyes were fixed on the last white piece that had fallen onto the chessboard, her face deathly pale. It took her a long time to regain her composure. The move she had made was actually a trap for herself, luring her into the game.
"You're cheating, I don't accept it." With one hand, she knocked over the chessboard, and Mu Rongyun was so angry that she almost slapped Xia Hua's face.
"That's called being at the death ground and then reborn, brain-damaged miss. The ancient saying goes, 'A soldier does not despise deceit', if you can't afford to lose, you shouldn't be like a proud peacock spreading its tail feathers everywhere, it's better to go home and hide under the quilt." Xia Hua fired a barrage of words at Mu Rongyun, she wasn't someone who could be bullied by anyone.
She provoked her and they started a fight to see who was more arrogant.
There are many fresh words that I learned from the young master, such as brain-dead, show-off, peacock-like, which sound smooth and apt.
"Brother, they...they're ganging up on me." They say that when a beauty sheds tears, everyone's heart breaks. Mu Rongyun was also good at playing the victim, and in an instant, she became pitiful and touching, triggering the men's protective instincts.
Leng Xueyu let out a yawn, now she's always sleepy after eating her fill. "Not crying convincingly enough, not moving people with her twists and turns, tears too fake, voice too unpleasant to listen to, how can they still be so brainless, big-breasted but brainless, a waste of space."
"Hehe... " Fenghuaxueyue covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. How did they feel that their master's mouth was getting more and more venomous?
Although Xi Men Tong was secretly laughing in his heart, thinking that Leng Zhe Yue had spoken reasonably, but even if it was just a superficial effort, he still had to speak up and say a few words, "Miss Leng, this statement seems to be somewhat excessive."
"That's it, I've seen enough of this play, there's nothing new to see, might as well go home and sleep. She stood up elegantly, adjusted her clothes, and walked past Xi Men Tong without even a glance, not looking back."
This man in purple clothes needs to be thoroughly investigated, and it's more convenient to investigate him while he's staying at the Drunken Guest House. However, his danger level is quite high, subtly giving Leng Ziyue an urge to avoid him.
It's troublesome, so it's better not to provoke if unnecessary.
Especially this seemingly harmless but extremely dangerous man.
"You actually ignored me once again, great, it's really too good." Ximen Tong couldn't suppress the surging anger throughout his body, no one had ever made him angry before, but she somehow managed to do so with just a glance and a sentence.
It's interesting, he insisted on appearing in her eyes.
"Go back to your room and don't come out again to cause trouble." Ximen Tong glared at Mu Rongyun, the Drunken Guest House was not to be underestimated, making him have to guard against.
"Yes." Dejectedly nodded, Mu Rongyun led her personal maid to the fourth floor with large strides.
Hmph, she won't let that woman in red with the surname Leng go, absolutely won't let her off.
"Take the food to the room," said the shopkeeper. Wang Xin's face was equally gloomy, Qi Yuanguo had gone too far, and he would get his revenge sooner or later.
Huang Xing nodded repeatedly, with a hint of apology in his smile, and said: "Don't worry, I'll deliver it right away. They're all our store's signature dishes, guaranteed to satisfy your master."
Watching the proud peacock return in defeat is unspeakably refreshing.
Ximen Tong went upstairs while observing a window of a luxurious room diagonally opposite on the third floor. Judging from their breathing, there were at least four people inside, none of whom had a simple identity. They must have been connected to that woman in red.
Otherwise, their eyes would not have stayed on her all the time. What made him puzzled was that since they were acquaintances, why didn't he come downstairs to say hello.
The convergence of eyes is just a brief moment, and the contest between strong people usually ends with one move.
"Make a thorough investigation of that woman in red and the people in the private room, be extremely careful with your own movements, their martial arts skills are not low." Ximen Tong walked into the room, his voice suddenly becoming low and cold.
No matter what it is, he likes to have control over it in his own hands. Once out of his control, it will make his emotions extremely irritable.
"Yes."
"Also, keep an eye on the young mistress and don't let her have a chance to cause trouble outside. Remind her that she is not allowed to use magic again."
"I understand."
The two of them exchanged a glance, respectfully closed the door and retreated.
、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、
Blood King's Mansion
"To the east, south, and west, each of the three countries had sent a noble prince or king to enter the imperial city ahead of time. For now, they were all quiet and still." Shen Qing glanced at Kang Qi, who was as expressionless as a wooden stake, and said with a flying eyebrow and a smile.
"They really are quite determined, it seems that thing has a great temptation for them." Baili Chenyuan stood with his back to Shen Qing and Kang Qi, standing by the window with his hands behind his back.
"Your Highness, what precautions should we take?" Kang Qi looked at the lonely and slender figure in the distance, and suddenly had an idea. If only there was someone standing by the prince's side, it would be perfect.
"Observe the changes quietly." Four light words, with an irresistible dignity.
"Your Highness, Miss Leng not only scolded the princess of Xiling Country today, but also directly ignored King Ximen Tong of the underworld. You didn't see the looks on their faces, it's simply ridiculous." Shen Qing got excited when he said this, and indeed, she was his ideal candidate for the future queen, really impressive.
The future queen only needs to be gentle with the king, and when it comes to others, she can be as ruthless as she wants, that's what makes it interesting. The king won't get jealous either, hehe.
"Keep a close eye on them, and report to me immediately if they make any move." A hint of gentle smile flashed across Baili Chunxuan's deep and mysterious pupils, his little Yu'er was getting more and more adorable.
The more outstanding she is, the more people want to have her, which makes him very uncomfortable.
She is his, it's better to think of a way to keep her by his side for a long time.
"Don't worry, Your Highness, I guarantee the task will be completed."
"Uh-huh."