Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Lin Yun’s Counterattack
Lin Yun’s announcement threw the entire student body of Yanhuang Academy into a frenzy. There were gawkers, people hurling curses, and even some who wanted to challenge Lin Yun to a life-and-death duel—every sort of person imaginable.
However, before the dust from the first incident had even settled, another one began. The very next day after Lin Yun announced that he and Lu Bingning were truly in love, Lu Bingning herself actually reciprocated, expressing her own affection for him.
"Fuck! Is there no justice in this world...? That ugly toad actually managed to eat swan meat."
"Heavens, just strike me dead! I’ve lost the will to live. I can’t even compare to a student from the Foundation Class."
All at once, students across the Academy were beating their chests and stamping their feet in frustration. In their eyes, they were a thousand, even ten thousand, times better than Lin Yun.
In their eyes, the fact that the plain-looking, weak Lin Yun could actually capture Lu Bingning’s heart was nothing short of an intolerable injustice.
While others were merely beating their chests and stamping their feet, Tang Wushuang was so enraged that he fainted on the spot. The moment he came to, he went to find Lu Bingning.
Both were students of the Genius Class, and Tang Wushuang was from a collateral branch of the Royal Family, so he found Lu Bingning with ease. She was currently in her courtyard, enjoying the cool air.
"Lu Bingning, you bitch! I, Tang Wushuang, did so much for you, and you actually fell for a piece of trash?" he roared furiously while still a good distance away.
Lu Bingning had clearly expected Tang Wushuang’s arrival and showed no surprise. Beside her stood another young woman whose beauty was in no way inferior to her own.
The young woman was Lan Xi. Perhaps because they were both great beauties, Lu Bingning and Lan Xi had a very good relationship and had hit it off from the moment they first met.
Lan Xi no longer had the rustic air from her time in the small mountain village. Dressed in a purple gauze robe, she looked enchanting and alluring. Her style and Lu Bingning’s cold, queenly demeanor each had their own unique charm.
"Lu Bingning, you—" Tang Wushuang stormed over, but before he could finish his sentence, he froze in place.
This was the first time he had ever seen Lan Xi. Her beauty rivaled Lu Bingning’s, and though she lacked that queenly aura, her enchanting and seductive appearance left Tang Wushuang inwardly stunned.
Glancing at Tang Wushuang and seeing the lecherous look on his face as he stared at Lan Xi, the contempt on Lu Bingning’s face deepened, and her entire demeanor grew even colder.
It seemed that only in front of Lin Yun did Lu Bingning become that lively and adorable girl. Before anyone else, she was like a fortress of ice, walling herself off completely.
"Eldest Young Master Tang, have you stared long enough?" As Tang Wushuang remained lost in his daze, Lu Bingning’s icy voice rang out.
At her words, Tang Wushuang flashed what he considered a very handsome smile and extended his hand toward Lan Xi. "Hello, my name is Tang Wushuang. It’s a pleasure to meet you. And what might your name be?"
In that moment, Tang Wushuang appeared perfectly polite, but Lan Xi merely glanced at him, her face devoid of any emotion. Ever since being brought to Yanhuang Academy by that beautiful woman, only two things remained in Lan Xi’s heart.
One was revenge. The other was longing—longing for the young man in that small mountain village who had secretly stirred her heart.
Although she had seen the prosperity of the outside world and become one of Yanhuang Academy’s most celebrated female students, pursued by countless others, in Lan Xi’s eyes, none of these people could even compare to Lin Yun’s little finger.
Completely ignored by Lan Xi, Tang Wushuang could only give a sheepish smile and awkwardly withdraw his hand.
"Tang Wushuang, you trespassed into my courtyard without my permission. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to our Master?" Lu Bingning said in an icy tone.
Her words reignited the anger in Tang Wushuang’s heart. He looked at Lu Bingning with deep hatred in his eyes. Tang Wushuang didn’t understand why, ever since meeting Lin Shan, Lu Bingning had been acting as if she were possessed. ’How am I in any way inferior to that Lin Shan?’
"Lu Bingning! I, Tang Wushuang, am both talented and handsome. Am I no match for some ant from the Foundation Class? You actually announced publicly that you like him? Have you ever considered my feelings?" Tang Wushuang roared.
In contrast to Tang Wushuang’s fury, Lu Bingning appeared perfectly calm. "Tang Wushuang, are you mistaken? What do I have to do with you? Since when do I need to consider your feelings?"
"Besides, Lin Shan is the man I want. Who I like and who I’m with is none of your business. In fact, speaking of you, that Lin Shan already said he wants a life-and-death duel with you. Are you afraid?"
In Yunlu County City, Lu Bingning had personally witnessed the battle between Lin Yun and Tang Wushuang. While she was shocked by Tang Wushuang’s power, she was even more astonished by Lin Yun’s.
Therefore, regarding the life-and-death duel proposed by Lin Yun, Lu Bingning was one hundred percent certain that Tang Wushuang would never accept. He was a petty man, and petty men don’t fight fair and square, especially not when their opponent is an even match.
Scorned by Lu Bingning, Tang Wushuang was about to say something more when a Steward from the Steward Hall walked in.
Although he was captivated by Lu Bingning and Lan Xi’s beauty at first glance, the Steward looked away after only a moment. He fixed his gaze on Tang Wushuang; he was here mainly for him.
"Tang Wushuang?" the Steward asked.
"That’s me."
"Lin Shan from the Foundation Class has filed a request for a life-and-death duel with you at the Steward Hall. I am here now to ask if you accept his challenge," the Steward stated his purpose directly.
Applying for a life-and-death duel at the Steward Hall required the consent of both parties. If one party refused, the duel would not be approved. Of course, if you refused, your reputation in the Academy would plummet, and you would be branded a coward.
The Steward’s words made Tang Wushuang’s face go pale. ’That brat is actually for real?’ All this time, Tang Wushuang had assumed Lin Yun wouldn’t actually file for a life-and-death duel, but he really had.
Without absolute confidence in winning, Tang Wushuang was dead set against a life-and-death duel with Lin Yun.
Just as Tang Wushuang was hesitating, Lan Xi’s soft voice sounded, "Does a student of the Genius Class not dare to accept a challenge from a student of the Foundation Class?"
The moment Lan Xi’s words came out, Tang Wushuang, who was already on the verge of going mad with rage, fainted from anger once again. This was the second time he had been knocked unconscious by his own fury.
"He fainted?" The Steward looked at the collapsed Tang Wushuang and said with a sigh of resignation, ’Well, now we’ll just have to wait for him to wake up.’
The news that Tang Wushuang had been carried back to his courtyard after fainting from anger again quickly spread among the students of the Genius Class. At the same time, many Genius Class students grew curious about this Lin Shan, the one who had angered Tang Wushuang to such a state.
"Bingning, is that Lin Shan you mentioned really that powerful? Even in the Genius Class, Tang Wushuang’s Combat Power is ranked mid-tier. What if he actually agrees to the life-and-death duel?" In the courtyard, after Tang Wushuang had been carried away, Lan Xi asked Lu Bingning.
Hearing this, Lu Bingning smiled faintly, her expression full of sweetness. She seemed like a completely different person from just a moment ago.
"He’s very powerful. He definitely won’t lose to Tang Wushuang. Even if Tang Wushuang agrees, he won’t be defeated."
Hearing Lu Bingning’s words, a peculiar glint flashed in Lan Xi’s eyes. Lin Shan—he had the exact same name as the man she thought of day and night.
’Could it be you?’ Lan Xi thought to herself.
