52 Chips

The weather was growing colder; it was early winter. Yet the second floor of the secluded manor outside the city remained a riot of blossoms. A young man, dressed in a pale gold robe embroidered with golden threads, carefully watered each flower with a kettle. His skin was porcelain-white, his features strikingly beautiful. Even surrounded by flowers, he never lost a trace of color.

Behind him stood a man in a dark brown outfit, expressionless, a longsword at his waist. The youth tossed him the watering kettle with a smile, pointing to the blooms behind him. "Mu Min, don't just stand there like a wooden post. Come help me water the flowers." Mu Min stared at the kettle in his hand, then glanced at the radiant, flushed face of Beigong Qiyi, and murmured, "Master is in a good mood today."

Beigong Qiyi stretched lazily, rubbing his chin. "Am I that obvious?" Mu Min lowered his eyes to think for a moment, then nodded silently.

Beigong Qiyi moved to the couch and sat, his robe flowing. Gazing at the glistening droplets on the flowers in the sunlight, he couldn't help but smile. "What I've wanted most these past years finally became mine yesterday. Of course I'm happy." Mu Min knelt before him. "Congratulations, Master, on achieving your desire."

The youth's smile deepened. He toyed with the crimson jade at his waist, recalling the satisfaction and pleasure of last night's intimate union. His eyes shimmered, tinged with red. Mu Min watched his master's enraptured expression—so lovesick, he couldn't help but cough quietly.

Beigong Qiyi snapped back to himself and asked, "How went the transaction with the Xu family?" Mu Min replied in a low voice, "As you instructed, I took their money and made a show of it for them. But the Xu family isn't resigned; they've approached others."

"Oh?" The youth raised an eyebrow, mocking. "Did anyone accept?" Mu Min shook his head. "No one openly, but what happens in secret is unclear." The youth nodded, yawning sleepily. "Keep an eye out. Let me know if anything happens."

Mu Min nodded, once more glancing at his master's face, hesitating. "Master, your complexion isn't too good. Is your health…" Before he could finish, Beigong Qiyi waved him off, a mischievous smile on his lips as he winked. "Your master is in perfect health. It's just that…" He licked his lips, savoring. "Life is short, mornings come late—since then the Emperor no longer attends court…"

Mu Min's face changed, a faint blush appearing even on his wheat-colored skin. Beigong Qiyi laughed even harder at his reaction, clapping Mu Min's shoulder teasingly. "Mu Min, if you ever find someone you fancy, tell me. Whether man or woman, I'll help you win them."

Mu Min's blush deepened. He opened his mouth, but finally chose silence.

By the time they left the manor, it was afternoon. The calls of peddlers filled the roadside, but Beigong Qiyi's mind was occupied with thoughts of that person at the estate, and he quickened his pace. Yet, in an unguarded glance, he suddenly halted, his gentle smile vanishing into coldness.

His gaze fell on the second floor of a tavern, where a man in a black robe sat by the window. The wind billowed the man's dark robe as he held a wine cup, chin resting on hand, watching Beigong Qiyi. In his hawk-like eyes, coldness glinted.

Beigong Qiyi's hands clenched tightly the moment he saw him. The man's gaze swept slowly from the youth's head to his feet, finally settling on his tense, veined fists. The man curled his lips in a mocking smile, raising his wine cup toward him.

Beigong Qiyi's eyes narrowed, his pale gold robe and loose hair fluttering with the wind. The black-robed man's mocking smile grew deeper. The youth closed his eyes tightly, and when he opened them again, he had leapt through the wide-open window, landing beside the man.

He sat across from him. Wine cups and dishes had already been set before him. Beigong Qiyi tapped the table with his fingers, half-smiling. "Palace Lord Qi, it seems you've been waiting for me a long time." Qi Yong poured him wine, watching silently, and Beigong Qiyi gave him a meaningful glance as he picked up the cup.

Qi Yong smiled with indifference, though his eyes remained cold. Beigong Qiyi lowered his gaze and drained the wine.

"Clap, clap, clap." Qi Yong applauded with a smile. "Young Master of Beigong, such courage! Aren't you afraid I might tamper with the wine?" Beigong Qiyi set down the cup, snorting. "I'm not my elder brother; I'm not worth your trouble."

"Haha," Qi Yong laughed aloud, looking at the youth with amusement. "In terms of looks, you surpass your brother, the Beigong Master." Beigong Qiyi met his gaze, raising an eyebrow with a smile. "Unfortunately, in courage and strength, I'm far beneath him. No wonder you dismiss me."

Qi Yong's smile faded. "Since you're so self-aware, why do you dare manage 'Li Manor' in your brother's stead?" Beigong Qiyi's smile remained unchanged. "You're mistaken, Palace Lord. My brother is ill, and besides him, I'm the only one left in Beigong. Who else is worthy to oversee 'Li Manor'?"

He tilted his head, watching Qi Yong's expression grow colder, and said lightly, "Don't forget, Palace Lord Qi, I, Beigong Qiyi, am Beigong Juechen's only living relative. We're bound not only by blood, but sometimes even by heart."

Qi Yong's face darkened, his powerful internal energy radiating unchecked. Other patrons fled, those slower spit blood from the pressure. Yet the youth sitting barely a foot away was unfazed, his slender waist straight, his beautiful face calm, only his tightly clenched hands betraying his true feelings.

"Beigong Qiyi," Qi Yong's aura remained oppressive, "as you are now, killing you would be child's play!" His voice was deep and chilling. Beigong Qiyi frowned, unconsciously tightening his grip. "Indeed, my skills are no match for yours. But," his black eyes suddenly sharp, "you cannot kill me…"

Qi Yong laughed as if he'd heard a joke. "Why not?" Beigong Qiyi toyed with his empty cup, his manner relaxed. "As long as the poison in my brother remains, you can't kill me unless you want his corpse."

Qi Yong's expression shifted, his gaze fierce as he looked at the youth, coldly laughing. "Beigong Qiyi, I thought you wouldn't use him as leverage. Clearly, I overestimated you." He stood, glaring down in contempt, then turned to leave, his robe rustling.

Beigong Qiyi poured himself another drink, face impassive, then smiled wickedly.

His lips, stained with wine, appeared all the more delicate and lustrous. The youth gripped the cup tightly, and soon dark red blood flowed from his soft white palm. He pressed his hand to the table, pushing the broken shards deeper into his flesh.

If I don't use him as leverage, am I to wait for you to kill me and steal him away? It took so much to win him... How could I let anyone take him from me? Besides, Qi Yong, I can't beat you now, but one day, I'll cut you to pieces, and consider it your repayment for touching my beloved...

Outside, leaves carpeted the ground. Beigong Juechen stood at the window in a heavy dark green robe, expressionless, his long black hair loose over his shoulders.

"Master, are you well?" came a soft voice behind him. Beigong Juechen, back turned, curled his lips slightly, as if smiling. "I've always thought you resembled someone, but couldn't recall who. Now, I remember."

The youth tilted his head coldly. "Who does the Master think Ximo resembles?" Beigong Juechen turned to him, half smiling. "I wonder, what is the former Palace Lord of 'Hundred Kill Palace' to you?"

Ximo clenched his fists, his gaze filled with hatred as he gritted out, "Thank you, Master, for remembering my father!" Each word seemed to come from between his teeth. Beigong Juechen leaned against the wall, eyes half-closed. "If not for you, I would have forgotten him long ago."

Ximo's breath caught. He stared wide-eyed and flushed at Beigong Juechen, whose expression was indifferent, eyes half-lidded. This man had everything—exquisite looks, powerful martial arts, the admiration of the martial world, and... Beigong Qiyi's love...

Ximo closed his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Someone like you wouldn't care about a defeated foe," he said, staring fiercely at the man. "But for someone so strong and beautiful, now that your power is gone, aren't you just being loved by another man?"

Beigong Juechen's brows furrowed slightly. Ximo looked at him with even more hatred. "Who knows what kind of body you have, to drive so many men mad for you," Ximo laughed lightly, mocking, "Or perhaps you were born to seduce men?"

Beigong Juechen's expression didn't change, though his slanted brows drew tighter. He looked at Ximo coldly, speaking slowly, "Enough. If you're finished, get out." But Ximo stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them, and whispered in his ear, "I wonder, Master, how does it feel to be taken by a man? Especially your own brother…"

Beigong Juechen's expression shifted. He seized Ximo's slender throat, voice low and threatening. "If you want him, go to him. If you repeat this before me again, even powerless, I can still kill you!"

"Is that so?" Ximo managed a strained smile. "Perhaps you should try." As soon as he spoke, he twisted free of Beigong Juechen's grip. Beigong Juechen sneered, his hand clawing for Ximo's throat.

Though his power was sealed, his moves remained lithe and sharp. Every blow landed on Ximo, but though Ximo's internal strength was weak, Beigong Juechen's attacks failed to harm him. Still, the man moved quickly, and Ximo gained no advantage.

After a hundred moves, Beigong Juechen, though strong, was worn out by the previous night's excesses. Eventually, Ximo seized the moment, striking his abdomen.

Beigong Juechen staggered back, falling onto the bed, spitting blood.

Ximo walked over, laughing quietly. "Master, you are formidable. Even powerless, you can spar with me for over a hundred moves. Had you been well, I might not have won."

Beigong Juechen wiped the blood from his lips, glanced at Ximo with an expressionless sneer, then looked away. Ximo grabbed his chin, forcing him to face him.

Beigong Juechen leaned back, skin pale, a streak of blood vivid on his lips. Ximo wiped it away, leaving a red mark on his skin. "So beautiful…" Ximo laughed softly. "By the way, your beloved will be back soon…"

Author's note: I'm running out of ideas for chapter titles… Hmm, it seems Ximo turned villainous this chapter!