"You're finally here, my dear!"
Shen Yanzhou hurried toward Chang Shiyue with a bright smile, his earlier exhaustion seemingly forgotten.
"I've been waiting for you for so long! I wanted to practice martial arts with you. You know, after spending several days reflecting on things, I've come to agree with you. Practicing martial arts really is important, my dear."
Chang Shiyue stared at him silently.
Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhou's father, Shen Hongyuan, stood nearby with his arms folded. His thick eyebrows twitched as he listened to his son's words.
Did I hit this brat too hard on the head yesterday? Is that why he's acting like this?
He couldn't help feeling suspicious.
His son, who usually treated martial arts training like the worst punishment imaginable, had suddenly come to the training ground of his own accord. Not only that, but he was even claiming that he had reflected on his mistakes and agreed with Chang Shiyue's principles.
Something was definitely wrong.
Shen Hongyuan rubbed his forehead.
Ugh. What a headache.
"Ah, my dear—"
"Stop."
Chang Shiyue interrupted him before he could continue.
She looked at him with her calm, phoenix-shaped eyes.
"Who exactly are you calling your dear? Tell me, why did you ask me to come here?"
Shen Yanzhou placed a hand over his chest, looking as though her question had wounded him deeply.
"Shiyue, we're already engaged. Why are you still so shy around me? Come here, come here. Let your beloved fiancé give you a—"
THWACK!
A wooden stick struck the back of his head.
"Ughhh!"
Shen Yanzhou staggered forward, clutching his head.
"Damn it! You old geezer!!"
Shen Hongyuan lowered the stick in his hand and glared at his son.
"Who are you calling an old geezer, you unfilial brat?!"
"Ugh! Father, how can you keep hitting your own son? One day, you'll really beat me to death!"
"Then stop giving me reasons to hit you!"
Shen Yanzhou rubbed the back of his head, his face twisted with grievance.
Damn old man. Couldn't you have waited until Shiyue left before hitting me? Now she's seen me get beaten again. Where am I supposed to put my dignity?
He glanced at Chang Shiyue, hoping to find some sympathy in her eyes.
Unfortunately, her expression remained as composed as ever.
She simply watched the father and son with a faintly puzzled look.
Shen Yanzhou felt his heart ache.
How can such a beautiful woman be so indifferent? Doesn't she feel even a little sorry for me?
At that moment, Chang Shiyue turned toward Shen Hongyuan and bowed slightly.
"Father-in-law, is it really all right to strike him like that?"
Her voice was gentle and respectful. Despite her reserved nature, she understood that Shen Hongyuan was an elder and the patriarch of the Shen Family. Even though Shen Yanzhou was her fiancé, she had no intention of behaving disrespectfully toward his father.
Shen Hongyuan's expression immediately softened.
"Don't worry, Shiyue. It's perfectly fine. Just consider it part of his martial arts training."
He glanced at his son, who was still rubbing his head.
"Actually, Daughter-in-law, perhaps you should teach him martial arts yourself. With your guidance, this brat might finally—"
Before Shen Hongyuan could finish, Shen Yanzhou suddenly interrupted him.
"Exactly!"
He stepped forward enthusiastically, as though he had been waiting for this opportunity all morning.
"I've heard that you're exceptionally skilled in martial arts, Shiyue. Why don't you let your fiancé learn from you? In fact, how about we have a friendly sparring match? I've already learned a few techniques myself!"
The entire training ground fell silent for a moment.
Shen Hongyuan stared at his son.
Techniques? You can't even maintain a proper stance!
He had personally watched Shen Yanzhou practice earlier that morning. The boy's sword movements were clumsy, his footing was unstable, and his posture was a complete mess.
And now he wanted to challenge Chang Shiyue?
Shen Hongyuan almost laughed out loud.
This brat really has no shame.
Shen Yanzhou suddenly noticed his father's strange expression.
"Hmm? Father, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing," Shen Hongyuan replied dryly.
He then turned toward Chang Shiyue.
"Very well. Give him a proper lesson, Shiyue. However, don't be too harsh. I'm afraid this brat might refuse to train ever again if you frighten him too much."
Chang Shiyue nodded calmly.
"Very well, Father-in-law."
Shen Yanzhou's eyes immediately lit up.
Excellent! Everything is going according to plan!
He had originally intended to spend the morning finding an excuse to stand beside Chang Shiyue. If he could turn the training session into an opportunity to spend more time with his beautiful fiancée, then the morning wouldn't be wasted after all.
As for winning the sparring match?
Well, that would be a pleasant bonus.
Word of the upcoming sparring match spread quickly throughout the training ground.
The Shen Family members gradually gathered around the open area, forming a wide circle. Some had paused their own training, while others hurried over after hearing that Chang Shiyue would be sparring with Shen Yanzhou.
Everyone was curious about the outcome.
Some wanted to catch a glimpse of Chang Shiyue, whose beauty and reputation had made her famous throughout Qinghe Prefecture.
Others simply wanted to see Shen Yanzhou, the notorious young master who preferred entertainment houses to training grounds, get thoroughly beaten.
"Do you think Young Master Shen actually knows how to use a sword?"
"Who knows? Perhaps he learned something recently."
"Hahaha! I doubt it. I've seen him practice before. He looks as though he's trying to chase flies with that wooden sword."
"Keep your voice down! If he hears you, he'll probably remember your face."
"Remember my face? So what? Is he going to challenge me?"
The surrounding men struggled to suppress their laughter.
Shen Yanzhou pretended not to hear any of it.
These ungrateful fellows. Just wait, I'll make sure you all regret looking down on me!
Of course, he had no intention of actually training hard enough to make that happen.
At least, not if he could help it.
He turned toward Chang Shiyue, who was standing calmly across from him.
"Come on, my dear. Pick up your sword. I won't hold back."
Chang Shiyue looked at him.
"But—"
"There's no need to hesitate!" Shen Yanzhou interrupted with a confident wave of his hand. "I don't want to win too easily. Otherwise, once you lose, you might start making excuses."
The entire training ground went silent.
Several people stared at him in disbelief.
Does this fellow have no shame whatsoever?
One of the younger men nearly choked on his own saliva.
Another covered his face, unable to bear watching any longer.
Even Shen Hongyuan's expression darkened.
For a brief moment, he wondered whether he had somehow made a mistake raising this son.
How did I end up with such an shameless brat?
He sighed inwardly.
If only I had known he would turn out like this, perhaps I should have let his mother raise him a little more strictly.
Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhou stood proudly, completely oblivious to the countless people silently cursing him in their hearts.
Chang Shiyue, however, showed no sign of anger.
"Very well."
Her response was calm and unhurried.
She walked toward the weapon rack and selected a wooden sword. After checking its condition, she returned to the center of the training ground and stood opposite Shen Yanzhou.
The two young people faced each other.
Chang Shiyue held her sword with a natural, balanced grip. Her feet were positioned firmly, and her posture was upright without appearing stiff. Even without making a move, she looked far more experienced than her opponent.
Shen Hongyuan stepped forward to serve as the referee.
He glanced at both of them before raising his hand.
"Are you ready?"
"Ready," Chang Shiyue answered.
"Ready!" Shen Yanzhou replied enthusiastically.
Shen Hongyuan nodded.
"Begin!"
CRACK!
A sharp sound echoed across the training ground.
In the blink of an eye, Chang Shiyue moved.
Her wooden sword swept forward with astonishing precision, cutting through the air toward Shen Yanzhou.
The young man's eyes widened.
Before he could even comprehend what was happening, the wooden sword struck him squarely in the chest.
THUD!
"Ugh!"
Pain exploded through his body.
Shen Yanzhou stumbled backward, his face twisting in shock.
What the hell?!
He had expected Chang Shiyue to move slowly enough for him to react. After all, they were only having a friendly sparring match, and he had assumed she would show some consideration for her fiancé.
He had completely misjudged the situation.
Chang Shiyue's movements were clean and efficient. She had not wasted a single motion, nor had she used unnecessary force. Yet the difference between their abilities was painfully obvious.
Shen Yanzhou clutched his chest, gasping for breath.
Chang Shiyue frowned slightly.
"What are you doing? Why didn't you dodge?"
She had expected him to at least attempt to avoid her attack. She had deliberately controlled her strength, believing that even someone with limited martial arts experience should have been able to react.
But Shen Yanzhou had simply stood there.
He looked at her in disbelief.
Dodge? You expect me to dodge something that fast?!
He wanted to protest, but before he could utter a single word, the pain in his chest seemed to intensify.
His vision blurred.
The surrounding voices became distant, as though he were listening to them from beneath the surface of a lake.
"Young Master Shen?"
Chang Shiyue took a step toward him.
Shen Yanzhou opened his mouth, intending to say something dignified.
Instead, he managed only a weak murmur.
"Ugh... Shiyue... you..."
His eyes rolled back.
And then—
THUD!
Shen Yanzhou collapsed onto the ground.
The entire training ground fell silent.
Chang Shiyue stared at the unconscious young man, her wooden sword still held in one hand.
For the first time that morning, a trace of bewilderment appeared in her phoenix-shaped eyes.