Chapter 240: No One Is More of a Gentleman Than Me!
"Xinglan will definitely be happy to see me!"
He had crossed mountains and seas just to find her.
Xu Lizhi smirked confidently. After learning that Shrek Academy's exchange group had gone to study at Douluo University, the lovesick foodie couldn't sit still any longer.
He missed Ye Xinglan too much.
"Xinglan's way too reckless. Someone has to keep an eye on her!"
After pleading for a leave of absence, he took the long journey to Douluo City, heart filled with determination.
Ever since childhood, he had rarely been separated from her—and with that thick skin of his, he'd never been afraid to follow her around.
Of course, Xu Lizhi was fully aware that without that shameless persistence, Xinglan would've never tolerated his presence for so long.
"Hehe, Xinglan, wait for me—I'm coming!"
…
"You're taking me where, exactly?" Ye Xinglan narrowed her eyes suspiciously as Jiang Chen grabbed her hand and started leading her out of campus.
The way his fingers held hers firmly made her think again—this man was definitely a scoundrel.
Why in the world was Na'er even friends with someone like him?
Still, he had something she needed. For now, she had no choice but to follow his lead.
It didn't matter, though—one day she'd grow stronger. Strong enough that when they met again, she'd only spare him out of gratitude for teaching her.
(Hmph. Na'er: "Why does that sound like something I'd say?")
As for the… touching, what a shameless man!
They eventually arrived at the Douluo Grand Hotel.
"You brought it?" he asked.
"Brought what?" she blinked, confused. "A god? What god?"
"Your ID," he replied flatly.
Ye Xinglan froze.
Her face reddened instantly. "What are you planning to do?"
Her arms crossed in front of her protectively, eyes sharp with alarm.
This creep—what did he think he was doing?
Wasn't their condition supposed to just be a simple deal?!
He sighed. "What are you thinking? This kind of thing has to be done privately. Where else but a hotel?"
Her expression changed completely.
"You… y-you pervert!!"
She had barely managed to calm her heart after the last ordeal—and now this? He really was hopeless!
Instinct screamed at her to run, but the thought of that short sword—the one he carried—made her hesitate.
Truthfully, Ye Xinglan wasn't a shameless girl who'd do anything for power, but Jiang Chen didn't seem like a scoundrel. Surely he wasn't that kind of man.
And if he tried anything, she wasn't totally defenseless.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her nerves.
"What exactly," she asked cautiously, "do you plan to do?"
"I'm going to activate your short sword—show you what true swordsmanship is. But we need a hidden place."
And what could be more private than a hotel room?
Ye Xinglan stared blankly. Was he serious?
Fine. If he tried anything, she'd scream for help.
At worst, she'd risk embarrassment—but she wasn't walking into danger blind.
The Douluo Grand Hotel towered nine stories high, its rose-shaped architecture elegant and romantic.
"Welcome, sir," the receptionist greeted politely. "Do you require assistance?"
"The biggest room available," Jiang Chen said casually.
He wasn't about to skimp on comfort. After collecting the room card, he gently tugged the nervous Ye Xinglan upstairs and followed the staff to their suite.
"Relax. We'll be done soon—we won't stay overnight."
He shot her a knowing look. "I'm a good guy, you know."
Hesitant, she merely nodded.
"O-okay… You're a good—"
Before she could finish, she handed him the short sword.
"You can, um… start."
He smiled faintly. "You've got courage, I'll give you that."
Jiang Chen hadn't expected her to have the guts to leave Shrek and join Douluo University, but she'd made her choice.
In truth, the path of the sword could belong to anyone worthy. He simply couldn't pass knowledge to an enemy faction.
Ye Xinglan's talent spoke for itself—she was fated to inherit this generation's sword legacy.
"I hope," he said softly, "you won't disappoint it."
He had marked the sword when he passed it to her. Only he held the key—and if needed, he could recall it from anywhere in the world.
More than that, the sword contained seals; what she would inherit was only a fragment of the vast sword legacy spanning millennia.
"Begin!"
At his command, the short sword erupted with dazzling light.
"Show me your martial soul!"
Hearing the seriousness in his tone, Ye Xinglan expelled every remaining doubt. She activated her martial soul—the Starlight Sword—and focused all her spirit.
The tiny blade flew from his hand, merging seamlessly with hers.
In that instant, the inheritance acknowledged its master—an eternal bond was forged.
Ye Xinglan trembled, forehead beaded with sweat, lips parted as she gasped for breath. But she didn't give in.
Inside her spiritual sea, the sword rooted itself. Waves of sword qi shredded through her mind like a thousand blades cutting flesh.
Damn it—he hadn't said it would hurt this much!
Pain—endless, searing pain.
Her body convulsed, but through sheer will, she endured.
Jiang Chen hadn't expected the process to be so volatile. What should've been quick turned into an all-night ordeal as he stayed by her side.
When morning came, he heard her weakly shout:
"Pervert! Bastard!"
Her eyes opened—only to realize she was lying bare in a hot bath.
In front of her, Jiang Chen sat calmly in a chair, reading a book, occasionally tossing herbs into the water by her side.
"Don't yell. I'm still adding the medicinal mix."
Her face turned crimson as she saw the water barely covering her chest. She instinctively sank deeper into the tub, teeth clenched.
"M-my clothes…"
"I took them off," he said simply. "Relax, I kept my eyes closed the whole time. I didn't see a thing."
Oh sure, she thought. Like she'd believe that.
But at this point, what could she do?
Her entire body burned with pain; her limbs weak as paper.
"If you did anything, you're dead," she hissed through her teeth.
Jiang Chen raised both hands innocently. "How was I supposed to know your sword inheritance was that intense?"
He truly hadn't. In past generations, none of the sword inheritors reacted this violently.
Obedient, calm—they accepted the inheritance gracefully. But Ye Xinglan? Her path felt like being flayed by ten thousand swords.
Had he given it to the wrong person?
Was she even walking the path of the sword?
He sighed. "Anyway, just stay in there and soak. Don't flatter yourself—your body's not my type. A guy like me can get any woman he wants. I'm not desperate."
"Hmph."
Ye Xinglan didn't reply, too exhausted to argue. She simply closed her eyes, determined to grasp the sword legacy regardless of the pain.
Something must have gone wrong—but she'd see it through.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen busied himself tossing ingredients into the… pot—
Er, bath.
A small flame burned beneath to heat the medicinal water.
He scratched his chin. "Huh. If it's a bathtub, not a cauldron, then I guess you're paying for the damages."
(END CHAPTER)
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