Tantai Qingyue looked at Ning Chen. "Just tell me straight. If Xiliang attacks the Great Xuan, will you step in or not?"

Ning Chen looked back at her, all smiles. "Well now... That depends on what's in it for me."

"I can give you pointers on your martial arts."

"That's it?" Ning Chen waved it away. "You think you're better than the old Heavenly Master and Liu Baiyi? Besides, I'm so strong now I scare myself. Why would I need your pointers?"

Tantai Qingyue gave a mocking laugh. "So confident? Then why don't you and I fight?

If you lose, you do not interfere when Xiliang attacks the Great Xuan."

Ning Chen asked, "And if I win?"

Tantai Qingyue broke into a smile. "If you win... I will share your bed tonight."

Ning Chen's eyes lit up in a flash.

"It's a deal. No backing out!"

Tantai Qingyue nodded.

Ning Chen stood up and headed out, raring to go... He'd already picked out tonight's positions!

The two of them went out into the courtyard one after the other and put some distance between them.

Tantai Qingyue's voice was calm. "Make your move!"

"You got it!"

Even as he said it, Ning Chen's sword flew from its sheath. He shot at Tantai Qingyue like lightning, skimming the ground as if he were flying.

The keen blade struck at her like a viper's flickering tongue, hissing through the air.

It wasn't that he was fighting dirty. Tantai Qingyue was just too good, and he had to seize the initiative.

A year and more of abstinence and the pointers of the old Heavenly Master and Liu Baiyi had sent his skills soaring, and his confidence was through the roof... But facing Tantai Qingyue, he didn't dare let his guard down for a second... After all, his future happiness—of that kind—was at stake.

Tantai Qingyue raised her hand and held the Startled Swan Sword across her body.

Clang!

Ning Chen's sword struck the Startled Swan Sword and was turned aside with ease.

He flicked his wrist and came in at an unorthodox angle.

With…