"He's so quiet. If I hadn't heard him speak just now, I would have thought he was mute," Antina said.
Huo Kalieno gazed at Qing Muye with interest. "Although his appearance is ordinary, his skills were very strong when he sparred with Han Junyan." As she spoke, she tilted her head towards Huo Ka Yiyi. "Big Brother, can I spar with him?"
"I've heard that Young Master Liannuo's skills are extraordinary, and I'd also like to witness them."
"You two spar."
"Liannuo, don't be rash."
"Alright, I've disliked him for a long time. Eldest Sister, please teach him a lesson for me."
"His skills are far beyond mine. Young Master Liannuo, perhaps you should reconsider, lest he injure you by mistake," Han Junyan finally said.
This statement, while seemingly normal, could be interpreted as sowing discord if savored.
Meng Jingwei, unable to fathom Han Junyan's intentions, cast a look of unfathomable depth at him. Their eyes met, and Han Junyan guiltily shifted his gaze away.
"Hmph, you think too little of me."
The provocation worked wonders on Huo Kalieno. She raised an eyebrow, full of confidence, and walked up to Qing Muye. "Hey, what's your name? Can you spar with this Young Master?"
Qing Muye poured himself wine with his bottle and replied indifferently, "No."
His answer was as calm as the clouds and as light as the wind, yet it was a complete and utter refusal.
Li Yun'er, who had been silent since her embarrassment, resented the 'iron pillar.' If he hadn't intervened to restrain Han Junyan earlier, Meng Jingwei wouldn't have had the chance to attack her.
Seeing this, she began to add fuel to the fire. "A mere bodyguard who doesn't even put a Young Master of the Hidden Clan in his eyes, how presumptuous."
As soon as her words fell, icy glares from Qing Muye and Meng Jingwei shot towards her, frightening her into lowering her head and falling silent.
"Exactly. If this incident gets out, it's likely they'll say you, Meng Jingwei, disrespect the Hidden Lord," Anthony added fuel to the flames.
Xiao Cheng couldn't stand it and spoke up, "As I said, it's a martial arts spar, so one must naturally seek the consent of the person involved."
Among everyone present, the one who truly protected Meng Jingwei was likely Xiao Cheng.
Unfortunately, Xiao Cheng was a married man, and his words made Antina's expression turn grim. "For Young Master Liannuo to condescend to spar with him is already showing him great respect. His outright refusal shows he's ungrateful! It's because Young Master Liannuo has a good temper; anyone else would have been dragged out and beheaded long ago."
Antina kept fanning the flames, eager to instigate conflict between Meng Jingwei and Huo Kalieno.
"If he doesn't wish to, why should Young Master Liannuo force the issue?" Meng Jingwei did not want to force Qing Muye. More importantly, she had to protect her man.
Her red lips curved into a brilliant smile. "Han Junyan just said that 'Little Iron Pillar's' skills are far beyond his. Why doesn't Young Master Liannuo spar with Han Junyan instead? If you defeat him, then challenging 'Little Iron Pillar' would be acceptable."
Shifting the blame elsewhere was something anyone could do.
Initially, Meng Jingwei still held onto the feelings of her first love with Han Junyan.
Gradually...
None of that mattered anymore.
"Mmm..." Huo Kalieno glanced at Han Junyan, pondered for a few seconds, and then nodded. "That works too. Come on, Han Junyan, let's spar. But..."
She paused, then looked at Qing Muye again. "You're called 'Little Iron Pillar,' right? If I win against Han Junyan, can I spar with you afterward?"
"Yes."
Qing Muye agreed, which was quite unprecedented.
Perhaps he felt that Huo Kalieno couldn't handle Han Junyan.
"Alright, it's settled then."
Huo Kalieno snapped her fingers, cheering with delight.
Although older than Huo Kalingchuan, Meng Jingwei had seen the files. She was only three years older than Huo Kalingchuan, but her personality was hearty and optimistic, a cheerful soul.