Chapter 128: What Is Your Relationship?

Seeing the faint smile on Xin Lang’s face, Shangguan Ningyu flared up. "Do you think you’re invincible just because you beat Long Zhan-yi?"

"Invincible? That’s still a long way off! But that is my goal," Xin Lang chuckled.

"Hmph, at least you have some self-awareness! If you publicly apologize to us, we’ll consider it as if nothing happened and won’t pursue this any further," Shangguan Ningyu declared.

"Heh! I can apologize, but only if you defeat me in a wager-match! Furthermore, if I win, I want you to be my woman," Xin Lang said, his tone overbearing.

"What? You... you... what did you say?" The usually unflappable expression on Shangguan Ningyu’s face finally cracked.

Xin Lang smiled wickedly. "I’ve made myself quite clear. Or would you prefer I be more explicit?"

"You... you... shameless..." Shangguan Ningyu blushed deeply, her cheeks as vibrant and beautiful as agate.

"Sigh..." Xin Lang sighed. "Student Shangguan, I am forced into this against my will. I hope you can understand!"

Xin Lang was indeed being driven by his upgrade system, though Shangguan Ningyu was unaware of this. She bit her lip and said, "This wager-match is unfair. The stakes are completely uneven. If you want me to agree, you must put up an equal stake!"

"Oh, is that so? Fine then. If I lose, I’ll be your man!" Xin Lang said with a rogue’s grin.

"You... who wants you to be my man!" Shangguan Ningyu’s face turned even redder. "If you lose, I only require that you publicly apologize to us!"

"Deal! If I lose, I’ll apologize to you! But if I win, you become my woman!" Xin Lang began to play word games with her.

"No!" Shangguan Ningyu cried out in shame and anger. "If you continue being this shameless, I won’t duel you at all!"

"It seems you were the one who came looking for me to duel. If you don’t want to, then forget it!" Xin Lang turned to leave.

"Wait... I only meant that the stakes were unequal; your request is too excessive!" Shangguan Ningyu urged.

The usually composed Shangguan Ningyu was being led around in circles by Xin Lang.

Xin Lang immediately put on a look of having been wronged. "Alright, I’ll lower the standards. If you lose this match, just be my girlfriend first!"

"You..."

Xin Lang was so overbearing and roguish that Shangguan Ningyu was at a loss for words.

"Ningyu, why waste breath on this rascal? Just cripple him!" Another person walked into the nineteenth dueling hall—a woman dressed in men’s attire.

Xin Lang eyed the newcomer. Although she was dressed in a man’s silk robe and jade belt, she could not hide the obvious feminine contours of her chest.

"Sister Huijing, why are you here?"

Seeing Huangfu Huijing, Shangguan Ningyu immediately adopted the demeanor of a young girl, much like a wife caught in the act by her husband.

"If I hadn't followed you secretly to protect you, you would have surely been taken advantage of by him!" Huangfu Huijing said.

"Not at all, I can protect myself!" Shangguan Ningyu replied in a spoiled tone.

Xin Lang looked at Huangfu Huijing and Shangguan Ningyu, scratching his head. *These two little girls have a somewhat abnormal relationship, but in what way exactly?*

Xin Lang sensed the extraordinary connection between them, but he could not guess the specific secrets they shared. Tonight was a golden opportunity for Xin Lang; had Huangfu Huijing not appeared, he might have broken through Shangguan Ningyu’s psychological defenses and used the wager as a chance to grow closer to her. Her sudden arrival had ruined his entire plan.

Incensed, Xin Lang said to Huangfu Huijing, "If you want to cripple me, we’ll see if you have the ability!"

"Xin Lang, Sister Huijing is the eldest princess of the Great Xia Dynasty. You already committed a capital offense by insulting a princess before. It is only because of her mercy that she hasn't pursued you! How can you still be so arrogant after seeing her?" Shangguan Ningyu said sternly.

"A princess? A dynasty’s princess is nothing special! It’s not like I haven’t beaten up a prince before," Xin Lang said, unfazed.

Huangfu Huijing frowned upon hearing this. She had heard of how Xin Lang had brutally beaten the Third Prince, Huangfu Shaoqi, and had long suspected that his background was extraordinary. Seeing his continued arrogance now, her suspicions only deepened.

Seeing her expression, Xin Lang smirked inwardly. This was exactly the effect he wanted; as long as no one could verify his background, no one would dare move against him.

*The Ling family must be investigating me as well! Heh, let them investigate,* Xin Lang thought to himself.

"Xin Lang, don’t be too arrogant! Even if you have an extraordinary status, if you dare touch Ningyu, I will never forgive you!" Huangfu Huijing said seriously.

Xin Lang’s task was to win Shangguan Ningyu’s heart. Today’s match was meant to be an opportunity for deep interaction, but Huangfu Huijing had appeared and ruined his plans.

Ignoring her threat, Xin Lang retorted, "I hear the Princess is ranked first on the Martial Arts Academy’s Gold List. Any interest in exchanging a few moves? There are only the three of us in the hall. Princess, rest assured, if I win, I won’t go around bragging about it, nor will I take your advancement points!"

"Sister Huijing, let me handle this arrogant fool!"

Shangguan Ningyu tried to step forward, but Huangfu Huijing stopped her. She turned to Xin Lang and said, "I accept your challenge, but we must wager something!"

"Haha..." Xin Lang laughed loudly. "I wonder what the Princess would like to wager?"

Huangfu Huijing stared at Xin Lang, as if trying to look right through him. Had Xin Lang not lived two lives, he might have been unnerved by her gaze.

After a long silence, Huangfu Huijing said, "If I win, I want you... to tell me your true identity."

"Phew, don't drag out your words like that!" Xin Lang patted his chest. "I can accept your terms!"

"Good. Now, state your own wager," Huangfu Huijing said.

Xin Lang’s gaze wandered over Shangguan Ningyu’s body before turning back to Huangfu Huijing, stroking his chin as he scrutinized them both for a long time.

Sensing the lewdness hidden in Xin Lang’s eyes, Huangfu Huijing thought to herself, *If this wretch dares to make an excessive demand, I will kill him regardless of his background!*

Xin Lang suddenly felt a surge of killing intent radiating from Huangfu Huijing. Though it lasted only a split second, he caught it. He gave a dry laugh and said, "My request is very simple. If I win, I want to know what the relationship is between you and Student Shangguan. We must swear an oath to the heavens; neither of us is permitted to lie."