Chapter 236: The Sword Dance
Chapter 236: The Sword Dance
Xiang Ling woke up with a start. Her eyes flew open and she was met with the darkness that was filling the inside of the guestroom where she was currently sleeping with three of her husbands who were sharing the bed with her.
Her breathing was sharp and her entire body was covered in sweat. She was struggling to get a grip on her mind and body, and probably over her heart too. Every single cell in her body was protesting, every inch of her body was craving for a much-needed release, and her soul was busy cursing the stupid Mer Crown Prince who caused her current situation.
She tried to calm herself down, but it was proving really hard. Not left with any other option, she placed a spell of deep sleep on Wei Guang, who was sleeping on her right, and immediately entered her space.
The moment she was inside her space, she found herself standing in front of the Summer Cottage. She spread out her arms to summon the spiritual qi of the space to come to her aid.
The cool night air brushed against the bare skin of her arms and shoulders, soaking up the beads of sweat that were decorating her fair skin. The fragrance of the place molded around her and the spiritual energy entered her body to make her nerves calm down.
She finally opened her eyes after what seemed like five or so minutes later and found her body in a much better state compared to before. However, her mind was still troubled as she was unable to forget about what happened in the dreamescape.
Throughout the past ten months of her life in the Mortal Realm, she had been one who always teased her husbands and left them hanging. Never did she thought that one day she would get a taste of her own medicine. However, when compared to her teasing, Zhe Yuan indeed went too far. Unlike what he just did, she never left any of her men hanging for release once she initiated the process. Even if she teased them, she always made sure that they were satisfied by the time she finished.
This realization only made her curse the Mer Crown Prince more in her head. She felt beyond frustrated at that moment and had no idea how to return to normal. In the end, she found herself practicing sword art to burn herself out.
Her movements were fast, perfectly aimed, and steady. As she moved around the clearing beside the stream, the wind blew with leaves flying all around. She was doing a sword dance, but one filled with aggression.
"I’m curious to know who made my lovely wife this angry?"
Xiang Ling didn’t stop striking her sword in the air even when the familiar voice of Zhang Xuan entered her ears and she saw him making his way toward the bank of the stream from the corner of her eyes.
"Don’t you go around bragging that you know everything? What happened now?" She threw back at him without sparing him a single glance.
The corners of Zhang Xuan’s lips curved a little at her words. "I thought you will not like it if I confessed that I know Young Master Wen has left you hanging for-"
He didn’t get to finish his words as the tip of a very sharp sword came very close to his throat. One breath and the sharp tip of the blade would have pierced through his skin. He stared into the dark orbs of his wife who was glaring at him furiously.
Using his forefingers to remove the blade from his throat, he spoke, "Since you want to practice your sword skills, let me join you." His voice was a soft caress, barely louder than the murmur of the stream. His dark green eyes held a mixture of challenge and admiration, the corners of his lips curling into a subtle smile.
Xiang Ling took a deep breath, feeling the energy of the surroundings flow through her. "Sure. If that’s what you want." She didn’t wait to share another word before she was already moving with fluid grace, her sword slicing through the air in a dance of elegance and power.
Zhang Xuan matched her movements, their swords meeting in a series of swift, melodic clashes. The metallic ring of steel against steel resonated through the clearing, mingling with the natural symphony of the stream and rustling leaves. His every motion was a blend of strength and finesse.
His gaze never left hers as he answered her every attack without him needing to do much. "You are indeed good. Better than most I have seen." He praised with his voice carrying a sense of pride. He twirled his sword effortlessly, the silver blade catching the moonlight. "But can you keep up with me?"
Xiang Ling’s eyes narrowed playfully. "I’m just getting started." With a swift, decisive movement, she launched into a new sequence, her attacks more daring and precise. Her confidence was infectious, and Zhang Xuan responded with equal fervor, their swords weaving a tapestry of shimmering light and shadow.
As they moved, the distance between them seemed to close, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. Zhang Xuan’s heart pounded, not just from the exertion but from the nearness of Xiang Ling, her presence a tantalizing blend of strength and grace. He could smell the faint fragrance of her hair, like jasmine on a summer night, and it sent a thrill through him.
Suddenly, with a deft twist, Xiang Ling disarmed him, her sword coming to rest just above his heart. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with triumph and something deeper, something unspoken. They stood there, frozen in that moment, the world around them fading into a blur of colors and sensations.
Zhang Xuan smiled, a slow, admiring smile that reached his eyes. "You win," he murmured, his voice filled with a warmth that made her heart flutter. "But I don’t mind losing to you."
"You lost on purpose."