TRWSB – Chapter 181 Cheating

Qi Shaorong was sitting in the living room, studying some potions, when Qi Heng walked in with a serious expression.

“Ah Heng, you don’t look so good! Did something happen?” Qi Shaorong asked.

“I just got some news—contestants from several countries are planning to join forces against Young Master Zhuang,” Qi Heng replied.

Qi Shaorong looked up and glanced at Qi Heng in surprise. “Where did you hear that?”

Qi Heng furrowed his brows. “Young Master, it doesn’t matter where the news came from. I think it’s reliable.”

Qi Shaorong’s eyes flickered, and he chuckled. “It was Young Master Zuo who told you, right? He seems to care about you quite a bit.”

Qi Heng took a deep breath and looked helplessly at Qi Shaorong. “Young Master, don’t you think focusing on the source of the news is less important than the news itself?”

Qi Shaorong looked at Qi Heng. “That’s true. Zhuang Hao really doesn’t have much charm—he’s provoked so many people that they’ve actually formed an alliance against him. He really doesn’t know how to deal with others.”

Qi Heng looked speechless. “If no one envies you, you’re not doing something right. You can’t blame everything on Young Master Zhuang.”

Qi Shaorong rolled his eyes. “You sure like speaking up for him!”

Qi Heng: “…”

Qi Shaorong rested his chin in his hand, looking thoughtful. “Speaking of alliances… you don’t think Young Master Zuo is part of it too, do you?”

Qi Heng shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Heng and said, “Even if he is, it doesn’t matter. Leave him to you. I know you can handle him, Ah Heng.”

Qi Heng looked at Zhuang Hao. “Young Master Zhuang, you really have that much faith in me? Zuo Yunfei is way stronger than I am. I can’t beat him.”

Zhuang Hao smiled. “Qi Heng, don’t underestimate yourself. It’s just Zuo Yunfei. You can definitely handle him.” After all, strength isn’t everything.

Qi Heng: “…”

…

As Zhuang Hao and Qi Heng were talking, a commotion broke out nearby.

“Her Highness the Princess has arrived!”

Qi Shaorong narrowed his eyes. “So Princess Yueting is here. I heard she’s very beautiful. I’ll go take a look.”

Qi Heng watched Qi Shaorong’s retreating figure and thought to himself: Young Master really hasn’t changed at all. The moment he hears there’s a beauty around, he gets excited.

The princess’s carriage stopped in the center of the villa courtyard, but Princess Yueting remained inside.

All the princes staying at the villa gathered in the courtyard.

Each one of them was dressed up to the nines, and all their eyes were fixed on the carriage.

Qi Shaorong blinked and said, “All the princes have shown up—this princess sure has some pull!”

Zhuang Hao had unknowingly appeared beside Qi Shaorong and rolled his eyes at the comment. He thought to himself: it’s not the princess’s pull—it’s the allure of the Yun Kingdom’s throne.

“Thank you, princes, for coming to Yueting’s suitor selection. I am honored,” a clear and melodious voice said.

“Though I am a woman, I long to explore dangerous lands and seek a like-minded companion. Someone who would live and die with me, someone who would give everything for me.”

“As the saying goes, priceless treasures are easy to find, but a true partner is rare. If I cannot find someone I’m truly fond of, I’d rather remain alone forever.”

“The upcoming trials will be extremely dangerous. All of you are pillars of your nations—if something were to happen, I would feel deeply sorry. You still have time to withdraw…”

…

Princess Yueting’s voice was captivating and stirred the hearts of her listeners. A few of the princes, fired up by her speech, declared they would go through fire and water for her without hesitation.

…

After delivering her speech at the villa, Princess Yueting gracefully departed—without taking a single handsome man with her!

“The date is set—it’s tomorrow. All the princes will gather at the Lard Mountains,” Tang Tianying said.

Zhuang Hao looked at Tang Tianying and asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t look so well.”

Tang Tianying gave an awkward smile. “I think I’ve been isolated. I’m a little worried.”

He took a deep breath. Although the princes from various nations were technically competitors, Tang Tianying noticed that several of them were on good terms—just not with him.

Zhuang Hao patted Tang Tianying on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’ve already been isolated—it’s too late to try and buddy up with them now.”

Tang Tianying: “…” Was that supposed to be comforting?

Zhuang Hao chuckled. “When the boat reaches the bridge, it’ll naturally go straight. Don’t worry.”

…

“Young Master Zuo, the three escorts for Tang Tianying have been confirmed: Qi Shaorong, Zhuang Hao, and Qi Heng,” said Li Ying, the prince of Jin Kingdom.

Zuo Yunfei closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Is that so?”

He narrowed his eyes and thought to himself: As expected, Qi Heng treated his words like wind in the ears. But if it had been Qi Shaorong who told him not to go, he probably would have agreed without hesitation.

“Young Master Zuo, are you that worried about Qi Heng?” Li Ying asked, somewhat curiously.

Zuo Yunfei gave Li Ying a glance. “Who told you that? Nonsense.”

Li Ying nodded. “I’ve noticed the princes from Jing and a few other countries have been in close contact. I fear they’re planning something big.”

Zuo Yunfei replied indifferently, “Even if they are, it’s not aimed at us. It’s fine.”

Li Ying looked at Zuo Yunfei and couldn’t shake the strange feeling in his heart.

“Young Master Zuo, you should get some rest. I’ll take my leave now,” Li Ying said.

Zuo Yunfei nodded. “Alright.”

Not long after Li Ying left Zuo Yunfei’s place, he ran into Jiang Qinxin. “Your Highness.”

“Miss Jiang, you’re still awake?”

Jiang Qinxin shook her head. “I can’t sleep. Did you just come from Young Master Zuo’s?”

Li Ying nodded. “Yes.”

“Did he say anything?”

“Nothing much—just asked about the guards assigned to the Rong Kingdom prince. Speaking of which…”

“Speaking of what?” Jiang Qinxin asked eagerly.

“Nothing, just that Young Master Zuo seems quite concerned about that Qi Heng.”

Jiang Qinxin forced a smile. “Is that so?” Her gaze shifted as she thought: So, the relationship between Qi Heng and Zuo Yunfei really isn’t simple.

Qi Heng had been driven out of the Jiang family all those years ago—there’s no way he doesn’t hold a grudge. If he seeks revenge on the Jiang family, would Zuo Yunfei help him?

Translation:

The Next Day

The princes of various nations gathered by the sea, preparing to set sail toward the Dela Mountain Range.

The Dela Mountain Range was a vast chain of mountains that rose directly out of the ocean.

To reach the Dela Mountains, they had to go to sea by boat first.

Several ships were already docked at the shore.

From a distance, the sea was vast and misty, the mountains looming faintly in and out of view.

Qi Shaorong crossed his arms and said with interest, “There are quite a few handsome guys here!”

Zhuang Hao’s gaze landed on several cultivators beside the prince of Jing Country, a trace of doubt flashing through his eyes.

Qi Shaorong looked at Zhuang Hao and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “It’s probably just my imagination, but it seems like there are several experts with the Jing Country prince, possibly not any weaker than me.”

Qi Shaorong eyed Zhuang Hao and said, “No way. The rule was that guards must be under forty years old. Does Jing Country really have that many outstanding young talents?”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “Probably not.” Even if there were, there shouldn’t be that many.

Qi Shaorong furrowed his brow. “Don’t tell me… they’re cheating! That’s right! Cheating is possible!”

Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Shaorong. “There’s a technique called Appearance Alteration, which can change someone’s appearance without leaving any trace.”

Qi Shaorong: “……”
But that shouldn’t be possible, right? Even if someone could alter their appearance, the royal family of Yun Country had supposedly verified the age of all the guards beforehand. Could it be that the Yun Country princes were also involved in the cheating?

“If the princes of all countries are ready, please begin the journey,” said the host of the princess’s selection from the Yun Country royal family.

The Jing Country prince’s group boarded the ship first and set out to sea.

Zhuang Hao, Qi Shaorong, and the others didn’t rush.

“They’ve already gone in. It’s a bit too late to expose them now,” Qi Shaorong said.

Zhuang Hao narrowed his eyes and said, “The Yun Country princess thrives on chaos. Maybe she’s hoping I die.”

Qi Shaorong patted Zhuang Hao on the shoulder. “My condolences.”

Zuo Yunfei cast a deep glance at Qi Heng as he boarded a ship.

“Ah Heng, Zuo Yunfei seemed to look at you,” Qi Shaorong commented.

“I’m not much to look at. He was probably looking at you, young master,” Qi Heng replied coolly.

Qi Shaorong: “……”
Everyone has their own tastes, and although he was quite handsome, he probably wasn’t Zuo Yunfei’s type.

Zhuang Hao looked at the departing group and said to Tang Tianying, “Alright, let’s go too.”

Tang Tianying nodded and boarded the ship first.

Meanwhile

“Your Highness, everyone has departed,” a servant said to Princess Yueting, who was seated in a sedan.

Princess Yueting nodded. “I wonder how many princes will survive this time. If they all die, I won’t be able to get married again.”

“Princess, don’t be so pessimistic. Surely one of them will make it through the trials and win your hand.”

Princess Yueting sneered coldly. “The princes this time are of poor quality. But… some of their guards aren’t bad. It’s a shame…”

“Princess, the princes have likely all left. Perhaps you should return now,” the servant suggested.

Princess Yueting looked toward the departing figures, smiled, and said, “Very well, let’s go.”

After sailing for a while, Zhuang Hao’s ship was surrounded.

Zhuang Hao frowned at the four ships closing in and muttered, “Seems like I’m even more unpopular than I thought.”

Back on the shore, he had vaguely sensed a few strong auras. Now, the feeling was much clearer.

“Looks like there are five level-nine experts.”

Qi Shaorong frowned with a serious look. “Five level-nines? That’s not too bad. As long as they don’t have forbidden magic suppressors.”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “I don’t think they do.”

Qi Shaorong smiled. “If that’s the case, let me clear the path. Make way…”

Zhuang Hao moved aside from the bow of the ship.

Qi Shaorong swung his staff, and from its tip emerged two dragons—one white and one black. Qi Shaorong’s staff was embedded with two holy crystals, amplifying his magic power dozens of times. The two massive dragons shot out and smashed into two of the encircling ships, clearing a path.

Steering the ship, Qi Shaorong broke through the encirclement.