TRWSB – Chapter 187 Let’s see who succeeds first

A massive sea ship was speeding across the ocean. Standing at the bow of the ship were Qi Shaorong, Zuo Yunfei, and others.

Inside the cabin, Tang Tianying and Li Ying exchanged glances, both looking somewhat uneasy.

“Prince Ying, Young Master Zuo went to the bow to enjoy the breeze. Are you going too?” Tang Tianying asked.

Li Ying forced a smile and replied, “No, I’ll stay here.”

Tang Tianying rubbed his hands together, still unable to understand how things had turned out this way.

He had originally thought this competition would be a huge mess, but now he was comfortably seated in a spacious sea vessel, being escorted by two top experts—Zhuang Hao and Zuo Yunfei.

Outside the cabin, Zuo Yunfei glanced at Zhuang Hao and asked, “Young Master Zhuang, where did you and Young Master Qi go earlier?”

“We took a boat ride to enjoy the sea view,” Zhuang Hao said.

Zuo Yunfei couldn’t help but chuckle. “Young Master Zhuang, you really know how to enjoy life! But I saw quite a few people chasing after you and Young Master Qi.”

Zhuang Hao smiled lightly. “Yes, but their speed was too slow. They couldn’t keep up and we shook them off. I don’t know where they ended up.”

Zuo Yunfei smiled and said, “Getting lost in a place like this can be dangerous. I fear those people might not have made it.”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “Not necessarily. I don’t think those guys are that easy to kill.”

“Zhuang Hao!” A ship approached. Two people aboard it lit up with joy when they spotted Zhuang Hao, but their expressions quickly turned serious.

Zuo Yunfei looked at the distant ship, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

Seeing the two on the approaching ship, a flash of killing intent crossed Zhuang Hao’s gaze. “Young Master Zuo, didn’t I say those guys wouldn’t die so easily?”

Earlier, Zhuang Hao had managed to shake off several ninth-level experts after a prolonged confrontation, and now he had run into two more.

“Two ninth-levels, huh?” Zuo Yunfei crossed his arms and smiled with interest. Turning to Zhuang Hao, he said, “I’ve long heard of your reputation, Young Master Zhuang. They say you’re very powerful, but I’ve never had the chance to witness it. Since we now have two ninth-levels ahead, how about we each take one and see who finishes first?”

He added with a smile, “Since you’re in the mood, how could I not join in? I’ll take the one on the left, sound good?”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “No problem at all.”

The two exchanged a knowing smile, then leapt off the ship.

Qi Shaorong watched them fly off and blinked in disbelief. “Are those two crazy?”

Zuo Yunfei raised his staff toward the sky, and instantly the weather changed. Thunderclouds gathered, and lightning bolts crashed down from above.

The howling wind and deafening thunder rang in Qi Heng’s ears.

Qi Heng watched Zuo Yunfei, who looked like the God of Thunder descending upon the sea, and felt a complex mix of emotions.

Around Zhuang Hao, seven-colored magical dragons appeared. Several multi-element dragons roared as they charged toward one of the ninth-level opponents.

The sea erupted with lightning and thunder, waves surging violently.

Zhuang Hao and Zuo Yunfei competed with one another, casting large-scale spells.

One after another, spells akin to forbidden magic exploded over the sea.

Tang Tianying watched in stunned awe, unable to feel anything but shock.

He had always known Zhuang Hao was powerful, but he never realized Zuo Yunfei—the eccentric eldest son of the Zuo family—was this formidable too.

Jiang Qinxin watched Zhuang Hao and Zuo Yunfei from afar, admiration and longing filling her eyes.

“Young Master Qi, Zhuang Hao is really powerful, isn’t he?” Tang Tianying asked.

Qi Shaorong forced a smile and said, “Powerful? That’s not what I see—what I see is utter foolishness!”

Tang Tianying froze, baffled. “Young Master Qi, what did you say?”

“I said they’re acting like fools,” Qi Shaorong narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, “Zhuang Hao looks like a peacock showing off his feathers, desperate to display how dazzling he is.”

Tang Tianying frowned. “Young Master Qi, how can you say that during such a stunning battle?”

“Total idiocy,” Qi Heng echoed.

Tang Tianying: “…”

Qi Heng squinted. Both Zhuang Hao and Zuo Yunfei were clearly holding back; though their techniques were impressive, they were somewhat flashy and inefficient. To defeat those two ninth-level opponents, they could’ve used simpler and more practical spells.

Zhuang Hao and Zuo Yunfei finished their battles in turn and returned to the ship.

“Young Master Zuo, your reputation doesn’t do you justice—your strength is even more impressive than the rumors say.”

“You flatter me, Young Master Zhuang. Your skill surpasses mine.”

“I just got lucky. The opponent I faced was weaker.”

“You’re being too modest, Young Master Zhuang.”

Qi Shaorong watched Zhuang Hao and Zuo Yunfei praise each other back and forth. He let out two dry laughs and said, “Alright, stop complimenting each other. You’re both amazing. You must be hungry—let’s eat.”

As Qi Heng walked toward the dining table, he was grabbed by Zuo Yunfei.

“What are you doing?” Qi Heng asked irritably.

Zuo Yunfei smiled and said, “Zhuang Hao is really strong, isn’t he?”

Qi Heng took a deep breath and said seriously, “Yeah! You’re strong too, but compared to Young Master Zhuang, you’re still a bit lacking.”

“Zhuang Hao is strong—what’s that got to do with me? But you—since you like Qi Shaorong and want to compete with Zhuang Hao, be careful or you might get turned into a sieve.” Zuo Yunfei said gleefully.

“Thanks so much for your concern,” Qi Heng replied sarcastically.

Zuo Yunfei looked at Qi Heng and said, “You have to know your limits. If I were Qi Shaorong, I’d choose Zhuang Hao too.”

Qi Heng: “……”

Because Zuo Yunfei delayed him for a bit, by the time Qi Heng made it to the table, everyone else was already seated—except for two empty seats beside Qi Shaorong.

Qi Heng tried to sit next to Qi Shaorong, but Zuo Yunfei tripped him. Qi Heng stumbled behind, and Zuo Yunfei casually slid into the seat next to Qi Shaorong.

Qi Shaorong glanced at Zuo Yunfei, who had seated himself beside him, his expression slightly strange.

“Young Master Qi, Zhuang Hao is really amazing, isn’t he?” Zuo Yunfei asked cheerfully.

Qi Shaorong nodded, “Yes, he is.”

“Only a talented young man like Young Master Zhuang deserves someone as brilliant as you. As for others, well, a toad dreaming of eating swan meat will only end up with nothing—heartbroken, lung-hurt, and liver-damaged,” Zuo Yunfei said.

Qi Shaorong: “……”

Zhuang Hao looked at Qi Heng’s face, which had turned dark while sitting beside Zuo Yunfei, and smiled. “Young Master Zuo, you’re joking.”

“Young Master Qi, when are you and Young Master Zhuang getting married?” Zuo Yunfei asked.

“I don’t know,” Qi Shaorong replied.

“Young Master Qi, someone like Zhuang Hao is a rare catch. You should settle it early—miss this chance, and it’s gone.”

Zhuang Hao rubbed his nose, thinking: This guy Zuo Yunfei really knows how to wingman.

Zuo Yunfei turned to Qi Heng and asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”

“No appetite,” Qi Heng replied.

Zuo Yunfei tilted his head. “Why not?”

Qi Heng glared at him. “Because you’re sitting next to me. That’s why I have no appetite.”

“How could that be? You’re funny. Many people say I make food taste better,” Zuo Yunfei said indifferently.

Qi Heng took a deep breath and said, “No talking while eating or sleeping—can you shut up?”

Zuo Yunfei: “……”

+++++

Qi Shaorong walked over to Qi Heng and asked, “Ah Heng, what’s going on between you and Zuo Yunfei?”

Qi Heng took a deep breath and said, “I don’t know either. That guy’s always being sarcastic—I have no idea what he’s trying to do.”

Qi Shaorong smiled and said, “If I’m not mistaken, he’s jealous.”

Qi Heng pursed his lips and asked, “Why would he be jealous?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it? Why would that guy be jealous?” Qi Shaorong crossed his arms and looked at Qi Heng teasingly.

Qi Heng turned around, looked out at the sea, and scratched his head in frustration. “Young Master, don’t overthink it.”

“Oh? You know what I’m thinking?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Qi Heng pursed his lips tightly and said nothing.

From the corner of his eye, Qi Shaorong caught sight of someone and smiled with amusement. He suddenly pounced forward and wrapped his arms around Qi Heng’s waist.

Qi Heng’s heart skipped a beat. He struggled a little and said helplessly, “Young Master, what are you doing?”

“As the saying goes, practice is the only way to test the truth. If you want to know whether I’m overthinking, just one hug will do,” Qi Shaorong whispered near Qi Heng’s ear.

Qi Heng gritted his teeth. “Young Master, let go. If you keep doing this, Young Master Zhuang might misunderstand.”

Qi Shaorong laughed and said, “Are you worried Zhuang Hao will misunderstand, or are you worried someone else will?”

Qi Heng closed his eyes and said, “No one else would misunderstand—only Zhuang Hao.”

Qi Shaorong straightened up and let go, his voice slightly disappointed, “Ah Heng, you’re so stiff. Do you really dislike me hugging you that much?”

“Young Master.” Qi Heng called out, speechless.

Qi Shaorong paused, tilted his head, and said, “Your waist is getting thinner again. Are you on a diet? Your weight is already perfect—you don’t need to lose more.”

Qi Heng: “……”

+++++

Qi Shaorong turned around and saw Zuo Yunfei standing nearby, his expression dark.

He walked up to Zuo Yunfei. Zuo Yunfei took a deep breath and said, “Young Master Qi, don’t you think it’s wrong to keep playing both sides like this?”

“Zuo Yunfei, are you misunderstanding something?” Qi Shaorong asked.

“You were hugging Qi Heng just now—was that fake?” Zuo Yunfei asked coldly.

“Qi Heng and I are friends—very close friends. A hug is no big deal, not worth making a fuss over. But do you know something, Zuo Yunfei?” Qi Shaorong tilted his head and looked at him mischievously.

“What is it?” Zuo Yunfei asked.

Qi Shaorong smiled and said, “Nothing much—just that Qi Heng took my family name before he turned ten. Our relationship isn’t something ordinary people can understand.”

Zuo Yunfei closed his eyes, watching coldly as Qi Shaorong walked past him.

Qi Shaorong rolled his eyes behind his back and thought: If you like someone but keep making a sour face every day, don’t expect to win them over.