Chapter 52: Not Eating Smoke and Fire
Translator: 549690339
Hua Youyue appeared very young, but her aura was extraordinary and transcendent, like one untouched by worldly concerns, causing others to feel inferior.
Whether Hua Youyue was removed from worldly matters or not, Yang Zhen couldn’t help but stare directly into her eyes. They were so beautiful that they seemed to speak for themselves.
Despite being worldly and accustomed to the feeling of being the center of attention, Hua Youyue found it difficult to sustain Yang Zhen’s unabashed gaze. With a frown, she asked, “Why is Young Master Yang looking at me in this way?”
Before Yang Zhen could reply, everyone around them was dumbstruck.
Such audacity! We couldn’t even dare to glance at her, let alone stare directly. The more bashful among us would blush for prolonged periods, breathlessly, experiencing a suffocating sensation.
Many did not even wish to look at her twice, fearing that every glance consumed a moment of their memory of her, regretting when they had nothing left to look at.
On the other hand, Yang Zhen not only stood nearest to Hua Youyue but also had the audacity to glare directly at her. He didn’t seem to find it odd given his thick skin, leaving everyone else to feel embarrassed on his behalf.
Several people turned pale, resisting the urge to rush up and kick him aside, the shameless and disgraceful Yang Zhen.
It was far too shameless and far too disgraceful.
The surroundings grew exceedingly awkward. Everyone wished they could choke Yang Zhen to death. More so, many were harboring schadenfreude, waiting for Yang Zhen to embarrass himself.
Given Hua Youyue’s exceptional talent, also being the Master of Changyue Tower, her status in Flame City was likely equal only to the leaders of the great families and the city’s Lord.
Such a noble status, being downright stared at by an impudent nobody, how could she not be angry?
What would the consequences be if Hua Youyue were enraged?
Just the thought was terrifying. If Hua Youyue took out her anger on Yang Zhen, he might never be allowed to step foot in Flame City again in this lifetime.
A self-inflicting disaster. Many practitioners who had considered Yang Zhen to be a figure of some significance couldn’t help but shake their heads in disappointment.
As everyone brooded over various thoughts, Yang Zhen suddenly sighed and began to walk away, seemingly oblivious to Hua Youyue’s question.
Yang Zhen’s unexpected reaction left everyone utterly dumbfounded, all watching with blank expressions, confused about what had just transpired.
Those present were all of discernment, therefore no idiot would step forward to accuse Yang Zhen, questioning whether he had heard the words of the Flower Tower Master.
But Yang Zhen’s abrupt turn was utterly unexpected, leaving everyone dumbfounded, including Hua Youyue, who, surprised, asked again, “Why did Young Master Yang sigh?”
Hua Youyue’s voice, like the character herself, was as soothing as spring water flowing in a secluded valley, making one feel extremely comfortable.
Only after being asked twice did Yang Zhen slowly turn his head to once again gaze at Hua Youyue. Finally, when Hua Youyue began to frown, he shook his head and said,
“I had always thought that to praise a woman as having an ethereal temperament like a fairy untouched by worldly concerns was just an exaggeration. But now I finally understand that sometimes, these worldly phrases are insufficient in describing a woman’s beauty. The wonders of creation are indeed marvelous!”
On hearing these words, everyone’s eyes widened, and their mouths hung open. They watched, dumbstruck, as the brazen Yang Zhen spoke.
So shameless, so disgraceful! How could he say such things?
Sycophants will perish!
Sycophants end with nothing!
Everyone’s perceived notions of Yang Zhen’s shamelessness and disgrace were revitalized. Even the Medicine Elder, covering his face in embarrassment, pretended not to know Yang Zhen.
Giving Hua Youyue’s status, beauty, and position, what kind of praise hadn’t she heard? For Yang Zhen to blatantly compliment Hua Youyue in front of so many, without a hint of embarrassment, he must have been thick-skinned.
But the collective embarrassment didn’t last long, as it was soon replaced by confusion and surprise.
First, Lan Fangyue, who was just as distinguished as Hua Youyue, beamed curiously at Yang Zhen. Then even Hua Youyue herself appeared stricken, muttering, “Untouched by worldly concerns, Young Master Yang’s analogy is indeed…”
“Quite fitting, isn’t it?” Yang Zhen declared, one’s face radiant with pride.
None of the people here had ever heard such complimentary words. When Yang Zhen wanted to praise someone, he could go on for three days and three nights without repeats.
“My goodness, I… what did I just see? The Flower Tower Master actually smiled.”
“This has to be a dream, right? So… so beautiful. The Flower Tower Master is this beautiful when she smiles, just like… just like… as stunning as a flower.”
“Pfft, that’s a horrible comparison. It’s no wonder the Flower Tower Master doesn’t smile at you. Now that I think about it, ‘being above the mundane world’ really sounds quite elegant. It holds such a deep meaning.”
All of a sudden, everyone was bursting with excitement. Who would have thought that the Flower Tower Master would smile? This was the first time they had seen Hua Youyue smile in public.
Instantly, all those who took joy in others’ misfortune eyed Yang Zhen with envy and jealousy.
This shameless, brazen man could come up with such beautiful words, is there no justice in the world?
However, while others were full of envy, Yang Zhen shook his head and sighed.
What the hell is he sighing for? Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat, bad feeling looming.
As expected, with Yang Zhen sighing again, even Hua Youyue succumbed to her curiosity, asking, “Why do you sigh again, Young Master Yang? Is there anything wrong with Youyue?”
“Yes!” Yang Zhen responded plainly, “Too many indeed!”
Everyone was taken aback, unsure of what scheme this scoundrel Yang Zhen was about to pull. Those who wanted to expose his ugliness found themselves utterly helpless, as they couldn’t even keep up with his train of thought, let alone read his mind.
Yang Zhen didn’t answer Hua Youyue’s question but turned around to walk towards the secret chamber, once again disregarding Hua Youyue. Surprisingly, everyone saw a sense of desolation from his back.
“What’s going on? Why does he look so lonely?”
Yang Zhen’s voice resonated, “Why such a woman, who transcends the worldly, covers her face? Just like a pearl covered in dust, the moon obscured by clouds, you are guilty, gravely guilty. You deprive the world of a captivating beauty that should have been there.”
Saying that, with everyone looking puzzled, Yang Zhen addressed the guard next to the secret chamber, “Brother Guard, could you open the secret chamber for me? I need some solitude!”
“Ah? Oh!”
The guard snapped back to reality and hurriedly helped Yang Zhen to open the door of the secret chamber, watching in disbelief as Yang Zhen stepped inside.
Not only were the onlookers surprised, even Hua Youyue was baffled for a moment. After understanding what Yang Zhen meant, she giggled, “What an amusing young man.”
Hua Youyue didn’t notice, her laughter caused everyone around the secret chamber to freeze like statues.
In the crowd, Medicine Elder widened his eyes in surprise and murmured, “This boy is amazing, are the boys these days so terrifying? Such an incredible trick to win the heart of a girl, to say that I’ve seen it all would be an absolute lie, absolutely outrageous.”
Bang!
The sound of a muffled explosion woke everyone, making them realize that Yang Zhen had entered the secret chamber, and the door was now tightly closed.
However, seeing Yang Zhen finally enter the secret chamber, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
It was easy for this evil entity to enter, but difficult to leave.
It was good that Yang Zhen had gone in, otherwise, he might really have won Hua Youyue’s favor.
Thinking about that outcome, everyone’s faces changed drastically. They wished they could collapse the secret chamber and bury Yang Zhen inside so that he would never be able to come out again.
How could there be such a shameless man like Yang Zhen in this world?