Chapter 121: Transformation

Page 1/3

Chu Bing lay outside the door, peering inside through the crack. Li Haoran sat by the table, drinking, while Xiao Tao stood opposite him. The dim candlelight cast a faintly ambiguous atmosphere between them.

“I will fulfill the promise I made to you, but you also know that before we are married, if I take you in, my father might very well want your life,” Li Haoran said, his voice carrying an unusual chill.

Chu Bing froze in place. Was this still the same Li Haoran who used to smile shyly?

“Third Young Master, rest assured, I’m not forcing you to marry me right now. I only hope that after you achieve great things, you won’t forget all that I’ve done for you…” Xiao Tao covered her face with her sleeve, her voice sweet and coquettish.

Li Haoran’s voice came again, “Did you see my elder brother today? How is he?”

Li Mohan!

Chu Bing’s gaze tightened.

Could it be that Li Haoran was planning to deal with Li Mohan?

“The eldest young master is rather unromantic. I nearly took off my clothes in front of him, but he showed no reaction. Though he is a bit foolish; when I told him I wanted to work in his courtyard, he agreed,” Xiao Tao said with a hint of disdain, clearly not taking Li Mohan seriously.

But Chu Bing heard it all and was furious!

She couldn’t believe Xiao Tao dared to strip in front of Li Mohan!

“You’re no different yourself,” the system whispered inside Chu Bing’s mind.

Chu Bing’s face stiffened. “I’m not like her!”

“How so?”

“I genuinely like Li Mohan, but Xiao Tao is clearly seducing him intentionally! That’s a different nature altogether!”

“Come on! You also want to get information about Li Haoran from Li Mohan, don’t you?” The system sneered.

Chu Bing gritted her teeth, unable to hold back her anger. “Shut up!”

The system fell silent.

She continued to lie against the door, watching inside.

“Third Young Master, I’m willing to wait. Just don’t forget me…” Xiao Tao’s soft voice sounded as she tried to inch closer to Li Haoran, but he raised his hand to stop her. “It’s late. Go rest early.”

“…Yes.”

Page 2/3

Chu Bing quickly slipped aside, waiting for Xiao Tao to leave. The moment the door opened, she darted inside.

Li Haoran sat expressionless in the chair, lost in thought.

Chu Bing stood before him. If she lifted the concealment array, Li Haoran would see her. But for some reason, she suddenly didn’t want him to see her.

She found herself unable to read the man before her.

“Forgive my bluntness, host, but you don’t need to figure out Li Haoran’s true nature. Your task is only to teach him martial arts, not guide his conduct,” the system coldly interrupted Chu Bing’s thoughts.

Chu Bing was stunned.

“Besides, you only have two choices now: teach Li Haoran martial arts or face immediate death.”

The system’s voice was icy and merciless. A chill ran down Chu Bing’s spine as she finally realized she was a mere puppet in someone else’s hands. If she disobeyed the system, she might not survive the night.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she stopped overthinking Li Haoran’s true character and activated the concealment array, revealing her form.

Suddenly, a woman’s figure appeared in the room; Li Haoran was startled, leapt from the chair, wrists flicking expertly as a soft sword aimed straight at Chu Bing’s vital point.

Chu Bing’s expression changed; she dodged swiftly to the side.

“It’s me.”

Li Haoran paused, then recognized Chu Bing’s face.

“Miss Chu? How did you get into my room?” Li Haoran quickly withdrew his movements and hurried over to her, eyes flickering.

He wondered when she had entered and whether she had encountered Xiao Tao.

Seeing the peculiar look in his eyes, Chu Bing’s heart skipped a beat. She hastily smiled, “I just came in. This is a new formation I learned. What do you think?”

Li Haoran’s eyes fixed intently on Chu Bing’s face, searching for any abnormalities. Seeing none, he laughed, “Miss Chu’s skills are naturally formidable!”

“Since you think so, I’ll teach you!” Chu Bing seized the opportunity.

Though uneasy inside, she had to admit she was nothing more than a puppet controlled by the system, compelled to act according to its will, with no choice to refuse.

Li Haoran was momentarily stunned, not expecting Chu Bing’s words. A flash of unrestrained joy crossed his eyes, and he became flustered with excitement. “Really? Miss Chu, I am truly at a loss on how to repay you!”

He had long witnessed Chu Bing’s abilities. If he could learn her mysterious and unfathomable formations, who in this world could stand against him?

Li Haoran took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to Chu Bing.

Page 3/3

“Hey! What are you doing? Get up quickly!” Chu Bing waved her hand, dodging. She no longer felt the ease she once did around Li Haoran.

Li Haoran straightened, “Miss Chu, tomorrow I will tell my father that you are the rightful owner of the military strategy book and that you will be the one to teach me martial arts. Are you willing?”

Chu Bing hesitated. “I don’t mind, but will your father agree?”

Wasn’t Chancellor Li strictly against women getting close to Li Haoran? Chu Bing doubted her modest skills would impress him.

Moreover, she felt somewhat uneasy around this new Li Haoran. She forced a dry smile, “I don’t want to reveal my identity. How about I come to your room each night to teach you?”

Li Haoran didn’t want many people to know about Chu Bing’s abilities either. After a moment’s thought, he nodded in agreement, gratitude shining in his eyes.

“Miss Chu, I truly can’t thank you enough. My father has me trapped in the manor, forbidding me from leaving. I have no one to speak honestly with—thankfully, you came!” His voice was touched, eyes full of admiration for Chu Bing.

If Chu Bing hadn’t overheard his conversation with Xiao Tao earlier, she might have been moved by this and pledged herself to him wholeheartedly.

Instead, she only felt a prickling unease inside.

Li Haoran… he has changed.

Though her heart ached, Chu Bing showed no sign of it, smiling instead, “You helped me a lot before. You’re my first friend, and I sincerely hope you do well.”

Li Haoran paused, then smiled after a moment of silence, “With your words, Miss Chu, I will surely do well. I won’t forget your kindness.”

Chu Bing sensed there was more meaning behind his words.

But she dared not say much more to Li Haoran now; the more she knew, the quicker she might die! She glanced out the window, “It’s getting late. I’ll head back now. See you tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Li Haoran personally escorted Chu Bing to the door. Seeing the dark courtyard, he asked, “Miss Chu, where are you staying now? I can have someone prepare a better courtyard for you.”

Chu Bing had entered the manor disguised as a maid, so her accommodations were likely modest.

She waved him off, not daring to accept his kindness lightly.

“I’m fine where I am. You should go back. I’m leaving.”

Without waiting for his reply, she activated her lightness skill and quickly vanished into the night.

Li Haoran watched her departing figure, his gaze deep and unfathomable.