Chapter 84: Who Do You Like More

Li Yuxi dodged Chu Bing’s attack, standing at the doorway with furrowed brows as he sized her up. “Is this really necessary?”

Chu Bing gathered all her internal strength into her sword, sneering, “Being kissed by someone like you disgusts me!”

Li Yuxi’s gaze turned icy as he murmured, “Someone like me?”

He lifted his head, looking at Chu Bing without a hint of a smile. “It seems I’ve been too tolerant of you, letting you forget your place.”

With that, he flicked his wrist, and a folding fan appeared in his hand.

He snapped the fan open, sending a barrage of pitch-black hidden weapons shooting toward Chu Bing.

Her expression changed, and she leapt out the window.

The maids outside had long since been driven away by Li Yuxi, leaving only the two of them in the courtyard.

Fueled by anger, Chu Bing charged at Li Yuxi, sword in hand, determined to fight to the bitter end.

This time, Li Yuxi did not evade; he took her attack head-on.

His cultivation was far superior to hers—he simply hadn’t fought back before. Now, taking her seriously, Chu Bing quickly fell behind.

Li Yuxi struck her shoulder with his fan, the searing pain nearly causing her to drop her sword.

“Host! You can’t keep fighting! You’re no match for him!” The system suddenly spoke, urgency in its voice.

Chu Bing’s movements faltered, her mind finally cooling a bit.

The system was right—she was no match for Li Yuxi.

She couldn’t act recklessly!

From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the empty wall, and suddenly flung a sleeveful of hidden weapons at Li Yuxi, then promptly activated her teleportation skill, turning to run!

Li Yuxi opened his fan, and the fine silver needles fell harmlessly to the ground, as if striking an invisible barrier.

He glanced in the direction Chu Bing had vanished, bent down to pick up the silver needles, a thought flashing through his mind. His eyes widened as he chased after her.

In this world, he’d only seen one person use such hidden weapons!

Chu Bing ran as far as her breath would take her, not daring to stop. But Li Yuxi’s fortress was vast—she couldn’t escape!

His voice grew closer behind her, sweat soaking her brow.

“Red Sleeve? You’re Chu Bing, aren’t you?” Li Yuxi’s tone carried a trace of delight. “I knew it was you! That face was suspicious from the start! I arranged for someone to have you bathe, hoping to see if you’d applied anything to your face, but you showed no reaction at all! If you hadn’t revealed your unique hidden weapons just now, I might have been fooled!”

Li Yuxi didn’t seem intent on capturing her immediately, instead toying with her like a cat, chatting idly from behind.

Chu Bing gritted her teeth and teleported again, shaking him off.

Frustrated and anxious, she snapped, “System! Didn’t you say your disguise technique was foolproof?”

How could both Li brothers be suspicious of her? This technique was unreliable!

The system retorted, “Host, the disguise is flawless! But you gave yourself away too many times—who else would they suspect?”

Chu Bing was left speechless, anger flaring. “Enough! Think of a way to get me away from this lunatic!”

Just recalling what had happened made her cheeks burn.

Seeing her genuinely anxious, the system didn’t waste words. “Try using a formation. I remember there’s one that could trap him…”

Chu Bing’s eyes lit up. To better practice formations, she’d copied down both sets that the system had taught her and kept them on her person.

She reached into her sleeve, ready to pull out the formation script, but Li Yuxi had already caught up. Her hand trembled, and Formation Two slipped to the ground.

An awkward silence hung in the air.

Chu Bing hurried to pick up the book, but a hand beat her to it.

Li Yuxi!

He was already standing in front of her. He glanced at the book in his hand, then at Chu Bing’s anxious expression, and suddenly smiled, “Do you want it?”

Chu Bing’s face darkened.

The system shouted in her mind, “Host! You must get that book back! No one except mission-related characters can see system items! Otherwise, there’ll be trouble!”

Chu Bing’s heart lurched. If the system considered it trouble, it must be serious!

She leapt up, trying to snatch the book from Li Yuxi, but he suddenly hid his hand behind his back, causing her to fall uncontrollably into his arms.

Soft warmth pressed against him, and Li Yuxi’s smile grew dazzling. “Miss Chu is certainly enthusiastic.”

Chu Bing gritted her teeth, her dark eyes burning with fury. “Scoundrel! Give me back the book!”

Li Yuxi raised an eyebrow. “What did you call me?”

“Scoundrel! Lunatic!” Chu Bing was not afraid of him, wishing she could use both hands and feet to teach the man a lesson.

Li Yuxi chuckled. “Seems you don’t really want the book, then?”

“I do, I do! Host, don’t get angry yet, getting the book back is the priority!” The system urged her in her mind, worried she’d charge at Li Yuxi with her sword in a fit of temper.

If she didn’t get the book back, she’d lose more than just the book!

Chu Bing clenched her teeth, suppressing her rage with difficulty.

First, she had to trick Li Yuxi into handing over the book—then she’d deal with him!

“What will it take for you to return it?”

Li Yuxi wrapped an arm around her waist, savoring the sensation, his voice tinged with amusement. “That depends on your performance.”

Chu Bing took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “Second Young Master Li, you’re generous—please forgive my earlier rudeness and return my book. It’s… a keepsake from my mother!”

To retrieve the book, Chu Bing didn’t hesitate to play the pitiful act.

She wiped at her eyes, pouring herself into the role. “I have no choice—any other book I can give you, but not this one…”

She used her sleeve to cover half her face, leaving only her eyes visible, stealing quick glances at Li Yuxi.

Unbeknownst to her, all her furtive gestures were seen by Li Yuxi.

He twitched his lips; the girl in his arms was clever and mischievous, and he didn’t believe a word she said.

He watched her performance with a half-smile, until she realized something was amiss and stopped. Then he couldn’t help but laugh, “Tsk tsk, what acting skills. Miss Chu, is this how you fooled my brother?”

Chu Bing, humiliated and furious, demanded, “Give me back my book!”

Li Yuxi held the book aloft, watching the woman in his arms bounce like a rabbit, and suddenly, inspired, he asked, “Let me ask you a question. Answer me, and I’ll return the book.”

Chu Bing’s eyes lit up. “What is it? Ask quickly!”

Li Yuxi’s lips curved into a suggestive smile. “Between my brother and me, who do you prefer?”