After My Paranoid Act to Woo My Cold Master Failed - Chapter 46

“Shen Shuheng of Snow-Moon Peak wins!” The loud chime of the ancient bell rang out as the elder announced the victor of the first match.

Shen Shuheng stood tall, her figure lean and her eyes as bright as moonlight. Clad in simple green robes, she possessed a warm yet tranquil aura, reminiscent of a bamboo forest on a quiet night. Her appearance was the kind that naturally appealed to both men and women alike.

Disciples below the stage began tossing fresh flowers toward her bright blooms still shimmering with morning dew.

“Catch this, Junior Sister! Your Senior Sister loves you! I’ll be cheering for all your matches!” a woman in red shouted as she threw the first blossom.

“Catch my flower too, Junior Sister!” a blue-robed male disciple bellowed, trying to drown out the women.

Soon, flowers from all directions flew toward Shuheng, their mingled scents clinging to her robes. She had made a brilliant start to the Great Sect Tournament, defeating her opponent with a single, decisive strike.

As she stepped down, a crowd immediately swarmed her. Many had been at Nanxi City and seen her command lightning like a god of war. “Junior Sister, I have questions about my sword technique…” “I do too!” “Hey, stop cutting the line!” Few were truly interested in the sword; their intentions were far less academic.

Shuheng struggled through the noise. “Apologies, please let me through. We can discuss sword techniques another time.” She squeezed out of the crowd and hurried toward Fu Xueke.

The Scent of Others

Under the brilliant midday sun, the two stood together. Fu Xueke looked down at her disciple, her dark eyes like deep, silent pools hiding a world of secrets.

“How was my performance?” Shuheng asked, looking up with eyes full of expectation. She had specifically practiced “how to attract the one you love” from her storybooks. Today’s flashy, one-hit victory had been carefully choreographed to be both effective and beautiful, all for her Master’s eyes.

“Attracting bees and butterflies,” Fu Xueke murmured in a low voice.

“What?” The surroundings were too loud; Shuheng didn’t hear her.

Fu Xueke reached out and brushed a finger against Shuheng’s sleeve, her voice turning cold. “The scent of rouge and powder is too strong. Your Master is not accustomed to it.”

Shuheng scratched her head. Master didn’t like these scents. As she tried to step back, Fu Xueke’s icy hand gripped her wrist and pulled her closer. The scent had clearly come from the crowd she had been crushed in.

Shuheng sniffed her own sleeve. It wasn’t that strong, but compared to Master’s signature cold plum fragrance, it was indeed distracting. “It’s not that bad, but it definitely doesn’t smell as good as Master.”

Fu Xueke’s expression softened slightly. She performed a cleansing spell to purge the scent of others from Shuheng’s clothes. She would not allow her “possession” to carry the mark of anyone else.

“If Master doesn’t like it, I’ll stay far away from them next time,” Shuheng promised.

Fu Xueke nodded. “Your progress during this period has been significant.”

Shuheng beamed, showing her two small tiger fangs. A single word of praise from her Master could make her happy for days.

“Why didn’t you catch a single flower just now?” Fu Xueke asked.

“Because in my heart, I already have an important person,” Shuheng said, locking eyes with her Master. She tried to project her soul through her gaze, just as the books taught: Never back down when looking into the eyes of the one you love. Inside, however, she was a nervous wreck, terrified her Master would see through her.

“Who is it?” Fu Xueke asked, her own reflection tiny in Shuheng’s shimmering eyes.

A light blush touched Shuheng’s cheeks. “It’s a secret. Master will know soon enough.” She thought about her plan for tonight and felt a wave of shame.

The Duel: Rain vs. Frost

The bell rang again for the next round. Shuheng had drawn Chu Qingshui.

They met on the stage. Snow-white sword light clashed with jade-green radiance. Chu Qingshui’s technique was like a misty Jiangnan rain subtle, pervasive, and hiding a deadly edge.

Shuheng realized she couldn’t evade it, so she met it head-on. Her sword rose, and a dragon of frost and snow roared forth. The stage felt as though it had been submerged in a vast, freezing ocean.

“Hiss, so cold!” the spectators shivered, some even using spiritual power to ward off the frost.

In the end, Shuheng’s “White Dragon” swallowed the jade-green sea, and the dragon’s tail gently swept Chu Qingshui off the stage. Shuheng had won. She jumped down and performed a formal sword-salute a sign of deep respect for a worthy opponent.

The “Puppy’s” Bite

Shuheng hurried back to Fu Xueke. Her Master opened a bottle of Spirit Recovery Pills and poured three into her palm. “Open your mouth.”

Shuheng obeyed, her sharp fangs peeking through. Fu Xueke smiled. “Eat them yourself.”

Shuheng didn’t use her hands. Instead, she leaned down, her lips brushing against her Master’s palm as she tried to roll the pills into her mouth with her tongue. The smooth pills were slippery, and her tongue accidentally licked Master’s palm several times.

The sensation of the warm, soft tongue sent a tingle of numbness through Fu Xueke’s heart.

Frustrated that she couldn’t grab the pills, Shuheng pressed her lips firmly against the palm, gathered the three pills, and gave Master’s hand a playful, naughty bite.

Fu Xueke withdrew her hand to see a faint set of tooth marks. “A-Heng, did you see a puppy? It just bit my hand.”

Shuheng guiltily rubbed her nose, her eyes darting everywhere but at her Master. “What puppy? There are only people here. Master must have done something mean to bully it, so it retaliated.”

“What did I do to deserve retaliation?” Fu Xueke laughed helplessly.

“Master should be more obedient to it, then,” Shuheng said with a mock-fierce look. “Otherwise, it might bite again.”

Fu Xueke rubbed the girl’s head, smoothing her “fur.” “I shall remember that.”

The Shadow of the Night

A sudden disturbance from another stage caught their attention. All the swords in the vicinity began to tremble in fear and submission.

It was Xiao Xiaoxiao. In her hand was a sword of pure, abyssal black The Night-Slasher. It seemed to swallow the sunlight itself. Even the high-quality swords of the elders were vibrating uncontrollably.

Without effort, Xiao Xiaoxiao blasted her opponent off the stage.

The next round of draws began. Shuheng looked at her red plaque. Her next opponent: Xiao Xiaoxiao.

Xiao Xiaoxiao stood across the field, her gaze like a poisonous snake. She believed the sword she had found in the Void Valley would finally allow her to crush Shuheng.

Meanwhile, the sword, Night-Slasher, gave a sudden throb. It sensed an aura someone who felt more like its true “Master” than the person currently holding it.

Shuheng felt a sudden chill run down her spine. Tonight was the night she planned to execute her “seduction” plan from the books, but first, she had to survive the dark blade of the heroine.