Chapter 270: Jiang Taigong Fishes! The Bait is Set!
"You... you let Su Hongmian win?"
The doll-faced young girl, Yang Luoluo, stood panting slightly under the streetlamp. She looked at Shen Anyu in utter shock, her pinkish-white little mouth slightly agape, revealing a glimpse of her pearl-white teeth. Her beautiful, large eyes were wide with disbelief, reflecting the confusion of a genius who had just seen a miracle.
She had caught her breath and quickly chased after them from the gymnasium. In her heart, she was extremely unconvinced and burning with a competitive desire to fight Su Hongmian again.
She refused to accept the result!
'I was careless! I underestimated the enemy!'
Yang Luoluo replayed the fight in her mind over and over again as she ran.
'If I hadn't lost the initiative at the very beginning... If I hadn't been precisely struck at the Danzhong acupoint (the core node of my cultivation) by that strange elbow strike... causing my internal energy to run wild... I wouldn't have gradually fallen behind and ultimately lost.'
If given another chance, the doll-faced girl was confident—100% confident—that she would absolutely not lose!
After all, Su Hongmian's strength was roughly at the Early to Mid-Innate stage. Her foundation was shaky, her breathing rhythm was amateurish, and her footwork was clumsy.
Meanwhile, she, Yang Luoluo, was at Innate Peak! She was a prodigy on the verge of stepping into the Martial Arts Grandmaster Realm. Her internal force was deep and pure.
Furthermore, she had been practicing martial arts since childhood. She was proficient in eighteen kinds of martial arts, her moves were skillful and ingrained in her bones. Unlike Su Hongmian's obviously amateurish skills, which relied on brute force and luck.
'Just one more time! One more fight! I will prove that technique beats luck!'
However...
What Yang Luoluo didn't expect was that when she finally caught up to the couple walking intimately under the moonlight, she happened to overhear Su Hongmian's whispered coquettish complaint.
She learned the truth.
It wasn't luck. It wasn't sudden enlightenment.
It was the handsome man next to her who had guided Su Hongmian through [Telepathy / Sound Transmission], acting as her eyes and brain, allowing her to win.
'How... how is this possible?'
Yang Luoluo felt a chill run down her spine.
When experts compete, the difference is determined in inches and milliseconds. That speed was less than a hundredth of a second, exceeding the limit of an ordinary person's reaction time.
Even with telepathic guidance... how could one person (Shen Anyu) see the flaw in her technique, transmit the instruction to another person (Su Hongmian), and have that person execute it... all before she (Yang Luoluo) completed her punch?
It meant Shen Anyu's reaction speed and prediction ability were faster than both of them combined.
It meant he predicted her moves before her muscles even contracted.
Such a method was truly too ingenious. It was beyond her imagination. It was the realm of Grandmasters... no, even higher!
Su Hongmian's pretty face changed slightly. She bit her lip, looking annoyed. She hadn't expected that the doll-faced girl had happened to catch up and hear their secret pillow talk.
Shen Anyu, however, smiled mysteriously.
In reality, he had already sensed the doll-faced girl catching up with his [Divine Perception]. He knew she was there before she even turned the corner.
This was exactly his objective.
He had judged that this beautiful, powerful doll-faced girl was very likely a Daughter of Destiny or a Destined Heroine. How could he easily let a wild protagonist go?
However, he knew the art of recruitment. Like Jiang Taigong fishing—those who are willing to take the bait will do so willingly. There was no need to rush to make contact. The bait (curiosity and awe) was already set.
Look... hasn't the fish hooked herself?
Shen Anyu stopped walking. He turned around slowly, facing the breathless girl. A calm, elegant smile played on his lips.
"That's right. I guided Mianmian through telepathy to win."
He admitted it frankly, without a hint of shame.
"Ah!"
Su Hongmian stomped her foot in exasperation. She pinched his arm.
'Brother Shen! How could you admit it so easily? Now she knows I cheated! My dignity as the President is gone!'
The doll-faced girl was also a little surprised. She blinked, her hostility wavering in the face of his calmness.
She didn't expect that the handsome man in front of her—who looked like a rich playboy who only knew how to spend money—would actually admit that he had secretly guided Su Hongmian so openly.
Originally, she had thought that the handsome man in front of her would deny it to protect his girlfriend's face.
But his honesty... and his absolute confidence...
For a moment, the beautiful doll-faced girl felt a bit more favorably towards Shen Anyu. He wasn't a hypocrite. He was a master who disdained lying.
[Ding! Detected Destined Heroine Yang Luoluo's favorability +10!]
[Ding! Plundering +30,000 Destiny Value!]
"As expected... she's a Destined Heroine!"
The smile in Shen Anyu's eyes grew even deeper, hidden behind his long lashes.
Destined Heroines were like gold mines. They provided a continuous stream of Destiny Value to plunder, being loved by the Heavenly Dao's Luck.
Furthermore... one could follow the vine to find the Child of Destiny (Male Lead) connected to her.
Another victim... ahem, another "lucky person" to help Shen Anyu grow stronger.
Shen Anyu analyzed her quickly.
'This Yang Luoluo looks like a martial arts fanatic beauty. A bit silly. Pure-hearted. Obsessed with strength.'
'I wonder what type of Child of Destiny corresponds to her?'
'Most likely, he's a powerful type. Not a weakling like Xu Ping'an.'
'Master descending the mountain? Martial Arts System? Or perhaps... the Personal King of Soldiers (Bodyguard) returning to the city?'
Shen Anyu's mind raced through the tropes.
'Don't tell me it's an Immortal Emperor returning to the city... I can't handle that yet!'
This was also the reason for Shen Anyu's cautious actions. Although his identity was prominent and his strength quite formidable, some types of Sons of Destiny were still beyond his current ability to handle.
If it was an Immortal Emperor who could restart the universe or slap planets like marbles... even the entire Earth might not be able to withstand him.
Prudence first.
Be arrogant when it's time to be arrogant. Be cautious when it's time to be cautious. A dragon can be big or small, able to bend and stretch.
He was a Destined Villain, not a brainless "Long Aotian" male protagonist who courted death everywhere. He didn't have plot armor; he had a System and a brain.
Thinking these thoughts, Shen Anyu maintained his graceful demeanor.
"My name is Shen Anyu."
He spoke softly, his voice magnetic in the night air.
"May I ask for your name, classmate?"
Although he already knew her name through the System's plunder log, he still had to ask to maintain the facade.
The doll-faced girl in front of him had eyes like autumn water, skin like congealed fat, and two adorable dimples that were full of spiritual energy.
She wore a white training uniform, but it didn't make her look old or rigid at all; instead, she was full of vitality and youthful aura. The moonlight reflected in her eyes made her look like a spirit of the night.
With a doll-like face, slightly chubby cheeks (baby fat), and a plain, unadorned appearance, she was very beautiful in a natural way. A hint of youthful charm was already visible between her brows; if she were a few years older, or after some "refinement" (by a man), she would surely be radiantly beautiful.
"Me?"
The doll-faced girl pointed at herself. She hesitated, a bit shy in front of such a handsome man.
"My name is Yang Luoluo."
She responded gracefully, clearly from a good family background and well-educated.
Shen Anyu smiled.
"Yang Luoluo. A good name."
"Your martial arts are excellent, Miss Yang. Among your peers... you are an outstanding one."
"In the vast Yanxia Martial Arts World, you can even be called a Heavenly Daughter. Very impressive!"
"Really?"
Listening to Shen Anyu's words, Yang Luoluo's beautiful big eyes widened. They shone with a look of pleasant surprise.
Shen Anyu's ability to predict and guide in advance was too profound. To her, he was a senior expert, a hidden master. His praise meant something.
And his open and honest admission earned him some respect from Yang Luoluo.
Such sincere praise also made her heart blossom with joy, and her favorability increased even more.
[Ding! Detected Destined Heroine Yang Luoluo's favorability +10!]
[Ding! Detected Destined Heroine Yang Luoluo's favorability +10!]
[Ding! Plundering +60,000 Destiny Value!]
"Of course it's true!"
Shen Anyu praised her a few more times, making the martial arts fanatic beauty smile so widely she couldn't close her mouth. She looked like a puppy being patted.
However...
Shen Anyu sensed a disturbance in the Force.
The volcano beside him—Su Hongmian—was about to erupt.
He felt her hand tighten on his arm, her nails digging in slightly. Her breathing was getting heavier.
'Jealousy incoming.'
Shen Anyu reacted instantly. He was a master of harem management.
He turned to Su Hongmian, his eyes full of doting affection.
"Of course... our Mianmian is also amazing!"
He looked back at Yang Luoluo, his voice full of pride.
"Classmate Yang Luoluo, didn't you know? Mianmian only truly began practicing martial arts two months ago, under my guidance. Before that, she was just a business student."
"Her talent is very strong, and she's very diligent."
Originally, seeing Shen Anyu continuously praise the beautiful doll-faced girl in front of him, Su Hongmian was fuming, her jealousy overflowing like boiling acid.
But upon hearing Shen Anyu's praise directed at her... her face immediately broke into a smile. The clouds cleared instantly.
She gave Shen Anyu a sidelong glance with her beautiful eyes—a look of both playful reproach and intense delight.
'Hmph. At least you know who your woman is.'
"What?"
Yang Luoluo froze.
"How is that possible?"
She stared at Su Hongmian.
"She... she only truly started practicing martial arts two months ago? Two months?!"
Yang Luoluo was stunned, dumbfounded, and speechless.
Her talent was already very good; she started practicing martial arts before kindergarten, and later met an expert. Now, she was still a few months shy of twenty, and her martial arts Realm was Innate Peak.
Looking across the Yanxia Martial Arts World, calling her a Heavenly Daughter was no exaggeration; few of her peers could compare.
Before she turned thirty, she was bound to achieve Martial Arts Grandmaster, and even had hopes of Great Grandmaster!
But Su Hongmian?
She had only practiced for two months... yet she already had Innate-level martial arts cultivation? And she could execute advanced moves (with guidance)?
How was this possible? It defied the laws of cultivation!
Seeing Yang Luoluo's stunned and dumbfounded expression, Su Hongmian felt incredibly pleased.
Her mood greatly improved. She wasn't jealous anymore; she was proud.
She beamed, hugging Shen Anyu's arm tighter, pressing her chest against him.
"It's because my Brother Shen is amazing and guided me well."
Besides Shen Anyu's excellent guidance, there were also the mysterious God-Tier Elixirs (Essence Nourishing Pills) he fed her like candy. But Su Hongmian had been warned by Shen Anyu not to speak of them casually, so she naturally kept that secret.
Yang Luoluo didn't know this.
She looked at Shen Anyu. Her gaze changed.
It wasn't just respect anymore. It was awe. And curiosity.
'Who is he? Is he a hidden Grandmaster?'
Seeing the effect take hold, Shen Anyu smiled. He pulled Su Hongmian gently.
"Alright. We should go."
He waved at the stunned group of girls behind Yang Luoluo.
"Dismissed! Dinner gathering tomorrow! You can eat whatever you want, I'm paying!" Su Hongmian shouted, regaining her queenly aura.
Amidst a chorus of sweet female voices shouting "Long live the President," Su Hongmian pulled Shen Anyu's hand and dragged him outside.
Once they were out of earshot, she could no longer suppress the curiosity in her heart.
She whispered, pressing against him:
"Brother Shen... how did you do it? Predicting that baby-faced young girl's moves in advance and seeing her weaknesses? It was like magic!"
Shen Anyu smiled but said nothing.
With the [Tianji Observation Technique], he could observe celestial phenomena and geographical features, discern good and bad fortune, see through his opponent's qi, and fully perceive the changes in Heaven, Earth, and Man!
With Shen Anyu's current strength, let alone that the baby-faced young girl was only at Innate Peak, even a Grandmaster Peak expert could be predicted in advance, and their weaknesses seen.
As for martial arts grandmasters at the Heavenly Human Unity level... that is already a qualitative change, a sublimation of essence, qi, and spirit. Shen Anyu has not fought them yet, so he cannot judge. However, divine-level skills can improve as Shen Anyu's strength increases, so even if it's not possible now, it will definitely be possible in the future.
"Tell me! Brother Shen, tell me..."
Seeing Shen Anyu smile but remain silent, Su Hongmian, this tsundere young lady, actually started to act coquettishly.
She hugged Shen Anyu's arm with both hands, placing it against her soft chest and gently swaying it back and forth.
"Please~"
Shen Anyu, however, looked at Su Hongmian with a half-smile, not answering.
Instead, he suddenly asked:
"Mianmian... why did you tell those girls that the dinner gathering is tomorrow, and not tonight?"
"Why not celebrate our victory now?"
Su Hongmian's exquisitely beautiful face instantly turned crimson. It flushed so deep it looked ready to drip blood.
She lowered her head, burying her chin in her chest, not daring to lift it.
Shen Anyu reached out. He pinched Su Hongmian's delicate, fair chin, making her lift her head.
He found that Su Hongmian's beautiful eyes were already clouded with a thin mist—the mist of arousal and shyness.
"You... you're asking on purpose! You bully!"
Su Hongmian was filled with shame and anger.
Shen Anyu burst out laughing. His voice was gentle yet undeniable, ringing out in the quiet night.
"I want you to say it yourself."
"Tell me. Why are you free tonight?"
Su Hongmian stomped her foot. Her slender, fair hand twisted the flesh on Shen Anyu's waist once, but she didn't use much strength.
Under Shen Anyu's undeniable gaze, she crumbled.
She could only blush and murmur in an extremely tiny voice, like a mosquito:
"I... I said that if you helped me regain my Face by defeating that girl... I would reward you."
"Tonight... tonight I definitely won't have time to have dinner with them."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I have to... serve you."
"Are you satisfied now?"
Looking at the smile on Shen Anyu's handsome face, Su Hongmian almost wanted to pound him with her tiny fists. But in her heart, she thought she probably wouldn't bear to hurt him.
'Su Hongmian, you're hopeless...' Su Hongmian let out a wail in her heart. 'You are falling deeper and deeper.'
Shen Anyu asked with a smile, pulling her closer by the waist.
"Then... how did I do?"
"Did I help you regain your Face? Are you happy?"
Su Hongmian hummed twice, trying to maintain a shred of dignity.
"You did... very well."
"Unexpectedly well. I originally thought you would personally intervene and beat her up for me. But I didn't expect you to secretly guide me... letting me regain my Face with my own hands!"
At this point, a look of genuine happiness also appeared on Su Hongmian's delicate and charming face.
She had originally thought that she, the great President, was going to lose Face in front of her members. But Shen Anyu gave her the victory. He empowered her.
Double the surprise! Double the affection!
Su Hongmian's beautiful eyes secretly looked at Shen Anyu, filled with infinite tenderness and infatuation.
Seeing Shen Anyu turn his head to look at her, she hummed twice again, looking away. But her hand held onto Shen Anyu's hand tightly, refusing to let go.
'Tonight... tonight she would reward him generously. She would do whatever he asked.'
Su Hongmian thought, her face burning hotter.
Meanwhile, a mysterious smile curved at the corner of Shen Anyu's mouth.
Yang Luoluo didn't know this. She didn't know about the pills, the system, or the relationship.
She stood there, watching them leave.
Her gaze towards Shen Anyu changed...
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