Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Pledging Herself

Within a small annex of the Sifang Pavilion.

A little girl, dressed in a pink robe and adorned with a pink butterfly sash, sat atop a smooth stone. Her hands rested behind her as she blinked repeatedly at the small pond before her.

However, the little girl’s gaze seemed not to be on the koi fish in the pond.

The little girl had a problem now.

Xu Ming had saved her; how should she repay Xu Ming?

The little girl had asked her mother and Master Fang.

Though both her mother and Master Fang said that the Qi Kingdom would naturally return this favor.

“Cici, what are you doing?” Grandpa Fang approached, ruffling this little lass’s head.

In truth, Zhu Cici had been there since Xu Ming and Lady Wang were practicing, but Zhu Cici didn’t want to disturb them, so she waited by the courtyard gate.

“Not fast enough.” Fang Jingchun shook his head. “Originally, our mission to the Wu Kingdom wouldn’t last long, but now that you’ve encountered this situation, we suspect they might have more tricks up their sleeve. It feels like things aren’t that simple. Returning a few days early would be better.”

“Eh? The day after tomorrow? How could it be so soon?” Zhu Cici was somewhat surprised.

Fang Jingchun thought for a moment. “Then I’ll accompany you, Cici.”

Zhu Cici’s little hand fiddled with the wall, her long lashes fluttering like butterflies with every blink.

“Hmm,” Zhu Cici nodded, her small heart carrying a slight heaviness.

After Grandpa Fang brought Zhu Cici to the Xu Mansion, the old lady of the Xu family personally came out to receive them.

Zhu Cici stood up from the stone, turned around, hopped down, and gracefully bowed. “Grandpa Fang.”

“By the way, Cici, prepare yourself. We’re leaving the Wu Kingdom the day after tomorrow.” Fang Jingchun collected his thoughts and spoke to the little girl before him.

“The first Body Tempering under the Mercury Mirror is crucial for martial artists because it lays the foundation for every subsequent realm.”

“I wasn’t doing anything, just thinking about some things.” Zhu Cici looked up from beneath Grandpa Fang’s aged palm.

After dodging, Xu Ming turned his back to Lady Wang and simultaneously delivered an elbow strike to her abdomen.

Xu Ming’s fists rained down on Lady Wang’s body. She didn’t dodge but instead met his assault with equal force.

In the courtyard, Lady Wang spoke to Xu Ming.

As Lady Wang steadied herself, Xu Ming charged forward again.

Intense boxing energy swirled around Xu Ming, causing Lady Wang to furrow her eyebrows slightly as she sensed a threat emanating from this eight-year-old child.

On the other side, Lady Wang initially intended to help Xu Ming up, but a small figure had already run to his side.

Some families use dragon blood for Body Tempering, others use Blood Spirit Fruit.

To them, dragon blood seems more effective than Blood Spirit Fruit, but in reality, the difference isn’t significant.

Unexpectedly, the Ten Thousand Phenomena Demon Kingdom displayed such audacity, acting as if insane.

And at the entrance of the courtyard, a young girl watched the scene unfold before her, blinking continuously.

When Lady Wang caught Xu Ming’s fist and pulled him forward forcefully, he lost balance and was met face-to-face with her elegant punch.

Thinking and pondering, Zhu Cici imagined running away together with Xu Ming.

Though materials for Body Tempering are somewhat particular, they aren’t too numerous.

Ultimately, it seemed that the only way was to pledge herself.

“I’m nine years old now, Xu Ming is eight. According to Qi Kingdom law, I need to wait five more years before I can marry.”

Divine Drumming.

Just as Zhu Cici imagined living secluded in the mountains with Xu Ming, a voice rang out behind her.

“Understood, Auntie.” Xu Ming nodded, assuming a Fist Stance.

Lady Wang retreated half a meter, but Xu Ming was already flying backward, landing far away.

Hearing the young girl’s words, Fang Jingchun paused, thinking Cici was still worried about the assassination attempt. He comforted her gently, saying, “It’s fine, it won’t happen again.”

Lady Wang met the attack with her fists, countering directly.

What exactly was the Ten Thousand Phenomena Demon Kingdom planning?

Fang Jingchun felt that this assassination attempt wasn’t merely about “assassination.”

“Come, use the Drumming technique to practice with me.”

The intensity of their fists grew higher and higher, each punch heavier than the last.

Lady Wang transformed her fists into palms, meeting Xu Ming’s small fist right at the center of her palm. The boxing energy dispersed upon contact.

“But Xu Ming is from the Wu Kingdom, and I’m from the Qi Kingdom. What should I do?”

The little girl flipped through all the books and classics she had read.

Does he not fear retaliation from the Wu and Qi Kingdoms uniting?

“Transforming silver has its limits when it comes to shaping.”

The little girl carefully calculated using her delicate fingers.

“After marriage, I must bear children for Xu Ming and then support my husband while educating our children.”

Half a moment later, when their final punches collided.

After expressing his intentions, the old lady of the Xu family smiled widely and sent a maidservant to fetch Xu Ming from Phoenix’s quarters.

“Boom!”

But the little girl still believed this was her responsibility. He saved her life, so she should repay him—it had nothing to do with anyone else.

“Oh…” Zhu Cici lowered her head softly. “Grandpa Fang, can I go see Xu Ming? There’s something I want to say to him.”

“If I marry a rooster, I follow the rooster; if I marry a dog, I follow the dog. Then I must stay in the Wu Kingdom properly. It will just be inconvenient to visit my parents afterward.”

Xu Ming stomped his left foot hard, launching himself like a cannonball. His right fist aimed straight for Lady Wang’s chest.

“Then I should eat a bit more. Mother said girls who eat more develop larger bottoms, which makes childbirth easier.”

I’ve taken all these materials. When you feel ready to break through, come to me, and I’ll prepare the medicinal bath for you.”

Last time, it was indeed my oversight.

“By the way, what if my parents don’t agree with me pledging myself? Would I have to elope with Xu Ming then?”

“How many children does Xu Ming want?”

Zhu Cici was startled and quickly ran into the courtyard.

Primarily because within Wudu, under the protection of the Wu Kingdom’s emperor and the blessings of the Dragon’s fortune, nothing serious should happen.

If Cici really gets into trouble, the Qi Kingdom will undoubtedly spare no expense to fight against the Ten Thousand Phenomena Demon Kingdom, and the Wu Kingdom will certainly send troops.

“I’m… okay,” Xu Ming sat up from the ground, and Zhu Cici hurriedly helped him up.

Lying on the ground, Xu Ming opened his eyes to find a pair of apricot eyes looking down at him, blinking repeatedly. “Are you alright?”

“How did you come here, Cici?” Xu Ming asked.

“I have something I want to tell you.” Zhu Cici blushed red as she spoke.