The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 57

Chapter 057 Martial Arena Competition
“Sister-in-law, hurry up and come over! I’ve brought you a lot of delicious food.” However, Chu Zuizhi could not understand Xiao Xiwei’s mood at all, and he waved his arm happily.

Xiao Xiwei was helpless, but he had no choice but to walk towards Chu Zuizhi.

‘”Sister-in-law, look at this. There’s Osmanthus Sugar Steamed Chestnut Powder Cake, Rose Crisp, Qi Qiao Dim Sum, and Flowers Blossom Rich and Noble … These are all specially made by my Imperial Cuisine Master. They’re delicious.” Chu Zuizhi opened the box on the table like he was offering a treasure, bringing out plates of exquisite snacks.

“Zui Zhi, aren’t you calling me’sister-in-law ‘a little early?” As Chu Muzhi spoke, he smiled and looked at Xiao Xiwei.

Xiao Xiwei’s face was slightly hot, but Chu Zuizhi seemed to not hear her, and he kept pulling Xiao Xiwei to let her taste the snacks she brought.

“Look at the princess. Someone who doesn’t know what restaurant this Martial Guard Camp is in the capital.” Xiao Xiyang laughed and teased.

Chu Zuizhi raised his head and blinked his eyes at Xiao Xiyang for a long time before he curled his lips and pulled out a big smile. “Eh, you look really good!” As she said that, she tilted her head and thought for a moment before adding, “It looks better than my seventh and eighth brothers!”

This topic changed too quickly, and Xiao Xiyang was unable to react for a moment.

Chu Muzhi’s smiling face immediately collapsed.

She hadn’t reacted to what he had said to her for a long time. Xiao Xiyang casually said this, and she immediately returned. Isn’t this treatment too different?

Chu Xizhi put away his folding fan and knocked on Chu Zuizhi’s head. “Little girl, before you get married, you’ve already turned your elbow out.”

It was fine to say that Chu Muzhi was not as good-looking as Xiao Xiyang, so pulling him up was nothing!

Chu Zuizhi rubbed his painful head, wrinkled his face and glared at Chu Xi. He said unconvincingly, “He is originally better looking than you! If you don’t believe me, ask sister-in-law.” As she spoke, she pulled Xiao Xiwei out.

Xiao Xi noticed the two burning gazes on her body and smiled unnaturally. She picked up a snack from the table and gently took a bite. “Yes, this snack is quite delicious, Princess.”

“Hahaha” Chu Muzhi suddenly burst into laughter, and his gloomy mood had been swept away.

Chu Xizhi’s face darkened as he looked up at Xiao Xi Yang from head to toe, feeling rather uncomfortable in his heart.

He had always hated people mentioning his appearance in front of him, but Xiwei clearly felt that his appearance was inferior to Xiao Xiyang’s.

At this moment, the drums on the martial arena suddenly began to beat.

“Ya! The competition is about to begin.” Chu Zuizhi’s eyes lit up as he hurriedly grabbed Xiao Xiwei’s hand and sat back on the chair, throwing the topic of conversation to the back of his mind.

Xiao Xi smiled and shook his head. This Ninth Princess was truly a strange person.

The drums began to beat from all directions. After a long time, the drums stopped. At this time, General Zhou of the Guard Martial Camp strode onto the stage. He shouted to the people below, “Please come up and draw lots for the students participating in the martial examination this time!”

Xiao Xiyang stood up and pouted at Chu Xizhi, “Zimu, are you interested in having a fight?”

Chu Xizhi opened the folding fan and raised his eyebrows. “I’m not interested.”

“Aren’t you interested in joining the fun?” Xiao Xiyang’s gaze turned, “Are you afraid that you will lose face in front of my sister if you lose to me?”

Xiao Xiwei was originally preparing to drink tea with a teacup in hand, when she heard Xiao Xiyang’s words, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

She admitted that her brother’s martial arts were taught by her grandfather, but she did not necessarily have a chance of winning against Chu Xizhi. It was because she clearly remembered the Winter Committee hunt. He was surrounded by four snow wolves, but his expression did not change. He chopped the four snow wolves under his sword, not even wrinkling the corner of his clothes. It was precisely because of this that after Chu Yanzhi ascended the throne, he secretly sent twelve first-class experts to assassinate him, but he was still able to escape unscathed. Such a martial art was truly unfathomable. Therefore, his brother’s words could only be said to be self-humiliating.

Seeing Xiao Xiwei’s expression, Chu Xizhi couldn’t help but frown.

The matter of appearance was fine. Why did she think that he was not comparable to Xiao Xiyang in terms of martial arts? Could it be that in her heart, he was so inferior to her brother?

Seeing Chu Xizhi’s expression, Xiao Xiyang was delighted.

Looks like there’s something going on this time.

He had always wanted to have a good fight with Chu Xizhi, but he was always pushing back. The less he wanted to fight him, the more itchy his heart became.

“Speaking of which, I have never seen you reveal your martial arts before, Brother Emperor, but you are really exhilarating. That is truly hidden!” Chu Mu’s heart was also slightly excited when he saw this situation.

“I originally wanted to give you some face because you are my future uncle-in-law, but now it seems that you don’t need it. Think about it, what kind of face does a person who can even act as a messenger of the city wall need!” Chu Xizhi shook his folding fan and smiled at Xiao Xiyang. Then, he ignored his gaze and leisurely walked towards the martial arena.

Chu Muzhi looked at Xiao Xiyang’s red and white face and finally couldn’t help but laugh loudly.

It turned out that Seventh Brother also had such a poisonous tongue!

Seeing that Chu Xizhi had also stepped onto the stage, General Zhou, who was in charge of the examination, was shocked. “Your Highness, why are you participating?”

Although there were many noble Xun disciples participating in the martial examinations held by the Martial Guard Camp every year, and there were often princes who came to see the show, none of them had ever come on stage to officially compete in martial arts.

“What, General Zhou thinks I’m not qualified?” Chu Xizhi smiled.

“No. I don’t dare.” General Zhou hurriedly bowed his hands.

Chu Xizhi curled his lips and casually drew a lot from the nearby bamboo tube. Then, he walked to the side and sat down in front of the waiting table.

“It’s rare for Seventh Brother to have such fun today. Fourth Brother, I remember that your martial arts skills are not bad. Why don’t you go up and play as well?” A man dressed in bright yellow brocade robes suddenly shouted from the shed opposite him. It was none other than the current Crown Prince, Chu Jingzhi.

“Since Royal Brother has spoken, then this official brother will be disrespectful.” The fourth prince, Chu Yanzhi, stood up and cupped his fists towards Chu Jingzhi before walking onto the stage.

“Eighth Brother, do you want to come up as well?” The Crown Prince said loudly to Chu Muzhi from across the arena.

Chu Muzhi stood up and reported, smiling and saying, “Royal Brother, if you want me to fight a cockfight, it’s okay to shake my lust. Do you want to compete in martial arts … I won’t embarrass our royal family anymore?”

He had been weak and sick since childhood, and the reason he was able to sit here was because he had been soaked in medicine jars all year round. The Crown Prince clearly wanted to embarrass him by proposing to let him go on stage even though he knew this.

“Then I won’t force eighth brother.” The Crown Prince smiled as expected, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.

Chu Muzhi smiled and sat down carelessly.

This time, there were two princes who wanted to join the competition, causing the arena to boil with worry and excitement.

Seeing Chu Yanzhi on stage, Xiao Xile’s eyes shone brightly.

With a’dang ‘sound, General Zhou shouted from the stage, “First match, Xiao Xiyang of the Marquis of Loyalty versus Zheng Lin of the Duke of Zheng.”

Xiao Xiyang took the lead on the stage and casually took a spear from the weapon rack beside him. Then, he took a few steps forward with satisfaction. On the other side, Zheng Lin chose a pair of blades. After saluting with both hands, the two of them took three steps back. After General Zhou gave the order, they immediately rushed towards each other and beckoned.

Xiao Xiwei did not understand this at all. She only felt that the fighting on the stage was very intense. Her older brother Xiao Xi Yang’s spear was so powerful that it forced Zheng Lin to retreat repeatedly. In addition, Zheng Lin’s two sabers were already short, so being forced by the spear made him look even more dispirited. Xiao Xiwei only watched for a while and knew that his brother would win this competition. Thus, he leisurely took a sip of the tea on the table. Unexpectedly, he saw Chu Zuizhi staring at the stage with his hands clenched tightly without blinking. He couldn’t help but cover his mouth and chuckle a few times.

Suddenly, the gongs and drums on the stage rang.

Before Xiao Xiwei could regain her senses, she saw that Chu Zuizhi had already jumped up, “Great, Big Brother Xiao has won! Big Brother Xiao has won!”

Xiao Xiwei turned around and saw that his brother was standing proudly in his hand. The spear in his right hand pointed straight at Deng Lin’s throat.

“Zui Zhi, looking at you like this, it seems like the one who won on the stage is you.” Chu Muzhi looked at Chu Zuizhi meaningfully.

Hearing Chu Muzhi’s words, Xiao Xiwei unconsciously looked towards Chu Zuizhi. “Of course, Big Brother Xiao is Sister-in-law’s big brother!” Chu Zuizhi turned around and looked at Chu Mu Zhi calmly, “Of course, Big Brother Xiao is Sister-in-law’s big brother!”

“In the first match, Xiao Xiyang of the Marquis of Loyalty won!” At this time, the general’s voice sounded last week.

“Second sister, big brother won.” Seeing that Xiao Xiyang had won, Xiao Xichun, who had been silent all this while, couldn’t help but reveal some excitement and joy on his face.

Xiao Xile glanced at Xiao Xichun contemptuously, then turned around and pretended not to see him.

In the next few matches, neither Xiao Xiyang nor Chu Xizhi were present. Therefore, both Xiao Xiwei and Chu Zuizhi were lacking in interest. The reason why Chu Zuizhi was lacking in interest was because she was busy eliminating all the snacks she had brought.

Xiao Xile watched as Chu Zuiyi gulped down the wind and clouds, and a trace of contempt couldn’t help but appear in her eyes.

Looking at her appearance, how could she have the appearance that a princess should have?

‘Hiccup’ Chu Zuizhi rubbed his round belly and felt full.

“Princess, have a drink of tea.” Xiao Xi smiled and poured her a cup of tea.

Chu Zuizhi smiled and took a sip. Then, he pouted and said with some regret, “If only there was wine!”

As he spoke, the gongs and drums on the stage sounded again.

“Seventh match, Fourth Prince versus Seventh Prince.”

“Ya! Seventh brother is finally here.” Chu Zuizhi happily looked towards the martial arena.

Xiao Xile couldn’t help but look at the stage excitedly.

Chu Yan wore a crescent-colored brocade robe that made his entire body as moist as jade. Even if he held a sword, it did not have the slightest bit of the natural temperament around him. On the other hand, Chu Xizhi was dressed in a light blue robe with a red plum embroidered on it, which made his already gorgeous appearance even more charming. However, this charm carried a bit of cynicism, causing the hearts of the girls below to beat wildly.

“Does Seventh Brother not use weapons?” Chu Yanzhi looked at Chu Xizhi with a faint smile on his lips.

She turned herself down for him. Not only that, she even tricked him into handing the jade pendant over to Xiao Xile.

His heart was stepped on by her like this.

And all of this was because of this person in front of him.

Chu Xizhi’s long and narrow eyes swept across one of Chu Yan’s eyes with a smile that was not a smile. His beautiful thin lips coldly spat out two words, “No need!”

No need! With just two words, he showed his contempt for him.

A trace of murderous intent suddenly flashed through his usually warm eyes.

“Since that’s the case, I have no choice but to offend you!” As soon as Chu Yanzhi finished speaking, the blade of the long and medium sword shot towards Chu Xizhi. His figure was as fast as lightning. Just as the tip of the sword was about to pierce through Chu Xizhi’s chest, a figure suddenly flashed in front of him. The Chu Xizhi in front of him suddenly moved quickly behind him, sticking to his sword body. Chu Yanzhi took a deep breath and swiped several swords with his back hand. Every time, he attacked without defending, and his attack was fierce, only to slash the person in front of him under the sword.

At the beginning, Chu Xizhi was still fighting Chu Yanzhi with a bit of contempt, but after a few moves, his moves were fierce, and all of them were moves that could attack without defending, causing him to have no choice but to raise his spirits. When the two of them came and went on stage, the battle was extremely intense. Several times, Chu Yanzhi’s sword tip sliced past Chu Xiyang’s head, causing cold sweat to run down Xiao Xiwei’s body.

“I didn’t expect that Fourth Emperor Brother really wouldn’t reveal his secret!” Chu Muzhi looked at the two people on the stage and said coldly.

Just as he finished speaking, Chu Yanzhi suddenly flew up and swept his sword fiercely towards Chu Xizhi. He had used ten layers of strength in this sword strike. Chu Xizhi’s eyes sank. He raised his hand and the folding fan in his hand shot towards Chu Yanzhi’s wrist. Chu Yan’s hand ached. The sword flew out of his hand, but it flew straight towards Xiao Xiwei below the stage.