40: Chapter 40: The First Genius of the Royal City 40: Chapter 40: The First Genius of the Royal City “Of course, it’s important business when I’m looking for him!”
Nan Yuxin stated matter-of-factly, her delicate face full of excitement, as her large eyes swept ceaselessly across the first floor, vainly searching for that Young Master Jun.
The innkeeper said with difficulty, “Do you have an appointment with Young Master Jun?
If you do, please wait here.”
Nan Yuxin was notoriously challenging.
She was probably looking for Young Master Jun to have a spar, but he didn’t want to outright turn her away—not when her father was such a formidable figure.
“Just tell me which room he’s in!”
Nan Yuxin approached the counter, smiling playfully, although her sly grin carried an obvious threat.
The innkeeper felt an even bigger headache coming on.
Putting aside his desire to curry favor with Qin Jun, revealing Qin Jun’s information would ruin the reputation of Cliff Inn.
Just then, a cold snort sounded from the third floor’s corridor.
Nan Yuxin looked up to see a white-clothed young man coming down the stairs.
His face was covered with a white veil, revealing only a pair of eyes—it was indeed Qin Jun.
The white veil was what he had borrowed from Daji.
Nan Yuxin’s eyes brightened; Qin Jun looked magnificent with the white veil.
Having broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm, his skin was fair and eyes deep as the stars.
He walked with an imposing air, fresh and elegant, the very image of a graceful young master.
Still in her youthful bloom, Nan Yuxin felt something blossom and fruit in her heart at the sight of him, accelerating her heartbeat.
Ever since she’d heard about Young Master Jun’s exploits, she’d taken a keen interest in him.
There weren’t many in the royal city who could suppress the Fifth Prince.
Although the Fifth Prince, Qin Yu, was also gracious and elegant, she found his character unlikable and despised him even more when he frequently sought marriage with Nan Meng.
So, when she heard someone had made a fool of Qin Yu, she laughed until she couldn’t close her mouth.
Somehow, she started fantasizing about Young Master Jun, and of course, that was thanks to the hype from the rumor mongers in town.
Now, Nan Yuxin was very satisfied with her first glimpse of Qin Jun; he was exactly as she had imagined the Young Master Jun would be.
As if he had stepped right out of a painting.
“Are you Young Master Jun?” Nan Yuxin me his gaze, filled with fascination and surprise as she appraised Qin Jun.
Silent, Qin Jun walked down the stairs and, with his back to Nan Yuxin, said in a deep voice, “Princess Nan, what do you want?”
The guests around were very curious—why was Qin Jun wearing a veil today?
“You know who I am?” Nan Yuxin asked in surprised delight, though she then remembered that her father was the venerated general, so it wasn’t unusual for her identity to be known.
Qin Jun didn’t answer or turn to face her, to prevent her from recognizing him.
This attitude, in Nan Yuxin’s eyes, seemed aloof.
Not only was she not angered, but she was even more curious.
Had it been anyone else aware of her identity, they would have certainly acted with anxious respect.
It was rare to encounter anyone who showed such disinterest as Qin Jun did, especially among her peers.
“Let’s have a match!”
Nan Yuxin suggested eagerly.
As her words fell, she stepped forward, her body slightly turned, and struck out with her right palm from behind her, aiming for Qin Jun’s back.
Though Qin Jun’s foundation wasn’t stable, he was, after all, at the Foundation Establishment realm.
How could he be injured by an energy refining realm cultivator?
He quickly turned around, his left hand shooting out like lightning to grab Nan Yuxin’s wrist, halting her advance in an instant.
Nan Yuxin’s pupils contracted.
Qin Jun’s turning speed was so rapid that her eyes couldn’t even catch up.
She instinctively tried to wriggle free from Qin Jun’s grip, but her right hand couldn’t break free from his left, as if clamped by iron tongs.
“Let go of me!” Nan Yuxin glared and commanded, her heartbeat speeding up yet another notch, her cheeks flushing—a reaction surely amplified by the public setting.
A casual flick of Qin Jun’s wrist, and Nan Yuxin’s body uncontrollably retreated, staggering seven steps backward until she collided with the counter.
The innkeeper could do nothing but hold his forehead.
He couldn’t afford to offend Nan Yuxin, nor Qin Jun.
Seeing the two arguing, he could only watch helplessly.
“Princess Nan, this is Cliff Inn; please respect the place’s rules and do not abuse your father’s status.” Qin Jun turned his back to Nan Yuxin as he spoke coldly, intentionally deepening his voice to prevent her from detecting his real identity.
Upon hearing this, Nan Yuxin’s indignation flared, her fists clenched and her posture rigid as she ground out, “When have I ever been unreasonable?”
Nan Yuxin, looking at Qin Jun’s retreating figure, suddenly felt slighted.
She glanced around subconsciously and noticed the inn’s guests staring at her with fearful eyes, making her a bit embarrassed.
“Shall we talk outside?” suggested Nan Yuxin.
Now it was Qin Jun’s turn to be speechless.
Lady, are we familiar with each other?
Nan Yuxin seemed to sense what was on Qin Jun’s mind and hurriedly explained, “I’m just curious to see what kind of person Young Master Jun is, to have tamed a powerhouse that even Qin Yu couldn’t control.”
Qin Jun replied impatiently, “You are not my match, leave at once!”
The surrounding guests couldn’t help but marvel, to see even the willful Princess Nan being dismissed so boldly.
Indeed, the strength of one’s followers reflected the strength of their leader.
Just as Guan Yu showed no regard for the Fifth Prince, Qin Jun showed none for Nan Yuxin.
Nan Yuxin trembled with anger, pointing her trembling hand at Qin Jun but was too choked with emotion to speak.
Eventually, she snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Four attendants cast curious glances at Qin Jun and hurried to follow her.
It was their first time seeing anyone so blatantly disrespect Nan Yuxin, especially a young man of the same age.
After Nan Yuxin’s departure, Qin Jun finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew his actions today would likely have Nan Yuxin persistently bothering him until she defeated him—but he wasn’t concerned.
In just three days, the competition between the two countries would take place, and he would step out into the open, duly reclaiming his prince’s position.
Shaking his head, Qin Jun walked over to an empty small table.
“Well done, Young Master Jun.
You’re incredible, not even giving Princess Nan face!” exclaimed a guest admiringly.
“Princess Nan is too haughty.
She didn’t give Young Master Jun face to begin with, so why should he offer any to her?” another chimed in.
“Tsk, tsk, knowing her personality, she definitely won’t let this go,” a third commented.
“But I somehow feel like Princess Nan is interested in Young Master Jun.” said another.
If this gets out, it’ll drive the Fifth Prince crazy with jealousy,” laughed a guest.
The guests continued discussing amongst themselves, and Qin Jun simply shook his head and smiled, little knowing that within half a day, the gossip about Princess Nan fancying him had already spread.
You have to admit, cultivators can be gossips, too.
Of course, their gossip is only about the powerful; the weak are of no interest for them to discuss.
In just a few days, the name Young Master Jun resonated throughout the royal city, even earning the title of the city’s top genius.
As the competition between the two countries drew near, more and more cultivators arrived in the royal city, with even the three major sects sending observers.
For the competition, the strongest contenders would be sent out—those at least within the Golden Elixir Realm.
Nan Meng was even at the Ascending Mortal Realm; such a grand battle would naturally draw the attention of various forces.
Just by watching, one could learn a lot!