Chapter 512 Hairpin
Chapter 512 Hairpin
"Wu Long"
"Haha, just who I was looking for. I heard from Ling'er that you have recently made progress with the spear technique I gave you last time, Rui'er"
Wu Long chuckled, a joyous light appearing in the eyes of the beauty.
"Hehe, I may have been a bit overzealous with practice... but... I think I am on the verge of a breakthrough. I've even crossed spears with General Feng several times...
Though I cannot beat him yet"
Bi Rui first blushed as she realized he might have heard that she was absorbed in her spear training recently. But then slightly lowered her eyes.
She was higher than General Feng in cultivation due to the fact she Dual Cultivated with Wu Long, but was still far behind General Feng in technique and understanding of spear, since the latter already comprehended Spear Intent long before she was even born.
And as they sparred with the intention of competing in pure spearmanship, the playing field was leveled.
He was known as the best Spearman on the Azure Eagle Continent, and the best warrior in the nearby region.
Someone who only recently started making rapid advancements with her spear techniques after a period of stagnation and lack of proper guidance could not possibly beat him that easily when cultivation did not play any role.
"Mm, I?believe he's the best warrior I crossed blades with?in terms of pure skill and battle talent on both continents I had been.
Butler Bang might be coming at close second in terms of his skill with the steel wires, though he is rapidly making progress, and so is General Feng, so it could be interesting to see who of the two would come out on top if they sparred in a month or two"
Wu Long nodded with a pondering expression, acknowledging the red-haired man's prowess and skill, and seeing surprise in the eyes of the beauty continued to explain.
"If we talk only about men, there may have been people who were higher than him in cultivation, or had better legacies, but I have yet to encounter a man with such great natural talent with a weapon as well as acute battle senses.
Hmm, maybe one blind swordsman, but that one's not been alive long enough yet and his Master's leading him astray so he is still too far from reaching General Feng's level.
Besides, he has been honing his spear, working hard with that talent since he was very young, and he is over 300 years old"
Wu Long then touched his chin as he gave his high evaluation, so much so that Bi Rui's eyes widened as she never heard such high praise coming from him toward another man.
Not to mention that she thought Wu Long kept his distance from General Feng based on their interactions.
He in fact did not lie or otherwise overpraise General Feng, though he did specify men since there were those among his women who gave him a surprise as well, Bi Rui included.
Though General Feng still did not reach the 'monstrous' level of battle talent he himself was evaluated as by others.
Hearing his estimation, Bi Rui's frustration subsided. And though she did not become complacent because of that, the knot in her mind that was beginning to form became untied, freeing her thoughts to flow smoothly.
"That said, let's go on a date"
"Huh?"
She widened her eyes at the sudden change of topic.
"Mm, I decided to go on a date with you. Would you rather we don't?"
"No! I-I'll go"
There was no hesitation in her response, as she almost stumbled from trying to speak too fast.
"Then I'll be waiting for you at the entrance"
He smiled, and she nodded, turning and running away.
As she was no longer an Imperial Guard, Bi Rui generally wore rather plain robes, often tying them with straps so that they are not flappy around the sleeves, as she spent most of her days in training with the spear.
But on such an occasion, she appeared in a white cheongsam with golden patterns that he bought for her while they were in the capital.
They didn't do anything special, simply walking around the city and spending romantic time together, the very presence of each other being enough to make this day special.
At one point, a hairpin in a jewelry store they passed by caught Wu Long's eye and he led Bi Rui inside despite her subtle protest.
As he put the hairpin into her bobcut hair, she slightly blushed, turning to the side.
"Oh my! You have a good eye-..."
And while the merchant began the usual mantra Wu Long's eyes glinted as he saw the expression of shyness and modesty, yet at the same time a pure joy in the eyes of the beauty, placing a pouch with payment on the counter.
"W-wai-"
"Mm, it suits you"
He smiled with a look of appreciation, not letting her worry about the fact it was expensive, and a slightly shy smile appeared on her lips.
"I-I don't know. But if you like it..."
She bashfully said as he touched her cheek, causing her to look into his eyes, instantly drawn into them by the sea of tender care she saw inside.
"Rui'er, never underestimate yourself. It is important to want to improve and be better, and it is important to not be complacent, but that should not mean to put yourself down"
His words made her freeze for a moment, and then slowly nod.
Bi Rui had a skewed perception when it came to herself, as she knew she had good natural features, an overall beautiful appearance, but never considered herself lady-like, someone who matched well with such delicate accessories as this hairpin.
When she first saw Ye Ling, who was extremely feminine with long black hair and a refined bearing despite being an expert sword wielder, a far better one that she was a spear wielder, she unconsciously started being ashamed of her unlady-like self.
However, the look in his eyes at this moment told her that he found her beautiful, and that the hairpin he picked out for her truly suited her in his view.
Her chest warmed up as her heart beat faster, and she leaned in for a kiss that he answered.
They spent the rest of the day stuck together, as she did not leave his side.
In the evening, she looked at the hairpin in her hands with warm eyes, giggling to herself as she was not able to put it away.
And as she started training the next day, she suddenly felt as if a wall that was in front of her disappeared, feeling lightness and ease of thoughts. Her eyes first expressed surprise, and then a smile touched her lips.