Chapter 23: The Spar
Early in the morning, while the surroundings were still gray and hazy, Wen Ning’an pulled Feng Qi out into the courtyard.
It was impossible for them to actually aim for each other’s vital points with real blades, so they played “Flower Snatching.” Flower Snatching was a way of sparring. The two of them would tuck a flower into their waistbands, and whoever snatched the other’s flower first was the winner.
This custom had started with Emperor Feng Miao, who was said to have often played Flower Snatching with his male empress. Later, their pastime gradually spread to the nobility, to the common people, and beyond Bei Miao, and now it was a common form of entertainment. It was an indispensable part of festivals and celebrations. When Feng Qi was coronated, the Flower Snatching tournament had lasted for three days and three nights.
“As we said before, if I win, you have to grant me three requests.” Wen Ning’an stood not far from Feng Qi, holding his sword. Wen Ning’an’s sword was not some peerless blade, just made of good material, with a slender and sharp body. He had always believed that a sword was good as long as it was useful; it didn’t need any story or legend.
Feng Qi raised an eyebrow. “Alright, but if I win, I also get to make a request. Just one.”
Feng Qi thought to himself, You just have to accompany me in doing that intimate deed.
Wen Ning’an’s heart skipped a beat. Seeing Feng Qi’s unconcealable wicked smile and the light in his eyes, Wen Ning’an could guess what his so-called “one and only request” was…
This is truly a battle for honor and chastity…
Swoosh—
Seeing Wen Ning’an seem to be in a daze for a moment, Feng Qi immediately seized the opportunity. Like a cheetah, he leaped from his spot into the air and rushed towards Wen Ning’an.
Xingxing and Liangliang, the two little ones, sat obediently at the side, watching the two of them with wide eyes.
The two had grown up together since childhood and knew each other’s moves like the back of their hands. They could almost completely predict them, which added to the difficulty of this spar. One had to be unexpected to catch the other off guard.
However…
Unlike Feng Qi’s cunning and ever-changing sword moves, although Wen Ning’an was a renowned, ever-victorious general on the battlefield, it seemed all his talent was used up there. Since they were young, every time they sparred, his moves were conventional and by the book, just like his usual proper and disciplined posture. Feng Qi sometimes even thought he was letting him win. He clearly performed well when fighting others, so why was it that as soon as he faced him, it was as if he were missing a screw?
Seeing Wen Ning’an seriously initiate a sword move, Feng Qi didn’t even bother to roll his eyes. He knew the next move would definitely be the “Flying Dragon Over the Mountain” style.
Feng Qi blinked, and an idea flashed in his mind. He pushed off with his leg and quickly attacked. Wen Ning’an hurriedly parried. Seeing that Feng Qi’s hand was about to reach his left waist, he immediately turned to dodge and swung his sword at Feng Qi.
However, unexpectedly, Feng Qi neither pursued nor dodged. Instead, as Wen Ning’an turned, he used his free left hand to give his buttocks a firm squeeze. Having succeeded, Feng Qi retreated to a safe distance.
Wen Ning’an: “!!!”
Before Wen Ning’an could come back to his senses, Feng Qi flipped over and came at him again, this time from the right… Wen Ning’an was repeatedly startled by him, not expecting this person to be so shameless. The sword he had attacked with lost its aim. Feng Qi’s right hand, holding the sharp sword, swung, and with a backhand strike, he knocked Wen Ning’an’s sword away.
Feng Qi had the upper hand and smiled even more arrogantly. Wen Ning’an, having lost his weapon, was unwilling to admit defeat just like that, so he had to fight with his bare hands. Feng Qi, having gained the advantage, became even more active. Wanting to be a gentleman in front of Wen Ning’an, he twirled his sword and threw it away. The sword stuck straight into the ground beside the two little ones. The two little ones, who had been concentrating, were startled, baring their teeth and pressing against each other, the fur on their bodies standing on end. Wen Ning’an was also stunned by him.
Feng Qi seized the opportunity and threw a straight punch with a gust of wind. Wen Ning’an leaned to the side to dodge. Feng Qi smiled in triumph. With his left hand already prepared, he seized his waist and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Before Wen Ning’an could get angry, he launched a fierce and rapid attack as if he were serious. Wen Ning’an was forced to dodge passively. Feng Qi saw an opportunity and feigned an attack. As he leaned back to dodge, he reached out with a long arm, pulled him into his embrace, pinned the hand that was trying to counterattack, and, lowering his head, planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
Wen Ning’an: “…”
This bastard!
Seeing Wen Ning’an’s angry and embarrassed look, Feng Qi chuckled softly.
If this goes on, I’ll lose sooner or later… Wen Ning’an was extremely annoyed. Why does Feng Qi keep using such “underhanded” tricks!
Wen Ning’an clenched his fists and then, recklessly, threw himself at Feng Qi.
Feng Qi was startled. Seeing Wen Ning’an rush into his arms as if his life depended on it, he hurriedly withdrew his move, afraid of accidentally injuring him.
…
Feng Qi stared blankly at the person in his arms, petrified on the spot.
Wen Ning’an had wrapped one arm around Feng Qi’s neck, raised his head, and pressed his lips against Feng Qi’s. Four soft lips were pressed together without any gaps. Feng Qi felt a “boom” in his head, as if something had snapped. The world was reduced to the softness on his lips…
Seeing that Wen Ning’an was just pressing against him and not moving, Feng Qi reached out and pushed Wen Ning’an’s head up firmly, bringing them even closer, his tongue prying open Wen Ning’an’s mouth and invading.
“Mmph—”
Wen Ning’an tilted his head back, feeling a little suffocated.
When the long kiss finally ended, Wen Ning’an, now free, couldn’t help but gasp for fresh air. Feng Qi licked his lower lip in satisfaction, only to discover with surprise…
Wen Ning’an was holding a flower in his dangling hand.
Stunned, Feng Qi looked down and saw that the side of his own waist was empty.
…???
“Pfft.” Seeing that Feng Qi still hadn’t realized he had lost, Wen Ning’an smiled. “What? Only the official is allowed to start a fire, but the common people are not allowed to light a lamp?”
The corner of Feng Qi’s mouth twitched.
“In the end, I won.” Wen Ning’an raised his eyebrows and held up three fingers. “Three requests.”
Feng “I can win even while lying down” Qi felt he had lost some face. He tried to make his expression look more domineering and handsome. “Hmph, you’re just taking advantage of the fact that I like you. Three requests it is. Even if you had lost, I would have granted any of your requests.”
Wen Ning’an silently rolled his eyes.
Feng Qi continued relentlessly, “Although you won, you must admit that my martial arts are superior to yours. You were struggling when you were fighting me just now.”
This was very important. Having lost the spar, he had to reassert his husbandly authority! Otherwise, what would he do if his wife looked down on him in the future?
“That’s because you used dirty tricks!”
“Fine.” Feng Qi picked up the sword he had dropped and threw it to Wen Ning’an, then opened his hands. “Come on. Attack me. Defeat me.”
Now that it was one move at a time, Feng Qi couldn’t predict Wen Ning’an’s next move, but he was still confident he could win.
Wen Ning’an subconsciously caught the flying sword. Seeing Feng Qi standing before him with his bare hands, he narrowed his eyes and attacked with a “Flood Dragon Emerges from the Water” move.
Feng Qi moved his body and hands, easily twisting Wen Ning’an’s hand behind his back with one hand, and with the other, he squeezed Wen Ning’an’s buttocks again.
“Want another go?” Feng Qi blinked.
Wen Ning’an retreated, thought for a moment, and chose to attack Feng Qi’s lower body. However, Feng Qi raised his leg and, with a “Sweep a Thousand Armies” move, hooked him and made him fall back. Feng Qi caught him, held him in his arms, and squeezed his chest hard.
“Want another go?”
…
The sun gradually grew harsh, and before they knew it, it was noon. Xingxing and Liangliang were lying on the soft grass, leaning against each other and lazily sunbathing, having long lost interest in their masters’ fight.
Wen Ning’an, who had been touched all over, looked at the sated Feng Qi with a blank expression and conceded.
“I have been fighting bloody battles and practicing diligently outside every day, while you were busy with political affairs and indulging in the inner palace. Why are your martial arts still better than mine!” Wen Ning’an was completely baffled, his heart extremely unbalanced. He was considered unbeatable in the army and had even fought to a draw with the martial arts alliance leader on the northern frontier. How could he be so completely crushed by Feng Qi?
This was just too unfair! What about practice makes perfect?
“Indulging in the inner palace?” Feng Qi raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you dare say that. I haven’t touched a single woman in the inner palace, and isn’t it all because of you?”
Wen Ning’an still looked straight at Feng Qi, seeming to be waiting for his answer.
“I don’t believe in talent.”
Feng Qi felt very wronged.
“It really is just extraordinary talent.”
Seeing Wen Ning’an turn and leave for the hall in a huff, Feng Qi smiled and rubbed his chin. He also didn’t understand why Wen Ning’an had been so obsessed with defeating him since they were young. Look, this was the first time the usually gentle Wen Ning’an had shown his dissatisfaction on his face, throwing a tantrum.
Feng Qi smiled, then, as if remembering something, he looked down at his own palm. A totem in the shape of a sun had appeared on it at some point. The eerie, dark green totem was faintly flickering. Feng Qi hadn’t used his inner energy for a while, so the totem slowly faded and disappeared…
Feng Qi shook his head. If my martial arts and inner energy weren’t so strong, wouldn’t I be letting down this “Ultimate” mental cultivation method?
Heh, but we can have a few more of these kinds of spars (groping sessions) in the future.
