Chapter 861 - 403: Courtesan Sister, Remarkable Archery, Status Ascends, Officially a Tiqi!

Chapter 861: Chapter 403: Courtesan Sister, Remarkable Archery, Status Ascends, Officially a Tiqi!

The Gold Appraisal Guards were eagerly anticipating the courtesan of the Bi Xiao Long Dream Tower, renowned as the unparalleled beauty of Jade City. A glimpse of her was hard to come by, but thanks to the grace of Central Lang General Xu Shaoqian, there was an opportunity to behold her presence.

No one could resist being curious, as discussions buzzed: "It’s said that this courtesan’s eyes are like a fox’s, capable of captivating the soul, her waist as graceful as a willow, ensnaring one’s heart and mind. She is the unrivaled beauty under the heavens. Anyone who lays eyes on her would think of her day and night, eagerly awaiting another meeting. If given the chance to truly see her, one would know if the rumors are true."

"My uncle has seen the courtesan, and he told us that her beauty is indeed rare. Any young man from our clan who could gain her favor would be deemed exceptionally talented."

"Rumor has it that she possesses an enchanting technique that makes people long for her desperately, willing to spend their fortunes just for a slight acknowledgment from her eyes."

"We come from distinguished backgrounds and when it comes to worldly experiences, we’re hardly lacking. But true unparalleled beauty is rare without some fortunate chance encountering."

"As the great poet Du Zhi of Dragon Court Prefecture once said, encountering a beauty is like obtaining a bright pearl. Meaning, seeing a true beauty even from afar is like finding a precious gem. Winning her favor is the greatest joy under the heavens."

"Despite the prowess, talent, and capability of the Central Lang General, he too is enchanted by her."

"Without such destiny, most people would never encounter true beauty in their lifetime, let alone win her affection."

"Brothers, speaking of beauty, Jade City indeed has more than just one. We might not have the privilege to admire this one, but we have indeed seen true beauties."

...

...

Li Xian listened in, pondering: "As for fate, whether mine is good or bad is hard to say. If it’s good, my life has been filled with perilous situations and misfortunes. If it’s bad, I started as a servant and gradually witnessed the splendor of Martial Arts, progressing to where I am today. Yet, when it comes to romantic fortune, it hasn’t been shallow. I’ve met many beautiful women with different styles! Like a hundred delicate flowers, each with its own grace. But the more beautiful they are, the more skill and capability it takes to preserve that beauty. This courtesan must be truly extraordinary!"

A sense of curiosity arose.

Today, at the tail end of Xifeng Street, the Marquis’s rest was open. Patrolling duties were divided among the Marquis’s stations at the middle and head of Xifeng Street, as well as various other middle and small stations.

The Gold Appraisal Guards and others gathered to join the excitement, with everyone supporting and creating a lively atmosphere.

The horse polo teams were still divided into "Red" and "Black." The field was spacious, allowing the horses to run freely. Each side had a drum set up, and hitting the ball to strike the opponent’s drum would resonate its sound across the area, earning a point.

But those drums were not ordinary.

The drum skins were made from the hide of the "Leviathan Roar" beast. The skin was more resilient than iron and extremely difficult to sound. Even when an ordinary man swung the mallet with all his strength, it felt like hitting a steel wall, resulting in an injured arm instead of a drumbeat.

It required Martial Arts, transformed from the inside out, to resonate the drum. This was challenging even for polo experts—overcoming numerous blocks and hitting the drum while ensuring it sounds.

The rules might be simple, but they showcased Martial Arts, adaptability, riding skills, Lightweight Skill, cooperation, and coordination—layer upon layer. The grand horse polo tournament was revered in Jade City; whether common Yu People, travelers outside the city, idle citizens, or even aristocratic families, authorities, and Dubhe figures, all would attend the event.

It was a grand affair that reflected the prosperity of Jade City.

Today’s horse polo grand tournament was orchestrated by Xu Shaoqian. In the past... he captured Li Hengfeng and reclaimed the rouge, then brought him before the "courtesan" for judgment. The courtesan, perhaps out of kindness or otherwise, spared Li Hengfeng’s life, only imprisoning him for reform.

Xu Shaoqian seized the chance to display his martial bravery, narrating how he coordinated the Gold Appraisal Guards, how the thief was captured, emphasizing the Guards’ exceptional valor, while the thief’s cunning was highlighted. Ultimately, he took the opportunity to invite the courtesan, should she have time, to watch the horse polo contest at the field.

The courtesan found it hard to refuse and agreed. Thus, today’s scene came to be. Xu Shaoqian, skilled in Martial Arts, was also an exceptional polo player. His demeanor on the field was unmatched, hoping to win the beauty’s favor through this performance.

And so the polo match began.

Xu Shaoqian led the Red team, galloping on the field and exhibiting his skills. Some Gold Appraisal Guards, either out of consideration or being outmatched, repeatedly found themselves bested, highlighted as mere green leaves in contrast. With each point Xu Shaoqian scored, he would glance toward the southeast.

There stood a temporary pavilion, draped in light gauze, with a faint pink hue gently waving in the breeze, occasionally revealing glimpses of hems and fair arms within, but the true appearance always seemed to elude sight, capturing the mind and sparking the imagination.

Through the veil, one could vaguely observe the courtesan’s silhouette, her motions and posture hinted at elegance. She lay gracefully on a couch, her figure alluring and full, with a jade pet nestled beside her, which she gently caressed.

With each goal Xu Shaoqian scored, the courtesan would slightly clap her hands. Seeing her applause, Xu Shaoqian would invigorate, his spirit soaring, raising his mallet high, roaring with vigor, displaying his extraordinary might to all.

Meanwhile, Li Xian, mingling with the spectators, thought to himself: "Xu Shaoqian’s intentions are too obvious, seeking all the limelight for himself. I wonder if the courtesan buys into this."

After observing for a while, he found it uninteresting. His peripheral vision assessed the light pink gauze, recognizing the courtesan’s enchanting figure, recalling various rumors, musing internally: "Regardless of anything else, this form alone is truly intriguing. Though Jade City is vast, with many beautiful women, those who can truly be called unparalleled beauties are very, very few."

With curiosity piqued, he contemplated using his Heavy Pupils for observation. But he reconsidered, realizing his immediate priority was to secure a stable position as a Gold Appraisal Guard, drinking Essence Soup daily, eating Essence Meat monthly. Such romantic matters were entirely extraneous to him.