"Seeing how confident you are, I've grown quite curious. What exactly do you have up your sleeve that allows you to rival me?"
"Come then — let me see what you've got. But please don't bluff. If that's all you've got, I'll be very disappointed." As Han Yu spoke, he walked to one end of the chessboard, ready to begin his match against Chu Feng.
At that, Chu Feng said nothing. A faint smile played across his lips as he calmly strode to the opposite end.
Once Chu Feng took his position, the chessboard surged with radiance once more. When the light faded, the board had restored itself to its original, complete form.
Seeing that the two of them were truly about to begin, the gaze of nearly every person present grew solemn.
Even Chu Lingxi, perched atop the lamplight, turned serious — her beautifully swaying legs falling still.
Because everyone wanted to know how Chu Feng, a Snake-pattern Immortal-cloth Spirit World Master, could possibly contend against Han Yu, who held the rank of Dragon-pattern Immortal-cloth Spirit World Master.
"Young masters, please wait a moment." Just as the two were about to begin, Xia Yun'er suddenly spoke up.
"Miss Xia, what is it?" Han Yu asked hastily, his eagerness so obvious he might as well have broadcast to everyone present that he had feelings for Xia Yun'er.
Interestingly, Han Yu had pretty much adopted this same attitude when greeting Chu Lingxi.
This told everyone present that Han Yu was not a devoted man — he simply admired any outstanding woman he came across.
"Young Master Han Yu, you are a Dragon-pattern Immortal-cloth Spirit World Master after all. If you compete against Young Master Chu Feng like this, it really is a bit unfair. I have two suggestions that would make your match more equitable. Even if you win, I'm sure no one would say you won dishonorably," Xia Yun'er said.
"Miss Xia is so thoughtful. What are your suggestions? Please, do tell," Han Yu said in an admiring tone.
"First, if you lose, you should give Young Master Chu Feng some form of compensation."
"But if Young Master Chu Feng loses, he won't owe you anything," Xia Yun'er said.
Hearing this, Han Yu's brow furrowed immediately. This was far too unfair.
What's more, coming from Xia Yun'er's lips, it made him feel all the more that she was siding with Chu Feng, that she stood on Chu Feng's side.
Han Yu was quite displeased, but even so, he did not object. Instead, he accepted with composure and good grace: "Miss Xia's suggestion is perfectly reasonable. I accept."
He then turned to Chu Feng and said, "I'm simply not sure what kind of compensation Brother Chu Feng would like."
But before Chu Feng could respond, Xia Yun'er cut in: "Why not make it your glass orb?"
"Glass orb?" At these words, not only was everyone else surprised — even Chu Feng's gaze shifted.
Chu Feng was having trouble reading Xia Yun'er. At first, she had pushed for the chess match between Han Yu and Chu Feng, and he had assumed she was trying to set him up. But now it seemed almost as though she were helping him. After all, Han Yu's glass orb was golden. If he could obtain it, then when Chu Feng entered the labyrinth formation later, he would have far more clues to work with.
Yet Chu Feng felt that Xia Yun'er wasn't genuinely trying to help him. To him, she seemed more like she was toying with both him and Han Yu.
Because Xia Yun'er didn't know that Chu Feng had every confidence he could defeat Han Yu.
That was why he believed she was simply amusing herself at both their expense — just finding it entertaining.
Regardless of who won or lost, it would be Chu Feng or Han Yu who suffered the consequences, not her.
Thinking this, Chu Feng grew even more convinced that Xia Yun'er was dangerous — a very, very dangerous woman.
A woman who regarded everyone else as nothing more than playthings.
"Young Master Han Yu, is that acceptable?" Xia Yun'er urged when she noticed Han Yu hadn't answered.
In truth, Han Yu was unwilling — which was why he had hesitated. But he didn't want to refuse Xia Yun'er.
Moreover, he didn't believe he could lose, so in the end, he simply smiled and nodded: "Miss Xia, whatever you request, Han Yu will agree without condition."