Chapter 298: Kept Man?

This stunning impression wasn’t because the Palace Maid was exceptionally beautiful.

At least, when compared to Yu Daoxuan or the Ghost Bride, she fell slightly short.

Yu Daoxuan had a classical temperament, as cool and clear as jade, and so otherworldly she seemed like a Fairy untouched by the mortal realm.

The Ghost Bride, Chuchu, was pitiable, innocent, and pure, yet possessed a strange, demonic beauty.

But this Palace Maid before him wore a common, moon-white dress, the kind seen everywhere in the palace. Her posture was poised, she wore no jewelry of pearl or jade, and she didn’t even have a decent hairpin in her hair.

Her face was simple and elegant. Her brows were subtly arched, dark as if painted, and the corners of her eyes tilted up slightly. Her eyes themselves were clear and bright, shimmering like light on water.

Even if she couldn’t quite compare to Yu Daoxuan or the Ghost Bride, she was still a rare, peerless beauty.

Moreover, the Palace Maid possessed a unique air about her that made her unforgettable.

"What are you looking at, Young Master?" the Palace Maid asked. Her voice was pitched neither high nor low, like pearls dropping onto a jade plate—crisp, yet with a hint of detachment.

"Nothing. I was just lost in thought."

Realizing he’d been staring, Lu Bai quickly looked away. "What’s your name?" he asked casually.

"I..."

The Palace Maid hesitated for a moment, her eyes shifting before she replied, "My name is Ah Yue."

"Oh."

Lu Bai acknowledged her, then casually took the tray from Ah Yue’s hands and set it on the table. He lifted his robes, sat down, and resumed eating as if no one else was there.

Ah Yue stood gracefully to the side, studying Lu Bai.

Lu Bai ate for a moment before noticing Ah Yue’s gaze. After a brief thought, he understood.

’The food in this palace is actually quite good. As a Palace Maid, Ah Yue has probably never had the chance to try it.’

Lu Bai turned his head and asked, "How about... you have some with me?"

"I’ve already eaten."

Ah Yue shook her head slightly. "Besides, my status doesn’t permit me to eat with you, Young Master."

"What does that matter? I’m just an ordinary person. There’s no need for such formalities between us."

Lu Bai smiled, picked up the tray, and offered it to her without taking no for an answer. Pointing to a few pastries, he said, "These are what I have left. I haven’t even touched a few of them. I hope you don’t mind."

Ah Yue hesitated for a moment, then reached out and picked up a pastry. As Lu Bai watched, she took a delicate bite.

"So? It’s pretty good, right?" Lu Bai asked with a smile.

Ah Yue’s eyes lit up, and she nodded lightly.

Ah Yue said softly, "You’re so approachable, Young Master. It doesn’t quite match the rumors about Yama."

Lu Bai was a little surprised. "You know who I am?"

Ah Yue replied, "I’ve heard people talk. After all, who doesn’t know of the Wu Dynasty’s True Master Martial Dao who is not yet twenty? Besides, you have a nickname in the palace, Young Master, but it isn’t Black Hand Yama."

"Oh?"

Lu Bai blinked.

’I’m that famous?’

’My reputation has even reached the Royal Palace of the Wu Dynasty.’

Ah Yue asked, "I heard you’re going to participate in the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion, Young Master?"

"Mhm."

Lu Bai nodded.

Ah Yue asked again, "People are saying that two extremely formidable True Masters of the Martial Dao from the Shi and Mo Countries will be at the discussion this time. Are you confident you can beat them, Young Master?"

"I’ve never fought them, so it’s hard to say," Lu Bai replied.

He wasn’t just being modest.

After all, he knew nothing about his opponents. No one could know how many trump cards they held or how powerful their hidden techniques were.

When Martial Artists competed, especially those at the top, they all had their own trump cards and hidden techniques, which meant the outcome was highly unpredictable.

The victor couldn’t be determined until the very last moment.

Ah Yue seemed a little disappointed, but then she smiled. "It’s alright. You’re still young, after all, Young Master. You’re already doing very well. Even if you don’t succeed at the Golden Platform Martial Arts Discussion this time, you can always try again at the next one."

Lu Bai suddenly asked, "What’s my nickname in the palace?"

Ah Yue put on a mysterious air, smiling without a word.

Lu Bai looked at Ah Yue, his expression growing distant for a moment. He suddenly sighed and said, "What a pity."

"A pity about what?" Ah Yue couldn’t help but ask.

"You have the makings of a rare beauty. Your every frown and every smile holds a myriad of charms."

"It’s just a pity that the current King Wu is a woman," Lu Bai said. "If the king were a man, he’d only have to see you once to take you into his harem and make you a favored concubine."

Hearing such praise from Lu Bai, a faint smile couldn’t help but appear on Ah Yue’s lips.

But a moment later, for some unknown reason, a flicker of displeasure crossed her face. "And so what if I became King Wu’s favored concubine?"

Lu Bai shrugged slightly. "Well, for one, your status would be different. You’d have all the glory and riches you could want. And if you knew a few tricks to make King Wu so utterly infatuated they lose their Divine Soul and appetite, doting on you and you alone, that would be even better."

Ah Yue snorted softly. "Who would want to be King Wu’s favored concubine, anyway?"

Lu Bai was a little surprised and looked Ah Yue over again.

"What are you looking at?" Ah Yue asked with a frown.

Lu Bai said, "That’s a bold thing to say. Quite spirited. It doesn’t sound like something a Palace Maid would say."

Ah Yue subconsciously lowered her head, hiding the panic in her eyes. She quickly composed herself and said, "What’s so strange about it? It’s perfectly normal. Anyone would feel the same. The current King Wu is a woman; I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be her male favorite."

"Being a male favorite is definitely out of the question. Carnal matters between men and women are a drain on one’s life force and nature. Indulging in them affects one’s cultivation."

After a slight pause, Lu Bai smacked his lips and muttered under his breath, "Though, if King Wu is beautiful, a single night of pleasure wouldn’t hurt. And it’d be a good way to latch onto someone powerful."

"Y-You, what did you just say!"

Ah Yue’s eyes went wide, her face flushing slightly with anger.

The moment the words left his mouth, Lu Bai snapped back to his senses.

’This is the Royal Palace!’

’If those words reached the ears of King Wu, it would be a capital offense punishable by beheading.’

’Even being ground to dust and scattered as ashes probably wouldn’t be enough.’

’I was too careless.’

’I don’t know what possessed me to start talking about that.’

Forcing himself to remain calm, Lu Bai gave a light cough and pretended to be confused. "It was nothing. What’s wrong, Ah Yue? Why are you so worked up?"

Ah Yue clenched her teeth and said slowly, "I heard every word you just said!"

"You must have misheard me."

Lu Bai said without batting an eye, "What I said was that the current King Wu is wise and valiant, working from dawn till dusk, managing countless affairs, often going entire nights without sleep. It’s truly heartbreaking."

"Hmph."

Ah Yue sneered. "Right. Keep spinning your lies."

Afraid of getting bogged down in the argument, Lu Bai quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Ah Yue, you still haven’t told me what my nickname in the palace is."

"Walking Trouble!"

Ah Yue coldly spat out the two words and turned to leave.

"Walking Trouble?"

"But I’m actually a very honest person," Lu Bai said. "I have a stellar reputation back home. There must be some misunderstanding..."

Ah Yue didn’t answer. She pushed open the courtyard gate, then slammed it shut behind her.

’Such a temper.’

Lu Bai watched Ah Yue’s departing figure, lost in thought.

’This Ah Yue... she isn’t going to report me to King Wu, is she?’

’Hmm... probably not. Even if she did, I’ll just deny it to my dying breath. What could they do to me then?’

’After all, no one else heard me. King Wu can’t just take Ah Yue’s word for it.’

’Besides, Ah Yue is just a Palace Maid who brought my meal. She probably has no chance of ever seeing King Wu, let alone reporting me to her.’

At this thought, Lu Bai’s mind was put at ease. He returned to the table and polished off the rest of the food, still feeling a little wanting.