Chapter 20 Amidst Peril, Love Arises (Part 3) Feelings
Behind the door is a wide, sloping stone staircase.
In stark contrast to the opulent warm tones of the upper level, the walls here are constructed of massive, unpolished black rocks, interspersed with fluorite that emits a cold, eerie blue light, rather than candlelight.
The light was not bright, barely illuminating the ground beneath our feet, yet it cast a deep and mysterious shadow over the entire passage, as if it led to the underworld.
The air suddenly turned cold and damp, carrying a lingering, bloody stench.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the empty, deathly silent passage, amplified infinitely. Each step felt like stepping on a fragile heart, adding to the suffocating sense of oppression.
On the massive black stone walls on both sides of the passage, some stark white animal bones were hanging scattered about.
Some are complete skulls, their hollow eye sockets staring intently at passersby; others are large ribs with jagged bone spurs, like the remains of some giant creature, silently telling of the past tragedy.
Ye Yixiang felt a chill creep up her spine from the soles of her feet, making her hair stand on end.
She was not a coward, but in this situation, coupled with the lingering stench of blood and the muffled sounds faintly emanating from the depths, fear began to creep in like vines.
Another low, guttural roar came from an unknown source, accompanied by the grating scraping of dragging chains. Startled, she trembled slightly and, almost instinctively, took a half-step closer to the only source of heat beside her. Her slender arm inadvertently brushed against his strong forearm beneath his sleeve.
The instantaneous warmth of a living person's touch calmed her racing heartbeat slightly, but she immediately realized the inappropriate closeness, her ears burning, and she wanted to back away immediately.
However, Zhe Yu seemed unconcerned about the subtle contact. She didn't even turn her head, her steps remaining calm and steady. Only the arm she had lightly brushed against subtly adjusted its angle, bringing the two of them slightly closer in the dim light.
The mysterious aura emanating from him, contrasted against the eerie environment, strangely transformed into a reassuring barrier, isolating her from the outside world's strangeness and the unknown, and enveloping her solely in his shadow.
This silent approach allowed Ye Yixiang to smell even more clearly the cool fragrance emanating from him, so different from the filth of this place, like pine needles after a snowfall, clear and calm.
His sleeve occasionally brushed against her arm with each step, the fabric rustling softly, a sound clearly audible in the quiet passageway.
She could feel the strength emanating from his arm through his clothes.
"Scared?" His deep voice echoed in the cramped space.
Ye Yixiang pursed her lips, neither admitting nor denying.
He chuckled very softly, his breath brushing against her earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine. "Stay close," he said, his voice still steady, yet carrying an undeniable command.
He turned the gloomy corner first, and Ye Yixiang could almost feel the breeze stirred by his clothes. Without hesitation, she followed, her slender arm inevitably brushing against his sleeve once again.
Stepping out of the shadows of the passageway, the deafening roar of the Colosseum crashed down upon us like a tangible force. The previously boisterous chatter abruptly ceased, only to erupt into an even more violent commotion.
"The shop master! It's the shop master himself!"
The gambler closest to the entrance was the first to recognize the figure in moon-white robes, and gasped in shock. His wine cup fell to the ground, the amber liquid splashing onto the hems of those around him, but no one paid any attention.
Like a drop of water falling into boiling oil, the exclamation exploded instantly.
"Good heavens! The sect leader himself has come to this bloody place?"
"Look! There's a woman following him!"
Countless gazes were fixed on Ye Yixiang, filled with surprise, scrutiny, and speculation, almost piercing through her slender figure.
"What a beautiful woman! She looks unfamiliar. Whose family is she from?"
"For the shop owner to make an exception and accompany me, tsk tsk... she must be some hidden gem!"
Whispers poured in from all directions, thick and scalding. Several wandering swordsmen leaning against the railing exchanged knowing glances, one of them lowering his voice, his Adam's apple bobbing:
"Look at her whole demeanor... Do you think the fact that the sect leader came tonight is just to let her experience the 'wild fun' of the arena? After the match... hehe, I'm afraid he'll be invited straight into the inner courtyard to 'instruct' her in martial arts."
The foul language lashed at her eardrums like barbed whips. Beneath her wide sleeves, her nails dug deep into her palms, using pain to suppress her surging anger.
Zhe Yu, however, seemed not to hear.
He walked with a leisurely pace, his dark robes gleaming subtly in the lamplight. Wherever he passed, the crowd parted automatically like a tide. A man who was spouting vulgarities, his gaze sweeping over him, fell silent, nearly biting his tongue.
No need for reprimands, just move forward calmly. That cold aura is like an invisible blade, cutting off all the prying and malice that try to entangle you, carving out a path to the main stands that no one dares to violate in this noisy battlefield.
Zheyu led her through the crowd and straight to the VIP seats at the very front, which were partially separated by a glass screen.
The view from here is superb, offering a complete view of all the bloody details inside the Colosseum, from the scarlet velvet chairs to the delicate refreshments laid out on the low tables.
Their appearance immediately attracted countless gazes from all around.
Those who could sit nearby were either prominent figures or wealthy patrons who spent money like water.
When everyone saw that the usually solitary Master of Qiankun Workshop was personally leading a stunningly beautiful unfamiliar woman to the VIP seats and considerately gesturing for her to sit down first, whispers spread like a tide.
"Did you see that? The shop owner actually brought a female companion today?"
"How strange! I've never seen the brothel owner treat any woman with such... courtesy."
"Who is this girl? How come she has gained the favor of the shop owner and is personally accompanying him?"
"Judging from the owner's attitude, he probably values this very much. Even if it were a member of the royal family, the owner might not personally accompany him the whole time..."
Though the whispers were low, they reached Ye Yixiang's ears clearly. She knew their speculations were full of malice and contempt, but she had no time to care; all her attention was focused on the upcoming bet.
A steward dressed in a red brocade robe, with a booming voice, strode to the high platform at the edge of the arena. He cleared his throat, gathered his strength, and his voice immediately drowned out the noise inside:
"Distinguished guests, please be quiet! The visual feast is about to begin!" He pointed to the iron cage on the left, where a giant bear was locked up, roaring and pounding against the bars. "This is a rare black bear from the depths of the snowy mountains of the Western Regions, codenamed 'Iron Arm'! Look at its magnificent size and astonishing strength! Its fur is as tough as iron, and ordinary swords and knives cannot harm it in the slightest! It is especially skilled in close combat. If you are caught by its iron arms, hehe, even the bones and muscles cast in bronze and iron will be broken!"
As he introduced it, "Iron Arm" seemed to stand up suddenly to prove it, letting out a deafening roar. Its huge bear paw slammed onto the iron railing with a loud "bang," frightening some of the women in the front row and causing many thrill-seeking onlookers to scream excitedly.
The manager watched the reaction with satisfaction, then gestured to the iron cage on the right, where a fierce tiger with cold eyes lay crouching: "And its opponent is the king from the miasma-ridden forests of the Southern Frontier, codenamed 'Shadow'!"
The tiger flicked its long, whip-like tail at the opportune moment, its amber eyes coldly sweeping across the entire area. Its quiet killing intent caused even the clamor to subside. "Don't be fooled by its current stillness," the tiger declared. "'Shadow' moves with the agility of a ghost, its claws sharp enough to cleave metal! Even more formidable is its exceptional patience and stamina. It delights in exhausting its opponent in prolonged combat, and then… delivers a fatal blow!"
After the introductions, the manager loudly announced the rules: "Same rules as always! Betting closes within one incense stick's time! Life and death are left to fate, once placed, there's no going back! Gentlemen, will you bet on 'Iron Arm's' absolute strength, or gamble on 'Shadow's' deadly agility? Please—place your bets quickly!"
The moment the words were spoken, the stands erupted in chaos. Waiters bustled about with trays of betting chips, and excited discussions and debates filled the air.
"I'm betting on 'Iron Arm'! Brute force can overcome any technique! That tiger doesn't look strong enough!"
"No, no! 'Shadow' is clearly a master hunter, I'm betting on it!"
"Let me look again, let me look again..."
Facing such ferocious beasts at such close range, Ye Yixiang's breathing inevitably became rapid, her body tensed slightly, and her face turned somewhat pale. She focused intently on observing the two beasts, trying to determine which one had the upper hand from their physique, eyes, and aura.
The person beside him, however, appeared unusually relaxed and at ease. He leaned back elegantly in his chair, even picking up a glass from the low table with great interest and taking a sip of the pale blue wine inside.
"Are you feeling a little uncomfortable?" He keenly noticed her subtle tension.
A deep, pleasant voice sounded in her ear, tinged with concern.
Several young noblemen not far away had obviously heard the question as well, and they exchanged even more surprised glances—when did the shopkeeper become so considerate?
Ye Yixiang shook her head, forcing herself to remain calm: "It's alright, it's just that I'm not quite used to it yet."
Upon hearing this, Zhe Yu gently put down his wine cup: "Such bloody matters are indeed not suitable for a woman. If you are not pleased, I will have someone escort you back to your private room to rest immediately, without forcing you." His words were gentle, giving her ample room to leave.
These words, when overheard by others, only confirmed their suspicions. Some even exclaimed in hushed tones, "Has the sect leader... changed his ways?"
She took a deep breath, her tone becoming increasingly firm: "Thank you for your kindness, Master, but I'd like to take another look."
His eyes behind the mask seemed to flicker slightly, a hint of barely perceptible admiration flashing across them. He didn't try to persuade her further, but instead leaned slightly towards her naturally, his voice low and guiding: "In your opinion, young lady, which of these two beasts has a higher chance of winning?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com