Chapter 92: Chapter 43: Competing in the Same Group as Xiao Chengyi!

The day for drawing lots for the martial arts tournament had finally arrived. Shen Ruoxi changed into men’s clothing early and hurried to the registration area.

However, when she entered the hall, she discovered that many had arrived before her. The hall was bustling and lively.

Among them were heroes from the martial arts world and sons of noble families, their gazes gathering on Shen Ruoxi, full of astonishment.

In the crowd, Shen Ruoxi unexpectedly encountered someone she least wanted to see—Xiao Chengyi.

Shen Ruoxi furrowed her brows, feeling a sense of irritation. This really was a troublesome fate!

Xiao Chengyi met her gaze, suddenly stunned.

Today, she was dressed in male attire, with a jade crown binding her hair, looking clean and neat. Though one could instantly tell she was a woman, she possessed a unique charm.

He had never dreamed of encountering Shen Ruoxi here. The heart he thought had already let go unexpectedly started pounding for her again.

But at that instant, Xiao Chengyi realized Shen Ruoxi’s purpose for being here, and anger surged within him. He angrily questioned, “You, what are you doing here?”

Could it be that she also wanted to compete on the stage? What on earth was the Ministry of War doing? Did they not know her identity? How could they let her compete!

Shen Ruoxi glanced at him with indifference, once again confirming that something was wrong with his head.

They had nothing to do with each other now, yet he questioned her as if he was one of her own!

“What does it have to do with you?” she sneered coldly.

“What do you mean what does it have to do with me? This is not a place you can come. Leave swiftly.” Xiao Chengyi didn’t seem to realize anything inappropriate about his words.

Dayi Country wasn’t lacking in men, so why should Shen Family’s only child go to the battlefield and take risks?

Not many present recognized Shen Ruoxi, and they were all secretly speculating about her relationship with Xiao Chengyi.

Through their conversation, everyone suddenly understood that she was the Shen Family Marquis who had separated from Xiao Chengyi—Shen Ruoxi.

In their impression, she stood here because of her father and brother who died in battle. Surely, she was here just to watch the excitement. No one thought a weak woman like her could compete on the stage.

“Ruoxi…”

Just as Xiao Chengyi wanted to continue persuading her, a man suddenly intervened. He cupped his fists toward Shen Ruoxi, speaking in a clear and polite voice, “Marquis Shen, it’s been a while.”

Shen Ruoxi looked up to see a young, vigorous man, about eighteen or nineteen, dressed in black, looking spirited. She had no impression of him, “May I ask who you are?”

Guan Qizhe felt somewhat disappointed. In the crowd, he had always been a standout.

On the day she chose a husband, out of ten noble sons, he felt not inferior to Wu An, yet unexpectedly, she didn’t even remember his name or appearance.

Guan Qizhe spoke softly, “My father is Guan Changchun. I, Guan Qizhe, was among those ten that day!”

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoxi suddenly understood. He indeed was there on the day she chose her husband.

His father was a Standard Second Rank Grand General, renowned in the military.

She quickly cupped her fists in return, “So it’s Young General Guan, my respects.”

“No need. I wonder what brings Marquis Shen here?” Guan Qizhe asked mildly.

Young General Guan was known for being taciturn and cold, yet he proactively greeted her, which was somewhat surprising.

“Naturally, to compete on the stage.”

There was no hiding it, so she simply admitted it.

Guan Qizhe frowned slightly. He knew her brothers well, and none of them wanted her to step onto the battlefield, as it was too dangerous.

Xiao Chengyi, seeing the two conversing happily, felt a pang of jealousy. He naturally blocked Guan Qizhe and said to Shen Ruoxi, “Ruoxi, even if we cannot be husband and wife, the battlefield is no game. Swords and knives are ruthless; you should hurry back to the mansion.”

Shen Ruoxi ignored his words and deliberately turned to ask Guan Qizhe, “Young General, you have already been on expeditions with the army, so why participate in this tournament?”

Guan Qizhe saw her intentionally ignore Xiao Chengyi and speak with him, feeling quite pleased. As a noble son of the Capital City, there were not many who respected Xiao Chengyi.

Though Xiao Chengyi achieved military accomplishments through bloodshed, his actions towards Shen Ruoxi were truly disgraceful.

“My father wants me to see more of the world, where talent is abundant. I also want to use this opportunity to test my own skills.”

Ah, understood! Just as Shen Ruoxi was about to speak, Gu Mao appeared, and everyone hurriedly greeted him. He glanced around and noticed Shen Ruoxi, a trace of helplessness on his face.

Clearing his throat, he explained the competition’s format. It was a round-robin tournament, in which participants would draw lots to determine their opponents. Those with matching numbers would face each other on the stage.

The tournament did not follow an elimination system but instead ranked participants based on their results.

Everyone lined up to draw lots serially. Shen Ruoxi drew “one,” and she was momentarily stunned. What luck she had. She would be on stage first tomorrow.

After all lots were drawn, everyone exchanged their numbered tokens with their names written on them. Soon, the Ministry of War calculated and announced the results loudly.

Tomorrow’s first match: Shen Ruoxi versus Xiao Chengyi.

Upon hearing this pairing, Shen Ruoxi was taken aback. Her opponent was Xiao Chengyi.

Heavens were truly kind to her, giving her a public opportunity to teach Xiao Chengyi a lesson. Her hands had been itching for a long time.

Xiao Chengyi’s face turned dark.

The first match tomorrow would be him against Shen Ruoxi. How was he to fight?

Everyone was a bit dumbfounded by the coincidence. Separated spouses competing in a duel—everyone’s gossip senses were heightened. Would Xiao Chengyi show mercy to his former wife?

Because, in their minds, how could a weak woman like Shen Ruoxi possibly defeat Xiao Chengyi, who had been honed on the battlefield?

“Ruoxi, withdraw,” Xiao Chengyi coldly told Shen Ruoxi.

Shen Ruoxi looked at him as if he were insane, “Xiao Chengyi, there’s no way I’ll withdraw. Tomorrow, you’d better wear full armor and a mask on the stage.”

“Huh?” Xiao Chengyi was confused.

“I’m afraid that after beating you black and blue, you’d be unrecognizable. Better take preventive measures!” Shen Ruoxi said with a cold smile.

“Ruoxi, you can’t beat me. To avoid injury, you should withdraw.”

“Has something gone wrong with your mind?” Shen Ruoxi retorted without hesitation, “A loser like you dares to boast that I can’t beat you!”

Xiao Chengyi’s face flushed, “I was letting you win!”

“All the better, let’s see the truth tomorrow!” Shen Ruoxi sneered.

“How can we face off against each other? Wouldn’t that be a joke? How would others spread the word?” Xiao Chengyi said helplessly.

The former husband battling with his ex-wife—wouldn’t the crowd find endless amusement? Didn’t he still have dignity?

“A joke? We have nothing to do with each other anymore, so why not compete? If you’re afraid of losing, just withdraw.”

“Ruoxi…”

For someone like him, so thick-skinned, Shen Ruoxi didn’t want to bother. She walked aside, listening to the organizer continue to announce, the ninth match was Guan Qizhe against Liu Qian.

The man named Liu Qian was twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed in martial attire, handsome but with overly gloomy eyes, giving off a chilling vibe, making others uncomfortable.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep