Earth's high school popularity contest had eluded me in my previous life. A change of status, of a princely nature, was all it took to enter an unwilling me in its Lingyu version.
Never mind that I was a vegetable of a prince.
Still pretty much the same shit - good looks and a social status will cut it. Plus all the mental daggers of the green-eyed monster named Envy, were just hovering inches behind my back. All waiting for the chance to impale my flesh and then do several twists.
The only three female disciples in the entire sect had kicked their adoring male classmates out of their seats, just to sit next to me and the back of me. Lianfeng almost got kicked out of his chair until they found out that I was quite willing to move with him. Yes, affections switch suddenly when some girls find you more appealing as their potential future sugar daddy.
Wenyi was more interested in brainless talk about the latest fashions, while Mingyan and Chen Xiu were giggling more than stringing a sentence properly together. My ears were being tortured by banality.
Cangtian and gang were just looking on quietly at us. No aggression there. An occasional friendly wave from one of his lackeys. Cangtian's eyes were filled with amusement, like he was waiting for the drama to start. That dirt bag.
Of course, with their habitual frequenting of brothels in Youdu city, these three girls would not cut it in the department of looks, judging by the quality seen.
Bosom department wise - those peaches have not ripened yet.
Flirting wise. That's one big fail - telling a man what you think is fun and expecting him to have fun, while listening to you, either requires a low IQ or alcoholic intoxication.
Still a room full of 30 teenage boys and only 3 girls. That's 24, either wishing that they were me or wishing me a slow torturous death. Outnumbered.
"... oh and did I tell you that the prettiest girl in *blah blah blah blah*..." Wenyi droned on. I had already switched off.
Then a smile appeared on her face as her hand softly caressed my face. I lifted my hand to block her.
"Awwww come on, you have such nice skin. Let me touch some more."
I would love to hit her on the spot. Grab hold of her hair and start tearing off her long hair. And then give her a punch in her smug face. For trying to flirt with me.
However, a guy can't beat a woman. Especially a royal. Not a good look to leave Ji Feng's father with. Must. Tolerate. This. B*tch.
"Come on, leave him alone, you cheap bitch," a guy said from the adjacent seat. Hola, a fellow man of the same thought. That makes 23.
This one was helping me but the choice of words were not exactly to my approval. He was also sturdier built than most of the guys in the room.
His face bore a resemblance to mine, handsome despite despite the ugly scowl stuck on his face now.
"Wugang, you...you..."
"Yeah yeah, that is your Lordship to you," Wugang was using his title as a verbal slapping piece, while Cangtian and gang snickered.
Lianfeng nudged me quickly to move away from the unfolding drama. Stealthily we bum shifted as far from the stomping Wenyi now.
Wugang - the name sounded familiar. Isn't he Marquis Wu's youngest son? Better to play dumb. Still, Marquis Wu was the eldest brother of Ji Feng's late mother. That could be my cousin. We don't usually meet, so his face left no impression.
"How long has Wugang been here?" I asked Lianfeng.
"Six years. Training. Usually doesn't show any airs except to people whom he doesn't like. He is well respected among the more aggressive students - won three martial arts competition in recent years...," Lianfeng replied and abruptly halted.
A shadow over us. I gulped.
"Third prince, weren't you incapacitated? Sick in bed?" Wugang scoffed.
"Just recuperating in Clear Dragon Pond. And here for a class." I answered, while clenching my teeth.
"Oh? Let's meet at the training arena, then. Bring your friend along. You set the time."
Lianfeng shook his head subtly. This is a challenge.
"Don't worry, I won't maim you, my dear cousin. Can't promise the same for your friend."
Some cousin. What's wrong with this dysfunctional family of mine? This was a duel, except he specifically picked Lianfeng.
"I will be busy..."
Wugang squatted next to me, while Cangtian and the rest watched on.
He went close to my ear and whispered with his warm breath in my ear. "Unless you wish to sink your reputation, along with your friend's ...it's really not good to reject."
A**hole was really f**king forcing a hand. He was using me to get to Lianfeng.
If there was one thing I really hated, it was using with no reciprocal return. He might injure my careful investment in cultivating a node in the social networks.
No benefit to me if Lianfeng loses. Even if he wins, still no damn benefit.
First school fight. If not for my vegetable state of having a ling qi of minimum consequence, I would be happy to take him on. Not throw someone into the mix.
"Fine. After class then," Lianfeng answered. "You just want to try out my dragon."
"Uh huh. Just a match. After class then."
I stared at Lianfeng blankly. He shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't put my friend in a difficult position."
"What is his beast?"
"Raging Fire Phoenix," Lianfeng muttered with little gusto.
Crap. He could get beaten.
"He wants to get at me. Not you, so I accepted, don't worry...this day has to come. He has to do it. Another competition is coming up soon in three lunar months."
What kind of kill or be killed world did Zaixing drop me in? Why can't it be just magical and everyone is a happy bunny?