The next morning, Lin Shuang set off early for the mysterious address sent by Xia Yubing.
Before leaving, he petted the maid's little kitty to gather some energy.
The blushing maid Tong Yao, her skirt in her hands, curtseyed to him, "Master, please take your time~"
Good, Lin Shuang felt energized, ready to take on whatever Xia Yubing threw at him.
But the first step in taking her down hit a little snag.
The address was really far, way beyond the range of a small electric scooter, with no hope of making a round trip on a single charge.
If he got lost, he couldn't just call Su Wan for a pickup like he did yesterday.
He drove his Lamborghini, following the GPS over hills and across rivers.
"Just climbed a few mountains, hey!"
"Crossed a few rivers, ha!"
"The road bumpy and uneven, why so many~"
Lin Shuang hummed a song as he followed the GPS and approached the address, but among the lush trees, he discovered a road not marked on any map.
There was a car parked at the entrance, and a maid standing beside it.
It was none other than the combat maid who had been knocked out yesterday.
Lin Shuang drove down the path and stopped, the combat maid bowed, "Maid Chief Xia Yixin, by the young lady's command, has come to welcome you, Mr. Lin. Please follow me."
So he followed this maid named Xia Yixin down the secluded path.
Around a bend, Lin Shuang saw this sprawling manor nestled within layers of verdant hills.
It was so large it seemed almost exaggerated.
Driving slowly towards it, Lin Shuang passed orchards, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, and even saw sports facilities like golf and tennis courts.
There was even a full-sized standard 400-meter track.
Exercising amidst such scenery, near the lush woods with birds chirping and fragrant flowers, the air so fresh, Lin Shuang couldn't imagine how joyful life here would be... Hmm? But wouldn't there be lots of mosquitoes?
Never mind that, too many mosquitoes.
The guiding maid Xia Yixin finally stopped in front of a small bamboo grove.
Lin Shuang got out of the car, and Xia Yixin bowed again, "The young lady has been waiting for you for some time. Please, Mr. Lin, go inside."
He walked slowly into the bamboo grove, where amidst the verdant bamboo and the clear stream, he found Xia Yubing.
Today, she was dressed in a simple Jin-style robe paired with a light skirt, the top pure white and the skirt pale green, her black hair held up behind her with a jade pin.
She sat by the streamside, legs crossed, beside her stood a paper umbrella, and two bamboo swords.
From afar, this young lady became part of the picturesque bamboo grove and flowing stream.
Elegant and graceful, untainted by the mundane world.
"Does it look nice?"
Xia Yubing picked up a cup of tea from the stream and offered it to Lin Shuang with both hands.
Lin Shuang sat down opposite her, "It's beautiful."
"How does it compare to yesterday?" Xia Yubing smiled warmly, her tone seemingly softer than the day before.
"Both are beautiful," Lin Shuang shook his head gently, finding it hard to decide between the two.
One lively, one elegant.
He coveted them both!
"Is Mr. Lin Shuang perhaps thinking that today's outfit is not as convenient as yesterday's?"
Xia Yubing finally broke character as her dignified smile took on a hint of flirtation.
Like a frosty mountain Sword Immortal finally melting the snow, about to fall from grace.
And that outfit she wore, cinched at the waist with a blue ribbon, also accentuated her figure—adding to the sense of a fallen Sword Immortal.
Lin Shuang was not surprised that the young lady knew his name.
He probably had all his information thoroughly searched by her.
She might even know what size of underwear he wears.
Lin Shuang picked up his tea and took a sip, "You better not talk, just hold it together."
Actually, he too felt that what he had on yesterday would have allowed him to act ruthlessly, but today's elegant attire made him feel a bit ashamed.
Of course, when it's time to charge, he'll still do it.
Xia Yubing seemed tired of "holding it together," she completely reverted to the seductive demeanor of yesterday, with her fair wrist peeking through the gauzy sleeve, propping up her chin, she lazily sized up Lin Shuang, "Oh~ I get it, you prefer dignified fairies."
She switched to a more comfortable and casual posture, "Then I just won't be."
Lin Shuang picked up a bamboo sword from the ground, studying it closely in the sunlight that shone through the bamboo leaves, "Actually, I prefer turning a dignified fairy into a pleading one."
To personally lead a fairy astray!
Don't look back, Sword Immortal! I truly am a master!
Xia Yubing's smile deepened, she leaned forward, closing in on his ear, whispering as if afraid of disturbing the breeze.
"I'm not wearing anything under this~"
The tail end of her "oh" wavered and quivered, singing in triplicate.
This little vixen! With just one sentence, Lin Shuang clenched his teeth and arched his back.
If Lin Shuang wanted to obtain the true scriptures, then Xia Yubing would be the daughter country's Queen!
She could accidentally make him stay.
Seeing Lin Shuang's reaction, Xia Yubing smiled with satisfaction.
Her laughter, as light as a song, flowed with the wind through the bamboo forest.
The rustling of the bamboo leaves and the sound of the stream both echoed together.
With a nimble flick of her toes, another bamboo sword laying on the ground flew into her hand.
Holding the sword and smiling, she looked at Lin Shuang while stepping back, retreating to the other side of the bamboo forest.
After finishing the rest of his tea, Lin Shuang too picked up his bamboo sword and rose.
Both with swords in hand, they stood at the edge of the stream, facing each other across the swaying bamboo forest.
A gentle breeze lifted the White-clothed Sword Immortal's cloak.
Gentle ripples spread across the water surface, blurring the reflections of the two.
Lin Shuang made the first move—the reflection on the water seemed a beat late in following.
He lightly kicked the bamboo behind him, propelling his body forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Dugu Nine Swords—Swinging Sword Style!
Just like startled waterfowl taking flight, Lin Shuang whirled his sword in an arc, gliding through the bamboo forest.
His sword tip aimed directly at the White-clothed Sword Immortal Xia Yubing.
Xia Yubing neither dodged nor evaded, her gown gracefully twirling as she deflected his sword in a smooth, flowing movement.
However, the force behind his sword was powerful, she took several steps back before she could stabilize herself.
Lin Shuang hadn't expected Xia Yubing to be more than just for show, she actually withstood a move from his Dugu Nine Swords.
Although it was just an excerpt, she was definitely a martial artist.
This young mistress really does know it all.
He laughed and bowed with his hands cupped together, "May I ask where the White-clothed Sword Immortal has trained? You have some skill indeed."
Xia Yubing's voice was delicate and coy, with a hint of green tea, "This young lady hails from an illustrious and righteous sect."
She pointed her bamboo sword at Lin Shuang, "As for you, launching a sudden attack and striking with such force, you must be a villain from somewhere."
Lin Shuang did not bother to waste words with her.
Otherwise, if this dragged on, she might call in the Combat Maid for help, that unhonorable person.
He danced forward with his sword again.
Dugu Nine Swords—Leaving Sword Style!
The bamboo sword flew out of his hand, swirling around his body.
Quick, someone hold down Newton's coffin lid!