Chapter 55
Chapter 55 - Thief
“How do you know about these things?” Tang Pianpian inquired.
“I've read books,” Ye Hao replied, gazing at Tang Pianpian. “Rather than trying to uncover my secret, you'd be better off getting some sleep.”
Tang Pianpian blushed slightly when she realized Ye Hao had seen through her, but she persisted, parting her lips to ask, “Can't you share it with me?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don't want to frighten you.”
“I'm not scared.”
“Really?” Ye Hao regarded her with a skeptical look.
“I'm very brave.”
“Then why are you afraid to sleep?”
Tang Pianpian was indeed exhausted. She soon drifted off to sleep.
As she slept, a look of terror crossed her face. Without hesitation, Ye Hao drew the bronze dagger. The expression of fear on Tang Pianpian's face significantly diminished.
“This Nightmare Incarnate is far more formidable than any mere soul,” Ye Hao murmured as he channeled his vital spirit into the bronze dagger, which then emanated a chilling sword intent.
Such sword intent would go unnoticed by ordinary cultivators, but the Nightmare Incarnate lurking within Tang Pianpian sensed it acutely. In the next instant, the look of terror on her face vanished entirely.
Yet, a new problem arose. He could intimidate the Nightmare Incarnate, but he couldn't destroy it. He was unable to truly resolve the issue.
“Perhaps when I reach the first level of Body Refining, I'll be able to do it.” He had been half a month away from achieving this breakthrough, but Ye Hao no longer had the luxury of time.
Once the Nightmare Incarnate was subdued, Ye Hao quietly resumed his cultivation.
Time passed, and eventually, Tang Pianpian stirred awake. As her eyes fluttered open, she was met with Ye Hao's face and let out a scream.
“Miss, am I really that frightening?” Ye Hao asked, his tone tinged with annoyance.
“How did I end up here?”
Ye Hao was puzzled.
Tang Pianpian tousled her disheveled hair, her memory of the day's events slowly returning to her. It was then she realized she wasn't covered by a blanket.
Tang Pianpian quickly pulled the blanket over herself.
“You're still dressed.”
“I wasn't dreaming after all.” Tang Pianpian realized this and looked at Ye Hao with astonishment.
“Did you expect to have a nightmare?”
“How did you manage that?”
“I relied on this.” Ye Hao said, holding the bronze dagger.
“Could you lend me that dagger for a while?”
“I can lend it to you, but it won't be of much help,” Ye Hao spoke gently.
“What do you mean?”
“When I placed the dagger next to you earlier, the terror on your face only diminished slightly. That means the Nightmare Incarnate is wary of the dagger, but it still entered your dream. It was only after I awakened the sword intent within the dagger that the Nightmare Incarnate retreated from your dreamscape.”
“How did you awaken it?”
“You wouldn't be able to.”
“How do you know I can't?”
“Are you hungry?”
Tang Pianpian patted her stomach and realized she was indeed hungry.
“How long did I sleep?”
“More than ten hours.”
“What's the matter?”
“I have classes this afternoon.”
“I've got military training.”
Naturally, Ye Hao had Yuan Gaoxing request leave on his behalf.
Tang Pianpian hurried out of bed and straightened her disheveled hair. After checking out, another concern crossed her mind.
“Could the Nightmare Incarnate reappear tonight?”
“I don't know,” Ye Hao admitted, noticing Tang Pianpian's frustrated gaze. “I'm not sure if it will show up tonight either.”
“What if it does?”
“Ye Hao,” Tang Pianpian called out, clearly annoyed.
“What would you like to eat?”
“Don't change the subject!”
“How about hotpot?”
“I had hotpot just yesterday.”
“Then let's go for Spicy River Delights.”
“That's too spicy for me.”
“How about barbecue, then?”
“Sounds good.”
“You really are a food lover,” Ye Hao chuckled.
Tang Pianpian glared at Ye Hao, feeling an urge to pummel him.
And she tried to do just that.
But before her fist could connect, Ye Hao nimbly dodged.
Impressed, Tang Pianpian remarked, “You're quite quick on your feet.”
“Mediocre.”
“I'll take another swing.” Tang Pianpian stepped forward and swung her fist at Ye Hao once more.
Ye Hao effortlessly caught Tang Pianpian's fist.
Tang Pianpian struggled to withdraw her fist, only to find she couldn't escape Ye Hao's grasp.
She then aimed a kick at Ye Hao's thigh.
Ye Hao released her fist and gently tapped her leg with his palm.
Tang Pianpian's kick felt as though it had landed on a cushion.
“Too little power,” Ye Hao said, shaking his head gently.
“Is your martial arts that advanced?” Tang Pianpian recognized that Ye Hao was employing soft strength.
One could only master soft strength after having developed hard strength to a certain level.
Although Tang Pianpian's coach was highly skilled, he had not mastered this soft strength.
Her coach had once mentioned that those who master soft strength could be considered masters.
In Castoace, masters were exceedingly rare.
Ye Hao was so young, yet he had already attained the level of a master.
“Just average,” Ye Hao said with a shrug.
“Teach me,” Tang Pianpian pleaded, looking at Ye Hao with hope.
“I don't have the time,” Ye Hao dismissed her without a second thought.
Before Tang Pianpian could respond, a voice interrupted.
“Hey, beautiful, how about a date?”
Tang Pianpian frowned at the thug with displeasure.
“Come on, say something!” Kui Wu pressed on, seeing Tang Pianpian's silence.
“No.”
“I've taken a liking to you. It's not for you to decide whether we date or not.” Kui Wu reached out towards Tang Pianpian.
Ye Hao stepped in and blocked him, “Beat it.”
Unexpectedly, Kui Wu collapsed to the ground, clutching his legs and wailing.
“He hit me!”
Tang Pianpian was taken aback.
So was Ye Hao.
Was this extortion?
As Kui Wu's cries filled the air, a group of young men and women began to converge around them.
“Do you need any help?” a woman inquired.
“Call the police,” Kui Wu quickly responded.
“How much are you asking for?” Ye Hao asked, his brow furrowed.
“Do you really think you can fix this with money after you've broken my legs?” Kui Wu glared at Ye Hao, his voice filled with rage. “That's not going to happen.”
“Are you just trying to squeeze more money out of me?” Ye Hao retorted, visibly irritated. “Don't push your luck.”