Chapter 112: Which Man Could Withstand Such a Trial?

"Little one, are you full?"

Little one? She actually called me a little one?

How am I small?

Tang Fei knew Sheng Xinhuai; he knew she was Phoenix’s close friend. She had accompanied him and Fatty during their very first meal upon arriving at New Star, which spoke volumes about her standing in Phoenix’s circle.

Yet, at such a crucial moment, shouldn't she be by Phoenix's side, waiting for the pivotal event to unfold so they could make a grand entrance together? Why was she coming to find him?

Tang Fei looked at Sheng Xinhuai and smiled, saying, "I’m stuffed. I was just about to go take a stroll in the garden. Fatty is worried he won't have room for cake later."

To be honest, he didn't quite dare look her in the eyes. It wasn't that he harbored any impure thoughts; it was simply that her gaze was too alluring, too enchanting. Meeting her eyes felt like flirting. Furthermore, she always gave off an impression of being overly shrewd, as if his own little thoughts and desires were laid bare at a single glance—not stopped, not warned, but rather encouraged and enticed.

*Do not hide!*
*Do not be timid!*
*Go, go do those dirty things.*

How could one describe this feeling? Being with her was like holding a human skull-hammer. Still, one had to admit, she was truly a unique and captivating woman.

Sheng Xinhuai looked at Fatty and said, "You go take your stroll."

"..." Fatty stood frozen. Was I being shunned? How could I be shunned? Ever since we arrived at New Star, I’ve clearly been more popular than my big brother—Shang Xiulin even took me on as his closing disciple!

This woman is suspicious.

Tang Fei patted Fatty on the shoulder and said, "Just walk around the garden, don't go too far. If anything happens, call me immediately. I don't think anyone will come to bully you again."

"Yeah." Fatty nodded, adding, "Big Brother, you be careful." He wasn't worried about monsters in the garden; he felt the woman before them was far more dangerous. He had heard a nursery rhyme from before the Great Cataclysm that went: *The woman at the foot of the mountain is a tigress; if you meet one, be sure to run.* If a woman is a tigress, how terrifying must that be?

After Fatty left, Tang Fei looked at Sheng Xinhuai and asked, "Is there something you need, Miss Sheng?"

"Come, let me introduce you to some friends," Sheng Xinhuai said. "Since you've arrived at New Star, you need to know a few more people. More friends mean more paths, after all."

"Or more friends mean more ditches to fall into."

Sheng Xinhuai giggled, her demeanor swaying with charm and smoky, flirtatious grace. She straightened her expression and said, "I think the same way you do. However, if you want to survive in a circle like this—and live well—a bit of acting is essential. They understand this truth too, but look at them, aren't they laughing so happily?"

"I understand," Tang Fei nodded in agreement. "Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Sheng."

Sheng Xinhuai gestured to Tang Fei. "Extend your arm."

"What?" Tang Fei was confused, but he obediently spread his arms.

"One is enough; I can't hold onto both," Sheng Xinhuai said. She took the initiative to loop her arm through his. "Put the other one down, or people will think I'm hugging a penguin."

Warm, fragrant, and surprisingly supple.

Tang Fei’s body stiffened instantly. This was even more nerve-wracking than being locked in by Qin Jianyi’s sword energy during their fight earlier. He had never experienced anything like this, nor had he ever been in such intimate contact with a woman. With Phoenix, the most they had done was hold hands while hiding from acid rain, followed by that soul-stirring touch when applying medicine in the cave.

Why did she just hook onto him? What was her intention? Was she trying to seduce him? What if Phoenix saw this? Would she misunderstand? Wait, was she sent by Phoenix to test him? What man could withstand a test like this? Phoenix’s mind was truly too vicious.

What should he do? Should he shake her hand off? Should he shout, "Miss, please behave yourself!"

Sheng Xinhuai sensed Tang Fei’s unease. His breathing had deepened, his heartbeat had quickened, and his body had gone rigid, like a robot that had lost power. She glanced sideways at his awkwardness. Because she was wearing high heels, she looked even taller than him. With a bewitching smile, she licked her lips slightly and asked, "Does this feel too intimate?"

"Yes," Tang Fei said, pulling his arm from her grasp. "Wouldn't this be more comfortable for everyone?"

A flicker of appreciation flashed in Sheng Xinhuai’s eyes. She thought to herself that the man Phoenix had chosen certainly had his merits. If nothing else, his willpower alone was extraordinary. A man who knew how to refuse was already better than ninety-nine percent of the men in this world.

Yet, Sheng Xinhuai took the initiative to loop her arm through his again. With scarlet lips and a playful, magnetic voice, she said, "Wouldn't this make you two safer?"

Tang Fei’s expression stiffened slightly.

"Don't worry, little Xiuxue asked me to do this," Sheng Xinhuai said, fearing Tang Fei would resist. She continued to soothe his nerves, adding, "She asked me to look after you both, worried you might get bullied."

"I understand," Tang Fei replied in a low voice.

"What? Are you angry? Does a man’s pride make you unable to accept such an arrangement?" Sheng Xinhuai asked, examining him with a smile.

Tang Fei took a deep breath. "No, I’m not angry. I don’t have the luxury of being angry. When I was very young, an elder told me that to live—there is nothing more important than staying alive."

"I’m glad you think so." Sheng Xinhuai walked into the crowd with Tang Fei on her arm. Under the gaze of countless surprised onlookers, she approached a very elegant lady. "Tang Fei, this is Miss Huang Yalan of the Sanjiang Cultural Foundation. Sister Huang, this is my good friend, Tang Fei."

"Hello, Miss Huang," Tang Fei said, greeting her proactively.

"Oh, Tang Fei?" Huang Yalan looked at Tang Fei and Sheng Xinhuai in shock, forgetting to return the pleasantries. What was this? Wasn't it said that Tang Fei was close with the Princess? Why was he suddenly cozying up to this little bitch Sheng Xinhuai? Could it be that they were a pair, and the Princess was just a cover?

Sheng Xinhuai didn't care what Huang Yalan was thinking. She smiled and said, "Tang Fei will be living on New Star from now on. I hope you'll look after him, Sister Huang."

"Certainly, certainly."

Sheng Xinhuai led Tang Fei toward a bald man. "Chairman Zhao, this is my friend Tang Fei. Tang Fei, come and greet Uncle Zhao."

"Hello, Uncle Zhao."

"And this is Brother Yang Jun. He works at the Ministry of Finance. My father admires his ability quite a bit. Brother Yang, this is my good friend Tang Fei. Please look after him."

"I’ll be happy to. Of course, of course."

At this moment, Sheng Xinhuai set aside her coldness and sarcasm, transforming into a social butterfly, leading Tang Fei to one stranger after another. Tang Fei, under her guidance, exchanged pleasantries with every guest she introduced. They weren't just showcasing themselves; they were showcasing the relationship between them. If they were seen as a pair, then he would be separated from Phoenix.

Tang Fei understood their intentions—they were protecting him. He was grateful, but this protection made him feel incredibly stifled and frustrated.

*A man should have lofty ambitions, his spirit soaring above the highest towers. Who has written history in the last ten thousand years? Searching for glory eight thousand miles away.*

*I must grow stronger. I have to become even stronger,* Tang Fei thought to himself.

He had already grasped the first sword of the *Nether Scroll*, which he named "Indomitable." With this sword, he had defeated Qin Jianyi, one of the famed Seven Stars of Phoenix City. He needed to learn the second sword as quickly as possible. Once he mastered it, he would finally have some ability to protect himself.

There were no true heroes in the Old Lands, which was why he could dominate the Hate Mountains with his mere Qi-control level. He had felt that the beasts of the world were nothing special. But here on New Star, filled with talented youths and unfathomable old monsters, Tang Fei’s foundation was shallow and his start was slow; it was inevitable that he would feel inadequate. Fortunately, relying on his own wits and the Princess’s support, he had navigated danger time and again without suffering any real losses.

Sheng Xinhuai grabbed two glasses of champagne, handed one to Tang Fei, clinked hers against his, and drained it in one go. "The path you have to walk is very long. Do not fight for a moment; fight for a lifetime."

"Thank you," Tang Fei said, looking at her with genuine gratitude.

"What are you thanking me for? Drink. Are you keeping fish in there?"

"..."

Tang Fei almost forgot that this woman was a lush. Last time they ate together, the red wine Phoenix prepared had been downed entirely by her, while he and Fatty had barely had a sip. After finishing the first bottle, she had demanded Phoenix open a second, complaining that Phoenix hadn't opened such good wine for her in a long time.

Tang Fei looked up and drained his champagne in one gulp.

The two shared a smile. Although they hadn't known each other long, there was a sense of mutual understanding. Tang Fei felt this woman understood him, just as he was beginning to understand her. They were both mavericks in this world—mostly lonely, misunderstood by the mundane world, and having no need to be understood by it.

Now, they had a companion.

"Well, well, already drinking?" The Second Prince, Zhong Tianyi, stood in the brilliant light, watching them with a smile.

Today, Zhong Tianyi was wearing a custom-made royal evening suit, the cuffs embroidered with the Phoenix Empire’s flaming phoenix totem. Tall and graceful, his long hair tied back in a ponytail, he looked stylish and noble—a true royal aristocrat.