Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

Su Mubai finally realized belatedly that this was no coincidence, but a complete replica!

He stared at the neat, symmetrical pieces on the chessboard, a growing sense of unease rising within him, and he let out a sharp, mocking laugh:

"What a poor imitation! Completely devoid of the spirit and essence of chess, it's an insult to the chessboard!"

After a round of mockery, everyone finally realized that Young Master Xie had been completely imitating Young Master Su's moves.

There was a lot of discussion, with some finding it absurd and others finding it novel.

Fu Yaoqin's furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and surprise gradually appeared in her eyes. Mu Pingting covered her mouth and chuckled, thinking to herself that Xie Xiaoyi's method was extremely cunning.

Su Mubai was so enraged that his subsequent moves became increasingly hasty.

Every step was aimed at breaking the deadlock through a strong attack, with sharp strikes, flying pressure, and interruption strikes used in turn.

Xie Xiaoyi remained calm and composed throughout, making clean and decisive moves. In his spare time, he would even glance at Mu Pingting with a roguish smile, showing no sign of strain.

As Su Mubai gritted his teeth and placed the last piece, the game was over.

The black and white pieces on the chessboard are intertwined, symmetrical as if they were a replica. Only the white piece in the very center of the chessboard stands alone at the center point, which is particularly eye-catching.

Bai Letian immediately invited the scholar in the blue robe to come forward and count the pieces to determine the winner.

The Master bent down to examine the chess pieces closely, his fingertips tracing the black and white pieces on the board, calculating each one. After a moment, he stroked his beard and stood up.

"The black and white pieces are symmetrically arranged throughout the entire board, and the actual territory is exactly the same everywhere!"

Young Master Xie, by placing the first stone at the center, gains a decisive advantage with no corresponding black stone to counter it—White wins by one stone!

Upon hearing this, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence, which was followed by a deafening roar of applause.

"Young Master Xie, what a brilliant plan!"

"Yes, although the advantage lies in the strategy, it's precisely this kind of strategy that others can't come up with."

"Haha! What a brilliant move, the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth!"

Su Mubai was struck dumb, staggering back half a step, staring intently at the white stone at the center of the chessboard.

Xie Xiaoyi slowly stood up, casually returned the white pieces to their place, and bowed to Su Mubai, whose face was ashen:

"You flatter me, Young Master Su. I have said before that my chess skills are so-so, and I have learned them all from you."

I never expected that I could win by half a point with just this one move at the center.

Oh no, it's a single move.

As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Pingting lifted her skirt and gracefully moved to Xie Xiaoyi's side with a smile.

Her delicate fingers lightly touched the white chess piece at the center of the board, her tone both charming and slightly ambiguous:

"Young Master Xie is truly cunning. He says his chess skills are so-so, but he's hiding such a brilliant idea."

This copy shows that the player has thoroughly figured out Su Gongzi's chess style.

Even the smallest move in the center of the board was calculated perfectly; he truly mastered the art of "using someone else's strength against them."

Xie Xiaoyi turned to meet her gaze, his eyes direct yet slightly provocative:

"Master Mu is too kind. To win a smile from such a beauty as Master Mu, even if people say I plagiarized, it's worth it."

"Young Master Xie is quite the smooth talker. He's so good at speaking that he's probably already figured out what's on a young lady's mind. He's even more accurate than someone who can predict the moves of a chess game."

As she finished speaking, Mu Pingting looked up at Xie Xiaoyi, her eyes filled with even more allure.

The two exchanged glances, instantly creating a palpable tension between them.

Fu Yaoqin, who was standing to the side, took in the entire conversation and the expressions of the two people.

The amazement and joy I felt just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a surge of intense jealousy.

She couldn't even hear the cheers around her clearly; her mind was filled with Mu Pingting's intimate actions and affectionate words.

As if deliberately, Mu Pingting moved a little closer to Xie Xiaoyi and asked with a light laugh:

"Young Master Xie has such great skills. I wonder if you would have the time to visit my Jade Sheng Pavilion sometime in the future?"

I've prepared some fine tea, hoping to learn some intricacies of this game of chess and broaden my horizons.

Just as Xie Xiaoyi was about to accept this stroke of good fortune, Su Mubai couldn't sit still any longer.

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, the gleaming white sword at his waist flashing as it was drawn half an inch from its sheath.

"A battle of wits is ultimately just a verbal contest; it doesn't amount to anything real!"

Since Young Master Xie possesses such talent, he must also be quite skilled in swordsmanship.

"I, Mu Bai, though unskilled, am willing to exchange swordplay and learn a thing or two!"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The literary contest had barely ended when they were about to have a physical fight. This clearly showed that Su Mubai was desperate after losing and wanted to get revenge on his best skill, swordsmanship.

Xie Xiaoyi had a bad feeling.

He touched "Viewing the Vast Ocean," but his roguish smile remained, and he waved his hands repeatedly.

"Young Master Su is joking. My skills are just rudimentary and can only fool laymen."

How dare I presume to show off my limited skills before the "White-Robed Scholar with Sword"? Swords have no eyes; it would be better to ruin our harmony.

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu Pingting frowned, her voice tinged with worry, and raised her voice:

"Young Master Xie is right. Fighting with swords is inherently dangerous. Today is Lord Bai's banquet, so it's best to be peaceful and harmonious!"

If we really want to have a friendly competition, there's no need to rush.

She was impressed by Xie Xiaoyi's talent, and unconsciously began to favor Xie Xiaoyi when she spoke to him.

Although the words were meant to help Xie Xiaoyi out of a tight spot, they sounded strangely awkward to Fu Yaoqin.

"Sister Mu, you are mistaken."

For those in the martial world, making friends through swordsmanship is an elegant affair. Young Master Xie is skilled in both literature and martial arts, so why would he fear a mere exchange that ends in a draw?

I'd also like to witness the prowess of these two heroes of the martial world.

Upon hearing this, Mu Pingting was taken aback.

Everyone could see that Fu Yaoqin was quite indifferent to Su Mubai's attentiveness, yet she took the initiative to arrange this sword duel, her tone carrying a hint of competition.

Xie Xiaoyi's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "This is bad, what's wrong with this woman?"

Are you determined to see yourself make a fool of yourself?

City Lord Bai Letian, who loved excitement, immediately clapped his hands and laughed upon hearing Fu Yaoqin's words:

"Master Fu is absolutely right!"

In my city lord's storeroom, there happen to be two fine wooden swords, without any edge or blade, perfect for friendly sparring that ends when the point is reached!

"Guards, bring me your sword!"

With Bai Letian's words, Xie Xiaoyi was forced into the situation and had no reason to refuse.

The servant went to fetch the wooden sword, and the gloom on Su Mubai's face instantly vanished, replaced by an arrogant air of certainty. His gaze toward Xie Xiaoyi was full of disdain.

"Young Master Xie, now there's no reason for you to refuse, is there?"

Amid Su Mubai's words and the clamor of the assembled guests, Xie Xiaoyi was thrust into the eye of the storm, with nowhere to retreat.

Before long, the servant returned carrying two wooden swords.

Xie Xiaoyi looked at Su Mubai's angry eyes, then glanced at the wooden sword the servant had brought.

This reminded him of the wooden sword made by his senior brother, Hua Lingshu, and a sudden inspiration struck him.

"Young Master Su, please don't be in such a hurry."

Xie Xiaoyi, holding a wooden sword, said loudly:

"If the intellectual debate isn't over, a drink should be shared before the physical fight, just to liven things up and avoid damaging the harmony."

Su Mubai was taken aback, then sneered, "Alright, consider it as entertainment for Young Hero Xie."

Bai Letian hummed in agreement.

"That makes sense! Someone, bring the wine!"

Two jars of strong liquor were quickly brought to the table.

Mu Pingting chuckled sweetly, "Let me pour you two some wine."

After saying that, she opened the seal herself, took out two celadon wine cups, and filled them to the brim.

The liquor is clear and refreshing, with a rich aroma.

Mu Pingting smiled and raised two wine glasses, handing them to the two men respectively: "Young Master Su, please."

As she handed it to Xie Xiaoyi, she lightly touched his palm with her fingers, her eyes smiling: "Young Master Xie, please enjoy your drink."