Chapter 30: Seven Branches Martial Contest start(2)

Meanwhile, on Grey's side, he finally managed to catch the mischievous Xiao Hui, holding the squirming monkey firmly in his grasp. With a mock-serious expression, Grey asked, "So, what'll it be? Boiled, fried, or minced?"

Xiao Hui let out a panicked screech, desperately trying to escape, but Grey's grip was too strong.

"You can't escape," Grey taunted, grinning wickedly. "Xiao Fan isn't here, so there's no one to save you this time."

The monkey whimpered, realizing it was in real trouble. Grey leaned in closer, narrowing his eyes. "You dare mess with this handsome face? You've got some nerve!" he added, though the humor in his tone made it clear he wasn't truly angry—just enjoying teasing the little troublemaker.

"That Junior, why don't you hand that monkey over to me?" A man with a fan folded in his hand approached, his demeanor polite and refined.

Grey blinked at him, his expression blank. "Who are you?"

"I'm Zheng Shu Shu, a disciple of Wind Blowing Peak," the man replied, his tone still gentle.

"Shu Shu? What a strange name," Grey thought to himself. He'd heard many Chinese names since arriving in this world, but this one struck him as particularly odd.

"This monkey isn't for sale," Grey said flatly, turning to leave.

"Wait, Brother," Zheng Shu Shu persisted, stepping closer. "Why don't we discuss this? I can offer you something valuable in exchange."

Grey raised an eyebrow, then waved dismissively. "Listen, Shu Shu, I'm not interested in any animals, and I'm definitely not selling this monkey. Now, shu shu shu," he said, waving his hand as if shooing away an annoying pest, clearly unimpressed by Zheng Shu Shu's offer.

Zheng Shu Shu, hearing Grey's dismissive words, felt an urge to smack him with his fan but restrained himself, keeping his composure.

"Brother, this is no ordinary monkey. This is a Three-Eyed Spiritual Monkey," Zheng Shu Shu insisted, trying to appeal to Grey's interest.

Grey paused, glancing down at Xiao Hui, turning the little creature in his hands to examine it from all angles. To him, it looked like any other mischievous, ordinary monkey. Now that this guy mentioned he remembered a scene from the plot about this scene and this guy should be the son of some peak master.

"Spiritual monkey?" Grey repeated skeptically, narrowing his eyes as he inspected Xiao Hui once more. There is nothing special about this monkey. He then looked back at Zheng Shu Shu with a mixture of confusion and disbelief, wondering if this guy had some kind of brain damage to make such a claim. 

"I know it might seem like an ordinary monkey," Zheng Shu Shu persisted, "but when it opens its third eye, it will be incredibly useful."

"Are you sure?" Grey asked, still skeptical. "This guy doesn't seem all that special to me."

"You can trust me," Shu Shu said with a proud expression. "Our peak knows all about these kinds of things."

"Then, brother, are you—" Shu Shu began to ask, hoping to make a deal.

But Grey cut him off firmly, "Still not for sale. This is my junior's pet."

Shu Shu sighed in disappointment but decided to change tactics. "Alright then, what's your name, Brother?"

"Grey," he replied simply.

"Then, Brother Grey—" Shu Shu started to say, but before he could finish, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. Without a second thought, Shu Shu grabbed Grey's hand and dragged him along. Which made Xiao Hui escape.

"Hey, why did you drag me?" Grey asked, already feeling drained by Shu Shu's overly sociable nature.

"Look! The female disciples of Small Bamboo Peak have just arrived. Aren't they beautiful?" Shu Shu exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he pointed towards a group of young women entering the area.

Grey glanced at the group, then turned back to Shu Shu with a deadpan expression. "Brother, you know me too well," he said with a smile, placing a hand on Shu Shu's shoulder as they both watched the female disciples.

"I knew it!" Shu Shu said, grinning. "I can already tell we're going to be great friends." He found Grey's personality intriguing.

"See, Brother, that's Junior Sister Lu Xueqi," Shu Shu said, pointing. "She's considered the most beautiful in Small Bamboo Peak."

Grey followed Shu Shu's line of sight and spotted the young woman he was referring to. Lu Xueqi stood out immediately. Her beauty was undeniable even among the other disciples. 

She had a serene, almost ethereal presence, with long, flowing black hair that cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall. Her skin was flawless, pale like porcelain, giving her an otherworldly glow under the soft sunlight.

Her eyes were a striking shade of deep black, reminiscent of a clear, tranquil lake, and they held a quiet intensity, reflecting both wisdom and determination. Lu Xueqi's delicate features—high cheekbones, a small, refined nose, and naturally arched eyebrows—gave her a dignified and graceful appearance.

She wore the traditional robes of Small Bamboo Peak, which were a soft white with pale blue accents, further enhancing her ethereal look. The robes flowed elegantly around her, and she moved with a quiet grace, exuding a calm confidence that commanded attention without any effort. 

'Wow, is she really that beautiful? I guess it makes sense since she's the heroine of this series,' Grey remarked, observing Lu Xueqi's striking appearance. 

"Brother, I think I've fallen," Grey said with a hint of admiration in his voice, still captivated by Lu Xueqi's presence.

Grey is a normal man with normal desires, unlike some cultivation protagonists who claim, "Women will only affect the speed of my sword drawing." In reality, if you're a man, being attracted to women with beautiful appearances is perfectly natural.

If you aren't, you might either be a eunuch or need to question whether something is off with your brain.

Grey, being a normal man, found himself falling for Lu Xueqi when he saw her. He couldn't help but think she was even more beautiful in person than she appeared in the series.

"You're not alone," Shu Shu replied. "Many have fallen for her, but no one in our generation is strong enough to defeat her."

"Still, there's no harm in trying," Grey said, determined to make an attempt despite the challenge. Seeing Lu Xueqi's cold, expressionless demeanor made him realize it wouldn't be easy.