Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector
Chapter 11 - 9: Slicing Paper on the Wrist

Chapter 11: Chapter 9: Slicing Paper on the Wrist

The crowd exchanged glances, utterly baffled. No one could figure out what trick Chen Ye had up his sleeve.

’This is a saber competition. Why is he dragging a girl into it?’

"Hah, I think the kid’s at his wit’s end, just trying to put on a show!"

"Exactly. Daring to get distracted while competing against Fast Blade Yang’s Saber Technique? It’s like he wants to lose faster."

A few unabashed taunts rose from the crowd, and the smug look on Yang Ze’s face deepened.

The young women of the Colorful Character Sect, however, didn’t see it that way. They’d already taken a liking to the handsome young man, and now that he was striking up a conversation, their interest was piqued.

"Hey, pick me! Pick me!"

"Young man, how do you want me to help you?"

Amidst the chorus of lilting voices, the boldest of the girls pushed through the crowd and leaped onto the stage.

The girl was about fifteen or sixteen. While not a peerless beauty, her eyes were exceptionally bright and lively. Most strikingly, her skin was incredibly fair, as smooth and delicate as a peeled egg.

"I’ll help you!" the girl declared, standing before Chen Ye with natural poise.

Chen Ye smiled and cupped his hands in a small bow. "Thank you, miss. However, it might get a little dangerous. Are you brave?"

Far from being afraid, the girl puffed out her chest and grinned. "Don’t you worry, young man. I, Little Lingdang, have always been brave. I’ll do whatever you ask. I’m all yours—just give the word!"

Her words carried the wild, guileless charm unique to the people of the Martial World—direct and utterly captivating.

Chen Ye was taken aback, a little embarrassed, and could only manage a dry laugh.

The scene sent the crowd below into a roar of laughter.

Fang Tao couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. ’This kid...’

’Why did you have to go and provoke these girls from the Colorful Character Sect? Every last one of them is a mischievous little sprite. Even an old hand in the Martial World like me has to keep a respectful distance sometimes. They’re not to be trifled with.’

At this, Chen Ye composed himself and spoke to Little Lingdang with a serious expression. "Then I must trouble you. Please, roll up your sleeve."

Little Lingdang was indeed obedient. She meekly rolled up her sleeve, revealing a pale, slender wrist.

Her wrist was slender and elegant, her skin as smooth as polished jade and whiter than frost, causing many of the men to stare, transfixed.

Chen Ye then asked for a sheet of common straw paper, soaked it in a basin of water, and carefully smoothed it over Little Lingdang’s arm.

The wet paper clung to her skin, clearly outlining the perfect curve of her arm.

Having done this, Chen Ye took out his thin-bladed Small Knife, its edge glinting with a cold, sinister light.

He gave Little Lingdang one last look. "Miss, if you’re afraid, it’s not too late to change your mind."

Far from being scared, Little Lingdang just giggled, closed her eyes, and let her long eyelashes tremble slightly, presenting herself as if to say, ’I’m yours for the taking.’

"Go on. I’m not afraid."

The smile on Chen Ye’s face vanished. His entire demeanor shifted in an instant, his gaze becoming focused and sharp.

The next moment, he lunged forward with a flick of his wrist!

A flash of cold light!

Many in the crowd instinctively shut their eyes, unable to bear the sight of blood that was sure to follow.

However, the expected gasps and screams never came.

Little Lingdang’s arm remained suspended in mid-air, completely unscathed. Not a single trace of blood marked her fair skin.

But the wet straw paper plastered to her arm had been sliced cleanly down the middle, separating into two perfect halves!

A moment of stunned silence was followed by thunderous applause!

"What incredible Saber Technique!"

"Amazing!"

Laymen watch the spectacle, but experts see the skill. The members of the Rong Character Sect who were present felt their hearts pound. They, more than anyone, understood the difficulty of that cut.

The pig bladder from before may have been thin, but it was an inanimate object.

This girl, however, was a living person. With her arm held in the air, her muscles would inevitably tremble, however slightly, from tension.

Furthermore, the wet paper was plastered to the curved surface of her skin. To slice it in two without so much as nicking the flesh required a level of strength control that was simply mind-boggling!

Yet Chen Ye had done it. It was truly incredible.

Little Lingdang now opened her eyes. She looked at her arm, then glanced up at Chen Ye, a peculiar light shining in her clear, limpid eyes.

Meanwhile, the expression on Yang Ze’s face had turned utterly foul.

He never imagined that the signature technique he prided himself on would be one-upped by some young upstart in such an unbelievable fashion!

Still, he wasn’t entirely convinced. The feat was stunning, yes, but to say it had completely surpassed his own skill... that felt like a stretch.

This wasn’t an overwhelming victory.

Just as his mind raced, trying to figure out how to salvage the situation, he saw Chen Ye whisper something to the girl.

Then, to everyone’s confusion, Little Lingdang raised her arm once more.

’He’s going again?’

Just then, Chen Ye moved.

This time, he flipped his wrist. The Small Knife didn’t chop downward but instead shaved horizontally across her arm!

SWISH!

The blade scraped across the girl’s delicate skin.

The remaining half of the wet paper still on her arm was shaved off in a single sheet, fluttering to the ground like stubble from a razor.

And yet, Little Lingdang’s arm remained as smooth as jade. There wasn’t so much as a cut, not even a single hair had been harmed.

The entire venue fell silent.

Everyone was stunned into silence by that cut.

Yang Ze’s face, in particular, was ashen.

Because he knew he had lost. Lost completely, utterly, and without a shred of doubt.

"Excellent! A truly excellent Saber Technique!"

In the midst of this dead silence, Zhao Governor of the Arresting Department, who had remained seated and composed until now, suddenly shot to his feet, applauding and cheering.

Seeing him make his approval so clear, the elders from the other sects didn’t dare hesitate, rising to their feet to join in the praise.

In an instant, the air was filled with a ceaseless chorus of praise.

Chen Ye remained poised, unmoved by the praise. He first bowed to Zhao Governor and the assembled elders in thanks, then turned to Little Lingdang. "My thanks, miss."

The girl gave him a sly smile, suddenly leaned in close, and whispered in his ear on her tiptoes, "My real name is Wu Xiaorui. You’d better remember it."

Before Chen Ye could react, Wu Xiaorui turned and walked away.

Once she had returned to the Colorful Character Sect’s contingent, a wave of teasing laughter immediately followed.

With that, the skills competition came to a close.

Thanks to Chen Ye’s stunning debut, the standing of the Rong Character Sect’s Fujia’Er branch remained unchanged, and most of the other sects also maintained their positions from the previous year.

This was undoubtedly the best possible outcome for Zhao Governor; after all, stability meant far less trouble for him.

After the competition, in accordance with the traditions of the Martial World, a grand banquet began at the tavern next to the warehouse.

It was both a celebration and a chance for the various sects to network. After all, All Walks of Life had to make a living in the same city. They were bound to run into each other, so it was best to stay on good terms.

The guest of honor at the banquet was, of course, Zhao Governor of the Arresting Department. He was seated at the head of the main table, with the elders and Young Monarchs of the various sects gathered around him like stars around the moon, their words dripping with flattery.

As for Chen Ye, thanks to his stunning performance, he too was granted an exceptional honor: a seat at the table, right next to Fang Tao.