Chapter 676

The staff member smiled and said, "The finals are the last chance to place a bet. You really shouldn't miss it. Quite a few people have bet on Yuan Zhao from Beiliu Village—his odds of winning are very high. I suggest you join in too, just for fun."

Hearing this, Zhao Chi paused.

Yuan Zhao's odds of winning are very high?

If someone else had said it, he wouldn't have cared.

But this was a staff member speaking.

Zhao Chi decided to hear his reasoning—it could serve as a reference for himself.

If it truly held value, he could adjust his tactical arrangements in time.

Seeing Zhao Chi stop, the staff member quickly smiled and said, "Are you thinking of placing a bet? On Yuan Zhao or Zhao Chi?"

Zhao Chi asked, "How do you judge that Yuan Zhao's odds of winning are high?"

The staff member smiled and said, "Mr., don't just look at Zhao Chi being first in points—that's because his opponents were all weak, so he could rack up high scores. Yuan Zhao's opponents were strong, so even though his score is lower, his actual strength is a notch above."

That was a very subjective judgment.

That wasn't what Zhao Chi wanted to hear.

"Any other reasons?"

The staff member pointed at the big screen: "Look over there. Just from the screen you can tell—Yuan Zhao's strength is unfathomable, but Zhao Chi's success has a lot of luck in it. I suggest you bet on Yuan Zhao. Though this is only a personal suggestion, and I'm not responsible for the final outcome. Have you decided who to bet on?"

Zhao Chi was amused: "Aren't you a virtual person? You have personal suggestions too? This is Gongsun Ning's personal suggestion, isn't it?"

The staff member smiled and said, "His Highness Gongsun has no suggestions. Virtual people also have thoughts and judgment. Isn't it perfectly clear from the big screen?"

Zhao Chi shook his head and laughed at himself.

How could he have been delusional enough to expect useful information from a virtual person?

But this Gongsun Ning must truly detest him to the extreme.

In the end, he had even deliberately steered everyone into betting on Yuan Zhao.

Yuan Zhao was indeed extremely strong—betting on him was nothing unusual, perfectly normal.

But Gongsun Ning stirring things up like this instead made Zhao Chi feel there was a hint of targeting him personally.

It didn't matter.

He just didn't know whether, if he won in the end, the people who had been led to place bets would curse Gongsun Ning.

Zhao Chi wandered around a few more battlefields and halls, finding nothing unusual.

But his time had been wasted somewhat.

Could Yuan Zhao have deliberately found a noble to put on an act, using curiosity or wariness to eat up his time, so that he couldn't rest properly, or couldn't fully think through his approach for the finals?

Surely not, right?

Could this really be a plain and unadorned tactic?

Checking the time, only a few dozen minutes remained before the battle.

Damn it…

Zhao Chi immediately returned to his territory.

The female soldiers were all asleep—must have been Gu Qing's order.

They had only just slept before the previous battle.

It seemed Gu Qing also attached great importance to this final fight, wanting them to be well-rested for combat.

He returned to the lord's house.

He saw that familiar, soft, graceful curve.

Gu Qing lay on her side on the bed.

Her slender waist curved downward in a gentle arc, then rose sharply at the hips.

A plain, unadorned white cloth garment draped over her body, yet stretched taut by the full, rounded, magnificent pride beneath.

What a blessed piece of cloth.

Her legs pressed together, a luminous sheen running from her thighs down to her calves, turning at the ankles and appearing again on the tops of her feet.

Her skin was truly fine.

Very smooth.

Gu Qing had deliberately slept on the inside, always leaving the half of the bed in front of her reserved for Zhao Chi.

Seeing her sleeping soundly, Zhao Chi didn't disturb her.

He sat lightly on the bed.

But the moment he did, he was immediately wrapped in a soft, warm body.

Two arms, soft yet tight, hugged him.

"My lord, you're back."

Gu Qing's languid voice sounded in his ear.

"Mm, did I wake you?"

"No, I smelled your scent, my lord, that's why I woke up."

Gu Qing said with a grin.

Zhao Chi laughed and said, "How can you smell me too? Has Qiyue's genetic improvement infected you as well?"

Gu Qing squeezed into Zhao Chi's embrace: "Qiyue said my lord smells good, and I also think you smell good."

"What Qiyue meant was my blood."

"Oh… I meant your flesh. Let me have a taste."

When Gu Qing said "have a taste," it was definitely not just a taste.

Zhao Chi asked, "Right now? I don't have any inheritance points left."

Gu Qing giggled and said: "I was just joking. The battle's coming up soon, I won't drain you. But when we get back... I won't let you off easy."

Zhao Chi laughed: "No problem. After the battle, drain me all you want."

Gu Qing patted little Zhao Chi.

"But Qiyue hasn't awakened her 【Inherited Enhancement】 skill yet, right? She really ate it?"

"Yes..."

"Qiyue said the taste was even more fragrant than blood. Why don't I think so? I thought it just tasted a bit like cucumber. If I'd known earlier, I wouldn't have swallowed it. Next time I'll taste it carefully. Too bad you have too few inheritance points, can't waste them..."

Zhao Chi had originally wanted to rest for a bit.

But she got him riled up again in no time.

Gu Qing noticed it too.

She quickly said: "My lord, I didn't mean to. Please rest quickly, don't let it affect the battle later."

Zhao Chi sighed: "Why does being with you always end up going in this direction?"

Gu Qingjiao laughed: "Maybe it's because I'm quite charming?"

"Sigh, yes, you certainly are charming."

"Hee hee hee, thank you for the compliment, my lord."

There wasn't much time left.

Zhao Chi simply didn't sleep.

"I've picked up some intel on Yuan Zhao outside. I have some preliminary tactical arrangements. Let's discuss them, and you give me some suggestions."

"Sure, but if you don't rest, won't you be too tired?"

"It's fine."

"Lie face down, I'll give you a massage. We can discuss while I work on you."

That wasn't a bad idea.

Zhao Chi didn't need to stand on ceremony with Gu Qing.

After all, all her stats were at 7 points. A massage was nothing, it wouldn't tire her out at all.

Moreover, Gu Qing's massage technique had become extremely refined now.

Especially after reading the Art of the Bedchamber.

She had fused some techniques from the Art of the Bedchamber into her massages, and every night before bed she could massage Zhao Chi into a state of blissful ecstasy.

Gu Qing's palms were extremely soft, but very strong.

Perfect for massage.

Zhao Chi didn't waste words. He took off his shirt and lay face down on the bed.

The next second, two long, fair, smooth legs appeared on either side of his body. Then he felt a weight settle on his lower back as a soft body climbed on top.