He opened his mouth, trying once more to persuade his formidable disciple, but Ji Bozhai was unwilling to listen. "There's another match tomorrow," he said. "This disciple will retire to rest now."
Qin Shangwu was furious but could do nothing about it. Recalling the ambush earlier that day, he stormed off to the inner courtyard to vent his anger on the people from Flying Blossom City.
The major cities were determined to teach Ji Bozhai a lesson that night. Flying Blossom City feigned ignorance and reaped the benefits, while the other cities, despite suffering some injuries, had substitute Fighters ready and gained insights into Ji Bozhai’s combat habits—a profitable exchange. Thus, no matter what Qin Shangwu said in the inner courtyard, the lord of Flying Blossom City merely smiled and replied, "I don’t know, I’m not aware, I don’t understand."
While Qin Shangwu seethed with rage, Yong Wang was no better off. The moment he returned to the inn, he swept all the tea set off the table in a fit of anger.
"Your Highness, calm yourself," Dan Er said stiffly, barely glancing at him. "Losing to Ji Bozhai is hardly shameful."
"Am I angry at Ji Bozhai? I’m furious at that traitor Mingyi!" Mingxin fumed. "She’s openly betrayed Sunspire City. When I return, I’ll report to Father and have her—have her—"
"Have her what?" Dan Er scoffed. "With Ji Bozhai and Star Yearn City backing her now, what can even Da Si do to her, even if he learns her identity?"
Mingxin fell silent, then grew even angrier. "So we just let her stay there and help Star Yearn City attack us?"
"Why panic?" Dan Er chuckled. "Our wise and mighty Consort Si still doesn’t know her daughter’s whereabouts."
Since Ming Xian’s disappearance, no matter how Meng Shi accused Consort Si of deception and treason, the Consort stubbornly denied everything, insisting Meng Shi had hidden Ming Xian away. Without Ming Xian’s body to verify the truth, she remained the untouchable Consort Si.
Once she learned Ming Xian’s location, she would act more ruthlessly than anyone.
Dan Er beckoned Mingxin closer and whispered a few words in his ear.
Soon after, a bluebird carrying a secret missive left Flying Blossom City. On its way to Meng Shi’s palace, it was "coincidentally" shot down by someone from Consort Si’s palace.
...
Mingyi’s shoulder wound was deep, and even Xiuyun winced at the sight. Yet Mingyi showed no sign of pain, even joking and chatting as the poisoned flesh was cut away.
If not for the sweat beading on her forehead, Xiuyun might have thought she felt nothing.
"Y-you could cry a little," Xiuyun stammered, her hands trembling. "Seeing you like this... it hurts me too."
Mingyi lifted her chin. "Hurry up. I’m used to small injuries like this. Just grit my teeth and bear it."
Tears welling, Xiuyun shakily removed the last of the blackened flesh and applied the medicine Ji Bozhai had given her.
The powder seared the wound, scarcely better than the cutting. Mingyi broke into a cold sweat but clenched her jaw without uttering a sound. Exhausted, she curled under the blankets, her lips pale, and fell asleep.
Legs weak, Xiuyun stumbled out of the room—only to see a dark figure leap down from the roof, landing right in front of her.
Startled and terrified, she burst into tears.
Zheng Tiao flinched and hastily covered her mouth. "Don’t scream," he whispered.
Recognizing his voice, Xiuyun froze—then cried even harder.
If she hadn’t insisted on coming to Flying Blossom City to find him, Mingyi wouldn’t have suffered like this.The calloused hand was soaked by her tears. Zheng Tiao sighed helplessly, quickly dragging her further away before releasing her. Frowning, he said, "I just heard Ji Bozhai was here and came to take a look. It's not like I'm trying to steal anything from your house—why are you crying so hard?"
Xiuyun sniffled as she looked at him. Under the moonlight, even his angular features seemed gentler.
Gradually regaining her composure, she rasped, "I cry whenever I'm upset. But I've never seen Mingyi cry—not even when she was badly injured. How much sadness must she have bottled up inside?"
Zheng Tiao was momentarily baffled before realizing she was crying for Mingyi's sake. He gave her a brotherly pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, that's just how she is. One year she was ambushed and broke her leg, yet she dragged herself two miles without shedding a tear. A minor injury like this won't make her flinch."
Ji Bozhai followed the sound of crying and happened to overhear this remark.
He froze, suddenly recalling how at his residence, Mingyi would stretch sleepily in the morning, bump her wrist against the bedpost, then immediately whimper and hold out her teary-eyed hand for him to comfort.
When she bit her lip during meals, she'd gaze at him with watery eyes. If she tripped outside, she'd cry in his arms.
With him, she never seemed to bottle up her pain. Even if those were just little tricks to win his affection, at least she treated him differently from others.
This thought lifted his mood. Hands clasped behind his back, he approached Zheng Tiao. "What are you doing bullying a girl in the middle of the night?"
Startled, Zheng Tiao immediately put distance between himself and Xiuyun. "I wasn't! Don't slander me. I just came to check if you were injured—heard many teams went to ambush you at the venue tonight."
"Minor issue." He gestured to the bandages on his arm. "These teams were mediocre at best—only slightly stronger than Star Yearn City's sparring students."
Zheng Tiao snorted. "You think they sent their elites? Tonight's scouts were just sparring partners from each city. Only Sunspire City had their full roster—the others didn't even bring twenty percent of their usual strength."
Ji Bozhai fell silent, suddenly irritated. "Why does your place insist on these group battles?"
"Not just us—many Six Cities Tournament events are like this. To win, you need both personal strength and a capable team." Zheng Tiao spread his hands. "Back then, Ming Xian was so strong he could single-handedly carry four others, dragging his team into the Upper Three Cities. You're still lacking in that aspect."
"Looking for a fight in the dead of night?" Ji Bozhai's voice turned icy.
Zheng Tiao waved him off. "Not my intention—just passing through. She said Mingyi's badly injured. What about tomorrow's match?"
"We won't collapse without her," Ji Bozhai said coolly. "See you at the venue tomorrow. Stop sneaking around—people might accuse you of treason."
"Impossible! I've devoted years to Flying Blossom City." Zheng Tiao thumped his chest. "Only a madman would think me a traitor."
Under the shimmering moonlight, Ji Bozhai recalled Wei Changsheng's venomous curses at the venue and frowned. "This world has no shortage of madmen."
"Are you leaving already, Lord Zheng?" Xiuyun wiped her tears, watching his retreating steps wistfully. "Won't you stay for tea?"Zheng Tiao turned around, puzzled by the bright, sparkling gaze the young girl was directing at him. After hesitating for a moment, he cupped his hands in salute and said, "I'll pass on the tea, but if you're looking for a sparring match, I'd be happy to oblige."
OpenNovel