The team from Star Yearn City rose from the lower three cities to defeat the elite forces of the other five cities. Although it was only one segment of the competition in the Divine Artifact Hall, this outcome still drew the attention of the other five cities onto these five individuals.
Apart from the universally acknowledged prowess of Ji Bozhai, Mingyi's identity particularly piqued their curiosity. They even spent a fortune to investigate her background in Star Yearn City, but gained little in return.
"Since you're already here, why not stay a few more days?" the lord of Flying Blossom City urged them. "August is just around the corner. While autumn withers the flowers in other cities, mine alone remains in full bloom. If you stay at the Xiefang Terrace in the inner courtyard, you can witness the breathtaking sight of flowers lifting their heads at dawn every morning."
"Ah, we've already stayed here for several days and seen all the wonders there are to see. In my opinion, Headmaster Qin should take everyone to visit our Newgrass City—it offers a completely different charm."
"What charm does Newgrass City have? For scenery, our Moonchase City is the place to go."
The group laughed while subtly competing with each other. Qin Shangwu could only sigh helplessly. "We must return to Star Yearn City to report our mission."
"You've barely had a chance to get out—why rush back so soon?" they retorted, glaring at him. "What, has your city produced a few treasures you're eager to hide away?"
Qin Shangwu was overwhelmed by their barrage of words and could only wave his hand in resignation. "I'll go ask them. Since they were the ones who won the competition, the decision should be theirs."
All of them bore injuries. Even with physicians specializing in treating Fighters accompanying them, they still had to endure some hardship.
Ji Bozhai's wounds weren't severe, but whenever Qin Shangwu asked when they would return to the city, he would lazily lean against the bed and say, "The wounds hurt too much—I can't handle the journey. Let's wait a couple more days."
Qin Shangwu clenched his fists. A Superior Fighter like him, complaining about such minor injuries—how shameless! Meanwhile, Mingyi, despite her grave injuries, hadn't uttered a single word of complaint.
However, Mingyi truly couldn't endure the journey at the moment. Though she had already bought a residence here and showed no intention of returning to Star Yearn City, Qin Shangwu still wanted to persuade her. After all, if she didn’t return, the other cities would surely vie for her allegiance, and she wouldn’t have a peaceful life either.
But how to convince her? Qin Shangwu hadn’t figured it out yet. Their city lacked wealth and influence, with only the conspicuous Ji Bozhai to boast of—and even he had some unresolved grievances with her.
Just as he was fretting over this, that very night, Mingyi suddenly appeared at his doorstep, her face pale as she clutched her wound. "Headmaster."
After days of rest, some color had finally returned to her cheeks, but now she looked deathly pale again. Startled, Qin Shangwu quickly ushered her inside and sat her down. "What's wrong?"
After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Facing Sun City will likely hold some competitions in August. Would Headmaster like to stop by and take a look?"
Her words implied she wanted them to go to Facing Sun City together.
Qin Shangwu was puzzled. "There are plenty of competitions in various cities lately. Why Facing Sun City in particular?"
Given her identity, shouldn’t she avoid that city?
Mingyi pressed her lips together. After a long pause, she placed a letter on the table.
The ink on the letter wasn’t even fully dry, as if it had just been written and delivered. Qin Shangwu read it carefully, and half his face darkened."The prestigious Sunspire City, always among the top of the Six Cities, would stoop to such threats?" He stood up angrily, "Who is this Ming An? A relative of yours?"
Mingyi gave an ambiguous response: "The Empress won't let me go and wants to use this person to force me back to Sunspire City to die. But I don’t want to die—I like living."
She had many questions for Ming An and also wished to settle old scores with Ji Bozhai before death. After all, they had once been very close, and she couldn’t bear the thought of him learning the truth from others later.
"If you want to go, I have no objections," Qin Shangwu mused. "But Bo Zhai has a peculiar temperament—I can’t handle him. You’ll probably have to persuade him yourself."
"Don’t worry, Headmaster," Mingyi nodded. "I can convince him."
Sunspire City offered not just more opportunities for combat but also superior Crystals and Arcane Scrolls for training. Any Fighter would yearn for that city, let alone the presence of the Meng Family there.
After leaving Headmaster Qin’s room, Mingyi knocked on Ji Bozhai’s door.
Ji Bozhai was in the middle of training when the interruption came, displeased. "Who is it?"
"It’s me."
The clear voice softened his expression. He coughed lightly, instinctively straightening his collar and flicking his sleeves into a dashing drape before replying nonchalantly, "Come in."
Mingyi entered and sat primly on the edge of his bed, asking softly, "The benefactor you mentioned earlier—the former Empress of Star Yearn City, Meng Shi—was her maiden name Xian'er?"
Ji Bozhai froze, surprised by her sudden question. His eyes darkened slightly as he evaded, "Why?"
"If it’s her, then I’ve heard of her. She was likely a lesser daughter of the Meng Family in Sunspire City, sent there for a political marriage." Mingyi continued, "Since she’s no longer here, would you like to return to Sunspire City to visit? Her relatives are still there."
Ji Bozhai raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable to Mingyi.
After a moment of silence, he chuckled and leaned back on his Soft Couch to study her. "You want to go back to Sunspire City to save someone?"
Mingyi’s forced smile faltered. "How did you know?"
"Tricking me into going means you want to go yourself. You’d never return to that place without reason unless you were threatened. Given recent events, they’re probably using Ming An’s life to coerce you."
Ji Bozhai smirked. "Your Empress is quite cunning—sending Ming An to capture you. If he succeeds, he redeems himself. If he fails, he becomes a hostage. After all, you’ve never known much affection and cling to the slightest kindness. You wouldn’t abandon Ming An, who saved you twice."
The logic was sound, but Mingyi bristled. "Who said I’ve never known affection?"
"You," he tilted his chin up. "Only those who’ve never been loved desperately seek others’ affection, even risking their own injuries to save them—such a martyr."
His gaze fell on the fresh blood seeping through her clothes, and his tone turned sharp. "What were you thinking, running around like this?"
Mingyi, as if her tail had been stepped on, puffed her cheeks and stood to leave, but he caught her wrist.
Ji Bozhai clicked his tongue. "You used to be so patient when you needed something from me. Now you can’t even tolerate a few extra words."
Softening his tone, he added, "Going to Sunspire City isn’t entirely out of the question."
Mingyi turned back to eye him.His lazy eyes brimmed with tenderness as he gently swayed her fingertips. "Say something sweet to me, just one phrase, and I'd follow you through fire and flood."
Mingyi: "..."
To others, his charming appearance and mesmerizing sway might have been enough to coax out any sweet words. But in her eyes, he was like a spider spreading its web, idly waiting to trap some fool for amusement.
OpenNovel