However, in Sunspire City, She Tianlin was probably the only one who truly welcomed Mingyi.
The moment their beast-drawn carriage arrived at the city's docks, it was surrounded by imperial guards. Officials from the inner court arrived with tokens to receive them, though without much enthusiasm. They merely remarked indifferently, "The competition in August is still over half a month away. You’ve arrived rather early."
The rising sun bathed the entire city in golden light, making it hard for anyone to keep their eyes open—hence, no one bothered to retort.
Mingyi walked among them, head lowered, her face unseen by anyone.
Yet, the moment they reached the inn, she was immediately summoned by the Empress.
Recognizing the all-too-familiar messenger, Mingyi laughed after hearing his words: "Knowing full well she’s waiting to kill me, why would I be foolish enough to walk right into her hands?"
It had been a long time since they last met, and the once-obedient Ming Xian seemed like a completely different person. The messenger was taken aback but maintained his usual stern tone: "This is the Empress’s command."
"I am now a citizen of Star Yearn City. What does your Empress’s command have to do with me? Must I obey?" She scoffed. "By protocol, I should first meet with your Minister Superior."
"Are you threatening the Empress?" The messenger frowned.
Mingyi found this amusing: "Do you not know why I’m here?"
If not for the Empress’s threats, she would still be admiring flowers in Flying Blossom City.
Unable to argue, the messenger’s expression darkened: "The Empress decrees that if you refuse to go, Ming An will be executed in the marketplace."
"Fine. The moment she pushes him forward, I’ll march straight into the inner court to see the Minister Superior." Mingyi clapped her hands. "Dragging her entire family down to accompany Ming An in death—I’d say I’ve done my best."
"You!" The messenger was furious. "Rumors of your betrayal had reached us, but I didn’t believe them—until now. You’ve grown utterly insolent!"
"The insolent one here is you." Mingyi stood, her gaze icy. "You were the ones who always reprimanded me, trampled on my achievements, and pocketed my rewards. Yet you’re just a messenger, and she’s nothing more than a vine clinging to royal power. How dare you look down on me?"
The messenger staggered back in shock.
"For seven years, I fought tooth and nail to bring glory to Sunspire City. The Empress’s family’s wealth was built on my efforts. And you—you don’t even bow when you see me, yet you presume to lecture me on propriety every time you open your mouth. Who do you think you are?"
"You—"
"I’ve returned not to beg for their release, but to ensure that if they aren’t freed, I’ll drag you all down with me." Mingyi clapped her hands mockingly. "After all, I don’t have much time left. Taking you all with me won’t be so lonely."
"Madwoman! You’re insane!" Terrified, the messenger scrambled out, only to collide with Ji Bozhai.
He didn’t recognize the man, but spotting the Sky-blue Mist Rain Robe of Star Yearn City, he immediately grabbed him and cried, "That woman is a lunatic, a traitor! Anyone who shelters her will meet a terrible end!"
"Oh?" Ji Bozhai smiled, plucking the horsetail whisk from the messenger’s hands. With a flick, it transformed into an icy blade pressed against his throat. "Is the madwoman you speak of as murderous as I am, who kills at the slightest provocation?"
"..."
Half an incense stick’s time later, the messenger—now unconscious from shock and rage—was carried out of the inn and loaded onto a carriage.
Qin Shangwu watched from the window before turning to the two men standing before him, puzzled. "Who did this?"Ji Bozhai spread his hands innocently. "No."
Mingyi nodded in agreement. "I can testify, there was indeed no physical altercation. He doesn’t even have a scratch on him."
"Then how did a perfectly fine palace official walk in standing up and get carried out horizontally?" he frowned. "People might think Star Yearn City has no manners, acting recklessly on someone else’s turf."
"Don’t worry, he sneaked out and won’t dare make a fuss when he returns," Mingyi said.
Ji Bozhai nodded. "Just a nobody, Master. Not worth your concern."
Seeing how these two were in cahoots, Qin Shangwu snorted but didn’t bother exposing them. "I’ve borrowed Sunspire City’s nearby training grounds. Their equipment is far superior to ours in Star Yearn City. Stay put and train harder these days."
Luo Jiaoyang couldn’t resist chiming in. "Last time you said we shouldn’t boost other cities’ morale at the expense of Star Yearn’s pride. Now you’re singing their praises?"
Qin Shangwu couldn’t lay a hand on Mingyi or Ji Bozhai, but Luo Jiaoyang was fair game. A swift punch later, he grumbled, "Where the moon looks rounder depends on the heart, but these tools are tangible facts. Sunspire City has dominated for years with solid foundations. Learn humbly!"
"Yes, sir!" they chorused.
Empress Si Hou, having failed to summon Mingyi, wasn’t about to let it slide—especially after hearing how arrogantly Mingyi had threatened her. She promptly dragged the maids who once served Mingyi to the bustling market and executed them one by one.
By the time Mingyi rushed over upon hearing the news, the ground was already soaked in blood. Several maids—not particularly close to her but entirely innocent—lay decapitated, their corpses hastily wrapped and hauled away.
"What a sin. Look, one of them is still twitching," someone nearby whispered behind their hand.
Mingyi took half a step forward when suddenly, the Nether Domain descended around her.
Looking up, she saw Empress Si Hou’s masked assassin approaching wordlessly, intent on taking her head.
A fight in the crowded market was risky, but it was also the easiest place to strike. Mingyi was poisoned; if he acted fast enough...
As the assassin closed in, he suddenly saw Mingyi sidestep, revealing a strikingly handsome face behind her.
Bringing a pretty boy to the market?—his first thought.
The next instant, the "pretty boy" had him by the throat with crushing force, plunging his vision into darkness.
"This is what you call formidable?" Ji Bozhai tossed him aside disdainfully, glancing at Mingyi.
Mingyi shrugged. "Child’s play for you, but tricky for me."
"You invited me out for local delicacies, and this is what you meant?"
"Of course not." Glancing at the maids’ bodies on the platform, Mingyi pressed her lips together and led him forward. "The local specialty is fried dough balls bigger than your head. Never tried them, but the inner court folks mentioned them before."
Ji Bozhai followed, his eyes lingering on her subtly clenched hand within her sleeve. Quietly, he said, "After all she’s done to you, you’re not still holding onto some hope for her, are you?"
He didn’t specify who "she" was, but Mingyi understood.
She turned, meeting his gaze deeply, and suddenly asked, "If you were me—how would you treat this woman who was your mother for years but now wants you dead?"With a slight pause, Ji Bozhai sneered, "You forgot, I don't have a mother."
OpenNovel