Mingyi's meridians were severely damaged, and her Essence Power was no longer as formidable as before, but her agility remained. Being intimately familiar with Sunspire City's training grounds, she led the group through drills for two hours until everyone had mastered the terrain, moving with increasing swiftness.
"Whoever shoots down the setting sun at the end wins," Mingyi pointed toward the sunset illusion conjured by Essence Power ahead.
Ji Bozhai grasped the air, forming an arrow of Essence Power, and with a flick of his wrist, sent it flying with tremendous force—piercing the heart of the setting sun.
The arrow's flight stirred a gust of wind that tousled Mingyi's hair, strands brushing against her brows and softening her determined gaze with a hint of tenderness.
He happened to glance sideways at her and froze momentarily.
Noticing his gaze, she turned with a raised brow. "What?"
"Has no one ever told you how striking you look on the battlefield?" He smirked, though his tone lacked its usual teasing edge. His dark eyes held hers steadily, as if genuinely moved. "Turns out women can be dashing and heroic, not just gentle and delicate."
Mingyi clapped her hands in delight. "Finally, my lord sees the light."
Who said women had to be meek and docile? If others had the chance to train in Combat Skills like her, female Fighters might have already dominated the world.
As the sun set and the Facing Sun rose, their training session concluded. Mingyi spotted Sunspire City's high officials lurking in the distance, knowing their intentions. Without waiting for Ji Bozhai, she slipped away down a side path.
Yet within moments, footsteps followed.
"You swore to repay me by serving me hand and foot, yet now you won't even wait?" Ji Bozhai caught up in long strides, frowning slightly.
Mingyi glanced back and chuckled. "They're here for you."
The unresolved debate in the grand hall meant they wouldn't give up easily. Now that Ji Bozhai was here, they'd do anything to keep him.
But the man beside her seemed utterly unconcerned. "Take me to eat what you consider delicious."
She stopped walking, studying him seriously. "Are you certain, my lord?"
"Why wouldn't I be? Lead the way."
Her face suddenly brightened, eyes sparkling as she nodded. "Then my lord must finish everything."
Ji Bozhai sensed trouble but reassured himself—Sunspire City's cuisine was just spicier. He'd eaten chili peppers in Star Yearn City before; how bad could it be?
Yet when he sat down at Fanghua Pavilion and faced a table awash in crimson, his lips twitched.
"This is what you call delicious?" He picked up a chili pepper with his chopsticks, incredulous. "Chilies stir-fried with chilies?"
"There's chicken in there—keep looking." Mingyi eagerly took her seat and began eating.
Sunspire City's dishes paired perfectly with rice. After training, her greatest joy was devouring two bowls of rice with these flavorful dishes. Star Yearn City's bland fare had left her palate dull.
Halfway through her rice, Mingyi looked up to find Ji Bozhai still staring at a piece of fiery-red diced chicken on his chopsticks, hesitation plain on his face.
She smiled. "If it's too much, we can order something else."
Waving her off, he steeled himself and popped the meat into his mouth.Then Mingyi saw his face gradually flush red, his originally refined features turning crimson like a lovesick youth. Even those deep-set eyes welled up with moisture, like ink jade dropped into a clear pool, softening momentarily.
It had to be said—setting aside all complications—Lord Ji's beauty was still worth admiring. He seemed to want to cough but suppressed it, his celadon robe clinging tightly to his chest with slight tremors. His thin lips took on a shimmering red hue, appearing somewhat flustered yet strangely inviting teasing.
Unable to resist, Mingyi handed him a cup of tea.
Ji Bozhai didn't take it. Instead, he leaned forward to drink from the cup in her hand in one gulp, his eyes looking up at her—three parts reproach, seven parts resignation.
Her heart skipped a beat as Mingyi averted her gaze. "I'll have them bring you different dishes."
"No need. I just wanted to taste what you like." Setting down the cup, he sighed softly. "I just didn't expect your fiery temper was literally raised on chili peppers."
His words carried an odd intimacy. Mingyi glanced at him, suspecting the man before her might be attempting to seduce her. But upon reflection—with so much having just happened—how could he possibly be in the mood for romance? She must be overthinking.
So she poured another cup and placed it by his hand. "Rinse your mouth before eating more."
Ji Bozhai smiled faintly. "So you do care about me."
"You just saved my life—how could I not?" She looked away. "Eat quickly and rest early."
He nodded, yet after finishing, he didn't retire immediately but went out briefly.
When Mingyi returned to her room after bathing and changing, she found a glistening candied hawthorn skewer and a thumb-sized gold nugget on the table.
Amused yet exasperated, she asked the man in bed, "What's this for?"
"Reward for protecting me today." Ji Bozhai lay facing inward, not turning his head. "I've always been clear about rewards and punishments."
"No need. I already owe you." Though fond of both items, Mingyi set them back down. Accepting them would make today's events no longer about repaying debts.
Ji Bozhai said nothing more.
They shared the bed that night, each under separate quilts, with ample space between them.
At dawn the next day, news arrived: Ming An had been sentenced to exile as a criminal, while Yan Si Hou was demoted to concubine status and relocated to the Secluded Hall.
Neither had lost their lives, but many would ensure Ming An never survived exile.
Mingyi sat before her dressing table in prolonged silence, feeling she ought to save him yet finding no viable solution. Sunspire City had its own laws—she wasn't even its citizen now, let alone in any position to plead for others.
Ji Bozhai passed behind her and lightly patted her shoulder.
Puzzled, she looked up only to see his retreating back. "Stay here. Don't go anywhere."
Outside, someone lay in wait for Ji Bozhai, but this time he didn't take side paths to avoid them—he walked straight toward them.
"Lord Ji." Tianguan hurriedly bowed. "Our Da Si wishes to see you."
"Lead the way."
Perhaps surprised by his ready compliance today, Tianguan was overjoyed, immediately escorting him to the main hall.
Ming Li had rushed over without even concluding the morning court session. Upon seeing Ji Bozhai, his initial delight quickly gave way to solemnity as he took the central seat. "Are you settling in comfortably?"
"Fanghua Residence is quite pleasant.""Our Sunspire City is also a great place, offering you many things you could never obtain in Star Yearn City," Ming Li said, gazing at him intently. "The competition is the day after tomorrow, and I don't want to see Sunspire City lose to other cities again."
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