Xue Sheng's methods weren't particularly sophisticated, but they were insidiously damaging. Mingyi had encountered such tactics before, which had resulted in her being separated from her teammates during a major competition, left alone to face various attacks.
That year, although she ultimately won, she nearly lost her life and spent half a year recovering from her injuries.
She was still relatively willing to talk things out. If it had been someone like Ji Bozhai, who couldn't be bothered to waste even half a word on you, misunderstandings would only lead to worse outcomes.
In the past, when she spoke like this, people like Luo Jiaoyang would have just listened without taking it seriously—after all, she was merely a woman. But now, they pondered every word she said, finding it reasonable and feeling sympathy for Ming Xian.
"I thought you were adored by all in Sunspire City," Fan Yao sighed. "I didn't expect your situation to be even worse than Lord Ji's in Star Yearn City. Is this how the world treats accomplished Fighters?"
"Sunspire City is complicated—it's hard to say what's right or wrong," Qin Shangwu waved his hand dismissively. "But our Star Yearn City is different. As long as you win, high positions and generous rewards will be yours."
Mingyi smiled and asked, "Including me?"
Qin Shangwu froze, wanting to nod immediately but hesitating due to reservations.
Not everyone could so readily accept her identity. Aside from being a woman, she was also Ming Xian. While other cities might envy her abilities, they would inevitably be wary of her and unlikely to grant her significant authority.
Yet Ji Bozhai answered for him without hesitation: "Including you."
Mingyi glanced at Headmaster Qin's slightly awkward expression, then at Ji Bozhai's matter-of-fact demeanor, and couldn't help but laugh. "I was just joking."
Even if Star Yearn City offered her an official position, she couldn't take it.
"I wasn't joking," he said seriously, his dark eyes fixed on the swirling clouds outside the window. "As long as you stay by my side and help me win the competition, I'll give you whatever you want."
His words were light, but their weight was undeniable. Mingyi was momentarily stunned, and Luo Jiaoyang slapped his thigh in realization. "See? I knew you still had feelings for her! No wonder you made me train twice as hard last time over that trivial room incident... Hah, you should've just said so earlier."
Snapping out of her daze, she chuckled and shook her head. "You've misunderstood. Lord Ji is a man of countless romantic pursuits. With so many flowers in the world, how could he possibly—"
"I could," he interjected softly.
Her fingers twitched in surprise as she turned to look at him.
Ji Bozhai sighed, his dark eyes meeting hers with a hint of remorse. "I've been meaning to tell you—I regret it."
He regretted driving her away, treating her with disdain, using her as a pawn and a plaything, and missing the chance when she might have loved him.
Mingyi was silent for a moment before calmly averting her gaze. "There's nothing to regret. Your future is boundless, my lord. No need to cling to a single tree."
Was this... a rejection?
Luo Jiaoyang's jaw dropped.
It was the first time he'd seen a woman reject Ji Bozhai—and so decisively, without a trace of lingering affection in her eyes.
How ruthless. How final. How effortlessly cool.
Strangely, Ji Bozhai didn't seem angry, as if he'd anticipated her response. He simply said, "There will be time."She paid no heed to his words, having witnessed enough of his deceptive tactics during her time with him to distinguish between sincerity and manipulation."
The carriage wheels cut through the clouds as they approached Azure Snow City.It was not yet September, but heavy snow was already falling across Azure Snow. Having arrived here unexpectedly, their winter clothes had been left behind in Sunspire City, leaving their lips tinged purple from the cold.
Luo Jiaoyang and the others could still huddle together for warmth, but Ji Bozhai had always disliked physical closeness. Even Qin Shangwu was refused—he sat alone in the open, shielding himself with Essence Power.
Yet Essence Power was like thick glass—while it could block attacks, it couldn’t ward off the chill. Eventually, frost gathered on his lashes as he sat motionless in silence.
Mingyi hesitated again and again, but in the end, she couldn’t bear it. She moved closer and wrapped her arms around one of his.
But the moment she did, he bent down and pulled her entirely into his embrace.
"So cold," he murmured pitifully.
The chill seeped from him into her, and Mingyi shivered. Too weary to argue, she let him hold her.
A faint smirk curled his lips as he tightened his arms around her and glanced toward the snow-buried docks ahead.
Though Azure Snow was also one of the lower cities, its remote location and abundant resources meant the docks were never without cargo. When they arrived, a line of wagons was stuck, their drivers frustrated by the blocked passage.
From a distance, Ji Bozhai raised a hand, masking his Essence Power in a blue hue as he swept the snow clean off the docks.
Cheers erupted around them as people began boarding in single file. One particularly generous merchant even dismantled a crate of strong liquor upon landing, pouring half a bowl for each person who followed.
"The people here are quite warm," Luo Jiaoyang remarked after downing his bowl, finally regaining the strength to speak. "Not at all like their weather."
Mingyi also drank, warmth spreading through her body. She tried to push the man clinging to her away, but Ji Bozhai refused the drink, frowning. "Cold."
"If you're cold, why won’t you drink?" Mingyi glared at him.
He eyed the bowl with distaste and pouted. "I don’t like alcohol."
That wasn’t just shameless—it was outright inhuman. If he didn’t like alcohol, then who had been buying all those expensive drinks at Flower Full Tower?
Rolling her eyes, Mingyi shoved him off and headed to a nearby shop selling padded coats.
Fortunately, she had a habit of always carrying money. Even in their hurried escape, she still had gold on her. Influenced by her, Ji Bozhai had also brought a few pieces.
Luo Jiaoyang and the others were dumbfounded. "You’re esteemed Fighters—why are you carrying such vulgar things?"
Wrapped in a thick coat, Mingyi sniffled and held up a small piece of gold. "Vulgar, huh? Want some?"
The shop, positioned near the docks, catered to travelers, so prices were steep. A single thick coat—neither stylish nor made of fine material—cost half a tael of gold.
Luo Jiaoyang wanted to lecture them on the dignity of Fighters not bowing to gold, but before he could speak, his nose began to run. Trembling, he quickly accepted the gold from Mingyi.
Once they were all bundled up, Qin Shangwu began to worry.
Barging into the inner residences of Azure Snow would be improper—their unannounced arrival might be seen as suspicious. But if they didn’t go there, they’d have to stay at an inn. With little gold left and the city’s high prices, they wouldn’t last long.
As he pondered this, he turned and saw his dear disciple and Mingyi standing outside a courtyard, studying its walls."It's a bit short, but it can still hold some Divine Tools."
"Twenty taels of gold seems a bit expensive, doesn't it?"
"The inns here charge one tael of gold for three nights, and that only covers two people."
"That makes sense. Then let's buy it." Ji Bozhai took out his gold and handed it to Mingyi.
OpenNovel