Yan Xiao hadn't expected that these two would reconcile after just one trip outside.
While checking Mingyi's pulse, he couldn't help but glance repeatedly at Ji Bozhai standing nearby.
Ji Bozhai kicked the stool he was sitting on with a dark expression. "Can you diagnose or not?"
"Of course. Miss Ming's pulse is much stronger than before, nothing serious." Yan Xiao turned to face him directly. "I'm just puzzled—what made you change so suddenly?"
It had been some time since their return to Muxing, yet Ji Bozhai hadn't taken in any new women and spent all his time hovering around Mingyi, as if he'd become a different person.
Ji Bozhai tilted his head smugly. "Better to hold one piece of soft jade than admire a thousand blossoms. You wouldn't understand, but I won't hold it against you."
With that, he helped Mingyi up. "Go teach Bai Ying and the others. I'll join you after a word with him."
Assured of her health, Mingyi relaxed and clasped her hands in farewell to Yan Xiao with a smile before lifting her skirt and stepping out.
Watching her retreating figure, Yan Xiao muttered, "Miss Ming's demeanor has changed quite a bit too."
Previously, she'd seemed somewhat ingratiating around Bozhai, but now she stood like an unadorned lotus—graceful, independent, exuding a newfound coolness.
"Yan Xiao." Ji Bozhai's voice was suddenly flat as he gazed outside.
Hearing his full name spoken so seriously after so long startled Yan Xiao. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Just remembered you mentioned having few relatives in Muxing, so you'd likely have nowhere to go during the New Year." Ji Bozhai lowered his eyes. "Come celebrate at my residence then."
"Gladly." Yan Xiao nodded. "But you'll have to win the Six Cities Tournament first—only then will it be a lively celebration. And only then can I enjoy fine wine and dishes with you."
Clapping his shoulder, Ji Bozhai said, "I will win the Six Cities Tournament, no matter the cost."
Only victory would make what came next possible.
Yet Gong Wang seemed wary of him now. The Tan family's young masters sent to the Academicians' Court not only failed to assist but actively disrupted training. Luo Jiaoyang had nearly come to blows with them if not for Qin Shangwu's intervention.
"There's no helping it," Ji Bozhai told them quietly. "Just endure one more month."
But they persisted—neglecting proper training, recklessly wielding Divine Tools on the field, causing injuries without remorse.
That day, as Mingyi worked on forging a new Divine Tool, Bai Ying rushed in breathlessly. "Miss, Lord Ji is injured!"
Injuries during training weren't uncommon, but Bai Ying's urgency suggested severity.
Mingyi set down her tools, untied her apron, and walked out calmly.
"Tan Zhongyue wounded Lord Ji's left abdomen with Black Clouds Over the City. Official Yan is already attending to him, but no one has confiscated the Divine Tool—he's still using it. Lord Luo is furious."
Nodding, Mingyi's expression remained so composed that Bai Ying wondered if she cared for Lord Ji at all.
Yet upon reaching the training grounds, Bai Ying saw the change in her mistress's eyes.
Tan Zhongyue was laughing boisterously as he confronted Luo Jiaoyang with Black Clouds Over the City. Unarmed, Luo could only match him evenly with Essence Power. Tan Zhongyue sneered at his strained face. "All that bravado about defeating me without a Divine Tool—you should worry about surviving first."This Divine Tool was purchased at a high price from the Academicians' Court and was also crafted by Mingyi. Primarily designed for control, it was also equipped with hidden weapons capable of killing someone within an Essence Power prison.
Killing intent was forbidden on the battlefield, but Mingyi noticed Tan Zhongyue's fingers already resting on the hidden weapon's trigger, his fingertips beginning to exert pressure.
She acted swiftly, her pure white Essence Power surging like a wave, ensnaring both him and the Divine Tool.
"Miss Ming!" Fan Yao and the others immediately stepped forward, anxiously saying, "They agreed to a one-on-one duel and forbade outside interference."
Tan Zhongyue also turned his gaze, cursing loudly, "Where did this damned woman come from, daring to ambush me?"
Mingyi tightened her Essence Power, instantly making him scream in pain.
"I don't care about ambushes or not. All I know is someone hurt my man, and I wanted to see what kind of trash he was." Her face cold, she snatched the "Black Clouds Over the City" from his hand, glanced at it, then tossed it back to him before hurling him straight to the ground.
Dropped from a height of ten feet, Tan Zhongyue's face paled from the pain. Furious, he aimed the Divine Tool at her and pressed the mechanism with all his might.
Yet, the Divine Tool, which should have unleashed overwhelming Essence Power, remained completely unresponsive.
"What—what did you do to it?" he panicked.
Mingyi clapped her hands, offering no answer, and simply said to Luo Jiaoyang, "Continue your duel. I won't disturb you two any further."
Without his Divine Tool, Luo Jiaoyang wiped the blood from his lips and immediately summoned the Nether Domain, trapping Tan Zhongyue inside.
Tan Zhongyue's agonized screams soon echoed behind them as Mingyi expressionlessly walked toward the side chamber reserved for resting Fighters.
Ji Bozhai had been quietly watching a secret missive while letting Yan Xiao bandage him, not uttering a word. Suddenly, Yan Xiao saw him swiftly tuck away the letter, bite down on a strip of white cloth, and let out a pained groan.
Yan Xiao: ?
He looked down at his hands—the bandaging was already done, and he hadn’t even touched him.
The next moment, the door behind them swung open, and a faint bamboo fragrance filled the room.
Ji Bozhai lifted his head at just the right moment, frowning at her before glaring past her. "Didn’t I say not to disturb her?"
Mingyi stepped inside with a stern expression, sitting beside his Soft Couch and eyeing his heavily bandaged waist with a slight furrow in her brow.
"Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt much. It’s already wrapped," he said with a smirk, squeezing her fingers. "Just a minor injury."
"To get hurt by that kind of trash—what were you thinking?" she said coldly.
Ji Bozhai chuckled weakly, shifting with effort to rest his head on her lap, exhaling softly. "A momentary lapse. He got lucky."
"If you knew he was up to no good, why not throw him farther away?"
"I was considering Gong Wang’s reputation."
Though Mingyi had never received preferential treatment elsewhere, no one had ever obstructed her training. Gong Wang not only hindered her but sent such a despicable person to use underhanded tricks—it was truly unheard of.
Pursing her lips, she said nothing more, only asking Yan Xiao, "How long until he recovers?"
"Ten days will suffice."
The Six Cities Tournament was approaching—there was no time for a ten-day recovery. Ji Bozhai struggled to sit up. "It’s fine. I can just wrap it with Essence Power."
Mingyi pushed him back down, her voice firm. "Stay put. Leave the rest to me."
Yan Xiao was slightly taken aback. He had never seen Mingyi like this—domineering, almost like a man. Bo Zhai had always preferred docile, delicate flowers—how could he possibly like this?However, when he turned his head, he saw that person gazing at Mingyi with stars in their eyes, as if looking at some precious treasure.
Yan Xiao: ?
OpenNovel