Ji Bozhai: "..."
Although this reaction was expected, coming from her, it felt so fake.
Lowering his head to glance at the handkerchief on his chest, Ji Bozhai asked hoarsely, "Why are you here?"
Mingyi sat back down, using the handkerchief to wipe the blood from his face, and replied earnestly, "My lord is injured. Where else should this servant be?"
After all, he had given her so many gold bars.
Ji Bozhai couldn't dodge her wiping and grimaced: "I didn't hurt you?"
"My lord was very considerate of this servant even in his sleep. I am deeply moved."
He paused slightly, lowering his gaze to avert his eyes: "In sleep, who can tell who is who? It was merely the instinct to preserve life."
Mingyi raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself, Is this man so pained he's gone stupid? He actually believes me? And now he's even trying to justify it.
But since he said so, she didn't explain further. Seizing the moment while he was awake, she quickly cleaned the blood off him, changed him into fresh sleepwear, and helped him lie down on the nearby couch.
Still weak, Ji Bozhai didn't forget to tell her, "Situ Ling sent you to break into Cyan Tile Courtyard because he wanted you dead."
Mingyi thought for a moment and shook her head: "What use is this servant's life? He wanted to use me to uncover my lord's secrets."
He grunted, somewhat indignant: "What secrets could I have? That courtyard is just a place to hide and recover. The tablet enshrined inside is merely that of my benefactor. I don’t know where he heard there was a makeup box there."
A benefactor's tablet? Meng Shi?
Mingyi pondered— that would indeed need to be hidden. If discovered, it would bring disaster and disgrace to the family. Given its importance, it made sense that Ji Bozhai had set up an Essence Power barrier outside.
But here was the question: if he had hidden it so well, how did Situ Ling know about it?
Ji Bozhai glanced at her: "Don’t assume everyone is good. In this city, many want your lord dead. Some are only kind to you because you stand behind me."
Recalling the Phoenix Tail Flower girls she had encountered on the street, Mingyi felt a surge of resentment: "Not necessarily. Precisely because this servant stands behind my lord, many are jealous. If not for Young Master Situ's intervention that day, I might have ended up brawling in the street."
He spoke of one thing, and she insisted on bringing up another.
Ji Bozhai was thoroughly exasperated. Normally, she was quite perceptive—she could always say what pleased him and avoid what didn’t. But when it came to Situ Ling, she became as dense as a rock, impossible to reason with.
He’s a bad man. Just say "understood" when I tell you not to trust or approach him. Must you always talk back?
"My lord? What’s wrong, my lord?" Sensing something amiss, Mingyi hurriedly patted his back to soothe him. "Weren’t you feeling better just now?"
"I’d recover faster if you left," he gritted out.
Without hesitation, Mingyi sat down beside the couch: "That won’t do. My lord would be afraid without anyone in the room. This servant will stay right here with you."
Who would be afraid? Huh? Was he a three-year-old child, scared to sleep alone?
Ji Bozhai glared at her fiercely but lacked the energy to argue further. Breathing heavily, he collapsed onto the pillow and went back to resting.
For some reason, with her keeping watch beside him, he truly had no more nightmares. His dreams were peaceful, even carrying a faint scent of flowers and grass.Just a little girl, frail and delicate, couldn't even shield him from a drop of rain—what exactly made him feel so at ease?
With these thoughts, he slept extremely well.
When he woke again, it was already noon the next day. Mingyi was still sitting on his couch and immediately exclaimed upon seeing him open his eyes, "My lord, you're finally awake! Something's happened outside, my lord!"
Having regained some strength, he propped himself up and asked quietly, "What is it?"
"They say you killed a Fighter during the selection trials. That Fighter was quite renowned in this year's competition. Although it was technically within the rules and not a crime, they're furious. Over a dozen of them are clamoring to spar with you, all gathered at the gate shouting."
Ji Bozhai sneered, "Let them shout all they want. I won't accept."
Mingyi cracked sunflower seeds noisily, her phoenix eyes blinking at him curiously. "The selection trials usually allow for mercy. Why did you kill him? Did you have some grudge against him?"
"No," Ji Bozhai replied listlessly. "First time meeting him."
To kill someone at first sight—this man's aura was too vicious, no wonder everyone both revered and feared him.
The deceased was Xue Sheng, a well-known philanthropist in Star Yearn City's Fighter circles. Always eager to help others and generous with his kindness, he had once been the most sought-after Fighter. But his skills were far inferior to Ji Bozhai's, so he faded into obscurity after Ji Bozhai's rise. Mingyi had thought he might be chosen as Ji Bozhai's companion, never expecting such a sudden death.
Outside, a bolt of Essence Power shot toward them like an arrow. Mingyi sensed it, but Ji Bozhai reacted even faster. With a flick of his arm, the Mystic Dragon roared forth, coiling around the entire Ji residence.
Such a formidable display of Essence Power should have made those Fighters back down. Instead, they not only refused to retreat but also sensed Ji Bozhai's weakness and grew even more brazen in their attacks.
Their strikes couldn't breach the Mystic Dragon's defense, only draining both sides' Essence Power. Yet they seemed to believe in strength in numbers—ants could kill an elephant—and refused to yield an inch.
"What is the meaning of this?" Meng Yangqiu arrived with his men upon hearing the commotion and quickly intervened.
"Lord Meng, can't we even request a spar with Lord Ji?" Luo Jiaoyang stepped forward, his face cold. "If Lord Ji looks down on us commoners, we greet him with Essence Power according to Fighter customs. Must you bring so many men?"
Meng Yangqiu sighed. "I know you're still upset about Xue Sheng's death, but the life-and-death contract was signed beforehand. Lord Ji didn't deliberately torture his opponent. Xue Sheng was too stubborn to admit defeat, which led to this tragedy."
"We know right from wrong without your reminders."
"Exactly, we were all there watching. We're not here to cause trouble for Ji Bozhai—is it so hard for him to come out and exchange a few moves?"
The clamor continued, their anger unappeased.
After all, Xue Sheng had been such a good man—kind to everyone, always willing to help. They had all come from villages and small towns, unfamiliar with the capital, and it was Xue Sheng who had aided them. And now, Ji Bozhai had heartlessly beaten him to death.They were right there below, watching everything clearly. Xue Sheng's Essence Power was far inferior to Ji Bozhai's. It would have been understandable if he had made his opponent surrender or simply restrained them, but instead, he struck a fatal blow to their vital point.
What does it matter if someone has powerful Essence Power when they behave like this? Their character is utterly despicable! If Da Si turns a blind eye and chooses him to lead the Six Cities Tournament, they won't follow. They might as well compete on their own terms when the time comes!
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