The insidious nature of the Sky of Eternal Regret's poison lies in its complete invisibility from the outside—only the victim knows their meridians are slowly shattering. Not knowing when death will come or where one might collapse makes it impossible to promise anything for the future.
Mingyi couldn’t explain this to them, so she simply said, “I’ll do my best, but if I can’t make it, I’ll definitely arrange for someone to take him there.”
Zhang Liu was delighted, and so was Zhang Tai, who cradled her belly with a laugh, saying she might even bring a child along when the time came—they had never seen Sunspire City’s golden sun breaking through the clouds.
As they chatted and laughed, Mingyi felt her spirits lift, and she left with a smile on her lips.
“Sister looks so much lovelier when she smiles,” Situ Ling remarked from the carriage, pleased to see her radiant expression as she climbed in. “If this place makes you so happy, I’ll bring you here every day from now on.”
Mingyi shook her head with a chuckle. “Little Lord, you’re now the youngest Adjudicator in Star Yearn City—how can you waste your days on trivial matters like this with me? Once we return and pack up, you needn’t trouble yourself with me anymore.”
“What kind of talk is that?” He frowned. “Since I’ve acknowledged you as my sister, your affairs are important—never trivial.” He sighed, muttering in frustration, “There’s no shortage of major matters in the city lately, but none that I have any say in. Might as well turn a blind eye.”
Da Si was locked in a power struggle with the other cities, using recent events to secure the greatest advantage for Star Yearn, while the envoys from those cities each harbored their own ulterior motives. The truth of the matter no longer mattered—only how to profit from it.
It was tiresome. He didn’t like it.
“Let’s go see your new residence instead,” he suggested. “It’s a fine place, sharing a courtyard wall with my estate. If it’s convenient, we can have craftsmen open a gate—then I won’t have to go through the main streets to visit you.”
That sounded like a good idea. Mingyi nodded. “Let’s take a look when we get back.”
Their conversation was lively, and laughter trailed behind their carriage as it rolled down the road.
Meanwhile, passing them in the opposite direction, Ji Bozhai returned to the Yan residence with a face dark enough to wring ink from.
Yan Xiao was amusing himself with a newly acquired lady when he looked up and saw Ji Bozhai’s thunderous expression. He immediately stood. “What catastrophe has struck? Has Moonchase City declared war on us or something?”
“No,” Ji Bozhai snapped, flicking his sleeve as he sat down. “It’s just too hot outside.”
Rolling his eyes, Yan Xiao dismissed the woman and scoffed, “Since when does the weather make you this furious? Has the Azure Cloud Realm run out of opponents for you, so now you’re picking fights with the heavens?”
Ji Bozhai remained silent, his expression still grim.
Puzzled, Yan Xiao glanced at Buxiu, who had always been Ji Bozhai’s confidant. Surely he knew what was bothering him.
Yet Buxiu stood with his eyes downcast, the picture of calm, respectfully pouring tea for Ji Bozhai before excusing himself to arrange for their luggage to be packed.
Now even more baffled, Yan Xiao wondered if he had misread the situation—maybe Ji Bozhai wasn’t actually angry?
“The moment word got out that you were short on attendants, the nobles of the city rushed to send you ladies—they even delivered them to me,” Yan Xiao ventured, sliding a registry toward him. “Care to take a look?”
Ji Bozhai took the booklet and tossed it onto the side table. “No need. Accept all of them. Once I move into the new residence, take them in.”
“…” Nope. He was definitely furious.Yan Xiao rubbed the tip of his nose. "Don't say I didn't warn you—Liang Xiuyuan took Xu Tianji into his residence a few days ago."
"What does that have to do with me?" he replied indifferently.
"Nothing to do with you, but everything to do with Ming Guniang. Xu Tianji suffered such a public humiliation at the welcoming banquet and was even kicked out of her family. She’s bound to hold a grudge against Ming Guniang. And that Liang Xiuyuan is the type who loses all reason when he falls for someone—he’ll definitely stand up for his woman."
Without Ji Bozhai’s protection, Mingyi’s days might not be so smooth.
"She has even less to do with me," he scoffed. "Isn’t there still Situ Ling? Let him protect his dear Ming-jiejie."
Gritting his teeth, Yan Xiao cupped his chin. "Truly worthy of you, Ji Bozhai. Your words are three times more sour than anyone else’s aged vinegar."
"Get lost."
"Gladly." Yan Xiao stood up, then turned back. "But before I go, I’ll tell you this—Mingyi now holds the title of Golden Hairpin Fighter. There are plenty in this city waiting to challenge her. If you care for her at all, protect her sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until she’s gone to regret it."
What a joke.
Ji Bozhai leaned back in his chair, his expression cold. What did he have to regret? There were countless women in the world—no need to keep such a dangerous one by his side. If she were truly gone, he might even sleep more soundly.
The weather in Star Yearn City grew hotter by the day, the ceaseless drone of cicadas filling the air.
Mingyi stood in the newly built forging shed in the courtyard, slowly polishing the rough surface of her newly crafted Divine Tool with Essence Power.
Back then, She Tianlin never allowed her to make a Divine Tool for herself, saying it was disgraceful for a natural-born Fighter with red meridians to rely on one. But now, she figured Old She wouldn’t object, so as soon as she got the materials, she forged herself a "Starry River Sunset."
A palm-sized compass, its surface dotted with five rings of holes, the disk a deep blue bordering on black, concealing thousands of fine, hair-thin needles inside.
Satisfied, she nodded and was about to test it when a shout came from outside the gate: "Open up!"
The voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Mingyi walked to the gate with the compass in hand. As soon as she opened it, she was met with a pair of furious yet panicked eyes.
"You’re still here? Half the city knows where you live now, and they’re on their way!" Xiuyun barged in and shut the gate behind her, fuming. "Not that I’m here to warn you—I just happened to pass by. Run, quick! The Xu family is coming too."
A little slow to react, Mingyi blinked. "Why are they looking for me?"
"Why else? You’re the Golden Hairpin Fighter favored by Da Si. Of course they’d want to see just how much Essence Power you really have." Xiuyun shoved her. "You look so frail—forget Essence Power, you probably can’t even chop firewood. If you don’t run now, they’ll slap a Challenge Certificate on you, and then they can kill you without consequence."
Mingyi stopped in her tracks. "There’s such a thing?"
"You don’t even know the rule that Fighters can issue Challenge Certificates and fight to the death without penalty?" Xiuyun gaped.
She nodded. "Nope."
After all, no one had ever dared to challenge her before.
Xiuyun looked utterly despairing. "You—whatever. Climb the wall and head to the Situ residence. Lord Situ might still be able to save your life."
Before Mingyi could even explain, she was hastily pushed toward the courtyard wall.
"Wait a second." She grabbed Xiuyun’s arm. "You said a lot of people are coming for me, but you’ve already made it here. Why haven’t they arrived yet?"Xiuyun was taken aback and rubbed her chin in puzzlement. "That's right," she said. "I got the news from the Xu residence, so someone should have known about it before me."
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