To Ji Yusheng’s mind, Ji Changle, the one gasping on the ground, should have been Ji Changkong, but he could not fathom why Ji Changkong stood ramrod straight while Ji Changle seemed to have lost all strength, slumping down limply.

In that short span, the other elders and youths of the Ji family, alerted by the commotion, arrived one after another. Ji Yuxing’s sons, Ji Haohong and Ji Haoguang, his grandsons Ji Changxiao and Ji Changle, his granddaughters Ji Yueqing and Ji Xiaolian, along with the guilt-ridden Zhao Shi and Luo Shi—not one was missing from the gathering here.

Furthermore, some collateral relatives, their hearts unsettled by Ji Yusheng’s sudden burst of fury, also came to investigate the situation. Unprecedentedly, nearly the entire Ji family had congregated before Ji Changkong’s wooden cabin.

...

Every person who had hurried over froze instantly upon seeing Ji Changle collapsed and unable to rise, while Ji Changkong stood tall and defiant.

Their expressions ranged from strange to utterly bewildered, their eyes filled with confusion, staring blankly at Ji Changkong, who seemed like an entirely different person, unable to grasp what had just transpired.

Especially the younger generation—Ji Changxiao, Ji Changsheng, and Ji Yueqing, who had never paid Ji Changkong a second glance before—were astonished; for the first time, their gazes fixed sharply on him, not daring to blink!

Ji Xiaolian, however, wore a look of confusion, glancing alternately between Ji Changle and Ji Changkong, her small mouth slightly agape in surprise.

For a moment, in front of Ji Changkong’s cabin, every member of the Ji family stood dumbfounded, no one uttering a single word.

“Le’er… oh, Le’er…”

Zhao Shi was the first to react, crying out suddenly before rushing to Ji Changle’s side to support him. She wailed, “Le’er, what sort of foul trick did that scoundrel use on you? How could you end up like this?” As she shouted, Zhao Shi glared hatefully at Ji Changkong, as if he had committed some heinous, unforgivable act.

Zhao Shi’s cry jolted Ji Yuxing out of his astonishment. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he glared at Ji Changkong and roared, “Changkong, what good deeds have you been up to now? Speak!”

“Speak about what?!” Ji Yusheng bellowed back at him furiously, “It was clearly Changle who came looking for trouble with Changkong again! Changle is injured, does that mean Changkong is completely innocent?”

Ji Yuxing seemed to realize his protective stance was perhaps too obvious after being roared at by Ji Yusheng. He lifted his head, let out a light sneer, and then turned to Ji Changle, who was slowly recovering from his shock, frowning as he asked, “Changle, tell me, exactly what happened?”

Ji Changle was not seriously injured. During their scuffle, both had been tightly engaged, trading only minor scrapes and bruises. The reason he couldn't stand immediately was partly due to extreme exhaustion, and partly from the shock of Ji Changkong’s sudden surge of strength—it wasn't a debilitating wound.

“This…” Ji Changle mumbled incoherently, unable to form a proper explanation.

In the past, he would have dumped all the blame squarely onto Ji Changkong and trusted that Ji Changkong would confess to it. However, today's Ji Changkong was distinctly different; he sensed that the current Ji Changkong would never agree to be his scapegoat, leaving him at a loss for how to explain things.

“Let me tell you,” Ji Changkong stated, his face grim, staring at Ji Changle without the slightest fear. “Second Brother asked me to steal Aunt’s ‘Flame Yuan Pearl,’ claiming he needed it for someone, and threatened me when I refused. When I wouldn't agree, Second Brother began insulting Aunt, and I couldn't stand it, so we fought. That’s how it happened.”

“What?!” Ji Yusheng nearly jumped up, pointing furiously at Ji Changle and roaring, “You wicked Ji Changle, aiming your greedy eyes at our own kin! You’ve certainly grown bold! Tell me, why do you need the ‘Flame Yuan Pearl’? You haven't even cultivated to the Two Forms Heaven realm; Wan Yun’s Flame Yuan Pearl is useless to you. Tell me, who put you up to this?”

As he finished speaking, Ji Yusheng covertly glanced at Zhao Shi, who was supporting Ji Changle, his eyes chillingly sharp.

Zhao Shi, harboring guilt, kept her head down, afraid to meet Ji Yusheng’s gaze. The hand supporting Ji Changle’s body covertly squeezed him, signaling him to choose his words carefully.

“No one told me to do it; I just thought Aunt’s ‘Flame Yuan Pearl’ was beautiful, and knowing she dotes on Fourth Brother the most, I only wanted Fourth Brother to borrow it from her to play with. Even if Fourth Brother refused, I don’t know why he suddenly went insane and lunged at me, fighting with everything he had…” The story that left his lips was, naturally, a completely different version.

Hearing Ji Changle’s explanation, Ji Yuxing pondered for a moment, then suddenly declared, “Regardless of who is right or wrong, both resorted to violence. Both shall be confined in the Ice Cave for three days!”

“Second Brother!” Ji Yusheng’s expression shifted drastically. He stopped pursuing the root of the issue and quickly commanded, “What are you doing? Changle is hale and hearty; confining him for three days is a lesson. If you confine Changkong in the Ice Cave too, aren't you sentencing him to death?”

“Mistakes demand punishment!” Ji Yuxing said sternly, coldly snorting, “Since he managed to knock Changle down, his body isn't as frail as you imagine. This matter is settled! I will not favor anyone—both shall spend three days in the Ice Cave, starting tonight!”

“I disagree!” Ji Yusheng suddenly stepped forward, blocking Ji Changkong, grabbing his arm with determination. “Today, no one is taking Changkong to the Ice Cave through me!”

At this crucial juncture, he no longer bothered concealing his deep affection for Ji Changkong, standing resolutely on his side.

“Third Brother, what nonsense are you spouting?” Ji Yuxing’s expression darkened when he saw his brother defying even the Family Head’s decree. He roared, “Remember this: In the Ji family, I am the Family Head!”

“Second Brother, you… you dare use your status as Family Head to pressure me?” Ji Yusheng was so angry his words stumbled. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stabilize his emotions, and laughed in his fury. “Fine! I lay my words down today: No matter who it is, nobody will harm Changkong! Hmph! A few insults in passing are one thing, but sending Changkong to the Ice Cave to die? I absolutely forbid it!!”

At these words, the expressions of everyone in the Ji family, direct and collateral lines alike, changed.

Ji Yusheng’s declaration had escalated beyond merely protecting Ji Changkong; it was a direct challenge to the authority of the Family Head, Ji Yuxing, bordering on hysteria.

It was only at this moment that Ji Changkong truly believed a sentence spoken by his Aunt Ji Wanyun: In the Ji family, the one who loves you most is not your aunt, but your grandfather!

...

“I’ll go!” Amidst the dead silence and the mute assembly, Ji Changkong suddenly spoke, his voice low but resolute.

Knowing the depth of Ji Yusheng’s selfless concern was enough; he didn't want his grandfather to make an enemy of the entire Ji family because of him.

“Are you insane?” Ji Yusheng was furious, grabbing him tightly. He stated gravely, “Changkong, don’t be afraid! At worst, your grandfather and I will leave the Ji family. I will never let anything happen to you!”

“Thank you, Grandfather, I truly will be fine.” A tightness constricted Ji Changkong’s chest. He feared his emotions would spiral out of control and that he might weep due to Ji Yusheng’s reckless, utter devotion.

Once he said this, Ji Changkong subtly circulated the Yuan Power within his body, his other hand gently resting on Ji Yusheng’s arm. Though the surging Yuan Power could not escape his body, it flowed slowly and powerfully beneath his palm…

Ji Yusheng’s body jolted violently, his eyes blazing with uncontrollable ecstasy. His aged face radiated an unprecedented vitality as he stared fixedly at Ji Changkong, speaking incoherently, “You… you have it… you actually managed to… Is this real?”

Nodding heavily, Ji Changkong’s expression was solemn. While Ji Yusheng was stunned in shock, he slipped his arm free from his grasp. Then, ignoring the strange looks from the Ji family members, he calmly walked toward the large stone where the horses were tethered, picked up the half-full jar of Dragon Fire Brew—the one he had opened earlier from Luo Tian—and headed directly toward the Ice Cave.

“Second Grandfather, I’m going to the Ice Cave first. Second Brother, hurry up and follow; I’ll be waiting inside for you,” Ji Changkong stated indifferently just as he was about to vanish from the crowd’s sight.

For some reason, Ji Changle’s expression flickered slightly after hearing Ji Changkong’s final remark.

“That’s settled. Third Brother, don't speak such nonsense again! We’ll let this pass today, but if you act so recklessly again, don’t blame me, your elder brother, for being harsh! Hmph!” Ji Yuxing said coldly, then commanded with authority, “Changle, get yourself to the Ice Cave! Everyone else, scatter!” With these words, he was the first to depart.

“Come, Mother will prepare some food for you.” Zhao Shi helped up Ji Changle, shooting a hateful glance at the stupefied, silent Ji Yusheng, before leading Ji Changle away.

The other Ji family members, seeing that the conflict had subsided and the Family Head had spoken, also refrained from lingering and dispersed.

...

After a long while, once everyone had vanished, Ji Yusheng seemed to snap out of his trance. He rubbed his hands, pacing back and forth excitedly in front of Ji Changkong’s wooden cabin, unable to contain the wild joy surging inside him. His face broke into a beaming smile, and he kept murmuring in a low voice, “Hahahaha, he has it… He actually broke through to become a Heaven Scholar, this child… he finally has ambition…”

...

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