When Ji Changkong and Ji Xiaolian arrived together at the Ji Family's main hall for deliberation, they found every member of the Ji clan assembled within the spacious chamber. From the direct lineage to the collateral branches, nearly a hundred people were gathered. Aside from Mo Yunyi from the Scripture Pavilion and Han Hai guarding the Cold Ice Cave, not a single person was missing. (Read the full novel at .1κ.(1⑥κ.Wen.Xue.Net)

At the very front of the hall sat Ji Yuxing, Ji Yusheng, and the other elders of the Ji family. Besides the elders, three figures familiar to Ji Changkong were also seated.

The Red-Faced Guest, the bald, fierce-looking man, and the dignified noblewoman—these three peculiar individuals Ji Changkong had encountered at Luo Tian’s place were seated casually next to Ji Yuxing and Ji Yusheng, laughing and chatting away.

The moment Ji Changkong and Ji Xiaolian stepped into the hall, every Ji family member turned to look at him with an unusual gaze.

Among the younger generation of Ji descendants, some eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and awe. As for the elders, they nodded at him with gentle smiles, their attitudes warm and amiable.

Ji Changkong felt somewhat unaccustomed to this scrutiny and was filled with confusion, unsure of what was happening. He walked straight to the sides of Ji Yuxing and Ji Yusheng, bowed deeply, and performed the kowtow: "Greetings, Second Grand-uncle and Third Grand-uncle!"

"Ah! Changkong is finally back, ha ha, wonderful!" Ji Yuxing roared with laughter, clearly delighted.

Ji Yusheng nodded with profound satisfaction, his gaze toward Ji Changkong brimming with loving pride.

"Changkong, how do you know these three? They claim to be your friends. Ever since they arrived at the Ji family, not a single rogue or villain in the entire mountainside dared cause trouble! Old Mother Wushan was actually planning to come here to settle accounts with you, but before she even entered the compound, that fierce man broke one of her legs, forcing her to flee ignominiously," Ji Wanyun quickly whispered to Ji Changkong, tugging his sleeve lightly.

"Brother Changkong, I heard you can summon the fierce beasts of the Yunmeng Marsh. Many people outside are talking about you. Brother Changkong, is it true?" Ji Xiaolian asked innocently beside him, looking utterly curious.

Hearing Ji Wanyun and Ji Xiaolian, Ji Changkong understood that whatever transpired in the Yunmeng Marsh must have spread throughout Qingyan City, and perhaps even across the entire Shuiyun Kingdom by now.

With the Red-Faced Guest, the fierce bald man, and the noblewoman gathered at the Ji residence, and not a single ruffian daring to cause trouble—even Old Mother Wushan fleeing after having a leg broken—Ji Changkong immediately realized these three had played an enormous role.

"Thank you!" Bending his body, Ji Changkong offered a salute to the three.

"No need for thanks, no need at all," the noblewoman replied with a gentle smile and a soft query: "On your journey back, did you encounter anything unusual? Did anyone try to move against you?"

"No, it was very smooth," Ji Changkong answered, electing not to mention the minor incident involving Zhao Meilan and Jia Rongfeng. He was filled with doubt about the noblewoman’s intent behind the question.

"Ha ha, Changkong, I never expected you could actually command the beasts of Yunmeng! Why didn't you ever mention this to your Second Grand-uncle before? If traveling Heavenly Masters hadn't been discussing it, I'd still be completely in the dark about you," Ji Yuxing chuckled.

"Second Grand-uncle, Third Grand-uncle, I would like a private word with these three," Ji Changkong bypassed Ji Yuxing's question and requested leave.

"No problem, perhaps we should vacate the main hall so you can talk properly?" Ji Yuxing immediately stood up, looking as if he genuinely intended to clear out all the Ji family members.

"No need, no need! We can just talk outside," He Haoran quickly rose and said to the bald man and the noblewoman, "Let's go, we should step out first."

The two immediately stood and followed He Haoran outside, stopping only when they reached the elegant small building where Ji Wanyun resided.

"Who exactly are the three of you seniors? Why did you give me such valuable gifts, and why are you here at my Ji family residence?" Ji Changkong walked over, forcing a wry smile. "My Ji family has declined for many years; logically, no one should have any acquaintance with you seniors, right? Why are you helping us like this?"

"My name is Chen Yihui, and I am the Third Manager of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion in the Shuiyun Kingdom." The noblewoman introduced herself with a smile, then pointed to He Haoran, "He is He Haoran from the He family of Blood Rain Mountain."

"My name is Tuoba Lie. I've always enjoyed the trade of robbery and plunder, so I won't trouble the Third Manager to gild my reputation. I've never considered myself a good person, nor am I ashamed of it; there's nothing to hide!" Before Chen Yihui could finish introducing him, the fierce bald man burst into loud laughter.

The Third Manager of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion! He Haoran, Head of the He Family of Blood Rain Mountain! Tuoba Lie, the great regional overlord of the Shuiyun Kingdom's eastern territories!

Ji Changkong’s mind jolted. He was not entirely ignorant of the greater world situation, and he certainly knew the Spirit Treasure Pavilion held immense influence in the Shuiyun Kingdom, specializing in selling necessities for cultivators and maintaining very close ties with the royal family.

The name of the He Family of Blood Rain Mountain was equally thunderous.

Years ago, when the Southern Yi Heavenly Masters rampaged through the Shuiyun Kingdom, several disciples of the Gu Dan lineage descended from Tianshan and fought a bloody battle against the Southern Yi Heavenly Masters at Blood Rain Mountain, crippling their strength and ultimately paving the way for victory.

The He family of Blood Rain Mountain played a crucial role in that war.

Over the years, the He family had produced numerous masters, earning great renown among the various Heavenly Master sects and families in Blood Rain Mountain, subtly taking a leading position. As the head of the family, He Haoran was naturally a famous figure among the Shuiyun Kingdom's Heavenly Masters.

Ji Changkong was even less unfamiliar with the name Tuoba Lie, the great overlord of the eastern regions, a figure of the chivalrous underworld whose fierce reputation preceded him.

Each of these three figures possessed an extraordinary background; merely mentioning their names would command respect. With all three gathered to guard the Ji residence, it was no wonder no ruffian dared cause trouble. Old Mother Wushan was merely an unaffiliated cultivator from the East Sea who settled at Mount Wu a few years ago, having little foundation in the Shuiyun Kingdom. Having her leg broken by Tuoba Lie meant she could only swallow the bitter fruit; considering she wasn't killed, she was lucky.

"Why did you bestow treasures upon me? Why were you at Luo Tian’s place? Why have you come to my Ji family?" After the shock subsided, Ji Changkong frowned at the trio and fired off three rapid questions.

"Elder Luo once showed us kindness; we owe Elder Luo a favor, which we can only repay to you," Chen Yihui smiled sweetly. "Changkong, if you have any questions, you can ask Elder Luo directly the next time you see him. The three of us cannot give you the answers! It is not our place to resolve your inquiries!"

He Haoran and Tuoba Lie both nodded in agreement.

"Zhao Meilan, you thrice-cursed shrew who brings misfortune to your husbands! How dare you instruct your nephew to deal with us? You are courting disaster for the entire Ji family!"

Suddenly, sharp, piercing curses from Zhao Meilan echoed from outside the Ji residence. She sounded utterly enraged, and her voice preceded her arrival into the compound.

Chen Yihui’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She glanced at He Haoran and inquired, "Didn't Elder Xue already issue a warning? Why is someone still foolish enough to come looking for trouble?"

"These people must have only recently left the Yunmeng Marsh and haven't received the news yet. Or perhaps their cultivation is insufficient to be privy to Elder Xue’s directives," He Haoran speculated.

He paused, seemingly remembering something, and frowned again. "I know who it is... It’s that ambitious, venomous little woman from the Tu family."

"Seeking death!" Tuoba Lie sneered. "Even Tu Bazi of the Tai'an clan wouldn't dare provoke us with the three of us here. What makes her so special?"

Ji Changkong looked astonished. He recalled Ji Wanyun mentioning that the Tu family head, Tu Fei, was known as Tu Bazi because he lost two fingers early in life. However, because the Tu family held such sway, few dared call Tu Fei 'Tu Bazi.' Yet, anyone who did call him that was clearly someone unafraid of Tu Bazi.

Evidently, Tuoba Lie belonged to that category.

"For Tu Fei's sake, I will only break one of her arms," Tuoba Lie mused, seeking the consent of Chen Yihui and He Haoran.

Chen Yihui nodded faintly. "Appropriate."

He Haoran hesitated for a moment, looking toward Ji Changkong. "That Zhao Meilan once left four scars on Changkong's aunt's face..."

"Oh?" Tuoba Lie paused, then grinned menacingly. "It seems I can't go easy on her then!"