Zhao Meilan’s piercing shriek echoed through the Ji family compound; He Haoran and Tuoba Lie held her down so tightly that, despite the venomous hatred seething within her, she couldn't lay a hand on Ji Changkong. (Read the complete novel at Shiliu Literature Website)
Every member of the Ji family stared at Ji Changkong with expressions of awe, as if they were meeting him for the very first time.
Four shocking scars, raw and bloody, marred Zhao Meilan’s cheeks—like four dead earthworms—making her once rather beautiful face appear somewhat ferocious.
“Aunt, is that enough?” Ji Changkong turned to look at Ji Wanyun and asked softly.
Never before had she felt such sweet vindication; Ji Wanyun was immensely satisfied, nodding repeatedly through tears and laughter.
“Get out!” Ji Changkong stepped back a few paces and shouted coldly.
He understood that his actions might sow seeds of future trouble, yet he wanted Zhao Meilan to truly taste the bitterness and pain of living with the scars Aunt Ji Wanyun had endured.
Zhao Meilan remained silent, casting hateful glances first at Ji Changkong, then at Ji Wanyun, before stumbling away from the Ji residence.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Zhao Meilan never spared Jia Rongfeng a single look.
“Changkong, how do you intend to deal with this one?” Tuoba Lie grinned, his malicious gaze sweeping over Jia Rongfeng.
“Our Jia family and the Ji family have always been close. Unlike that vicious woman Zhao Meilan, I once shared wine at the same table with your father. By seniority, you are still my nephew. We…” Jia Rongfeng hastily explained.
Having just watched Zhao Meilan leave with a scarred face, Jia Rongfeng recognized the ruthlessness of Ji Changkong. Now that it was his turn, panic seized him; unable to think straight, he could only appeal to family ties.
“Second Elder, Third Elder, what do you think?” Ignoring Jia Rongfeng completely and not waiting for him to finish his plea, Ji Changkong impatiently sought the opinions of these two elder members of the Ji family.
“Third Brother, what is your view?” Ji Yuxing dared not offend the Jia family, but he was genuinely intimidated by the mysterious Ji Changkong right now, so he asked Ji Yusheng with a nervous, forced smile.
“Let bygones be bygones where possible. The Jia family truly holds no personal grudge against us. If the Jia family caused us trouble, it was certainly the machinations of that woman surnamed Zhao behind the scenes. Changkong, I suggest we let this pass…” Ji Yusheng hesitated, frowning.
Though he was Ji Changkong’s biological grandfather, with the three giants—He Haoran, Chen Yihui, and Tuoba Lie—all unequivocally supporting Ji Changkong, and the recent brutal disfigurement of Zhao Meilan, this grandfather could no longer gauge Ji Changkong's true depth. His words were phrased as a suggestion, entirely lacking the usual tone of instruction.
“Then let it pass.” Ji Changkong could disregard Ji Yuxing’s opinion, but he listened to his own grandfather. He turned to Tuoba Lie and said, “Let him go.”
“He must be taught a lesson; otherwise, why bother keeping him around!” Tuoba Lie sneered.
With lightning speed, he struck out, violently gripping Jia Rongfeng’s right arm. Before anyone could clearly see what happened, a sharp crack sounded, and Jia Rongfeng’s right little finger was severed.
“Ah…”
Jia Rongfeng cried out, cold sweat plastering his face. His right little finger hung limp, severed at the base like a broken twig, connected only by a shred of flesh.
“Scram!”
Tuoba Lie roared.
Jia Rongfeng didn't even dare show a look of hatred. He immediately spun around, signaled the few Jia family Celestial Masters behind him, and rushed hastily out of the Ji compound.
“Uh…” A bitter smile touched the corner of Ji Changkong’s mouth. “Didn’t you say we should let it go?”
“Changkong, anyone who does wrong must pay a price. If the mistake isn't severe, the price can be small, but they can’t just dust off their trousers and walk away!” He Haoran chuckled freely, glancing sideways at Tuoba Lie. “This old bald one only broke off one of his little fingers; that’s already merciful. Had we acted according to his usual temperament today, it’s questionable if these two could even crawl out of the Ji compound.”
“Thank you. Regardless, thank you all three today! I, Ji Changkong, will certainly remember your kindness!” Ji Changkong bowed deeply, saluting the three men.
“You are too polite!” The three stepped forward simultaneously, hastily stopping Ji Changkong’s profound kowtow.
The entire assembly of Ji elders watched dumbfounded, unable to comprehend how Ji Changkong commanded such respect that even the three famous Hegemons of the Shuiyun Kingdom treated him with such affability.
“Please, sirs, take your seats. Thank you profoundly for coming today. If you hadn't been here, we don't know what those two would have done to the Ji family.” Ji Yuxing bent his back in thanks, loudly instructing the Ji clansmen blocking the main hall entrance to clear a path for He Haoran and the others.
The three exchanged knowing smiles but did not move, instead keeping their gaze fixed on Ji Changkong.
Their posture made it clear to all the Ji family members that Ji Changkong’s attitude was what the three esteemed guests valued most.
“I hope you will grant us the honor of joining us inside for a cup of wine,” Ji Changkong invited them.
Only then did the three nod with smiles, rise, and follow Ji Changkong back into the main hall of the Ji residence.
...
Eight hundred zhang from the Ji family gate, the envoys from the Southern Barbarians were being savagely pursued by several vicious groups. Zhongli Jingyi, Zhongli Hui, and Yu Ziling were at the center of the formation, tightly encircled by Southern Barbarian divine archers.
“Miss, this has nothing to do with you. It’s too dangerous for you to stay with us; why haven't you left?” Zhongli Jingyi urged anxiously.
Yu Ziling gave a tug on nearly invisible silk thread in her hand. A massive beast bone whistled as it swung around, forcing a Five Elements Celestial Master into a hasty retreat.
Yu Ziling smirked triumphantly, delicately plucking her slender fingers. Three more bones shot out from an unexpected angle toward the man. With three dull thuds, the man coughed up blood and collapsed instantly.
“Hmph. I don’t care if you live or die! I merely took a piece of your Blood Jade Stone, so I owe you a favor. Once I’ve repaid that debt, I’ll naturally leave immediately,” Yu Ziling replied coolly. Then, she suddenly pointed toward the Ji residence nearby and exclaimed, “Oh? That place looks promising. Since your Celestial Masters are skilled archers, hiding inside those buildings and utilizing elevation to fight would give you quite an advantage.”
Upon hearing Yu Ziling’s suggestion, the Southern Barbarian Celestial Masters' eyes lit up; they clearly found her idea sound.
“Move! Let’s take temporary shelter over there!” The grim-faced old man leading the Southern Barbarians shouted, using his bow to drive back several plunderers from the Western Regions blocking their path. He took the lead, rushing toward the Ji family grounds.
Under his direction, the Southern Barbarian envoys protected Zhongli Jingyi and the others in the center, desperately trying to break through toward the Ji compound.
CRASH!
A Blazing Fury Beast shattered the Ji family gate, and the contingent of Southern Barbarian envoys rushed inside. They immediately secured high vantage points, positioning themselves to fire down upon the pursuing Celestial Masters from above.
Unexpectedly, all the vicious pursuers who had chased them halted once they reached the threshold of the Ji family residence, their expressions bizarre. They stared at the Southern Barbarian envoys taking cover inside, just a few dozen feet away, yet none dared to advance further or storm the Ji compound to attack.
“Huh?”
The grim Southern Barbarian elder let out a soft sound, looking strangely at the bloodthirsty pursuers standing stubbornly at the gate but unwilling to cross the line.
“Who dares to be so bold?!”
Suddenly, Tuoba Lie roared from within the Ji family assembly hall. His fierce voice boomed outward.
At Tuoba Lie’s roar, the pursuers nearest the Ji family spared him a glance, then retreated in terror, scattering as if avoiding a plague, clearly afraid of drawing Tuoba Lie’s attention.
“Miss, where exactly is this place?” Zhongli Jingyi realized the gravity of the situation and quickly asked Yu Ziling beside him.
Yu Ziling’s eyes gleamed with mischief, and she chuckled softly. “This is Ji Changkong’s home! We are his friends; he should come out and entertain us. Hee hee, as if I didn’t know he snuck back! This scoundrel is deliberately avoiding me, hmph!”