Seeing He Liying and Baili Xiu rushing over with resentful expressions, Ji Changkong’s mouth was full of bitterness, and he wanted to dodge. Yet, he didn't know where to run.

Mo Yunyi had hinted to him repeatedly in the previous period. As long as he handled the matters concerning He Lidong and Baili Xiu properly, he wouldn't need to worry about major upheavals from the He family or the Starstone Sect. Ji Changkong was fully aware of Mo Yunyi's intentions. Coupled with the fact that He Haoran and Baili Ke, those two old foxes, held similar thoughts, this put Ji Changkong in a difficult spot.

“Uh, this, is there something you need?” He looked up at the two women with a wry smile, hanging his head helplessly as he asked.

“Ji Changkong, why have you been avoiding me lately?” He Lidong’s face was blazing with anger. She snorted, “During this time, some people in our He family have become increasingly restless, and even the patriarch can barely keep them in check. So, I wanted to discuss a stable method with you, but you’ve been cultivating day and night, and I can’t even see you. Are you perhaps not intending to resolve the conflict between Xuanyuan Valley and Blood Rain Mountain at all?”

“Ah?” A sound of feigned shock escaped Ji Changkong, his face a mask of utter confusion. “Such a thing exists? I thought things between Xuanyuan Valley and Blood Rain Mountain were still the same as before.”

Seeing his pretense, Baili Xiu also became angry. She put her hands on her hips and said, “You are speaking nonsense with your eyes wide open. You can’t possibly not know what’s happening between Xuanyuan Valley and Blood Rain Mountain! Hmph, if you don’t manage them soon, don’t regret it when those people come looking for trouble with you!”

“It doesn’t matter, I will bear the responsibility.” Ji Changkong smiled. He didn't take the threats from the Blood Rain Mountain people to heart at all. He knew exactly how formidable Xuanyuan Valley was now. Even if all the people from Blood Rain Mountain attacked Xuanyuan Valley, any one family—the Ji family, the Ghost Sect, or the Xiao family—could ensure they never returned.

“I know you aren't afraid, but if those people truly start causing trouble, I’m afraid it will affect the good reputation Xuanyuan Valley has managed to establish recently,” He Lidong tilted her head up. “Many external Celestial Masters have come to pledge allegiance these past few days, but if they hear about the conflict between you and Blood Rain Mountain, won't they start gossiping about you?”

At these words, Ji Changkong’s brow furrowed slightly. He inwardly acknowledged this was a potential issue. It was widely known that the Ji family had been able to gain a foothold in the Blood Rain Mountain area precisely because of the He family’s assistance. If Xuanyuan Valley truly fell out with Blood Rain Mountain, people might accuse them of ingratitude.

Xuanyuan Valley’s momentum was excellent right now, attracting many experts from across the realm. If too much news detrimental to Xuanyuan Valley spread at this juncture, that momentum could very well be stifled.

Thinking this through, Ji Changkong smiled. “I truly hadn't anticipated things becoming this serious earlier. Well then, Uncle He and Sect Master Baili, what are your esteemed suggestions? I’d really like to hear them.”

“You should make a trip to Blood Rain Mountain. They wish to speak with you privately about some matters. As for the specifics, I—I’m not entirely sure.” As He Lidong spoke, her face suddenly flushed, as if she dared not look directly at Ji Changkong, her gaze flickering evasively.

Baili Xiu suddenly lowered her head, as if the ground beneath her feet had suddenly become fascinating.

Judging by the expressions of these two women, Ji Changkong knew they likely had a vague idea themselves, perhaps guessing what He Haoran and Baili Ke intended to discuss with him.

Sighing internally, Ji Changkong nodded reluctantly, steeling himself: “Alright, I will make a trip to Blood Rain Mountain.”

“Oh! Changkong, you’re out! Haha, we happen to be free today, so we came to visit Xuanyuan Valley. What good luck, we even get to see you!” A hearty laugh echoed from a distance. He Haoran and Baili Ke appeared, leading several experts from the He family and the Starstone Sect, approaching in a grand manner from afar.

Ji Yusheng accompanied them. Upon seeing Ji Changkong, he sent him a meaningful glance from a distance.

As soon as he caught Ji Yusheng’s signal, Ji Changkong secretly relaxed. This meant that the matters concerning the ancient formation, the “Star Sea,” within Xuanyuan Valley were likely concealed for the time being. He Haoran and Baili Ke probably wouldn’t notice anything amiss during their visit.

Perhaps sensing He Haoran’s hearty laughter, Mo Yunyi, who shared a tacit understanding with him, emerged silently from the scripture repository in the back mountain. With a beaming smile plastered on her face, she stood beside Ji Changkong.

“Ah, Uncle He, what brings you to Xuanyuan Valley?” Despite feeling utterly resigned, Ji Changkong put on a smiling face and quickly stepped forward, saying enthusiastically, “It’s rare for Uncle He and Sect Master Baili to visit. Please, come to our Ji Family’s Hall of Deliberation for a cup of tea first.”

Baili Ke glanced at his daughter and nodded with a slight smile. “Yes, sitting down sounds good.”

Amidst the cheerful chatter, Ji Changkong led the people from the He family and the Starstone Sect, including Mo Yunyi and Ji Yusheng, to the Ji family’s Hall of Deliberation. After everyone was seated and the younger Ji girls served the fragrant tea, Ji Changkong smiled and asked, “What brings the two of you here together?”

He Liying and Baili Xiu, who had followed He Haoran and Baili Ke, immediately flushed and quickly retreated backward, trying to hide themselves.

“Ahem.” He Haoran coughed deliberately, his sharp gaze locking onto He Lidong, as he remarked casually, “Little Dong, I know you and Changkong share a mutual affection, that…”

Pffft!

Ji Changkong spat out a mouthful of tea violently, then quickly bowed and scraped, apologizing profusely: “Uncle He, my apologies, I choked by accident! Mutual affection? That’s utter nonsense! Even if you wanted to play matchmaker, you should use a more plausible excuse!”

He Haoran’s expression remained unchanged. He smiled as he wiped the tea stains from his face, showing no offense. “No matter, no matter. Young people, their skin is thinner; I can understand that, hehe. Little Dong, isn't that right?”

On the side, He Lidong’s face was so red it looked like it might bleed. Perhaps she had already been persuaded by that old fox He Haoran. She bit her lip and remained silent, her head bowed so low that it nearly touched her full, proud bosom, a crimson flush spreading across the back of her neck.

“Yes, girls are often too shy to speak up themselves. I can understand that too.” He Haoran laughed heartily, clapped his hands, and declared, “Changkong, I know you two are fond of each other. Regarding ‘this matter,’ I agree to it. You don't need to worry about anything.”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Baili Ke began coughing violently, cursing He Haoran inwardly as utterly shameless for resorting to such tactics. With a sudden burst of resolve, Baili Ke grabbed his daughter Baili Xiu’s arm, forcefully pulling her out from behind, and glared furiously at Ji Changkong, berating him: “You brat, you already did that with my daughter, are you just going to let it go like this?”

Pffft!

Ji Changkong had just managed to calm himself, but he choked again, spraying another mouthful of tea.

He Haoran, however, remained composed. He turned his head to avoid the spray, stealing a sidelong glance at Baili Ke, thinking to himself that Baili Ke was even more shameless, resorting to such tactics—clearly trying to blackmail him.

“It’s not like that, it’s not like that…” Baili Xiu said, her face bright red, hastily waving her hands to deny it, trying to explain. But before she could finish her sentence, Baili Xiu shuddered and suddenly couldn't speak another word. It seemed the pressure points controlling speech had been seized.

“Cough, cough, cough… cough, cough, cough…” Now it was Ji Changkong’s turn to cough violently. His expression was indescribably strange; he forced out continuous, awkward laughs. “This… haha, well, what can I say…”

“Where is Ji Changkong?!” Just as he was at a loss for what to do, a thunderous shout suddenly erupted from outside. Then, a graceful scholar, dragging a stubborn Zhou Qiangwei, stormed into the hall, followed by a wry-faced Zhou Miaoshan.

“Ye Hongru! What business do you have here?” He Haoran frowned and stood up abruptly.

Ye Hongru shot a glance at He Haoran, forcing down the rage churning in his heart. “That brat Ji Changkong ruined my daughter’s arranged marriage. He tricked my daughter into coming to Xuanyuan Valley, and now she won’t even return to the Ye family! What do you think I’m here for?”

“I chose to come to Xuanyuan Valley myself; it has nothing to do with anyone else! Furthermore, there is nothing between me and that Zhongli Jingyi!” Zhou Qiangwei’s expression was cold. She showed no fear even in front of Ye Hongru.

“Shut up!” Ye Hongru roared. His gaze swept across the hall, finally settling on the embarrassed Ji Changkong. He angrily declared, “Brat, just looking at your shifty face, I know it’s you! Tell me, how do you plan to resolve this? Now the people of the Southern Yi territories all know my daughter ran off with you. This engagement is naturally canceled. My daughter’s entire future is ruined in your hands, brat. What are you going to do about it?”

“Uh… it’s not what you imagine. Things between your daughter and I aren’t that complicated,” Ji Changkong frowned, then looked at Zhou Qiangwei. “Explain it to them.”

“Don't even think about washing your hands of this! You ruined my daughter’s life, so you must take responsibility!” Ye Hongru fumed.

Zhou Qiangwei had just been about to offer an explanation, but upon hearing her father say that, she seemed to suddenly realize something. She looked up at Ye Hongru, staring intently at him for a few moments. Her eyes suddenly brightened, and then her face flushed red. Like He Liying, she slowly lowered her head, remaining completely silent.

“Well, say something!” Ji Changkong urged when he saw her sudden silence, his heart sinking. If Zhou Qiangwei maintained this attitude now, any explanation from him would be useless. Zhou Qiangwei was usually such a calm and rational person; why was she acting this way at this critical moment? What was she trying to do? Ji Changkong’s mind was in chaos.

“There’s nothing to say about this; any clear-sighted person can see the issue. Brat, you must take responsibility for what you’ve done!” Ye Hongru glared, speaking righteously, “Since things have come to this, the die is cast. I won’t pursue any other responsibility from you. My daughter’s reputation is ruined in your hands. You two should finalize the marriage arrangements in the next few days.”

“That is absolutely out of the question!” He Haoran and Baili Ke both stood up simultaneously and shouted. By now, they had realized that this old fellow was also here to force a marriage.

My uncle is terminally ill with cancer. He lost about a hundred pounds recently and only has about twenty days left. I went back to the countryside yesterday to comfort my aunt and elder brother for a whole day. I apologize for not updating yesterday, I am very sorry to all readers.