Chapter 20

The Ji family’s western courtyard.

Blue bricks and black tiles, upturned eaves, artificial hills and flowers, a small bridge over flowing water, winding paths leading to quiet seclusion—serene and elegant.

In the courtyard was a small pond, crystal clear to the bottom, where fish swam joyfully.

By the pond stood artificial hills, curved corridors, and a small pavilion for rest and scenery.

Under the setting sun, Ji Wenyue sat sideways along the curved corridor, listlessly scattering fish food into the pond.

At that moment, a maidservant in emerald-green attire approached Ji Wenyue with a letter in hand.

Outside the moon gate connecting to the courtyard, a retainer paced nervously back and forth.

“Miss, the guard says a man just delivered a letter demanding it be opened by you personally,” the maid said softly, her expression dismissive.

“Oh!” Ji Wenyue responded indifferently, then lazily took the letter.

Over the past two years, many young elites in Licheng—coveting her beauty, talent, and wealth—had written her letters, expressing admiration or inviting her for tea and outings.

Ji Wenyue had long grown accustomed to them.

Especially recently, after she broke through to Fifth Rank Great Martial Master and, with her unique alchemy talent, was made the youngest and only female clan elder, news spread—and even some top-tier Licheng factions’ young elites were stirred, sending letters or messengers to arrange meetings.

In Ji Wenyue’s view, this one was no different.

Ji Wenyue opened the letter.

The paper bore no elegant, flowing script, nor any flowery declarations of affection that would make her shudder.

Only a single line of hastily scribbled location was written.

Seeing the careless, dismissive handwriting—just an address, no explanation, as if issuing an order—her face darkened with irritation; she was about to tear the letter, when her peripheral vision caught the signature—a single character: Xia.

“Big Brother Xia!” Ji Wenyue’s heart leapt wildly; she stood up instantly.

“Xiao Yun, where’s the guard? Bring him in at once!”

Seeing her wildly excited mistress, Xiao Yun looked puzzled but hurriedly called the guard waiting outside the moon gate inside.

“Elder Ji!” The guard entered, immediately knelt on one knee, head bowed, not daring to look directly at Ji Wenyue.

“Where is the man who delivered the letter?” Ji Wenyue asked.

“Return, Elder, he has already left,” the guard replied, secretly relieved, yet deeply curious about the identity of the hooded man.

“Left?” Ji Wenyue paused, then asked: “Did he say anything?”

“He said if I delivered the letter to you, you’d know who he was, wouldn’t blame me, and would reward me,” the guard answered.

“He’s right. Xiao Yun, take him to the accounting office and give him ten taels of silver as a reward,” Ji Wenyue said.

“Thank you, Elder!” The guard bowed gratefully and happily followed Xiao Yun out.

“Qingshi Street’s Jingxin Tea House… I wonder what Big Brother Xia is up to. If he came to the Ji compound, why not just walk in? Why arrange another meeting place?” Ji Wenyue murmured, pouting slightly as she stared at the letter by the pond.

But soon, Ji Wenyue departed the Ji compound in a carriage.

Jingxin Tea House, Qingshi Street, second-floor private room.

Xia Daoming stood by the window, watching a luxurious carriage approach from afar, his eyes filled with complex emotion.

Originally, he hadn’t planned to contact Ji Wenyue so soon, nor did he wish to leverage his favor for gain—it would lower his standing.

But today’s incident with Gu Ren had shaken him.

It revealed that the Qianjiao Martial Hall’s situation was far from the polished, tranquil surface it presented—many enemies lurked nearby, waiting for their chance.

As Liang Jingtang’s direct disciple, no matter how low-key he remained, he would inevitably be drawn into the conflict.

So he must grow stronger quickly.

Only by growing stronger quickly could he face crises with composure.

But to grow strong quickly, he needed vast resources for cultivation.

He had no immediate idea for a profitable business, so he turned to sourcing—hoping to obtain affordable, high-quality cultivation pills through Ji Wenyue.

Pills were an extremely profitable industry; if he could acquire them at cost price, he’d save a fortune.

The carriage stopped before the tea house.

An elderly woman, a Fifth Rank Great Martial Master, stepped out first, then rolled back the curtain, allowing Ji Wenyue to emerge.

Since the previous incident, the Ji family had assigned Ji Wenyue a personal bodyguard—a Fifth Rank Great Martial Master named Du Yuxian.

Even within Licheng, even within the Ji family’s traditional territory, Du Yuxian followed her like a shadow, never leaving her side.

“She actually came!”

Seeing Ji Wenyue step from the carriage, the tea house owner’s eyes flickered with surprise as he hurried forward.

“Elder Wenyue, Lady Du—He He has failed to greet you properly.”

“I have a friend waiting here for me. Where is he?” Ji Wenyue cut straight to the point, no pleasantries.

“On the second floor, private room. Elder Wenyue, please follow me,” He said quickly.

Ji Wenyue nodded, then turned to Du Yuxian, who was about to follow: “Wait downstairs. Don’t come up.”

“Elder, that’s not safe—what if…” Du Yuxian hesitated.

“What’s unsafe? This is Ji family territory. Who would dare assassinate me here? Besides, I’m a Fifth Rank Great Martial Master myself—even a Sixth Rank couldn’t overpower me quickly. What’s there to worry about?” Ji Wenyue said.

“Very well. I’ll wait downstairs for you, Elder,” Du Yuxian bowed and complied.

Ji Wenyue followed He to the second floor, arriving outside Xia Daoming’s private room.

“This is it,” He said.

“Alright, go downstairs,” Ji Wenyue waved him off.

“Yes, Elder, call if you need anything,” He bowed respectfully and left.

After He departed, Ji Wenyue took a deep breath and opened the door.

A familiar back greeted her.

Seeing that familiar silhouette, every moment from the desert flooded her mind like fleeting reflections.

“Big Brother Xia!” Ji Wenyue cried out, voice trembling, eyes glistening.

That experience—so utterly different, so deeply etched—was unimaginable for Ji Wenyue, who had always been sheltered by her family, untouched by danger or hardship.

Xia Daoming turned slowly.

A young face, neither handsome nor striking, but marked by a touch of weariness, appeared before her.

Ji Wenyue froze, staring fixedly at Xia Daoming.

“What? Did you finally notice I’ve gotten handsomer?” Xia Daoming smiled.

“You have!” Ji Wenyue snapped back to reality, nodding seriously.

In the desert, Xia Daoming had been bearded, hair wild, skin cracked and dry—Ji Wenyue had initially mistaken him for some creepy old man.

So she’d never expected much from his appearance.

Now, though not handsome, his face was immeasurably cleaner, younger, and carried a scholar’s refined air—far exceeding her expectations.

“Five months apart—you’ve grown taller, fuller!” Xia Daoming smiled, his gaze expertly sweeping over her chest.

Instantly, his refined demeanor shattered.

“Big Brother… if you keep looking like that, I won’t talk to you!” Ji Wenyue blushed, stomping her foot—feeling both familiar warmth and flustered annoyance, mixed with a strange, inexplicable thrill.

After all, it was a compliment!

“Five months apart, and your temper’s grown. In the desert, you were so well-behaved,” Xia Daoming said.

Hearing him mention the desert, Ji Wenyue’s gaze softened instantly.

He hadn’t just saved her—he’d spent those days alone with her in the desert. Though his words were teasing and his gaze bold, in action he never crossed a line, always protecting and caring for her.

The former was a life-saving debt—unquestionably immense.

The latter tested humanity most deeply, revealing true character.

His restraint and care for her revealed a rare, precious humanity.

That brief experience had matured Ji Wenyue overnight.

Even the trauma and trials of those days had spurred her—within three months of returning, aided by family-preserved herbs, she shattered the fifth meridian barrier and became a Fifth Rank Great Martial Master.

A Fifth Rank Great Martial Master at seventeen—among Licheng’s young elites, she was undeniably among the top talents.

“Alright, alright, I’ll talk to you! Can you stop staring at me like that? I’m still an unmarried maiden! If you really want a beauty, I’ll arrange one for you,” Ji Wenyue said, stepping close to Xia Daoming, adopting a sweet, coquettish posture.

“Whoa!” Xia Daoming was stunned—her words left him speechless.

Seeing his reaction, Ji Wenyue’s eyes sparkled with sly triumph.

“Wait—you’re already a Fifth Rank Great Martial Master?” Xia Daoming stared at her, noticing the subtle shift in her qi and blood, his voice filled with surprise and delight.

“Hehe, am I not amazing?” Ji Wenyue beamed at him, puffing out her chest proudly.

“Mm, truly amazing,” Xia Daoming’s gaze involuntarily lingered, nodding in deep agreement.

“Big Brother…” Ji Wenyue blushed, stomping her foot.

“Did I say something wrong?” Xia Daoming feigned ignorance.

“Wait—hold on—I’m not even activating my qi right now. How did you instantly know I’m Fifth Rank? Could it be… you’ve also…” Ji Wenyue suddenly realized something was off, her eyes widening in shock.