Chapter 87

The sunset soon sank completely behind the mountains beyond the valley.

Night fell.

The chieftain’s room was a large open space.

Not only was it spotlessly clean, but it was also adorned with numerous fresh flowers and calligraphy paintings—no trace of banditry remained, only the unmistakable air of a wealthy household.

The parlor and bedroom were separated by a semi-transparent screen.

Through the semi-transparent screen, one could see a massive bed placed inside the bedroom, with a pure white fur rug laid on the floor before it.

Clearly, the Ji family had gone to great lengths to prepare for Xia Daoming’s arrival.

Xia Daoming sat on a chair covered in white fur in the parlor, with Liu Qiaolian standing respectfully beside him.

Ji Yuanzhen and Ji Shouli, father and son, sat to Xia Daoming’s lower left, while Ji Wenyue and Liu Xiaoqiang sat to his lower right.

“How is the Phoenix Cry Pill preparation coming?” Xia Daoming asked Ji Wenyue.

Spiritual rice nourishes life force and meridians, refines strength, and gives even the elderly a chance to break through.

But spiritual rice’s effect is subtle and gradual, which means its enhancement of cultivation is a slow, steady process—not a sudden leap.

The Phoenix Cry Pill is different: its potency is astonishing, yet its energy is relatively mild.

A fifth-rank Great Martial Artist with a solid foundation has a high chance of breaking through to sixth rank after taking it.

A sixth-rank peak Great Martial Artist has a certain probability of breaking through to seventh rank after taking it.

Although the Ji family hasn’t produced any formidable Great Martial Artists these past years,

they are major dealers in medicinal herbs, with deep resources; over time, they’ve forcibly elevated numerous disciples and loyal warriors to fourth and fifth rank through sheer pill consumption.

Precisely because of this, combined with Ji Yuanzhen and other elder Qiangzhe unwillingly consuming secret medicines to forcibly boost their strength, the Ji family carved out a bloody path—and even managed to escort their children and female relatives to that ruined mountain village.

This was only because Ji Yuanzhen wasn’t cruel enough.

Had he abandoned the elderly, children, and women without combat capability from the start, the Ji family’s hidden strength would have erupted suddenly, and their elite should have escaped far away long ago, rather than being surrounded by pursuers in the ruined village.

Fortunately, Xia Daoming arrived in time, saving the Ji family and preserving many of their elite disciples.

If these elite disciples, who have survived life-and-death trials, receive Phoenix Cry Pills, the Ji family’s strength won’t merely be preserved—it will double.

Of course, there are also the people from the Qianjiao Martial Arts Hall.

Fortunately, Xia Daoming had gathered a considerable amount of Fengyao grass in the cave on Gengyun Mountain.

When Xia Daoming rushed to aid the Ji family last time, he deliberately grabbed a small handful to bring along.

A few days ago, he gave it to Ji Wenyue and told her to hurry and brew a batch of Phoenix Cry Pills.

“Big brother, look!”

Seeing Xia Daoming ask about the Phoenix Cry Pills, Ji Wenyue immediately beamed and handed him a box.

The moment the box opened, Xia Daoming felt a stream of fragrant warmth wafting toward his nose.

Inside the box lay twenty pills, resting quietly.

Each pill was smooth and round like a pearl, faintly glowing with a red hue within, resembling intricate patterns.

“This… this is nothing like the Phoenix Cry Pills you gave me before!” Xia Daoming exclaimed in surprise.

“Not just different—it’s vastly different!” Before Ji Wenyue could speak, Ji Yuanzhen had already sighed in awe, his eyes burning as he stared at the pills in the box.

“Yes, Big Brother, the Fengyao grass you gave me wasn’t just older in age—each plant’s quality was extraordinary, far surpassing anything the Ji family had ever collected before,” Ji Wenyue added, equally awed.

“So that’s why!” Xia Daoming recalled that this batch of Fengyao grass had been cultivated by that demonic Daoist on spiritual soil nourished by stalactite spirit fluid, and he finally understood.

After understanding, Xia Daoming’s mind stirred slightly, and he added, “Could it be… you and your grandfather…”

“Yes. After Grandfather took spiritual rice for several consecutive days, his life force and meridians recovered significantly. This morning, I successfully brewed the final batch of Phoenix Cry Pills—the highest quality batch—and took one to give to Grandfather.”

I thought it might help him return to peak condition, but unexpectedly, he broke through directly to eighth rank,” Ji Wenyue interrupted before Xia Daoming could finish, eager to speak.

“Because we were fleeing, and I feared a powerful enemy might attack, I worried my strength alone wouldn’t be enough to protect everyone. So without seeking your permission, I took a Phoenix Cry Pill for myself—please forgive my presumption, my benefactor,” Ji Yuanzhen rose, bowed deeply to Xia Daoming, his expression solemn.

“Old man, what are you doing? I asked Wenyue to brew these Phoenix Cry Pills precisely so I could distribute some to your Ji family disciples.”

I just didn’t expect the pills to be this potent—so it seems our plan to reap the benefits of others’ conflict still needs refinement. You Ji family must be ready to shoulder a heavy burden!” As he spoke, Xia Daoming looked at Ji Yuanzhen with grave seriousness, exuding the air of a leader.

The others frowned in thought, while Xia Daoming calmly stroked his chin, looking self-satisfied.

Liu Qiaolian, sensing the moment, stepped forward half a pace and stood behind Xia Daoming, gently massaging his shoulders.

Xia Daoming closed his eyes in comfort.

For days, Xia Daoming’s mind had been tense; today, the families of the Qianjiao Martial Arts Hall had finally been safely relocated, and hearing this good news, his spirits finally relaxed.

Hmm, it’s been quite a few days since I last sparred with Lian’er over card games!

As he thought this, his eyes unconsciously drifted toward Ji Wenyue.

Ji Wenyue felt the gaze and looked up at Xia Daoming.

Seeing him staring at her, but his gaze wasn’t on her face—it was slightly lower.

Ji Wenyue’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she shot Xia Daoming a furious glare.

Seriously—Grandfather and the others are still here!

But Xia Daoming acted as if nothing had happened, casually picking up the teacup on the table, lifting the lid, and gently blowing away the floating tea leaves.

“Your benefactor’s meaning is…” But clearly, Ji Yuanzhen’s mind was entirely focused on Xia Daoming’s earlier words; as Xia Daoming picked up the teacup and blew on the tea, he suddenly grasped the implication, and his heart began pounding violently.

“The Xu family has monopolized Li City for over a hundred years. Now, the Three Alliance seeks to overthrow the Xu family while they’re weak and take control of Li City themselves.”

If the Xu family can do it, and the Three Alliance can do it—why not the Ji family?” Xia Daoming said, then took a small sip of tea.

Ji Yuanzhen’s hand trembled violently, spilling much of the tea.

But Ji Yuanzhen paid no attention—he swallowed hard, moistening his dry throat, and said, “My benefactor, even if the Xu family and the Three Alliance destroy each other, it will still be you who holds Li City—how could it ever fall to the Ji family?”

“Heh, Old Man, judging by how excited and nervous you are, you must have thought about it, right?” Xia Daoming smiled.

Meeting Xia Daoming’s smiling gaze, Ji Yuanzhen broke into a cold sweat, quickly set down his teacup, and rose, speaking solemnly: “The Ji family owes you a great debt—we will serve only you as our master, and will never dare overstep…”

Damn it, I forgot this society isn’t like my old world—I went too far with the joke and scared the old man!

Xia Daoming internally laughed and groaned, but outwardly quickly set down the teacup and said, “Old Man, what are you doing? We’re family, one household—what talk of great debts or overstepping? That’s ridiculous!”

“Yes, yes, family, one household!” Ji Yuanzhen exhaled deeply in relief, his eyes unconsciously glancing toward his granddaughter.

“And what I just said was serious—I’ve devoted myself entirely to martial cultivation and have zero interest in power struggles.”

But if the opportunity arises, and we truly can play the Tanglangbuchanhuangquezaihou strategy—strike when the four major factions are mutually weakened and uproot them entirely—someone must take over Li City.”

In Li City, the only ones I trust are the Qianjiao Martial Arts Hall and the Ji family. The Qianjiao Martial Arts Hall’s foundation is still far weaker than yours—they’re not ready to take control of Li City,” Xia Daoming said gravely.