Chapter 89: How Can Sparrows Understand the Ambition of Swans?

“I—I still have to refine pills!” Ji Wenyue could hardly miss her grandfather and uncle’s intentions, and when she met Xia’s familiar, fiery gaze again, she stamped her foot in flustered annoyance, spun her slender waist, and dashed out the door first.

“This girl, this girl! Master, don’t take it to heart—I’ve raised her since she was little…” Ji Yuanzhen hurriedly said.

“Enough, old man. What’s the relationship between me and Wenyue? Why do you need to meddle?” Xia Daoming said, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

“I overstepped, I overstepped!” Ji Yuanzhen’s face flushed, but his heart finally settled.

He had lived long enough, managed a vast family and business—how could he not know the true nature of Xia Daoming and Ji Wenyue’s relationship? He didn’t need to meddle at all; he merely wanted to make his stance clear.

Of course, if he could succeed tonight and turn raw rice into cooked rice, get them to produce a child or two early, that would be even better.

“By the way, Old Man, you’re Wenyue’s grandfather and you’re old enough—calling me ‘Gracious Benefactor’ makes me uncomfortable. Just call me by my name!”

“Very well, then I’ll presume on my age and call you Daoming—but others must still follow protocol. Elders must address you as Young Master, and everyone else must call you ‘Sir,’ lest familiarity breed disrespect over time.” Ji Yuanzhen hesitated, then spoke with solemn gravity.

“Fine.” Xia Daoming thought for a moment, then decided not to refuse.

“Then Daoming, I’ll take Shouli and leave first!” Ji Yuanzhen bowed.

“Old Man, Uncle, take care on your way!” Xia Daoming bowed in return.

“Younger brother, Lian’er, rest early—I’m off too!” After Ji Yuanzhen and his son left, Liu Xiaoqiang cast Xia Daoming a meaningful, teasing glance before departing from the chieftain’s chamber.

“Master, I’ll prepare your bathwater!” After everyone left, Liu Qiaolian blushed faintly, her eyes soft and alluring.

“Hehe, together, together!” Xia Daoming immediately rubbed his hands together, the dignified, noble lordly demeanor he’d shown before Ji Yuanzhen vanished completely.

“Pfft!” Liu Qiaolian bit her lip and giggled softly.

Elsewhere in the mountain stronghold.

The study of Ji Yuanzhen’s temporary residence.

The lamps burned bright.

“Wenyue, Daoming saved you twice, rescued our entire family, and now offers us unimaginable benefits. He’s also a man of deep feeling and righteousness—such a man, you must seize the chance and claim your place!” Ji Yuanzhen said earnestly.

“Grandfather, there’s still Lian’er in Brother’s room! I’m still a maiden—how could I possibly…” Ji Wenyue blushed.

“It’s natural for a girl to be shy, but to accomplish great things, you must not be bound by trifles!” Ji Yuanzhen said.

“Indeed, I see that Liu Qiaolian has won the Young Master’s favor—he even entrusted her with the most precious spirit rice and Fengyao grass. If you don’t act soon, you’ll be completely outshone.” Ji Shouli said.

“You two…” Ji Wenyue stared at her grandfather and uncle—the very people she revered—and fell utterly speechless.

But, to be fair, the moment she recalled Liu Qiaolian’s plump, supple figure and alluring face—and how she’d already begun warming her brother’s bed—Ji Wenyue felt a pang of unease.

The next day, at the valley entrance.

Xia Daoming looked at the two women before him—one tall and slender, one full-figured; one pure and enchanting, one mature and alluring—and truly hesitated to return to Licheng, to mingle with a crowd of rough men.

“I have to go. Come here, let Big Brother hug you.” Xia Daoming opened his arms toward Ji Wenyue, the tall, pure, and enchanting one.

Ji Wenyue glanced at Liu Qiaolian beside her, her face flushing crimson, but finally stepped forward shyly.

Warmth and softness in his arms, Xia Daoming couldn’t help holding her a moment longer—but didn’t dare move his hands.

After all, she was still a maiden; letting him hug her in front of Liu Qiaolian was already a huge step.

Women—the hardest part is taking that first step!

“Come here, Lian’er!” After Ji Wenyue gently pushed away, Xia Daoming waved to Liu Qiaolian.

Liu Qiaolian immediately slipped into his arms.

Xia Daoming didn’t hold back—he moved his hands freely, even gave her a passionate kiss goodbye, making Ji Wenyue turn away in embarrassment and stomp her foot in fury.

You big lecher! You big seducer! I’ll never speak to you again!

“Alright, I’m off!” Xia Daoming released her, leapt onto his horse.

“Master, take care!” Liu Qiaolian gently smoothed the wrinkles and dust from his trousers, whispering softly.

“Mm.”

“Big Brother, be careful!” Ji Wenyue turned back immediately, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry.

“Don’t worry. While I’m gone, learn from Lian’er.” Xia Daoming waved to them both, then spurred his horse down the slope.

“Big Brother Xia, you stop right there!” At first Ji Wenyue didn’t understand what Xia Daoming meant by telling her to learn from Lian’er—but when she realized it, she stamped her foot in furious embarrassment.

Traveling alone naturally differed from moving with a large group of family members.

Setting out under the morning sun, before the sun had even set, Xia Daoming arrived in Licheng, dusty, ragged, and wearing a look of righteous indignation.

Soon, word spread that the family members of the Qianjiao Martial Arts School faction had been ambushed and slaughtered halfway by the Xu family, with only Liang Jingtang’s youngest disciple escaping.

Compared to the complete silence surrounding the three alliance factions and multiple Xu family units, this wasn’t a major revelation—but it made Licheng’s situation even more chaotic and complex.

Especially the Xu family, who, upon hearing this, felt a strange, stifling frustration.

Those who didn’t know would assume the Xu family had not only avenged the Shi family’s blood but also struck a great fortune.

But only the Xu family knew the truth: not only had they gained no fortune, they hadn’t even seen a trace of their own men since.

Ding Banghong, an elder of the Ding family, rushed immediately to Wutong Alley—the temporary lodging of Liang Jingtang and his disciples—to comfort them thoroughly.

Before leaving, he was thoroughly satisfied with the grief and fury displayed by Liang Jingtang and his disciples.

Now, he was finally at ease.

It was just a pity about that fortune!

Ding Banghong silently lamented—but then remembered that the Ding family secretly harbored a disciple who had become a cultivator; the lost wealth would surely return to them soon, and his regret vanished.

In the back courtyard of an old house in Wutong Alley.

“That old fox Ding Banghong—crying crocodile tears! I bet he leaked the news that our people were ambushed by the Xu family!” After Ding Banghong left, Yu Chi Xiao sneered.

“Thankfully, Daoming planned everything perfectly—we kept our families safe!” Zhuo Xingji said, grateful and relieved.

Among their fellow disciples, he had the largest family and the most to lose.

Now that his family was safely away from the battlefield, he could finally relax.

“Yes, we owe it all to Daoming! Without him, the Qianjiao Martial Arts School would have been doomed!” Liang Jingtang sighed.

“Master, Senior Brother, we’re family—no need for such words. Focus on planning what comes next,” Xia Daoming waved off.

“There’s nothing much to plan—our families are safely evacuated, we’re no longer tied down. With your cultivation, just pick a dark, windy night, lead us out quietly, hide somewhere outside the city.”

Then you’ll be free of burdens. Return to Licheng secretly, watch the tigers fight. If the timing’s right, strike out and seize the spoils; if not, slip away quietly.

Frankly, in my view, the treasures you and Qiaolian brought back last time are enough to support your cultivation for life. And according to Senior Brother Zhuo, you made a fortune helping the Ji family—you really don’t need to wade into this mess.”

“After all, Xu Zhiyuan has regained his peak, and the Ding family has a cultivator. Even if you’re strong and hidden, trying to profit from their conflict is still dangerous,” Jiao Yongbao said.

“Yongbao speaks wisely. With your current resources, you truly don’t need to risk this,” Liang Jingtang agreed deeply.

“Yes, yes!” Zhuo Xingji and Yu Chi Xiao nodded in agreement.

This great conflict among the four factions will reshape the power structure—many will be dragged in, heads will fall.

Their families escaped safely, they themselves are about to escape too, and they now have such a powerful younger brother to rely on—they’re already utterly satisfied, with nothing left to desire!

Xia Daoming looked at the earnest, expectant gazes of Liang Jingtang and his three senior brothers, and felt deeply moved.

Sigh. How can sparrows understand the ambition of swans?

Every realm in my martial path requires strengthening the meridians nine times—and my goal is to become an immortal who outlives the heavens!

How could such meager resources suffice?

The Xu family has dominated Licheng for over a hundred years, hoarding immense wealth. That old devil Xu Zhiyuan has regained his peak—surely the Xu family hides something extraordinary.

And one of the Ding family’s own has become a cultivator—this thread must be dug deep; perhaps I can uncover the secrets of cultivation.

Now that both families are about to clash, it’s the perfect moment—the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware the oriole waits behind. This is the chance to net them all—how could I miss it?

This fellow Xia Daoming sighed with self-satisfaction over his lofty ambition, forgetting that when he first returned from Gengyun Mountain to Licheng, he’d held the exact same thoughts as Liang Jingtang and the others.

PS: New book still seeking follows and collections.