Chapter 2052: How to Tame the Wayward Youth 01

【Now transmitting original plot……transmission successful!】

Among the martial artists of the Central Plains school, anyone who knows the Qingyun Sword Manor knows the fame of Ji Xiaobaowang.

Ji Lai zhi, as the Young Master of Qingyun Sword Manor, has a father who is the manor lord Ji Yuan shan, master of the Twelve Forms of the Qingyun Sword Art, and a deceased mother who famed as the Shadowless Fairy Shen Liuyue; from childhood he possessed extraordinary aptitude, and should have become a fine prospect for a future great hero.

Yet who would have thought he was such a wayward and obstinate little tyrant, relying on his high martial prowess to commit every conceivable misdeed; every citizen of Qingyun City groaned in misery.

Yet he was indulged by Ji Yuan shan; even Ji Yuan shan's concubine doted on him more than his own legitimate son Ji Si yao, and no matter what heaven‑defying deeds Ji Lai zhi committed, he was never severely reprimanded.

But only Ji Lai zhi himself knows how ridiculous that so‑called favoritism is.

Clearly they are both Ji Yuan shan's children; everyone says he is a martial arts prodigy, yet he never receives instruction, forced to figure out every martial path on his own, walking every wrong road and suffering all the hardships.

Meanwhile Ji Si yao receives personal instruction from Ji Yuan shan; when he gets hurt or bumps into something, there's always someone nourishing him with ginseng. Outwardly they only say Ji Lai zhi is mischievous and refuses discipline, loving to figure things out by himself.

As they grew older, Ji Si yao, whose martial skill was less than half of Ji Lai zhi's, became the Young Manor Lord, and he lived more like a shadow in the Sword Manor—everyone treated him with respect, yet no one truly cared.

Those so‑called "disasters" he caused, Ji Yuan shan simply didn't want to bother with them; no matter who came to the door seeking trouble, he'd just throw them out and let them be taught a lesson, as long as they came back safe and sound in the end.

Yet precisely because of this, everyone in the Sword Manor said he was overly favored, and they told him not to be such an ungrateful wretch or so lawless.

Suffocation, a suffocation that blankets the sky and earth.

Ji Lai zhi could never figure out what favoritism he had actually received; the Ji Lai zhi of endless glory spoken of by outsiders was someone he didn't recognize at all.

Ji Lai zhi felt he was about to go mad.

Over time, Ji Lai zhi plunged completely into the abyss, truly becoming the "hopeless" scoundrel tyrant that everyone spoke of.

Meanwhile the protagonist inherited Qingyun Sword Manor from Ji Si yao, and on the grounds that the Shadowless Fairy's peerless martial arts could not be passed on, he seized the Shadowless Iron Technique from Ji Lai zhi for his cultivation.

Ji Si yao's name as a youthful hero stood alone atop the martial world.

Even so, Ji Si yao never "gave up" on this older brother,

He continued to indulge Ji Lai zhi, letting him drift through each day in a dazed, unproductive state, gradually wasting his talent on pleasure until, with his innate genius for martial arts, he became a good‑for‑nothing who drank himself to death in a grave‑yard in the rain, lying before the tomb of Shen Liuyue.

——

The sun atop the willow tips grew lazy, warming the blue‑stone streets of Qingyun City to a pleasant heat.

Dew clung to the gardenias in the flower‑seller's bamboo basket, their white petals holding golden stamens; the sweet scent lured butterflies to bump into the girls' hair buns.

Under the shade of the locust trees before the City God Temple, three or five wonton stalls stood; the sound of a wooden spoon stirring clear broth mingled with the storyteller's wooden clapper, startling the sparrows dozing under the eaves into flight.

The well water in the east of the city ran low, and the women drawing water were pulling at each other's hair buns and cursing when suddenly a horse's neigh rang like tearing cloth—copper bells on the eaves clattered wildly, and startled birds swooped past the signboard of the Wanfu Tavern.

On the lattice of the upstairs elegant room, a drop of blood, dark as blackened red, crept down the sandalwood grain.

"Master, everything's settled."

A cloaked figure in dark‑red‑gold patterned robes, holding a curved blade, stood respectfully beside the person at the table, not daring to raise his head.

The man seated by the window wore plain white robes; a half‑length red cord peeking from his cuff was strikingly conspicuous, a faded jade bead strung on its knot.

In the rising steam of the tea, he tapped his fingers on the table; when pouring tea, his bamboo‑joint‑like fingers gripped the celadon lid, and the mist curled into tiny snakes between his fingertips.

"Stay hidden in the dark; don't let anyone notice a trace."

The cloaked figure hesitated a moment, then ultimately did not ask the master why he suddenly felt inclined, and actually came to serve as Ji Lai zhi's instructor.

Not long after, the carriage of Qingyun Sword Manor paused outside the Wanfu Tavern, waiting to pick up its guest, and shortly thereafter arrived at the Sword Manor.

The disciples guarding the Sword Manor's main gate were all drawn to the white clothing stepping down from the carriage.

The snowy wide sleeves puffed slightly in the wind, yet the hem seemed pressed by an invisible sword‑energy, remaining perfectly still; on closer look the fabric was woven with silver‑threaded dark cloud patterns, making it three‑tenths more lustrous than the jade fan at his waist, wrapped with a dark‑green tassel.

Jin Chen halted before the main gate where the command flag fluttered; his lacquered bamboo‑bone umbrella half‑covered his face, revealing only a chin as cold as jade, the rim slightly lifted—his eyebrows and eyes, glimpsed in a startled‑swan glance, were clearer than fresh snow.

"Halt! This is the territory of Qingyun Sword Manor; state your sect and lineage."

The four gate disciples came to their senses and simultaneously raised their swords to block.

Jin Chen presented his visiting card: "Guest Elder Jin Chen of Han Yue Manor, entrusted by Manor Lord Shen Lao xie, to serve as instructor for the Young Master."

The Guest Elder of Han Yue Manor.

The gate disciples stared at one another; the leader bowed and said, "Sir, please wait a moment while I go report."

Soon after, the Chief Steward of Qingyun Sword Manor came out to greet him, extending the courtesy due to Han Yue Manor.

"I didn't expect your arrival, so I failed to greet you properly; I am the steward of the Sword Manor—just call me Shan Bo."

Jin Chen nodded and followed him inside, saying, "The Manor Lord attaches great importance to the Young Master's instruction; I believe the Manor Lord feels the same."

Shan Bo's expression unchanged, he said, "Naturally, but the Manor Lord is busy, and the Young Master is stubbornly unruly… I hope you will discipline him thoroughly."

As they walked, Jin Chen's steps suddenly halted; he leaned left‑backward and caught the iron gourd falling from the tree, then lifted his gaze.

【Detected world‑plot villain, triggering Blackening Value; current Blackening Value: 90！】

【Mission requirement: clear Blackening Value, change the villain's tragic ending.】

The youth had a face that could make a Bodhisattva break his vows; the line from his brow ridge to his nose resembled an unsheathed jade blade, yet a vermilion speck tipped his eye corners, and he gazed sidelong, half‑smiling, his feet planted recklessly on the tree trunk, arms crossed over his chest as he looked down.

Just a glance reveals how full of heroic vigor he is.

"Where did you come from, a weak‑ling scholar? If you don't want to be beaten until you have no nose or eyes, then scram, Young Master!"

Jin Chen offered no reply, merely fixing Ji Lai zhi with a calm gaze impossible to ignore; after a moment, seeing the youth grow increasingly impatient, on the verge of eruption, he finally averted his eyes slightly.

"This is your maternal grandfather's order; the Young Master surely wouldn't want to disappoint his old man."

"Tsk."

Ji Lai zhi leapt down from the tree trunk, landing steadily before Jin Chen, his brows furrowed with agitation.

"Didn't you hear what this person just said? No one can control me—don't hide behind my grandfather's name…"

A jade pendant appeared before Ji Lai zhi's eyes, then Jin Chen clenched it in his palm.

It was the token of command of Shen Lao xie.

Jin Chen lowered his hand, taking back the jade pendant, and said, "Young Master Ji, I will instruct you at the Mountain Manor for six months; you'd better get used to my presence as soon as possible."

Indeed he was sent by the maternal grandfather, and he is a trusted confidant.

Ji Lai zhi clicked his tongue in impatience, yet still couldn't hold back.

「Then let this young master see just how capable you really are! 」

Before the words even hit the ground, a fist swung toward Jin Chen.