Chapter 2069

Just as he was idly pondering, Ji Lai Zhi was startled by a sudden shout, trembling violently and nearly falling from the tree.

"It's Ji Lai Zhi!" a disciple in the crowd shouted loudly, "I just saw Ji Lai Zhi give these two people directions!"

What the heck?

Ji Lai Zhi frowned, narrowed his eyes to look closely, his expression suddenly turning cold, his heart secretly startled.

Those bandits were the ones who came to ask him for directions in the evening.

In front of the Martial Arts Alliance Grand Elder and Du Gu Wen, Ji Yuan Shan coldly rebuked: "Nonsense, my son… though he is domineering, he is not so foolish as to do this."

"Ha!" the bandit immediately sneered, "It was your son who tipped us off! I almost succeeded! You really have a fine son, Ji Manor Lord! Hahaha!"

Then several disciples chimed in, "Reporting to the Manor Lord, in the evening we saw the Young Master giving directions to people, though we didn't know then whether… he was contacting the bandits, not stopping them, and we hope the Manor Lord will punish him."

With everyone's chatter, a few words were enough to seal Ji Lai Zhi's guilt.

"This…" Ji Yuan Shan heard this, his shoulders began to tremble slightly, his formerly straight spine seeming to have its strength drained, and he collapsed instantly.

"Lai Zhi has always been domineering; I doted on him extra because his mother died early—how… how did he become like this?"

Ji Si Yao immediately defended: "Father, perhaps elder brother has some hidden circumstances; let's first find him."

"Find!" the Martial Arts Alliance Grand Elder was furious, stroking his beard and glaring, "We've long heard that your Young Master is lawless, his domineering reputation spreading throughout the jianghu—never imagined he could do something like this!"

Du Gu Wen frowned, "Master, we should clarify things first before speaking; we can't just listen to one-sided accounts."

The Grand Elder pointed at the bandits and Ji Yuan Shan, speaking righteously, "Isn't this a two-sided account?"

Du Gu Wen: "……"

That's why it feels strange.

Which captured bandit is so calm and composed?

He shook his head, thinking, "No wonder Father doesn't let Master come alone to the Sword Manor—sooner or later he'll mess things up."

Xue Duan Ming glanced doubtfully at Ji Si Yao beside him, then looked toward Ji Yuan Shan, pondering to himself, and then saw a Martial Arts Alliance member exclaim, "Someone's in the tree!"

At that moment, all eyes turned that way, only to see a red-clad boy leap down, his movements crisp, his gaze flashing like a poisoned blade.

The firelight made the Martial Arts Alliance disciples who first saw him almost think he was some sort of spirit turned monster; many stood dazed, and only upon hearing the Sword Manor disciples' questioning did they realize this person was actually Ji Lai Zhi.

"I said, why does catching a few bandits cause such a fuss? It's just to advertise my name." Ji Lai Zhi snorted coldly, seeing everyone opposite him, the restless aggression that had lain dormant for days now driven to its peak.

When will Ji Yuan Shan ever let him go?

"You wretch, dare to collude with outside bandits!" Ji Yuan Shan now truly resembled a despairing father, "Do you want to destroy all the painstaking effort I've put in over the years?"

A hard-to-describe weariness welled up from his heart; Ji Lai Zhi moved his wrist, lowered his voice, and desperately suppressed the surging killing intent within.

"Nobody wants to hear your nonsense—tonight, what are you going to do? Arrest me and lock me up, or leave me to the Martial Arts Alliance? Ji Yuan Shan, after all these years, you're still so obstinate."

Hearing this, the Grand Elder couldn't help but scold: "Indeed domineering, not admitting fault and even talking back to your father. Ji Lai Zhi, since you're the Young Master of the Sword Manor, why collude with outside bandits to seize the treasure sword?!"

Ji Lai Zhi raised his long halberd toward him, recalling the man's identity, not wanting to cause trouble for Jin Chen, he forcibly redirected the halberd's tip to Ji Yuan Shan.

"What does it matter if I talk back? If I could, I would hate to kill my own father." Ji Lai zhi's tone was cruel, suppressing the resentment and killing intent that had built up over years.

"Young Master Ji, if there is some hidden circumstance, you…… Young Master Ji!" Du Gu Wen had no time to stop him, staring in astonishment as Ji Lai zhi rushed toward Ji Yuan Shan, still using a killing move!

"Ji Lai zhi! Are you trying to cement the charges against yourself?" Du Gu Wen tried to call Ji Lai zhi back, but it was obviously useless.

"You wretched spawn, you wretched spawn!" The elder of the Sword Forging Pavilion slammed his cane down a few times, saying, "You don't know, this young master used to restrain himself a bit, but ever since an instructor of unknown identity arrived, he's been taught to become more and more licentious."

"That instructor even impersonated an elder of Cold Moon Villa, and our investigation has already revealed that Cold Moon Villa has no such person at all."

Upon hearing this, not only the Martial Arts Alliance members were shocked, but even Ji Si Yao and Xue Duan Ming exchanged glances, growing ever more curious about Jin Chen's identity.

It goes without saying that someone as formidable as that would be strange to be unknown in the martial world.

Xue Duan Ming suddenly asked, "Si Yao, why aren't you at all worried about their fight? Do you perhaps know something else?"

Ji Si Yao's expression changed, and he spoke unnaturally, "My elder brother is wayward; it's only proper for Father to discipline him. No need to worry."

He secretly resented his father for setting up a trap without giving prior notice; if Ji Lai zhi hadn't come to the door himself, he wouldn't have known how to cooperate.

Shan Bo below could see the situation turning in their favor; the Martial Arts Alliance members not only grew more disgusted with Ji Lai zhi, but also successfully smeared him, making them prejudicially believe that Jin Chen was no good person.

Exactly as the manor lord had hoped.

Shan Bo immediately seized the moment, shouting, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and seize the young master, awaiting the Grand Elder's judgment!"

"Go fetch Jin Chen as well, let him see how the young master has been taught! We must certainly punish his crime!"

As the Punishment Hall disciple of the Sword Forge raised his torches and approached, a sudden night wind wrapped in frost swept in; a bamboo leaf shot through the air, striking the Sword Forging Pavilion's Main Gate with a clear, resonant tone, scattering pale gold powder across the sky and instantly extinguishing all the torches.

Ji Yuan Shan was struck heavily, crashing down heavily, shocked as he spat out a mouthful of blood and looked toward the newcomer.

；Ji Lai zhi, it's not up to outsiders to act. ；

Moon-white sleeves swept past the commander's flying eaves, descending as silently as snow falling on a cold mountain.

Jin Chen stood on the steps, his azure jade hairpin half-binding his ink-splashed long hair, which fluttered in the night wind, revealing the indifference between his brows and eyes.

Ji Lai zhi stared blankly at the back blocking his front; the irritation in his heart turned into grievance as he lunged straight at Jin Chen, clutching him tightly and refusing to let go.

"You dare to raise a hand! It's all your fault for turning my son into this!"

Ji Yuan Shan never forgot to continue tripping him up; tonight he must achieve his goal at all costs.

But he didn't see that, behind him, the Grand Elder of the Martial Arts Alliance and Du Gu Wen had suddenly gone stiff and stunned.

Jin Chen gently patted the young man's back in his arms, looked toward the Martial Arts Alliance members, and couldn't help letting out a soft sigh.

Had Ji Yuan Shan not suddenly made a move, he wouldn't have intended to appear tonight.

The Grand Elder stiffly asked Ji Yuan Shan, "You… you said Ji Lai zhi's instructor is… is him?"

Ji Yuan Shan finally realized something was off, responding with doubtful uncertainty, "Grand Elder, what do you mean?"

How could he be even more afraid of Jin Chen than I am!