Chapter 2070: How to Tame the Rebellious Boy 19

"Ji Yuan Shan, tonight you invited me to the Sword Forging Pavilion—could it be that you deliberately set this trap?!"

"As the Grand Elder lowered his voice to speak, the copper bell at the eaves of the Sword Forging Pavilion was jangled by the night wind, and the entrance fell silent instantly."

"What on earth did he just say?!"

"Jin Chen is Ji Lai Zhi's instructor—how could he possibly be lax in discipline and even goad him into doing bad things?"

"Now, no matter how many plausible excuses are laid before him, the Grand Elder won't be easily fooled."

"He shuffled forward, trembling, and straightened his back, clasping his hands in a salute."

'"Jin... Mr. Jin." The Grand Elder received a warning glance and hastily changed his address.'

"Jin Chen lowered his gaze at him, lightly stroking the youth's palm in his arms, pausing, then caressing down to tighten his hold around the waist."

'"Elder Jiu He, long time no see."'

'"…Yes, yes, it's been a long time." Jiu He wiped cold sweat, truly bewildered as to how this person could appear at the Azure Cloud Sword Manor and become the instructor of the spoiled Ji Lai Zhi!'

"Jin Chen responded, then asked: 'What did you intend to do with my disciple just now?'"

"Jiu He: '……'"

"Perhaps it's his age, his head swimming, but Jiu He even hallucinated: 'You were just thinking of choosing what kind of death for yourself.'"

"Jiu He burned with rage, wishing he could immediately beat Ji Yuan Shan, who had plotted to harm his own son."

'"A single \'Mister\' almost caused Du Gu Wen to lose his cultivation, but if he couldn't reveal his identity, he truly didn't know what to call him."'

"Du Gu Wen stepped forward and clasped his fists: '…Sir… please see clearly, it is obvious that Ji Yuan Shan joined forces with the bandits to deceive us, using the Martial Arts Alliance's token as a pawn.'"

"You can't just call a master who's been refused tea after not being offered any."

"Jin Chen's attitude toward him was somewhat better: 'Handle this matter yourself; Lai Zhi was frightened, I'll take him back to rest.'"

'"Come find me at the Cloud Watching Pavilion tomorrow at si hour, three ke."'

"Du Gu Wen couldn't help but glance again at the youth in his arms, and replied: 'Yes.'"

"Ji Lai Zhi was lifted up, obediently finding a compliant posture in Jin Chen's embrace, leaning his head on the shoulder, unusually quiet."

"Jin Chen lowered his gaze at him, and his steps toward the Cloud Watching Pavilion quickened."

"Meanwhile, even if Ji Yuan Shan's mind was sluggish tonight, he finally came to his senses."

"He hurriedly dismissed the disciples and swordsmen, barely able to stand, and seeing Jin Chen leave, he dared not stop him, let alone attend to his unfinished plan."

'"Grand Elder, Grand Elder! Please tell me, who exactly is Jin Chen?"'

'"Hmph, he… is naturally a distinguished guest of our Martial Arts Alliance, the alliance leader's honored seat!" Elder Jiu He flicked his sleeve, gritted his teeth and snapped: "Even if our alliance leader stands before Mister, he must show extra courtesy—what are you, daring to scheme and slander his disciple?"'

"It scared the old man to death!"

'"……" Ji Yuan Shan couldn't find a reply.'

"The Martial Arts Alliance leader's honored seat!"

"Ji Yuan Shan's face turned completely white."

"Ji Si Yao was even more shocked, as if his throat were being choked, unable to believe that Ji Lai Zhi had found a backer he couldn't afford to offend."

'"Good heavens…" Xue Duan Ming tugged at his hair, doubting life. "I actually used the Innocence Sect to threaten Mister earlier—would he think I'm sick?"'

"No matter how shocked these people are, tonight's events cannot just be left as they are."

"Du Gu Wen said coldly: 'Ji Manor Lord, please move to the Deliberation Hall and tell us what you originally intended tonight.'"

"Ji Yuan Shan: '……'"

——

"Cloud Watching Pavilion."

'"What's wrong, are you unhappy just because you didn't win? Or do you feel wronged by false accusations?"'

"Jin Chen held in his arms a Ji Lai Zhi who refused to let go or get down, sat steadily in the courtyard, and lifted a hand to smooth his back."

"Ji Lai Zhi's throat felt somewhat tight, his gaze toward Jin Chen sticky and fervent, above all an uncontrollable dependence."

"Thinking the youth had not yet emerged from his turbulent emotions, Jin Chen did not urge him, soothing him gently over and over."

"Suddenly, Ji Lai Zhi lowered his head to look at Jin Chen's arms encircling him, and whispered softly: 'Actually, I know.'"

'"Huh?" Jin Chen lowered his eyes to look at him, voice gentle: "Know what?"'

'"You're not from the Cold Moon Lodge." Ji Lai Zhi felt his mind in a tangle; though he hadn't prepared to lay everything bare with Jin Chen, tonight's events made everything unpredictable.'

"Ji Lai Zhi saw the wine jug on the stone table, leaned forward to pour himself a cup and drink; usually he'd drink to numb his irritability, but today it was for courage."

"He had never realized he could be so timid."

"Jin Chen didn't stop him, merely pushing the wine jug farther away after he'd poured a cup—the meaning went without saying."

"You may drink, but not to excess."

"His discipline may be strict, but he indulges Ji Lai Zhi in many matters."

"Just as now, upon hearing Ji Lai Zhi's explanation, Jin Chen deeply understood what the youth worried about, yet still guided him to seek and confide on his own."

"Ji Lai Zhi kept his eyes on Jin Chen, pursed his lips, and added: 'I was framed by Ji Yuan Shan this evening; I didn't give the bandits directions.'"

"Jin Chen stroked the smooth skin at the back of his neck: 'I know.'"

'"You're not from the Cold Moon Lodge; I noticed that earlier, but…" Ji Lai Zhi wrinkled his nose, like a puppy afraid of being abandoned.'

'"But I didn't dare say it, for fear you'd be exposed and leave."'

"Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, his fingertips pausing: 'Do you take me for a martial-world swindler?'"

"Ji Lai Zhi blinked, adding: 'A very capable martial-world swindler.'"

"Jin Chen: '……'"

"What a half‑hearted prefix."

"He finally couldn't hold back, tapping Ji Lai Zhi's forehead with a finger: 'Usually you read less of those storybooks, hiding all the weird things you've thought from me.'"

"It didn't hurt at all."

Ji Lai Zhi covered his forehead, then instead cracked a smile, saying, "But you're not a liar, you're a very impressive big shot."

"You must remember my request, to bring me along when you go—I'm not at all hard to keep." Ji Lai Zhi self-evaluated, "Just feed me, that's all, right?"

Jin Chen let out an ambiguous hum from his nose, lazily, looking extremely bewitching in the moonlight.

Ji Lai Zhi: "……"

Ji Lai Zhi glared at him, "Are you laughing at me?"

Jin Chen: "Yes."

Ji Lai Zhi, emboldened by alcohol, rubbed his forehead against Jin Chen's cheek, muttering like a spoiled puppy, "You can't make fun of me."

"Besides, what exactly is your identity? Even the Wu Lin Alliance wouldn't dare to deal with you."

Basically, martial youths usually feel an inexpressible admiration for the strong, and even more so for the strong who do not fear authority.

What's more, in Ji Lai Zhi's heart, Jin Chen himself is already the most formidable person in the entire martial world; aside from curiosity about his identity, he mostly wants to understand Jin Chen as a person.

Jin Chen rested his chin on Ji Lai Zhi's head, whispering, "Preface page of the character biographies in the Jianghu Name Register."

Ji Lai Zhi leaned against Jin Chen's chest, hearing this he seriously recalled his lessons, then suddenly startled, he shot out of Jin Chen's arms, almost stumbling a few steps on the ground.

"You are a Grand Master!"

"Grand Master of the Formless Office!"

Ji Lai Zhi's face was full of disbelief and fear; seeing Jin Chen nod calmly, he then took a deep breath.

"Mother," Ji Lai Zhi thought, "are you blessing me too much from heaven? Could the eighteen years of hardship just been to make me a disciple of a Grand Master in one fell swoop?"