Chapter 2081

Ji Siyao used many high-grade medicinal herbs to sustain himself, otherwise he would truly be unable to cultivate again.

He lay on the bed, hatred nearly flooding the room, eager for his two masters to return and explain how they had thoroughly disciplined Ji Lai zhi, leaving him utterly battered.

Xue Duanming stood by the bedside; seeing Ji Siyao's Distorted expression, he fell into deeper Silence.

"Siyao, I've heard that Mr. Jin's identity is indeed not simple; now is the critical juncture of the Martial Arts Assembly, why..."

"Are you blaming me?" Ji Siyao couldn't help but interrupt him, his usual gentleness turning sharp: "My master is Liuyun Zhuyue; even if Jin Chen is incredibly powerful, he couldn't possibly protect Ji Lai zhi."

"Didn't I tell you, Ji Lai zhi always bullies me?"

Xue Duanming: "……"

Apart from the few days he had just moved into Sword Manor, from then until now he truly hadn't felt anything.

But Qingyun Sword Manor and Wu Wang Sect are now on good terms; he figured it's better to avoid trouble.

Not long after, Liuyun Zhuyue finally returned, but he no longer showed the former affection for Ji Siyao, this obedient and clever disciple.

"Ji Siyao." Zhu Yue's tone cold and deep, "As your master, I ask you: do you truly not know Ji Lai zhi's master's identity, or did you know all along and deliberately use us to oppose each other?"

Ji Siyao's expression changed drastically, tears welling in his eyes: "Master Zhu Yue, how could I be using you? I... I really don't know."

"Fine, I'll tell you: his master is the Grand Master of the Wu Xiang Sect, that heaven-defying undying old monster!"

Zhu Yue slammed his hand hard on the table.

A deathly silence fell over the room for a moment.

Xue Duanming jumped up in shock, recalling everything that had happened at Guan Yun Courtyard before, then his legs went weak and he sat back down.

"It's over……"

Ji Siyao shook his head, refusing to believe it, his sickly face turning deathly pale.

"No... no, how could that be possible? Jin Chen came to our door wanting to be Ji Lai zhi's instructor; if he were a Grand Master, how would he do this..."

Liuyun placed the challenge letter beside the bed, his deep tone helpless and disappointed: "I took you as my disciple hoping to pass on our secret art, but I never expected you'd provoke that biased old monster."

"Ji Lai zhi's challenge letter to you—go to the appointment in five days."

"No... no, how could I possibly win?" Ji Siyao felt fear and despair welling up, not even able to feel resentment, he struggled to crawl up from the bed: "Master, save me! I don't want to die, and I certainly can't die at Ji Lai zhi's hands!"

"Duanming! Help me think of a solution—Wu Wang Sect... your father, surely there must be a way, right?"

Xue Duanming steeled himself and pulled his hand back: "... Siyao, that's a Grand Master."

That sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured over him from head to toe; the pain of having his bones broken by Jin Chen at Sword Manor turned completely into despair, even his breath trembling.

As the saying goes, when the roof leaks, it rains all night.

Before he could even recover, Ji Siyao's personal attendant rushed in, his face panicked.

"Not good, young master!"

The attendant cried out in fear: "The Wu Xiang Sect is launching a full investigation of Sword Manor, saying... they're accusing us of poisoning and plotting to kill the Grand Master's personally transmitted disciple, and of the past murder of the Wuying Immortal Shen Liuyue; the manor lord and elders have been taken away by a group calling themselves the Cleaners!"

Clang!

Ji Siyao shuddered in shock, accidentally bumped into the wall corner, pain draining his face of color: "The Cleaners?"

Liuyun couldn't help but look at Ji Siyao, inquiring: "The Cleaners are the Wu Xiang Sect's organization that specially investigates offending gangs; you said Ji Lai zhi is arrogant and undisciplined, so how did the poisoning happen?"

Ji Siyao could no longer hear any doubts; the fact that everything had been exposed and that he had provoked the Wu Xiang Sect shocked him to the core, he closed his eyes and fainted.

——

The Martial Arts Assembly began, and the various sects vied for supremacy.

The Hundred-Faced Beast Pattern Drum burst into the sky, various banners riding the gale swept across the arena, but the Flowing Fire Falling Star's movement shattered dust, cheers shaking the mountain-valley clouds back three inches, the roar of voices boiling over the whole of Cangzhou City.

The most talked-about matter was none other than the Lord of the Wu Xiang Sect, the mysterious Grand Master whispered about in the jianghu, who actually announced he had taken on a disciple!

Still, it was the infamous little tyrant of Qingyun City, Ji Lai zhi!

The various sects sighed and were full of curiosity; before they could even go congratulate Master Ji Yuan Mountain Manor, they heard rumors that Qingyun Sword Manor was under investigation by the Wu Xiang Sect, and even that it was connected to the cause of death of the Wuying Immortal from years ago!

This gossip is too much, the information overload is huge; amidst the competition, everyone in Cangzhou City was discussing this matter, hoping to get even more news.

And Ji Lai zhi, in one dazzling performance after another, won absolute crushing victories over his peers, causing all the gangs to look at him anew.

When someone stands out exceptionally, those hidden eyes will naturally appear as well.

Jin Chen sat in the spectator stand, his gaze sweeping unnoticed over several people closely watching Ji Lai zhi, most of whom turned out to be spies of the Wu Xiang Sect.

All of them were people he had saved from death, later becoming the managers of branch gangs.

It seems they've all grown wild-hearted, unable to tell whether they're dogs or masters.

That afternoon.

Ji Lai zhi had just finished another named match on the stage when he bumped into several men eagerly walking toward him.

Ji Lai zhi had met them before; the leader was a subordinate who had previously discussed matters with Jin Chen, supposedly...

Lord of the Feng Nang Hall.

"Indeed, it's your subordinate, I have met the Young Sect Master." Feng Gui clasped his fist toward Ji Lai zhi; his stern face softened with a smile like that toward a junior, "Young Sect Master, please follow me, your subordinate will see you off politely."

Ji Lai zhi glanced at him warily, thought for a moment, then walked shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Feng Gui for a few steps, stopping in a small pavilion in the corridor, where there was hardly anyone around.

It got even stranger.

Ji Lai zhi couldn't help but summon twelve‑fold spirit.

"I had heard of the Young Sect Master long ago, but I've been busy with some affairs; only today did I find the time."

Feng Gui was most adept at dealing with youths who had just left their thatched huts; he immediately had his subordinates produce something.

"In the future, before the Venerable, I will still need to rely on you; this modest gift is merely a token of respect."

Ji Lai zhi: "……"

Turns out it was just a bribe.

I even thought you were going to murder me.

Ji Lai zhi lifted the cover cloth; at a glance he could tell the items inside were valuable goods, and picking any one at random could serve as a treasure to safeguard a small gang's headquarters.

His eyes shifted, he lifted his gaze to look at Feng Gui, as if stirred by this "meager profit".

"What does the Hall Master want?"

"Sure enough, straightforward! Feng Gui secretly rejoiced, yet couldn't help but feel contempt."

"There's no demand, I just hope the Young Sect Master won't tell the Venerable about this; the Venerable has a cold disposition and is inevitably strict with disciples, so please just keep and use it."

"Someday, Feng Mou will surely have a chance to ask for your help."

"Fine." Ji Lai zhi accepted it without hesitation.

That night, inside the side room.

"That's how it is."

Ji Lai zhi pushed that pile of treasures in front of Jin Chen, sat in his arms and tattled, explaining every detail: "This is already bribing me, and you won't let me tell you—this person surely has ill intentions."

Jin Chen wrapped an arm around his waist, his other hand picked up a few items to examine: "Not anything good."

"For Feng Gui, bribing a naive youth who's never seen the world is enough."

Ji Lai zhi nodded quickly: "That makes it even more hateful."

"This Feng Gui, could he also be an insider traitor, trying to bribe me to betray you?"

Jin Chen: "Our Lai zhi is keen-minded; a hint and he sees through."

Ji Lai zhi looked up and smiled, his eyes full of hopeful praise: "Didn't I just help you a lot? I trust no one else, only you."

Jin Chen lightly laughed as he placed a soft kiss on his lips: "Good child."

He absolutely loved hearing Jin Chen praise him like that.

Ji Lai zhi felt delighted in his heart, hooked his arms around Jin Chen's neck and clung to him, coquettishly saying: "I'm exhausted from today's fight on the stage; you have to sleep with me."

Gradually, the initiative of the kiss shifted.

Jin Chen responded, his palm resting on the youth's lower back, rubbing up to the shoulders and neck; the birthmark beneath the collar still bore a faint kiss mark.

Ji Lai zhi clutched the fabric behind Jin Chen's back, unsure whether he was relying or begging, unconsciously opening his mouth to meet him, only to be mistreated even worse, sucked deep inside, making him shudder uncontrollably.

Even the fatigue and weariness of the whole day vanished completely in this soothing kiss.