“Boom—”
The guesthouse door shattered into pieces, dust swirling as two wrist-thick iron chains shot out like arrows, tightly binding Ji Qingyan’s delicate hands just as they reached for her sword hilt.
Realizing the danger, the girl hurriedly focused her mind, channeling her full spiritual energy to break the chains.
But the moment she struggled, the chains tightened, nearly strangling her.
“I advise Heroine Ji to avoid futile resistance. These chains are forged from Southern Border Black Iron, exceptionally resilient.
Even ordinary Transformation Realm cultivators can’t break free, let alone you, weakened by Bone-Softening Powder,” Ji Yanqing said kindly, a trace of tenderness in his peach-blossom eyes—but only a trace.
“You bastard, Ji the Third! Shameless scoundrel, you’ll die a miserable death!” Ji Qingyan cursed as the chains quivered, their grip tightening until breathing became a struggle.
Two cultivators in brocade robes entered, standing protectively before Ji Yanqing. Their auras marked them as Qian Yuan Realm cultivators.
“Mmph… mmph!” Ji Qingyan muffled protests came through.
“Be gentle—don’t kill Miss Qingyan,” Ji Yanqing said, his sword-like brows furrowing, his tone now cold as frost.
Bound tightly, Ji Qingyan’s pale hands were tied behind her, accentuating her alluring curves.
This kind of… binding was indeed a bit too humiliating.
Ji Yanqing felt a twinge of embarrassment. After all, she had saved his life, and this was merely a last resort for self-preservation.
[Seeing the heroine’s defiant, unyielding demeanor, your heart leaps with joy. No need to play the gentleman now. With a spacious, comfortable bed right here, it’s a heaven-sent chance to thoroughly “examine her credentials”—surely full of fluff…]
Beast!
Ji Yanqing cursed inwardly, swiftly snatching Shadow Bearer from her hands. Drawing the sword, he admired its blade, running his fingertips along its edge.
“Truly a blade worthy of the Weapon Rankings—cuts iron like mud, severs hair with a breath. I’ll borrow it for a couple of days. Heroine won’t mind, will she?”
Negotiating with a stubborn sort like Heroine Ji required leverage. He wasn’t some upright gentleman, so he’d do what was most convenient.
“Mmph! Mmph!” Ji Qingyan thrashed, her bloodshot eyes glaring at Ji Yanqing as if she’d tear out his throat.
How could her master’s gifted sword be lent so casually—especially to a scoundrel who clearly had no intention of returning it?
“Don’t cripple her cultivation. Seal her acupoints and take her to the mansion,” Ji Yanqing ordered, tucking Shadow Bearer into his belt before turning to descend the stairs, his steps deliberate.
The guesthouse’s ground floor, serving as a dining hall, was packed with patrons. But upon seeing the Wei King’s Heir descend, they all knelt halfway in salute: “We failed you, Your Highness. Please forgive us!”
Since Ji Qingyan brought him to the guesthouse that morning, the entire place had been under the Wei King’s Mansion’s surveillance.
From the innkeeper to the servants to the guests, all were replaced by the mansion’s deathsworn within hours.
In Ye City, no corner was beyond the Wei King’s Mansion’s reach.
This terrifying control was the Heir’s handiwork.
Ji Yanqing strode through the crowd, crossing the threshold. Gazing at the familiar Ye City, he felt a surge of relief at surviving.
In the frostfall season, the autumn wind carried a chill. Two attendants hurried forward, draping a plain fox-fur cloak over him.
“A storm is coming, the winds fill the tower,” Ji Yanqing murmured.
As he spoke, the ground trembled without warning. Tables shook, tea patrons gaped as their cups quivered, glancing around nervously.
A black line appeared at the road’s end, dust rising as seventy-two heavily armored cavalry charged forth.
On tall steeds, clad in iron armor with sharp spears, their leader bore a black-purple royal banner emblazoned with a bold “Wei.”
These were the “Tiger-Leopard Ferocious Cavalry,” the elite of Wei King Ji Yang’s forces, who had crushed three kingdoms in the west and trampled the heavens.
“Good grief, the Tiger-Leopard Cavalry? Who’re they wiping out?”
“Dare to pry into the Wei King’s affairs? Want to die? One more question, and your family’s next!”
But when the murderous Tiger-Leopard Cavalry halted at the tea stall, the chattering patrons fell silent, barely daring to breathe.
Seeing the refined young noble standing in the autumn chill, the lead officer, a sixth-rank Zhao Wu Captain, dismounted and bowed respectfully: “Sun Liang greets Your Highness!”
Ji Yanqing nodded, mounting a fine steed with an air of arrogance, the epitome of a spoiled noble.
His mount, “Night-Illuminating Jade Lion,” was a rare, snow-white steed, pure as silver and jade, without a single stray hair, capable of covering a thousand miles in a day.
Sweeping his gaze over the surroundings, Ji Yanqing cleared his throat and shouted, “What’re you staring at? Never seen this Heir snatch a maiden?”
With a scornful snort, he flicked his whip, leading the grand entourage toward the Wei King’s Mansion with brazen swagger.
His actions perfectly matched the original story’s persona.
The Wei King’s Mansion, in southern Ye City, was imposing and vast, occupying nearly two streets with its towering halls and countless pavilions.
Outside ran a white stone road wide enough for three carriages abreast, flanked by lifelike stone lions guarding a triple gate.
A black plaque with gold lettering read “Imperially Built Wei King’s Mansion,” penned by the late Emperor.
The Wei King’s power and martial achievements were evident.
Ji Yang, serving as Minister of War and Auxiliary General in the capital, left Ji Yanqing alone in the mansion. But governing all of Ji Province required people—retainers, guards, servants, and their families—housing over a thousand.
With the Heir’s return, the beast-head main gate, rarely opened, swung wide. With Consort Xiao long deceased and Ji Yang never remarrying, the mansion’s affairs were managed by the steward and strategist, Mo Pang.
This Mo Pang was a formidable figure. Years ago, he fought alongside Ji Yang in the western campaigns, devising brilliant strategies.
Whether conquering Shu or swiftly crushing Western Liang, his contributions were immense.
By merit, Mo Pang could’ve been ennobled as a first-rank Xin Wu Marquis but declined, citing no wife or heirs to inherit. He chose to repay the Wei King’s kindness as a humble steward.
As the Night-Illuminating Jade Lion stopped at the gate, Mo Pang, flanked by servants and maids, greeted him.
“This old man knew the young lord was blessed and wouldn’t fall to mere nobodies,” Mo Pang said, bowing, his withered hands like dry twigs, eerie to behold.
“Mo Bo, you flatter me. Just nearly got chopped up and fed to dogs—nothing new,” Ji Yanqing said lightly, dismounting with a casual tone, as if discussing a trifle.
Mo Pang hurriedly bowed again. “This old man failed to protect you, Your Highness. Please forgive me!”
“Mo Bo, rise. It’s not your fault,” Ji Yanqing said, helping him up.
“Last night, the spirit jade tokens of your escorts shattered. The mansion knew something happened. We sent cavalry along the official road to search, but found nothing. Thank heavens you’re safe, or how could I face the Wei King?”
Mo Pang paused, then added, “Since news of your ambush, Lady Xie has been praying in the Buddhist hall for five or six hours. Shouldn’t you visit her?”
Ji Yanqing’s mouth twitched, guilt flickering. “Lady Xie can wait. The priority is finding out who leaked my travel route.”
“No need to trouble yourself, young lord. We have leads on the spy. But Lady Xie—you’ll have to handle her. If you don’t go soon, this old man’s ears will be nagged to ruin.”
Ji Yanqing: “…”
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