Ji Bozai: “…”
Although such a reaction was appropriate, why did it seem so fake when she did it?
Looking down at the cloth on his chest, Ji Bozai asked in a hoarse voice, “Why are you here?”
Ming Yi sat back down and wiped the blood from his face with the cloth, saying seriously, “The master is injured. Where else should this servant be?”
After all, she had been given so many gold bars.
Ji Bozai couldn’t avoid her wiping and his face scrunched up. “I didn’t hurt you?”
“Even in your sleep, master cared for this servant. I’m deeply moved.”
He paused slightly, then lowered his eyes and looked away. “How could I tell who was who in my sleep? It was just basic kindness.”
Ming Yi raised an eyebrow, thinking this man must have been confused by the pain to believe her words. He was even trying to explain it away.
But since he said so, she didn’t explain further. Taking advantage of his consciousness, she quickly wiped the blood from his body, changed him into sleeping clothes, and helped him lie down on the soft couch on the other side.
Though still weak, Ji Bozai didn’t forget to tell her, “Situ Ling letting you enter the Green Tile Courtyard was an attempt on your life.”
Ming Yi thought for a moment and shook her head. “What use would this servant’s life be to him? He just wanted to use me to uncover your secrets, master.”
He grunted, somewhat indignant. “What secrets could I have? That courtyard is just for recuperating in private, and the tablet enshrined there is for my benefactor. I don’t know where he heard about any vanity box there.”
The tablet of his benefactor? Lady Meng?
Ming Yi pondered. It made sense that he would hide it to avoid discovery, as its revelation could bring great calamity and implicate the entire clan. With such importance, it was understandable that Ji Bozai had set up Yuan Power formations outside.
But the question remained: how did Situ Ling know about it when Ji Bozai had hidden it so well?
Ji Bozai glanced at her. “Don’t treat everyone as good people. In this main city, many want your master’s life. Some people are friendly to you only because I’m behind you.”
Recalling the Phoenix Tail Flower girls she met on the street, Ming Yi was still somewhat indignant. “Not necessarily. It’s precisely because this servant has you behind her that many people are jealous. That day, if Young Master Situ hadn’t helped, this servant might have gotten into a fight on the street.”
He was talking about one thing, and she insisted on bringing up another.
Ji Bozai was exasperated. This person was usually quite perceptive, able to go along with what he liked or disliked, but when it came to Situ Ling, she seemed to become foolish, unable to understand no matter what he said.
He was telling her that Situ Ling was a bad person, and not to trust or get close to him. She should have just said “yes” and that would have been fine. But no, she had to argue.
“Master? What’s wrong, master?” Seeing something was amiss, Ming Yi quickly tried to help him calm down. “Weren’t you feeling better just now?”
“I’d feel better faster if you left,” he said through gritted teeth.
Without a second thought, Ming Yi sat down on the soft couch. “That won’t do. You’ll be afraid if there’s no one in the room. This servant will stay here to keep you company.”
Who would be afraid? Huh? He wasn’t a three-year-old child afraid to sleep alone.
Ji Bozai glared at her fiercely but didn’t have the energy to argue further. Breathing heavily, he fell back on the pillow to continue resting.
For some reason, with her guarding by his side, he truly didn’t have any more nightmares. His dreams were peaceful, even with some floral fragrances.
Just a mere girl, so weak she couldn’t even shield him from rain, yet somehow she made him feel at ease.
Thinking this, he fell into a very good sleep.
When he woke again, it was already noon the next day. Ming Yi was still sitting on his soft couch. Seeing him open his eyes, she immediately said, “Master, you’re finally awake. There’s trouble outside, master.”
Having regained some strength, he propped himself up and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”
“I heard that you killed a combatant during the selection meeting. That combatant had quite a reputation in this year’s selection, and although it was done according to the rules and isn’t considered a crime, they’re not satisfied. More than ten people are clamoring to spar with you, all gathered at the door shouting.”
Ji Bozai sneered, “Let them shout all they want. I won’t accept their challenges.”
Ming Yi cracked melon seeds, her phoenix eyes blinking at him curiously. “The selection trials usually allow for mercy. Why did you deliver a fatal blow, master? Did that person have a grudge against you?”
“No,” Ji Bozai said listlessly. “It was our first meeting.”
To deliver a fatal blow at the first meeting, this man’s hostility was too heavy. No wonder various factions both revered and guarded against him.
The one who died was Xue Sheng, a famous benevolent figure among the combatants of Muxing City. Known for his willingness to help others and his generosity, he had once been the most sought-after combatant. However, his strength was far inferior to Ji Bozai’s, so he faded into obscurity after Ji Bozai’s appearance. Ming Yi had thought he might be chosen as Ji Bozai’s companion but didn’t expect him to die so suddenly.
Outside, a Yuan Power arrow-like attack came flying in. Ming Yi sensed it, but Ji Bozai’s reaction was naturally quicker. With a wave of his arm, the dark dragon roared out, enveloping the entire Ji manor.
Such a powerful display of Yuan Power should have deterred those combatants. But no, not only were they not frightened away, they sensed Ji Bozai’s weakness and began to attack more recklessly.
Their attacks couldn’t break through the dark dragon’s defense, only causing both sides to consuming Yuan Power, but they seemed to believe in strength in numbers, like ants biting an elephant to death and refused to make any concessions.
“What are you doing?” Meng Yangqiu rushed over with people upon hearing the news and quickly stopped this group of combatants.
“Lord Meng, is it not allowed for us to seek a match with Lord Ji?” Luo Jiaoyang stepped forward, his face cold. “Lord Ji looks down on us commoners, so we’re just greeting him with Yuan Power in the combatant’s way. Is there a need for you to bring so many people?”
Meng Yangqiu was somewhat helpless. “I know you’re still upset about Xue Sheng’s death, but the life-and-death agreement was signed beforehand. Lord Ji didn’t deliberately torture his opponent; it was Xue Sheng who was too stubborn and unwilling to admit defeat, which led to this tragedy.”
“We can tell right from wrong ourselves, no need for your guidance, my lord.”
“That’s right, we were all there watching. We’re not saying we want to cause trouble for Ji Bozai, but is it so difficult to ask him to come out and spar?”
The clamor continued, their anger unabated.
After all, Xue Sheng was such a good person, always kind to others and willing to help everyone. They had all come from various villages and towns, and when they were unfamiliar with the main city, it was Xue Sheng who helped them. Such a kind person, yet Ji Bozai heartlessly killed him.
They were right there at the time, watching clearly. Xue Sheng’s Yuan Power was far inferior to Ji Bozai’s. He could have either forced him to surrender or restrained him to immobility, but instead, he struck Xue Sheng’s fatal point with one palm.
What kind of person would do such a thing, no matter how powerful their Yuan Power? His character was utterly despicable! If the Grand Judge was blind enough to choose him as the leader for the Six Cities Conference, they wouldn’t follow. Worst case, they’d compete on their own!