Xue Sheng’s tactics weren’t particularly clever, but they were quite vicious. Ming Yi had encountered such methods before, resulting in her being separated from her teammates during a major event and facing various attacks alone.
That year, although she emerged victorious, she nearly lost her life and spent half a year recovering from her injuries.
She was still willing to talk, unlike Ji Bozai, who couldn’t be bothered to waste half a word on you. If there were any misunderstandings, the situation would only worsen.
Previously, if she had said these things, the others would have merely listened without taking them to heart, considering her just a woman. However, now, Luo Jiaoyang and the others carefully pondered every word she said, finding it reasonable and feeling sorry for Ming Xian.
“I thought you’d be adored by the masses in Chaoyang City. I didn’t expect it to be worse than Lord Ji’s situation in Muxing City,” Duke Yao sighed. “Is this how the world treats meritorious Fighters?”
“The situation in Chaoyang City is complex; it’s not a matter of right or wrong,” Qin Shangwu waved his hand. “But our Muxing City is good. As long as you can win, high positions and generous rewards won’t be lacking.”
Ming Yi asked with a smile, “Including me?”
Qin Shangwu was taken aback. He wanted to nod immediately but hesitated.
Not everyone could accept her identity so easily. Besides being a woman, she was also Ming Xian. Even if other cities envied her abilities, they would certainly be wary of her and wouldn’t use her too much.
However, Ji Bozai answered for him directly: “Including you.”
Ming Yi glanced at Instructor Qin’s slightly awkward expression, then at Ji Bozai’s matter-of-fact face, and couldn’t help but laugh, “I was just joking.”
Even if Muxing City offered her an official position, she couldn’t take it.
“I wasn’t joking,” he said seriously, his eyes fixed on the rolling clouds outside the window. “As long as you stay by my side and help me win the competition, I’ll give you whatever you want.”
These words were spoken lightly, but they carried significant weight. Ming Yi was stunned for a moment, and Luo Jiaoyang across from her slapped his thigh, “I knew you still had feelings for her! Otherwise, you wouldn’t have made me do extra training over that small room issue last time… Ah, you should have said so earlier.”
She came to her senses and chuckled, shaking her head, “You misunderstand. How could Lord Ji, such a romantic figure with thousands of beauties in the world, possibly…”
“I would,” he softly completed her sentence.
Her fingers trembled, and Ming Yi turned to look at him in surprise.
Ji Bozai sighed lightly, his dark eyes meeting hers with a hint of apology, “I’ve been wanting to tell you, I regret it.”
He regretted driving her away, treating her lightly, and seeing her as a plaything and a pawn, thus missing the chance when she was most likely to fall in love with him.
Ming Yi was silent for a moment, then casually shifted her gaze away, “There’s nothing to regret. Your Lordship has a bright future ahead; there’s no need to hang yourself on one tree.”
Was this… a rejection?
Luo Jiaoyang’s mouth fell open.
It was the first time he had seen a woman reject Ji Bozai, and so decisively too, without a trace of lingering affection in her eyes.
How ruthless, how absolute, how graceful.
Ji Bozai didn’t seem angry, as if he had anticipated this reaction. He simply said, “There’s still a long way to go.”
She didn’t take his words to heart at all. After all, having been by his side for nearly half a year, she had witnessed many of his deceptive tactics and could distinguish between sincerity and manipulation.
The carriage wheels broke through the clouds, approaching Cangxue City.
Although it wasn’t yet September, Cangxue was already blanketed in heavy snow. Having come on short notice, they had left their warm clothes in Chaoyang City and were now so cold that their lips were turning purple.
Luo Jiaoyang and the others were fine, able to huddle together for warmth. But Ji Bozai, by nature, disliked physical contact. Even with Qin Shangwu, he refused to get close, sitting alone in an open space, using his Yuan Power for protection.
However, Yuan Power was like thick glass; while it could block attacks, it couldn’t insulate against the cold. Eventually, frost formed on his eyelashes, and he sat there motionless, not making a sound.
Ming Yi hesitated repeatedly but finally couldn’t bear it anymore. She moved closer and hugged one of his arms.
However, as soon as she moved, he hunched over and embraced her entirely.
“So cold,” he murmured pitifully.
The cold transferred from his body to hers, causing Ming Yi to shiver. Too lazy to argue with him, she allowed him to hold her.
The corners of his mouth curved slightly upward as he held her tighter, looking towards the snow-covered dock ahead.
Although Cangxue City was one of the lower three cities, due to its remote location and abundant resources, there was a constant stream of cargo vehicles at the dock. When they arrived, a pile of vehicles was stuck there, frustrated by the snow-blocked dock.
Ji Bozai raised his hand from afar, disguising his Yuan Power as green, and swept the snow clean from the dock in one go.
Cheers erupted around them as people began to disembark in droves. Some generous merchants even unpacked a crate of strong liquor after landing, pouring half a bowl for each person disembarking behind them.
“The people here are quite warm-hearted,” Luo Jiaoyang said, having regained his ability to speak after drinking half a bowl of liquor to warm up. “Not at all like the weather here.”
Ming Yi also drank the liquor, feeling warmth spread through her body. She tried to push away the man holding her, but Ji Bozai didn’t drink, only frowning, “Cold.”
“If you’re cold, why don’t you drink?” Ming Yi glared at him.
He frowned at the bowl of liquor and pouted, “I don’t like drinking.”
This statement wasn’t just shameless; it was inhuman. If he didn’t like drinking, who knew who had been buying all that expensive liquor at Huamanlou?
Ming Yi rolled her eyes, shoved him off, and went to a nearby cotton clothing shop to buy clothes.
Fortunately, she had a habit of always carrying money, so even though they had fled in a hurry, she still had gold on her. Influenced by her, Ji Bozai also carried a few pieces of gold.
Luo Jiaoyang and the others were dumbfounded, “You, esteemed Fighters, why do you carry such worldly possessions?”
Ming Yi, wrapped in a thick cotton jacket, sniffled and held up a small piece of gold, asking him, “Worldly possessions, want some?”
The shop, located at the dock, catered to foreigners like them, so the prices were not cheap. A thick cotton coat, neither particularly stylish nor of the finest quality, cost half a tael of gold.
Luo Jiaoyang wanted to lecture them about how Fighters shouldn’t bow to gold, but before he could open his mouth, his nose started running. He could only quickly accept the gold from Ming Yi with trembling hands.
After they had all changed into thick clothes, Qin Shangwu began to worry.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to go directly to someone’s inner courtyard, as they hadn’t announced their arrival and might be seen as having ulterior motives. But if they didn’t go to the inner courtyard, they would have to stay at an inn. They didn’t have much gold left, and prices in Cangxue City were high. He wasn’t sure how long they could afford to stay.
As he was pondering this, he turned his head to see his good disciple and Ming Yi standing outside a courtyard, examining its walls.
“It’s a bit low, but it’ll do if we set up some divine artifacts.”
“Isn’t twenty taels of gold a bit expensive?”
“The inns here charge one tael of gold for three nights, and that’s only for two people.”
“Good point. Let’s buy it then.” Ji Bozai took out the gold he had on him and handed it to Ming Yi.