Yan Xiao was puzzled. He didn’t understand why Xu Tianji had brushed off the physician’s hand when his shoulder was still bleeding. Moreover, Liang Xiuyuan became close to Ji Bozai because of Shu Zhonglin’s connection. How dare he speak to him like that?
The challenge letter was still floating in the air when Liang Xiuyuan left with Xu Tianji without looking back. As they exited, Liang threw down a wine cup, shattering it and scattering fragments everywhere, clearly showing his anger.
Ming Yi released Ji Bozai’s arm and bowed to him, “I apologize for the offense, Your Excellency. Please forgive me.”
She then returned to her table, where the dishes had been served, and invited Xiu Yun to eat with her.
Xiu Yun looked at her, then at Ji Bozai, whose expression had suddenly darkened. Feeling sympathetic, she asked, “Would Your Excellency like to join us?”
Ji Bozai’s eyes brightened slightly. He walked over and sat down at their table, politely nodding to Xiu Yun, “Thank you. I hadn’t quite finished eating earlier.”
Seeing that Yan Xiao and Shu Zhonglin also wanted to come over, he quickly pointed to a nearby table, “Waiter, please serve a new table for these gentlemen. Put it on my account.”
“Certainly!” the waiter replied.
The area was cleaned up, but more and more gazes were directed at Ming Yi. She ignored them and finally picked up a piece of roast duck, putting it in her mouth.
“Hmm, not bad. This trip wasn’t wasted after all,” she thought.
Ji Bozai didn’t know what else to say, so he just ate roast duck with her. Seeing that these two had good appetites, Xiu Yun also quickened her pace.
As a result, their table finished eating faster than Yan Xiao’s group next door. In no time, Ming Yi wiped her mouth and stood up with Xiu Yun, “Thank you for the meal. We’ll be taking our leave now.”
Ji Bozai, still seated, stiffly responded with an “Mm.”
Yan Xiao quickly tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “Didn’t you want to bring her back? Say something!”
The hem of the cyan dress had already swept past the threshold. Ji Bozai let out a sigh, “I don’t know what’s wrong. I have a thousand sweet words to say to other ladies, but with her, I feel like those words are useless, so I’d rather not say anything.”
“She doesn’t want to come back with me. No matter what I say, she won’t listen. Well, she’s just one girl. It’s not like I can’t live without her.”
He stood up, withdrawing his gaze, “It’s getting late. I need to go to the Yuan Shi Academy first.”
Apart from Ming Yi, he had many other things to do. He didn’t have time to waste on her. If she didn’t want to come back, so be it. It was just as well, as he needed to get busy now.
The Yuan Shi Academy had already started preparing for next year’s Six Cities Competition. Mu Xing City’s strength was impressive this year. At least for now, they could secure the top three positions in several competitions. However, due to their decline over the past seven years, they hadn’t cultivated any good artificers. In the Divine Artifact Hall competition, they probably wouldn’t win a single match.
For this reason, he had to find ways to make up for those lost advantages elsewhere.
Qin Shangwu soon noticed that his disciple had been acting strange lately.
Although he was studying more diligently and making faster progress with the Heaven and Earth Crystal, he seemed very gloomy.
He didn’t always have a long face. When he smiled, he was captivating, causing a group of Iris ladies in the Yuan Shi Academy to blush. He would greet them warmly coming and going, and occasionally even kindly give Luo Jiaoyang some advice. But even when the sunlight fell on him, it only touched his body, unable to reach his eyes.
Qin Shangwu called him over and asked considerately, “Is something troubling you?”
Ji Bozai replied, “Mu Xing City is still among the bottom three cities. That is what troubles this disciple.”
He wasn’t wrong. As one of the bottom three cities, even if the Grand Minister was insulted by envoys from other cities, they couldn’t seek much justice. At most, they might receive two fewer treasures. When the Ji mansion was burned down, Dan Er from Chaoyang City only came to apologize, claiming it was a mistake.
What kind of mistake could burn down someone’s house? The Grand Minister was so angry that he sent him back to Chaoyang City, leaving only She Tianlin to continue tallying the tributes.
Despite this, everyone in Mu Xing City still felt frustrated. They wanted to become stronger, to become one of the top three cities, but the lack of artificers in the city was a big problem.
The Six Cities Competition not only tested individual abilities but also team cooperation. Otherwise, Chaoyang City, having lost Ming Xian, wouldn’t still be able to claim second place. But this was a problem for Mu Xing City—apart from Ji Bozai, they were quite lacking in other aspects.
However, Qin Shangwu still felt confused, “Is this all that’s troubling you? Nothing else? I heard that the Golden Hairpin Warrior in your household and you…”
“This disciple has already reported to the Grand Minister, granting her freedom,” Ji Bozai interrupted.
“Ah…” Qin Shangwu tactfully didn’t ask further. He just patted Ji Bozai’s shoulder, “Study well. How high you can reach is how high Mu Xing can reach.”
“Yes, Master.”
The two walked together towards the warrior arena. Halfway there, someone came rushing to report, “Master Qin, there’s someone outside claiming to be an artificer, seeking entry to the Yuan Shi Academy!”
Qin Shangwu was startled and immediately waved his hand, “Lead the way!”
They were in desperate need of an artificer. Could it be that even the heavens were helping Mu Xing? Was Mu Xing destined to claim the top spot next year?
Ji Bozai also followed out of curiosity.
They walked quickly, and as soon as they stepped out of the main gate of the Yuan Shi Academy, they saw a carefree-looking young master standing outside, holding something indistinct in his hand.
“I’ve disturbed Master Qin. How embarrassing,” he said. But despite his words, his attitude wasn’t lowered at all. He raised his chin and said, “I am Sun Liao, the eldest son of the Sun family from the south of the city. I’ve just made a divine artifact and would like to show it to everyone for their opinion.”
As he spoke, his wrist flicked, and the object in his hand suddenly opened. It was pure white, resembling a paper umbrella, but the ribs were hollow, concealing hidden weapons inside. With just a bit of the lowest-grade Yuan Power, it could inflict damage equivalent to a top-grade warrior.
“It’s called ‘Now That I’ve Come.’ It contains ten types of hidden weapons with five ways to use them. Even if it’s not you, Master Qin, but just some useless person on the street who only knows a bit of Yuan Power, they could escape from Ji Bozai’s hands with this,” Sun Liao demonstrated casually, satisfied to see the crowd’s gaze change from shock to admiration.
“Did you forge this?” Ji Bozai asked.
Sun Liao was a bit annoyed, “If I didn’t forge it, did you?”
“How dare you speak to Lord Ji like that,” someone nearby scolded him.
He was unperturbed, “Lord Ji is formidable, but I am one of the few artificers in Mu Xing City. You might find another powerful Yuan Power user if you miss him, but if you miss me, Mu Xing will have to give up on the Divine Artifact Hall competition for several more years.”
The artifact was indeed excellent, but the person seemed quite disagreeable.
Ji Bozai didn’t speak again, but Qin Shangwu’s eyes were shining. He quickly welcomed Sun Liao inside, “Can you forge other things as well?”
“Of course. Just give me a set of Sky Blue Misty Rain Robes, and I can forge a unique divine artifact for each warrior in the Yuan Shi Academy.”
Qin Shangwu was very excited, “First, forge one for Fan Yao. If it’s suitable, I’ll immediately admit you to the Yuan Shi Academy.”
Sun Liao snorted, raising his chin, “Just wait. I’ll go back and forge it now. I can bring it in a couple of days.”
“The Yuan Shi Academy has ready materials and forging platforms,” Ji Bozai said calmly. “It’s very convenient to forge here.”
“What do you know!” Sun Liao angrily retorted. “Every artificer has their favorite place. I prefer my forging platform.”