The Mu Xing City team rose from the Lower Three Cities, defeating the elites of the other five cities. Although it was only one round in the Divine Artifact Hall, this result drew the attention of the other five cities to the five individuals in this group.
Apart from Ji Bozai, whom they all acknowledged as formidable, Ming Yi’s identity aroused their curiosity. They even spent a fortune to gather information in Mu Xing City, but with little success.
“Since you’re already here, why not stay a few more days?” The City Lord of Feihua City invited them. “It’s almost August. While autumn withers flowers in other cities, mine still blooms in abundance. If you stay in the Xifeng Terrace of the inner courtyard, you can witness the marvelous sight of flowers lifting their heads every morning.”
“We’ve already stayed here for several days and seen all the marvelous sights,” someone interjected. “I say Instructor Qin should take the team to our Xincao City for a different experience.”
“What experience does Xincao City offer? For scenery, our Zhuyue City is the best.”
As the group bantered, competing subtly, Qin Shangwu looked on helplessly. “We need to return to Mu Xing City to report our mission.”
“Why rush back when you’ve finally gotten out?” The others glared at him. “What’s the hurry? Did your city produce some treasures you’re eager to hide away?”
Overwhelmed by their chatter, Qin Shangwu could only wave his hand. “I’ll ask them. They won the competition, so they should decide.”
The group had sustained injuries, and even with specialized physicians for fighters, they still had to endure some pain.
Ji Bozai’s wounds were minor, but when Qin Shangwu asked about returning to the city, he would languidly lean against the bed and say, “The wound hurts. I can’t bear the bumpy journey. Let’s wait two more days.”
Qin Shangwu clenched his fists in frustration. For a top-tier fighter, how could such minor injuries matter? He had the audacity to claim he couldn’t handle the journey. Look at Ming Yi—she hadn’t uttered a word despite her severe injuries.
However, Ming Yi was indeed in no condition to travel. Although she had already bought a house here with no intention of returning to Mu Xing City, Qin Shangwu still wanted to persuade her. If she didn’t return to Mu Xing City, the other cities would surely try to recruit her, and she wouldn’t have any peace.
But Qin Shangwu hadn’t figured out how to persuade her. Their city lacked both money and prestige. They only had the standout Ji Bozai, who had some old grudges with her.
As he worried, that evening, Ming Yi suddenly appeared at his door, pale-faced and clutching her wound. “Instructor.”
After several days of rest, she had regained some color, but now her face was ashen again. Startled, Qin Shangwu quickly invited her in and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”
Ming Yi hesitated for a moment before asking, “Chaoyang City should have some competition opportunities in August. Would the Instructor like to go and see?”
Her words implied she wanted them to go to Chaoyang City together.
Qin Shangwu was puzzled. “There are many competitions in various cities recently. Why specifically Chaoyang City?”
Given her identity, shouldn’t she avoid that city?
Ming Yi pressed her lips together, and after a while, placed a letter on the table.
The ink was barely dry, suggesting it had just been written and delivered. Qin Shangwu read it carefully, his face darkening.
“How can the prestigious Chaoyang City, always at the forefront of the six cities, stoop to such threats?” He stood up angrily. “Who is this Ming An? Your relative?”
Ming Yi mumbled an affirmative. “The Rear Mistress doesn’t want to let me go. She’s using this person to lure me back to Chaoyang City to die. But I don’t want to die. I like being alive.”
She had many questions for Ming An and wanted to clear up the grudges with Ji Bozai before her death. They had once been very close, and she couldn’t bear the thought of him learning the truth from others later.
“If you want to go, I have no objections,” Qin Shangwu pondered. “But Bozai’s temperament is unpredictable. I can’t gauge him. You might need to persuade him yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Instructor,” Ming Yi nodded. “I can convince him.”
Chaoyang City offered not just more competition opportunities, but also superior crystals and training manuals. Any fighter would be drawn to that city, especially with the Meng family there.
After leaving Instructor Qin’s room, Ming Yi knocked on Ji Bozai’s door.
Ji Bozai was in the middle of training and was displeased at the interruption. “Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
The clear voice softened his expression. He coughed lightly, subconsciously adjusted his clothes, flicking his robe into a dashing shape before nonchalantly saying, “Come in.”
Ming Yi entered and sat gracefully on his bed, asking softly, “The benefactor you mentioned before, the former Rear Mistress of Mu Xing City, surnamed Meng—was her given name Xian’er?”
Ji Bozai was taken aback, not expecting her to bring this up suddenly. His eyes darkened as he mumbled, “What about it?”
“If it’s her, I’ve heard of her. She should be a concubine’s daughter from the Meng family in Chaoyang City, married off for an alliance,” Ming Yi said. “Since she’s gone now, would you like to visit Chaoyang City? Her relatives are still there.”
Ji Bozai raised an eyebrow, his eyes showing an expression Ming Yi couldn’t decipher.
After a moment of silence, he laughed, leaning on the soft couch to look at her. “You want to return to Chaoyang City to save someone?”
Ming Yi’s fake smile collapsed. “How did you know?”
“Trying to deceive me into going—it’s obvious you want to go yourself. You wouldn’t randomly want to return to that place unless you were threatened. Given the recent situation, they’re likely using Ming An’s life to force you back. Your Rear Mistress is quite skilled—sending Ming An to capture you. If he succeeds, he redeems himself; if he fails, he becomes a ready hostage. After all, you’re the type who’s never received much love and is overwhelmingly grateful for the slightest kindness. How could you abandon Ming An, who saved you twice?”
Ji Bozai sneered, “You, who’ve never been loved. Only those who’ve never been loved desperately seek love from others, even disregarding their own injuries to save someone else, with such a strong desire to sacrifice.”
His gaze fell on her robe, which was tinged red again, and his tone turned harsh. “Why are you running around?”
Ming Yi, feeling as if her tail had been stepped on, puffed up her cheeks and tried to leave, but as soon as she turned, he grabbed her hand.
Ji Bozai clicked his tongue. “You used to be so patient when asking favors from me. Now you can’t even handle a few words?”
Softening his tone, he said, “Going to Chaoyang City isn’t impossible.”
Ming Yi turned back to glance at him.
His eyes were languid and enchanting as he gently swayed her fingertips. “Say something nice to me, just one thing, and I’ll follow you through fire and water.”
Ming Yi: “…”
If it were someone else, they might truly find his appearance captivating, his swaying motions mesmerizing, able to elicit any sweet words. But in her eyes, he was like a spider spreading its web, idly trying to catch a fool to toy with.