Multicolored Yuan Power continued to assault the Azure Dragon perched atop the Ji mansion. Though it agitated the beast, it failed to breach its thick, luminous scales.
Luo Jiaoyang watched, disheartened. “He’s younger than us.”
Fan Yao shook his head and lowered his hand. “Yuan Power is ninety percent talent and ten percent practice. Ji Bozai’s talent is exceptional, and he hasn’t neglected his training. It’s only natural that we’re no match for him.”
“But he’s too vicious! If we don’t eliminate him today, we won’t stand a chance when he commits more evil in the future!”
“Look at his Yuan Power. Even after his battle with Xue Sheng, our combined attack couldn’t break through. How can we possibly eliminate him today?”
Luo Jiaoyang snapped, “You’re just afraid of his power!”
Fan Yao’s face darkened, about to argue, when Chu He stepped between them. “Stop quarreling here.”
They had come united to seek justice from Ji Bozai, but faced with the Azure Dragon, they found themselves at odds. Feeling frustrated, Luo Jiaoyang moved to withdraw his Yuan Power.
However, whether due to carelessness or something else, as he waved his hand, someone at the side door collapsed.
“Ah—”
Everyone present was startled. Fan Yao looked reproachfully at Luo Jiaoyang, who hastily waved his hands. “I didn’t mean to!”
They had cultivated Yuan Power to protect Mu Xing City from other cities’ bullying, not to harm ordinary people.
“Miss? Miss!” Many servants rushed out from the door, gathering around the fallen person. Luo Jiaoyang hurried over to look.
A beautiful young woman lay on the ground, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a jade-like complexion and a willowy figure. Her delicate hands clutched her chest, her eyes filled with pain.
“I-I’m sorry!” Luo Jiaoyang bowed deeply.
Ming Yi groaned softly, weakly raising her eyes, looking quite aggrieved. “This humble girl merely wanted to go out and buy some antidote for the Master. If I wasn’t allowed to pass, you could have simply told me to use another door. Why harm me?”
“I truly didn’t mean to… Wait, which Master do you mean?” He was stunned.
“Which Master could it be? There’s only one Master Ji in this mansion, no one else.” Supported by her maids, Ming Yi stood up shakily, hiding her face behind a fan, full of resentment. “It’s bad enough that you’re ganging up on him, but to take advantage of his weakened state…”
The group outside looked at each other in confusion.
Ji Bozai was poisoned? When did this happen? Wasn’t he fine when he left the selection meeting yesterday? Could she be deceiving them?
But the girl before them looked anxious, her brows furrowed with suppressed anger, appearing incapable of lying.
Luo Jiaoyang hesitated for a moment before asking gently, “How was your Master poisoned?”
“How would this humble girl know?” Ming Yi glared at him. “He returned from the selection meeting yesterday in this state, vomiting blood everywhere. It was only when Physician Fang came earlier that his life was barely saved. Who would have thought we’d encounter you…”
She was angry but forced herself to calm down, smiling bitterly. “Never mind. The Master told this girl not to meddle. You may continue your fight. Just please make way for me, or if Master Ji suffers further due to the poison, your victory won’t be honorable.”
Luo Jiaoyang blushed at her rebuke, turning helplessly to Fan Yao. “He’s fighting all of us while injured?”
Fan Yao pondered, “I noticed something earlier. Otherwise, given Ji Bozai’s temperament, the Azure Dragon would have charged at us instead of just guarding the mansion. But I didn’t realize he was poisoned.”
Luo Jiaoyang scratched his ear in frustration, shouting to those still attacking in the distance, “Stop for now!”
Ming Yi watched him warily as if expecting a feint.
He smiled wryly. “Miss, we’re not ruthless villains. If Master Ji hadn’t killed someone yesterday, we wouldn’t have angrily rushed your mansion today.”
“If he broke the law by killing someone, the Judge would handle it,” Ming Yi said, puzzled. “Surely you know what the Judge does?”
Of course, they knew, and they understood that life and death in the selection meeting were a matter of fate, but Xue Sheng…
Wait, Fan Yao suddenly realized, “Was Ji Bozai poisoned by Xue Sheng?”
“Impossible! Xue Sheng was such a good person. How could he use poison in the selection meeting?” Chu He shook his head.
They said this, but everyone knew that if someone else had poisoned Ji Bozai, the city would have been in an uproar long ago. Ji Bozai was far too important now; who else could poison him and escape unscathed?
Unless that person was already dead.
The group fell silent. Luo Jiaoyang stubbornly persisted, “We don’t know the details. The man is dead, so who can say for sure? We just came today to… discuss with Master Ji…”
“Indeed, since it’s such an unfortunate time, we needn’t continue to impose…”
Ming Yi appeared not to understand their implications. Seeing them make way, she hurriedly left with her maids, pretending to search for medicine outside.
However, she hadn’t gone far before changing direction, re-entering the mansion through the west side door.
“Are you alright, Miss?” Nanny Xun rushed over. “I heard you were injured?”
“I’m fine, see? Perfectly unharmed.” Ming Yi twirled before her, then curiously peeked out. “Have those people dispersed?”
“They’re still standing outside,” Nanny Xun chuckled softly. “But they’ve stopped fighting. Now they just seem to need a way to save face. Master Meng will go over shortly to smooth things over.”
As she spoke, she gently brushed the dust from Ming Yi’s skirt, her movements tender.
Ji Bozai was accustomed to being forceful, rarely explaining himself to others. Either you defeated him, or you left—there was no third option. Usually, this wasn’t a problem, but now, severely injured and putting up a strong front, the household staff watched anxiously, unable to help.
Fortunately, Miss Ming was there. She was straightforward, saying what needed to be said. The servants at the gate found her words deeply satisfying.
Their Master was not a bad person!
If Nanny Xun had previously seen Ming Yi as just a cute young lady, now she regarded her as almost half a mistress. Although Ming Yi lacked the grace and nobility of a true mistress, she cared deeply for the Master and protected him at every turn. That was more important than anything else.
Nanny Xun hoped the Master would remember Miss Ming’s kindness. Even if he welcomed a formal mistress in the future, he shouldn’t neglect her.
As they slowly walked towards the main courtyard, a dark figure moved ahead of them, reaching Ji Bozai first.
Having eaten and rested for a while, Ji Bozai’s complexion had improved significantly. He glanced at the person climbing through the window and immediately asked, “Is she alright?”
Zheng Tiao landed and stood by the window, silent for a moment before replying, “Your dancer is very capable. She’ll be fine.”