“Maybe someone’s just trying to scare you,” Ming Yi said, listening carefully but hearing no knocking. She patted Xiu Yun’s shoulder. “Relax, this is the main city after all. They wouldn’t dare…”
Before she could finish, an explosion of colliding Yuan Power erupted outside, followed by a loud boom that was quickly muffled by Mingyu.
Xiu Yun immediately hid behind Ming Yi, terrified. “Quick, run!”
Ming Yi was startled too, but something felt off. If someone was attacking, they should be hitting her door with Yuan Power, not causing collisions outside.
The noise sounded more like a fight breaking out in front of her door.
Curious, Ming Yi walked to the door and opened it a crack.
Outside, on the spacious bluestone path, Luo Jiaoyang was engaged in a fierce battle with several unfamiliar duelists within a purple Mingyu field.
Ming Yi:?
Weren’t they supposed to be here to challenge her?
Xiu Yun looked puzzled too. “Hey, aren’t those the Xu family’s people? Xu Tianji was punished by the Judicial Consort because of you, and the Xu family suffered collateral damage. They were planning to teach you a lesson today. How did they end up fighting with Luo Jiaoyang?”
Several other duelists were watching the spectacle nearby.
“Miss Ming,” Chu He approached and bowed, looking embarrassed. “We had a match at the Yuan Shi Academy today. The instructors said we lacked experience, so we came to your esteemed place to find some opponents. We hope you’ll forgive our intrusion.”
“…” They were quite clever, knowing that many duelists would come here.
Seeing the injuries on their faces, Ming Yi exchanged pleasantries: “It’s not easy for you all to serve the city so loyally. I’m naturally happy to have your help.”
Touching the bruise on his cheek, Chu He looked somewhat ashamed. Fan Yao beside him spoke up directly: “What loyalty? I suspect Ji Bozai did this on purpose. He could have hit anywhere, but he chose to hit our faces.”
It had been many days since she’d heard that name. Ming Yi froze for a moment but didn’t pursue the topic.
Meanwhile, Luo Jiaoyang quickly dispatched the few duelists and walked over, grumbling: “Ji Bozai went too far. He hit us so hard that it took me much longer than usual to deal with these guys.”
Seeing her, he looked surprised. “Why is Miss Ming here?”
Ming Yi smiled. “Haven’t you heard the rumors that I’ve been abandoned by Lord Ji?”
“We heard, but didn’t believe it,” Luo Jiaoyang scratched his head. “But come to think of it, if he’s truly severed ties with you, why would he force us to come to this area?”
“What’s so strange about that? He knows many duelists are coming here, giving you all a chance to practice,” Ming Yi said with a smile. “Let me bring some chairs for you all.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
The three sat down bewilderedly at the entrance of Ming Yi’s courtyard, issuing challenge letters to any duelists who approached.
Ming Yi smiled, turned around, and led the equally confused Xiu Yun away, returning to continue forging divine artifacts.
Xiu Yun stared at the entrance, dumbfounded. “These high-level duelists… came to be your guards.”
“It’s just mutual benefit. Don’t make it sound like I have some powerful backing,” she chuckled, taking a piece of soft iron and pouring it into a prepared mold.
Xiu Yun was gradually drawn to her actions. “What’s this?”
“It’s a common divine artifact for low-level Yuan Power users to escape. It’s called ‘One Tree’s Blossom,'” Ming Yi explained as she worked. “With just a tiny bit of Yuan Power, it can form a poisonous barrier as large as a tree crown, blocking pursuers.”
Xiu Yun’s eyes widened in shock. “You… you can forge divine artifacts?”
“Yes, I can.” After pouring several component molds, Ming Yi calculated that this batch of items, when completed, should fetch enough money for some good meals.
She turned around and was startled by Xiu Yun’s shocked expression, laughing helplessly. “Why are you making that face?”
“Divine artifacts!” Xiu Yun’s eyes reddened. “Our Muxing City’s Divine Artifact Hall has declined for many years. Look at how we can produce three to five high-level duelists each year, but not a single divine artifact craftsman. A low-level divine artifact like this could sell for 1,000 bei in Muxing!”
Ming Yi choked on her saliva. “H-how much?”
“1,000 bei, and it’s still hard to get. Many people are eager to buy.”
“…” These things weren’t valuable in Chaoyang City, worth at most 50 bei. Ming Yi had chosen it because it was easy to make and could be mass-produced, intending only to exchange it for a few good meals.
But Muxing was so short on divine artifacts?
Looking down at her mold, Ming Yi suddenly felt full of fighting spirit.
Muxing City lacked divine artifact craftsmen, so the raw materials were cheap, but the finished products were valuable. It could be said to be extremely profitable.
Like this, how could she worry about not making money?
Noticing her sudden excitement, Xiu Yun caught on and asked eagerly, “Can you teach me how to make them too?”
“Why would a noble lady like you want to learn this?” Ming Yi asked, puzzled. “Are you short on money?”
“I am,” Xiu Yun’s head drooped. “I want to go to Feihua City, but my family won’t let me. If I want to go, I’d have to cut ties with them and save money to buy a beast carriage myself.”
Beast carriages that could cross Qingyun were too expensive; her private savings couldn’t afford one.
Ming Yi paused, raising an eyebrow. “What do you want to do in Feihua City?”
“To find someone…” Xiu Yun said vaguely, a suspicious blush rising on her face.
Ming Yi understood and said generously, “I can teach you, but you have to come help me. Also, this skill cannot be shared with others. If you’re with me, you can’t associate with Xu Tianji anymore.”
“I don’t associate with her much anyway. It’s always me seeking her out, and she doesn’t like to pay attention to me. She only has use for me during the few days when the Yuan Shi Academy opens,” Xiu Yun said glumly. “It didn’t matter before, but now that I have a place I want to go, I don’t want to waste time with her like this anymore.”
The best outcome for an Iris Girl was to marry a duelist, but what they didn’t say was that most Iris Girls ended up unable to secure a duelist and hastily married commoners instead.
It wasn’t that commoners were bad, but most commoners thought Iris Girls were impure and unworthy of them. Even while squandering the woman’s dowry, they still wouldn’t treat her well.
She didn’t want to live like that for the rest of her life.
Ming Yi pinched her worried little face. “You’re pretty. I like you, so you can just follow me from now on.”
Xiu Yun’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Really.”
With a cheer, Xiu Yun immediately ran out the door.
An hour later, she returned with her small bundle and bedding, efficiently tidying up the guest room next to Ming Yi’s room.
Having another person in the courtyard brought more life to it. Ming Yi thought it was quite nice, not to feel so lonely anymore.
Ji Bozai thought the same way, which was why his courtyard now had over a dozen people. The chatter of various women filled the air with lively noise. When night fell, they even lined up in two rows at the entrance, each holding a lantern to welcome him home.
However, walking amid the lamplight, he still felt irritable.
Not knowing where this irritation came from, beating up other duelists couldn’t dispel it, having so many people at home couldn’t dispel it, and even eating a table full of delicacies for dinner couldn’t dispel it.