Chapter 70 Departure—Part Two

Mrs. Jin’s eyebrows tightened, scolding, “ZiXun!”

Hearing this, Wei WuXian’s smile immediately disappeared. He asked, “Discipline?”

He turned his head slowly, “A winding road?”

Suara Lan WangJi pelan, “Wei Ying.”

Jin ZiXun and the others also noticed the unusual atmosphere. Holding their breaths, they stared at him. Wei WuXian smiled again, “Do you know why I didn’t bring my sword? It wouldn’t make any difference if I told you anyway.”

He turned around, saying one word at a time, “Because I want you to know that even if I don’t use my sword, with anything but what you call a ‘winding path’, I will still rise unchallenged and leave you all staring at me from behind.”

Hearing his speech, everyone present was shocked and fell silent.

None of the disciples had ever dared to utter such grandiose words in front of so many people. A moment later, when Jin ZiXun finally regained his composure, he shouted, “Wei WuXian! You’re just the son of a servant—how dare you be so bold!!!”

Hearing those words, Lan WangJi’s gaze froze. Wei WuXian’s pupils constricted. It felt like his right hand was almost touching Chenqing. Just as the atmosphere was thick with conflict, ready to explode at any moment, someone suddenly spoke, “A-Xian!”

Hearing that voice, Wei WuXian’s heart softened. He turned around, “Shijie?”

Jiang Yanli waved at him, “A-Xian, come here and stand behind me.”

Wei WuXian hesitated. Before he could move, Madam Jin immediately raised her hand, “A-Li, don’t interfere in their affairs.” However, with an apologetic smile toward Madam Jin, Jiang YanLi stepped forward and stood in front of Wei WuXian. She saluted Jin ZiXun and the others.

Jin ZiXun and his men were also at a loss for how to react. Some of them saluted back, while others didn’t. Jiang YanLi said to Jin ZiXun in a low voice, “Young Master Jin, from what you’re saying, it was A-Xian who took a third of the prey on Phoenix Mountain for herself; that’s against the rules and she’s too bold. I… I’ve never heard of anything like this either. Everyone here must be feeling disturbed. I apologize to you on her behalf.”

After she finished speaking, she bowed again. It seemed like her apology was quite serious. Wei WuXian, “Shijie!”

Jiang YanLi hadn’t stood up yet. She looked at him and shook her head almost imperceptibly. Wei WuXian could only clench his fists and remain silent.

Jin ZiXuan watched from a distance. His expression was quite complicated. However, Jin ZiXun and the others didn’t even try to hide the triumph on their faces. They were more than satisfied with themselves.

Jin ZiXun chuckled, “Miss Jiang, you are truly kind and understanding. What your junior brother did was very inappropriate, and indeed caused a lot of trouble for us. But since you are aware that it was inappropriate, then for the sake of Miss Jiang and Sect Leader Jiang, an apology is unnecessary. After all, the YunmengJiang Sect and the LanlingJin Sect are like brothers.”

He almost burst out laughing. Wei WuXian growled so angrily that his tensed knuckles cracked. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang YanLi had finished bowing and stood up, continuing in a solemn voice, “But, although I’ve never been on a hunt before, there’s one thing I do know—in all the hunts I’ve been on, I’ve never heard of a single rule that forbids one from hunting too much prey.”

The smiles on people’s faces froze before they could even form.

Jiang YanLi, “So, you’re saying that A-Xian broke the rules—which rules exactly did he break?”

This time it was Wei WuXian’s turn to laugh.

Jin ZiXun’s face darkened, but he didn’t answer. There were two reasons. First, he had never seen Jiang YanLi speak up before, so he didn’t know how firm his response should be. Both Mrs. Jin and Jiang Cheng respected Jiang YanLi greatly, and he didn’t dare to act rashly against them. Second, if they really investigated, they definitely wouldn’t find such a rule!

At this point, some in the crowd couldn’t hold it in any longer. At times like this, Sect Leader Yao was always the first to interject, “Lady Jiang, that’s not the right way to put it. Although some rules are unwritten, everyone understands and abides by them.”

Someone shouted, “How many prey are there on Phoenix Mountain? Is it only five hundred? How many people are hunting? More than five thousand! We’ve been fighting over the prey from the start. If he keeps so much prey for himself in such a cruel way, what can anyone else do?”

Wei WuXian sneered. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang YanLi stopped him and whispered, “You better shut up.”

Others also felt dissatisfied, “Well, if not, at least I could have gotten one.”

Jiang YanLi, “But… It’s not his fault that the others couldn’t catch their prey.”

The man was speechless. He continued, “Isn’t hunting about true strength? Even if the ghouls are gone, aren’t there still fairies and monsters? Even if he doesn’t keep a third of his prey, or even if he doesn’t participate in the hunt, those who can’t catch their prey will never be able to. Even though A-Xian’s method is different from others’, it’s still an ability he cultivated. You can’t call it a winding path just because others can’t get a third of that prey, right?”

The people gathered around Jin Zixun also wore gloomy expressions like his. However, considering Jiang Yanli’s background, they didn’t dare to refute her directly.

Jiang YanLi added, “Besides, hunting is hunting, so why bother discussing discipline? A-Xian is a disciple of the YunmengJiang Sect. He grew up with my brother and me, so he’s like a brother to me. Calling him a ‘servant’s son’—I’m sorry, but I can’t stand it. And so…”

He straightened his back and raised his voice, “I hope Young Master Jin ZiXun will apologize to Wei WuXian of the YunmengJiang Sect!”

If the person who had spoken those words hadn’t been Jiang Yanli, but a stranger, Jin Zixun would probably have slapped them. His face was almost black, but he kept his mouth shut. Jiang Yanli stared at him quietly, refusing to look away. 

Mrs. Jin said, “A-Li, why are you so serious? It’s just a small matter. Don’t be too tense.”

Jiang Yanli’s voice was soft, “Madam, A-Xian is my younger brother. For me to be humiliated by others is not a trivial matter.”

Mrs. Jin glanced at Jin ZiXun, sneering, “ZiXun, did you hear that?”

Jin ZiXun, “Bibi!”

Apologizing to Wei WuXian was, at the very least, impossible. How could Madam Jin not know his personality? However, the current situation was already uncomfortable enough. Imagining Jin ZiXun’s certain tantrum after apologizing and returning to Koi Tower, Madam Jin became even more irritated, almost wanting to grab Jin ZiXun by the neck and force him to apologize. Suddenly, two sharp gazes came over. It was Jin GuangYao and Lan XiChen.

Lan WangJi, “Brother.”

Lan XiChen pondered, “WangJi, why are you here too?”

Jin GuangYao, “Everyone, what is going on here?”

As soon as he arrived, the two men’s pent-up anger immediately found its target. Just as Jin GuangYao landed, Madam Jin scolded, “Still smiling? Such a big thing has happened, and you’re still smiling! Just look at the hunt you’ve planned, you useless piece of shit!”

Jin GuangYao’s smile had always been on his face. Not expecting to be scolded so suddenly, he immediately retracted his smile and replied earnestly, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Mrs. Jin narrowed her eyes, “What exactly happened—can’t you see it for yourself? Shouldn’t you be good at reading the atmosphere?”

Jin GuangYao remained silent as Jin ZiXun spoke, “A third of all the prey on Phoenix Mountain is gone. What are five thousand people going to hunt here?!” He took the opportunity to settle the matter of apologizing to Wei WuXian. 

As he was about to continue, Lan XiChen said, “LianFang-Zun has begun expanding the scope of his hunting grounds. Please calm down, everyone.”

After ZeWu-Jun spoke, Jin ZiXun knew it was inappropriate for him to say anything more. He also couldn’t continue venting his frustration on Jin GuangYao. Throwing his arrow to the ground, he laughed bitterly, “This hunt is a joke! Never mind. It’s fine if I don’t join. I’m quitting.”

Jin GuangYao was stunned, “ZiXun, it will be arranged soon. At most, you will have to wait another hour…”

Sect Leader Yao also shouted, “Young Master Jin, that’s really unnecessary!” 

Jin ZiXun replied, “This hunt has already lost its fairness. Why should I wait? Please excuse my absence!” After saying this, he was about to lead his cultivators to shoulder their swords. Jin GuangYao rushed over to persuade him. Some wanted to follow Jin ZiXun and leave as well, while others hesitated and were unwilling to give up. The situation immediately descended into chaos. 

Jiang Yanli shook her head and turned to Mrs. Jin, “Mrs. Jin, I have really troubled you.”

Mrs. Jin waved her hand, “You’ll never cause any trouble to your mother-in-law here. Scold that idiot as much as you like. I don’t care about him. If you’re still angry, I can help you beat him up.”

Jiang Yanli, “No need, no need… Then, I’ll go back first?”

Mrs. Jin hurried, “To the Watchtower? I’ll have ZiXuan take us home.”

As she spoke, she tried her best to keep her eyes on Jin ZiXuan, who was standing a distance away. Jiang YanLi whispered, “No need. I need to talk to A-Xian for a moment. He can drive me home.”

Madam Jin raised her eyebrows, scanning Wei WuXian up and down. Her gaze was somewhat wary, as if she were displeased, “A young man and a young woman—you two can’t always be together if there’s no one else.”

Jiang YanLi, “A-Xian is my younger brother.”

Mrs. Jin, “A-Li, don’t be angry. Tell me what stupid thing that stubborn brat did to you this time. I’ll make him pay for it.”

Jiang Yanli shook her head, “That’s actually unnecessary. Mrs. Jin, don’t force it.”

Mrs. Jin pressed, “How could I force him? It wasn’t forced at all.”

Wei WuXian lowered his head, “Please excuse my absence, Lady Jin.”

She and Jiang Yanli bowed simultaneously. As they turned to leave, Mrs. Jin grabbed Jiang Yanli’s hand and pushed her away. In between the pushing and pulling, Jin Zixuan ran over and shouted loudly, “Miss Jiang!!!”

Wei WuXian pretended not to hear anything. He pulled Jiang YanLi, “Shijie, hurry up, let’s go.”

Jin ZiXuan shouted again, “That’s not it, Jiang Girl!!!”

This time, he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t heard anything. Wei WuXian could only turn around, along with Jiang YanLi. Even Jin ZiXun’s group, who were making a fuss across the street, were distracted. Everyone wondered what Jin ZiXuan meant by ‘it’s not that’. Jin ZiXuan ran a few steps forward, as if trying to catch up, but then he stopped. Standing a distance away, he took a few deep breaths, the veins on his forehead bulging.

A moment later, he suddenly shouted, “It wasn’t that, Miss Jiang! It wasn’t my mother! It wasn’t her intention! I wasn’t forced, I wasn’t forced at all!!” After holding back for a few seconds, he finally roared, “It was me! It was myself! I was the one who wanted you to come!!!”

Jiang YanLi, “…”

Wei WuXian, “…”

Mrs. Jin, “…”

Jin ZiXun, “…”

After roaring, Jin ZiXuan’s white cheeks suddenly turned blood-colored.

He staggered back a few steps, only managing to steady himself by holding onto a tree trunk. When he looked up, he froze. As if finally remembering that there were still people there and what he had said in front of them, he stood frozen for a long moment before suddenly realizing what had happened. With a scream, he ran away.

After a moment of silence, Mrs. Jin exclaimed, “You idiot! Why did you run away?!”

He pulled Jiang YanLi towards him, “A-Li, let’s continue our conversation later at the Watchtower! First, I have to catch him!” He left before he could finish, standing on his sword with several other cultivators. He shouted as he chased in the direction Jin ZiXuan had fled. 

Wei WuXian hadn’t expected this to happen either. After all the commotion, he didn’t even know what to do. “What’s he doing? Shijie, let’s go.”

Jiang YanLi paused for a moment before nodding. Wei WuXian waved at Lan WangJi, “Lan Zhan, I’m leaving.”

Lan WangJi nodded silently. Silently, he watched his and Jiang YanLi’s silhouettes slowly disappear into the forest. Meanwhile, Jin GuangYao was no longer able to stop Jin ZiXun and the others. They all raised their swords and left, chatting away. The large crowd that had gathered was now reduced to half its original size. Seeing that there was no longer anything to watch, the rest of the people began to disperse. 

Jin GuangYao wiped the sweat off his forehead, forcing a smile, “This is really…”

Lan XiChen patted his shoulder, “Today’s matter wasn’t your fault.”

Jin GuangYao sighed and massaged the center of his eyebrows, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it even in two hours.”

Lan XiChen, “Why is that?”

Jin GuangYao, “In fact, not only did Young Master Wei keep a third of his prey for himself, our eldest brother has also eliminated more than half of the fairies and monsters.”

Hearing this, Lan XiChen laughed, “That’s just how Big Brother is.” 

On the other hand, Lan WangJi looked thoughtful. Jin GuangYao spoke as if he had a severe headache, “So, the range of the hunting grounds might have to be expanded even further.”

Lan XiChen, “Then, let’s get started right away.”

Jin GuangYao apologized, “Sorry, Brother. You’re here to join the hunt, and I had to ask you to come and help me at the last minute.”

Lan XiChen smiled, “It’s okay. WangJi, should we go, or do you want to help too?”

Lan WangJi called out to Bichen silently, “I’ll help.”

After they left with their swords, only a few people remained among the trees, still chatting about what had happened. Not long after, someone stepped out of the forest. Seeing the situation, he hesitated slightly.

That person was none other than Jiang Cheng. On Phoenix Mountain, he had heard others discussing how Lan WangJi and Jin ZiXuan’s sword glares had appeared in the sky, as if the two were fighting. Worried that Jiang YanLi was by Jin ZiXuan’s side, he had come to check, but it was too late and everyone had already left. Of the few people there, Jiang Cheng saw that Sect Leader Yao was the only one who looked somewhat familiar to him. “Sect Leader Yao, what’s going on here?”

Sect Leader Yao glanced at him, his tone meaningful, “Sect Leader Jiang, your sect’s Wei WuXian is truly a character.”

Jiang Cheng frowned, “What do you mean?”

Sect Leader Yao laughed, “As if I would dare to say anything. Sect Leader Jiang, you mustn’t take what I said too seriously.”

Jiang Cheng’s face paled. He knew those weren’t good words and told himself that he would have to meet Wei WuXian later to settle this matter with him. Not wanting to feign politeness to someone who pretended to be clever, he turned and walked out of the forest. On his way, he caught whispers coming from behind him. As if afraid to hear them, their voices were very low, but with his sharp senses, he could still hear them clearly.

One of the sect leaders said sourly, “This time, Lotus Pier has truly become the center of attention. Almost all the spirits and corpses have been summoned to the YunmengJiang Sect grounds. There must be many cultivators interested in them.”

Sect Leader Yao, “What can we do? Whose fault is it that our sect doesn’t have Wei WuXian?”

“Having Wei WuXian isn’t necessarily a good thing. I don’t want someone in my sect who’s always looking for trouble.”

“Wei WuXian, he really is too bold… Anyway, from now on, I will not attend any night hunts he does.”

Someone sneered, “Huh? Interested in them? I don’t think so. Simply put, they’re interested in Wei WuXian, right? Didn’t the YunmengJiang Sect become famous during the Sunshot Campaign just because of Wei WuXian?”

Jiang Cheng felt his entire body weighed down. It was as if something was haunting him, both on his face and in his heart.