Chapter 14: Ji Qingchen's Letter

"The results of the heir competition in the Jun family are out, and the outcome is truly astonishing."

"What happened? Did Jun Yanming not win?"

"Not only did he fail to win, but he was slain in public by Jun Wushuang. And the Grand Elder of the Jun family was also killed on the spot by the family head."

"How could that be possible?"

The news of the heir competition shook the entire city of Jiangning. The previous celestial phenomena were so extraordinary that everyone had pinned the title of 'True Dragon of the Jun Family' on Jun Yanming. No one believed he could lose this battle for succession. Yet the final result left all in utter shock.

Jun Yanming’s death propelled Jun Wushuang’s reputation once again to the pinnacle. Once, Jun Wushuang was the greatest talent in Jiangning, revered by countless admirers. Later, his Dragon King physique was destroyed, and he was slandered by the Ji family, falling from grace and hunted by all. But now, Jun Wushuang has risen anew, publicly slaying Jun Yanming and dazzling the masses once more.

"Do you think the celestial phenomena earlier were not caused by Jun Yanming, but by Jun Wushuang? After all, he was once the foremost genius, and now resurfaces with some extraordinary encounter."

With Jun Yanming dead, he was certainly not the Jun family's True Dragon. Jun Wushuang’s comeback from disgrace made him the subject of speculation. Though this guess could not be confirmed, it was accepted by most. For a time, the title of the Jun family’s True Dragon fell upon Jun Wushuang.

Within the Ji family’s inner courtyard, Ji Yuntian had returned. But he was not alone. The head of the Ye family, Ye Tiande, and the city lord, Xu Huanhu, had come at his invitation.

"Master Ji, we've been friends for decades, so just speak your mind," Xu Huanhu said, his military background lending bluntness to his words.

"Master Ji is here for the Jun family, aren’t you?" Ye Tiande smiled, already guessing Ji Yuntian’s intentions.

"Since you’ve both guessed, I’ll not hide it," Ji Yuntian nodded, wasting no words. "I once greatly favored Jun Wushuang, even invited him to marry into my family so he and Qingchen could share their lives. But I never expected him to be a beast in human form—deceiving Qingchen with false affection, and even attempting to defile my wife."

"Jun Wushuang was caught by me in the act, and in my fury, I severely injured him. Yet, considering he and Qingchen were nominally husband and wife, I spared his life. Because of this, Qingchen was heartbroken, and I had no choice but to send her to the imperial capital to recuperate."

"But what I did not expect was that Jun Wushuang would recover, and with his vengeful nature, he will certainly seek revenge."

Ji Yuntian played the villain, twisting the truth. Ye Tiande and Xu Huanhu remained unmoved; they knew the real story, but listened as Ji Yuntian spoke.

"Master Ji, you want to join forces to suppress the Jun family?"

Ye Tiande, the smiling tiger, quickly deduced Ji Yuntian’s plan. In Jiangning, the Jun, Ji, and Ye families stood as the three pillars. Ji Yuntian’s original scheme was flawless, hoping to swallow the Jun family whole. But Jun Wushuang’s victory and Jun Zhantian’s recovery ruined his plan. Jun Wushuang’s resurgence forced him to seek allies. Ye Tiande and Xu Huanhu were his carefully chosen partners.

"Not to suppress," Ji Yuntian shook his head, his gaze intense upon Ye Tiande. "To annex."

To pull up the roots, the threat must be erased completely—the Jun family must be utterly destroyed.

"Master Ji, you have a big appetite," Ye Tiande’s eyes narrowed to slits. "But why do you think we will help you?"

Ye Tiande was not one for empty promises, but Ji Yuntian had already considered this.

"The Jun family is strong, but at its weakest now. The deaths of the Grand Elder and Jun Yanming have caused internal turmoil. Jun Zhantian will need time to regain control. And with the Grand Elder gone, their business will suffer. If we wipe out the Jun family, all benefits will be split among us three."

There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

Ye Tiande did not reply, clearly weighing the pros and cons. But Xu Huanhu was not one of the three great families.

"The feud between you and the Jun family is not the concern of the City Lord’s Mansion," Xu Huanhu said. He had no significant conflict or interest with the Jun family. Mere profit was not enough.

But Ji Yuntian had foreseen this.

He reached into his storage ring and drew out a letter, handing it to Xu Huanhu.

"City Lord Xu, Qingchen has successfully been admitted to the Imperial Martial Academy, and has been specially accepted as a Xuan-level student."

Ji Qingchen, possessing the Fire Sparrow Imperial Physique, entered the Imperial Martial Academy without suspense. Within the academy, there are four divisions: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang. Even an ordinary Huang-level student outranks Xu Huanhu, let alone a Xuan-level student. Ji Qingchen truly soared this time!

Ji Yuntian’s words made Ye Tiande and Xu Huanhu’s expressions change. If Ji Qingchen really became a Xuan-level student, the Ji family would rise unstoppably—not just in Jiangning, but across Qingzhou, perhaps even throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty.

As city lord, Xu Huanhu could disregard profit, but could not ignore a Xuan-level student. One word from Ji Qingchen in the future could consign him to hell. To offend the rising Ji family for the sake of the Jun family would be exceedingly foolish.

Xu Huanhu’s face shifted, and, after a moment, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

"Master Ji, since you are determined, I will assist you this time. I hope you will speak well of me before Miss Ji in the future."

The mere words 'Xuan-level student' were enough to sway Xu Huanhu. The importance of the Imperial Martial Academy was evident!

"I’ve long disliked the Jun family. Since Master Ji is intent on annexing them, I will fully support you. If we three join forces, the Jun family will have no power to resist and will be at our mercy!"

Ye Tiande no longer hesitated, his face now full of ingratiating smiles. With Ji Qingchen’s rise, the Ji family is destined for greatness. If he didn’t curry favor now, when would he? Moreover, once the Jun family was destroyed and the Ji family departed, wouldn’t the Ye family dominate Jiangning alone?

Ye Tiande was calculating his own advantage.

Ji Yuntian smiled triumphantly. Xu Huanhu and Ye Tiande’s change of heart was entirely within his grasp. With Ji Qingchen elevated to Xuan-level, the years of planning had not been wasted.

Therefore, Jun Wushuang must die!