Chapter 44: Nangong Tianxuan

Three days later.

A carriage from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion stopped outside the gates of the Jun family.

Master Wu himself was driving, ready to take Jun Wushuang to the imperial capital.

"Father, I'm leaving now. Please take care of yourself!" Jun Wushuang knelt on the ground and knocked his head three times to his father.

A man's knees are as precious as gold; he kneels neither to heaven nor earth, but only to his parents.

Even though Jun Wushuang had awakened memories of his previous life, his gratitude to his father remained profound.

"A golden-scaled fish is never meant for the shallow pond; once it meets the wind and rain, it transforms into a dragon."

"This city of Jiangning is too small for you. You deserve a grander stage."

"This farewell—I don't know when we'll meet again. Before you leave, I have one thing to tell you."

Jun Zhantian patted Jun Wushuang's shoulder, his face calm and composed.

"Father, please speak!"

Jun Wushuang listened respectfully.

"This place will always be your home!"

Home!

That word brimmed with boundless warmth and infinite strength.

Jun Wushuang gazed at his father's face, his eyes tinged with red.

"Go now!"

Jun Zhantian waved his hand, signaling Jun Wushuang to depart.

Only when the fledgling leaves the warmth of the nest can it spread its wings and soar in the vast sky.

"Father, I’m off!"

Jun Wushuang nodded solemnly.

He then led Lin Mengyao onto the carriage.

The carriage moved farther and farther away.

Jun Zhantian remained standing where he was, unwilling to turn back for a long time.

Tears had already streamed down his weathered face.

The silhouette of a father.

Stretched longer and longer beneath the setting sun.

...

Just as Jun Wushuang set out for the imperial capital—

Inside the Royal Martial Academy.

Ji Qingchen entered a luxurious palace.

Within, a figure stood upright like a spear, hands clasped behind his back, waiting for Ji Qingchen.

He was a young man of about twenty, clad in a sky-blue robe with the character “Heaven” embroidered on the chest.

This signified his status as a Heaven-ranked student.

On closer inspection, one could notice that this young man bore a striking resemblance to the deceased Nangong Lei.

He was Nangong Lei’s elder brother: Nangong Tianxuan.

“Qingchen pays respects to Senior Nangong!”

Ji Qingchen walked gracefully forward and bowed deeply.

Her waist was slender as a water snake, her poise full of charm, effortlessly displaying her alluring figure.

But there was no trace of flirtation; instead, her expression was solemn.

The purity of her face and the seductive contours of her body were perfectly combined, making her irresistible.

Even Nangong Tianxuan, who had seen countless beauties, could not help but be dazzled.

“Ji Qingchen, my brother Nangong Lei is dead!”

Nangong Tianxuan spoke in a grave voice, his tone heavy.

Nangong Lei was his full-blooded brother, whom he cherished deeply.

But now, Nangong Lei had been killed.

How could he not be furious?

With a thud, Ji Qingchen knelt directly to the ground.

“Brother Lei went to Jiangning because of me, and it was because of me that Jun Wushuang murdered him. This is a grave sin of mine. I beg Senior Nangong to punish me!”

Ji Qingchen offered no excuses, nor did she shirk responsibility, instead taking all the blame upon herself.

Speak to people as they wish; speak to ghosts as they wish.

That was Ji Qingchen’s skill.

In dealing with Nangong Lei, she could seduce or play the victim.

But with Nangong Tianxuan, she employed another approach.

Though Ji Qingchen’s background was ordinary, her cunning far exceeded that of palace concubines vying for favor.

As expected—

Seeing Ji Qingchen’s attitude, Nangong Tianxuan’s anger eased slightly.

“Though you were the cause, the true culprit is Jun Wushuang. I am not unreasonable. Since you admit your fault sincerely, I will spare you this time.”

His words made Ji Qingchen secretly rejoice.

“Thank you, Senior Nangong. But since Brother Lei died because of me, if I do nothing, my heart will never be at peace!”

Ji Qingchen’s expression was exquisitely managed; her delicate face showed a hint of unease.

Loyal and righteous!

Nangong Tianxuan nodded slightly, not discerning Ji Qingchen’s scheming.

“I hear your father was also killed by Jun Wushuang, and your family destroyed as well?”

Nangong Tianxuan looked down from above at Ji Qingchen.

Her enchanting figure was fully exposed before him.

“Yes!” Ji Qingchen replied through clenched teeth, unable to hide her hatred.

She had already received the news.

She knew this was Jun Wushuang's revenge.

Her heart surged with murderous intent; she longed to tear Jun Wushuang to pieces.

“Do you want revenge?”

Nangong Tianxuan asked again.

“I do!”

“I dream of it!”

“I swore that this life, I will not rest until he is destroyed!”

Ji Qingchen spoke without hesitation, her voice full of hatred.

“Good. It seems we share a common enemy.”

Nangong Tianxuan nodded, satisfied with her hatred.

“According to my sources, Jun Wushuang has left Jiangning and is heading to the imperial capital, seeking to join our Royal Martial Academy.”

“The command of the Prince of Southern Suppression cannot be defied; for now, Jun’s family cannot be touched.”

“But the prince only forbade bullying the weak, not competition among peers. So if you and I act, it doesn’t count as violating his order!”

Though Nangong Tianxuan was the heir of the Nangong clan, even he must bow to the Prince of Southern Suppression.

But such a feud could not be left unresolved.

“What does Senior Nangong plan to do?”

Ji Qingchen looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with hope.

“The Royal Martial Academy is not a place for just anyone to enter. I will ensure he cannot join.”

“Then I’ll provoke him, force him to act. If I kill him, I’ll have the moral high ground and need not fear the prince’s wrath.”

“Of course, I need your cooperation!”

As long as Jun Wushuang could be provoked—

The plan would be half accomplished.

“As long as I can kill Jun Wushuang and avenge Brother Lei and my father, I am willing to do anything!”

Ji Qingchen’s face was full of excitement, eager to act.

“Prepare yourself. The entrance examination will be held in ten days. Jun Wushuang is certain to come!”

Nangong Tianxuan nodded, thoroughly satisfied with Ji Qingchen.

Not only was she exceptionally talented, but her beauty was unmatched.

Though her background was humble, and she could never be his principal wife, as a concubine, she would suffice.

“Qingchen takes her leave!”

Ji Qingchen did not linger. She bowed and exited the palace.

Her tact and sense of propriety made Nangong Tianxuan appreciate her all the more.

Leaving the palace, Ji Qingchen’s lips curled in a sly smile.

“Nangong Lei, oh Nangong Lei, your death came at the perfect time!”

“If you hadn’t died, how could I get close to the heir of the Nangong clan?”

Nangong Lei was merely a direct descendant of the Nangong family.

But Nangong Tianxuan was its heir, the future master of the clan.

The difference in their status was vast.

Ji Qingchen’s ambitions soared; she would never settle for someone like Nangong Lei.

In truth, she didn’t even fancy Nangong Tianxuan.

What she truly desired—

Was to use Nangong Tianxuan to get close to the Crown Prince!

That was the true great figure of the Daqian Empire.

Her goal: to become princess consort!

“Jun Wushuang, I owe you thanks. Without you, I could never have met Nangong Tianxuan so quickly.”

“So keep being my stepping stone. With your life, help me climb even higher!”

Ji Qingchen smiled faintly.

Venomous as a viper!