Chapter 119 One Hundred and Ninety

Chapter Summary: [Jin Guangyao always wore a smiling face, but who knew he'd be scolded mercilessly upon arrival...]

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Jin Guangyao always had such a smiling face, but he was scolded mercilessly as soon as he arrived. He quickly suppressed his smile and asked honestly, "Mother, what's wrong?"

Madam Jin glanced at her and said, "Can't you see for yourself what's wrong? Aren't you usually so good at reading people?"

Jin Guangyao remained silent, while Jin Zixun said, "A third of the prey in the entire Hundred Phoenix Mountain hunting grounds is gone. What are these 5,000 people still hunting for?!" He took the opportunity to gloss over the matter of apologizing to Wei Wuxian. He was about to rebuke him again when Lan Xichen said, "Lianfang-zun has already begun to arrange for the expansion of the hunting grounds. Please be patient."

When Zewu-jun spoke, Jin Zixun realized his words were inappropriate and couldn't vent his anger on Jin Guangyao any longer. He threw his bow and arrows on the ground and sneered, "This hunt is nothing but a farce! Fine, I'll withdraw from it."

Jin Guangyao was taken aback, then said, "Zixun, it'll be arranged almost immediately, at most another half hour..."

Sect Leader Yao also said, "Young Master Jin, there's no need for that!" Jin Zixun replied, "The hunt is no longer fair, what are we waiting for? I'm not going to keep you company!" With that, he was about to lead his cultivators away on their swords when Jin Guangyao hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him. Some clamored to go with Jin Zixun, while others were unwilling to give up, creating a chaotic scene.

Putting aside his temperament, Jin Guangyao's way of handling things was indeed worthy of a family head. He was tactful and dealt with matters promptly and effectively.

In contrast, Kim Ja-hoon, despite being taught by the Kim family's elite from a young age, only learned to be arrogant and conceited, making him unfit for any important task.

However, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Jin Guangyao's skills were honed from childhood through hardship and struggle in the streets. In addition, his deceased mother's harsh demands and his father's contempt distorted his character.

Jiang Yanli shook her head and said to Madam Jin, "Madam Jin, I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Madam Jin waved her hand and said, "Why are you telling me you're causing trouble? If you want to scold that silly boy Zixun, go ahead and scold him. I don't care about him. If you're still not satisfied, I'll help you beat him up."

Jiang Yanli said, "No need, no need... Then, I'll go back first."

Madam Jin hurriedly said, "Shall we go back to the hunting platform? I'll have Zixuan escort us back."

As she spoke, she kept winking at Jin Zixuan, who had been standing in the distance for a while. Jiang Yanli said in a low voice, "No need. I have something to say to A-Xian, he can take me back."

Madam Jin raised an eyebrow, glanced at Wei Wuxian a few times with a slightly wary look in her eyes, as if she felt a little displeased, and said, "You two young people, how can you stay together like this without anyone watching you?"

Jiang Yanli said, "A-Xian is my younger brother."

Madam Jin said, "Ali, please don't be angry. Tell me what stupid thing that stubborn brat has done this time, and I'll make him apologize to you properly."

Jiang Yanli shook her head and said, "Really, there's no need. Madam Jin, don't force him."

Mrs. Jin said urgently, "No way! It's not forced at all!"

Wei Wuxian nodded and said, "I'll keep you company no longer, Madam Jin."

Upon hearing this, the Jiang family members all frowned in unison.

After the news of Wei Wuxian fighting with Jin Zixuan for Jiang Yanli spread, rumors had already circulated among the aristocratic families that the eldest disciple of the Jiang clan and the young lady of the Jiang clan had a close relationship in private, and that he had acted impulsively for the sake of his beloved. However, out of consideration for the reputation of the Jin and Jiang families, they dared not publicize it.

But as members of the Jiang family, who doesn't know that Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli are like siblings, and their affection is no less than that of Jiang Cheng? Who would dare to spread such immoral rumors!

Seeing the Yunmeng formation suddenly fall silent, everyone realized that the Jiang family was angry.

Madam Jin probably realized at this moment that she had spoken without thinking in her anger that day, so she quickly took Jiang Yanli's hand and said, "Ali, Ziyuan, I misspoke, please don't take it to heart."

Jiang Yanli smiled faintly and shook her head.

As Jin Zixuan watched, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, sensing that something was about to happen.

He bowed slightly to Jiang Yanli and turned to leave, but Madam Jin desperately held onto Jiang Yanli's hand, preventing her from leaving. Just then, Jin Zixuan rushed out, shouting, "Miss Jiang!!!"

Wei Wuxian pretended not to hear and pulled Jiang Yanli, saying, "Senior Sister, let's go quickly."

Jin Zixuan shouted again, "No, it's Miss Jiang!!!"

There was no way to pretend he hadn't heard, so Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli had to turn around together. Even Jin Zixun and the others who had been cheering were drawn over, and everyone was wondering what Jin Zixun meant by saying "no." Jin Zixuan took a few steps, seemingly wanting to catch up, but then stopped, standing far away, panting, with veins bulging on his forehead.

After a long pause, he suddenly roared, "No, Miss Jiang! It wasn't my mother! It wasn't her intention! I'm not forcing you, I'm not forcing you at all!!"

After a moment of silence, he 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 shouting those words, Jin Zixuan's fair face instantly turned a bright red, almost dripping with blood.

He staggered back a few steps, grabbing a tree for support before regaining his balance. Looking up, he froze, as if only now realizing there were so many people around, and only then remembering what he had said in front of so many people. He stood there dumbfounded for a long time, then suddenly snapped out of it, yelled, and ran away as fast as he could.

Everyone: ...

Then suddenly bursts of suppressed laughter erupted.

"puff!"

"puff!"

"Puhahaha..."

Jin Zixuan's face immediately turned bright red, even redder than Tianying's.

While others had to consider the feelings of the eldest son of the Jin family, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang didn't need to; the two laughed the most wildly.

"I was late that day, I never expected this to happen, I really lost out!" Jiang Cheng hadn't laughed so happily since entering the Heavenly Realm, and now he wanted to ask Xiao Niangui for the Heavenly Shadow.

"I never imagined Brother Zixuan was so innocent, hahaha!" Nie Huaisang covered his mouth with his fan, almost collapsing into Nie Mingjue with laughter.

Jin Zixuan looked down and around, but there was nowhere to hide. He could only bury his head on his wife's shoulder like a quail.

After a long silence, Madam Jin flew into a rage and shouted, "You idiot! Why are you running away!"

She grabbed Jiang Yanli and said, "Ali, we can continue talking on the hunting platform later! I'm going to catch him first!" Without further ado, she led a group of cultivators, hurriedly taking to their swords and chasing after Jin Zixuan in the direction he had fled. Wei Wuxian was also completely taken aback by this turn of events, feeling both amused and exasperated. He said, "What's he up to! Shijie, let's go."

Jiang Yanli paused for a moment, then nodded. Wei Wuxian waved to Lan Wangji and said, "Lan Zhan, let's go."

Lan Wangji nodded slightly, remaining silent as he watched Lan Wangji and Jiang Yanli's figures slowly disappear into the forest. Meanwhile, Jin Guangyao finally couldn't stop Jin Zixun and the others. The group, chattering and complaining, flew away on their swords, instantly reducing the previously dense crowd to less than half. Those who remained, no longer interested in the spectacle, gradually dispersed. Jin Guangyao wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a wry smile, "This is truly..."

Lan Xichen patted him on the shoulder and said, "What happened today is not your fault."

Jin Guangyao sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and said, "I'm afraid it won't be done in an hour."

Lan Xichen asked, "Why?"

Jin Guangyao said, "Actually, it wasn't just that Young Master Wei who took a third of the prey; my elder brother also swept up most of the monster-type prey by himself."

Upon hearing this, Lan Xichen laughed and said, "As expected of my elder brother." Lan Wangji seemed to be deep in thought. Jin Guangyao said with a headache, "So the hunting grounds will probably have to be expanded."

Lan Xichen said, "Then let's get started now."

Jin Guangyao said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Second Brother. You came here to participate in the hunt, and I'm troubling you to come and help me at this time."

Lan Xichen smiled and said, "It's alright. Wangji, shall we go ahead first, or would you like to come and help?"

Lan Wangji silently summoned Bichen and said, "Give me your assistance."

"If my elder brother had been there that day, I'm sure Wuxian wouldn't have..." Lan Xichen said suddenly as he looked at the scene.

“I do look down on the Ghost Path, those evil arts that harm both others and oneself.” Nie Mingjue snorted and spoke, but before the cultivators behind him could agree with him, he changed the subject, “But I look down on villains even more, especially villains who have no ability but hide in the crowd and shout.”

The crowd's morale instantly deflated.

But Lan Xichen knew that even if Nie Mingjue had been there that day, no one would treat Wei Wuxian the same just because they hunted the same prey. The moral expectations placed on Wei Wuxian would only be higher, because prejudice is prejudice and will always exist.

This is precisely the tragedy of humankind.

After they flew away on their swords, only a few scattered people remained in the woods, still chatting. A short while later, a man strode out of the woods, and upon seeing this scene, he was slightly taken aback.

The newcomer was Jiang Cheng. He had overheard people in Hundred Phoenix Mountain discussing the sword beams of Lan Wangji and Jin Zixuan appearing in the air, suggesting the two were fighting. Worried that Jiang Yanli might be with Jin Zixuan, he came to investigate, only to miss his chance as everyone had already dispersed. Jiang Cheng recognized only Sect Leader Yao among the group and asked, "Sect Leader Yao, what happened here just now?"

Sect Leader Yao glanced at him and said meaningfully, "Sect Leader Jiang, your sect's Wei Wuxian is truly a remarkable person."

Jiang Cheng frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Sect Leader Yao laughed and said, "I wouldn't dare say anything. Sect Leader Jiang, you don't need to take my words to heart."

Jiang Cheng's face darkened. He knew it wouldn't be anything nice, and he thought to himself that he would have to settle accounts with Wei Wuxian later. He had no desire to continue playing games with this pretentious person, so he turned and left the woods. As he walked, he faintly heard hushed discussions behind him. They seemed to be trying to avoid being heard, so they were speaking very quietly. However, his senses were sharp, and he still heard these words clearly.

One of the clan heads said sourly, "Lotus Pier is really making a name for itself this time. Almost all the fierce corpses and vengeful spirits have been summoned to the Yunmeng Jiang Clan's camp. I'm sure many cultivators will be heading for their family."

Sect Leader Yao said, "What can we do? It's just that we don't have Wei Wuxian in our family."

"Having Wei Wuxian isn't necessarily a good thing. I don't want someone like him causing me trouble every day in my family."

"This Wei Wuxian is too arrogant... Anyway, I won't go to any night hunts that he participates in from now on."

One person sneered, "Heh? Aiming at the Jiang family? I don't think so. To put it bluntly, isn't it all about Wei Wuxian? Wasn't the Sunshot Campaign all thanks to Wei Wuxian that made the Yunmeng Jiang Clan famous..."

Jiang Cheng looked gloomy.

It was as if something had cast a lingering shadow on his face and in his heart.

Jiang Cheng, who had just finished laughing, gradually darkened his expression upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Jiang Yanli knew that her younger brother had gotten stuck on a rut again.

Although his father was strict with A-Cheng from a young age, he was not harsh. Compared to A-Xian, who was playful and lazy but had extraordinary talent, A-Cheng needed to put in more effort. However, his mother would scold A-Cheng for this, and her words would often veer off to other things.

A-Cheng was inherently competitive, unlike Nie Huaisang, who knew he lacked talent and took it easy, accepting scolding and laziness as he pleased, enjoying his days in a carefree manner. As a result, the constant barrage of criticism, coupled with his father's indulgence of A-Xian, led to a lot of comparisons. Even a clay figure would feel resentful, let alone A-Cheng, who naturally possessed the pride of being a member of the Jiang family.

At that time, A-Xian had just entered the demonic path, experiencing a great upheaval. His mind was still unstable due to the disturbance, amplifying his inherent willfulness and carefree spirit. His father often said that A-Xian would never act recklessly when facing important matters. Indeed, only A-Xian could restrain Wen Ruohan during the Sunshot Campaign, which alone made him an object of fear for everyone. Afterwards, whether in public discussions or banquet conversations, how could he not be aware of the contradictory emotions of fear, contempt, and jealousy people felt towards A-Xian? Even if he was aware, why did he still use himself as a target?

Asumi probably hadn't thought about this question.

He felt that Yunmeng had just been rebuilt and its foundation was not yet stable, so it was better to keep a low profile. However, he forgot that being too low-key could sometimes be seen as a sign of weakness, and from then on, he would have no say among the powerful families.

Now that Wei Wuxian is in front of them, when people see the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, they will think of Wei Wuxian, who has extraordinary strength, as their backing. When it comes to important matters, who would overlook the Yunmeng Jiang Clan?

However, Acheng is too easily distracted. She admits that her mother's teaching methods were flawed since childhood, but she also blames herself for not noticing her younger brother's feelings in time and providing timely guidance.

"A Cheng..."

"A Cheng..."

Jiang Yanli and Jiang Fengmian both opened their mouths at the same time, wanting to say something, but were interrupted by Jiang Cheng himself.

“Father, elder sister, you don’t need to say anything now, I understand.” Jiang Cheng looked up at his gloomy face in the shadow of the sky. “Back then, I should have been proud. My Yunmeng alone, Wei Wuxian, could scare them so badly they would run away with their tails between their legs.”

Jiang Yanli and Jiang Fengmian exchanged a glance and smiled with relief.

Lan Wangji glanced down at Wei Wuxian. If he had heard this, he would have been very happy.