In the midst of the crowd, Jiang Huai suddenly saw an unfamiliar face.
The face bore a slight resemblance to Ji Qingxuan, and at this moment, she stood beside Ji Nianchen. Clad in a gorgeous crimson palace dress, she had a pair of beautiful coral dragon horns on her forehead. In an instant, Jiang Huai guessed her identity – Ji Qingxuan’s birth mother, who had been pardoned by the Dragon Emperor and had come from the Dragon Clan, Jun Leiqing.
At this moment, a faint smile adorned her face. She squeezed Ji Nianchen’s arm, her eyes gazing at Jiang Huai with curiosity. Upon sensing the sliver of Dragon Emperor Bloodline within him, a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes.
Ji Qingxuan also stood to the side, her gaze complex as she looked at Jiang Huai.
Jun Leiqing had arrived at the Life Source Island Secret Realm two days prior, finally reuniting with her family. At that time, Jiang Huai was still in critical condition, receiving treatment for his injuries. For the past few days, Ji Qingxuan had been waiting outside the courtyard, concerned about everything related to him. She suddenly realized that, at some point, Jiang Huai had occupied such a significant place in her heart. When she saw him in danger within the Divine Tree Secret Realm, her heart felt as if it were being tightly clenched, leaving her breathless.
However, Jiang Huai couldn’t afford to chitchat with her at the moment. He had already approached Chu Xianning and said softly, “I’m fine, Master.”
His cultivation level was now Mahayana third stage, even a minor realm higher than Chu Xianning’s. Chu Xianning gazed at him with her ink-black eyes. Her previously cold demeanor now turned into infinite tenderness, and she softly said, “It’s good that you’re alright.”
She walked in front of Jiang Huai and lightly touched his chest with her fingertip, circulating a wisp of spiritual Qi through his body. Jiang Huai had always reported good news and concealed bad news, so she wanted to confirm once more. Only when she detected that some old injuries within his body had not yet healed did her eyebrows furrow slightly. However, after a moment, Jiang Huai moved closer to her, his voice very, very soft as he leaned in and whispered in her ear, “There are still some old injuries that haven’t healed, but there’s already a method to treat them. Master, don’t worry.”
Perhaps it was because she was too close, but Chu Xianning’s body tensed up almost instinctively, yet her body did not instinctively pull away. She nodded slightly. Jiang Huai then looked at Luo Yueguan, who was beside them, and winked at her, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“I know you’re lucky and it’s good you’re alright,” Luo Yueguan came closer and pinched his cheek.
***
Jiang Huai began to seriously prepare for the banquet.
One table for the banquet wouldn’t suffice; Jiang Huai needed to prepare two tables. He went with Bai Li and Su Qingyi to purchase ingredients. Bai Li linked her arm with his, her eyes sparkling as she held the menu. Su Qingyi dangled her fox tail nearby, full of anticipation for the unique fruit wines of the Northern Region, playfully pestering Jiang Huai to buy many precious spiritual wines. Upon returning to Life Source Island, Jiang Huai set up the stove and began preparing dinner.
His courtyard became lively. Bai Li and Su Qingyi helped him out. He controlled the heat of the stove, meticulously preparing each dish. However, in the afternoon, a familiar face entered the courtyard from outside.
It was the Demon Empress of the Northern Region.
She stopped in front of Jiang Huai and said softly, “Lin Qing’s identity is that of a rogue cultivator from the Northern Region. He found me, displayed his strength, and represented the Northern Region in the competition. But I never asked him to act against you in the Five Regions Grand Competition.”
As the Demon Empress of the Northern Region spoke, she raised her finger and made a Heavenly Oath. Jiang Huai nodded slightly, his voice wasn’t as cold, and he replied softly, “I believe you, no need to say more.”
The Demon Empress of the Northern Region seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and then left.
After a while, the person who walked into the courtyard was Ji Qingxuan. She wore a purple dress, her posture elegant and dignified. Her usually cold brows instantly melted upon seeing Jiang Huai. “My father said he wants to have a few more drinks with you tonight.”
“Alright,” Jiang Huai nodded lightly. Ji Qingxuan came to his side and watched him gaze at the fried meatballs in the hot oil. After a moment, she asked softly, “After tonight, you’ll be going back, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Jiang Huai nodded.
“Then when will we meet again?” Ji Qingxuan looked into his eyes and asked softly.
“Hmm, you can come to find me at the Eastern Region’s Tian Xuan Sect. I can show you around the Tian Xuan Sect and you can stay for a while?” Jiang Huai replied softly. Ji Qingxuan stood beside him, her expression becoming increasingly complex, making it hard to tell if she was satisfied or not. After a moment, she softly asked, “Will you come to find me?”
“If I have time… I probably will?”
“You have so many women to accompany, I doubt you’ll have much free time.”
“Since you say so, then I really won’t have time.” Jiang Huai turned and looked at her innocently. The next moment, Ji Qingxuan, displeased, reached out and lightly pinched his waist. Her eyes gazed at him intently without speaking, looking exactly like someone who had been wronged.
“If there’s a chance, I’ll come,” Jiang Huai said softly. He then picked up a slightly cooled fried meatball with his chopsticks and brought it to her lips. Ji Qingxuan bit down with a huff, her teeth gritting as if she were devouring his flesh.
Jiang Huai found the scene amusing and reached out to pinch her fair, tender cheek.
***
At night.
Jiang Huai’s banquet was set up for two tables. He sent out spiritual pigeon transmissions, inviting everyone to attend. Now that his cultivation level had reached Mahayana, his soul could cover the entire Life Source Island. Soon, the cultivators began to arrive for the banquet. Jiang Huai had even arranged the seating—women at one table and men at another. He had even invited the juniors from the Qin family and the Mu family. He also sat at the men’s table, thanking the seniors for their help at the time.
Mu Jianghe’s laughter was hearty. With each toast he shared with Jiang Huai, and in his tipsy state, he again asked about his marriage with Mu Yao. His voice was deep and powerful, clearly audible to the next table. For some reason, Jiang Huai felt a slight chill down his spine.
He could only reply softly that Mu Yao was still young and there was no rush, and the matter could be discussed later. He then drank three more cups with Mu Jianghe. Mu Jianghe no longer pressed the issue. Ji Nianchen then raised his cup and toasted him, thanking him for everything he had done for Jun Leiqing. Jun Leiqing also accompanied him in toasting Jiang Huai. Jiang Huai was naturally flattered and quickly stood up to respond.
After a few rounds of drinks, Ji Nianchen’s gaze fell upon him, and he casually asked, “Then, about your marriage with my daughter…?”
Jiang Huai felt a chill at the back of his neck and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He slowly replied, “This matter, well, it depends on Qingxuan’s opinion…”
Ji Qingxuan was sitting at the same table with her parents at this moment. Her eyes casually glanced at Jiang Huai. Jiang Huai’s mind was still preoccupied with how he would respond if she were to suddenly say, “I have no opinion.”
His relationship with Ji Qingxuan was indeed very good, but when it came to marriage, Jiang Huai always felt it was a bit too soon. However, contrary to his expectations, Ji Qingxuan calmly said, “Daddy, I haven’t said I will marry him yet.”
Jiang Huai was slightly stunned and looked up at Ji Qingxuan. Ji Qingxuan simply picked up her wine cup and drank it down, then calmly said, “He hasn’t said he will marry me either, Daddy, don’t misunderstand.”
This left Ji Nianchen, who had brought up the matter, a bit flustered. Jiang Huai then shifted his gaze to Ji Qingxuan’s face. At this moment, Ji Qingxuan’s eyes darted away, her eyelashes lowered, and her eye sockets seemed to be slightly red. However, she tried hard to conceal her wronged expression, making her appear particularly awkward.
Jiang Huai was sitting right beside her. He suddenly gently took her hand and said softly, “If you don’t agree to marry me, how can I say I want to marry you?”
“As if I would marry you just because you said so,” Ji Qingxuan turned her face away, not wanting Jiang Huai to see her vulnerable and awkward state. But Jiang Huai tickled her palm, “How will you know if you don’t say it?”
“I just know.”
“You know again?” Jiang Huai suddenly picked up his wine cup and brought it to her lips. Ji Qingxuan was first slightly stunned. She turned to look at Jiang Huai’s smiling face and then gently bit her lip. She also raised her wine cup to Jiang Huai’s lips. Their arms intertwined as they drank this cup of cross-cupped wine as if in a fit of pique.
Although sweat was breaking out on his forehead and his mind was trembling, Jiang Huai still did not want to see Ji Qingxuan looking so wronged and awkward.
After drinking the cup of wine, Ji Qingxuan’s lips still had a faint sheen. She suddenly leaned close to Jiang Huai’s ear and whispered softly, “What if I’m playing hard to get?”
A hint of a scheming smile seemed to truly curve her lips. Jiang Huai was first slightly stunned, but then he simply picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it into her bowl, replying softly, “So be it if I fall for it. Anyway, I’m not at a disadvantage.”
Looking at his tender expression at this moment, Ji Qingxuan felt her heart begin to beat uncontrollably again. Damn it.
Clearly, he wasn’t saying anything sweet, so why did she still find herself quietly falling for these words? Ji Qingxuan resentfully put a large spoonful of food into his bowl, suddenly hating this guy.
She wondered… where he planned to sleep tonight.
Thinking of this, Ji Qingxuan suddenly felt a little bit of inexplicable disappointment.
***
Where to sleep tonight was a good question.
Su Qingyi was pulling Bai Li to drink at the wine table, making Bai Li quite tipsy. So these two went to sleep in the same room. As for Chu Xianning and Luo Yueguan, Jiang Huai didn’t need to worry. Ji Qingxuan, however, was drinking alone at the wine table, seemingly a bit tipsy.
Jiang Huai had already asked Jun Anshui. Jun Anshui would be returning to the Dragon Clan for a while after the Five Regions Grand Competition. Her bloodline aura had been largely replenished by Jiang Huai. Only the rules within the Dragon Clan World could allow her body to grow; otherwise, she would need to sleep for most of the time outside. Therefore, she would also be leaving tomorrow. So tonight…
But Jiang Huai still wanted to spend some time with Bai Jin. Tomorrow, Bai Li would return to the Eastern Region with him, so Bai Jin would have to return to the Western Region alone. Jiang Huai felt a little guilty, having lured away the only daughter of Aunt Bai. Would Bai Jin be lonely all by herself in the Western Region?
But Jun Anshui was also going back. At this moment, her eyes were looking at him expectantly. The guests had all dispersed, and only he and Jun Anshui were in the courtyard. So Jiang Huai picked up Jun Anshui’s petite body and held her close, leaning into her ear, “Shall we go sleep with Bai Jin tonight?”
Jun Anshui obediently curled up in his embrace, “Everything is up to my little brother.”
So, Jiang Huai, whose face was now as thick as a city wall, picked up Jun Anshui’s petite body and went to Bai Jin’s courtyard. However, just as he reached out to knock on the door, he happened to hear very soft, hushed conversations from inside the courtyard.
Shouldn’t Bai Li be asleep by now? He pricked up his ears and after a moment, he clearly heard a lazy, seductive voice. It was Su Qiang. For the past three days, he had heard her entwined, mournful groans many times.
