Chapter 199: Chapter 121: Candlelight Heart Eye, The Third Stage
The announcement from Princess Qingyue’s Mansion was like a thunderclap, sweeping across the entire Qinghe Prefecture City in an instant and pushing the city-wide uproar to its absolute peak!
In less than half a day, the turbulent Crescent Lake and the Crescent Inn on its shore were packed with people.
The swarming Cultivators stood on tiptoe to get a better view or whispered amongst themselves, filling the air with a palpable sense of restlessness and curiosity.
The commotion also drew the attention of Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang.
In the Seventh Young Master’s Mansion, upon hearing of Zhong Ming and Ji Qingyue’s response, the jade cup in Ji Qingkang’s hand nearly slipped from his grasp. He was completely thunderstruck.
It took him a long moment to process it. Utterly bewildered, he turned to Qin Hongyu and Autumn Cicada beside him and asked, "Have Zhong Ming and Qingyue lost their minds? Of all the paths they could have taken, how did they manage to choose the worst, most idiotic one?"
In response, both Qin Hongyu and Autumn Cicada simply shook their heads, silent.
Clearly, they too had no idea why Zhong Ming had done such a thing.
Ji Qingkang, Qin Hongyu, and Autumn Cicada had all anticipated that the Void Moon Sect would try to smear Zhong Ming’s name.
But by their estimation, as long as Zhong Ming and Ji Qingyue had any sense, they should have responded to the slander by stepping forward to "clarify" the situation and directing the blame squarely at the Void Moon Sect.
This response—not clarifying or defending themselves, but instead issuing an arrogant challenge to every prodigy in the city—was something he had never expected. They had basically made enemies of the entire world.
Even Ji Qingkang, who believed he had a few tricks up his sleeve, would never dare to make such an arrogant move.
"Young prodigies are always hot-blooded. Now that Zhong Ming and Qingyue have issued such a declaration, the others won’t just stand by and watch... How on earth did they think this was a good idea?"
...
Utterly stunned and bewildered, Ji Qingkang and Ji Qinghui each brought their retinues to the shore of Crescent Lake, preparing to witness the spectacle with their own eyes.
Of all the members of Prince Qinghe’s Mansion, only the eldest son, Ji Chengping, who prided himself on his "steady" nature, dismissed the incident as a complete farce and had no intention of attending.
In fact, the whole affair had only deepened his aversion to Zhong Ming.
"That Zhong Ming might have some Talent, but he’s far too disruptive and high-profile. That’s not the mark of a truly capable man. Recruiting him would only bring me endless trouble."
This assessment made the old steward sigh. But when he remembered that the Prince himself had entrusted this man to his care—and that this man was his master—he could only offer an indirect reason to persuade Ji Chengping to go.
"Eldest Young Master, Zhong Ming is indeed arrogant and not worth recruiting. However, he has caused a huge stir. Many prodigies will be there to show off their strength. Perhaps among them, you will find someone worthy of your attention."
"A good point."
Ji Chengping nodded at his words and set off for Crescent Lake. Along the way, he happened to run into Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang.
Although inwardly the three brothers wished death upon one another, Prince Qinghe was still alive and possessed the absolute power to keep them in line. Thus, on the surface, they were able to maintain a façade of brotherly love and respect.
"Eldest Brother, you’ve come."
"Third Brother, I trust you’ve been well."
"Hahaha, Seventh Brother, come have a seat over here..."
After exchanging a round of pleasantries, the three brothers and their respective entourages took their seats aboard a luxurious barge.
It was not yet noon, and Zhong Ming had not arrived. Bored with waiting, they started to chat, and their conversation inevitably turned to Zhong Ming.
He was the talk of Qinghe Prefecture City.
"Third Brother, what do you think Zhong Ming’s chances are?" Ji Qingkang asked first.
"Zero." Ji Qinghui’s reply was decisive, without a hint of hesitation.
He then traced the rim of his cup with a fingertip and shook his head. "He may have some strength, but he is ultimately alone. To say nothing of the deficiencies in his Magical Power and his physical body, even if he were flawless, facing one challenger after another would exhaust his trump cards and leave his weaknesses completely exposed."
"Qinghe Prefecture City is crawling with prodigies right now, not to mention the True Disciples from Major Sects who have gathered here. Even if he wins once or twice, he won’t escape a third or fourth coordinated attack."
As he spoke, the incredulous look on his face deepened, his expression filled with bewilderment.
"I truly don’t understand what gives him the confidence to be so arrogant. And Second Sister has always been so sensible. Why is she indulging Zhong Ming’s foolishness this time?"
Ji Qingkang laughed and spread his hands. "I don’t think Second Sister has any other choice. Though the Prefecture City is full of prodigies, for one reason or another, very few are willing to support her. In fact, not a single one is. Zhong Ming might be arrogant enough to think he can take on the world alone, but that very arrogance makes him the only genius to have sided with our sister. When he’s the only ace in her hand, she has to indulge him, flaws and all."
"Hmph." Ji Chengping snorted. "Some genius. He’s clearly a walking disaster. Qingyue will only bring endless trouble on herself by recruiting him."
"I’ll go find Qingyue later and make her banish Zhong Ming."
At these self-important words, Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with mutual disdain for their older brother.
Clearly, although Ji Chengping was the eldest son, neither of them held him in high regard.
Ji Qingyue... they didn’t think much of her, either.
Her gender inherently put her at a disadvantage in the struggle for power.
