Chapter 209: Chapter 123: A Breathtaking Glance, Shaking Qinghe Again
Similarly, in their fight for the title of Prince, Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang viewed each other, as well as Ji Chengping, as their primary rivals.
However, both Ji Qingkang and Ji Qinghui knew the other was a formidable opponent. So, after exchanging a meaningful glance, they decided to team up and sabotage Ji Chengping first.
After Zhong Ming’s victory, Ji Qinghui said with a look of feigned regret, "Eldest Brother, it seems your guess was off. Zhong Ming was the one who won in the end."
Following him, Ji Qingkang added insult to injury. "It’s a good thing Second Sister didn’t listen to you. Otherwise, she would’ve suffered a huge loss."
Trading barbs, Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang ganged up on Ji Chengping, hitting him with one snide comment after another, saying he had no foresight and was a poor judge of character.
Their words were like needles, striking precisely at Ji Chengping’s greatest weakness: his pride. He was filled with rage and embarrassment.
But he had, in fact, made the wrong prediction, which left him with no way to retort.
However, their continuous provocation made his anger boil over.
In the end, unable to argue with his two younger brothers, he turned his resentful gaze upon Zhong Ming.
’It’s all your fault!’
His anger finally erupting, he excused himself from his seat for a moment and gave an order to his subordinates: challenge Zhong Ming and defeat him.
"Eldest Young Master, you mustn’t!" The order sent the old steward into a panic, and he rushed to intervene. "Zhong Ming is already up against the Void Moon Sect! We can just sit back and watch..."
Had he been allowed to continue, he might have persuaded Ji Chengping to change his mind.
Unfortunately, Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang came over.
After shooting the old steward a warning glance that screamed ’mind your own business,’ Ji Qingkang and Ji Qinghui began to flatter Ji Chengping.
"Eldest Brother, you want your subordinates to make a move and defeat Zhong Ming? That’s a wonderful idea! He’s so arrogant, acting as if there’s no one of worth in our Qinghe Commandery Mansion. He truly needs to be taught a lesson."
"Besides, if your subordinates win, Eldest Brother, you will gain immense prestige..."
As Ji Qingkang laid on the flattery, Ji Qinghui shook his head. "Seventh Brother, you’re oversimplifying things. Defeating Zhong Ming would indeed bring countless benefits... but Eldest Brother, can your subordinates really pull it off? Zhong Ming is incredibly strong."
Ji Chengping saw through this goading tactic, but he agreed that the benefits of defeating Zhong Ming were innumerable. This led him to grit his teeth and issue an order—an absolute one:
"Of course my subordinates can do it."
After dealing with his two younger brothers, he turned his gaze to his own men.
"I’ve supported you for this long, all for this one moment. You can win, can’t you?"
The Eldest Young Master’s vicious gaze made his subordinates exchange uncertain glances. In the end, however, they nodded and promised:
"Eldest Young Master, please rest assured. We will win!"
As the eldest son, Ji Chengping had many people who had pledged their loyalty to him. At this moment, more than thirty of them were lining up to challenge Zhong Ming, a scene that caused a huge commotion.
Meanwhile, as Ji Qingyue watched them, a sad look appeared in her eyes.
She was, of course, familiar with her eldest brother’s subordinates.
How could she possibly be happy, seeing her brother send men to undermine her like this?
However, her sadness did not last long. Soon, something happened that changed her expression from sorrow to disbelief.
"You’re saying you won’t be paying in Spirit Stones, but are prepared to sign a pact instead? Are you sure?"
"Once this pact is signed, if you are defeated, you will have to switch your allegiance and serve under me!"
