Chapter 216: Chapter 126: Zhong Ming: You’re Too Late
’Requesting support...’
Zhu Junfeng’s plea for help arrived through his Divine Soul, causing Ji Qinghui to raise an eyebrow as a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes.
His original plan was to watch the tigers fight from a safe distance. He’d even hoped the Void Moon Sect would suffer a major defeat at Zhong Ming’s hands. That would have allowed him to maintain a perfect balance between the two.
But that entire plan hinged on Zhong Ming being loyal to him. Only then could he have securely played the role of referee, watching the two tigers tear each other apart.
But now, the situation had deviated far from his expectations. Zhong Ming was a supporter of Ji Qingyue! In that case, the more Zhong Ming won, the more Ji Qingyue’s reputation and influence would grow—a development he was not at all pleased to see.
’I can stop him, but I can’t be the only one putting in the effort.’
Unwilling to bear the cost alone, his gaze swept over his eldest brother, Ji Chengping, and his seventh brother, Ji Qingkang. With a simple turn of his eyes, a plan formed in his mind.
He coughed to clear his throat, then said gravely, "Chengping, Qingkang, Zhong Ming is arrogant and conceited. It’s not good for someone like him to keep winning. It could even damage the reputation of our Qinghe Commandery Mansion."
"I propose we join forces to defeat him. Let’s teach him that there’s always someone better out there."
At these words, Ji Qingkang’s eyes narrowed instantly. He sensed ill intent.
But before he could figure out why Ji Qinghui had taken the initiative to speak, Ji Chengping beside them blurted out impatiently, "You have a plan?"
He had been utterly humiliated by Zhong Ming and hated him to the core. Now, hearing there was a chance for revenge, his voice was naturally filled with urgency.
Seeing this, Ji Qinghui’s lips curled into a faint smile. He spoke slowly, "Of course... Chengping, Qingkang, you both know that I am a disciple of the Void Moon Sect. I can contact my sect brothers and have them lend a hand."
"However, defeating Zhong Ming and stopping him from further sullying the reputation of the Qinghe Commandery Mansion is a responsibility we all share. I am providing the manpower, so, Chengping, Qingkang, you ought to contribute as well."
His tone shifted, growing more serious. "This is also an insurance policy. Zhong Ming may be arrogant, but he has real strength. If we want to defeat him cleanly, you two had better offer up something valuable."
’Heh...’ As soon as Ji Qinghui finished speaking, Ji Qingkang sneered inwardly. He had already seen through the trick—his third brother was trying to get something for nothing.
’The Void Moon Sect’s True Inheritance disciples wouldn’t be acting just because Third Brother asked. It’s far more likely that other Major Sects are fanning the flames and stirring up trouble... And if I’m not mistaken, the Void Moon Sect must have approached Third Brother to increase their chances of winning. He didn’t want to give anything up, so he set his sights on us instead.’
’Such a cunning scheme.’
Although he saw through Ji Qinghui’s calculations, Ji Qingkang had no intention of exposing him.
Defeating Zhong Ming also served his interests.
Besides, he understood perfectly that his third brother’s real target for this scheme was their eldest brother, Ji Chengping.
And that... was exactly the case.
’Using a precious treasure to deal with Zhong Ming...’ After a moment of grim-faced contemplation, Ji Chengping gritted his teeth, ripped the Jade Pendant from his waist, and slapped it into Ji Qinghui’s hand. "I’ll lend him this Dragon Vein Jade Pendant for now!"
This declaration startled both Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang.
Most Immortal Dynasties deal with matters of destiny, and especially with Dragon Veins.
Cultivating by borrowing from the nation’s destiny through its Dragon Vein was a unique privilege of the Royal Family’s scions.
At the same time, an Immortal Dynasty’s Dragon Vein, empowered by the nation’s destiny, possessed extraordinary abilities. A classic example was using it to suppress bizarre Evil Spirits or even nullify Daoist Skills.
Of course, such abilities were only possible for a true Immortal Dynasty and only in close proximity to the Dragon Vein itself.
Moreover, such suppression was mutual. Someone with Great Magical Power could not only ignore the Dragon Vein’s influence but could even sever it, thereby shaking the very destiny of a nation.
Of course, that was something only a Great Divine Power User would even consider. What surprised Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang was that they never expected their eldest brother to be willing to stake so much just to deal with Zhong Ming.
After all, they were merely the sons of a Commandery Prince, not Imperial Princes. The Frost Moon Immortal Dynasty had a vast Royal Family, which meant the share of the Dragon Vein’s destiny each of them received was quite limited.
Under these circumstances, the fact that Ji Chengping had produced a Dragon Vein Jade Pendant imbued with so much of that destiny was naturally astonishing to them.
After his initial surprise, however, Ji Qinghui immediately took the pendant. He thumped his chest and assured Ji Chengping, "Don’t worry, Chengping. With the help of this artifact, Zhong Ming’s defeat is certain!"
After handing over the Dragon Vein Jade Pendant, Ji Chengping’s eyes filled with reluctance. But soon, that feeling was replaced by bone-deep hatred. He gritted his teeth and said, "I want him to suffer a miserable defeat!"
"Don’t worry, Chengping. Zhong Ming will get what’s coming to him."
After their exchange, Ji Qinghui turned his gaze to Ji Qingkang.
Seeing the look, Ji Qingkang gave a helpless shrug. "I left in a rush and didn’t bring anything valuable with me. It’s too late to go back and fetch something now. I can only offer this Seven Spirits Blood-Burning Pill. I hope you won’t find it lacking, Third Brother."
If he could, Ji Qinghui would have loved to say, ’I can wait. Go back and get it.’ But he knew his scheme hadn’t fooled his seventh brother. He also knew that the longer they waited, the more likely their eldest brother was to have second thoughts. So, he could only grit his teeth, accept the Elixir Pill, and say with a forced smile:
"It’s enough."
Soon, the Dragon Vein Jade Pendant and the Seven Spirits Blood-Burning Pill were delivered to Zhu Junfeng by a subordinate, along with a message.
