Ji Wu

Xu Wenrui’s eyes burned with a mix of anger and disbelief. It felt as though a dog, obedient and submissive for years, had suddenly turned into a snarling wolf, baring its fangs at him. The sensation was surreal.

“Is this how you treat your elder brother? Your legs may have healed, but your character has fallen to disgraceful depths. How could the Marshal’s household produce such a disgrace?” Xu Wenrui snarled, pointing an accusing finger at Qin Gou, his gaze locked onto him with unrelenting fury.

Qin Gou remained calm, his expression unchanging. “Why waste your breath? What can you do about it?”

Xu Wenrui’s anger deepened, his voice dripping with cold sarcasm. “How laughable. As your elder brother, it’s my duty to discipline an ungrateful wretch like you.”

“Come on then. Try me,” Qin Gou said, his hand resting on the hilt of the black sword at his waist, his demeanor composed and unflinching.

Xu Wenrui’s eyes glinted with cold light, his aura surging as the tension between them reached a boiling point.

“Big Brother! Third Brother!” Xu Shuangshuang cried out, caught between them, her face filled with worry and helplessness.

“What’s going on here? What could possibly make Commander Xu so angry?” A voice rang out as a man entered the room. He was dressed in luxurious robes, his face pale and clean-shaven, and he carried a horsetail whisk draped over his arm.

Xu Wenrui glanced at the newcomer and said flatly, “Greetings, Chief Eunuch Ji Wu.”

Ji Wu smiled faintly, his tone laced with mockery. “The contest has already begun. Commander Xu, please don’t break the rules. Otherwise, your opponent would automatically win by default.”

Hearing this, Xu Wenrui nodded slightly, his cold gaze lingering on Qin Gou. “Consider yourself lucky. I won’t fight you here. A private brawl between brothers would only tarnish our family’s reputation. But don’t think this is over. I’ll wait for you in the arena, where I’ll teach you what it means to respect your elder brother. That is, if you can even make it to me without being eliminated first.”

With that, Xu Wenrui stormed out, his robes billowing behind him, with Ji Wu following close behind.

Qin Gou turned to Xu Shuangshuang, gently patting her back. “It’s over now. Wipe your tears.”

Xu Shuangshuang nodded, sniffling as she tried to compose herself. “I just don’t understand why Big Brother looks down on us so much. He calls us useless, but I’ve managed Kezhou well, and the people there respect me. Yet all he cares about is his reputation. He never sees the effort we put in.”

“Don’t worry. His arrogance won’t last long. I’ll make sure he loses everything,” Qin Gou said softly, his tone comforting.

“But… in terms of cultivation, we’re no match for Big Brother,” Xu Shuangshuang said hesitantly. “Third Brother, you’ve already angered him. If you face him, he won’t hold back. You’ll get hurt.”

“You’re wrong, Second Sister. In a battle between cultivators, it’s not just about cultivation level. Strategy matters too,” Qin Gou replied.

“Strategy?” Xu Shuangshuang murmured, her expression thoughtful.

“Exactly. The kind of strategy you’re thinking of,” Qin Gou said with a sly smile.

Xu Shuangshuang gasped. “You mean… underhanded tactics?”

“Smart tactics!” Qin Gou corrected, coughing lightly as he shot her a disapproving look.

“Hahaha, you two have such a wonderful bond. Forgive me for interrupting,” Ji Wu’s sharp voice cut in as he reentered the room. His tone was sharp and piercing. “Second Miss, I must ask you to step outside for a moment. I’d like to have a private chat with Third Young Master Xu.”

“Second Sister, go take a walk. I’ll find you later,” Qin Gou said calmly, his gaze fixed on Ji Wu. He knew this was the eunuch who had subdued Mu Man’er during her first escape attempt from the Tian Kun Palace.

Xu Shuangshuang reluctantly left, leaving Qin Gou and Ji Wu alone in the room.

“Third Young Master Xu, you’re quite fortunate,” Ji Wu began, his tone smooth and insincere. “You might not know this, but the Sword-Wielding Princess has been mentioning you to the Emperor quite frequently these past few days. It seems she holds you in high regard.”

“Really?” Qin Gou said, feigning surprise and bashfulness. “I don’t know why the Princess would think so highly of me. Perhaps it’s fate.”

Ji Wu chuckled. “Your appearance has certainly made things easier for us. Before you came along, the Princess was a constant source of trouble, always causing headaches for the Emperor and everyone else. But ever since you showed up, she’s calmed down significantly. The Emperor is very pleased with you.”

“I’ll do my best to live up to His Majesty’s expectations and give it my all in the contest,” Qin Gou said with a nod.

Ji Wu’s gaze grew more calculating as he said, “You’re quite the talent, Third Young Master. If it were up to me, we wouldn’t need this elaborate contest. We could simply marry the Princess to you and be done with it.”

“That’s an excellent idea, Chief Eunuch. Have you suggested it to the Emperor?” Qin Gou asked with a polite smile.

Ji Wu laughed. “Do you really think this contest was the Emperor’s idea? It was the Princess who insisted on it. The Emperor couldn’t refuse her. But don’t worry. This is all just a show. As long as you have the Emperor’s favor and the Princess’s approval, you’ll make it far in the contest…”

Ji Wu’s expression turned sly. “The only problem is your elder brother, Commander Xu. He’s highly respected and has a significant advantage in both status and cultivation. It’s hard to say how things will turn out.”

“So, aside from my brother, I’ll have no other obstacles?” Qin Gou asked, his smile never wavering.

“That’s not something I can say for sure,” Ji Wu replied, waving his hand dismissively. “Leave the details to me. After all, isn’t that what a shameless old eunuch like me is for?”

“Third Young Master Xu, it’s your turn,” a guard announced, entering the room and bowing respectfully to Ji Wu.

Qin Gou nodded, clasping his hands in thanks to Ji Wu before striding confidently toward the arena. As he left, he threw a parting remark over his shoulder, his tone laden with meaning.

“Chief Eunuch Ji, I’m sure you understand that some things can’t be ordered directly by the Emperor. Sometimes, trusted individuals must take the initiative to lighten his burdens. You, Chief Eunuch, are the perfect person for such tasks. Neither the Emperor nor I will overlook your invaluable contributions.”

Ji Wu, a seasoned court official, stood frozen for a moment, his expression complicated. When he finally regained his composure, he muttered to himself, “This Third Young Master Xu is nothing like the rumors. How strange. None of the Marshal’s children seem to have inherited his straightforward nature. As for Xu Jin… could he be one of us? I understand your message, Third Young Master. But I’d better apologize to Commander Xu in advance—he might not like what’s coming.”