The maid trembled and bowed, "Forgive me." And left.
Rou Yan scoffed at the maid, then turned to Ji Zong.
She grabbed his wrist and pulled him.
"Let's go; we are getting late."
As they walked together, Ji Zong's mind wandered.
If Lian hadn't burned that incense yesterday, I'd be cultivating the scrolls I took from Heavenly Father. I was saving the Demonic Blood Tempering Art for later, maybe once I reached the Immortal Realm. But I can't wait anymore—I need to risk it now. I can't afford to lose control again.
They arrived at the portal and stood before it.
Ji Zong glanced at her. "Where is this portal going to transport us?"
Rou Yan squeezed his hand and gave an order to the guards controlling the portal.
Blue light flared, and in the blink of an eye, they stood inside a large manor.
"Where are we?" Ji Zong looked around at the wide hall.
When he turned his head, Rou Yan was on all fours, her face pale as if she was about to throw up.
She froze when she noticed him watching. "Wait, isn't this your first time traveling through the portal?"
Ji Zong grunted, "Yes, and your face says you're shocked because you must be confused why I'm not throwing up, while everyone does their first time."
Rou Yan wiped her mouth and glared at him.
"Your arrogance has no bounds, you know."
Ji Zong shrugged, "I'm not arrogant but a man with vast knowledge."
But his thoughts were different.
Why would I get sick from this cheap little teleport? It barely jumps between cities. My own array can cross universes.
When Rou Yan steadied her breath, she said, "This is the teleport room of our clan manor in this city called Ironwood City."
Ji Zong nodded and reached out a hand. She took it and stood.
The guards rushed into the room, panicked. They bowed low. "Please forgive us, miss; we were late to welcome you."
Rou Yan narrowed her eyes. "Why were you late? Were you welcoming someone else?"
The guards stiffened. Their lips trembled, but none dared to answer.
Her expression hardened. "Don't tell me Xie Jian is here again."
She stormed through the room, anger flashing in her eyes. The guards scrambled after her, with Ji Zong following close behind.
One guard stammered, "Miss, please forgive us. The clan leader ordered us to treat him with full hospitality. He's the son of the Xie clan and younger brother of Xie Tian. If we offended him, it could damage the marriage between the eldest Miss Rou Mei and Xie Tian… even the clans' relationship itself."
A grin spread across Ji Zong's face. He leaned close to Rou Yan and whispered, "So, the son of heaven, Xie Tian's brother? Let's have some fun with him."
Rou Yan laughed softly and nodded.
They reached the hall. Rou Yan shoved the doors open. Inside, Xie Jian lounged on a couch, sipping tea like he owned the place.
At the sound of the gate, he set the cup down and jumped up in excitement.
His smile froze when he saw Rou Yan's beauty and her dress. His gaze ignored Ji Zong completely.
She walked straight toward him. "Don't you have anything else to do besides stalking me?"
Her words snapped him back to reality. He brushed past the insult with a smile.
Xie Jian smiled as if he hadn't heard the insult.
"How are you, my childhood friend? It's been two months since I last saw you."
Rou Yan scoffed, her eyes burning.
"Do you remember why I rejected your marriage proposal? It's because of this—you only hear what you want to hear."
He laughed, eyes glinting. "Don't be stubborn. Marry me. I waited here four hours just so we could go to the auction together. I'll buy you everything there."
Rou Yan turned away. He lunged forward and grabbed her wrist.
The room froze. Guards and maids didn't dare move.
"You can't escape me!" Xie Jian barked. "I've been patient, waiting for you to open your legs. If you won't, I'll make you. Your useless father can't stop my father anyway!" He laughed, wild and arrogant.
His laugh cut short as his grip closed on air. Rou Yan was suddenly lifted in Ji Zong's arms.
She relaxed against him, smiling. She whispered in his ear, "Beat him up."
Ji Zong chuckled.
Xie Jian's smile twisted into rage. He glared at Ji Zong.
"Who the hell are you? Do you even know who I am?"
Ji Zong didn't release her; instead, he looked at him from head to toe with mild curiosity. as if studying a peculiar insect.
"Your name is Xie Jian." He stated, his voice was flat and devoid of emotion.
"You're the younger brother of Xie Tian. You cultivate the Flaming Sun Scripture, but you crippled your lower dantian with a qi deviation from rushing your progress. Out of jealousy, you pushed too far—your brother stands at the peak of Qi Refining, while you remain stuck at Qi Sensing, shackled by your lack of talent."
Xie Jian's face went pale. "H-How do you—"
Ji Zong cut him off. His voice was cold.
"Your father didn't send you here for Rou Yan. He sent you to buy the Frostbone Lotus from the auction to cool your broken meridians. Waiting for her was just your excuse. A pathetic one."
Silence filled the hall.
The guards and maids stared, realizing this stranger had just exposed the Xie clan's secret.
Xie Jian's face turned pale with horror, his lips moving without a sound.
Ji Zong glanced at him, not with anger, but with the calm indifference of brushing dust from his sleeve.
"Now," Ji Zong said, his soft voice cutting through the silence like a blade, "leave my sight."