Chen Guan observed the team on the hill and noticed all the cultivators wore Celestial Army insignias on their chests, clearly identifying them as members of the elite force.
While Chen Guan was still assessing the situation, Ji Nanhong descended the slope astride her fire qilin.
"Brother Guan, is that your girl? Impressive—riding a fire qilin no less! That's a Legendary-grade Mystical Spirit. There are fewer than ten fire qilin pets in existence, most inherited from ancient times with cultivation levels too high for first-awakening cultivators to handle. This one's clearly a juvenile—extremely valuable," Duan Shulin remarked with inappropriate levity.
"Chen Guan, I told you to message me after entering the secret realm. Why didn't you?" Ji Nanhong dismounted before Chen Guan, her words carrying reproach though her expression showed no displeasure—if anything, her eyes sparkled with delight.
"I just arrived and haven't left yet. There's no signal here—I couldn't send anything," Chen Guan explained.
"You've come at the perfect time, right when the Mystic Spirit is giving birth. With enough luck, you might obtain a Legendary-grade Mystical Spirit." Ji Nanhong seemed ready to say more but glanced at Duan Shulin beside Chen Guan and stopped after that single sentence.
"Hello sister-in-law! I'm Duan Shulin, sworn brother to Guan here through life and death," Duan Shulin said with a roguish grin.
Ji Nanhong's cheeks flushed pink as she shot Chen Guan a glare, but offered no denial. "I wasn't aware you'd acquired such a 'sworn brother'," she said testily.
"Recently," Chen Guan admitted without hesitation—Duan Shulin knew about the Nether Lotus incident triggering the Mystic Spirit's birthing phenomenon, making him someone Chen Guan needed to keep close for answers.
Chen Guan understood her offer was to save his pride; with Celestial Army support, Ji Nanhong hardly needed protection. Though traveling with her provided safety, he worried about Duan Shulin's loose tongue and wanted to isolate him first.
As he considered how to phrase this, a woman in golden armor astride a golden lion descended the slope. She stopped beside Ji Nanhong, eyeing Chen Guan and Duan Shulin coldly. "Nanhong, who are these people?"
"They're my friends," Ji Nanhong replied, frowning slightly.
"We have serious business—this isn't time for reunions," the woman said.
"My reunion is serious business," Ji Nanhong retorted icily.
The woman's eyes flashed with anger, yet her tone softened. "Nanhong, your brother entrusted your safety to me. If a single hair on your head is harmed, he'd be devastated—I can't bear that responsibility. You know how much he cherishes you—more than his own life. He'd skin me alive—"
"I am myself. Xiu Jieming is Xiu Jieming. I need no one's responsibility or instruction," Ji Nanhong cut her off sharply. "Xiu Yingmei, I'm this mission's leader and team captain. Address me as Commander or Captain during operations."
Xiu Yingmei's face darkened, but she persisted. "I only want what's best. I've more experience—I don't want you deceived."
"Are you saying I'm incompetent? Then take command," Ji Nanhong fired back.
Xiu Yingmei's expression twisted. "Nan—"
"Last warning—address me properly or return alone. My team has no place for fools who can't follow basic protocol," Ji Nanhong snapped, all pretense of civility gone.
Xiu Yingmei flushed crimson then pale, but dared not argue further. "Fine! If anything happens, don't blame me!" With that, she spurred her golden lion back up the hill, shooting venomous glares at Chen Guan and Duan Shulin before leaving.
"What was that about?" Chen Guan asked.
"Xiu Yingmei—daughter of Celestial Army Deputy Commander Xiu Fengyan. Her entire family's ambition knows no bounds." Ji Nanhong's brow remained furrowed. "I didn't plan this well—you'll face trouble, but this confrontation was inevitable. Stay close to me—she can't touch you then."
"Sister-in-law... Ji Nanhong... could you be Commander Ji's treasured daughter?" Duan Shulin feigned surprise, though something calculating flickered in his eyes.
"Just call me Ji Nanhong. That other title invites trouble. Come—I'll arrange your quarters." Ji Nanhong nodded.
Duan Shulin ducked his head, falling silent.
"I have unfinished business. Should I handle it first?" Chen Guan ventured.
"Let me help. From now on, stay near me. Xiu Yingmei's capable of anything when provoked—don't give her openings." Ji Nanhong insisted.
"Very well." Chen Guan acquiesced.
Ji Nanhong led them to the Celestial Army camp, assigning them a tent beside her own. After she left to attend to duties, Duan Shulin lowered his voice gravely. "You're in serious trouble."
"Ji Nanhong said she'd handle it," Chen Guan replied absently.
"Not Xiu Yingmei—Ji Nanhong plans to marry you, doesn't she?" Duan Shulin whispered urgently. This update is available on noⅴelfire.net
"Perhaps," Chen Guan admitted uncertainly.
"That's disastrous. Commander Ji has only this daughter. His irreversible old wounds have left him frail—no one knows how long he'll last. His vast estate and the Celestial Army need an heir, but Ji Nanhong's too young to take charge. Everyone sees this prize—especially the Xiu family, who want to 'inherit through marriage.' Marry Ji Nanhong, and everything becomes theirs. Now you appear—how do you think they'll react?" In few words, Duan Shulin laid bare the deadly stakes.