Jian Feng

Zan Lu's eyes flickered slightly. Inside the carriage, Mingyue's lips curled up. 'So, someone dared to steal from the Xueqi Family? Interesting…' She sent another silent command to Zan Lu. 

Outside, Zan Lu kept his expression neutral as he spoke again. "Oh, don't get me wrong. I have no interest in your internal affairs." He gave a dismissive wave. "We are simply merchants, here to sell our artifacts." His gaze sharpened ever so slightly. "But naturally, before engaging in business, we need to ensure our buyers aren't dealing with internal chaos. After all, we wouldn't want our Miss to be caught up in someone else's problems."

"Don't worry, sir, it's not internal strife," Jian Feng said smoothly. "Sometimes, we just have greedy people who bite the hand that feeds them. But we can still provide you with accommodation."

Zan Lu tilted his head slightly. "Can you tell me what exactly your family is grieving over? Maybe we have something suitable for the occasion that we can offer."

Jian Feng let out a short chuckle. "You jest, sir. Unless you happen to have an artifact capable of recovering a scattered soul, there's nothing you can do." His voice lowered slightly. "This isn't a big secret, so I'll tell you. My niece—my sister's daughter—had an accident in the secret realm."

Mingyue, still inside the carriage, observed his words carefully, cross-referencing them with his status.

***

Name: Jian Feng Xueqi

…

[The target is ashamed, sad, angry, and pained.

Has hostile intentions.]

**

Mingyue's brows furrowed.'Why does he feel angry and sad?' She had always been sure he hated her.

[Queen, he still has hostile intentions,] 

"He's probably planning to take us somewhere else and keep this from the patriarch," Mingyue murmured in her mind. "That would count as hostile intent." Still… something didn't add up. Mingyue had always assumed her uncle's bitterness came from jealousy of her talent. But now? It doesn't feel that simple. There was no way he could trick Vesa's system readings.

Memories flickered in her mind. Her father had always been cold to her. Her mother had been too absorbed in cultivation to pay her much attention. The only people who had interacted with her consistently were her little brother and her uncle's family. But those interactions had never been pleasant. Her little brother had spent his childhood debating with her, pranking her, challenging her. Her uncle? He had never stopped criticizing her. Nothing she did was ever good enough. And yet, despite all that, Jian Feng's reaction now… wasn't what she expected. Her fingers tapped idly on the table before she sent a silent instruction to Zan Lu.

Zan Lu hesitated briefly but then carried out the order. "I heard the rumors," he said casually. "They say it was Mingyue from the Blue Lotus Sect. That she's got a bad personality—selfish, arrogant. That she only thinks about herself."

Jian Feng's fist clenched ever so slightly. Zan Lu smirked inwardly and continued, "They also say she rejected a marriage alliance, causing your family a huge loss."

Jian Feng's jaw tightened. But despite the tension in his posture, he forced a smile. "No, sir. That is just a rumor."

***

Name: Jian Feng Xueqi

…

[The target's anger is rising.]

***

Zan Lu's gaze flickered. "So, it is wrong?"

Jian Feng took a slow breath, steadying himself. "Yes. The family broke off the marriage alliance after careful discussion." His voice hardened slightly. "It wasn't Mingyue's fault." A flicker of raw frustration passed through his eyes. "If anything, it was that useless bastard's fault."

Zan Lu raised an eyebrow. "Useless bastard?"

Jian Feng quickly waved a hand. "I apologize. I misspoke." His voice shifted back to its usual composed tone. "Let's discuss this further at the inn. I'm sure you're tired from the journey."

Zan Lu, unmoved, simply responded, "An inn? I thought you would be escorting us to your family home."

Jian Feng's smile didn't falter. "The inn is a much better place to rest, sir. The situation at my estate is… tense. But don't worry, I will personally convey everything we discuss to the patriarch."

Zan Lu studied him for a moment before nodding. The carriage moved through the city, arriving at a large, luxurious inn. Now seated in the VIP dining area, Mingyue relaxed with a cup of tea in hand.

Zan Lu stood dutifully behind her, his expression composed.Across from her sat Jian Feng. He wanted to speak. He wanted to ask something. But he didn't dare. He still remembered the pressure that had come from inside the carriage.

Even now, in this refined setting, the memory of that overwhelming presence sent a cold sweat down his back. Mingyue studied her uncle, conflicted. She couldn't accept it. That this man—who had spent years criticizing her, belittling her—was now feeling sad over her supposed death.

Family love? Such a thing didn't exist in the Xueqi family.

Without a word, she reached into her storage ring and pulled out a single photograph. With a quiet thud, she placed it on the table. Jian Feng's eyes flickered toward it. The air around them tensed. "She's still alive." Mingyue's voice was cold. "She's in my hands now." She tilted her head slightly, eyes locking onto his. "What will you do for her?"

Meanwhile, the rest of the Xueqi family remained oblivious to Mingyue's arrival. Jian Feng had ensured the guards stayed silent. No one had reported it. And with no major qi fluctuations, the more powerful cultivators hadn't sensed a thing. But Jian Feng… His expression changed the moment he saw the photo. He believed her. Not because he trusted her—but because there was no reason for her to lie.

***

Name: Jian Feng Xueqi

…

[Hostile intent disappears. Target is filled with hope.]

***

"But… how?" His voice cracked. "The tablet clearly showed—" He cut himself off, shaking his head. It didn't matter. None of it mattered, as long as Mingyue was alive. Then— Thud! He dropped to his knees. Lowered his head to the floor.

A deep, solemn bow. Mingyue didn't find it funny anymore. She felt angry. The urge to raise her voice, to demand why— Why he had treated her the way he had. Why he was only doing this now. But she forced herself to stay composed. First, she needed to know the truth. What was stolen? Who was the traitor? And—most importantly—if Jian Feng truly cared, why had he treated her so horribly in the past?

[The target is resigned to his fate.]

Mingyue's heart clenched. But her expression remained cold. Jian Feng lifted his head, his voice low but firm. "I will do anything." His eyes burned with desperation. "As long as you don't hurt my family."

Mingyue's lips curled into a sharp smirk. "Your family?" she repeated. "Who do you mean? The whole Xueqi family?"

Jian Feng hesitated, then shook his head. "My wife. My son's family. Mingyue and her little brother." His voice darkened. "As for the rest? I don't care. They're heartless."

Mingyue's gaze sharpened. "Heartless?" she echoed. "Even your own sister? Mingyue's mother?"