Chapter 23: Returning Her Life

Just as Ergou stood frozen in dilemma, neither advancing nor retreating, a commanding voice suddenly resonated from the hall's entrance, immediately attracting everyone's attention.

"Esteemed guests, please remain calm. This Ji has come a bit late—please forgive my tardiness."

At the doorway stood a sturdy middle-aged man, his stride vigorous, his face adorned with a thick, bushy beard. His gaze, sharp and piercing, swept over everyone present, radiating the unmistakable aura of one who had long held authority.

This newcomer was none other than the long-awaited Ji Ping, City Lord of Luoyang.

As his eyes briefly paused on a certain young figure in Daoist robes, Ji Ping's brows knitted slightly, though he quickly averted his gaze. Right now, appeasing these esteemed visitors took priority.

Seeing their host finally appear, those gathered in the hall visibly relaxed, momentarily forgetting the odd master-disciple pair who'd been merrily eating nonstop. Someone lightly knocked on his table, interrogating sternly:

"City Lord Ji, you're quite the busy man. On such an auspicious day, you leave your honored guests unattended. Could there be...something more pressing than your daughter's marriage?"

The hall immediately echoed with agreement.

"Precisely!"

"Although your estate is lavishly decorated, we've yet to even see the groom or the bridal procession."

"City Lord Ji, you're not trying to make fools of us, are you?"

None present were fools—they had all begun to sense the strangeness of this supposedly joyful event. Confronted by their accusations, Ji Ping remained calmly composed, smiling lightly as he raised his hand to quiet them.

Given the respectability and dignity of these guests, they willingly fell silent, directing questioning gazes toward Ji Ping standing in the hall's center. 

Before Ji Ping could explain, the first man to speak, addressed by the crowd as "Brother Li," spoke again: "I advise City Lord Ji to carefully consider his explanation before speaking again. Otherwise..."

He flicked his sleeve angrily, sitting down with a darkened expression, clearly implying a threat.

Indeed, those present were all wealthy or influential. Some had come expressly to curry favor with Ji Ping, but others were there purely out of respect for his status as city lord. 

Thus, none feared openly offending him if pushed too far. Among intellectuals, pride reigned supreme: you show me respect, and I show you even more; but try to impose arrogance upon me, and we'll have a serious problem!

Under everyone's scrutiny, Ji Ping remained utterly unflustered. Still smiling, he lifted a cup from the table beside him and declared clearly:

"Regardless of the reasons, this Ji has indeed mishandled matters today."

Finishing his wine in one gulp, he added cheerfully, "I shall first penalize myself with this cup as apology. Would that suffice?"

"Hmph! You think one cup of wine can appease us?" came angry retorts.

"Exactly! City Lord Ji, cease your evasion and speak plainly!"

Although their dissatisfaction persisted, Ji Ping's conciliatory attitude and genuine self-reproach somewhat mollified their wounded pride, softening the harshness of their criticism.

Straightening himself, Ji Ping's voice grew serious. "I greatly appreciate your attendance at my humble home today. As for why I used the pretext of my daughter's marriage—and why the groom is nowhere to be found—I beg you all to let me explain slowly."

Clearly in a good mood, he leisurely refilled his wine cup and continued:

"This matter begins with my so-called second daughter, Ji Qingge."

The instant these words left his mouth, everyone's expressions changed. A man tentatively asked, "What do you mean by this, City Lord Ji? Could it be... Ji Qingge isn't actually your daughter?!"

Ji Ping glanced briefly at the questioner and nodded solemnly. "Correct. Ji Qingge isn't my beloved wife's second daughter at all. She is actually a fox spirit who cultivated into human form!"

"The reason I created this false marriage event for my eldest daughter Ji Yun was specifically to lure Ji Qingge back to the city."

"Lowering her guard, she returned home unaware that I've already prepared an inescapable trap. No matter how powerful this fox spirit might be, today she'll surely fall into our hands!"

"What?!"

Like a boulder hurled into calm waters, Ji Ping's revelation caused a tempest of astonishment and confusion.

"How…how could that be?"

"Yes, City Lord Ji! I've watched your Second Miss grow up—surely you're not becoming senile?"

Though Ji Ping himself had announced this shocking revelation, most found it impossible to believe, thinking him perhaps muddle-headed in his old age.

"City Lord Ji, you mustn't speak carelessly! Miss Ji Qingge is clearly a genuine immortal who even commands celestial techniques! Remember when my mansion caught fire?"

"It was precisely Ji Qingge who helped extinguish the flames. That water dragon appearing from thin air—I still remember vividly!"

This convincing testimony immediately elicited nods from several others.

"Exactly! I was also there! That fire was ferocious, and I thought Old Zhang's lifetime possessions would burn away completely."

Confronted by doubts, Ji Ping smiled calmly—he'd clearly anticipated such reactions. After all, even a month ago, if anyone had dared accuse his daughter of being a monster, Ji Ping himself would have had them imprisoned without hesitation.

Addressing everyone, he declared firmly, "Everyone, please remain calm."

Turning to the doorway, he announced loudly, "I know that no matter how much I speak, you'll think it mere speculation. Whether Ji Qingge is truly a monster or not, immortal masters from the Zhengqing Sect have already trapped her using their formation."

"Please follow me into the rear courtyard, and see with your own eyes!"

Finished speaking, he strode out decisively, leaving everyone staring in shock at each other.

"This…"

"What should we do now?"

Ultimately, the one among them with the highest status made a decision.

"If even Ji Ping himself dares go, how can we hesitate? Regardless of Ji Qingge's true nature, she's now captured by authentic immortal cultivators. What is there left to fear?"

"Well spoken, Old Zhang!"

"Yes! Let's go together."

Thus, an imposing crowd hurried toward the rear courtyard.

In the now-empty hall, a cute little head cautiously peeked out from the doorway.

"Master, they've all left!"

Chen An calmly stepped forward and took the small girl's hand in his. "Then we should go too."

"Where are we going?" Su Chichi asked curiously.

"Didn't you hear their conversation? We're going to see the monster," Chen An answered lightly.

Su Chichi hesitated uneasily. "Ah…is that beautiful older sister truly a monster?"

Chen An nodded quietly, but quickly added, "However, she's a good monster who never harmed anyone."

Hearing this, Su Chichi vigorously nodded like a little chick pecking rice. "Exactly! I could tell she's not bad at all. Oh—I mean, not a bad monster!"

Chen An chuckled softly, continuing patiently, "Didn't you previously ask me, Chichi, what exactly we were returning to her?"

"Yes?"

"Then, we'll return to her…a life."