novelraw Chapter 119: Qin Ji Shows His Teeth
Chapter 119: Qin Ji Shows His Teeth
"What exactly are you doing?"
Qi Xiu lay propped on one elbow, chin in hand, watching with a mix of curiosity and concern. Last night in the hot spring had gone too far—he'd meant to let her rest properly. Yet the moment she woke, she pressed close again, drawing him into another round of bliss. Afterward, though, instead of curling up lazy against him like usual, she lifted her hips, legs raised straight toward the ceiling, channeling some technique with quiet focus.
Naked, skin still marked from their fervor, Wei Minniang flushed soft. "It's a seed-fixing method I picked up at Hehuan Sect. No idea if it'll actually work."
"Don't wear yourself out over this."
He saw the faint crease between her brows—the art clearly took effort. Tenderness welled up; he knew the ache driving her to bear his child. "Really. Take it easy."
"Mm..." She agreed, but kept at it, breath steady. "Go handle your business. This'll take a while."
"I'll stay." No way he'd leave her alone like this. But a pulse at the edge of his sense—Yu Denou outside, hand raised to knock. Qi Xiu sighed inwardly, dressed quick, stole one last lingering kiss, then stepped out.
Yu Denou had lightened up since stepping down from teaching. Rites Steward now—mostly festival gifts to the Shandu Wei clan, South Chu Chu clan, Zhen Yang Liu clan, and a handful of nearby powers. Occasional visitor duties. Rest of the time? Leisure. Warm and fed, the old man chased pleasures. Last year he'd taken a new concubine. This year? Planning another marriage.
"Sect Leader Senior Brother, word from South Chu Sect. The Qi Yun Chu clan reports their ancestor Chu Shentong—direct descendant of Old Ancestor Chu Zhen—broke through to Nascent Soul a few days back."
"Oh! Really? Good—excellent!"
Qi Xiu's heart jolted, then soared. Chu Zhen had done the sect a great favor. Qi Xiu had leaned hard on that tiger's shadow in these southern wilds. But the old man's lifespan was running thin—fall within the next century, inevitable. A new Nascent Soul in the Qi Yun Chu clan? Their pillar for the next thousand years secured.
For the Chu Qin Sect, bound by old incense ties, this was pure good fortune.
He clapped Yu Denou's shoulder in excitement—then noticed the elder's awkward squirm. Something unsaid. "What is it?"
"Uh... well... the Qi Yun Chu clan invites us to the Nascent Soul ceremony. Specifically... they want someone surnamed Qin to attend."
"Oh?"
Unexpected, but not unreasonable. The founding ancestor Qin Lie'er had been Chu Zhen's disciple. The Chu clan's protection over Chu Qin always circled back to that bond. Asking Qin descendants to witness the rite? Standard courtesy.
Still—Qin Ji's ambitions flashed in Qi Xiu's mind. His face darkened. After this, the Qin clan's hunger for the sect leader seat would only grow bolder.
"Your thoughts?" Yu Denou knew the undercurrents. Otherwise, as Rites Steward, he'd have settled it himself—no need to consult.
Qi Xiu paced slow. "Nothing to debate. Follow their wish. Weiyu and Siguo go, no question. Ask Qin Ji if he wants in too."
"Understood."
Yu Denou left to arrange. Days later he returned, face twisted reluctant. "Sect Leader Senior Brother—Qin Ji requests an audience."
"Now what?" Qi Xiu eyed the elder's hesitation. "Just let him come. Why the long face?"
Yu Denou opened his mouth, closed it. "You'll see."
"What the hell..."
Muttering, Qi Xiu swept into the main hall. Qin Ji sat head of the guest side. Weiyu and Siguo placed below him. The arrangement grated. Qi Xiu's voice dropped low. "What do you want?"
Qin Ji rose quick. "Immortal Master Sect Leader, we're ready. Departing for Qi Yun immediately. Came to bid farewell."
Qi Xiu shot Yu Denou a glare. Farewell? That's it? All the mystery? "Fine. Safe journey. Pass my respects to the Chu ancestors when you arrive."
"Yes." Qin Ji's smile spread wide—ten-plus years in the south had softened him into a plump young landlord. Cheeks full, features squeezed together when he grinned, flesh jiggling. "I was thinking... I'm still just a 'scholar' rank. With Foundation Establishment in the sect now, shouldn't I at least get baron? Sounds better when I greet the Chu clan."
So that's it. Riding the wave for status. By clan law, a territory lord under a sect with Foundation Establishment could claim baron. But Bai Xiaosheng would leave in ten years. If no new Foundation emerged? Title stripped. Laughingstock.
Qi Xiu kept his tone even. "Baron? Forget it. Senior Bai's a guest elder—comes and goes as he pleases. I see three late Qi Refining cultivators already. 'Minister' rank will do."
"Yes." Qin Ji bowed acceptance, then smiled broader. "The gifts I prepared—Immortal Master Yu helped. Feels a bit light. Those peachwood swords of yours... quite impressive. I'd like to offer them to Old Ancestor Chu. Show Chu Qin's true sincerity."
"What?"
Qi Xiu's face went livid. The gall—right in his face. Dog emboldened by a new master. Chu clan crooks a finger, and he barks loud. No wonder Yu Denou looked so torn.
He stared hard, mouth curling scorn. "Nothing else will do?"
"Nothing."
Qin Ji's voice rang firm—no more feigned humility. He stood straight, tall frame echoing the spear-straight youth from years ago. Eyes locked on Qi Xiu's. No flinch. No retreat.
"Fine. Take them."
Qi Xiu hadn't expected the sudden steel. No point bickering with a mortal. He unbuckled the twin peachwood swords from his waist, tossed them over. Turned without another word, stormed out with Yu Denou trailing.
Behind them, Qin Ji's laughter rolled—full-throated, triumphant, shameless.
"Sect Leader Senior Brother... is this wise?"
Yu Denou hurried to match Qi Xiu's long strides, voice low.
"Hmph. Best possible."
Qi Xiu's laugh came cold, sharp. "He should've shown this side ages ago. Stubborn. Fanatical. That's the real Qin family."