Free Web NovelChapter 1637: Chapter 74: The Morning Court Ends, Second Under Heaven! (Part 2)
And the power he now wields includes two top Second Grade Great Grandmasters. Although the Black Flood Dragon King, Chen Canghai, is now a Second Grade Great Grandmaster, he could be considered half a First-Grade.
After all, when he was known as the Black Flood Dragon King at his peak, he was genuinely a First-Grade, having stepped into the Unity Realm of the First-Grade.
Though his level has declined now, he is not someone that can be measured by Second Grade Great Grandmasters.
Not to mention, there is also his presence.
His ability to subdue both Carefree Marquis Jing Wuming and Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai is enough to show that his strength is not inferior to theirs.
Even if outsiders are still unclear about the extent of his strength, at worst, the combined total of the three is equivalent to a First-Grade Martial Arts Peak expert.
With such strength, Ji Minghao had the opportunity to see him but did not come.
As he pondered within his heart.
Ji Mingya brought Ji Mingyue in front of Jiang Ning.
"Brother-in-law, I’ll leave Shiqi to you next!" Ji Mingya said with a smile.
"Second Sister, don’t call me that carelessly!" Ji Mingyue whispered, tugging at her sleeve.
Ji Mingya curled her lips disdainfully: "What’s Shiqi shy about? Now, the entire Imperial Family, all the civil and military officials, even the whole Royal Capital knows the heroic deeds between you and the Dongling Marquis."
With that, she took Ji Mingyue’s small hand with one hand and Jiang Ning’s hand with the other, placing their palms together.
"Starting tonight, I’ll leave Shiqi to you, this is what the Eighth Brother said!"
During this exchange of words, Jiang Ning felt a little finger lightly scratch his palm.
When he looked at Ji Mingya, her face was still that charming peach-blossom look, her eyes filled with laughter.
"Where is the Eighth Prince?" He counter-grasped Ji Mingyue’s small hand, pulling her behind him.
"The Eighth Brother told me that he won’t come to see you now. With so many people and eyes at the Vermilion Bird Gate, seeing you might lead to gossip spreading and worsening your situation. He said he doesn’t want to drag you down with his affairs, nor does he want to jeopardize Shiqi’s safety because of it," Ji Mingya said to Jiang Ning.
Then she clapped Ji Mingyue’s other hand.
"Shiqi, if you ever need Second Sister’s help, you can always come to me!"
"Thank you, Second Sister." Ji Mingyue smiled slightly, showing she understood.
Seeing this, Ji Mingyue respectfully bid farewell to Su Qingying and left.
Watching Ji Mingya’s departing figure.
"Underestimated him indeed!" Jiang Ning quietly murmured to himself, recalling the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao.
In his heart, he developed a sense of admiration for Ji Minghao.
At such a critical juncture, he chose not to exploit Ji Mingyue.
In crucial times, he opted for measures to avoid suspicion.
"Let’s go back!" He then withdrew his gaze and said.
Subsequently, the three of them walked towards the direction of the National Master Mansion, gradually moving away from the brightly lit Vermilion Bird Street.
At the same time.
On the city tower of Vermilion Bird Gate. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Two tall and slender figures appeared on the city tower.
One figure stood in front of the other, with hands behind his back, it was none other than the Great Xia’s Eighth Prince Ji Minghao.
"Your Highness, will you truly not go and meet this Dongling Marquis, your brother-in-law?"
Ji Minghao shook his head without speaking.
"Your Highness, the capabilities this Dongling Marquis is displaying now are no less than that of a Prince!" said the man behind Ji Minghao.
Ji Minghao shook his head again: "Shiqi is the only family I truly care for. Over the years, I haven’t been a good brother. At this moment, I don’t want to use my relationship with Shiqi."
"Your Highness, but if that’s the case, you won’t have an advantage in the struggle for the throne!"
Ji Minghao replied indifferently: "General Shen dotes on his beloved daughter!"
"Your Highness, do you mean...?"
"Shen Xiao will be a force!" said Ji Minghao.
...
National Master Mansion.
The three of them returned to the mansion.
It was already six quarters past Yin Time, the sky remained the same, illuminated only by the bright moonlight.
"How was it? Did Ji Xuan cause you trouble?" Jiang Ning, upon returning to his courtyard, saw the cool figure bathed in moonlight.
It was Lin Qingyi who had come.
Clad in a white dress like the moonlight pouring down, the moonlight falling on her long black hair seemed to dance, her entire body shrouded in a layer of serene radiance.
Compared to the initial Lin Qingyi.
After coming out from the Water Moon Sword Palace, Lin Qingyi exuded a more transcendent and holy aura.
Her form and figure were even more outstanding, with a bit more of the Moon Palace Goddess’s temperament.
She also looked a few years younger.
Jiang Ning looked at her, unsurprised.
This morning at the court, he also expected a confrontation with Ji Xuan.
After all, this was the first court session with Prince Ji Xuan after his seclusion, and he would be aware of the events involving Lin Qingyi.
But it was unlike he had imagined.
Throughout the court session, he was merely an observer.
Ji Xuan, who was acting as regent, clashed with Prime Minister Li and other court officials, and throughout the process, he didn’t spare him a glance.
His attendance at the court felt merely as a formality.
It was starkly different from his previous assumptions.
Looking at Lin Qingyi, he shook his head.
"In court, Ji Xuan didn’t give me a second look. It seems I didn’t catch his eye."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qingyi nodded slightly.
"It’s not surprising. Prince Ji Xuan is already one of the top experts in the world, touted as the second strongest, naturally holding a high opinion of himself."
Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.
After leaving the Taiji Hall, he understood the reasoning behind it.
Who is Prince Ji Xuan?
The second strongest in the world, over a hundred years ago, he was the second highest mountain in the world.
With more than a hundred years passing, and with the traits of the Unity Realm, his strength has surely reached a new peak.
It was expected that he wouldn’t see him as noteworthy.
After all, Ji Xuan has seen countless talents over time.
Yet those who could be on par with him, there are only four in the world.
Plus, with the curse on him, outsiders might see him as doomed like the Changning Emperor.
"I won’t return to my room to sleep tonight," Lin Qingyi unexpectedly spoke, interrupting Jiang Ning’s thoughts.
"Alright!" He looked at Lin Qingyi’s cool and otherworldly face and nodded.
...
In the morning.
Golden sunlight fell between the window lattice onto the bedhead.
Feeling the dazzling sunlight, Jiang Ning slowly opened his eyes.
He looked down and saw Lin Qingyi, still asleep, nestled against his chest.
Glancing once more at the sunlight outside the window, he couldn’t help but smile.
Typically, he would never sleep until this hour.
Glancing again at the spring scenery, he slowly withdrew his left hand from beneath Lin Qingyi, got out of bed, covered her with the quilt, and then dressed and went out.
Upon stepping out into the courtyard.
The clear skies, with not a cloud in sight, sunshine everywhere, and warmth in the air.
"Such good weather!!" he exclaimed, then looked towards the sundial in the yard.
The sundial indicated six quarters past Chen Time.
"It’s about time for breakfast!" he thought to himself.
Walking towards a corner, he stretched his muscles, started to wash up and brush his teeth.
"Weather like this is so comforting!!"
After a round of freshening up, he stood in the courtyard, basking in the warm sunlight, feeling completely content.
"Next, it’s back to cultivation, and as for the Ji Clan’s upcoming turmoil, I will decide based on the situation," he mused inwardly.
Even though he merely followed protocol at this morning’s court meeting, he did gain some insights.
In the courtroom, he could clearly see the situation.
The one with the greatest power at present is unquestionably Prince Ji Xuan.
Acting as regent, managing major affairs, along with his position as the second strongest in the world, he truly influences the next imperial throne’s heir.
However, this has little to do with him.
Who truly matters to him is Lin Qingyi, who is now within his chambers.
Though Ji Xuan didn’t trouble him at the court that morning.
He didn’t believe this would be the end of it.
Because Lin Qingyi is the Princess Consort Qi, a symbol of the royal family.
Also, she is a fruit planted by Prince Ji Xuan, a long-made plan.
In court, Ji Xuan didn’t trouble him or give him a second look, just because, in Ji Xuan’s eyes, he wasn’t noteworthy.
"Second strongest in the world!" he murmured in the courtyard.
