CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: CUT OFF THE BLOODLINE

Chen Guan scrutinized the team on the hill and noticed that the cultivators in that team all wore the insignia of the Celestial Court Army on their chests, clearly marking them as members of the Celestial Court Army.

While Chen Guan was still observing, Ji Nanhong had already ridden down the hill on her Fire Qilin.

"Brother Guan, is that your girl? Impressive, she can actually ride a Fire Qilin, which is a World-Defying Secret Spirit. There are fewer than ten Fire Qilin pets in existence, most of which were left from the past, and they’ve reached high levels that cultivators at the First Awakening can’t handle. This one is obviously a young beast; it’s worth a lot," Duan Shulin said in an irreverent tone by the side.

"Chen Guan, I asked you to send me a message after you entered the Secret Realm, why didn’t you say anything?" Ji Nanhong dismounted from the Fire Qilin in front of Chen Guan. Her words carried a hint of complaint, yet her face showed no signs of resentment; rather, there was even a gleam of happiness in her eyes.

"I just got here and haven’t left yet. There’s no signal here, so I couldn’t send you a message," Chen Guan explained.

"You came at the right time, just in time for the Secret God to produce offspring. If you’re lucky enough, you might have a chance to obtain a World-Defying Secret Spirit," Ji Nanhong initially intended to say more but stopped after glancing at Duan Shulin by Chen Guan’s side, choosing only to say this much.

"Hello, sister-in-law, my name is Duan Shulin, and Brother Guan and I are life-and-death partners," Duan Shulin said with a cheeky grin.

Ji Nanhong’s cheeks reddened slightly as she shot a glare at Chen Guan but did not deny anything, only saying somewhat irritably, "When did you have such a life-and-death comrade?"

"We just met." Chen Guan did not deny it because Duan Shulin knew about the phenomenon triggered by the Nether Lotus leading to the Secret God giving birth, so he needed to keep him around to clarify a few things.

"Since we’re here, let’s act together. When the Secret God gives birth, there’ll surely be chaos; being together will ensure mutual care," Ji Nanhong suggested.

Chen Guan knew Ji Nanhong said this to save his face. With the Celestial Court Army backing her, Ji Nanhong naturally didn’t need anyone’s protection.

Chen Guan thought following Ji Nanhong wouldn’t be a bad idea, at least with her and the Celestial Court’s people around, safety would be assured.

But he was worried about Duan Shulin’s chatter, wishing to first find a secluded spot to address Duan Shulin’s questions.

As he was pondering how to say it, he noticed a woman clad in golden armored Secret Treasure, riding a Golden Lion, descending the hill and approaching Ji Nanhong’s side. She looked at Chen Guan and Duan Shulin briefly, and said coldly, "Nanhong, who are these people?"

"They are my friends." Ji Nanhong frowned slightly.

"Business is urgent; now’s not the time for reunions," the woman said.

"You attend to your business, and catching up with friends is my business," Ji Nanhong retorted coldly.

Anger flashed in the woman’s eyes, but she did not lose her temper, her tone becoming softer, "Nanhong, elder brother entrusted your safety to me, I’m responsible for your safety. If you get hurt, even a strand of hair, my brother would be heartbroken, and I can’t bear that responsibility. You know how much my brother treasures you, holding you dearer than his own life. He’d surely scold me fiercely..."

"I am myself, Xiu Jie Ming is Xiu Jie Ming. I don’t need anyone to take responsibility for me, nor do I need anyone to tell me how to act," Ji Nanhong directly interrupted the woman, coldly saying, "Xiu Yingmei, I am the leader of this mission and the captain of this team; you can call me the leader or refer to me by my rank. Address my position during missions, please."

Xiu Yingmei’s face turned quite unsightly, yet unwilling to relent, continued, "I’m doing this for your own good; after all, I’m a few years older than you and have experienced more. I’m afraid you’ll get tricked."

"What you’re implying then, is that I’m not as good as you? Then you lead this mission," Ji Nanhong directly countered.

Xiu Yingmei was left flustered and angry, blurting out, "Nan..."

"For the last time, call me leader or captain. If you can’t even manage that, just go back. My team doesn’t need fools who can’t even handle titles correctly," Ji Nanhong, provoked by Xiu Yingmei, showed no more courtesy.

Xiu Yingmei’s face flushed with a mix of red and white, but she dared not quarrel with Ji Nanhong anymore, clenching her teeth as she said, "I don’t care anymore, if something happens to you, don’t relate it to me when my brother asks."

With that, Xiu Yingmei spurred her Golden Lion and started heading back towards the hill.

Before leaving, she gave Chen Guan and Duan Shulin a fierce glare.

"What’s up with that woman?" Chen Guan asked.

"She’s Xiu Yingmei, her father is Xiu Fengyan, deputy commander of the Celestial Court Army, and her family is quite ambitious," Ji Nanhong said, her frown never loosening. "I hadn’t thought it through; you’ll have some trouble, but this step must be taken eventually. This will be the outcome sooner or later. Rest assured, as long as you stay by my side, she can’t do anything to you."

"Sister-in-law, your name is Ji Nanhong, are you the beloved daughter of Commander Ji?" Duan Shulin’s eyes flickered with a trace of intrigue, though he feigned surprise while asking.

Ji Nanhong nodded, "Just call me Ji Nanhong; your way of addressing might bring you trouble. Follow me; I’ll arrange places for you to stay first."

Duan Shulin shrank back, not saying anything more.

"I have something to do, should I come find you after finishing my business?" Chen Guan pondered before asking.

"I can handle your matters; you mustn’t be far from me now. Xiu Yingmei, that woman, might do something crazy; don’t give her the opportunity," Ji Nanhong insisted.

"Alright," Chen Guan nodded without further comment.

Ji Nanhong brought the two to the Celestial Court Army’s station, arranging a tent for them, right next to hers.

"You’re in big trouble." After Ji Nanhong left to arrange team matters, leaving only Chen Guan and Duan Shulin in the tent, Duan Shulin lowered his voice, seriously speaking to Chen Guan.

"Ji Nanhong said she can resolve it," Chen Guan replied casually.

"I’m not talking about Xiu Yingmei, Ji Nanhong plans to marry you, right?" Duan Shulin whispered, leaning in close to Chen Guan.

"Perhaps," Chen Guan was uncertain.

"That’s terrible. Commander Ji only has one daughter, and he suffered irreversible injuries early on, not knowing how much life he has left. He has aged rapidly in recent years, likely with little time remaining. A large family business and the Celestial Court Army need an heir, but Ji Nanhong is too young, lacking the ability to preside over affairs yet. Outsiders see it clearly; such a large piece of pie, who wouldn’t want a bite, especially the Xiu family. Everyone knows they want to secure a barren inheritance. Marrying Ji Nanhong means acquiring all the Ji family’s assets and the Celestial Court Army; at this moment, you step up, what do you think the Xiu family will do to deal with you?" Duan Shulin outlined the stakes with just a few words.