CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: ECHOING JADE

"Think carefully, do you want to be Ji Nanhong’s scapegoat, or work with me and board the Xiu Family’s big ship, and in the future, make a name for yourself in the Celestial Court Army." Xiu Yingmei smiled as she spoke.

"What do you want me to do?" Chen Guan hesitated as he asked.

"The Xiu Family’s takeover of the Celestial Court Army is already a foregone conclusion, and no one can stop it. This is also something Chief Judge is happy to see. You don’t need to take risks and charge into battle; you just need to keep Ji Nanhong happy."

Chen Guan was a bit surprised: "You want me to continue contacting Ji Nanhong?"

"Of course, why not? If Chief Ji wants Ji Nanhong to take over the Celestial Court Army, then Ji Nanhong’s marriage must ultimately be approved by Chief Judge. When you reject Ji Nanhong at that time, she will have no chance. Instead of letting her continuously devise unrealistic plans, it’s better to give her hope and then deliver a fatal blow at the last moment, letting her face reality." Xiu Yingmei said indifferently.

Inwardly, Chen Guan marveled: "These people from prestigious families are truly difficult to deal with. Xiu Yingmei is really ruthless. She wants to push Ji Nanhong down into the dust, never giving her a chance to rise again. If she can’t even control her chosen husband, how could Chief Judge entrust the Celestial Court Army to her?"

Thinking it over, Chen Guan couldn’t help but sneer internally: "Xiu Yingmei’s plan is almost perfect, but the premise is that I’m a worthless failure. Xiu Yingmei believes she can control me completely, or she doesn’t think I would have any impact on the grand scheme—just a disposable pawn in her game. If Ji Nanhong sees me as a useful piece, then to Xiu Yingmei, I’m not even qualified to be on the board. Whether I cooperate with her or not, it doesn’t matter to Xiu Yingmei."

"If I am intimidated by Xiu Yingmei and withdraw, she achieves her goal by clearing obstacles for Xiu Jie Ming. If I continue to associate with Ji Nanhong, whether I’m willing or a pawn of Xiu Yingmei, the result will be the same; Ji Nanhong will not entertain other thoughts. Xiu Yingmei might have even left some handle on this situation, like recording or videoing, that could be shown to Ji Nanhong when needed. At that point, even if I explain, Ji Nanhong will be hurt and might find it hard to trust me, possibly hating me deeply."

"Even if I fail to drive a wedge between Ji Nanhong and myself, it doesn’t matter; Xiu Yingmei doesn’t believe Ji Nanhong would genuinely marry me." Chen Guan’s mind spun rapidly, and after hesitating for some time, he solemnly said to Xiu Yingmei, "I am willing to cooperate."

"Those who understand the times are wise. In the future, when the Xiu Family takes over the Celestial Court Army, you will surely benefit, and there will undoubtedly be a place for you among the young leaders of the Celestial Court Army." As she spoke, Xiu Yingmei took out an item from her bosom and threw it to Chen Guan. "Wear this; if Ji Nanhong makes any unusual moves, you can use it to notify me."

"Alright." Chen Guan caught it and saw that it was an Echoing Jade Secret Treasure pendant, a rare level 10 secret treasure, which can be used for long-distance communication.

Ordinary phones and some communication devices are almost useless in the Secret Realm due to equipment and signal interference. This Echoing Jade does not have so many drawbacks.

Although this item is only a level 10 secret treasure, it’s quite expensive, comparable to some Second Awakening secret treasures.

Chen Guan took the Echoing Jade and wore it around his neck, hiding it within his leather armor where it couldn’t be seen.

"Chen Guan, stop daydreaming, do you really think Ji Nanhong would be interested in you? She’s just using you..." Xiu Yingmei suddenly adopted a venomous tone, like a wicked supporting actress.

"Xiu Yingmei, who allowed you to be here? I told you, no one is allowed to disturb them." Ji Nanhong lifted the curtain with a cold and somber face, angrily addressing Xiu Yingmei.

"Nanhong, I’m only looking out for you, afraid you’ll be deceived by this pretty boy..." Xiu Yingmei’s exasperating earnestness made her seem deserving of a beating.

"Don’t make me repeat myself. If it happens again, you will leave the team on your own." Ji Nanhong’s voice was icy cold.

"Hmph, I don’t care anymore. If something happens, you can explain to my brother and Chief Ji yourself." As Xiu Yingmei spoke, she got up and twisted her waist as she walked away, looking angrier than Ji Nanhong.

"Such acting... tsk tsk..." Chen Guan couldn’t help but admire. Xiu Yingmei truly is a master actress, seamlessly switching between a shrewd businesswoman and a brainless wicked supporting role.

Ji Nanhong couldn’t genuinely expel Xiu Yingmei from the team, as she hadn’t really done anything outrageous.

"Xiu Yingmei didn’t do anything to you, did she?" Ji Nanhong asked Chen Guan with concern.

Almost at the moment Ji Nanhong spoke, Xiu Yingmei, who had left the tent, revealed a smirk at the corner of her mouth: "Ji Nanhong cares so much for him, is it pretense or does she really fancy that pretty boy? What does that pretty boy even have?"

The Echoing Jade she gave to Chen Guan was tampered with, yet the tampering was so expertly done that the usual person could not discover it, nor would they expect such a thing—someone capable of tampering with a secret treasure.

Even if Chen Guan didn’t activate the Echoing Jade, it could still pick up all the sounds nearby, essentially acting as a listening device attached to Chen Guan.

"She threatened me, telling me to leave you, or she would harm me and my family..." Xiu Yingmei heard Chen Guan’s response and was very satisfied. It seemed Chen Guan might really consider defecting to her, otherwise, he wouldn’t hide it from Ji Nanhong.

Xiu Yingmei wouldn’t easily trust Chen Guan; as she walked to her tent, she kept eavesdropping, hoping to determine whether Chen Guan genuinely wanted to cooperate and, at the same time, to hear some useful information from Ji Nanhong.

"Rest assured, I have stationed Celestial Court Army people to watch over Uncle and Aunt. Unless my father falls, Xiu Yingmei and the Xiu Family dare not touch them." Ji Nanhong paused and said, "As for you, after the Secret God gives birth, you should come back to the Ji Family with me and meet my father. Live at the Ji Family temporarily, and after you join the Celestial Court Army, the Xiu Family won’t dare to touch you openly. Are you willing to come back with me?"

"Of course, that would be excellent." Chen Guan said earnestly.

Ji Nanhong was very pleased and continued talking to Chen Guan about affairs of the Celestial Court Army and the Ji Family.

Chen Guan responded with interest until Ji Nanhong left, after which he carefully took out the Echoing Jade and scrutinized it closely.

He didn’t know if the Echoing Jade could be tampered with, but he didn’t trust Xiu Yingmei and remained vigilant.

However, after examining for a long time, Chen Guan didn’t notice any issues, even when he deliberately made some noise and let out the Warring States.

Having the Warring States create some disturbance inside the tent, Chen Guan finally summoned Ming Fei.

At this moment, Ming Fei appeared even more dazzling than before, with a blue lotus mark added to her forehead, making her ethereal and transcendent appearance even more fairy-like, which contrasted sharply with her natural charm, innocence mixed with allure.

As soon as Ming Fei appeared, she immediately reached out to pinch the Echoing Jade, then curled herself softly like water into Chen Guan’s embrace, and with her other slender hand, she deftly unbuttoned Chen Guan’s shirt, slipping it inside like a serpent, lightly caressing Chen Guan’s chest.