Chapter 64: It Can Be Understood as Protectiveness

Ji Yin nearly blurted out, “None of your business!” but managed to hold back.

Xuan Yuan Ji took out a pendant adorned with a feather, and without asking Ji Yin’s permission, unfastened the jade token from her waist. Bei Ming Yu watched Xuan Yuan Ji’s actions with a shadowed gaze.

“What is this?” Ji Yin examined the feathered pendant, sensing it was no ordinary object.

“This is a weapon I crafted for you myself. Once your soul force breaks through the fourth tier, you will understand its secrets.”

“It’s quite beautiful.” Ji Yin stroked the feather—it was so soft.

Ji Yun instantly recognized the feather as belonging to the divine beast Phoenix, and since it was forged by Xuan Yuan Ji, its power was surely formidable.

“As a disciple of Kunlun, you should carry no worldly possessions. Shall I keep this jade token for you, or would you rather keep it yourself?”

Ji Yin took the jade token, “I believe it’s best for it to be returned to its rightful owner.”

Bei Ming Yu watched as Ji Yin approached him, holding the token he had bestowed.

“Your Majesty, this token should go back to its original owner.” Ji Yin handed the jade token to Bei Ming Yu.

“Since it was granted to you by me, there is no reason to take it back. Given Kunlun’s rules, it can be entrusted to Minister Ji for safekeeping.” Bei Ming Yu took the token and passed it to Ji Yun.

A flicker of anger crossed his eyes, though he could not show it. No one had ever dared return a gift from him, especially in front of so many.

“I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my son.” Ji Yun accepted the token, unwilling to let Bei Ming Yu lose face.

“Prepare the carriage. Return to the palace.”

The grand procession departed from Tianyuan Sect. Chu Shenghong did not follow Bei Ming Yu, still worried about his son.

“Minister Chu, if you are concerned, you may take Young Master Chu home with you,” Ji Yun saw through Chu Shenghong’s worry and spoke directly.

Chu Shenghong was caught in a difficult position. The words Xuan Yuan Ji spoke in front of everyone had already ruined his son’s reputation, leaving him branded as arrogant and conceited. If he took his son away now, it would only confirm that the Chu family was causing trouble.

“Yu’er is in Tianyuan Sect, so I am at ease. Thank you, Young Lord Ji.” Chu Shenghong looked at Ji Shaofeng, trusting that the Ji family would not neglect his son.

“Rest assured, Minister Chu. I will remain at Tianyuan Sect until Young Master Chu has fully recovered,” Ji Shaofeng promised.

Chu Shenghong relented, “Farewell.”

“Safe journey, Minister Chu.” Ji Yun replied with a salute.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Ji Yun, Ji Shaofeng, Ji Shaowen, Ji Yin, and Xuan Yuan Ji in Tianyuan Hall.

Ji Yun immediately stepped forward and bowed to Xuan Yuan Ji, “Thank you, Young Master Xuan Yuan, for resolving the situation for our Seventh.”

“I did not do it to help Yin’er,” Xuan Yuan Ji gently corrected him.

“Then why?” Ji Yun was puzzled.

“You could say it was to protect my own,” Xuan Yuan Ji replied, his expression calm and unruffled.

Protect his own?

Those words carried different meanings for everyone in the hall.

Hearing them, Ji Yun suddenly felt a strange sense of having been promoted to father-in-law. It was as if he were entrusting his most beloved treasure to another man—both comforting and bittersweet.

Ji Shaofeng and Ji Shaowen felt much the same. Why did it seem that Xuan Yuan Ji was taking over, and that Seventh’s fate had been handed over to him?

Ji Yin: Who am I, where am I, what just happened to me?