Chapter 24: Your Motive for Keeping Me Is Not What It Seems

Jihuaile did not like Jitianxin, for in his eyes, this child was too violent, too rebellious. Not to mention defying him openly, killing someone right in front of him. Yet, now that things had come to this, he could only keep Jitianxin. Any thoughts he previously had of acting against her were entirely dispelled after witnessing her kill. No wonder his father had suddenly emerged from seclusion and, before her identity was clear, addressed her as ‘senior.’ If… if he had tried to harm her just now, would she have killed him as she did Chen? The thought sent a chill through Jihuaile, and his gaze at Jitianxin was tinged with lingering fear.

Jiyuanruo could not understand why the situation had suddenly turned out this way. Hadn’t Jitianxin killed someone? Hadn’t she slain the general’s wife? Why did both grandfather and father seem unwilling to pursue the matter, with grandfather even displaying a hint of ingratiation? At this moment, Jiyuanruo had forgotten that Chen had been the aggressor, and Jitianxin was merely exacting vengeance. Jiyuntian and his son understood this all too well, which was why matters had reached this point. Though Jitianxin was indeed ruthless, she did not kill without cause.

Her purpose was clear—she came only to kill her enemy. Once vengeance was dealt, she would leave, sparing others from harm. Sensing the moment, Jiyuntian spoke at once, “That’s right, Tianxin. Isn’t the Ji family your home? You’re still young; stay with us, and we can care for you, to make up for the hardships you’ve endured all these years.”

Jiyuntian’s words carried a rare sincerity. No matter how formidable Jitianxin’s cultivation might be now, she was after all just a seven-year-old child. That she could return at such a young age to avenge her mother was a poignant thing. Su Qing had wanted to say, ‘My lady has never suffered; everything she uses and eats is of the finest quality, far beyond anything your humble general’s manor could provide.’ But as she opened her mouth, Jitianxin raised a hand to stop her.

“I never intended to stay,” Jitianxin said, her lips curving in a faint smile. “Your wish to keep me is nothing more than a scheme.” This blunt and simple statement left Jiyuntian nearly ashamed, for she was absolutely right. He suddenly felt he was not conversing with a child at all. Her eyes seemed able to pierce through hearts, leaving his every thought exposed.

Jiyuntian looked at her and said solemnly, “Tianxin, whatever happens, you carry the blood of the Ji family—that is undeniable. You are my granddaughter, and naturally, I hope you will stay. Our Ji family was once a martial clan with a legacy of warriors. My great-grandfather Ji Sanlei was a master above the Boundless realm. But from my father’s generation, our family began to decline, with geniuses rare, and now we survive only by the name of generals…”

“Ji Sanlei?” Jitianxin suddenly interrupted.

Jiyuntian was taken aback, “What is it?”

Jitianxin’s brows knit slightly, and she stepped forward, stopping before Jiyuntian. As he stared in confusion, she suddenly stood on tiptoe, her childish voice carrying an air of command, “Lower your head.”

Jiyuntian instinctively obeyed, bowing his head. Jitianxin raised her small hand, gently touched his forehead, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again after a brief pause. This time, as her eyes opened, their usual calm seemed to ripple with a faint disturbance.

“Tianxin, what is it?” Jiyuntian asked, his affection for his granddaughter growing. If he’d felt any fear before, this act of hers had touched something soft within him.