The priceless calligraphy and paintings, the legendary ancient zither that even Emperor Realm powerhouses would covet, were the best things Lan Ling could offer.
Yet, Ji Mo dismissed them as worthless.
Lan Ling's delicate brows furrowed, her phoenix eyes widened. If not for her reputation and influence, she would have ordered the grey-robed elder to strike Ji Mo down on the spot.
"I insulted Yan Zhao? You're the one twisting things around. You're the one who insulted me, aren't you?"
Ji Mo said indignantly, "You spoke of high positions and generous stipends, of endless glory and wealth? And then you try to fob me off with this junk. You're so hypocritical, so insincere."
Even if Lan Ling had only offered a few taels of silver, Ji Mo wouldn't have spoken so harshly. But in Ji Mo's eyes, what Lan Ling gave him was no different from trash, and he felt insulted.
Thus, he showed no politeness towards Lan Ling.
Hypocritical?
Insincere?
These words struck Lan Ling's raw nerve, making her grind her teeth, her fair face turning ashen.
She had always considered herself aloof, accustomed to wearing a mask when interacting with others. On the surface, she appeared approachable, but in her heart, she looked down on everyone, utterly arrogant.
Now, Ji Mo had exposed her vulnerability right to her face, infuriating her to the point of almost losing control.
However, Lan Ling eventually suppressed her killing intent, her expression returning to calm. She said softly, "I was indeed presumptuous. Since Young Master Ji finds these items beneath his notice, I will soon present you with a grand gift that will surely satisfy you."
With that, she bowed to Ji Mo and turned to leave elegantly.
"Saintess, that fellow Ji is so unappreciative. Are we just going to let this go? And that ancient zither, how can we leave it to them?"
After leaving the prince's manor, the grey-robed elder inquired.
He had been coveting that zither.
Lan Ling's eyes exuded boundless killing intent, her fists clenched. "How can I let this go? I want everyone in this prince's manor to not see tomorrow's sun. I want to cripple Ji Mo, dismember him, and turn him into a human swine to show him the consequences of offending me."
This was her so-called grand gift.
As for the zither, it would naturally return to her hands, along with all the wealth of the prince's manor.
"This Princess Lan Ling has excellent composure!"
Steward Fu's hair had stood on end, his heart pounding. Only after Lan Ling left did he relax.
He could sense the grey-robed elder's aura; he was undoubtedly an Emperor Realm expert. He had truly feared that the elder would retaliate recklessly after Ji Mo's earlier insults to Lan Ling.
"Steward Fu, you're still too naive. Lan Ling is very pretentious. Just as Brother Mo said, she's hypocritical."
Ying Tianbao, having suffered greatly at Lan Ling's hands, knew her character well.
Then, he looked at the ancient zither that Lan Ling had left behind, his eyes gleaming as if he were gazing at a peerless beauty. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother Mo, what should we do with this zither?"
"You like it? It's yours. Practicing the zither cultivates the body, and reading books nourishes the spirit. You shouldn't be thinking about women all day; spend more time reading and practicing the zither," Ji Mo advised.
"Mm, I'll listen to you, Brother Mo," Ying Tianbao nodded repeatedly.
Ji Mo continued, "Also, make good arrangements for the injured guards. Wen Rong is honest and values talented people, which is how one wins hearts."
"Yes, yes, I'll arrange for the best doctors to treat them and give each of them ten thousand taels of gold for medical expenses."
Ying Tianbao, appearing to have learned his lesson, was extremely generous.
Ten thousand taels of gold!
Ji Mo's eyes suddenly turned red. He quickly signaled to Ying Tianbao; he was also short of money and wouldn't mind a little.
Ying Tianbao misunderstood, stepping forward and hugging Ji Mo tightly, his face filled with emotion. "Brother Mo, you're so good to me."
"It is I who was narrow-minded! Your Highness, in the past, I always worried about you and Young Master Ji having a relationship beyond friendship. Now I see clearly; it's men who are true love, while men and women are merely for procreation. Young Master Ji, for you, is willing to offend Lan Ling, and even give away such a precious ancient zither so readily. This friendship is vaster than the sky and deeper than the sea."
Steward Fu, looking at the two embracing figures, appeared completely relieved, having finally come to terms with it.
He resolved that he would no longer obstruct his young master from being with Ji Mo.
Ji Mo immediately kicked Ying Tianbao away, sternly reprimanding him, "Xiao Bao, I've always treated you as a good brother. I never expected you to..."
"Brother Mo, I didn't!"
Ying Tianbao was stunned and glared at Steward Fu. "Steward Fu, you're talking nonsense. I don't have a penchant for men."
"Your Highness, there's no need to hide it. The way you look at Young Master Ji... Hey, Your Highness, don't hit me, I won't expose you anymore..."
Steward Fu fled in a panic, pursued by Ying Tianbao.
...
The bright moon hung high in the sky, its radiance casting a hazy glow.
At the peak of the tallest white tower in the prince's manor, a slender figure stood silently.
The night breeze gently caressed her waist-length hair, making it dance in the wind.
The clear moonlight fell upon her crystal-clear face, casting a dazzling halo, incredibly radiant.
Her tight-fitting black leather suit perfectly accentuated her alluring figure, with a voluptuous and graceful physique, truly perfect.
Her face was exquisite and stunningly beautiful, but her expression was incredibly cold. Only when she looked towards the secluded courtyard in a remote corner of the prince's manor did a hint of a smile appear in her eyes, as clear as autumn water.
The one residing in the courtyard was none other than that simpleton, Ji Mo.
Fiddling with the sapphire-blue dagger in her hand, her mood was incredibly complex. She had come to kill, but ultimately, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"The Hall Master said that as a killer, once you develop feelings, you are not far from death. If your heart is moved by affection, you must sever the threads of love and abandon it."
"But I can't do it!"
Black Rose was in immense turmoil.
Her reason told her that the most correct course of action was to kill Ji Mo with her own hands.
But for some inexplicable reason, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Recalling the intimate contact she had with Ji Mo that night, her heart became even more restless.
Outside the prince's manor, the grey-robed elder exuded killing intent all over.
Behind him stood nearly a hundred black-clad figures.
Most of these individuals were assassins from the Yan Zhao, Tian Lin, and Xi Liang dynasties who had infiltrated Wangjing, with a portion being Ying Tianci's men.
Upon learning that Lan Ling intended to act against Ji Mo, Ying Tianci was overjoyed. He not only provided men but also guaranteed that no reinforcements would arrive at the prince's manor tonight, regardless of what happened.
"Leave no one alive in the entire prince's manor. Capture Ji Mo alive, cripple him, turn him into a human swine, kill!"
The grey-robed elder waved his hand, issuing the order for slaughter.
Instantly, these nearly hundred black-clad assassins drew their weapons, dispersed, and charged towards the prince's manor.
"Assassins..."
The patrolling guards were cut down before they could even cry out.
The thick smell of blood began to permeate various parts of the prince's manor.
Black Rose's bright eyes suddenly narrowed, acutely sensing everything that was happening.
"If you want to kill Ji Mo, you'll have to get past me first!"
She leaped down from the white tower.
Behind her, in the void, a phantom image of a vibrant black rose slowly bloomed.
The hunt had quietly begun!