The entire Blue Jade City was in turmoil, with various factions inquiring about Ji Mo's background.
However, apart from knowing Ji Mo's name, his refined literary talent, and his defiance of the Ximen family, no useful information was obtained.
Nevertheless, the mere fact that Ji Mo dared to offend Ximen Yaoqing led them to conclude that his origins must be extraordinary, otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to provoke the Ximen family, the local power.
The allure of being the Chi family's son-in-law was immense, and all parties were covetous. As long as Chi Qingying remained unmarried, they would continue to vie for her.
Many forces secretly dispatched personnel to lie in wait around the Feng Hua Xue Yue Tower, intending to strike Ji Mo the moment he appeared.
"Find a way to ascertain Ji Mo's true background and origin. Simultaneously, investigate whether the Chi family has finally chosen him. If any unfavorable news emerges, eliminate this brat immediately."
This was the plan of many factions.
If Ji Mo lacked sufficient strength but dared to covet Chi Qingying, then he would be sent to his demise.
The Ximen Family.
Ximen Yaoqing had been beaten again.
"Useless! Didn't you say you could handle Chi Qingying? How did someone else get there first?"
Han Zhu, the conch maiden, slapped Ximen Yaoqing away, deeming him incompetent and only capable of causing trouble.
If you can't do it, don't boast. You've wasted her precious time for nothing.
Seeing his son being beaten, the Ximen family patriarch, Ximen Cang, chose to stand by and watch, not daring to intervene.
Although resentful in his heart, he ultimately dared not fall out with the sea tribe.
"Miss Han Zhu, why must I become the Chi family's son-in-law? As long as you fully support my Ximen family, destroying the Chi family is not difficult. Currently, apart from Chi Qingying, the Chi family has no other strong individuals to speak of; they are no threat."
Ximen Yaoqing was filled with indignation. He had been repeatedly beaten these past few days and had never felt so humiliated.
He couldn't understand why the sea tribe, usually so bold, would still fear the Chi family.
"No threat? Ignorance! Ask your father if he dares to say such a thing. Even ten Ximen families wouldn't dare to easily move against the Chi family."
Han Zhu said with a sneer, realizing this decadent young master understood nothing.
Ximen Yaoqing argued resentfully, "Miss Han Zhu, you don't know the foundation of my Ximen family. My Ximen family has an ancestor who is..."
However, before he could finish, Ximen Cang interrupted him, "Enough! You only know how to indulge in debauchery and are good for nothing. Do you know why the Chi family has declined, yet no one in Blue Jade City dares to show them disrespect? It's because the Chi family possesses a Heaven and Earth Three Talents Formation Diagram, which can control all formations within Blue Jade City. Anyone who dares to attack the Chi family in the city will die."
Ximen Yaoqing was stunned. He truly didn't know about this.
He had always thought that the factions in Blue Jade City were respectful and obedient to the Chi family simply because the Chi family was the founder of the west coast defense line and had made significant contributions, thus earning everyone's respect.
He never expected that the Chi family, though in decline, would still possess such a trump card!
"So, Miss Han Zhu, you want me to win over Chi Qingying to obtain this Heaven and Earth Three Talents Formation Diagram?"
Ximen Yaoqing was not stupid and quickly grasped the crux of the matter.
The sea tribe of the North Pacific Ocean needed to break through the west coast defense line to extend their reach onto land. Blue Jade City was the core of the west coast defense line and the biggest obstacle.
Therefore, for the sea tribe to land, they had to capture Blue Jade City.
As long as they obtained the Heaven and Earth Three Talents Formation Diagram, the sea tribe could break through Blue Jade City with minimal cost.
"You're not entirely stupid."
Han Zhu snorted, "It would be best if we could obtain the Heaven and Earth Three Talents Formation Diagram. If not, it must be destroyed. Of course, with our current strength, directly leveling Blue Jade City and crushing the entire west coast defense line is not a major problem. However, a complete city aligns better with everyone's interests."
At this point, Han Zhu no longer concealed her true intentions, revealing her real purpose.
Ximen Yaoqing sneered inwardly. Blue Jade City was the largest trading city in the entire Purple Thorn Continent, gathering numerous forces. The west coast defense line was impregnable and had never fallen. He didn't quite believe the sea tribe could easily break through, thinking Han Zhu was boasting.
However, Ximen Cang's expression was different. He knew some inside information.
The Merman tribe had created terrifying undead creatures, and their overall strength was far greater than before. Otherwise, he wouldn't have abandoned the light for darkness and chosen to cooperate with the sea tribe.
He spoke, "I have informants within the Chi family. It is said that although Madam Chi intends to take Ji Mo as her son-in-law, Chi Qingying seems unwilling, so there is still a chance for a turnaround. Please give my son Yaoqing another opportunity."
"Patriarch Ximen, for your sake, I can give him one last chance."
Han Zhu did not refuse Ximen Cang's plea, saying with a cold expression, "I will send two Golden Immortals to assassinate Ji Mo. He will be dealt with tonight."
In fact, eliminating Ji Mo was secondary. The true target was Bonnie.
Then, she took out a small porcelain bottle filled with blood and instructed, "Ximen Yaoqing, tomorrow you will take this jar of mermaid heart blood to the Chi family to propose. Chi Qingying is a filial daughter. What you need to do is persuade her to exchange her marriage, or the Heaven and Earth Three Talents Formation Diagram, for the mermaid heart blood to save her mother."
"Could it be that the poison afflicting Madam Chi was administered by you?"
Ximen Yaoqing took the small jar of mermaid heart blood and quickly understood the implications.
The merfolk had been wiped out, yet Han Zhu had specifically kept the mermaid heart blood. What was her purpose?
Although Ximen Cang had suspected it before, he could now confirm that Madam Chi had indeed been poisoned by the sea tribe, making his scalp tingle.
If even someone in the Chi family had been bought off by the sea tribe, then had important personnel in his own Ximen family also defected to the sea tribe?
"Generally, long-lived people speak little. Remember, it's best to play dumb. If you mess this up again, I don't mind becoming your good sister."
Han Zhu glared fiercely at Ximen Yaoqing, scaring him into trembling and quickly clamping his legs together.
...
That night.
The moon was dark and the wind was high.
In a private room of the Feng Hua Xue Yue Tower, Bonnie, filled with worry, tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Her thoughts raced, feeling that she had ultimately been mistaken.
She thought she had met a good person, but unexpectedly, Ji Mo had ill intentions, planning to trade her life for wealth and status.
"Mother was right, men's words are like deceiving ghosts."
Looking at Ji Hanhan, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, Bonnie gnashed her teeth in anger.
This was because Ji Mo had told her several times: "With me here, no one can bully you."
But what was the result?
It was all lies.
She truly wanted to run away, not wanting her heart to be gouged out and bled.
But in the end, she couldn't bear to leave. She had grown accustomed to being with Ji Mo these past few days and couldn't bear to part.
Moreover, she was now alone and helpless; where could she go?
"You scoundrel, you saved my life. If you truly want this heart of mine, then just take it."
Bonnie lay on Ji Mo's chest, flailing her fins and beating him, choosing to accept her fate.
To die at the hands of the one she loved was also a form of happiness.
She listened to Ji Mo's heartbeat and felt his presence, her heart becoming incomparably calm.
Suddenly.
A mass of thick ink suddenly sprayed out, filling the air with a pungent, fishy odor.
A ferocious squid and a two-headed old turtle appeared in the room.
"Little Mermaid Princess, it is indeed you. You managed to escape last time, but tonight you have no wings to fly, and you will surely die."