Chapter 40: Familiarity part 1
Ning Zhanfeng stood in the shadows, staring incredulously at the group heading toward the main courtyard nearby.
One of the figures in the middle had a stature and gait identical to his younger brother’s.
However, the hair color was a fiery red, completely different from his brother’s. Upon closer inspection, their temperaments also seemed slightly different.
Because his brother lacked spiritual power, his demeanor was typically reserved, but this person appeared flamboyant and confident. Even though the visible profile bore no resemblance, Ning Zhanfeng’s heart couldn’t help but race violently.
He subconsciously took a step forward.
Just then, the person seemed to stop, turning his back and lowering his head as if saying something. Ning Zhanfeng couldn’t hear a word; all his attention was focused on that person, his mind blank.
Ji Peng had said Ji Hao took his brother to the Garbage Star. He had disregarded the consequences, forcefully mobilizing his spiritual power to come here. He feared that any delay would be too late; he had to go to the Garbage Star personally to find his brother.
Yet, this person nearby resembled his brother so much.
Suddenly, the person with his back turned moved, bending down and opening his arms to pick something up. A milky little creature appeared in view, held entirely in his arms, head peeking over the shoulder. Because of the embrace and being turned away from Ning Zhanfeng, he saw the little one’s face clearly.
A fair, soft face with baby fat, chubby from being well-fed, with soft black hair hanging over his forehead.
Ning Zhanfeng’s breath hitched when he saw that face, his body trembling uncontrollably with excitement.
It was the cub! It really was the cub!
He was certain that the little one ahead was his nephew.
As his breathing fluctuated, his suppressed spiritual power became unstable, causing him to clutch his chest and crouch down abruptly. Eyes closed, he sat cross-legged against the wall, struggling to suppress the spiritual power surging out.
He couldn’t be exposed and captured now; he couldn’t bring danger to his brother.
Since the cub was here, he definitely wasn’t mistaken—his brother had returned. He had come back to the First Star from the Garbage Star.
Ning Yunyi noticed the little guy rubbing his eyes and guessed he hadn’t slept well last night due to worry. He simply picked him up.
Ning Xiao Miao was still a bit shy, pinching his father’s hem with his small hand and shaking his head. “Father, I can walk by myself.”
He had eaten a lot lately and was heavy; he couldn’t tire his father out.
Ning Yunyi smiled, bending down to scoop the cub up, rubbing the back of his hand against the soft, smooth cheek. “Incredible, the cub knows how to care for Father now.”
Ning Xiao Miao blushed, wrapping his small arms tightly around his father’s neck. Just as he was about to speak, he looked up ahead.
Ning Yunyi followed his gaze but saw nothing. However, he had distinctly felt a gaze just now—perhaps an illusion? He initially thought it was someone from the Ji family.
But at that moment, the gaze vanished instantly, along with any presence.
Ning Yunyi lowered his eyes, hiding the depth within them. “What’s wrong?”
Ning Xiao Miao rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know. I thought I saw a dark shadow.”
Ning Yunyi patted the back of his hand. “Maybe a bird beast flew by.”
The Ji family butler leading the way smiled ingratiatingly. “Yes, yes. Recently, for some reason, bird beasts occasionally fly through the manor.”
Ning Yunyi gave him a faint glance but said nothing.
Elder An, leading the group, snorted. “Is that so? I’ve been in the First Star for so long, how come I haven’t heard of this? Could it be your Ji family is doing something shady behind the scenes?”
The butler lowered his head to hide his unease. “Elder An jokes. The Ji family has always been law-abiding; naturally, we wouldn’t dare.”
Elder An didn’t reply, leading the group straight to the main courtyard. Halfway there, they ran into the Ji family head, who was rushing out.
The Ji family head had received the news and was waiting in the main courtyard, but subordinates just reported an incident in the eldest son’s courtyard, making his heart skip a beat.
Thinking of his son still lying in the treatment cabin, Elder An snapped, “What, you don’t welcome this old man? Leaving as soon as I arrive?”
The Ji family head forced a smile, a layer of fine sweat on his forehead. “Elder An, please don’t take offense. I just received news of some commotion in that brat Ji Peng’s courtyard. It seems serious, so…”
Elder An clicked his tongue. “Such a coincidence? Did he see us coming, feel guilty, try to run, and accidentally hit a wall as retribution?”
The Ji family head didn’t dare retort. If it were a servant speaking like this, he would have struck them long ago.
But this was Elder An, coming aggressively and demanding to see him. Initially, he thought the Ji family had offended Elder An somehow.
But hearing this, the Ji family head felt uneasy. Elder An was here for his eldest son.
The second son had run away from home for so long without news, and now the eldest had caused trouble too?
The group changed course to Ji Peng’s courtyard.
The courtyard gate was wide open, and commotion came from inside. The Ji family head quickened his pace. Upon seeing the situation clearly, his face changed drastically. He rushed forward and kicked the servant holding the unconscious Ji Peng. “How do you serve your master? What happened to the Young Master?”
The servant’s hands trembled, and he immediately knelt.
The others also knelt in unison, daring not make a sound.
The Ji family head was putting on a show for Elder An’s group, but his heart sank. He rushed over, and after probing, his face changed completely. “Who harmed my son?”
Elder An stood there frowning. Such a coincidence? Ji Peng had an accident just as they arrived to demand answers?
The Ji family head snapped out of it, immediately taking out a token and ordering someone to fetch an S-rank healer from the First Legion.
Turning back to Elder An, his face ashen, he asked, “Elder An, I don’t know how Ji Peng offended you, but did you do this?”
Elder An laughed in anger. “This old man walked all the way here. Your family has an accident as soon as I arrive. What, knowing you can’t escape, you want to self-destruct to avoid disaster? Let alone that I didn’t do anything to him, even if I killed him, I’d still be in the right before His Majesty!”
Calming down, the Ji family head felt a chill. Because it was too coincidental, he instinctively thought Elder An had acted.
But looking at Elder An’s meaning, Ji Peng had committed a grave mistake?
“Elder An… how exactly did my son offend the An family?”
Elder An didn’t hide it. Since Ji Peng had an accident now, it would likely blow up, otherwise, they’d be wrongly accused.
Luckily, many people saw them walking here. Even if the Ji family head wanted to pin this on them, he couldn’t.
“Last night, on his way home from a banquet, my son An Dong was attacked by Ji Peng and twelve high-level spiritual power users, resulting in An Dong being heavily injured and comatose, and four bodyguards suffering severe spiritual damage. From last night until recently, this old man has been contacting healers to save my son. Do you think I have the spare energy to deal with your bastard son?”
The Ji family head’s face changed completely. “Is… is there some misunderstanding?”
Elder An sneered. “Would I come to your door without evidence?”
The Ji family head suddenly remembered something, his face brightening. “Elder An, you mentioned a healer just now. Since you’re here, does that mean the healer has cured Young Master An? Could you please invite them to save Ji Peng?”
Ji Peng was the most promising of the Ji family’s younger generation. If something really happened to him, the Ji family would likely be squeezed out of the noble families soon.
Elder An rolled his eyes. “Even if the healer hadn’t left after treatment, and was actually here, why should I save this bastard who wanted to hurt my An Dong?”
Do I look like someone who repays evil with kindness?
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thanks fot the chapter! 💖💖