Chapter 196: It’s All Because I’m Not Strong Enough

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: It’s All Because I’m Not Strong Enough

"Are you sure this idea of yours is reliable?"

Ji Suyao looked at Ye Linglong, feeling a little anxious. ’This girl is brilliant. In such a short time, she’s already figured out the best way to help my parents leave the Great Xia Royal Family. As long as Senior Brother agrees, the plan is practically guaranteed to succeed.’

"Do you have a better idea?"

Ye Linglong couldn’t help but glance at her. It was actually quite simple. Senior Brother had never used his Servant quotas. As long as he and Ji Suyao’s parents confirmed the arrangement, there would be no problem on Purple Cloud Valley’s end. Even if someone in the Great Xia Royal Family didn’t want to see this happen, they wouldn’t have the nerve to object.

"I don’t. But what about your parents? If they go to the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace, it’ll still be very difficult for them to get a foothold."

Ji Suyao shrugged, her thoughts turning to another problem. ’Your parents have always been very good to me. If possible, I’d hate for them to lose their support in Purple Cloud Valley just because my parents are taking up the quotas.’

’Under normal circumstances, even if Senior Brother were willing, those two Servant spots should be split evenly.’

"Senior Brother is an Honored Guest Elder of the Ye Family. That alone is enough for my parents to establish themselves. Besides, once your parents leave the Royal Family and get to Purple Cloud Valley, the crisis will be considered resolved."

Ye Linglong was very calm. ’Once we leave, Purple Bamboo Peak will surely get a new Peak Master. At that point, perhaps my parents can use that connection to become official members of Purple Cloud Valley. If so, they’ll be able to cultivate in peace.’

"So, how should I bring this up with Senior Brother?"

Ji Suyao breathed a sigh of relief, but her mind quickly jumped to the most difficult and error-prone part of the plan. ’The only way any of this can happen is if Senior Brother is willing. Otherwise, it’s completely impossible.’

"Just tell him straight. He’ll most likely agree."

Ye Linglong remained perfectly calm. ’It’s not that Senior Brother will *most likely* agree; he *will* agree. Nangong Mu was the best example of that.’

’It’s a shame that when we returned, we didn’t take a master according to the rules of Purple Cloud Valley, but directly followed the Mo Family’s customs. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be so complicated. The disciple of a Peak Master is automatically an Inner Sect Disciple. In that case, we could have made arrangements for our parents ourselves before leaving Purple Cloud Valley.’

"You have to back me up when the time comes."

Ji Suyao left the courtyard, still feeling apprehensive. She was worried Senior Brother might not agree.

Her anxiety lasted until the next morning, after breakfast on the seventeenth of October.

"What do you think, Senior Brother?"

After explaining the whole situation, Ji Suyao asked nervously. This request was on a completely different level from when Ye Linglong asked him to become an Honored Guest Elder for the Ye Family. The gap between the Ye Family and the Royal Family was immense, and her parents were the losers of a political power struggle.

"It’s no problem before I leave Purple Cloud Valley. But once I’m gone, I won’t be able to watch over them anymore."

Liu Chen didn’t find the request difficult at all. The Servant quotas were meaningless to him now. Once he left Purple Cloud Valley to become a Loose Cultivator, it would be impossible to exert any more influence. Even if he arranged everything perfectly, the most he could do was ensure they had a stable life.

A Second Grade Spirit Chef who remained in Purple Cloud Valley naturally held a high status, but one who had left—or disappeared—was worth nothing.

"Does that mean you agree, Senior Brother?"

Ji Suyao was pleasantly surprised. ’Senior Brother’s words imply my parents can go to the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace! The first step is for him to help them separate from the Great Xia Royal Family.’

"Of course. But we still need to discuss this with Steward Lin. The Servant quotas will only be official once the Hundred Affairs Hall processes them."

Liu Chen nodded. He wasn’t going to use the Servant quotas anyway. Leaving aside the manual for the Advanced Magic on the table, he wouldn’t refuse just based on his relationship with his junior sister.

"Please don’t worry, Senior Brother. My father has a decent relationship with Steward Lin. As long as you agree, we’ll handle the rest."

Ji Suyao quickly added that although her father and Steward Lin weren’t on the same level, the steward had visited the Great Xia Imperial City many times, and her father was usually the one to host him. As long as her senior brother gave his consent, Steward Lin shouldn’t cause any trouble.

"That Second Grade Spirit Chef is truly generous."

Ji Feng shook his head helplessly as he read the secret letter. Eliminating his older brother was supposed to be the first thing he did after formally ascending the throne, but that plan was now effectively dead. At least his brother’s family no longer had any connection to the Royal Family.

Barring any surprises, the Spirit Contract severing his brother and sister-in-law’s ties to the Royal Family would be signed in an hour.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, if you wish to eradicate the problem by the root, now is your last chance."

The Black-clothed Guard at his side spoke slowly. If the Emperor hadn’t protected them, the former Crown Prince’s family would never have been granted the title of Carefree King; they would have been buried in some foul ditch long ago.

"They are no longer members of the Great Xia Royal Family. There’s no point in acting against them now."

Ji Feng shook his head. His brother’s family had lost their right to ever return. Even if they managed to establish themselves in Purple Cloud Valley, they would no longer be able to interfere in the affairs of the Great Xia Royal Family.

"Understood..."

The Black-clothed Guard nodded and said no more. His Highness the Crown Prince had made his decision, and all the Guard could do was obey.

「In the Imperial Palace.」

Inside a familiar pavilion, Ji Ming and Lady Ji knelt before Ji Wentao. On a nearby table sat two Jade Tokens produced by Purple Cloud Valley. The moment Ji Wentao signed the Spirit Contract, the two of them would no longer have any connection to the Great Xia Royal Family.

"In the end, we still have to rely on Yao’Er to escape this. This will surely affect her standing in that Spirit Chef’s eyes."

Ji Wentao said with a sigh of resignation. ’He’s a Third Grade Spirit Chef... If she could become his junior, it wouldn’t be impossible for the Great Xia Royal Family to reach new heights and stand on equal footing with the Three Immortal Sects.’

Ji Ming and Lady Ji kept their heads bowed, saying nothing. They understood this, of course, but they couldn’t just remain in the Royal Family waiting to die.

"Forget it. It’s all because I’m not strong enough. I don’t even have the power to protect you. However, Yao’Er and her senior brother will be returning to the Mo Family with Mo Xuan. When that happens, you two must take good care of yourselves in the Purple Cloud Valley Marketplace."

In the end, Ji Wentao didn’t blame them. His rebellious second son had made his move back then with the help of a Qi Refining Peak elder from within the Royal Family. If he himself had possessed the same level of Cultivation, those ancient members of the Royal Family would never have dared to intervene in the struggle for the throne.

Ji Wentao’s Essence Blood merged into the Token. The Spirit Contract, created by Purple Cloud Valley, was now halfway complete. Ji Ming and Lady Ji were officially severed from the Great Xia Royal Family. The next step was for them to become Liu Chen’s Servants.

"Your unfilial son, Ji Ming, takes his leave."

Ji Ming collected the Jade Tokens and departed slowly with Lady Ji. This might be the last time they ever saw each other.

Ji Wentao stared quietly at the pond outside the pavilion, his expression unreadable.

"Guards, bring that fellow Ji Feng to me."

The pavilion was silent, but Ji Wentao knew his "good son," Ji Feng, would be arriving shortly.

Ji Feng was not a good son, but he was an excellent Crown Prince. Ji Ming, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.