Ch39 - Provocation

The reason why this banquet was important was because it wasn’t just a celebration. After the meal, there would be a small competition that could be regarded as an assessment for the younger generation.

The car drove up the mountain road with seven turns and eight turns. Ji Qinghuai dizzily leaned against the passenger seat. He couldn’t help complaining, “I have to cross the mountains and rivers to attend this banquet. Even if you want to host a small competition, it doesn’t have to be in such a remote place.”

Qin Lang concentrated on the road while saying, “There’s a big shot coming today.”

“En?” Ji Qinghuai became interested when he heard his words, “Who’s coming?”

“I don’t know.”

Ji Qinghuai blinked and retracted his gaze, turning his head and looking out the window.

The surrounding scenery swept past in front of him. Ji Qinghuai looked at it for a while, and suddenly thought, since this time there are people with high status, will Xie Yan come?

He yawned. The journey was too boring and he was sleepy. Just as he was about to doze off, they finally reached their destination.

Qin Lang and Ji Qinghuai got out of the car one by one and were greeted by an attendant on the side. Qin Lang handed him the car keys and entered with Ji Qinghuai.

The protagonist of today’s coming-of-age ceremony was Cheng Keming. His father Cheng Bairui was old and he was very fond of this son. Even if there were other arrangements this afternoon, this coming-of-age ceremony wouldn’t be neglected.

When Ji Qinghuai and Qin Lang entered, they saw Ji Xianzhi who had arrived before them and was chatting with Cheng Bairui. The two of them walked over and greeted the elders one by one.

Cheng Bairui had a beaming smile plastered on his face and was in a very good mood today. He looked at Ji Qinghuai and Qin Lang, nodded and complimented, “The children are all grown up, they’re mature and prosperous, you can be relieved too.”

Ji Xianzhi glanced at Cheng Bairui, but couldn’t agree with this.

“Have you socialized too much and made yourself confused? Those words are too polite to me.” Ji Xianzhi looked at the two sons who were chatting and laughing with the other guests and shook the wine glasses in his hands. “Qin Lang has always assured me but forget about Ji Qinghuai, how much trouble has he caused?”

“Come on, you aren’t satisfied with what you have.” Cheng Bairui smiled and clinked his glass against Ji Qinghuai’s, “I think that Qinghuai is quite good, his temper is not like yours, and he’s more likeable than you.”

Ji Xianzhi wasn’t happy when he heard this. He raised his eyebrows, “I’m not asking people to like me, then why did you invite me?”

Ji Xianzhi put down the wine glass in his hand, “I’m not staying any longer.”

Cheng Bairui laughed, “Don’t, don’t, if you leave now, who will help me control and look over the competition?”

“Who’s willing to suppress who?”

“That’s not true.” Cheng Bairui pulled Ji Xianzhi aside and teased with a smile, “You old man, the children are already so old yet you’re still playing tricks, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”

“That’s not my problem.” Ji Xianzhi replied and smiled at Cheng Bairui. He then said sternly, “That person is here, I have to greet him.”

Cheng Bairui didn’t dare to hold up Ji Xianzhi again, and quickly let him go.

On the other side of the venue, Ji Qinghuai took care of the elders and pretended to walk around the hall aimlessly. Many people were invited here today and as he walked around, he found several big family heads who usually didn’t show their faces in public. They were all here but Xie Yan wasn’t in the crowd.

Qin Lang mentioned that Xie Yan was his superior so he must also be an important figure within the demon race. It was impossible for him to not receive an invitation so he could only think of the reason he didn’t attend. Xie Yan didn’t like this type of lively and crowded place so he didn’t come and instead hid at home.

Ji Qinghuai was a bit lost.

If you don’t want to join in the fun, just look at me, I won’t let you see the excitement.

As he was thinking about it, a voice came from behind him, “Who is Young Master Ji looking for?”

Ji Qinghuai could tell whose voice this was, and he turned his head to see Su Yuhe.

“Looking for the person I love.”

The wine glasses tilted and the two tall-footed cups collided together, making a soft ‘clink’ sound.

Ji Qinghuai smiled slightly, raised his head and drank the little red wine left in the glass.

Su Yuhe also took a sip, “He’s not here, you might as well…”

Before the latter words could be spoken, there was a “pop” in their ears and the sound of the cup falling onto the ground.

The guests turned their eyes to the source of the sound and Ji Qinghuai and Su Yuhe also cast their gazes there. In front of them, Qin Lang and a strange young man were standing face to face while Qin Lang’s clothes were stained with wine.

The young man gave Qin Lang an arrogant look, “Pardon me.”

There was not even a trace of sincerity in his words.

Upon seeing this, Cheng Bairui walked over and said to Qin Lang, “Maybe he ran into you accidentally, Xiao Lang, don’t mind it. I’ll have someone take you to change your clothes.”

This was an accident and Qin Lang didn’t plan to make a big deal about it so he replied, “En.”

Unexpectedly, as soon as Qin Lang turned around, he heard the young man mutter, “It’s really bad luck to run into you.”

Qin Lang paused.

Ji Qinghuai’s face suddenly became cold.

Qin Lang’s original form was a black cat, and everyone present was aware of this. Among the demons, black cats have always been the most unpopular race and the rumour that ‘black cats bring bad luck’ had been passed down for thousands of years. However, many people changed their views on this after Qin Lang took over the Eastern District.

It was precisely because he was a black cat that he had been abandoned by his biological parents when he was a child. This was his sore point.

Cheng Bairui realised that the situation was not good and when he saw Ji Qinghuai’s face, he secretly thought, this is bad. The Ji family protected their weaknesses well and Ji Qinghuai especially cared about this younger brother.

Today was his son’s coming-of-age ceremony and he was still upstairs. He couldn’t let anyone create a scene in the hall.

Cheng Bairui was busy trying to mediate the situation, “Young Master Weisheng is still young and naive, don’t take it seriously.”

Hearing that the young man in front of him was a member of the Weisheng family, Qin Lang turned around. He was about to speak when suddenly someone threw a glass of red wine onto Weisheng Lins's face.

Su Yuhe looked at his empty hands, feeling a little helpless.

Ji Qinghuai held an empty cup, smiled, and said insincerely, “Sorry, my hands slipped.”

Qin Lang looked at Ji Qinghuai, who reached out and pulled him behind him, squeezing his wrist before releasing it.

Qin Lang knew that it was inappropriate to make trouble today, so he didn’t speak again.

But Weisheng Lin, who was splashed with red wine, wasn’t aware of it and glared at Ji Qinghuai, “Are you looking for death?”

Cheng Bairui really couldn’t wait for his people to throw him out.

Faster shut up.

Ji Qinghuai had a stony face. Seeing Ji Qinghuai being obedient in front of an elder, everyone present looked like they had seen a ghost. “Have you ever been beaten until you cried out for your parents?”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Bairui quickly stood between Ji Qinghuai and Weisheng Lin, fearing that Ji Qinghuai would really do as he said.

Cheng Bairui thought that Ji Qinghuai was pretty good and he had watched Ji Qinghuai grow up. He knew exactly what kind of temper Ji Qinghuai had and although he didn’t inherit Ji Xianzhi’s stubbornness and serious manner, no one could stop him from getting angry. In this aspect, he was no doubt Ji Xianzhi’s son.

But those who came were all guests. Cheng Bairui couldn’t use his status as an elder to forcefully suppress them. Ji Xianzhi and the others were not here now. There were only juniors present, and there was not even one person to deter them. If Ji Qinghuai and Weishenglin fought, it would be too shameful and hard to avoid blame.

At this time, Su Yuhe who was on the side, spoke up, “Uncle Cheng, lunch is ready, we should let everyone sit down.”

Seeing someone helping to clear the siege, Cheng Bairui played along with Su Yuhe quickly, “Yes, yes, all of you should be hungry after travelling from afar, let’s go in.”

Most of the people entered the banquet hall one after another, but only a few stayed to watch the excitement. Su Yuhe turned sideways, and said to Ji Qinghuai and Qin Lang, “The two of you, please.”

Qin Lang also urged, “Brother, let’s go.”

Ji Qinghuai turned around indifferently and raised his foot but as soon as he took a step, Weisheng Lin ran up to him and blocked their way.

“Weren’t you too arrogant just now? Don’t go. Let’s fight one-on-one.”

Su Yuhe: “…”

Cheng Bairui hated iron for not turning steel and desperately wanted to beat up Weisheng Lin and Ji Qinghuai.

Weisheng Lin had on a triumphant expression, “JiQinghuai, do you really think you’re favoured in the Ji family? Your father would rather let a scourge take over the Eastern District than cultivate you, you…what……”

Ji Qinghuai knocked Weisheng Lin down to the ground with a punch, and Qin Lang didn’t even hold him back.

Meanwhile, Su Yuhe moved aside.

Cheng Bairui pleaded with Su Yuhe for help with his eyes and Su Yuhe similarly responded with his eyes.

I can’t help.

Cheng Bairui: “…”

The friend who followed Weisheng Lin helped him up. Wei Shenglin touched his face, glanced at his fingers, pushed his friend away and shouted angrily, “Ji Qinghuai! If I don’t beat you until you’re on your knees begging for mercy today, I’ll…”

“Presumptuous!” Suddenly, there was a shout that entered everyone’s ears.

Qin Lang looked up and his eyes sank.

Weisheng Minghong.

And beside him stood Ji Xianzhi.

Wei Shenglin walked over, his previous arrogant arrogance instantly dissipated, and he covered his face while complaining, “Father, Ji Qinghuai put his hand on me first, I just…”

Wei Sheng Minghong glanced at Weisheng Lin, and he immediately shut up.

Weisheng Minghong looked at Cheng Bairui and apologized, “It was I who did not teach my godson well, I’ve caused trouble to my brother.”

Cheng Bairui heaved a sigh of relief and waved his hand, “The younger ones are only playing around, it doesn’t matter.”

Weisheng Minghong looked at Ji Xianzhi again.

Ji Xianzhi smiled, “The youngsters are playing around, whether they win or lose is according to their ability, I don’t care.”

Wei Sheng Minghong smiled and said nothing.

At this point, the conflict was settled.

Afterwards, someone came to inform them that the meal was about to begin. Qin Lang changed his clothes and went to the banquet hall with everyone. Ji Qinghuai followed behind Ji Xianzhi without any expression on his face.

When he was about to enter the hall, Qin Lang grabbed Ji Qinghuai, and the two of them stopped outside the door.

After everyone else had entered, Qin Lang spoke, “Brother…”

“Brother what?” As soon as Qin Lang spoke a word, Ji Qinghuai interrupted him, “Everyone knows I’m your brother, yet you’re still angry and even saying such nonsense.”

Qin Lang was stunned.

Ji Qinghuai knew what he wanted to say even before he spoke.

Ji Qinghuai sighed softly, “You don’t need to care about what others say, it’s because I don’t want to bear the burden myself, you’re willing to help me shoulder this burden. I can only thank you for sacrificing your time. Can our relationship be weakened with just a word or two? I beat him up purely because I owe him.”

After finishing speaking, JiQinghuai patted Qin Lang on the shoulder and said, “Little cutie, it’s not true that if you’ll be safe if you don’t seek trouble. If someone bullies you, you don’t have to bear it. I’ll help you fight the people you can’t fight, don’t let yourself be wronged, you understand?”

Qin Lang looked at Ji Qinghuai for a long time and nodded.

“En.”

Hmm, interesting revelation in this chapter yah. Also, I realised this chapter is kinda short but there’s like 4-5k chapters coming up sooo…

Edit: This chapter was NOT short, I missed out the second half T-T