Chapter 113: Your Judgment of People Is Truly Accurate

“No! How could that be?” Ji Huo quickly shook his head, vehemently denying it.

Xia Ningshang narrowed her eyes. “But for some reason, I always feel like you’re thinking about me, and not with good intentions.”

“Nonsense! That’s slander! A lie!” Ji Huo hurriedly protested.

“Then why are you so anxious?”

“I’m not!”

The two bantered back and forth, and the meal suddenly became lively as they ate.

Ji Junhong smiled and took a sip of the white porcelain wine, finding everything increasingly pleasing to the eye.

This summer night was filled with countless stars, and crickets chirped incessantly among the flowers. A cool breeze blew, bringing a refreshing sensation that made one instinctively forget grievances, patriotism, and even the impending battles ahead.

The three of them chatted and laughed, covering many topics. Most of the time, Xia Ningshang and Ji Huo teased each other, while Ji Junhong sat nearby, grinning and sipping wine, occasionally taking sides and fanning the flames.

When the wine had been thoroughly enjoyed, Ji Junhong brought out a dozen more bottles of white porcelain wine from the room—these he had scavenged from his father’s study.

As the night deepened, the three finally let their smiles fade.

Xia Ningshang looked at the small courtyard and the bottles on the table with some reluctance.

She cupped her hands and said to the two men, “The time has come. I will be going now.”

“Be careful,” Ji Junhong warned. “If you can’t win, just come back.”

Ji Huo was straightforward. “At least leave the National Master some dignity.” He wasn’t worried for a moment that Xia Ningshang couldn’t defeat the National Master, relying instead on complete trust.

Xia Ningshang rolled her eyes in a charming way, then turned, transforming into a black dragon that surged into the sky. After circling for a moment, she flew toward the National Master’s residence.

Ji Junhong suddenly furrowed his brow and looked at Ji Huo. “The Great Xia Dragon Clan?”

“(⊙O⊙) What?” Ji Huo was puzzled.

Ji Junhong asked again, “Is Miss Xia from the Dragon Kingdom?”

“Yeah.” Ji Huo asked, “What about the Great Xia Dragon Clan?”

Ji Junhong relaxed his expression and smiled. “It’s a term I once saw in some unofficial history books—not a big deal.”

Ji Huo inwardly wondered what kind of unofficial histories Ji Junhong had been reading. Then he took down the Sovereign Sword at his waist and handed it over.

“Take care, brother.”

“Thanks.” Ji Junhong accepted the Sovereign Sword and smiled. “I want to see what kind of monster dares to swallow the fate of the nation.”

Ji Huo cupped his hands and transformed into a wild goose, dashing toward the distance.

...

The National Master’s residence was completely dark, shrouded in blackness.

The heavy vermilion gate stood open.

The National Master sat quietly in the main hall, his back straight as a statue, facing the gate.

After a while, a purple figure appeared at the entrance.

She thought for a moment, removed the veil from her face, and strode inside.

“You’ve come,” the National Master’s hoarse voice rasped from his throat.

“You knew I was coming?” Xia Ningshang asked.

The National Master sighed lightly and replied, “When that brat Ji brought you in during the day, I knew I would die by your hand.”

Xia Ningshang considered for two seconds, then cupped her fists in salute. “I come for both public and private reasons.”

“What private matter?” the National Master asked with curiosity.

“To retrieve something from you,” Xia Ningshang said calmly.

“What is it?”

“Fragments of the Demon Dragon Spear.”

The National Master was momentarily stunned. Then he suddenly recalled the uproar about the demon weapon incident in the martial world recently. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Were the fragments of the Demon Dragon Spear circulating in the martial world made by you?”

“Yes,” Xia Ningshang replied frankly.

The National Master fell silent for a few seconds, then asked, “Does Ji know?”

Xia Ningshang nodded slightly, then affirmed, “He probably guessed.”

The National Master continued, “You came here to retrieve the fragments of the Demon Dragon Spear, and he agreed?”

“He tacitly approved.” Xia Ningshang asked in turn.

The National Master nodded, beckoned with his right hand, and from under the table where he had earlier pulled out tea leaves, a censer flew out.

The censer trembled twice, the protective seal was lifted, and a black spearhead shot out.

“Take it.” The National Master tossed it casually, and the spearhead landed in Xia Ningshang’s hand.

The spearhead emitted a clear, crisp sound, as if cheering joyfully. Yet the demonic energy had barely begun to surface before Xia Ningshang gently caressed it, instantly drawing the energy back into the spearhead.

“Your public reason is to kill me?” the National Master asked again.

“Yes.”

“Can you tell me why?”

His eyes were full of confusion and bewilderment. “Something must have happened, I know that, but I just can’t see it clearly. I simply can’t.”

Xia Ningshang lowered her gaze slightly. In her hand appeared a short black rod, from which dark energy coalesced and connected to the spearhead.

Two-thirds of the Demon Dragon Spear was now in her possession. If added to the remaining third held by her brother, the complete peerless demon weapon would finally be gathered.

“You’ll know when I strike you,” Xia Ningshang said seriously.

The National Master smiled. “You hold the Demon Dragon Spear, and I am a sorcerer. One stab from you will surely kill me. A fish will still struggle on the chopping board twice—I’m not the kind of person who’d let you stab me without a fight.”

Xia Ningshang fell silent, tightening her grip on the Demon Dragon Spear, ready for battle.

The National Master laughed lightly, spreading his hands without defense.

“You read me perfectly. I really am that kind of person.”