USWHC -Chapter 76 A Curse About Water (Part 6)

The man in black suddenly felt that he must have done something wrong over the years. Why had he ended up like this?

It was as if he could see everything, and knowing he couldn’t answer his questions, he deliberately changed the subject.

Yet even so, he was unfathomably deep. The man in black couldn’t see through him at all—what was he thinking? Had he already offended him? Panic rose in his chest.

“Master, if my lord sends his servant to follow you, then naturally this servant must remain loyal to you for all eternity!” the man in black couldn’t help but declare.

This statement obviously pleased Ji Yi. A soft smile appeared once more on his lips. “We’ve been together all these years. I’d say we’ve been both teacher and friend. I respect you, and naturally I can’t do without you. I know your loyalty well.”

The man in black looked at the smile on Ji Yi’s face—it was so warm and kind. Yet the next moment, he heard him murmur, “And since you’ve been with me so long, they probably fear you as well.”

Hearing this, the man in black’s heart trembled. The meaning was clear: yes, apart from Ji Yi, no one else among them could ever take over!

“Master, rest assured, I will not report this matter to my lord!” Finally, he seemed to make up his mind, speaking with solemn determination.

Sure enough, he saw a pleased smile on Ji Yi’s face, and the bandaging on his hand had just been completed. Ji Yi said, half-joking, half-serious, “This injury isn’t serious, but you still need to be careful. I have high expectations of you in the future, so don’t get hurt so easily again!”

The man in black immediately expressed his gratitude. “Thank you for your concern, Master!” He then bowed sincerely, even more respectfully than at first.

Seeing him bow so earnestly, Ji Yi nodded in satisfaction. He didn’t bother helping him up but simply let him remain kneeling.

After Ji Yi walked out of the orchard alone, the man in black dared to slowly rise from the ground. In just that short time, he felt a chill run through his entire body.

The art of mastery was already so complete. Ji Yi had truly grown up. But the man in black didn’t know whether he should be glad that he had taught him well or lament that he had found such a formidable master. From now on… he probably wouldn’t be able to act so freely around him.

“Have you heard whether Ji Yi offended anyone?” Zhu Jie asked hesitantly.

Huaikua immediately shook her head. “No. Brother Ji Yi is known in the village as a good man. He’s always willing to help anyone in need, and he’s strong and skilled in martial arts. Who could he possibly have offended?”

“What about women? Have you heard that he was involved with any woman?” Zhu Jie asked with a mischievous smile.

When it came to marriage, she couldn’t help but think of emotional entanglements. Perhaps Ji Yi had once disappointed a woman who loved him deeply, which was why that woman made things difficult for him?

Like Zhao Min with Zhang Wuji in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber—she blocked him at every turn, not allowing him to marry Xiao Zhao or Zhou Zhiruo, simply because Zhao Min had her own designs on Zhang Wuji.

Perhaps some woman had her eyes on Ji Yi, and maybe she was as skilled in martial arts as Zhao Min!

“A woman?” Huaikua thought seriously this time, her cheeks involuntarily flushing. “Probably not. The village says he avoids women, so the girls don’t really dare get close to him!”

“Really?” Zhu Jie sighed a little disappointedly. “You all think he’s a good guy. Isn’t there anyone daring enough to challenge that rumor?”

Hearing this, Huaikua immediately lowered her head in embarrassment, unable to speak.

At that moment, a soft voice called from not far away, “Finished washing?” Only then did the two women lift their heads to look.

Ji Yi, taking some shortcut, had already reached in front of Zhu Jie and leaned against a tree, waiting for her.

Seeing that she didn’t answer, he walked straight over, took the water basin from her hands, and silently walked beside her.

His movements were so natural that Zhu Jie didn’t notice anything amiss. Since he wanted it, she let him have it.