TNIBFT -Chapter 109 Overestimating Oneself

Ji Zhengping suddenly spoke.

His sharp gaze fixed on him. Suppressing the nausea rising in his chest, Shen Jie stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, “I heard the General was injured, so I brought Miss Jiang to take a look—perhaps we can offer a bit of help.”

Ji Zhengping remained expressionless.

Jiang Yunxi stepped forward and skillfully took out her acupuncture kit from her bag. “The bleeding hasn’t been properly stopped. I’ll perform acupuncture on General Ji first.”

With that, she picked up a silver needle and began the treatment.

Her movements were practiced—fast, precise, and decisive. As a disciple of the divine physician Qiu Feibai, Ji Zhengping trusted her greatly.

After a smooth sequence of actions, the bleeding from his severed arm seemed to stop.

Jiang Yunxi stood up and wiped the sweat from her forehead. “This wound still needs to be cleaned. It’s quite complicated—General, you should wait for my father or my master to arrive.”

“I’ll have the kitchen prepare some medicine first.”

When treating patients, Jiang Yunxi’s face turned serious and focused—completely different from her usual self.

Ji Zhengping gave a slight nod. Only then did Jiang Yunxi withdraw. Shen Jie followed behind her, glancing around. After a moment’s thought, he deliberately slowed his steps.

“There’s no one attending the General. I’ll stay behind to take care of him—you go prepare the medicine.”

Jiang Yunxi looked surprised that Shen Jie wanted to stay, but didn’t ask further. She nodded and left with the steward.

Inside the room.

Shen Jie felt guilty, but still stepped forward attentively. Looking at Ji Zhengping leaning against the bed, he asked, “General, would you like some tea?”

Ji Zhengping said nothing.

His deep gaze rested on Shen Jie. Holding his severed arm, he panted from the pain. Seeing Shen Jie still not leaving, Ji Zhengping coldly asked, “You stayed behind—it’s not just to serve tea, is it?”

Shen Jie replied, “Was the General’s injury… caused by Ye Tian?”

Ji Zhengping remained silent.

Shen Jie’s heart leapt with joy—his guess was correct. Ye Tian deserved to die; not even the gods could save him now.

Thinking this, Shen Jie stepped forward excitedly: “General Ji is the backbone of Sifang City. Without you, how could there be peace? Everyone in the city knows this. Yet that Ye Tian—a mere criminal, a lowly commoner—dared to injure you? This is no longer just a capital offense. I know the General is kind-hearted, but Ye Tian first caused Shaobai’s death, and now has caused you to lose an arm. The Ironclad General without an arm—wouldn’t that invite ridicule? That’s even worse than killing you. How will you lead the armies in battle in the future? How will you protect Sifang City?”

Shen Jie spoke with intense emotion, as if he were a righteous figure speaking on behalf of the people of the city.

Ji Zhengping glanced at him, his eyes cold. “What do you suggest we do?”

He spoke indifferently.

Shen Jie immediately turned, excited: “Of course, report to the City Lord and have Ye Tian executed in the cruelest way—avenge you and Brother Shaobai, and let all of Sifang City know of Ye Tian’s crimes! The General has devoted his life to the city. Forget killing one Ye Tian—even ten or a hundred of him would deserve to die!”

Ji Zhengping’s gaze turned gloomy. He nodded at Shen Jie. “You’re right.”

“Come here. I have something to tell you.”

His tone was calm as he beckoned.

Shen Jie was overjoyed. He hurried forward humbly, slightly bowing as he approached Ji Zhengping.

Slap!

A crisp sound rang out, and the room instantly fell silent.

Shen Jie clutched his cheek with one hand, bending over as he stared at Ji Zhengping in shock and disbelief.

His mind buzzed, and his cheek burned with pain.

With that single slap, the corner of Shen Jie’s mouth split, his hair came loose, and one side of his face swelled red instantly.

“You…”

It took Shen Jie a long moment to react. He looked at Ji Zhengping but couldn’t say a word. Ji Zhengping’s gaze turned cold as he stared at him.

“Trying to sow discord? Using me as a weapon? Shen Jie, you’re still too green. When I was killing people, you were still wearing open-crotch pants. Shaobai might have fallen for your tricks—did you really think I would too?”

What?

Shen Jie’s pupils shrank in shock.

At this moment, fear overwhelmed him. There was no way Ji Zhengping should know all this. His palms grew slick with sweat, and he didn’t know how to defend himself.

Ji Zhengping stared at him with a half-smile.

“The biggest mistake I’ve made in my life was letting Shaobai get close to you—and that cost him his life. You incited him to kill Ye Tian. In the end, your own cleverness backfired. Shaobai lost his life, and you shifted all the blame onto Ye Tian, hoping I’d kill him?”

“No… that’s not it…” Shen Jie trembled all over, shaking his head desperately.

Ji Zhengping grabbed him by the collar, his eyes dark with menace.

“My son is dead. Ye Tian deserves to die—but you deserve it even more! And you still dare to stir me up to kill Ye Tian? Seeing me injured—were you excited? Thrilled?”

Ji Zhengping grew increasingly agitated, his strength like that of a wild bull. Shen Jie was being choked so hard he could barely breathe.

He was certain—even with one arm disabled, Ji Zhengping was still no match for him.

Grabbing Ji Zhengping’s hand, Shen Jie struggled.

“No… I didn’t…”

“Let go of me!”

“Let—go…”

His face twisted in pain as he gasped for air, pounding at Ji Zhengping’s hands. Seeing his strength fading, Ji Zhengping finally let go and flung him to the ground.

“Let me tell you—your identity as the city lord’s illegitimate son? The city lord already knew about it.”

Ji Zhengping looked at the shifting expressions on Shen Jie’s face with glee. As he moved, his wound began bleeding again. Clutching it with one hand, he sneered:

“I’m not killing you—not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t right now.”

“Get out!”

His expression suddenly darkened as he roared.

“Bang!”

With a loud crash, the door was kicked open from outside.

The steward rushed in with a squad of soldiers, looking anxiously toward Ji Zhengping on the bed. Seeing that he was unharmed, the steward finally relaxed and bowed.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Shen Jie on the ground.

Without Ji Zhengping’s order, no one moved.

Shen Jie struggled to his feet in a sorry state and turned to leave without looking back.

Ji Zhengping chuckled.

“Do you know who’s backing Ye Tian? If you dare provoke him again, I think the first person who’ll want you dead… will be the city lord.”

Shen Jie’s back stiffened.

He already had an answer in his heart. Qiu Feibai had taken Ye Tian’s youngest son as a disciple—given the prestige of the number one divine doctor of Medicine King Valley, the city lord would certainly show respect. What he hadn’t expected was that Xiao Haoyang would curry favor with Medicine King Valley to this extent.

If Jiang Yunxi were to inherit Medicine King Valley, what place would be left for Ye Hanjiang?

…

Mingfeng Village.

“Dad, is it comfortable lying like this?”

“Or should I be your little pillow?” Ye Shuangxue stood beside Ye Tian, just a head taller than the bed, raising her small hands to tuck him in. Her big eyes sparkled brightly.

Sun Wuji sat by the fire, propping his cheek with one hand, looking gloomy as he pouted at the interaction between his disciple and Ye Tian.

Before Ye Tian could respond, Sun Wuji quickly chimed in with a grin:

“Good disciple, your master just had a bath—how about I be your little pillow instead?”

As he spoke, he cheerfully patted his round belly.

Ye Shuangxue rolled her eyes at him and continued speaking gently to Ye Tian:

“Or should I have Master catch a chicken for you to nourish your body?”