NOVEL NEXT Chapter 52: How do you hit someone?
On the high platform, Zhao He’s expression underwent a swift change. After successfully using public opinion to suppress Yun Chongjin, he was now faced with an unexpected challenger.
Mo Wuyue’s thin lips curled up slightly, and Xiao Huan’er bristled with anger. However, Zhao He couldn’t comprehend the connection between the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill and Xiao Huan’er.
Upstairs, Yun Qiao’s anger had dissipated, replaced by excitement. He rushed to the railing to catch a glimpse of the newcomer. It was Miss Jun! Miss Jun had arrived in the imperial city. Yun Qiao waved enthusiastically to Jun Jiu, but she seemed unaware of his presence. Undeterred, Yun Qiao hurriedly descended to the private room.
“Who is she?” someone in the crowd asked.
“I’ve never seen her before. Why is she here to question Master Zhao He again?” The audience regarded Jun Jiu with confusion and suspicion.
She appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, yet her beauty was extraordinary. What was more astonishing was her aura—arrogant and commanding. People instinctively made way for her as she walked, and none dared to meet her gaze directly. The onlookers were left wondering, “Who is she?”
Countless voices echoed the same question. Even Feng Tianqi and Jun Yunxue were puzzled. Yun Chongjin had a faint inkling in his mind. When he glanced up and saw that his frail younger brother was blocked by the crowd due to his weak constitution, Yun Chongjin’s suspicions deepened. The excited look in his brother’s eyes when he gazed at Jun Jiu confirmed Yun Chongjin’s hunch.
“Who are you?” demanded the elder of the Dan Pavilion, his brow furrowing as he studied Jun Jiu.
Jun Jiu’s lips curled into a confident smile. “Why don’t you ask Master Zhao He to tell you who I am?”
Her eyes exuded coldness, combined with contempt and ridicule. When Zhao He saw her, he instinctively took a step back, only to quickly straighten his posture. Zhao He attempted to regain his composure, but his shock and confusion were evident as he gazed at Jun Jiu.
Could it be that this was the girl named Jun Jiu? It seemed improbable, as the disparity was too great. How could the girl with disheveled hair and the strikingly beautiful young woman before him be the same person? Yet, her voice was unmistakable, and the way she looked at him stirred memories of the first time she slapped him. He could still feel the sting on his face.
Was it really her?
“Who are you? How has the Dan Pavilion allowed a mere child like you to cause trouble? You ask Master Zhao He to swear that he is not in league with Yun Chongjin. Are you trying to slander Master Zhao He as well?” Feng Tianqi’s words interjected, coming to Zhao He’s rescue.
Zhao He’s eyes sparkled with hope.
Yes, he could pretend not to recognize Jun Jiu. After all, she was just a young girl with no power. What could she possibly do to him? If she spoke the truth, no one would believe her. Instead, he could accuse Jun Jiu of slander.
This way, he could more openly lay claim to the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill formula. He couldn’t help but think, “I should go for it!”
Zhao He immediately pointed an accusing finger at Jun Jiu and shouted indignantly, “Who do you think you are, little girl? You demand that I swear an oath? Do you even know who I am? I don’t recognize you, so don’t think you can slander me on behalf of Young Master Yun!”
“Slandering Master Zhao He!” someone in the crowd chimed in.
“It appears that Young Master Yun’s accomplice is even more audacious. To resort to such slanderous tactics alongside him is truly outrageous!” another person added.
Feng Tianqi and Jun Yunxue exchanged glances. Their actions had successfully diverted attention away from Zhao He, placing the blame on Jun Jiu instead. Feng Tianqi whispered to Zhao He, “Keep up the act. We’ll protect you.”
Zhao He clenched his fists and concealed his pain. He continued to play the victim, projecting an image of innocence.
Jun Xiaolei couldn’t help but glance at Mo Wuyue’s attire and asked timidly, “Hey, since you’re with Ninth Sister, shouldn’t you help her?”
Mo Wuyue replied nonchalantly, “Help? She doesn’t need it.”
“Why not?” Jun Xiaolei’s eyes widened. After all, it was a collective effort to confront Ninth Sister. Why did Mo Wuyue believe she didn’t need assistance?
At that moment, Zhao He let out a scream. Jun Xiaolei looked up and saw Zhao He clutching his face, writhing in pain. There were three deep claw marks on his face that had torn through skin and flesh.
Xiao Wu couldn’t tolerate this shameless charlatan. He hadn’t stolen enough elixirs from his master, and yet Zhao He dared to slander her master?
Huffing with disdain, Xiao Wu suddenly made a move that left everyone stunned. He had scratched Zhao He’s face. Jun Jiu, observing the situation, sneered, “Do shameless people not deserve punishment?”
“You!” Zhao He pointed at Jun Jiu, anger etched on his face as he accused her. “You slandered me and even attempted to kill me! You must be in cahoots with Young Master Yun!”
“Attempting to slander Master Zhao He!”
“It’s clear now. Young Master Yun’s conspirators have no boundaries. They are even willing to slander Master Zhao He together!”
The crowd buzzed with discussion, and public opinion once again shifted.
Observing the situation, Jun Xiaolei couldn’t help but murmur, “Why don’t you help Ninth Sister?”
Mo Wuyue retorted, “She doesn’t need it.”
Zhao He’s cries drew her attention. Jun Xiaolei looked up to see him clutching his face, blood dripping from three deep claw marks. Xiao Wu’s attack had left him wounded.
Xiao Wu’s contempt for this shameless charlatan knew no bounds. He hadn’t stolen enough elixirs from his master, and yet Zhao He dared to slander her master?
Huffing with disdain, Xiao Wu lashed out, scratching Zhao He’s face. The crowd watched in shock as Jun Jiu sneered, “Aren’t shameless people deserving of punishment?”
Zhao He, clutching his injured face, pointed an accusing finger at Jun Jiu. He sought to shift the blame and gain sympathy. “You slandered me and even attempted to harm me! You must be in league with Young Master Yun!”
The crowd echoed his accusations.
The elder of the Dan Pavilion, shocked by the turn of events, finally regained his composure. He demanded, “Who are you, young lady?”
Jun Jiu raised her eyebrows and responded confidently, “Why don’t you ask Master Zhao He to tell you who I am?”
Her cold gaze swept over the audience, commanding their attention. She emanated an imposing presence that left everyone speechless.
Yun Chongjin observed Jun Jiu with surprise in his eyes. This Miss Jun exceeded Yun Qiao’s
descriptions. Which sect or clan could she be from? It was impossible to guess her identity.
Feng Tianqi and Jun Yunxue on the upper level were equally bewildered. Feng Tianqi was filled with doubt. “This young girl doesn’t seem to be associated with Yun Chongjin.”
Jun Yunxue frowned, suppressing her unease. “Your Highness, let’s see what she does next.”
The crowd fell into a momentary silence, as they had never encountered such an audacious and assertive individual in the Dan Pavilion before. Their voices were effectively silenced.
Jun Xiaolei, however, was bewildered by Mo Wuyue’s response. “Why don’t you help Ninth Sister?”
Mo Wuyue responded calmly, “She doesn’t need help.”
“Why not?” Jun Xiaolei asked, her eyes wide in confusion. After all, they had all joined forces to confront Ninth Sister, so why did Mo Wuyue believe she didn’t need assistance?
As the commotion subsided, Jun Jiu clapped her hands and continued, “I’ll hit you if you hit me. I don’t need to inform you in advance, do I?”
Her domineering and fearless attitude left everyone stunned. They had never witnessed such audacity in the Dan Pavilion before.
Elder Dange finally managed to speak, addressing Jun Jiu with a furrowed brow. “How dare you assault someone!”
Jun Jiu narrowed her eyes, and her sharp gaze made Elder Dange freeze in his tracks. She exuded an aura of power and authority that left him trembling.
With a satisfied expression, Jun Jiu commented, “I’ll strike back if struck. Is there a need to notify you beforehand?”
Her domineering presence filled the room, rendering the crowd speechless.
Yun Chongjin watched in astonishment as the situation unfolded. This Miss Jun was even more formidable than Yun Qiao had described. No one could fathom her identity.
Yun Qiao, who had finally calmed down, stepped forward. He greeted Jun Jiu with a smile. “Miss Jun, allow me to assist you. I have the necessary medicinal ingredients and pill furnaces. As for additional personnel, I am more than sufficient.”
Jun Jiu nodded in approval. She then proceeded to provide Yun Qiao with a list of medicinal ingredients, which caused Zhao He’s expression to darken with each name. He clenched his fists, striving to hide his fear.
No, he must stop Jun Jiu!
However, before Zhao He could react, Jun Jiu silenced him with a single glance. With a raised eyebrow, Jun Jiu spoke to Yun Chongjin, “Could you kindly procure these medicinal ingredients for me and bring a pill furnace along with someone else?”
Yun Chongjin was left perplexed.
“I’ll do it!” Yun Qiao finally managed to squeeze his way through the crowd. He looked at Jun Jiu with an eager smile. “Miss Jun, I’ll take care of it. I have the required medicinal ingredients and a pill furnace. As for additional personnel, I’m sufficient.”
Jun Jiu nodded in agreement. She then provided Yun Qiao with a list of medicinal ingredients, each one causing Zhao He’s expression to darken further. He clenched his fists tightly, desperate to conceal his fear.
No, he couldn’t admit it! Jun Jiu’s attack on him had only strengthened the belief that she was associated with Yun Chongjin.
“Very well,” Jun Jiu responded. She then turned her attention to the crowd and declared, “You’ve all heard it. You don’t need to say anything further. Just watch closely.”
The crowd fell silent, unable to refute her commanding presence. They were witnessing an extraordinary turn of events.
Zhao He, still in pain, attempted to regain control of the situation. “Yes, I created the Nuanxin Yiqi Pill formula by myself, and no one else knows it except me,” he declared, his voice shaky. He was doing his best to maintain his composure.
Jun Jiu’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. She glanced around at the audience, her presence overpowering. “You all heard it. From this point onward, there’s no need for additional words.”
The crowd remained silent, unable to offer any objections.
Yun Chongjin observed Jun Jiu with a contemplative expression. Miss Jun’s capabilities far surpassed what Yun Qiao had conveyed. He couldn’t even guess her background or origin.
On the upper level, Feng Tianqi and Jun Yunxue exchanged glances. Feng Tianqi remained suspicious. “This young girl doesn’t seem to be on Yun Chongjin’s side.”
Jun Yunxue replied cautiously, “Your Highness, let’s see what she intends to do next.”
The crowd, initially unsure of how to react, now found themselves speechless. They had never encountered such a bold and assertive individual within the confines of the Dan Pavilion.
Jun Xiaolei remained puzzled by Mo Wuyue’s inaction. “Why aren’t you helping Ninth Sister?”
Mo Wuyue simply replied, “She doesn’t need assistance.”
Jun Xiaolei pressed further, “Why not?”
As the commotion subsided, Jun Jiu clapped her hands, prompting a hushed silence. She then spoke, “If you strike me, I’ll strike back. Do I need to inform you in advance?”
Her unwavering and fearless demeanor left the spectators in awe. Such audacity was a rare sight within the Dan Pavilion.
Elder Dange finally found his voice and admonished Jun Jiu, “How dare you resort to violence!”
However, Jun Jiu’s stern gaze made Elder Dange falter. He couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down his spine. Her aura exuded dominance and authority.
Jun Jiu responded with a smirk, “I retaliate when provoked. Is there a need for prior notice?”
Her unyielding presence left the crowd in stunned silence.
Yun Chongjin watched the unfolding events with astonishment. Miss Jun proved to be even more formidable than Yun Qiao had described. Her true identity remained a mystery to all.
Meanwhile, Yun Qiao, who had calmed down, stepped forward. He greeted Jun Jiu with a friendly smile. “Miss Jun, allow me to assist you. I have the necessary medicinal ingredients and a pill furnace at my disposal. As for additional personnel, I am more than sufficient.”
Jun Jiu nodded in approval. She proceeded to provide Yun Qiao with a list of medicinal ingredients, each name causing Zhao He’s expression to darken further. He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to hide his fear.
No, he couldn’t admit it! Jun Jiu’s attack on him had only strengthened the belief that she was associated with Yun Chongjin.
“Very well,” Jun Jiu responded. She then turned her attention to the crowd and declared, “You’ve all heard it. There’s no need for further words. Just watch closely.”
The crowd remained silent, unable to refute her commanding presence. They were about to witness an extraordinary turn of events.