"I am not here today to oppose you, but merely to find a girl from my clan."
The Ji family elder said as he flung his wide sleeve.
"Crash!"
In an instant, the small wooden hut where Ji Ziyue and Gu Sheng were hiding shattered into fragments.
The explosion froze the two in place, as if even the air had solidified.
It took a long time before Ji Ziyue reacted.
"E... Elder..."
Ji Ziyue revealed an incongruous smile on her face.
"You still recognize me as an elder, huh?"
The Ji family elder's expression turned cold as he spoke with chilling disdain.
"I do, I do."
Ji Ziyue chuckled nervously, clasped her hands in salute, and bowed toward the elder.
"Elder."
Gu Sheng also called out, copying the clasped-hand salute.
"Hmm?"
The moment Gu Sheng spoke, the Ji family elder's face darkened instantly, brimming with hostility toward him.
The elder's gaze was as sharp as an ice blade, fixing coldly on Gu Sheng as if to pierce through him.
"Elder, he is my... friend."
