Contending for Hegemony in the Qian Prefecture: Meeting Master Zhu, Uncle Ou Displays Extraordinary Strength; Deliberating Military Secrets, the Minor Spy Is Swiftly Executed.

The next morning, the two set off on the road back to Jiangcheng.

"What? So many men couldn't stop them? Though, it's no great loss that Jiakang died, but I wonder what the King of Jiangnan will think? Forget it! Old Kun, accompany me to intercept them. I must capture Ji Shi!" With that, he let out a shrill, eerie cackle.

"Is a mere Ji Shi worth such a great effort?" asked a voice, raspy and emanating from a slack-skinned elder of indeterminate gender. This was the Matriarch of Kun Mountain, whom Zhu Shengzhijin had invited down from the Kun Cave in Gannan.

"The beauty of Ji Shi is naturally nothing, but that Uncle Ou is in the Solidification Realm; he is somewhat troublesome," Zhu Shengzhijin said obsequiously.

"If that is the case, then I shall accompany you!"

"Uncle Ou, it has been a long time. You have changed a great deal!" Ji Shi said, looking at the "flamboyant" Uncle Ou before him.

"Boy, spare me the pleasantries. Tell me, have you found the little brat yet?" Uncle Ou glared at Ji Shi.

"I..." Ji Shi had just begun to speak when he heard the malicious laughter of Zhu Shengzhijin. "Hahaha, my beautiful Ji Shi, it has been so long. You have grown even more radiant. Come here and let me enjoy you properly!" He signaled the Matriarch of Kun Mountain beside him. She stomped her foot and lunged rapidly toward Ji Shi. But just as her withered hand was about to touch him, a surge of primordial energy erupted.

"Ah!" The Matriarch of Kun Mountain was sent flying thirty feet away. "You—you are not in the Solidification Realm! How could you have such power? You are in the Void-Piercing Realm!"

"Oh, my hair!" Hearing this, Zhu Shengzhijin hurriedly pulled a yellow talisman from his pocket. "Escape!" He vanished on the spot instantly, leaving behind a bewildered Matriarch.

"Damn it!" She spat in the direction of Zhu Shengzhijin's departure and then looked at Uncle Ou. "My lord, spare my life! I will offer you whatever you desire. I can even offer myself to you!"

The scene was so revolting that even Ji Shi found it hard to stomach, let alone Uncle Ou. Thus, Uncle Ou waved his hand, and a bolt of heavenly lightning descended, instantly reducing the Matriarch of Kun Mountain to ashes.

"What about Zhu Shengzhijin?" Ji Shi asked, looking at Uncle Ou with confusion.

"A mere insect, nothing to fear. Let us depart quickly!"

Meanwhile, before the gates of Ruzhou City, a figure muttered, "I never expected Uncle Ou to be such a master. It seems I must seek help from the family!"

After three days of arduous travel, Ji Shi and his companion finally returned to the Prince’s Mansion in Jiangcheng. Looking at the gates, Ji Shi sighed, "Jiakang, the brat... alas! The path to strength is always lonely." After a moment of reflection, he and Uncle Ou slowly entered the estate.

They had barely sat down when a soldier came to report, "Your Highness, someone is outside requesting an audience, claiming to be the Prince of Yuzhang!"

"Quickly, invite him in at once!" The visitor entered, radiating an aura of dominance; his dragon-like physique made the surrounding attendants feel uneasy.

"So it is the Prince of Yuzhang! A pleasure, a pleasure. You are a pillar of talent under the Prince!" Ji Shi said, smiling broadly at Gongxi Hua.

"Hahaha, mere hollow titles, I am unworthy, truly unworthy! The brilliance of Prince Ji is the envy of all. Oh, and is this Uncle Ou? Prince Ji, Uncle Ou is a true man of talent. With his support, your success is surely just around the corner! But where is General Jiakang? Why do I not see him?"

Hearing this, Ji Shi’s expression darkened. He lowered his head for a moment, then looked up with bloodshot eyes and said, "Jiakang... he is gone." He then recounted the events that had transpired in Ruzhou. After listening, Gongxi Hua slammed his hand on the table. "That damned Zhu Shengzhijin! Just wait, I will go kill him myself!"

As he moved to rise, Ji Shi hurriedly stopped him. "Do not be rash. That Zhu Shengzhijin will not live much longer," Ji Shi said with a grim expression. He then looked behind Gongxi Hua. "And who is this?"

Gongxi Hua pushed the person behind him forward. "Prince Ji, this is the Prince’s second son. He was originally following me, but now, as it happens, he is already a master of the Solidification Realm. I trust you will not refuse?" Chen Huaijin bowed and greeted Ji Shi, and seeing this, Ji Shi said nothing more.

A moment later, "Le Budao!"

"Present!"

"Take the Second Young Master down, arrange his quarters and other necessities, and have him prepare to take over General Jiakang’s duties. From now on, you will be his assistant." He gave Le Budao a look, and the latter understood. "Yes!"

"Then, Prince Ji, I shall take my leave!" Chen Huaijin bowed to Ji Shi and followed Le Budao out. The room was left with only Ji Shi, Uncle Ou, and Gongxi Hua (and, of course, Xiao Liuhua eavesdropping outside).

"Gentlemen, I have decided to attack Star City on the eighth day of the third month. That Liu Shoucong is arrogant to the extreme and holds us in utter contempt. As it happens, the Prince of Yuzhang is here, and I have also contacted Li Kangjia, who should arrive by tomorrow. Today is the first of the third month; we begin preparations the day after tomorrow, giving us five days. We shall strike Star City in three columns. What do you think?"

Gongxi Hua agreed readily. "My Yuzhang can provide thirty thousand soldiers and nine hundred ships. The rest is up to you!"

Ji Shi smiled. "Do not worry about the troops. Liu Shoucong relies only on his father’s glory; he is a spineless coward. Even with an army of one hundred thousand, he cannot utilize sixty percent of their strength. When the time comes, we need only... and we can take Star City in one fell swoop!"

*That Prince Ji is truly ambitious. I must inform my master; he must not be allowed to succeed,* Xiao Liuhua thought. Just as he was about to go retrieve a carrier pigeon, a voice called out, "Steward Xiao, what are you doing here?"

"Ah, hahaha, just taking a stroll!" Xiao Liuhua appeared relaxed, but his back was drenched in cold sweat. *I am likely doomed now. But Ji Shi is only in the Rain-Calling Realm, while I am at the peak of the Void-Entering Realm. Even if he is a genius, he cannot possibly defeat me!* With that thought, he struck out, throwing a punch at Ji Shi.

Seeing this, Ji Shi smiled and was about to deliver a lethal blow, when Xiao Liuhua suddenly opened his fist, releasing a cloud of powder. "Damn you, you dare use poison!"

"Hahaha, Young Master Ji, enjoy this 'Sun-Peeling Powder.' I believe you will soon become a eunuch yourself. Though, I forgot to tell you—I am already a true man, thanks to my master!"

Xiao Liuhua cackled as he dashed toward the gate. But just as he struck down a guard and was about to escape, he felt a surge of energy at his back. A flash of cold light followed, and his body was instantly riddled with holes by the rampaging sword aura.

Before he died, looking at Ji Shi’s handsome face, his rage was extinguished. "I never expected you to be this strong. But the power of the Youkong family is beyond your imagination. Just wait for my master’s revenge!"

"Noisy!" Ji Shi swung his sword again, beheading Xiao Liuhua.

*I never expected the energy cultivated from the "Heavenly Kun Energy-Guiding Technique" to be resistant to poison. And such a powerful technique is only Earth-grade—I wonder how strong a Heaven-grade technique is!* Ji Shi shook his head, dismissed the thought, and called for servants to clean the ground. He then headed to the war room to practice his tactics on the sand table, aiming to take Star City at the lowest possible cost.