Chapter 17: Detailed Division of Labor

On the way back to the manor, Ji Yin couldn’t escape a scolding from Ji Shaochen.

“Can’t you ever behave yourself? You get restless just staying inside all day, is that it?”

“You all go out every day and have your fun—why should I be the only one stuck at home?” Ji Yin retorted with perfect confidence.

Suddenly, Ji Shaochen stopped in his tracks and looked at her solemnly. “Little Seven, could you please stay out of trouble for a while? Third Brother has to leave for some time. If anything happens to you and I can’t be there in time, what then? What if you end up getting hurt?”

The Ji family had clear divisions of responsibility. Ji Yun handled affairs outside, while Bai Li Yuan managed those within.

Ji Shaofeng, the eldest son, had already broken through to the fifth level of soul power. He was gentle and refined, spoke the language of beasts, excelled at alchemy, and was a healer of remarkable skill. Yet his temperament was aloof, and he disliked conversation. He often locked himself away in his courtyard and rarely ventured out.

Ji Shaoqing, the second son, had broken through the fourth level of soul power and was expected to reach the fifth before long. He was skilled in martial arts and had been assigned by Beiming Yu to the army, where he now served as a chief commander.

Ji Shaochen, the third son, had reached the sixth level of soul power and possessed the best talent. He was mature beyond his years, composed and reliable. By rights, he should have been the most valued among the sons, but instead he spent his days cleaning up after the messes made by the Ji family’s seventh son.

Compared to Ji Yun and Bai Li Yuan—the parents—who seemed unconcerned with Ji Yin’s affairs, Ji Shaochen was always left to worry.

Ji Shaolan, the fourth son, had just broken through to the second level of soul power. He spent all his time in seclusion, training to the point of forgetting to eat or sleep.

Ji Shaohua was the fifth son, just seventeen years old, and had reached the third level of soul power. He adored poetry, music, and the refined pleasures of life. Gifted and sharp-tongued, he had won first place in the imperial examinations and was appointed as a censor by Beiming Yu. Quick to argue, he often drove officials to the verge of collapse with his words—at his young age, the civil and military officials would go out of their way to avoid him.

Ji Shaowen, the sixth son, was just over a year older than Ji Yin. His soul power had only awakened half a year ago, and Ji Yun kept him close, having him train daily at the Tianyuan Sect.

“Where are you going?” Ji Yin sensed that something important was about to happen.

“Third Brother has other matters to deal with. When the time comes, only Mother and Sixth Brother will be at home. If you behave and don’t worry Mother, do you understand?”

So there was something going on after all! But it seemed Ji Shaochen had no intention of telling her the details.

“That’s enough—go back. I have things to take care of,” Ji Shaochen said, leaving her at the gate of the Ji manor before turning to leave.

Ji Yin didn’t go in right away but sat on the steps outside.

“Great Demon, the one who saved you today was that Young Master Ji,” the voice of the Demon Cauldron suddenly sounded in her mind.

“I know,” Ji Yin replied, having already sensed that soul power.

In truth, she’d known Young Master Ji was nearby—the unique, powerful fluctuations of his soul power were impossible to mistake. What she hadn’t expected was that he would intervene to save her.

Even if he hadn’t, though, she had her own ways to escape.

“Don’t think that just because he’s saved me once, I’ll remember it,” she muttered. “If we ever have the chance to devour his soul power, I won’t show any mercy.”

“Great Demon, after wandering about all day, you haven’t found anything edible,” the Demon Cauldron complained.

“I’ll let you feed on some souls to tide you over for now,” Ji Yin replied.

Half an hour later, she found her way to a secluded, deserted place—the execution grounds. Even in daylight, the place was eerie and foreboding. Unless there was an execution, no one would come here.

What a wild land, ruled by imperial power—where all under heaven belonged to the Emperor, and all subjects served at his pleasure.

Ji Yin had no interest in such doctrines.

There were still traces of blood on the ground—some criminals had been executed here not long ago. If she were lucky, their souls might still linger.