Chapter Ten: Sorry, the Heir Is Simply Extraordinary

"Vitality +0.3..." Staring at the number, Liu Ji couldn't help but feel exasperated. Damn it, he risked his life coming here to extract attributes, only to gain a mere 0.3 increase in vitality?

What kind of joke was this?

Thinking it over, he could only accept it with resignation. The corpse had been dead for several days already; any trace of blood essence must have long since dissipated.

So, he’d come at the wrong time.

But, no matter. Even 0.3 was still something. As they say, even a mosquito's leg is still meat.

"Liu Ji!"

At that moment, an anxious voice sounded at the door.

Liu Ji rose and turned his head. He didn’t notice that as he stood, a dark shadow darted from the corpse and slipped out of the courtyard like a wisp of black smoke.

He saw Liu Ming hurrying in with ten Tiger Riders of Zhen'nan in tow. Reaching him, Liu Ming's face was full of concern as he said, “I heard from Wang Mazi that you were in trouble, so I brought men and rushed over.”

He asked, “Are you alright?”

Liu Ji shook his head. “It’s nothing. I was attacked by a monster, but fortunately, the guards killed it.”

“That’s good.” Liu Ming breathed a sigh of relief. He moved to the corpse, squatted down, and carefully examined it before asking, “Wang Mazi, what happened here?!”

Wang Mazi, trembling with fear, quickly recounted the events as they had unfolded.

After hearing the explanation, Liu Ming stood up, his expression grave. “If what you say is true, then I’d wager your concubine was possessed by a vengeful spirit!”

“Possessed by a vengeful spirit?” Wang Mazi was stunned.

Xiao Ya said, “So it was!”

Liu Ji also looked at Liu Ming, puzzled. Liu Ming explained solemnly, “According to the imperial chronicles, the reason why the Calamitous Lands are named as such is because, in our world, as night falls, vengeful spirits appear. Most wander aimlessly, but occasionally, one possesses a person. Such cases are rare, but they do happen.”

He sighed lightly. “Those possessed by vengeful spirits usually lose their senses and become like beasts, attacking people everywhere. Only by cutting off their heads can the possessed be truly put to rest!”

Liu Ji asked, “Where do these vengeful spirits come from?”

Liu Ming wasn’t surprised by Liu Ji’s question. After all, the young lord was known for his lack of learning, caring only for food, drink, and pleasure.

He was a master of every vice, but as for the arts of cultivation or martial discipline—he was a complete outsider.

Liu Ming sighed. “Vengeful spirits... are essentially the souls of the dead. For some reason, these spirits don’t dissipate, but linger in the mortal world.”

Liu Ji, hearing this, felt a strange sense of unease. By rights, when people die, their souls ascend to heaven or enter the cycle of reincarnation. He’d never heard of souls remaining in the mortal realm. Then again, this only confirmed that this world was not so simple.

Liu Ming looked at Liu Ji and sighed. “As your elder brother, let me remind you: Uncle Liu can protect you for a time, but not forever.”

He suddenly grew solemn. “If you pay attention, you’ll see that the relationship between the Prince of Zhen’nan’s household and the imperial family is rather delicate. Peace won’t last for long. When the time comes, only your own strength can ensure your survival.”

Though Liu Ming’s words sounded like a lecture, they were not wrong. Liu Ji nodded. “I understand.”

Liu Ming nodded as well. “Since you’re fine, I’ll return to my patrol. But in the future, if you encounter strange incidents like today, be sure to keep your distance. Don’t overestimate yourself and rush in for excitement!”

Had Liu Ji’s guards not been present, the consequences would have been disastrous. The only son of the Prince of Zhen’nan might have perished right here.

With that, Liu Ming left, leading the ten Tiger Riders away.

Liu Ji stretched his still aching body, thinking he’d taken quite a fall earlier. He said, “Xiao Ya, let’s go.”

Wang Mazi hurriedly called out, “Take care, Young Lord!” Inwardly, he was relieved this little ancestor was finally gone. Next time, no matter what, he’d never let Liu Ji visit again. If anything like this happened once more, his nerves wouldn’t survive—and his head would surely protest!

Leaving the Wang residence, Liu Ji kept sighing. He’d thought he might extract some useful attributes from the dead, but in the end, all he got was a pitiful sliver of vitality.

And he’d nearly lost his life in the process!

Xiao Ya asked, “Young master, are we still going to the Spring Night Pavilion? You took quite a fall just now, you must be hurt. Why not return to the manor and let the physician take a look?”

Liu Ji waved her off. “It’s fine. To the Spring Night Pavilion.”

Xiao Ya sighed deeply. “If only you’d devote half the energy you spend on your lower half to cultivation, you wouldn’t end up like today—sent flying ten meters!”

Liu Ji coughed awkwardly and rapped her lightly on the head. “What do you know, little girl? I’m simply experiencing life in all its facets!”

Xiao Ya muttered, “Yes, yes, experiencing it atop those women’s soft, pale bellies…”

Seeing Liu Ji raise his hand as if to hit her again, Xiao Ya quickly covered her head and jumped back. “Young master, are you going to hit me? If you damage my head, who’ll serve you so attentively in the future?”

Before she could finish, she felt someone crash hard into her back. With a startled cry, her petite body pitched forward.

Quick as lightning, Liu Ji caught her, his hand accidentally landing on her chest. Xiao Ya’s face flushed bright red.

Liu Ji withdrew his hand awkwardly, secretly thinking that although Xiao Ya was young, her figure was… certainly not small.

Impressive, indeed…

Xiao Ya lowered her head, not saying a word, her ears burning crimson.

Regaining his composure, Liu Ji looked up and was startled to find the person who had nearly knocked Xiao Ya over was none other than that arrogant braggart from before—Han Feng!

Before he could say anything, a loud shout came from not far off: “Han Feng! Where do you think you’re going? Surrender now!”

At this, Han Feng’s face changed dramatically. He rushed up to Liu Ji, pleading, “Young Lord Liu, save me! They… they want to kill me!”

Just then, the group chasing Han Feng arrived as well.

Leading them was an extravagantly dressed youth, around eighteen or nineteen, with a jade belt at his waist and boots of fine brocade—clearly a rich young master.

He paused upon seeing Liu Ji, then sneered inexplicably before clasping his fists and saying coolly, “Young Lord Liu, please hand over the man behind you. He stole from my residence. I cannot let him go unpunished.”

His tone lacked any hint of respect.

Liu Ji asked, “And who are you?”

Hearing this, the rich young master was visibly taken aback.

Damn it, just a few days ago you led people to beat me up at the Spring Night Pavilion, specifically targeting my groin, leaving me bedridden for a week! And now you’re asking who I am?

I’m your worst nightmare!

But he dared not say this aloud. Instead, he replied with a sarcastic sneer. “Young Lord Liu, you truly are quick to forget people. It’s only been a few days—how could you forget me already? I wonder just what keeps a noble such as yourself so busy.”

There was mockery in his eyes. In fact, he and Liu Ji were like oil and water, never getting along and seeing no need for courtesy. While Liu Ji’s princely status did inspire some awe, it certainly wasn’t enough to deter someone from a powerful family.

After all, the Prince of Zhen’nan wouldn’t personally intervene in the quarrels of children, and his own family was no minor clan in the Southern Prince’s city.

His family was a true powerhouse among the local nobility!

In his eyes, Liu Ji was nothing more than an arrogant wastrel, relying on his title and position. He himself, if born the prince’s son, might outdo Liu Ji in arrogance and bravado.

Liu Ji repeated, “But who are you?”

It wasn’t that he was forgetful—he truly had no idea who this person was. But whoever he was, clearly he was someone Liu Ji could afford to offend; otherwise, why not show a little respect?

The rich young master was even more enraged, wishing he could rub Liu Ji’s smug face into the dirt.

This was pure humiliation!

Xiao Ya whispered to Liu Ji, “That’s Young Master Sun of the Sun family—one of the oldest families in the Southern Prince’s city. Just a few days ago, you led a group and beat him up at the Spring Night Pavilion over a prostitute…”

She was embarrassed even to mention it. Imagine—a prince’s son getting into a brawl at a brothel over a woman, and thrashing another man for her. If word got out, it would be a disgrace, shaming the prince’s household.

Suddenly enlightened, Liu Ji exclaimed, “Oh—so you’re Sun Zi! Why didn’t you just say so? What do you need from me?”

Damn you, Sun Zi!

Sun Xiang ground his teeth in fury. If not for Liu Ji’s status, he’d have beaten him to a pulp.

He took a deep breath, telling himself not to stoop to the level of this worthless playboy. After regaining his composure, he said, “Young Lord Liu, please hand over Han Feng. He stole from my family. I must take him back and question him!”

Liu Ji replied, “And if I don’t?”

Sun Xiang gritted his teeth. “He stole from my residence. According to imperial law, my family has every right to seize him!”

He stared at Liu Ji. “Even as the prince’s son, you have no authority to stand in my way. So please, step aside!”

Liu Ji said, “I won’t hand him over.”

Sun Xiang shouted, “And why not?!”

Liu Ji replied, “Because I am the prince’s son.”

Sun Xiang, now trembling with rage, pointed at Liu Ji and shouted, “So what if you’re the prince’s son?!”

Liu Ji smiled and nodded. “Sorry, but being the prince’s son is enough.”

Sun Xiang: “…”

…

…

PS: Three thousand words in one chapter. Emmm… I know it’s not much, but I have a busy day job too! I get home at eleven, think up the plot, and only then can I start writing—hence, I’ve been at it until now. By the way, the book unexpectedly got a contract offer today. In a few days, once it’s finalized, I’ll work hard to update more regularly while keeping the story solid. When the time comes, let me shamelessly ask for some tips (*^▽^*). Off to bed now—good night. Oh, and don’t forget to vote for recommendations…