GTAS Arc. 2 Ch. 5

Ji Yichen fixed his gaze on Xiao Wu, who was kneeling on the ground, softly sobbing, and on Ji Yanzhi, who was dressed in a soldier’s uniform. 

It was clear that Ji Yanzhi was furious at Ji Yichen’s “out-of-line” behavior. Without hesitation, Ji Yanzhi stepped past Xiao Wu and strode toward Ji Yichen, pulling the whip from his waist and gripping it tightly in his hand. 

Ji Yichen had already noticed this. He narrowed his phoenix eyes, a glint of sharpness flashing within them. He subtly retracted his hand into his sleeve, ready to catch the whip at any moment. 

However, the whip didn’t come. Instead, Ji Yanzhi’s large hand shot straight toward Ji Yichen’s face. It seemed Ji Yanzhi intended to punish Ji Yichen in the same way he had punished his new favorite. 

The smug, tearful expression on Xiao Wu’s face was hidden from Ji Yanzhi, but Ji Yichen saw it clearly. 

Another slap? Dream on! 

In one swift motion, Ji Yichen grabbed Ji Yanzhi’s wrist as it came toward him. He then stepped forward, placing Ji Yanzhi’s elbow on his shoulder, and with a forceful motion, he crouched down and dropped to one knee. 

The move was clean and precise. Before Ji Yanzhi could even process what was happening, Ji Yichen had flipped him over his shoulder. 

Thud! A loud crash echoed as Ji Yanzhi hit the ground face-first, his nose smashing into the dirt and blood immediately gushing out. He passed out on the spot. 

“Ah! Murder! Murder!” Xiao Wu screamed in terror, his face pale as he stared at Ji Yichen. 

Ji Yichen rolled his eyes. If he really wanted to kill Ji Yanzhi, a simple shoulder throw wouldn’t have been enough. He could have just grabbed a knife and ended the scumbag’s life right then and there! 

As Xiao Wu continued to wail, two figures quickly approached. It was Ji Linchen and Lin Huai. 

Lin Huai frowned as he walked over to the unconscious Ji Yanzhi, flipping him over and checking his breathing. He then turned to Xiao Wu and scolded, “Stop screaming. He’s not dead.” 

Xiao Wu, seeing that it was Ji Linchen and another man in military uniform—clearly an officer—immediately shut his mouth, got up, and knelt back down, trembling with fear. 

Ji Linchen, however, stood directly beside Ji Yichen. He reached out a hand toward Ji Yichen and, under Ji Yichen’s puzzled gaze, said in a deep voice, “Give me your hand.” 

Ji Yichen, confused, extended his small hand, unsure of what Ji Linchen intended to do. 

Ji Linchen took Ji Yichen’s hand, brought it to his lips, and gently blew on it. Then, with a tender expression, he asked, “Does it hurt?” 

Ji Yichen shook his head, raising an eyebrow. Shouldn’t Ji Linchen be more concerned about his younger brother, Ji Yanzhi, who had just been knocked unconscious? 

The confusion wasn’t limited to Ji Yichen. Xiao Wu, too, was wide-eyed in disbelief as he watched Ji Linchen’s affectionate behavior toward Ji Yichen. Had Ji Yichen managed to climb into Ji Linchen’s bed last night while he was unconscious?! 

A glint of realization flashed in Xiao Wu’s eyes. It seemed he had underestimated Ji Yichen. But as long as Ji Yichen hadn’t climbed into Ji Yanzhi’s bed, it didn’t matter. After all, during these turbulent times, it was better to secure a place with the future head of the Ji family than with a general who might die at any moment. 

Xiao Wu lowered his head, kneeling obediently and not daring to look around, afraid that someone might notice his thoughts. 

Finally, Lin Huai voiced the confusion in both Ji Yichen and Xiao Wu’s minds. “Yanzhi is unconscious. Shouldn’t you, as the eldest son of the Ji family and his older brother, be more concerned about him? Instead, you’re here worrying about whether someone else’s hand hurts? If Yanzhi wakes up and sees you like this, he’ll be heartbroken.” 

But Ji Linchen didn’t turn around. He continued to hold Ji Yichen’s hand and said in a deep voice, “The second young master of the Ji family, incapable in both literature and martial arts, was thrown to the ground by a frail little thing and knocked unconscious! As his older brother, I feel ashamed for him! With skills like that, he wants to join the military? I think he should just stay home.” 

After saying this, Ji Linchen ignored Lin Huai and Xiao Wu, instructing Lin Huai to find a doctor to check on Ji Yanzhi. Then, still holding Ji Yichen’s hand, he walked away. 

Ji Yichen followed silently behind Ji Linchen. He heard the system’s notification in his mind: the scum abuse value had risen to 20. This meant that after throwing Ji Yanzhi to the ground, it had only increased by 10. It seemed that physical violence didn’t have much effect on Ji Yanzhi. He would have to think of another way to complete the scum abuse mission… 

“Were you looking for me earlier?” 

Ji Linchen’s deep voice suddenly broke the silence. He didn’t turn around, but continued to lead Ji Yichen by the hand. Ji Yichen softly replied with a “Yes.” 

Hearing this, Ji Linchen’s lips curled into a slight smile. Earlier that morning, while reviewing military documents, he had discovered a traitor within their ranks. However, they couldn’t arrest the traitor yet—they needed to use them to lure out the bigger conspirator behind the scenes. 

Ji Linchen had been discussing this headache-inducing issue with Lin Huai, but now his mood had improved significantly. It seemed the little lion behind him was slowly being tamed. 

“Can you let go of my hand? I can walk on my own.” 

However, Ji Linchen’s satisfaction lasted only a second before Ji Yichen’s words shattered it. 

Of course, Ji Linchen didn’t let go. Instead, he tightened his grip on Ji Yichen’s hand and said in a low voice, “The Ji family estate is so big. If I don’t hold your hand, I’m afraid you’ll get lost again and won’t be able to find me…” 

Ji Linchen first took Ji Yichen to the dining room for breakfast, then brought him to his study and had him sit on the sofa. 

There were two books on the table. Ji Yichen casually picked one up and began flipping through it. 

At that moment, Lin Huai returned, intending to continue discussing the morning’s issue with Ji Linchen. However, upon seeing Ji Yichen sitting quietly on the sofa reading, he glanced at Ji Linchen with a questioning look. 

But Ji Linchen simply said it was fine, adding that Ji Yichen would be by his side from now on. If Ji Yichen dared to leak even a single word, he would immediately end his life. 

Ji Yichen naturally heard this. He sneered inwardly—taking his life wouldn’t be so easy… 

He had no interest in the discussion between Ji Linchen and Lin Huai. Politely, he stood up and said, “I’ll wait outside,” then took the book and left, sitting down on the soft wool carpet outside the door, quietly reading. 

The book in Ji Yichen’s hands was about the history of wars throughout the ages. Throughout history, victors wrote the history books, and no matter which of the thirty-six stratagems they used, as long as they ascended to the throne, history would be rewritten, and the victors would be glorified. 

The truth, however, would only remain in the hearts of those who lived through it, never recorded. Thus, most of what was written in such war histories was unreliable—nothing more than entertainment to pass the time… 

Just then, a man in a tailcoat pushed a lunch cart over. The man glanced at Ji Yichen sitting on the floor before knocking on the door. Lin Huai opened it and said in a low voice, “Ji Feng, the Major General is busy right now. Whatever it is, it can wait.” 

The man, named Ji Feng, apologized and pointed to the lunch cart, indicating that it was time for lunch. 

When Ji Feng spoke, Ji Yichen’s hand paused. This voice was the same one that had knocked on the door last night when he was being tormented by Ji Yanzhi. It was also the voice that had later appeared in Ji Linchen’s study, agreeing to keep an eye on Ji Yanzhi. Given Ji Feng’s attire and actions, he was likely the Ji family’s butler. 

“We’ll have lunch later. For now, get something for this little one to eat,” Lin Huai said, pointing at Ji Yichen sitting by the door. 

Ji Yichen, of course, heard this. He lifted his delicate, fair face and gave Lin Huai a bright smile, then politely thanked him. 

Lin Huai was momentarily stunned by Ji Yichen’s radiant smile. He nodded awkwardly and closed the door. 

The food on the lunch cart wasn’t meant for a slave like Ji Yichen, so Ji Feng walked over and crouched in front of him, his voice still cold. “What do you want to eat? I’ll bring it to you.” 

Ji Feng was merely carrying out the orders of Ji Linchen’s personal medic. However, Ji Yichen’s next words made his eyes widen in shock. 

“It seems you’ve grown too comfortable as the Ji family’s butler. Have you forgotten the mission your master assigned you?” 

Ji Feng’s brow furrowed as he stared intently at Ji Yichen, who still wore a faint smile. He clenched his fists and asked in a low voice, “Who are you?” 

Ji Yichen raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence, then pointed to the wall behind him and whispered four words. 

“The walls have ears.” 

Ji Feng understood immediately. He had been undercover in the Ji family for decades, and almost everyone who knew his true identity was dead—unless this was someone sent by his master… 

At this thought, Ji Feng’s expression turned even colder. He looked at the seemingly harmless Ji Yichen and nodded. “Come with me to the kitchen. You can pick whatever you want to eat.” 

Ji Yichen didn’t refuse. He stood up and followed Ji Feng, leaving the war history book behind on the carpet, looking rather lonely…