ALL NOVEL Chapter 146 - Memories of the Past Life, This is Wrong
Qingming Palace.
A beautiful woman wearing a wide-sleeved fairy dress, exuding a gentle and quiet temperament, stood obediently in the main hall.
Her eyebrows and eyes were like paintings, her figure tall and graceful. Her exquisite curves embodied the elegance and decency of a noblewoman.
Her skin was as white as cream, her eyebrows as dark as distant mountains, and her lips as delicate as a cherry blossom. She seemed like a goddess who had stepped out of an ancient mural.
Beside the woman stood two elderly men. Their auras were vast and deep, exuding a pressure that made the air tremble. Even a slight movement seemed capable of changing the world’s color.
These were two powerful cultivators who had reached the Void Shattering Realm!
The three waited silently in the hall.
Finally, Ji Hongluan emerged from the back hall. She wore a jade crown and a yellow robe, her expression indifferent. She didn’t even glance at the three of them as she walked straight to the first seat. Her bearing resembled that of an empress presiding over the heavens.
The atmosphere was oppressive, and her presence was intimidating.
Clearly, Ji Hongluan intended to show the Ji family where they stood.
Taking her seat, she lowered her gaze slightly and said coldly, “Tell me, why has the clan sent you to Qingming Sect?”
The two elders exchanged glances, their expressions helpless. Ji Hongluan’s demeanor was exactly as the clan had described—arrogant and indifferent, even toward her own family.
But they couldn’t fully blame her. The clan’s neglect of Ji Hongluan in the past had sown deep resentment, making their task of persuading her to accept Xu Yang particularly difficult.
The elders thought to themselves that convincing Ji Hongluan and Xu Yang to align with the clan was likely impossible. Fortunately, the ancestor had anticipated this reaction and prepared a contingency plan.
Still, they couldn’t rely solely on the plan; they needed to test the waters first. Ji Hongluan was, after all, a leader of a sect and could not be treated as a mere junior.
“Hongluan, don’t be so hostile toward us. After all, we are your family,” one elder said gently.
“Hongluan, I’m still your cousin. Rest assured, we mean you no harm,” the other elder added with a kind smile, trying to dispel the tension and lower her guard.
Ji Hongluan, however, was unmoved. She believed that the Ji family had come with ulterior motives and remained icy as she swept her gaze over the three of them.
“Let’s skip the pleasantries, shall we?” she said flatly.
The elders froze, their attempt at small talk falling flat.
Sighing inwardly, they resigned themselves to proceeding directly.
“Hongluan, the clan has heard about Xu Yang’s remarkable deeds in White Emperor City, so—”
“No, I don’t agree to this,” Ji Hongluan interrupted sharply, her eyes glinting with cold anger.
She had already guessed the clan’s intentions.
They were here for Xu Yang.
Her expression darkened. How shameless can they be to try and make Xu Yang their pawn?
She sneered inwardly. Even if Xu Yang weren’t under my protection, he’d never stoop to being at their beck and call.
Even as her thoughts raced, she maintained her calm exterior.
The two elders, taken aback, felt increasingly helpless. They hadn’t even finished explaining their purpose, and Ji Hongluan had already rejected them.
Realizing the futility of further persuasion, they signaled the woman beside them with their eyes.
The woman stepped forward. Her gentle gaze softened as she addressed Ji Hongluan warmly, “Sister Hongluan, don’t be angry. The clan merely wanted to seek your opinion. If you disagree, we’ll drop the matter.”
“However,” she continued with a slight bow, “I may need to trouble you by staying in Qingming Sect for a while. I hope you won’t mind, Sister Hongluan.”
“You?”
“You’re staying in Qingming Sect? Does the clan intend for you to take over my position?” Ji Hongluan asked coldly, her expression unreadable.
The woman quickly waved her hands.
“Of course not! Qingming Sect is your hard-won achievement. How could the clan do something so outrageous as to seize credit from one of our younger generation?”
“Oh?” Ji Hongluan’s voice was laced with skepticism. “If not to replace me, then why stay? Don’t tell me it’s because the Qingming Sect has abundant spiritual energy.”
She narrowed her eyes, her casual tone masking a sharper edge.
“Sister Hongluan, aren’t you asking knowingly?”
The woman’s face flushed slightly, and she spoke shyly, “The clan originally intended to match you and Lord Xu, but since you disagreed, the clan didn’t want to let go of Lord Xu and decided to send me instead!”
“However, Sister Hongluan, please rest assured. I won’t cause you any trouble while I stay in Qingming Sect. All I ask is to be alone with Lord Xu for a few days…”
“Hmm?”
“What did you say? Say it again!”
Ji Hongluan abruptly stood up from her seat, staring at the woman in disbelief.
“I said, just allow me to spend a few days alone with Lord Xu.”
Although uncertain why Sister Hongluan reacted so strongly, the woman obediently repeated herself.
“Not that sentence.”
Ji Hongluan’s tone sharpened.
“What is it, then?”
The woman looked puzzled, unsure of what Ji Hongluan was getting at.
“Forget it. No need for you to say it—let my cousin explain!”
Ji Hongluan turned her sharp gaze toward one of the elders.
The elder, taken aback by being suddenly called out, hesitated but cautiously completed his earlier statement, “Hongluan, the clan heard of Xu Yang’s extraordinary deeds in White Emperor City and thought he was exceptional. Therefore, they hoped to match you with him. If you’re unwilling…”
“No, I am willing, very willing—extremely willing!”
Ji Hongluan’s voice was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.
“Uh…”
Both elders froze in bewilderment. Moments ago, she had been adamant in her refusal, but now her tone brimmed with eagerness.
The woman next to her was equally stunned by Ji Hongluan’s sudden change of attitude.
That’s not right!
The memory of her previous life was entirely different!
She recalled everything vividly.
In her past life, Sister Hongluan had no significant connection with Xu Yang whatsoever.
On the contrary, Xu Yang even offended Sister Hongluan on several occasions!
…
In her memories, the Qingming Sect once faced a demonic disaster, prompting Ji Hongluan to seek help from the Ji clan. Due to Ji Hongluan’s exceptional talent, surpassing even many direct descendants, the clan treated the matter seriously and dispatched several elders to assist.
However, during this crisis, they encountered Xiao Ye…
The Ji family inexplicably formed ties with Xiao Ye, a relationship that made no sense!
Ji Zi, usually aloof and arrogant, became fast friends with Xiao Ye. They referred to each other as brothers, and Ji Zi even helped Xiao Ye on numerous occasions!
Yet in the end, the Ji clan, who had saved Xiao Ye, was annihilated due to the powerful enemies Xiao Ye provoked.
What an irony!
In her past life, she had been a mere bystander, watching these events unfold helplessly before perishing in the same calamity.
Now that she had a second chance, she was determined not to let history repeat itself.
Saving the Ji family had become her most urgent mission!