Chapter 1, The Ji Family's Long Sky

Uh... the asparagus has been stir-fried, but this child Xiao Le really is something. Ji Changle's father, Ji Haoguang, smiled as he defended his son. The Ji family's rules are strict, and Ji Changle's behavior at the dining table was already inappropriate. Ji Haoguang was afraid that his father, Ji Yuxing, would blame his grandson, so he pretended it was unintentional and shifted the responsibility onto Ji Changkong.

There was also a small table, at which the wives of Ji Haohong and Ji Haoguang, Luo and Zhao, were also bowing their heads in anticipation

"If it gets dirty, wash it again!" Ji Wanyun said sharply, her expression turning serious as she declared, "Chang Kong, no matter what others say about you or how they view you, in my eyes, you will always be the best child of the Ji family"

"Haohong, starting tomorrow, let Xiaozhou continue to be responsible for the daily meals." Before Ji Yusheng's figure had completely disappeared, Ji Yuxing said to his eldest son Ji Haohong in a low voice.

"Aunt, it will be ready soon." Ji Chang Kong turned around and smiled, revealing her teeth. On her small face, which had been darkened by ash, Ji Chang Kong's originally white teeth appeared even brighter.

Ji Chang Kong clenched his hands tightly, applying more and more force, his nails digging deep into his flesh until he felt a piercing pain that struck at his heart, at which point he finally released his grip. Taking a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions, Ji Chang Kong picked up the remaining bowls of plain porridge and silently followed behind Ji Wan Yun as they exited the kitchen.

On the long table were several small dishes, two large steamer baskets of white steamed buns, and a bowl of plain congee in front of the people

There are two individuals, Ji Yu-xing and Ji Yu-sheng, who are generally quite quiet at the dining table. These two do not speak, and their descendants also remain silent; this is the custom

Once again jolted awake from his dreams, Ji Chang Kong sat up from the wooden bed and glanced out the window; the sky was just beginning to brighten. Quickly donning his green attire, he splashed a handful of cold water on his face and rubbed it casually. Ji Chang Kong then hurriedly ran outside.

As Ji Yuxing left, Ji Haohong and Ji Haoguang did not even glance at Ji Changkong. They merely nodded at Ji Wanyun, wiped their mouths with a damp cloth, and then departed. Following them were their wives, Luo and Zhao.

Ji Xiaolian stuck out her little tongue, waved her hand at Ji Changkong, and then ran outside with Ji Yueqing and the book.

Ji Haohong and Ji Haoguang sat upright, their expressions serious, while their wives, Luo and Zhao, seated at a small table nearby, gently lowered their heads, their faces adorned with barely perceptible smirks

Ji Chang Kong felt a tightness in his heart, suddenly recalling that he had been preoccupied with conversing with Ji Wan Yun and, in a moment of carelessness, had actually brought out a plate of stir-fried asparagus. Stealing a glance at Ji Yu Xing, he noticed that Ji Yu Xing had no intention of questioning him, and only then did Ji Chang Kong secretly breathe a sigh of relief

"Chang Kong, do not blame your grandfather. In the entire Ji family, the one who loves you the most is not your aunt, but your grandfather!" Once everyone had left, Ji Wanyun let out a soft sigh and spoke softly.

At the Ji family's dining table, aside from the main seat, men sit on the left and women on the right. Originally, Ji Changkong should have sat on the left, but the large table was not long enough, so he could only move to the right, joining the women of the Ji family

However, Ji Wanyun's dry right hand, which had not touched water, rubbed back and forth on Ji Changkong's face. Not only did it fail to wipe away the darkness on his face, but it also made his face look as grotesque as a ghostly drawing.

The plan for the year lies in spring, and the plan for the day lies in the morning; however, for Ji Chang Kong, the morning is not a good time.

"I will deal with you after the training is over, hum!" Ji Changle glared fiercely at Ji Changkong, not bothering to continue eating. As she passed by Ji Changkong, she whispered a sentence in a voice only the two of them could hear. Then, she hurriedly left with Ji Changxiao and Ji Changsheng towards Qingyan Mountain, fearing that if they were late, they would be locked in the Cold Ice Cave for three days

Physical pain is one aspect, but spiritual pain is even more despairing

"Stop talking nonsense. As long as Aunt knows you have this intention, that is enough." Ji Wanyun's eyes flickered, her face showing some panic as she hurriedly used her long hair to cover the four jagged scars on her left cheek. Only then did she help Ji Changkong arrange the steamed buns and several small dishes, saying: "Let's go. Those men from the Ji family have little patience and are likely to be anxious if they have to wait too long"

After a pause, Ji Yusheng saw Ji Changkong hanging his head in silence. He slammed the table again and angrily rebuked, "Knowing full well that we have distinguished guests today, yet you still present yourself in such a dirty state, not even bothering to change into clean clothes. You lack basic decorum!" As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Yusheng threw down the chopsticks in his hand, snorted coldly, and stood up.

"I know that my aunt cares for me." Ji Chang Kong smiled, gently brushing aside the long hair that covered Ji Wan Yun's left cheek. Looking at the four jagged scars that extended from the corner of her brow down to her fair neck, Ji Chang Kong's gaze was resolute as he said: "Aunt, I may never have the ability to avenge you, but I will definitely find a way to remove these four scars from your face!"

Cough... Ji Yuxing, who had been keeping his head down and continuing to drink porridge, finally looked up at this point, put down his bowl and chopsticks, but showed no intention of standing up. He gazed at Ji Yusheng and frowned, saying: "Third brother, it is precisely because Chang Kong cannot gather Yuan power to become a Celestial Master that I let him manage the daily meals, given his exceptional culinary skills. I merely wanted to give him something to do, since he cannot cultivate anyway, to spare him from boredom. If you are unhappy, I can find someone else to replace him; there is no need to get so worked up over it"

Understood, Uncle. Tomorrow I will prepare the dishes well, and I will not let you go hungry. Ji Changkong lowered his head, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes, yet he spoke gently and softly.

"Brother Chang Kong, it's all Brother Chang Le's fault for speaking carelessly that made Grandfather San angry. Please don't be sad." Ji Xiao Lian tugged at Ji Chang Kong's sleeve, her bright eyes and round little face pouting as she softly comforted Ji Chang Kong

When only he and Ji Wanyun remained in the kitchen, Ji Changkong, who had been bowing his head, finished the last bite of porridge completely. Only then did he raise his head, and surprisingly, a faint smile lingered on his face, as if he were not at all affected by Ji Yusheng's harsh scolding, remaining calm and unperturbed, unaffected by praise or blame.

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Looking at the radiant smile on that small, soot-blackened face, Ji Wanyun felt an inexplicable pang of sadness in her heart. With a sigh, she stepped forward and extended her delicate hand to help Ji Changkong wipe the dust from his face

In the kitchen, Ji Chang Kong was stir-frying asparagus when he heard the sound of Qing Yan being forcefully shattered outside. He momentarily lost his focus, and a hint of melancholy suddenly appeared on his face. With a soft sigh, Ji Chang Kong redirected his attention to the asparagus in the pan, only to silently exclaim that it was a disaster—he had overcooked the asparagus.

Ji Yuxing lightly coughed and said, "It's time to eat"

"It has been stir-fried." Ji Haohong nodded, glancing at Ji Changkong, who was hanging his head, and said lightly, "Changkong, you must be more serious next time."

For a woman, especially one who was once beautiful, there is no more cruel and vicious revenge than this

Elder Ji Yuxing and Elder Ji Yusheng sat at the head table. On the left side were Ji Yuxing's two sons, Ji Haohong and Ji Haoguang, along with his grandsons Ji Changxiao, Ji Changsheng, and Ji Changle. On the right side, the first person was Ji Yusheng's daughter, Ji Wanyun, followed by Ji Haoguang's eldest daughter, Ji Yueqing, Ji Haohong's youngest daughter, Ji Xiaolian, and finally Ji Changkong.

Father! Ji Wanyun stood up, looking at Ji Yusheng without fear, and said indignantly: "If Chang Kong's body could always gather Yuan power, he would not be inferior to anyone! As a direct descendant of the Ji family, it is already hard enough for Chang Kong to cook for everyone every day. It is inevitable that he might occasionally make a mistake; do you still want to be angry with him?"

Ji Chang Kong quickly put down the spatula in her hand, stepped back two paces in a hurry, and after turning around to face away from Ji Wan Yun, she began to place the steamed buns one by one on the rack. Only then did she softly say: "Aunt, my face is dirty, I will wash it later, just don't get your hands dirty too."

Those who are not members of the Ji family, even if they enter the Ji household, are never qualified to sit at the main table. Only those with the surname Ji are forever seated at the main table

Aunt, I naturally know that Grandpa does this out of concern for me. Alas, it is my own lack of ambition that troubles him. To allow me to conserve some energy, he actually goes to such great lengths.

The scar is so deep that one can imagine the person's nails must have been deeply embedded in her flesh at mhetushu.com. The pain is unimaginable

He is clumsy, and I simply do not like the dishes he cooks!" Ji Yusheng glared fiercely at Ji Changkong, then turned and left. Once outside the door, she murmured softly, "Xiao Zhou's cooking is delicious; I have a fondness for him!"

Collapse! Crackle!

Pu! Ji Changle wore a苦 face, a piece of lettuce was spat onto the table in front of him, and he glared fiercely at Ji Changkong across from him. Ji Changle quickly lowered his head and gulped down the porridge with a "whoosh whoosh" sound

Only Ji Xiaolian, who was beside Ji Changkong, timidly tugged at the corner of Ji Changkong's garment, her eyes filled with sympathy

Ji Wanyun's face bore four scars that resembled four ugly little snakes coiling upon her visage, completely ruining her originally beautiful appearance. The marks of the scars indicated that they had been inflicted by someone using sharp nails to scratch her skin forcefully

Upon hearing Ji Chang Kong's words, Ji Wan Yun couldn't help but smile gently. She patted Ji Chang Kong's head and said with satisfaction, "You, my child, are simply more intelligent and sensible than those little rascals. You always make people feel at ease. If one day you can gather your elemental energy and cultivate to become a Celestial Master, I believe none of those rascals from Chang Le would be able to compare to you"

"Chang Kong, is breakfast ready? The city lord will be coming today for the once-every-three-years Ji family Tian Shi test, which will begin at Chen hour. We need to hurry up!" A pleasant female voice came from the door, and shortly after, Ji Wanyun had already arrived at the kitchen.

Hastily arriving at the kitchen, Ji Chang Kong rolled up his sleeves and immediately began to busy himself. Adding fuel, starting the fire, adding water, and kneading the dough, his series of actions were incredibly skillful, clearly indicating that this was not his first time doing these tasks

Ji Changkong's grandfather, Ji Yusheng, heavily placed the porcelain bowl in his hand down and suddenly exclaimed: "Cooking, cooking! All you know is cooking! A man of the esteemed Ji family, only capable of putting effort into such menial tasks, what future do you have?"

Outside, a series of violent sounds echoed, the noise of fists striking blue stones and feet shattering hard wood. The young men of the Ji family were taking advantage of the morning to train their bodies and muscles, hoping to make further progress on the arduous path of cultivation and scholarly refinement.

kitchen

"Aunt, I told you not to wipe it. Look, you've gotten your hands all dirty, haven't you?" Ji Chang Kong felt a surge of emotion in his heart, knowing who truly cared for him

"Xiao Lian has left, you don't want to be locked in the Ice Cave, do you?" Ji Yueqing frowned and, without waiting for Ji Chang Kong to speak, admonished sharply. She seemed to disapprove of the interaction between Ji Xiao Lian and Ji Chang Kong, grabbing Ji Xiao Lian and, before she could finish her words, forcefully pulled her outside.

Jie Changle, who had previously shot a fierce glare at Jie Changkong, was filled with glee at his misfortune. Jie Changxiao, Jie Changsheng, and Jie Yueqing appeared indifferent, not even glancing at Jie Changkong. They only looked at Jie Yusheng with some confusion, not understanding why he was so enraged over such a trivial matter.

Clang!

The lord is coming, hurry up and finish your meal so you can head to Qingyan Mountain to prepare for the assessment. Any little brat who arrives late will be confined to the Cold Ice Cave for three days!" Ji Yuxing stood up, ready to leave, when he inadvertently glanced at Ji Changkong. After a moment of thought, he frowned and said, "Changkong, just stay behind to clean up the table. After all, you can't gather Yuan power, so it doesn't matter whether you come to this assessment or not." With that, Ji Yuxing's figure flickered and, having reached the Sixth Heaven in strength, he vanished in an instant.

After speaking, Ji Yuxing was the first to pick up a small piece of asparagus, chewed it lightly, and slightly frowned, but did not say anything. As soon as Ji Yuxing moved his chopsticks, everyone followed suit, and the bamboo chopsticks began to dance over several small dishes.

Ji Yusheng's outburst came rather abruptly, with no prior warning. The crowd exchanged glances, temporarily setting aside their bowls and chopsticks, staring at him in a daze

"What are you talking about, child?" Ji Wanyun suddenly became angry, her body gracefully swaying as she swiftly approached Ji Changkong. With her left hand, she lightning-fast grasped Ji Changkong's shoulder, leaving him no chance to evade, while her right hand continued the unfinished task of wiping the dirt from his face.

"Understood, Father." Ji Haohong nodded in agreement, inadvertently glancing at Ji Changkong, who was silent with his head down, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes