The Dynasty of Cultivating Immortality

Chapter 5

C5 – This’s My Written

Ni Huibo stumbled and nearly fell. He steadied himself against the doorframe, his brow furrowed in confusion.

What had just happened?

Had he done something wrong?

And what was Ni Situo implying? His father was the second brother of his eldest uncle, wasn’t he? Why was the Ni family telling everyone that he was the second son of Ni Xianjian? It seemed he was the only one in the dark about this.

Ni Huibo couldn’t make sense of it all. He considered asking Ni Situo for clarification but then remembered his recent words and decided against it. Instead, he turned and retreated to his room.

He chose to avoid the issue.

That way, he wouldn’t invite any new problems.

But after a short while, the people from the main hall followed him to his room.

Ni Huibo looked up from where he was starting a fire; his hands and face smeared with soot, he resembled a chef.

At the sight, someone couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

Ji Fanwei wore a smirk and even stepped forward to wipe the soot from Ni Huibo’s cheek, much to Ni Situo’s irritation.

Ni Situo, naturally, objected. The painting was a Ni family possession, and if it were to be presented to City Hall, it should be by his own hand. Ji Fanwei had no right to intervene. Ni Situo reached out to reclaim the painting.

Ji Fanwei had anticipated this reaction. Blocking Ni Situo’s path, he smiled and said, “I am authorized to conduct this investigation. I have the right to take any item from the Ni family to City Hall for examination. Are you attempting to obstruct justice? As a member of the Immortal Cultivation Hall, you surely understand the gravity of such an action.”

The City Hall indeed had such a regulation, but as a cultivator, Ni Situo was acutely aware of the value of the Prime Minister’s genuine work. If he could present the authentic work to the Mayor, his prospects would be boundless. Thus, for Ni Situo, this was not just about the artifact; it was about his future.

Neither party was willing to yield, and the tension escalated.

Without warning, Ni Situo made his move. With a single step, he transformed into a blur, materializing behind Ji Fanwei. Regrettably, he couldn’t stabilize his stance before Ji Fanwei spun around and delivered a heavy kick to Ni Situo’s hand.

Ni Situo evaded with swift agility. Once again, he executed his movement technique, darting behind the scribe at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, with Ji Fanwei in hot pursuit. Then, in an unexpected twist, Ni Situo halted and retreated a step, dodging Ji Fanwei and seizing the opportunity to snatch the painting.

Ji Fanwei, taken aback, spun around and lunged forward, also grasping the painting. As he tugged it back, he realized Ni Situo’s grip was firm. Concerned that the Prime Minister’s authentic work would be irreparably damaged if he didn’t release it, Ji Fanwei was caught off guard when Ni Situo yanked the painting away.

Both men staggered backward. Ji Fanwei could only watch in dismay as the Prime Minister’s authentic work tore in two before his eyes. Staring at the fragment in his hand, he was momentarily stunned.

Ni Situo, too, was taken aback. He had anticipated Ji Fanwei would be the first to release his hold, which is why he had applied force.

“Ni Situo, this is the Prime Minister’s authentic work!” Ji Fanwei exclaimed, his face losing its usual smile for the first time.

With a sneer, Ni Situo retorted, “This belongs to the Ni family; it cannot be taken from you.”

“I will report this to the Mayor!” declared Ji Fanwei, shooting a fierce glare at Ni Situo before storming off.

Ni Situo sneered again and followed. He was convinced he had done nothing wrong. The room fell into a sudden hush.