Chapter 1396 – Nansheng, The Autumn of Chaos (22)
Liu Zhi remained silent for quite a while after hearing this.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, calm and assured, “You won’t kill him. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“I truly won’t kill him; A Zhao is quite adorable,” she shifted her tone, “Just because I won’t doesn’t mean others won’t.”
To outsiders, it’d be easy to assume Jiang Pengji was referring to her radical supporters.
No matter how well Jiang Pengji fared or how high she climbed, her peers’ children were already playing mahjong; yet she showed no signs of marriage or pregnancy. It was impossible for her subordinates to not feel anxious in this situation. Some certainly wanted her to establish an heir soon, even if it’s an adopted side branch, while others supported Jiang Pengji to eliminate any potential threats to her position, with Liu Zhao being the prime target.
However, Liu Zhi understood that Jiang Pengji wasn’t talking about those people; she meant someone else entirely.
“Exactly because it’s dangerous, that’s why Father wants to use the marriage to send him far away, letting him live a life of luxury and idleness.”
“Father doesn’t seem like someone who would be content with peace,” Jiang Pengji sneered, “Can a ‘wealthy idler’ really satisfy your appetite?”
“No one in this world is born to be endlessly greedy…” Liu Zhi chose to evade the question, “As long as that brat is satisfied, it’s fine.”
Jiang Pengji remarked, “A Zhao is Lan Ting’s younger brother; naturally, he will get his wish.”
Their conversation came to a halt as they silently finished a jar of wine.
Jiang Pengji asked him, “What kind of person was Gu Min?”
“Her? She was a person full of zest for life, bright and beautiful. You could tell from her eyes how peaceful and happy her environment was while growing up.” Liu Zhi raised his wine cup and drank it all. “I thought you and she should be quite similar, but it turns out I was wrong.”
The moment he laid eyes on Jiang Pengji, he realized she and Gu Min were two completely different people.
Both were pure, just one was pure white, and the other pure black.
Jiang Pengji said, “The way you say that makes it seem like I’m a ruthless and violent murderer…”
Liu Zhi fell into an oddly silent state.
Isn’t that true?
Without even mentioning who she was in her past life, in just these few years in Dongqing, the number of lives directly or indirectly lost due to her hands could be counted in the thousands!
“When did you start doubting Father?”
This question had always puzzled Liu Zhi.
Jiang Pengji chuckled, her gaze a bit blurry from the wine.
“Father’s question is amusing. I’ve never truly believed in anyone from the very beginning.” Jiang Pengji toyed with her wine cup, a strange smile on her lips. “If I were an ordinary person, I’d probably feel uneasy being suddenly thrust into a strange environment, needing to find stability in ‘familiar’ faces. Acknowledging one’s body and kinship to draw a sense of security is one of the most straightforward channels, as well as a reflexive choice for the weak. In my view, I don’t belong to the weak.”
Liu Zhi twitched at the corner of his mouth.
So many possible pitfalls, he didn’t even know where to start.
Should he call her overly arrogant or something else? It’s quite self-centric.
“I’ve never recognized Liu Xi’s identity nor will I consider Liu Xi’s connections as my own, nor will I fully immerse myself in it.” Jiang Pengji continued, “Breaking free from the shackles and fences of identity and emotions, many things become easy to explain.”
Without the filters of emotions and identity, she could calmly observe Liu Zhi’s dramatic performance and enjoy going along with his act.
Liu Zhi: “…”
Indeed, the deep father-daughter bond was just a facade created by two drama queens.
We had no fates intertwined; it was all reliant on the act.
Liu Zhi said, “Do you know the term ‘all the world’s a stage’?”
Even the best actors can become lost in emotions so real they can’t help but blur the lines, losing sight of what’s genuine.
Liu Zhi realized that Jiang Pengji didn’t have such troubles; even during the “best times” of their “father-daughter relationship,” she maintained her rationality.
Jiang Pengji knew what Liu Zhi was implying.
“I’m long past the age of craving paternal or maternal love. Perhaps I yearned for it when I was younger, because I was weak. But after that phase, those feelings became unnecessary burdens,” Jiang Pengji stated expressionlessly. “Even with a young body of only twelve, a kind and gentle father, a graceful and beautiful stepmother, and an adorable younger brother; it doesn’t change the fact that I cannot go back to what once was. I can act, but I simply cannot perceive someone younger than me as a father. That would put me in a tight spot.”
Furthermore, the kind and gentle father is a fake, the graceful and beautiful stepmother is a fake, and the adorable younger brother is also a fake.
How can she feel genuine emotions for something that is fake?
Liu Zhi: “…”
Wait—
Does that mean she’s actually older than him?
How on earth does Jiang Pengji pull off calling a younger man “Father” without any psychological barriers?
Liu Zhi’s eyes spoke volumes.
Jiang Pengji answered, “I’m a professional.”
Liu Zhi: “…”
Once again, there was a silence between them.
Liu Zhi had never expected them to lay everything out so straightforwardly. Even if they were both already aware, there was still a thin veil that hadn’t been broken.
Now that it was pierced, neither could pretend it never happened.
Jiang Pengji said, “You’ve shared so much with me today; are you planning to form an alliance with me?”
Liu Zhi replied, “What’s wrong with that?”
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Jiang Pengji displayed a meaningful smile.
What happened to allies that once formed a bond with her? Let’s just say the outcomes weren’t pretty.
“That person’s hiding place is extremely secretive. Though I don’t know the exact location, it’s definitely in Wanzhou and nearby you,” Liu Zhi stated. “His objective is clear; he wants the fortune of the entire world, and as the Son of Destiny, you will undoubtedly be his target—”
Jiang Pengji said, “I know. I have one question; if he plans on scheming against me to seize the world, wouldn’t it be smoother for him to strike himself?”
Liu Zhi’s mouth twitched, looking somewhat speechless. “You already have that divine slayer’s blade by your side and you’re still asking this question?”
The main system has always been too timid to show its face because the dimensional patrol merchant hasn’t left yet, right?
Before the dimensional threats are resolved, the other party won’t leave. That’s why the main system keeps a close eye on Jiang Pengji while it hides like a turtle.
Moreover—
Jiang Pengji said, “I just found it boring. If that dimensional merchant restrains him, then what’s my purpose for existing?”
She thought she was the one holding the chess pieces, only to suddenly realize she was merely a pawn in someone else’s game; naturally, she would be displeased.
“I’m not sure,” Liu Zhi replied.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Your coming clean with me, wouldn’t that be perceived as betrayal?”
“Are you worried about me?” Liu Zhi raised an eyebrow and said confidently, “Don’t worry—he’s not nearby and won’t know.”
Jiang Pengji said, “Last question, did you send someone to assassinate Wen Zheng?”
Back when she took over Chongzhou, she had returned to Wanzhou for the sake of the New Rhyme of Han Chinese and when she returned, Qi Guanrang was ambushed. If it weren’t for Qi Guanrang discussing military training with Li Yun at that time, he could have easily suffered something worse than merely injuring his left hand.
