Heaven-Collapsing Start [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

The dim space was silent and soundless, as if even the air had stagnated; no passage of time could be felt.

As if sensing something, Ji Liang slowly opened those dark, lifeless eyes. In the next moment, the door to the confinement room was opened soundlessly, and several people walked in.

Leading them was the Third Elder, Ji Fengjun. A distinct smile hung on his slightly wrinkled face as he spoke the moment he entered:

“The matter has been investigated thoroughly. It was a human by that Great Yokai’s side whose stature is very similar to yours, Lord, which led to the mistaken identity. I knew it—how could you possibly have connections with a yokai?”

Third Elder Ji Fengjun belonged to the straightforward and heroic type; he was the first to be successfully deceived by the original owner of this body and had stood by Ji Liang’s side unconditionally from the very beginning.

Of course, in the eyes of the original owner, he was merely a man of strong limbs and a simple mind who was easy to exploit, getting hooked without the slightest effort.

However, precisely because Ji Fengjun possessed a strong sense of justice, he easily believed in the original owner’s surface-level conduct and his “clear and bright as the moon” demeanor.

Inside his mind, the demon soul which had suffered quite a bit at Ji Liang’s hands over the past two days let out a sneer, as if mocking Ji Fengjun’s lack of judgment, though it quickly silenced itself to avoid being banned from speaking again.

Ji Liang ignored the demon soul. Shortly after Ji Fengjun finished speaking, he slowly stood up and stepped down from the circular platform for the first time.

This was the fifth day since the original owner had voluntarily entered the confinement room.

“You’ve worked hard.”

As he passed by Ji Fengjun, Ji Liang gave a slight nod and spoke.

“It was nothing, a small matter. It’s just that brat condemning you before making sure of anything.”

Ji Fengjun raised a hand to rub the stubble on his chin, his expression not particularly pleasant.

“For the crime of slandering the Head of the Family, how do you wish to punish him, Lord?”

Ji Liang did not stop his pace as he walked toward the door. His eyes were closed, yet he walked accurately toward the exit, his sleeves fluttering elegantly as he moved.

“Which side does he belong to?”

While keeping pace with him, Ji Fengjun replied, “A disciple from a branch family under the First Elder’s faction. He is currently being held in confinement, awaiting your disposal, Lord.”

Ji Liang nodded and stepped out of the stone chamber into a long corridor.

It was currently high noon. Mild, golden light poured down from the sky, filtering through the gaps in the leaves; the breeze blew, and the mottled shadows of the trees shifted and interlaced.

Maids and servants were waiting expectantly. When they finally saw the familiar figure dressed in pure white robes walking slowly down the corridor, every face lit up with a look of surprise and joy.

Under a lush willow tree by the corridor, Ji Liang paused and looked outward. In the courtyard, flowers were blooming everywhere; the fragrant scent, the fresh air, and the chirping of insects all seemed to be etched clearly into his mind at this moment with a completely new sensation.

Standing two steps behind him, Ji Fengjun and several subordinates gazed at the white-clad figure ahead.

The breeze brushed past his brow, and his long, trailing black hair swayed gently, intertwining with his snowy white robes. He appeared as pure and bright as the moon, his elegant, celestial posture enough to make one instinctively feel reverence and longing.

In Ji Fengjun’s eyes, a look of gratification emerged.

He still remembered Ji Liang more than ten years ago as a small child who had just arrived from a branch family. He was as exquisite and lovely as a jade doll, led by his trembling father. When facing the Head of the Family, the boy’s expression was as calm and steady as always, lacking the liveliness and restlessness typical of that age, with only a pair of dark, hollow eyes staring blankly ahead.

At that time, he had heard that this child had exhibited extraordinary spiritual power since birth that even a First-Rank Divine Official in the capital might not possess. While marveling at it, he couldn’t help but feel it was a pity; perhaps it was as the proverb says: when Heaven opens a door for you, it also closes a window. There is no perfect person or object in this world.

One could say that Ji Fengjun had watched Ji Liang grow up within the main house. That once somewhat aloof child had now grown into such an outstanding man, revered and followed by countless people.

It must be said that the original owner’s disguise was very successful.

…

On the second day after Ji Liang left the confinement room, early in the morning, someone came to report that the First Elder was bringing that branch family disciple who had previously framed Ji Liang to offer a formal apology.

At that time, Ji Liang was staying in a clean courtyard, sitting inside an octagonal pavilion. A tall, lush ancient locust tree stood in the center of the yard, its green shade like a canopy. Being midsummer, strings of white and pale yellow flowers hung down from the crown of the tree.

Whenever a light breeze brushed by, it carried a faint floral fragrance, the branches swaying in a scene of breathtaking beauty.

The arrival of a servant broke the tranquility of the courtyard. The servant bowed respectfully before Ji Liang and reported the matter.

“The Chief Steward is currently receiving them in the front hall.”

The servant reported this, his gaze toward Ji Liang full of respect and admiration.

Ji Liang rose from the octagonal pavilion, his white hem tracing an arc in the air. A layer of white silk ribbon was wrapped around his sightless eyes, tied behind his head through his dark hair, concealing those dark and lifeless eyes.

Ji Liang strolled out of the courtyard.

The Front Hall.

The First Elder’s name was Ji Xingyuan. He was an old man with white hair, yet he did not have the frailty of a typical senior; his frame remained tall and robust, and his face was covered in wrinkles with a naturally dignified and intimidating air.

Currently, he was sitting in a chair, sipping tea poured by a maid under the Chief Steward’s orders. In front of him, in the center of the hall, was the other important figure of this visit—the branch disciple who had claimed to see Ji Liang with a yokai.

Under First Elder Ji Xingyuan’s scolding, the disciple knelt upright until Ji Liang’s figure appeared outside the hall.

Ji Xingyuan set down his teacup and only then stood up to salute the entering Ji Liang. In terms of status, Ji Liang was the Head of the Family; even as the First Elder, he had to maintain an attitude of utmost respect.

Ji Liang took his seat at the head of the hall, facing First Elder Ji Xingyuan and the kneeling disciple below, remaining silent.

Ji Xingyuan spoke first: “This matter was Ji Xuan’s mistake. He jumped to a conclusion before the facts were clear. Today, I have brought him here to be punished at the Family Head’s discretion.”

The branch disciple kneeling in the center of the hall, named Ji Xuan, lowered his head, appearing terrified and ready for his fate.

Then, Ji Xingyuan shifted the tone of his words: “Ji Xuan is still young and possesses a righteous character. Having suddenly seen a human with a stature similar to the Family Head standing beside that yokai, it is inevitable that he fell into shock, leading to mental confusion.”

With one light sentence, he stripped away the serious crime of slandering the Family Head. It became a case of Ji Xuan being young and inexperienced someone who, out of shock from seeing the Family Head seemingly colluding with a yokai, became muddled in the head, and being unable to bear the condemnation and torment of his own conscience, chose to find the courage to point it out in front of everyone. Therefore, theoretically, this matter wasn’t entirely Ji Xuan’s fault.

After Ji Xingyuan finished speaking, he stood to the side with his hands behind his back. The air fell into silence.

Inside Ji Liang’s mind, that cold sneer rang out again, though it stopped immediately after two notes, for fear that even a second’s delay would result in Ji Liang throwing it back into the “little black room.”

True, this matter might indeed be as Ji Xingyuan claimed merely a mistake by this branch disciple. But whether Ji Xingyuan had a hand in the accusation or kicked him while he was down remained uncertain.

However, the original owner’s movements had been fast enough. Besides voluntarily entering confinement to prove his innocence, he had secretly contacted the Great Yokai to arrange a fix having the yokai keep someone of similar stature by his side and make a public appearance to drop a few harsh words. The crisis was thus easily resolved.

Now, likely disappointed that he didn’t see Ji Liang in a state of disgrace, Ji Xingyuan wanted to minimize the affair; hence the scene before them.

Old fox!

Ji Liang remained silent for a while before finally speaking calmly: “Then, in the First Elder’s opinion, how should this matter be handled?”

Ji Xingyuan had been waiting for this question. He said slowly, “In my view, the boy Ji Xuan’s intentions were good. It would be best to punish him with one year at the Cliff of Reflection to contemplate his mistakes.”

Immediately, Ji Xuan, who was kneeling in the center of the hall, prostrated himself on the ground, his words sincere and full of regret: “Lord, I am willing to face the wall at the Cliff of Reflection for one year!”

The corner of Ji Liang’s mouth moved slightly, appearing to give a small laugh a cold one.

“I find that inappropriate,” he said.

“Does the First Elder not feel that the punishment you mentioned is… far too light?”