Returning to the Jiang Residence, Xiao Wu Catches Someone's Eye

Setting out from the Far North, they headed south.

The temperature gradually rose. The ice fields beneath their feet were slowly replaced by sparse vegetation, and the lead-gray sky turned into a clear azure blue.

Xiao Wu held Jiang Ziming as they flew through the air, moving as fast as a shooting star while the mountains and rivers below rushed backward.

In less than a day,

the two crossed several thousand li and returned to the city where the Jiang Residence was located.

The Jiang Residence stood in the eastern part of the city, occupying vast grounds. Two stone lions stood on either side of its vermilion gates.

Above the entrance hung a gilded plaque bearing the words "Jiang Residence." Its powerful calligraphy carried the imposing air of an aristocratic family.

Yet when Jiang Ziming caught sight of his family's gates from afar, he could not help but pause.

The Jiang Residence, usually solemn and quiet, was unusually lively today.

The area outside the gates had been swept spotless, but red firecracker fragments still remained in the corners and between the bricks, glinting in the sunlight.

Noisy voices and the clinking of cups came from within the residence. Every now and then, bursts of laughter pierced the walls, as though some grand celebration was underway.

Jiang Ziming frowned slightly.

He had been away from home for a year and had never returned.

He had only intended to visit his father during the break, yet he had stumbled upon such an abnormal scene.

He led Xiao Wu forward, but before he could push open the gates, they opened on their own.

Several youths about his age happened to step out and ran straight into him.

The youth at the front was tall and broad, dressed in a brocade robe with a fine jade pendant hanging from his waist. His brows carried an innate arrogance.

Three or four youths who looked like lackeys followed behind him. All were lavishly dressed, clearly favored descendants of the family.

This was Jiang Jiahao, the only son of the Jiang Family's First Elder.

Before Jiang Ziming had left the family for Shrek, Jiang Jiahao had always been the most favored among the Jiang Family's younger generation.

The First Elder held immense power within the family, and Jiang Jiahao's status within the residence had risen accordingly. At one point, he had even overshadowed Jiang Ziming, the legitimate young master.

When Jiang Jiahao saw Jiang Ziming, he froze for a moment before a meaningful smile curled across his lips.

"Well, if it isn't our young master?"

His tone was openly mocking as he looked Jiang Ziming up and down.

"Shrek's outstanding student, huh? What brings you back? Don't tell me... you heard that the Jiang Family is about to get a new master too?"

Jiang Ziming raised a brow.

"A new master? What do you mean?"

Jiang Jiahao's smile widened.

The youths behind him also burst into laughter, looking at Jiang Ziming as if he were an idiot.

"Have you heard the commotion inside?"

Jiang Jiahao lifted his chin toward the courtyard.

"The Xiao Family, an ancient family of the Douling Empire, has come to establish friendly ties with the Jiang Family.

The Xiao Family has deep foundations. They even have a Soul Douluo-level expert in their ranks! They're far stronger than your Soul Sage-level father."

He paused, his smugness practically overflowing.

"And the reason the Xiao Family is willing to form ties with the Jiang Family is entirely because my father and the Xiao Family head have been friends for many years.

Now, it's time for someone with real power to take control of the Jiang Family!"

His lackeys immediately chimed in.

"That's right. The First Elder has worked for the family for so many years. It's about time he took that position."

"Jiang Ziming, you've been at Shrek for a year. I'm afraid you still don't know that things have changed at home, do you?"

"If you know what's good for you, listen to our boss from now on. Then we might still let you have something to eat."

After hearing them out, Jiang Ziming fell silent for a moment.

In recent years, several elders in the family had indeed clashed with his father over their differing views.

He had thought it was merely a difference in political opinions. Given his father's cultivation, they would not dare tear off all pretense.

He had not expected them to truly dare attempt such an open seizure of power.

So they had already found themselves a backer.

He could not be bothered to argue with these clowns and simply headed into the residence.

Xiao Wu followed behind him with her head lowered. Her hood concealed most of her face, and she was as quiet as a shadow.

However, as she passed Jiang Jiahao's side, a gust of wind blew off her hood.

A cascade of smooth, dazzling pink hair spilled down beneath the sunlight like a flowing waterfall.

The girl's heavenly beauty was revealed before everyone.

Her pink eyes seemed to hold spring water. Her lashes were long, her nose delicate and straight, and her cherry lips were naturally crimson.

Her exquisite maid outfit outlined her slender waist and graceful curves. Her long, jade-like legs, wrapped in pure white stockings, gleamed softly in the sunlight.

Jiang Jiahao and the other youths instantly stared blankly.

Born into the Jiang Family, they prided themselves on having seen many beauties, but this girl's beauty was enough to leave them breathless.

That exquisite maid outfit only added a hint of forbidden allure to her.

Jiang Jiahao's gaze lingered over her for several seconds, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Why did he get to have her?

Why did a useless young master sent to Shrek to take refuge possess such a stunning maid?

He immediately stepped forward and blocked Jiang Ziming's path.

"Who is this woman? I've never seen her before."

He pointed at Xiao Wu, his tone filled with unquestionable arrogance.

"She looks suspicious. Hand her over so we can inspect her properly, and then you can go in."

His lackeys began jeering as well.

"That's true. We can't just let someone of unknown origin into the residence."

"Let us inspect her. If there's no problem, we'll give her back to you."

Seeing their feverish excitement, Jiang Ziming could not help but laugh.

Xiao Wu's rabbit ears twitched playfully, and a shimmering autumnal glint rippled through her pink eyes.

She looked pitifully at the youth in front of her, her voice so soft and sweet it seemed capable of dripping water.

"Master..."

That single word, "Master," was so tender and lingering that it nearly melted the bones of Jiang Jiahao and the others.

Jiang Jiahao's breathing grew heavier.

Jiang Ziming squeezed Xiao Wu's hand, his tone calm.

"She is the personal maid I raised myself. She does not need to be inspected."

However, Jiang Jiahao could no longer hear anything else.

His gaze was stuck to Xiao Wu like a mosquito that had smelled blood, utterly unable to move away.

He reached out on the spot, intending to touch the hem of the girl's maid skirt.

The next instant.

Jiang Ziming raised his hand slightly.

He did not even summon his martial soul. He simply threw a punch.

The fist wind wrapped in soul power exploded through the air with a sharp bang!

Puff!

Jiang Jiahao felt a burst of agonizing pain in his face, as though he had been struck head-on by a speeding truck.

His vision instantly spun. His body whirled through the air several times before crashing heavily onto the ground. He rolled three more times before finally coming to a stop.

He lay sprawled on the ground, half his face already swollen. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, mixing with saliva as it dripped onto the ground.

The lackeys behind him were all dumbfounded.

Was this really the strength of an auxiliary-type soul master?