Si Chen raised an eyebrow.
Younger cousin?
This guy... really was related to Mother by blood?
He looked Ye Jing over again. Before, he had only harbored some suspicions, but now that the paper over that window had been pierced, a fresh look revealed that their brows and eyes really were somewhat alike.
Before Si Chen could speak, Ye Jing had already cupped his hands, that formal smile returning to his face.
"Fellow Daoist Si Chen, you cut an impressive figure at the last Jade Forest Banquet."
"With the secret realm opening today, I hope you will... take extra care."
The words sounded polite, but under the present circumstances, they sounded to outsiders more like distant pleasantries.
There was even a hint of provocation to them. After all, the Eastern Region had been stealing far too much of the limelight these past few days.
Of the young man and woman behind him, the girl smiled with pursed lips, her eyes curving.
The man merely nodded and winked at Si Chen.
Neither mentioned anything else about their childhood.
With his voice transmission finished, Ye Jing had returned to being that third prince who never let a drop slip through.
The two beside him sounded like old acquaintances, but after dropping a couple of disconnected remarks, they had said nothing more.
Si Chen understood, though.
Ye Jing's voice transmission had meant: I'm your older cousin. We're related by blood.
Bringing those two along had meant: I mean no harm.
All in all, it boiled down to one sentence: Cousin, I have something to tell you, but there are too many people here. This isn't the place.
Si Chen glanced at them and nodded without saying anything else.
Seeing his nod, Ye Jing's smile seemed to grow a fraction more genuine, but only