Enmity and Grace

Chen Miemie arrived at the Jiang family villa at exactly 2:00 PM.

His junior schoolmate, Jiang Gui, received him at the door.

Unlike the relaxed atmosphere of his previous visit, Chen Miemie carried a sense of vigilance this time.

The matriarch of the Jiang family, Gui Yuan, belonged to the Phantom race with a [Mystery] level of 5, and he had just killed [Funeral City Mourning], who was said to be Gui Yuan's uncle.

Actually, before accepting the invitation, Chen Miemie had considered changing the time to the evening when the moon was out, as that would be safer.

After some thought, however, he decided not to change the time.

Currently, the fact that he only possessed high [Immortality] at night was known only to a few members of the [Court of the Silver Moon]. People from the same secret society definitely had basic confidentiality awareness; no one would leak it.

As his fame grew after the trial, he had entered the sights of various factions. He would have plenty of daytime activities in the future. He couldn't push every normal invitation to the evening, nor could he just stay indoors all day. Not only would people figure out his situation, but it would also restrict him and be highly inconvenient.

Therefore, after taking everything into consideration, he brought his whole family of anomalies and headed out together.

If he still got killed like this, then hiding at home wouldn't be of any use anyway.

"Senior, you are truly amazing. You've become the great hero of the entire city right after graduating," Jiang Gui acted like a little fangirl, her eyes practically sparkling with stars.

Chen Miemie didn't fall for it. "Don't think I don't know. You are the famous little witch of the school. Every time you show this expression, you're trying to prank someone. I'll accept the flattery, but I won't fall for anything else."

"Tch, you're so crafty, Senior."

The Jiang family's reception room was massive and extremely luxuriously decorated.

Today, there were only two people in the living room: Elder Jiang and the head of the Jiang family, Jiang Li.

Madam Gui Yuan was not present. After brewing tea, Jiang Gui also excused herself.

Black tea was served today, possessing a blood-like red hue.

Elder Jiang was in good spirits, his face carrying a slight ruddy glow.

Jiang Li, on the other hand, had a solemn expression and sat bolt upright.

Chen Miemie looked around, his gaze finally focusing on the cups in front of the two Jiang family members, wary that they might smash the cup as a signal for eight hundred knife-wielding thugs to rush into the living room.

Elder Jiang spoke first, and his opening words made Chen Miemie freeze for a moment.

"Young friend Chen, how long has it been? You've gone from a recently graduated student to a key figure capable of stirring up various factions. The younger generation is truly formidable.

You are a benefactor to our Jiang family, so this old man won't speak in riddles, lest you feel uneasy drinking this tea.

There are rumors outside saying that [Funeral City Mourning], whom you killed, was my daughter-in-law's uncle. Let me clarify: that is not a rumor. It is the truth."

Chen Miemie: ...

Wait, is it really okay for you to be this honest? Are you going to make a move before I even finish my tea?

Jiang Li picked up the conversation:

"Dad, let me explain. Little brother Chen, actually, from the day I married Gui Yuan, people have been using this to make a fuss and attack our Jiang family.

They say that Sixiang City used to be a city of the Phantoms, that Gui Yuan coming here was part of a conspiracy, and that our Jiang family had been compromised.

Normally, whenever we trade with the outside, they accuse us of selling intelligence and the like.

It's utterly absurd. Every family trades with the outside world, but when it comes to us, the narrative changes. They've been saying this for years; if there were any evidence, our Jiang family would have been finished long ago. Would the city still tolerate us?"

Jiang Li grew angrier as he spoke.

"Enough." Elder Jiang interrupted his emotional outburst.

"Young friend Chen, I apologize for making you see this. There are politics everywhere. We so-called wealthy and powerful families might look glamorous on the surface, but we are all stuck in the mire of fame and fortune, scheming against each other all day long. We have our own share of troubles to bear."

Chen Miemie nodded, indicating his understanding.

Jiang Li calmed his agitation and continued the previous topic:

"In the past, they just threw dirty water at us. We walk a straight path, so naturally, nothing happened.

But this time, [Funeral City Mourning] took action personally. He shares a bloodline connection with my wife, which we cannot deny. As soon as the battle ended, several enemy families immediately blew things out of proportion and started attacking us."

Chen Miemie raised his first question: "Then what is Madam Gui Yuan's personal attitude toward this matter?"

"Her? Caught between her race and her current family, she is more heartbroken than anyone.

Besides, her Mystery level is high, making her too conspicuous. All the factions in the city have their eyes on her, so she couldn't do anything even if she wanted to.

Little brother Chen, to put it bluntly, when my wife insisted on marrying into Sixiang City back then, she essentially broke ties with her family from that moment on.

My dad and I felt she made a huge sacrifice, so we accommodate her most of the time. Yet, this is spun into rumors that her formidable strength controls the Jiang family. It's pure nonsense.

Take the porcelain curse our family suffered last time. They actually claimed Gui Yuan did it, saying she wanted to kill our family of three.

I find it baffling. She wasn't cursed simply because her Mystery level is high and her Phantom constitution is unique.

Not to mention Jiang Gui is her biological daughter, and even a vicious tiger won't eat its cubs. Even if she did kill us, what good would it do her? Could she still stay in Sixiang City to plot conspiracies? Smearing someone without any logic is just ridiculous.

In short, you don't need to worry about her retaliating against you over the matter with [Funeral City Mourning]. They weren't close."

Elder Jiang snorted coldly. "That old coot [Funeral City Mourning] was the one who obstructed things back then. He almost made the Jiang family miss out on such a wonderful daughter-in-law. Good riddance."

Chen Miemie looked at Elder Jiang, then at Jiang Li.

The two of them echoed each other, explaining the matter clearly. Furthermore, their tone and demeanor were very natural; it didn't seem like they were acting.

"Elder Jiang, brother Jiang Li, I understand what you mean. Knowing that Madam Jiang has no thoughts of revenge definitely puts my mind at ease.

However, you didn't call me over just for this, did you?"

"Indeed, that is the case. I was eager to meet with you because I received news that there are still a small number of Phantoms active in the city. These people do not belong to Gui Yuan.

Young friend Chen, whether you like it or not, you have already entered the game of the upper-class circles.

Right now, a new round of power reshuffling is about to take place in Sixiang City.

I can guarantee that Gui Yuan will not move against you, but someone will definitely use her name to attack you, trying to incite hostility between you and the Jiang family.

If you feel you have enough strength, then please be careful.

If the forces behind you are insufficient, you can come straight here. The doors of the Jiang family are always open and will provide you with asylum."

Chen Miemie gently swirled his untouched teacup.

"Elder Jiang, I once helped lift the curse on your bodies. At that time, I acted as a doctor, and you already paid a sufficiently high consultation fee.

Before the great battle, you sent a car to escort me out of the city, and now you are willing to offer asylum free of charge.

This has already exceeded the scope of goodwill toward a pleasing junior.

So, what is it that you want to gain from me?"

Jiang Li looked at Elder Jiang.

Elder Jiang nodded slightly.

Jiang Li wore a serious expression:

"My position in City Hall ranks roughly at number four.

This time, the number two figure under Chief Sun has died, and I want to vie for that position."

Chen Miemie frowned. "You should know that I have no real power. What can I do to help you?"

"You don't need to do anything.

My only competitor right now is an official from the Mian family.

We hope that, even if you won't help us, at least don't help them."

After Chen Miemie left the Jiang residence,

Gui Yuan came downstairs.

"Did he agree?"

Elder Jiang and Jiang Li exchanged a glance.

Jiang Li hesitated slightly: "He agreed, but something feels off. His exact words were: 'Out of our past friendship, I won't interfere with the position of Number 2.'"

Elder Jiang sighed softly: "Gui Yuan, you've been wronged."

"Don't say that. Since Uncle chose to come here, win or lose, he wouldn't leave. If not by Chen Miemie's hand, he'd die by someone else's. A single fatal blow—at least it was a clean death."

With these words, Gui Yuan went upstairs again.

Ever since the Siyang City conflict with the foreign tribes, Gui Yuan had kept a low profile, rarely venturing out.

Back in her room, Gui Yuan's expression was complicated.

In truth, her parents had died young. [Zangcheng Gaosu] was the only elder in the family who had ever cared for her and the only one who supported her marriage.

Only she knew that this visit by [Zangcheng Gaosu] to Siyang City had another purpose beyond his sabotage plans—one not even the Jiang family knew about.

[Zangcheng Gaosu] had known he wouldn't escape. According to his own plan, he had originally intended to die by her hand in the end.

That way, she could truly establish her foothold in Siyang City.

But Gui Yuan didn't need that kind of foothold.

Leaning quietly back in her chair, she murmured to herself:

"Chen Miemie… should I resent you, or thank you?"