The Indomitable Master of Elixirs

The toddler was also looking at Duanmu Hongru with a rather dejected expression…

Nevertheless, Ji Fengyan didn’t notice their mirrored looks. She just handed over that kid to Duanmu Hongru.

Duanmu Hongru behaved as if they handed him a hot potato and panicked for a moment before stabilizing his hold. As Duanmu Hongru eyed the child, he looked as if he wanted to cry.

“Is this your City Lord’s son? I just saw him standing alone on the sky terrace. He’s so young, it’s better not to let him prowl about on his own.” Ji Fengyan chuckled. She seldom got the chance to interact with children and felt this had been interesting.

And it was because Ji Fengyan rarely mingled with children below the age of five, did she not realize anything peculiar to this kid’s behavior.

Little did she know…

A normal child of age three to four would never have behaved so calmly.

Duanmu Hongru looked between Ji Fengyan and the child with an expression of extreme melancholy. He wanted to explain but didn’t know how to do so. After thinking for a moment, he just gave a dry laugh. “Yes… we will take note in the future.”

Ji Fengyan chuckled. “That’s good. But I never realized your City Lord already has a child. He looks quite young.”

Duanmu Hongru forced down the frustration rising in his throat.

This was such a huge misunderstanding.

Helpless, Duanmu Hongru totally could not offer Ji Fengyan an explanation. However, he had something he wished to discuss with her.

“City Lord Ji, I have something to discuss with you.”

Ji Fengyan was just about to head back to her room to rest when she paused at Duanmu Hongru’s words. She turned around to face the depressed-looking Duanmu Hongru. “You want to discuss with me about the Forest of Freedom.”

Duanmu Hongru nodded. He had long wished to speak with Ji Fengyan about this matter. But Chi Tong appeared to have no plans to discuss that issue further with her. Instead, he wanted Duanmu Hongru and the gang to give up exploring the forest, so as to avoid conflict with Heavenly Courts.

Chi Tong’s decision was for the entire Yan Luo Dian. Ji Fengyan had destroyed Zhai Xing Lou so effortlessly—no one knew just how powerful she was. If they insisted on clinging onto the Forest of Freedom, there would be an inevitable battle between Yan Luo Dian and Heavenly Courts. This was something Chi Tong did not wish to happen.

But…

The others did not share Chi Tong’s wish in Yan Luo Dian.

Especially Duanmu Hongru. After a discussion with little Chi Tong, he was still unwilling to give up the Forest of Freedom. As a result, Duanmu Hongru had been prepared to seek out Ji Fengyan for a discussion the next morning. He didn’t expect to bump into her so late at night.

“City Lord Ji, you are Yan Luo Dian’s benefactor and we will never forget your great kindness. In reality, your request is not unreasonable as you will share the resources inside the Forest of Freedom with us. It’s just that not allowing us to step foot inside, it’s…” Duanmu Hongru clenched his fists. “We are really unable to agree to that. We must enter the forest. Not for the minerals and herbs inside—but there is something else very important to us. There is no way we can give up on that.”

Duanmu Hongru understood Chi Tong’s concerns. He was well aware that Yan Luo Dian was no match for Ji Fengyan.

But…

Even if it was a losing battle, there was no way he would give in.