"Brother, please forgive Ji Fang; he was simply carried away by his emotions; we all know how dearly he holds Qing'er in his heart." Ji Wang quickly blurted as he stepped in to diffuse the tension that was beginning to build up.
"We know he still grieves Ji Yun's death and Qing'er is the only thread that separates him from losing himself, so I believe it's only normal that he reacts that way. after all, you are also in a similar situation." Ji Wang added with a bitter expression.
He hated talking too much, but now his stupid brother had made him spout more than he was comfortable with and it made him feel weird.
"Hmph!" Ji Tang sighed and waved his sleeves.
Ji Min and Ji Qing gazed at themselves and realized they were both wearing a similar expression; shock and warmth.
They were shocked because they never knew that their guardians were actually grieving silently beneath all their brave fronts.
They felt warmth because their knowledge about the extent to which their guardians loved them was reaffirmed; to the extent that it almost caused a fight between the duo who were bound by a blood oath.
"Father." Ji Qing called out softly.
"Hmph!" Ji Fang snorted as he turned his head away.
Ji Qing knew he didn't intend to do so but was simply in a bad mood, and that she was the cause of it all.
The least she could have done was talk to him about it first and then if he had rejected her request, she could have then gone to either her Uncle Wang or Ji Tang to help her convince her father.
But she did none of that; instead, she had allowed the heat of the moment and her desires to place her in her current position.
"Ahem!" Ji Wang cleared his throat before using his eyes to signal to his brothers that the kids were still around.
"I'll let him make the decision himself." Ji Tang said with a wave of his sleeves as he laid his elbow on his armrest and propped his head with his fist.
Ji Fang was a little surprised but knew that Ji Tang had chosen to compromise through his statement, and since the matter was settled, he took a step back and voiced his decision.
"You may accompany Little Min to train."
"Thank you fat-"
"-But! ... you are not allowed to quit until you finish your training, otherwise, I will ground you till I die!" Ji Fang threatened as Ji Qing blanched in terror.
Her father was a Peak Qi Sea Stage expert, a stage which is known to grant about five hundred years worth of lifeforce and he had barely even scraped a tenth of that timeline; there was no way in hell she would allow anything or anyone to shackle her down.
Though she was worried, she wasn't the type to back down from a challenge, especially one that was directed towards her gender, because none of them had reacted to this extent when it came to Ji Min; were they insinuating that he was better than her?
Ji Qing gave the old coots and their audacity a disdainful mental snort, before challenging herself to not only complete the training but also try to beat Ji Min's records.
Ji Min who was innocently watching the scenario from the side didn't know he had entered a competition with a little girl with a strong down-to-earth kind of personality. He simply waited for the atmosphere to defuse to a certain level before asking;
"Grandpa; for the training tomorrow, Master Lao also said that I would be needing a few medicinal herbs to soak my muscles after each training session." Ji Min repeated exactly what Sensei had told him.
Sensei also told him that, since he would soon begin his Qi cultivation, then he would explain the information within the Legacy of Shangri La; in as simple a manner as Ji Min would be able to comprehend.
"Oh? Alright, once you have written them down, you can pass them on to me. I'll make sure I find them all before you leave tomorrow." Ji Tang assured as everyone returned to their seats.
After a few more discussions to iron out the final details of their plans, the group left for their respective abodes. But just as they stepped out of the living room, Ji Min pulled Ji Qing to the side.
Realizing that Ji Min seemed to have something to say to Ji Qing; Ji Fang and Ji Wang left.
"Sister Qing, I think you forgot this last night." Ji Min said as he removed the band on his hand and presented it to Ji Qing who was almost perspiring blood out of embarrassment.
"Erm. U-uhm; c-consider it my gift to you on your recovery." She stuttered before fleeing the scene like an impala that spotted a lion on the prowl.
Ji Min was again confused by the situation, but Sensei who knew what it meant decided to keep mum about it; just like the name Ji Min had given him, he was only going to be concerned about his training and cultivation progress and not interfere in his personal affairs.
Ji Min scratched his head in confusion before making his way to his own room.
[Sensei, what do you think about the 'Old Ways' grandpa mentioned?] Ji Min asked as he lay on his bed.
[Based on my intuition, every single older generation member of the Southern Family seems to have seen a sharp increase in their cultivation, and from what I can sense, the least of them could at least fight someone who is one star stronger than them currently.] Sensei revealed.
[So, if they could see such a sharp rise in their strength within three months, then I believe with young lord's talents, you would be able to benefit much more from it.] Sensei explained.
[Oh? It's that good unh?] Ji Min said in surprise.
[Yes young lord; as it is dangerous. But to get the best out of it, I would suggest that you tell your grandfather to crank up its difficulty to its maximum level.]
[Then if you begin your training with the routine of your past life and then follow it up with the 'Old Ways', whilst including the martial arts within the Legacy, then I believe you would be unparalleled within the Mortal Realm once your Qi Cultivation matches your current Body Cultivation.] Sensei added.
[Mortal Realm? What's that?] Ji Min curiously asked.