So-Called "The Situation Is Stronger Than the Man" — Ji Yaoxing's Alternative Explanation
So-Called “The Situation Is Stronger Than the Man” — Ji Yaoxing’s Alternative Explanation
“Jiang Chen, you’d best stay out of this matter.”
Hearing these words, Ji Chuyue couldn’t help but frown and glance at him.
The moment Jiang Chen said those words, it was tantamount to pushing them all into direct opposition with Gu Changge, leaving not the slightest room for de-escalation.
Although she knew Jiang Chen had a grudge against Gu Changge, she was still somewhat displeased with his presumptuous decision-making.
“If you have the guts, why don’t you say what you just said in front of Young Master Changge himself?”
“Utterly ignorant of death.”
Chen Ning’er paid no mind whatsoever to Jiang Chen’s mockery.
The smile on her face didn’t fade in the slightest; she even cast a contemptuous glance at Jiang Chen.
A mere mortal who had grasped nothing more than a superficial understanding of the world’s greater trends and geographical shifts, yet truly fancied himself somebody — he even dared to provoke Young Master Changge with his words.
“We will explain this matter to Young Master Changge ourselves. You, on the other hand, Chen Ning’er — secretly tailing us like this, such shameless behavior, and you actually have the face to say it out loud?”
Ji Chuyue took a deep breath, having already calmed down, and couldn’t help but speak coldly.
“I am helping Young Master Changge search for traces of the Tower of World Domination. Resorting to this measure was simply unavoidable.”
Hearing this, Chen Ning’er shook her head with a laugh, her red dress swaying as she walked with lotus-like steps toward Ji Chuyue and the others.
“I trust you all will understand my painstaking intentions.”
“You...”
Ji Chuyue’s expression turned quite ugly. The confidants behind her stepped forward, shielding her protectively.
“Bitch.”
At this moment, those were the only two words Jiang Chen wanted to curse in his heart.
She clearly had the appearance of a devastatingly beautiful woman, yet she insisted on fawning over Gu Changge to such a sycophantic extreme.
This filled his heart with intense disgust, and at the same time, a kind of resentment.
“Aren’t you going to consider how you’ll explain yourself in a moment?”
Chen Ning’er walked over with a beaming smile.
Hearing these words, Ji Chuyue fell silent, inwardly anxious.
If Gu Changge truly learned of this matter, the Ji Family behind them would absolutely not get away unscathed.
The reason they dared to have Jiang Chen act on their behalf to help them locate the Tower of World Domination was precisely because they wanted to keep it hidden from Gu Changge — to find the tower in secret, then take it and leave.
As long as they could pull the wool over heaven’s eyes and keep Gu Changge from knowing, all would be well.
But now, Chen Ning’er had personally witnessed everything they had schemed.
If she told Gu Changge, even if he wouldn’t pursue the matter on the surface, in the shadows they would have already offended him to the bone.
After all, this was no different from outward compliance coupled with inward defiance.
And as for the consequences of offending Gu Changge — needless to say, she knew them well.
When they first made this decision, she and Ji Yaoxing had already anticipated such consequences. They had merely harbored a lucky mentality, thinking that as long as they could keep it hidden, everything would be fine.
For the moment, Ji Chuyue couldn’t think of any good solution.
If asked whether she had regrets — of course she did.
But they now already possessed the Wheel of World Domination, one of the Seven Tools of World Domination. To simply give up on the Tower of World Domination like this was truly hard to swallow.
Things had come to this point — was there still any way to salvage the situation?
Chen Ning’er looked at Ji Chuyue’s slightly paling face, her smile growing even more radiant. “With this time you have, I’d advise you to think carefully about how you’re going to account for yourself to Young Master Changge in a moment.”
“Young Master Changge has a good temper, but his eyes tolerate no sand. The fate of the Purple Mansion — I trust you’re well aware of it. Surely the Hidden Ji Family behind you doesn’t wish to follow in its footsteps?”
As she spoke, she raised the Communication Rune in her hand, indicating that she had already notified Gu Changge.
Seeing this scene, Ji Chuyue’s face grew even paler, her slender little hands clenching tight, knuckles white.
“You...”
Her resentful gaze fixed on Chen Ning’er, her delicate body trembling with rage.
Ji Chuyue had never imagined that Chen Ning’er had not only been secretly tailing them, but had now even reported the happenings here to Gu Changge.
Why had they chosen to act in the middle of the night, if not out of fear of Gu Changge finding out?
Chen Ning’er’s current actions were simply an attempt to make them offend Gu Changge to the death!
Her heart was deserving of condemnation — utterly vicious and ruthless!
“Gu Changge is coming here?”
Seeing this scene, Jiang Chen’s expression also shifted slightly.
Although he had already changed his appearance, he still felt an irrepressible trembling and fear toward Gu Changge.
“Little Chenzi, the greater trends of heaven and earth in this place can be used by me. For us, this is the most advantageous terrain — especially within those Purple Mountains... If my earlier perception was correct, there is a fortuitous opportunity within that belongs to you alone.”
At that moment, however, the voice of the Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit rang out once more, resolute and decisive.
“A fortuitous opportunity that belongs to me alone? What exactly is it? You mentioned it once before.”
Jiang Chen’s brow twitched, and he hurriedly asked.
“When the time comes, you need only enter these Purple Mountains. I am confident I can command the terrain here to contend against the others.”
The voice of the Celestial Boat of Creation’s Artifact Spirit carried intense confidence.
Hearing these words, Jiang Chen felt considerably reassured. He could not comprehend the kind of sky-is-falling trepidation Ji Chuyue was currently experiencing.
In his view, helping Ji Chuyue and the others locate the Tower of World Domination was already the utmost benevolence and righteousness.
As for offending Gu Changge — hadn’t the Ji siblings already prepared themselves for that beforehand?
“Well now... what big talk. I refuse to believe Gu Changge is so domineering that he can cover the sky with one hand in the Beyond — that whatever treasure he’s set his eyes on, no one else is allowed to contest it!”
Jiang Chen spoke again, his words carrying indignation. He seemed to be persuading Ji Chuyue, but was more so expressing his dissatisfaction with Gu Changge.
“A mere little ant dares to presumptuously discuss Young Master Changge? You’re simply courting death.”
Hearing these words, before Ji Chuyue could say anything more—
A cold glint instantly flashed through Chen Ning’er’s eyes. Her jade hand swept out, and several Divine Chains of Order streaked through the void, transforming into whooshing arrows that shot toward Jiang Chen, intending to suppress and kill him on the spot.
Although her strength was still far from those top-tier Young Prodigies, dealing with a Jiang Chen who was still a mortal was as simple as crushing an ant.
Jiang Chen’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected Chen Ning’er to be so vicious — striking the moment she said she would, without the slightest mercy.
“Stop!”
At the critical moment, Ji Chuyue gritted her teeth and made her move.
The green flute in her hand flew out, conjuring a hazy radiance like clouds and mist, positioning itself in front of Jiang Chen and blocking Chen Ning’er’s strike for him.
Even so, Jiang Chen’s face changed color, cold sweat breaking out all down his back, and he nearly collapsed limply to the ground.
“Well, well. Ji Chuyue, you’ve got quite the nerve. This ant insulted Young Master Changge with his words, yet you actually dare to protect him. I see you’re planning to make an enemy of Young Master Changge...”
Chen Ning’er sneered coldly.
“I...”
Ji Chuyue’s face was pale. She wanted to explain, but at this moment she didn’t dare respond. Given the state of the family behind her, they absolutely could not afford to oppose Gu Changge.
Especially not over something so out in the open.
But she also couldn’t possibly stand by and watch Jiang Chen be killed without lifting a finger — to see someone die and not save them.
That was something she could not do.
Rumble rumble!!
Yet just then, everyone suddenly heard a terrifying commotion coming from within the Purple Mountains.
It was like a tidal wave, yet also like ten thousand jun of massive boulders tumbling down, crushing forward relentlessly.
Everyone looked over, their expressions shocked.
They saw this purple-misted mountain range suddenly seem to come alive.
Between each and every rock, dense purple mist began to billow forth, instantly blotting out the surroundings.
Such a sudden anomaly instantly stunned everyone. Even Chen Ning’er and her people looked over in disbelief.
Weng!
Suddenly, a brilliant golden light streaked across the sky like a small burning sun, scorching and terrifying, bursting out from within the Purple Mountains.
“Brother!”
Ji Chuyue couldn’t help but cry out, her expression incomparably worried.
The newcomer was none other than Ji Yaoxing, who had charged into the Purple Mountains earlier.
Only, his current state was not good — his hair was disheveled, his whole body covered in blood, his robes tattered, utterly wretched. He had clearly encountered some danger within.
Yet his expression remained steady. He swiftly descended from the sky, glanced at Ji Chuyue, then turned his gaze onto Jiang Chen without saying a word.
“Brother, are you alright?”
Ji Chuyue asked, deeply worried, while also informing Ji Yaoxing of everything that had happened outside.
“I’m fine. I already heard what happened from within the Purple Mountains.”
Ji Yaoxing nodded, signaling that she needn’t worry.
“Daoxiong Yaoxing, did you gain anything in there?”
Chen Ning’er asked with a beaming smile, wearing the expression of someone enjoying a good show.
“I’ve roughly determined where the Tower of World Domination is located.”
Ji Yaoxing’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke. “However, actually finding the Tower of World Domination will still take some time.”
“Hm?”
Hearing these words, Chen Ning’er was taken aback, clearly not having anticipated that Ji Yaoxing would be so candid.
At that moment, Ji Yaoxing once again spoke with perfect composure. “I hadn’t expected you to be following us in secret. In that case, this matter will likely alarm Young Master Changge.”
“I had originally intended to present the Tower of World Domination to Young Master Changge in one stroke after obtaining it, which would have spared him some trouble. For such a trivial matter to require Young Master Changge to act personally... Ning’er guniang, I’d like to see how you explain yourself to Young Master Changge in a moment.”
“What?”
The moment Ji Yaoxing said these words, not only was Chen Ning’er stunned — even his own sister Ji Chuyue froze, unable to recover her senses for a long while.
Jiang Chen sensed the subtlety and wrongness of the atmosphere, and his brows couldn’t help but furrow.
“Brother, what do you mean by that?”
Ji Chuyue’s head was somewhat dizzy; she still hadn’t grasped what Ji Yaoxing meant.
Chen Ning’er’s delicate brows knitted tightly, and she couldn’t help but demand, “Ji Yaoxing, what do you mean by that? What do you mean, I have to explain myself to Young Master Changge?”
Her words were quite impolite, directly addressing Ji Yaoxing by his full name.
“It means that your actions have ruined my plan.”
Ji Yaoxing’s voice was very calm, and combined with his reserved, steady demeanor, it gave off an indescribable sense of credibility.
Ji Chuyue’s expression also turned bewildered. Could her brother really have some plan he hadn’t told her about?
“What do you mean? Explain yourself clearly!”
Chen Ning’er’s voice was ice-cold.
“The Tower of World Domination that Young Master Changge currently seeks is right here. But with my abilities alone, I cannot extract it — I cannot even locate it. And the Jiang Chen behind me is a Divine Source Master. With him here, locating the Tower of World Domination and extracting it would naturally be effortless.”
Ji Yaoxing’s voice was without ripple, as though stating a simple fact.
At the same time, he exposed Jiang Chen’s identity, pointing directly at him in the first instant.
“Ji Yaoxing, you... kicking down the bridge after crossing the river...”
Jiang Chen’s expression changed drastically as he stared at Ji Yaoxing with fury.
The thing he had feared most had still come to pass.
However, Ji Yaoxing paid him no heed — his gaze didn’t even fall upon him.
Hearing these words, Chen Ning’er’s expression shifted somewhat, growing uncertain and suspicious.
If, because of her, Gu Changge’s plan had been ruined, then she would deserve ten thousand deaths — even atoning with her death wouldn’t be enough to qualify.
“A Divine Source Master?”
Her gaze locked tightly onto Jiang Chen, somewhat shaken as she examined him carefully. She naturally understood what those three words represented.
“No wonder he has such ability.”
Then, Chen Ning’er gave a cold laugh. “But what does any of this you’ve told me have to do with your plan?”
“Jiang Chen actually has a grudge against Young Master Changge. After learning of this matter, he was unwilling to help us locate the Tower of World Domination. So we had no choice — my sister and I could only resort to this measure. Otherwise, he would never have agreed to help us find the tower...”
Ji Yaoxing sighed, his expression shifting slightly. “Unfortunately, because of you, this plan can now only be abandoned. The Tower of World Domination is indeed here, but without the aid of a Divine Source Master, we would find it difficult to extract.”
With things spelled out to this degree, anyone with a brain would understand at this point.
“So there was such a story behind it? He has a grudge against Young Master Changge?”
For a moment, Chen Ning’er couldn’t tell whether Ji Yaoxing was speaking truth or lies.
But if this Divine Source Master before her truly had a grudge against Gu Changge, then knowing this, the Ji siblings shouldn’t have had the guts to shelter him.
“Brother...”
Ji Chuyue stared blankly at Ji Yaoxing, seemingly never having expected him to say such a thing — pushing all the trouble onto Jiang Chen in one fell swoop.
This made her feel that the Ji Yaoxing before her had become very unfamiliar. The old him would never have said such words, nor done such a thing.
Biting the hand that feeds you, kicking down the bridge after crossing the river.
Although she knew her brother was doing this for her sake and for the family, she still couldn’t accept it for the moment.
She cast a somewhat apologetic gaze toward Jiang Chen, though Jiang Chen didn’t notice her.
“Ji Yaoxing, I never thought that someone as upright as you would actually do such a thing. Consider me blind today for having guided the way for you...”
“I will remember what happened today!”
At this moment, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but laugh coldly, his gaze icy, the earlier anger and hatred already gone.
This was thorough, utter disappointment.
He had never imagined that the very first thing Ji Yaoxing would do upon appearing would be to say this — selling him out.
And so thoroughly at that, severing every connection.
Jiang Chen understood clearly: if not for tonight’s events, Ji Yaoxing’s story would have been something else entirely. Before this, he had actually thought Ji Yaoxing was someone worth befriending deeply.
Simply... blind! He’d been blind!
“In that case, seize him. I refuse to believe that under severe torture, he’d still dare refuse to comply.”
Thereupon, Chen Ning’er’s gaze toward Jiang Chen turned ice-cold.
However, just then, streaks of divine rainbows suddenly flashed across the distant sky, especially conspicuous beneath the dark night.
A group of people was hurrying toward this location.
At their head were a man and a woman, robes fluttering, bearing transcendent — none other than Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong.
Jiang Chen’s expression changed abruptly. He wanted to leave, but everyone present had already fixed their eyes on him in unison, leaving him afraid to move.
“Greetings, Young Master Changge.”
Seeing Gu Changge arrive, Chen Ning’er hurriedly paid her respects, her heart somewhat apprehensive.
Going by what Ji Yaoxing had just said, she had indeed ruined his plan.
Moreover, the reason Gu Changge had come here was because she had notified him.
Yet upon arriving, they had only seen traces of the Tower of World Domination — not the actual tower itself.
Compared to Ji Yaoxing’s prudent approach, she had indeed been rash.
At the thought that Gu Changge might lay blame upon her, cold sweat couldn’t help but break out down her back.
“Young Master Changge!”
The Ji siblings also hurriedly paid their respects. However, compared to Ji Yaoxing’s unrippled calm, Ji Chuyue appeared considerably more nervous.
“Oh? It seems I’ve arrived late and missed some good drama?”
Gu Changge paid no mind to the crowd.
A faint smile rested on his face as his gaze fell upon Ji Chuyue and Ji Yaoxing, appearing quite intrigued.
Ji Chuyue’s expression shifted slightly. From tension and unease, cold sweat had already broken out in her palms.
When she had paid her respects to Gu Changge previously, she hadn’t felt it so directly.
But now she only felt a terrifying pressure rushing toward her, about to suffocate her, leaving her unable to breathe.
“Young Master Changge, here is what happened...”
At once, Chen Ning’er hurriedly reported everything that had just occurred, not daring to conceal a single detail.
Including how she had tailed the Ji siblings, how she had overheard their conversation, and how Ji Yaoxing had explained himself just now — she recounted it all, word for word, omitting nothing.
After listening, Yue Mingkong gave Ji Yaoxing a deep look, her countenance cold and profound, saying nothing more.
She naturally knew exactly what Ji Yaoxing was thinking; she simply couldn’t be bothered to expose it.
She was rather curious to see how the Ji siblings planned to resolve this matter.
After hearing all of this, Gu Changge smiled faintly at Chen Ning’er. “You’ve had a hard time of it, then.”
“Young Master Changge, you’re too kind — this is Ning’er’s honor.”
Seeing that Gu Changge not only didn’t blame her but spoke thus, Chen Ning’er was somewhat overwhelmed by the favor and hurriedly waved her hands.
To hear such words — in her view, everything she had done was worth it.
“I hear Daoxiong Yaoxing intends to help me find the Tower of World Domination?”
Thereupon, Gu Changge looked at Ji Yaoxing with great interest, his gaze carrying a trace of amusement and scrutiny.
Although Ji Yaoxing was maintaining his composure, Ji Chuyue clearly saw cold sweat beading on his forehead.
It was evident that her brother’s heart was not nearly as calm and steady as his surface suggested.
Only when facing Gu Changge did they finally experience that legendary, heart-chilling, soul-trembling might.
It was the kind of insurmountable, enormous chasm.
“I dare not hide it from Young Master Changge. Upon hearing that Young Master Changge intended to search for the Tower of World Domination, my sister and I conceived this idea. It was only because Jiang Chen refused to cooperate that we resorted to this measure.”
Ji Yaoxing’s voice was calm. “Moreover, my sister and I intended, after finding the Tower of World Domination, to contact the family behind us and present the Wheel of World Domination in our possession to Young Master Changge as well — offering borrowed flowers to Buddha, so to speak.”
“It is only a pity that this matter was never communicated to Ning’er guniang, which is what alarmed Young Master Changge. We are deeply apologetic.”
“What?”
The moment Ji Yaoxing said these words, not only was Chen Ning’er dumbfounded—
Even Jiang Chen, who had been glaring at Ji Yaoxing with a resentful, icy gaze, was stunned.
“The Wheel of World Domination is in your hands?”
Chen Ning’er simply couldn’t believe her ears. It felt like a dream.
The Ji siblings actually intended to hand over the Wheel of World Domination — this had far exceeded her expectations.
Though, at this point, it seemed this was the only way.
“Is that so? So that’s how things were?”
Hearing these words, Gu Changge said little more, merely smiling faintly as his gaze fell upon Ji Yaoxing and Ji Chuyue.
“Every word is true. I dare not deceive Young Master Changge.”
Ji Yaoxing met his gaze calmly, cold sweat seeping from his forehead.
Ji Chuyue lowered her head, jade hands clenched tight, understanding the difficulty behind her brother’s words — after all, the situation was stronger than the man.
Ji Yaoxing’s explanation might fool Chen Ning’er and the others, but it could absolutely never fool Gu Changge.
Rather than offending Gu Changge to the death, it was better to take the initiative and offer up the Wheel of World Domination to quell the matter.
That way, even if Gu Changge knew the whole story, he would presumably, for the sake of the Wheel of World Domination, refrain from pursuing it.
“In that case, I’ll have to trouble Daoxiong Yaoxing.”
Finally, Gu Changge smiled — a smile as light as breeze and faint as clouds — and withdrew his gaze.
Only then did the Ji siblings come back to themselves from that terrifying pressure, feeling their backs already drenched in cold sweat. A gust of wind blew past, bone-chillingly cold.