"Punishment is punishment, it’s for not listening to teachings and instructions, for not admitting your wrongs even after making mistakes. Apology is apology, the two don’t conflict." The aged voice continued.

"What wrong have I done? That Chu Hongwu was acting tyrannically in our Ji Family’s city. What was wrong in stopping him from insulting our Ji Family’s subordinates?" Ji Liuying’s tone was evidently a bit agitated.

"Young Master Chu didn’t insult you, did he? On what grounds did you attack him?" The old voice said.

At this moment, Ji Liuying realized that when people are utterly speechless, they really can laugh.

"He didn’t attack me? Does that mean those following our Ji Family aren’t people? Clan elder, if those following our Ji Family heard what you just said, who would still be willing to follow us, who would be willing to shed blood and sweat for our Ji Family?"

"Moreover, today Chu Hongwu can insult those following us, if we don’t intervene, tomorrow he’ll be insulting our Ji Family’s lineage."

The clan elder, however, was indifferent: "Liuying, you’re too young. Do you think those people follow the Ji Family because we treat them well? You’re wrong. They follow us because they have no other choice. If they can’t enter the Ji Family’s Great Cave Heaven, they have nowhere else to go. Any other family’s Great Cave Heaven would treat them more harshly."

"Remember, the relationship between us and them is just mutual exploitation. There’s no need to offend the Chu Family’s young master for them. You know the current situation of our Ji Family. Don’t create more trouble for the family. Tomorrow, follow me to apologize to the young master of the Chu Family."

"I’d rather die than apologize." Ji Liuying said woodenly. At this moment, her mood was already at its lowest point. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

The clan elder’s thoughts probably represented the majority view within the Ji Family now. This made Ji Liuying feel estranged, even disgusted, with an extreme sense of disappointment that felt like her heart was dead.

"Even if you die, you must apologize. Don’t you understand how much effort it took us to reach our current situation? Without the mediation of the Chu Family and several others, our Ji Family would have been devoured entirely by now. If you don’t apologize, and the relationship between the Chu and Ji Families breaks down because of it, can you bear that responsibility? Can you face the family elders who raised you, provided for you, and nurtured you until now?" The clan elder criticized.

Ji Liuying was silent. Her parents died early, and it was the family elders who raised her.

Although that elder had also passed away, how could she ignore the Ji Family?

But she felt in her heart that this was wrong, that such a Ji Family was wrong. Yet, what could she change?

"Child, I know it’s unfair to you, but we must think of the Ji Family, not just ourselves." The clan elder’s voice turned loving as he earnestly persuaded her.

"I will go..." When Ji Liuying uttered these two words, she felt as if all her energy and spirit had been drained away.

"Liuying, I knew you were the most sensible and family-oriented. I’ll take you tomorrow, and with me there, that Chu Family young master won’t make things difficult for you." The clan elder, satisfied, consoled Ji Liuying a few more times before turning away and leaving.

After watching the Ji Family clan elder’s figure retreat into the distance, Chen Guan emerged from the corner, pushed open the door, and entered.

He saw Ji Liuying standing silently in the courtyard, with two tear marks on her face.

Seeing Chen Guan, Ji Liuying hurriedly wiped away her tears and forced a smile: "Brother Ming, I’m embarrassed you had to see that."

After pausing, she continued: "Brother Ming, forget about joining the Ji Family. Today’s Ji Family isn’t worthy of you staying."

Chen Guan walked up to Ji Liuying and handed her a tissue.

"Thank you." Ji Liuying took the tissue, wiped her eyes, and continued with a bitter smile: "I never thought, in such a short time, the Ji Family would become like this. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you back."

"I’m glad you brought me back." Chen Guan looked at Ji Liuying and said, "A Ji Family like this needs someone to stand up. If you’re willing to stand up, maybe I can be the one standing by your side."

Ji Liuying shook her head and said: "Brother Ming, don’t joke around. I’m just a Cultivator who has only advanced to the Great Cave Heaven for less than two years. What use is it if I stand up?"

"I think what the Ji Family lacks the most now isn’t those Ninth Awakening powerhouses. Instead, it’s someone like you." Chen Guan calmly said: "After King Ji left, the Ji Family is still full of experts, but they don’t have a core or backbone. You could be the one to give them that backbone."

Ji Liuying smiled: "Brother Ming, you don’t need to comfort me. I understand your goodwill, there’s no need to say more."

"No, you don’t understand." Chen Guan said seriously: "I’m not comforting you. I really think you’re the one who can save the Ji Family."

"Forgive my frankness, the way the Ji Family is now, becoming a vassal of other families is only a matter of time. If someone like you doesn’t stand up to reestablish the Ji Family’s backbone, the Ji Family will have no chance at all."

"My position in the Ji Family is too low, and my strength is too weak. No one will listen to me." Ji Liuying saw that Chen Guan’s expression wasn’t joking at all and seriously said.

"That’s not a problem. If your level is low, you can improve. If no one listens to you, then speak louder so they hear your voice." Chen Guan said.

"Speak louder?" Ji Liuying didn’t quite understand what Chen Guan meant.

Chen Guan looked into Ji Liuying’s eyes and said: "Yes, speak louder. If they don’t hear your voice, then you should speak louder so they hear."

"If they’re deaf, then use your palm to open their ears. If they’re sleeping, use your palm to wake them up. If they’re fools, use your palm to make them smart. Of course, the louder the sound of the palm, the better the effect."

Ji Liuying was amused by Chen Guan’s words and smiled through her tears: "Brother Ming, I’m just a Seventh Awakening, barely at Level 69. I really want to do what you said, but I can’t."

"It doesn’t matter if you can’t; I can help you." Chen Guan said seriously.

"How will you help me?" Ji Liuying looked at Chen Guan suspiciously because she felt he wasn’t joking, but she couldn’t figure out how he could help her.

"You don’t have the ability, but I can help you gain it, to speak loudly to them and slap them hard." Chen Guan said.

"Brother Ming, what do you mean?" Ji Liuying wasn’t a naive little girl, and her gaze toward Chen Guan revealed a trace of caution.