The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1770: Motives of the Families

Ji Tao wasn’t planning to vie for the limelight. "Alliance Hierarch" position, letting Zheng Li have it doesn’t harm him. If Zheng Li’s skill truly allows the families to cross the Heavenly Chasm, he would merely gain some prestige. Once they reach the other side, whatever will be, will be. However, if Zheng Li fails, he will become a target of everyone.

"Qian, how many people did we lose just now?"

"About twenty or so, mostly members of the White Mist Army," Ji Qian reported. The monsters rushed in like a tide, and although the White Mist Army fought desperately, the losses were still substantial. These man-eating monsters, once close, their sharp claws stabbed directly at vital parts, taking lives, then tearing apart corpses. Once surrounded, escape was near impossible. If not for Ye Shikai’s timely intervention, casualties would have been graver. However, for the Ji Family, numbering nearly a thousand, losing twenty or so was quite small.

Thinking of Ye Shikai, the anger in Ji Qian’s heart surged to her chest. He had married someone else for a wife and outrageously wanted to come back for her.

"That bastard, who knows where he’s gone."

"Since none of you object, I will certainly lead everyone across the Heavenly Chasm. We suffered heavy losses just now; rest here tonight, and we depart tomorrow," Zheng Li instructed. No one disagreed. The monster tide came too swiftly, causing casualties for all families. Most crucially, many feared the monsters now. Without Zheng Li uniting the families, many might have skulked down the mountain tonight. Resting for a night was wise.

"Qian’er, have the family’s disciples make camp quickly; it’s getting dark. Also, treat the injured promptly," Ji Tao ordered.

"Alright."

Li Family.

"I didn’t expect these monsters to be so formidable. Just one encounter, and we lost nearly a hundred people," Li Changtian was somewhat heartbroken. In the end, the cultivators were defeated, and casualties were inevitable. Had the monsters continued their chase, they wouldn’t even have reached halfway up the mountain.

"Family Head, it was all because of those Tang Family people. If they hadn’t been the first to flee, how could we have been defeated so quickly and lost so many?" remarked a Li Family elder beside him.

"Indeed. Doesn’t Tang Can understand that when the lips perish, the teeth will be cold? By retreating, everyone was thrown into peril," Li Family members criticized collectively. Tang Can was indeed the first to order a retreat. As Family Head, he had personal motives, wanting to preserve strength, which is understandable. Still, the crucial point is that in Chang’an, the Tang and Li Families are mortal enemies. Therefore, the Li Family pointed their "guns" at Tang Can, accusing him of fleeing and disregarding the situation.

"Father, why didn’t you compete for the Alliance Hierarch position? If you commanded the families, you could surpass Tang Can. Moreover, being Alliance Hierarch means commanding the Tang Family. If they disobeyed, they’d undermine the union and face criticism from all families," Li Yueying retorted.

"Yue’er, you underestimate the matter. Huaxia families appear to get along on the surface, but underneath, tensions simmer. Everyone is competing in secret. Family Head Zheng is dominant in the East Sea; publicly he has no enemies, so his decisions are unbiased, supporting no one side. That’s why all families agreed. Furthermore, the Zheng Family is formidable enough to stabilize the other families."

"So that’s the reason. I understand now, Father," Li Yueying nodded.

"The Zheng Family is full of talents. Mr. Zheng, Zheng Ji, is top-notch. Since Zheng Li dares take the Alliance Hierarch position, he likely has a plan to handle it."

.....................

"Are you really not going to explain things to Miss Ji?" Knife Soul suddenly asked in the dead of night, knowing Ye Shikai wasn’t asleep.

"I don’t need to. I anticipated she’d react this way," Ye Shikai sighed in the tent. That’s why he was so reluctant to reveal the truth to Ji Qian. If it weren’t for her incessant questioning, Ye Shikai would never have told her.

But speaking of which, now that it’s said, her anger and even hatred for him are understandable. She’s still furious, and if he goes now, it could backfire.

Ye Shikai searched all afternoon but couldn’t find the Chen family’s group, making him curious. The Chen family undoubtedly went to Kunlun Mountain, and Chen Yuxin had many experts under her. Even encountering an avalanche, the group should’ve reached halfway up the mountain. Yet, he couldn’t find them.

Tossing and turning, Ye Shikai couldn’t sleep. The Kunlun Mountain expedition was full of danger, and he worried his sudden appearance might cause complications.

Thump, thump, thump.

"Who’s there?" Ye Shikai faintly heard footsteps approaching, instinctively pulling out a dagger aimed at the tent entrance.

"Don’t be tense; it’s me," a woman’s voice echoed, with Li Yueying’s small head peeking into the tent.

"Why are you here?" Ye Shikai asked, puzzled. "Sneaking over here at night — if I’d been quicker, the dagger might’ve scarred your face."

"Why so tense? I’m not a villain. Come out; I need to discuss something with you."

Ye Shikai wasn’t angry. Putting on a coat, he walked to the fire outside for warmth. Since Li Yueying came at night, it must be important.

"I am alone now, and with so many cultivator families nearby, many have grudges with me. So... I must be cautious."

"Alright, I came here to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead," Ye Shikai replied.

"Does what you said to my father today still hold?"

"An alliance, yes, it still holds," Ye Shikai replied calmly. Li Changtian wanted to use him, and Ye Shikai wanted to use Li Changtian. They had a basis for cooperation and a common enemy — cooperation was logical.

"Then tomorrow during the action, stay with us," Li Yueying continued.

"With you?"

"Yes."

Ye Shikai initially wanted to agree, but recalling Knife Soul’s words, he hesitated. The gravitational pull under the Heavenly Chasm only disappears when monsters emerge, that’s the only chance for him to cross. Alone, he could move easily, but with the Li Family, it’d be challenging.

"Well... I think it’s better not. But if the Li Family encounters danger, I will surely assist," Ye Shikai politely declined.