Chapter 84: Slay Qian Ye?

Lan Kuanglan’s stance was unexpectedly firm, catching the seasoned Luo Yun off guard. With the mysterious elder present, it was no longer appropriate to make further threats or probes. Luo Yun knew in his heart that his defenses had been breached and there was no chance of securing more benefits.

He sighed inwardly, realizing that when the mysterious elder appeared, the balance of power had already shifted. At least Nanqing City was no longer in a losing position. In this situation, relying solely on negotiations to make Lan Kuanglan yield was impossible.

Once he understood the situation, Luo Yun was decisive and said, “Let’s proceed with this. However, there is a small step that needs to be taken. The city lord has a special secret technique that can be mastered in just one day of practice. During the transaction, both parties will use this technique simultaneously to ensure that the other side is adhering to the agreement. Please pass this technique to Qian Ye, who must complete its practice before the transaction.”

Lan Kuanglan took the ancient scroll handed over by Luo Yun, opened it, and raised an eyebrow, “The Heart-Inspecting Mantra! I never expected this legacy to still exist in the neutral territory.”

Luo Yun was surprised, “Mr. Lan, you know this secret technique?”

Lan Kuanglan sneered, “This is just a minor art derived from the Heaven’s Secrets. It has a high threshold for cultivation and little practical use, so it gradually became lost. What’s so unusual about knowing it?”

Luo Yun, now devoid of arrogance, said, “Since Mr. Lan knows, that’s for the best. When and where shall we complete the transaction?”

Lan Kuanglan pondered for a moment and then said, “Three days from now, at noon, at the place where Song Qi was captured.”

“Very well, I will arrive on time.”

As Luo Yun was about to take his leave, Lan Kuanglan suddenly asked, “The final condition set by your city lord wouldn’t be two secret techniques plus Song Qi, would it?”

Luo Yun shook his head helplessly, “How could that be? The city lord’s bottom line is one of the secret techniques plus Young Master Song Zining. But since Mr. Qian Ye has a better technique, he probably won’t look at the lady’s technique, so one or two techniques don’t really make a difference.”

Lan Kuanglan nodded and ordered someone to escort Luo Yun out.

When the room was empty, Lan Kuanglan’s expression suddenly changed. He leaped to his feet and rushed toward the door. His movements were as swift as lightning, and in an instant, he reached the doorway. Just as he was about to dash through, a figure appeared in front of him—it was the old man.

The old man stood squarely in the middle of the doorway, blocking the exit. When he appeared, Lan Kuanglan was less than three meters from the door. At his speed, he barely had time to think.

His hair stood on end, and he nearly screamed. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, touching the door frame lightly and sliding along the wall toward the window.

This move was incredibly fast. Weaker warriors might not even have seen Lan Kuanglan change direction, only seeing a faint afterimage left behind.

But in Lan Kuanglan’s eyes and ears, it was another world. The window was clearly empty, leading to the vast sky, but at the moment he changed direction, a cough came from that direction, unmistakably the old man’s voice.

Lan Kuanglan knew that what he saw and heard might be an illusion, but one thing was certain: the old man would be waiting at the window by the time he got there.

Lan Kuanglan, with his extraordinary talent, changed direction again in an instant, directly charging at the wall, intending to break through it. This move was completely unexpected. If he could break through the wall, he would be like a bird freed from its cage, flying into the wide sky.

But the wall, which should have been easily broken, suddenly became impenetrable. A layer of soft yet resilient origin force covered the surface. Unprepared, Lan Kuanglan collided with it and was bounced back, staggering. The impact, enough to destroy a war chariot, left the thin wall undamaged, not even a piece of plaster chipped off.

The collision was severe, and Lan Kuanglan, using all his strength, was like being hit by his own full-force attack. Blood surged, his cheeks flushed red, and with a dazed look and slight panting, he exuded a touch of bewitching allure, making the humble room shine.

As he swayed, trying to stand, he heard the old man’s voice in his ear, “I must deliver the message; otherwise, the Empress won’t be satisfied. You shouldn’t make things difficult for me. The Empress’ exact words were, ‘Kuanglan isn’t young anymore, and it’s time to…’

Lan Kuanglan screamed, covering his ears, “I won’t listen, I won’t!”

Despite covering his ears, the old man’s voice echoed unimpeded, like waves crashing against the shore. Even sealing his ears with origin force, the voice still resounded in his mind.

The old man appeared beside Lan Kuanglan, sighing, “Even if you delayed by using that person earlier, you can’t avoid the inevitable. My message must be delivered. Unless you can leave this room and stay hidden from me forever.”

Lan Kuanglan remained silent, knowing that escaping the old man’s grasp wasn’t something he could achieve in a year or two.

Seeing Lan Kuanglan resigned, the old man smiled, “That’s good, it saves me some effort. I can return and report sooner. I’ll continue, and after this, there will be two more repetitions. After three times, the message will be considered delivered.”

The old man’s lips moved, and his voice echoed in Lan Kuanglan’s ears. He knew every word and their meanings, but put together, they were utterly unacceptable, even unimaginable.

Though he had heard it once, the second repetition still left Lan Kuanglan pale and unsteady, as if he had just fought a fierce battle.

The old man paused, asking, “One more time. Would you like some tea to calm your nerves first?”

Lan Kuanglan gritted his teeth, “No need! Just say it, death sooner is better!”

The old man chuckled, “Reincarnation is a myth. These empty words are harmful to one’s dignity. You can say them outside, but be careful around the Empress. If she hears you, you’ll be punished.”

“Enough nonsense, hurry up!” Lan Kuanglan had thrown etiquette to the wind.

If it were any other day, the old man would have reprimanded him, but now he knew Lan Kuanglan was emotionally fragile and couldn’t take more provocation. One wrong move, and he might do something regrettable.

The old man repeated the message at the same pace.

By the end, Lan Kuanglan was drenched in cold sweat, breathing weakly. He sat in the chair, immobile, seeming to think of nothing, like a lifeless statue.

“Is the matter settled? Is there anything else you want to ask me?”

Lan Kuanglan suddenly said, “What if I don’t comply?”

“The Empress’ methods are well known. It’s better to comply. Otherwise, angering her will not bode well. Besides, this is for the good of the Li family and you. Why else would I travel such a long distance to deliver this message? It’s not easy to get me to come here.”

Lan Kuanglan’s voice was low, “For the Li family, I understand. But for me…”

“Let me be fair, it’s for your good too. You should know some things are beyond your control.”

Lan Kuanglan sighed.

The old man seemed more relaxed, sipping tea, “I understand the Empress’ intentions. Though there are many matters in the palace, I don’t need to rush back. I’ll stay here for three more days. If it’s not a major issue, I can help you with one thing.”

Lan Kuanglan grimaced, “I can’t afford to owe you a favor.”

“As I said, if it’s not a major issue, it doesn’t count as a favor.”

“What’s a major issue?”

“Anything below a divine general is not a major issue.”

Lan Kuanglan suddenly said, “Can you kill Qian Ye?”

The old man was taken aback, then laughed, shaking his head, “I’m not ready to die and have my head chopped off by the Empress.”

“Then how about killing Song Qi? I suspect he’s behind this!”

“That’s somewhat plausible. Unfortunately, Seventh Young Master is also involved and under the Empress’ eye. For now, he’s untouchable. Once this major matter is resolved, we can think of ways to deal with him.”

Lan Kuanglan was furious, “If everything is resolved, why bother? It’ll be too late.”

The old man casually said, “Even venting your anger is good. Besides, even if we can’t harm him, we can give him a beating.”

“What’s the point of that then?”

The old man chuckled and left, leaving Lan Kuanglan alone.

Lan Kuanglan sat alone, feeling increasingly wronged. Suddenly, his lips quivered, and he almost cried. But years of stubbornness suppressed the cry. Tears rolled down, unstoppable, no matter how much he wiped them.

In this world, there are always tangled, unresolved matters.

The setting sun sank, disappearing into the distant mountains. The clouds gradually darkened, leaving only a deep crimson on the horizon. The night breeze rose, and the moon appeared in the east, stars twinkling faintly through the clouds.

In the reception hall, darkness made it hard to see. Lan Kuanglan sat in the dark without turning on the lights.

After a while, a loud bang echoed as the double doors were kicked open, crashing into the opposite wall, shattering. The wall indented slightly, showing the force of the kick.

Lan Kuanglan emerged from the darkness and disappeared at the end of the corridor. Only then did guards hear the commotion and rush in, alarmed by the chaos.

Many mercenary leaders arrived, finding the old man beside the hall, calmly saying, “Kuanglan is in a bad mood. Don’t mind him. Clean this up.” Then he vanished.

Knowing the old man’s relationship with Lan Kuanglan, they dared not ask questions and quietly cleaned up.

Outside Tiaocheng, Qian Ye sat alone on a peak, facing the city. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.