Chapter 114: Just know that I treat you well. Do I really owe him a favor?
This banquet was a great success for both the guests and the hosts.
After learning of Jiang Lan's purpose, Shang Mingyu dispelled many of his previous concerns.
However, given her caution, she still kept her eyes open and did not completely believe Jiang Lan's words.
She could also see that Jiang Lan must have known her specialness, so he invited her.
The two of them don't interfere with each other.
He won't care about Shang Mingyu's affairs, and Shang Mingyu won't try to figure out the secrets about him.
Shang Mingyu was only focused on restoring her country, so she would naturally not cause trouble for herself for no reason, so she agreed very readily.
There is no conflict of interest, so why make things unpleasant? After such contact, she found that Jiang Lan should be a person who puts interests first like herself.
Although Jiang Lan has been hiding his incompetence and keeping a low profile by pretending to be a playboy in recent years, he actually has great ambitions and plans.
At least for now, there will be no conflicts of interest between the two.
"Although I am interested in that strange stone, it is not very big. If Miss Hong is really determined to get it, I can actually help you." Jiang Lan said.
Shang Mingyu looked at him with her beautiful eyes, and then smiled sweetly and said, "Mr. Jiang is so kind, I am actually a little flattered."
"I think it's just a strange stone. In comparison, I would rather make friends with Miss Hong." Jiang Lan said bluntly.
"Now that Mr. Jiang said that, it seems that I have made up my mind to be your friend." Shang Mingyu said with a smile.
"The guy who auctioned off the strange stone should not be an ordinary Yijian Palace disciple. I ran into him on the streets of the imperial capital yesterday. But for some reason, he seemed to have hatred towards me..."
Jiang Lan shook his head slightly and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, maybe that guy will take the initiative to find Miss Hong next."
Shang Mingyu was stunned. He didn't expect such a thing to happen.
However, she quickly understood what Jiang Lan meant. Did the Yijian Palace disciple who auctioned off the strange stone have a grudge against Jiang Lan?
She tactfully didn't ask too many questions.
After the banquet, Shang Mingyu said goodbye and left.
However, the two of them also left each other jade communication talismans, hoping that if there is an opportunity in the future, they can really cooperate.
"For now, there really isn't much of a conflict of interest between her and me. In some ways, she can even be a weapon or a chess piece for me. To put it more nicely, she can be called an ally."
Jiang Lan wants to take advantage of Emperor Xia's luck and the fate of the entire Xia Dynasty, while Shang Mingyu wants to overthrow the rule of Xia and restore the Shang Dynasty.
Both of them have a common enemy, Emperor Xia.
Before this, the two could naturally be called allies.
"You must be hungry, right?"
Jiang Lan turned his gaze back and looked at You'er who was waiting obediently beside him.
"Prepare a new table of dishes."
He ordered someone to come and clear the table. Although he and Shang Mingyu did not touch the dishes and just drank some wine, the dishes had already gone cold after such a long conversation.
"It's still... edible..."
You'er looked at the delicacies on the table, all of which were foods she had never tasted before.
Not only is the style exquisite, but it also has a mouth-watering aroma.
"It's cold already."
Jiang Lan stretched out his hand, indicating that she didn't need to stand any longer.
Hearing this, a hint of confusion emerged in You'er's amber eyes. Could it be that... it can't be eaten if it's cold?
"Follow me from now on, and you won't have to eat cold food anymore. These are just leftovers." Jiang Lan knew why she was confused. It was good enough to have food in the arena, so how could you choose between hot or cold food?
"Master... Master, you are so kind to You'er..."
"I... don't... don't dislike You'er." You'er lowered her eyes and twirled her fingers.
"Just know that I'm good to you."
"I'm probably the only one in this world who would treat you like this."
Jiang Lan reached out and rubbed her shiny black hair.
A soft "hmm" sound came from You'er's delicate and exquisite nose.
Soon, the food and wine in the private room were replaced with a new table, which was even more sumptuous than before.
You'er had never seen so much food before. She stared at the dishes and could hardly take her eyes away.
But because Jiang Lan was by her side, she still ate very delicately, taking small bites to taste the food. When she ate something delicious, star-like light would appear in her amber eyes, very bright.
Jiang Lan looked at her and thought that she looked like a greedy cat that had not eaten meat for a long time.
He shook his head slightly in his heart. If You'er could not be used by him and could not bring him benefits and luck, he might not be moved at all even if he watched her die in the arena.
After all, he, like Shang Mingyu, is a person who puts profit above all else.
It was already afternoon when we left Yunlan Terrace and returned to Xiangguo Mansion.
Jiang Lan ordered someone to fetch a box of Snow Jade Skin Regenerating Cream, which is a priceless scar removal elixir developed by the Imperial Medical Bureau. It can remove all scars on the body and make them look as good as new.
In addition, he also asked someone to find a bottle of Three-Transformation Marrow Cleansing Pill. Using the two together could basically restore You'er's skin to normal.
His father did not ask much about You'er. With his knowledge, he might not be able to see that You'er was special.
Jiang Lan had no intention of explaining.
Li Mengning followed his mother Li Qingshu back to Taiyi Sect yesterday, because at this time of year, the younger generation of the Li family needed Li Mengning to come forward to maintain order.
Among the peers in Taiyi Sect, Li Mengning is the strongest and can be said to be a gap in strength.
However, the geniuses from the other two families of Taiyi Sect have gained a lot of opportunities and fortune in recent days, and their strength has improved by leaps and bounds.
Some time ago, Li Daoyi nearly lost to a true disciple of the Ji family who was not as advanced as him, which brought shame to the Li family.
Generally speaking, if a true disciple of Taiyi Sect cannot easily suppress and defeat his opponent when his realm and cultivation level are higher than that of his opponent, that in itself speaks volumes, not to mention that he almost lost. It is no wonder that his mother feels ashamed.
If the two were at the same realm and had the same cultivation, wouldn't Li Daoyi be defeated directly?
The younger generation of the major immortal sects often compete with each other in strength at the same level. For them, improving their cultivation strength is not difficult. Unless they are really far ahead and cannot be caught up, they will pay more attention to the combat power at the same level.
Jiang Lan didn't have much interest in paying attention to these things. After all, his current real strength was much stronger than those of the younger generation.
A thin mist was floating in the palace, and bursts of incense were emitted from the incense burner.
Jiang Lan called a few maids, and after getting the Snow Jade Skin Regenerating Ointment and the Three-turn Marrow Cleansing Pill, he asked them to take You'er away directly and apply the ointment on her.
Although You'er has already gotten used to her scarred face, she still feels a little excited after knowing that these plasters can remove her scars.
After all, no woman can resist a flawless skin and face.
Especially since she will have to stay by Jiang Lan's side in the future.
After You'er was taken away, Jiang Lan thought for a moment, then left the Xiangguo Mansion and went to Yuxianfang. He had something to ask Song Youwei to do.
…
At the same time, in an inn.
Ye Ming, who had fooled a group of Yijian Palace disciples and solved some minor troubles, used a secret treasure to cover up all the auras in the room, and then he and Lao Gui explored the strange stone together.
Although this was something he had to hand over, he still wanted to understand it first.
However, with his knowledge, he was unable to determine what was inside. Whether it was through secret methods or the soul, it was difficult to detect it clearly.
The old ghost also looked at it for a long time before telling him that the source of Tao was sealed inside, but he needed to cut it open to find out what exactly was inside.
Even he couldn't make a simple judgment, but the only thing he could be sure of was that the things sealed in the Dao Source were definitely extraordinary.
The faint fairy light carries a mellow and bright aura, and in the distance one can hear the vague and long-lasting sound of an ancient sacrifice.
He suspected that this had something to do with the ancient emperor.
After hearing this, Ye Ming became more unwilling, and at the same time began to hesitate as to whether or not to hand it over.
Many people in the imperial capital are watching him right now. He has already caused a huge disturbance at the auction.
Even several elders leading the team from Yijian Palace stared at him closely and asked about his strange stone, wanting to borrow it to have a look. They also intentionally asked about the origin and whereabouts of the elixir of immortality on him.
Ye Ming naturally would not throw away the money, so he could only make excuses and say that he had used all the money to auction this strange stone.
But despite this, it still cannot block those covetous eyes.
The only thing that made him feel at ease was that this was the imperial capital, the place where the emperor stood, and even the top immortal sects from all sides did not dare to act recklessly.
"You can't keep this strange stone unless you cut it open right here. But the noise you make might even attract the attention of the royal family..."
"You have to know that this may be related to the ancient emperor. If even the royal family covets it, things will be even more troublesome."
Lao Gui sighed, and understood that Ye Ming had taken on a hot potato. If he really intended to take over, he had to be prepared to face the countless troubles that would follow.
"well……"
"I knew I couldn't keep it, but I never planned to keep it from the beginning. I'll take this opportunity to meet that mysterious woman."
Ye Ming was also quite helpless, but he quickly accepted his fate.
He had no intention of carrying this strange stone with him, so he concealed his figure and breath, quietly left the inn, found an abandoned house with no one in it, and set up some restrictions.
He then looked for several remote locations and repeated the same method, and finally hid the strange stone in a place where he thought no one could find it.
After all, he was going to meet the mysterious woman. If the other party disregarded the rules and attacked him directly, killing people and taking the treasure, he would have a way to deal with it, so he could not carry the strange stone with him.
According to the information he got from the auction, Ye Ming went straight to Yaxianju where the mysterious woman was temporarily staying.
In a quiet little garden in a bamboo forest, Shang Mingyu, dressed as a scholar, sat by the window of the courtyard building, his slender hand resting on his jade-like white chin, thinking about how to seize the strange stone that contained the aura of the Son of Heaven.
The maid outside suddenly reported.
"Miss, the Yijian Palace disciple named Zhang Yuan outside is here to visit."
Shang Mingyu narrowed his eyes in surprise, but quickly recovered and stood up and said, "Tell him to wait for me in the reception hall."
It can be said that Ye Ming coming to her in person was completely beyond her expectations.
But it did verify Jiang Lan's statement and speculation...
Logically speaking, the other party auctioned off the strange stone. Knowing that she intended to fight for it, shouldn't he hide well? Why did he come to her on his own? Combined with Jiang Lan's words.
Shang Mingyu couldn't help but guess that this "Zhang Yuan" might have other intentions, and this might be the real purpose of his auctioning off the strange stone.
In the reception hall, Ye Ming looked calm and composed. The maid beside him made him some tea, told him that the young lady was on the way, and then left respectfully.
"Old Ghost, have you found anything?" he asked in his heart.
"What can I discover? How can I determine his origins before I meet him in person?" the old ghost asked back unhappily.
Ye Ming also knew this truth and didn't ask any more questions.
Soon, a figure in a loose robe walked outside the reception hall. Although he was dressed like a scholar, he could not hide his charm.
"My name is Zhang Yuan, nice to meet you, young lady."
Ye Ming just took a glance, then retracted his gaze, stood up and bowed.
Shang Mingyu waved his hand and said, "Mr. Zhang Yuan, you don't have to be polite. I wonder why you came to look for me?"
She came straight to the point and didn't want to waste any more words. Although Ye Ming was somewhat mysterious, he was not Jiang Lan after all, and was not worth her excessive attention.
Ye Ming saw Shang Mingyu's casualness, but he didn't care. He said bluntly, "I came here to make a deal with you. The stone you want is in my hands now. I'm sure you know that."
Shang Mingyu sat down beside him gracefully. Hearing this, she raised her chin and nodded slightly, motioning Ye Ming to continue.
Ye Ming glanced at the maids in the reception hall.
Shang Mingyu understood what he meant and waved his hand, asking everyone to leave.
"I intend to give that strange stone to the girl..." Ye Ming said.
"Um?"
Shang Mingyu was stunned at first, and then almost doubted whether he had heard it wrong.
This guy spent the money to buy the rare stone with his life-extending magic item, and now he wants to give it to me?
However, she quickly calmed down and smiled faintly, "Oh? Why is that?"
There is no such thing as a free lunch, and this "Zhang Yuan" is so generous that he must have other intentions.
"With my current identity and strength, I am destined to lose the chance to keep that strange stone, so I thought it would be better to give it directly to the girl in exchange for a favor." Ye Ming said frankly.
Shang Mingyu looked at him with interest, as if he wanted to confirm whether what he said was true or false.
"Mr. Zhang Yuan's favor is quite big, but I'm afraid I can't repay it." She smiled and did not agree directly.
Although she was determined to get the rare stone, how could she jump into such an obvious trap?
Just as "Zhang Yuan" in front of him said, his strength is not enough to keep the strange stone. Even if he buys it at the auction, it is destined to be a hot potato.
"I would like to know, Master Zhang Yuan, why don't you just give the stone to the young master in the Prime Minister's Mansion? His favors would probably be more useful than mine."
"If you please him, won't you be able to walk around the imperial capital with your free will?" Shang Mingyu asked.
Ye Ming seemed to have expected her to say that, and said calmly, "The reason why I took the photo of that strange stone is that I didn't want the Prime Minister's son Jiang Lan to get it. I am not interested in that strange stone."
Hearing this, Shang Mingyu narrowed his eyes slightly, and found this matter even more interesting.
This rather mysterious "Zhang Yuan" does have a grudge against Jiang Lan.
Was he trying to win me over to deal with Jiang Lan? In just a moment, Shang Mingyu had guessed Ye Ming's real purpose. He saw that he and Jiang Lan were competing against each other at the auction.
Jiang Lan threatened him in public and made enemies with him, and he himself had a grudge against Jiang Lan for some reason, so he wanted to win him over and do him a favor? Shang Mingyu laughed in his heart and found it a little funny. Did this "Zhang Yuan" think that he couldn't tell the difference between the important and the unimportant?
At the same time, she felt even more awed in her heart. Jiang Lan had actually anticipated all this.
"I see."
However, she still showed a look of surprise on her face, nodded, and asked, "Master Zhang Yuan, you want to win me over to fight against the Master of the Xiangguo Mansion together with you, right?"
Ye Ming nodded and said, "The girl is a smart person. She should know what is in that strange stone. I can hand it over to the royal family of Daxia and seek their protection by offering me a certain official position. But I think you don't want me to do that..."
Shang Mingyu's expression changed slightly. After hearing these words, she finally put away her contempt for Ye Ming.
He took the initiative to mention the Great Xia royal family, which was definitely intentional.
"Master Zhang Yuan, do you know what is in that strange stone?" she asked.
Ye Ming said bluntly, "I don't know what it is, but I think the Daxia royal family would care a lot about things related to the ancient emperor."
Shang Mingyu's eyes suddenly narrowed, and a dangerous aura filled the air.
Ye Ming felt a slight chill on his back, but still forced himself to remain calm.
He didn't expect that Shang Mingyu looked young, but his strength had already reached the seventh level.
Her real age is definitely more than what it appears to be.
"What do you mean, young lady? Do you want to kill me to silence me? But if you do that, you may not get the stone."
"If you make a fuss, you probably don't want your identity to be noticed by the Great Xia royal family." Ye Ming said calmly.
Before coming here, Ye Ming had made sufficient preparations and judged Shang Mingyu's identity based on the speculation given by Lao Gui.
But when I think about it, she cares so much about that strange stone and is so determined to get it, I think she must know what is inside it.
Related to the ancient emperor? Then she certainly didn't want the Daxia royal family to notice her identity and origin.
Shang Mingyu's expression calmed down a little and asked, "What do you want in exchange for handing over that strange stone to me?"
"No matter how much you spent on the life-extending divine item, I can compensate you with an equivalent item later."
When Ye Ming tried to threaten her just now, she had already made murderous intentions in her heart.
This person cannot stay because he may have already noticed her origins.
However, Ye Ming would never have imagined that she had just met Jiang Lan not long ago, and the two even had a good chat. There was no so-called hostile relationship between them.
If she wanted, she could just sell Ye Ming off...
"It's simple. Miss, you swear on your Taoism that you will make public the news that you have exchanged the strange stone from me, and you cannot betray me." Ye Ming said.
He needed Shang Mingyu to attract attention for him. Besides, if the strange stone was in her hands, whether she was willing or not, she would offend Jiang Lan, unless she was willing to hand over the strange stone.
In this way, even if Shang Mingyu was unwilling, he had to become his ally and deal with Jiang Lan together.
Hearing this, Shang Mingyu's expression seemed to change, and then he sneered and said, "Young Master Zhang Yuan is really calculating, forcing me to help you deal with the young master of the Xiangguo Mansion."
Ye Ming bowed slightly and said apologetically, "I had no choice. The girl wanted to get that rare stone. If I didn't stop you at the auction, you would have offended Jiang Lan to death. Now I am taking such a big risk to help you buy the rare stone at the auction and give you another ally."
"No matter how you calculate it, you won't lose anything, and the strange stone is back in your hands in the end."
With a terrifying enemy like Jiang Lan lurking in the dark and watching him at any time, he really couldn't sleep or eat well.
Otherwise, Ye Ming would not have chosen to take such a big risk to recruit allies for himself.
With the power he currently has, it is almost impossible to get rid of Jiang Lan. The only way to have a chance is to accumulate strength, win over allies, and wait for the right situation.
As long as Jiang Lan is not eliminated, he will feel uneasy.
Listen to these words.
Shang Mingyu also seemed to be lost in long contemplation and consideration, weighing the gains and losses.
Ye Ming did not urge her and waited quietly for her reply.
"Okay, I agree to your request, but if you dare to fool me, I will tear you into pieces no matter what the price is."
After a long while, Shang Mingyu seemed to come back to his senses and gave a response.
Hearing this, Ye Ming finally smiled and told Shang Mingyu not to worry. He said he would keep his word and that Shang Mingyu could come to the inn to find him at noon the next day, and he would definitely present the strange stone to her.
Afterwards, he did not stay long and chose to leave.
Now Shang Mingyu is in the same boat with him. Once Jiang Lan learns that the strange stone is in her hands, he will definitely not let her go.
With the oath sworn in his heart, he was not afraid that Shang Mingyu would sell him out after getting the rare stone.
Shang Mingyu didn't say much. He just sat there and watched Ye Ming leave quietly.
Finally, a smile that seemed mocking, yet meaningful, appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Since he threatens me like this, I guess Zhang Yuan's identity is also fake. Not only that, he can also guess what is in that strange stone..."
"With such ability, how did you become an enemy of Jiang Lan?"
"Jiang Lan is really scary. He has anticipated and calculated all of this. This guy probably won't even know how he died by then..."
She held her cheek, considering whether to sell Ye Ming, but she had not yet got the strange stone.
Since Jiang Lan knew that Ye Ming would come to her on his own initiative, she must also be aware that the strange stone would appear in her hands next.
"It seems that he really intends to give the stone to me, and it's not just talk..."
"But in this way, I owe him a favor."
…
Yuxianfang is located in Linshuixuan, close to the river.
Song Youwei arrived as promised, wearing white socks and wooden clogs, with her hair in a bun and a slender snow-white neck that defied the frost and cold, and with a faint fragrance, she looked dignified and beautiful.
The two men sat opposite each other, with tea sets placed in front of them and an incense burner burning beside them. The awnings on both sides were gently drooped, blocking the view from the river bank.
While drinking tea, Jiang Lan listened to her telling her about what the Blood Immortal Sect had been planning in the past few days.
He didn't expect that the barbarians would change their original plan.
In the original plot, the barbarians were planning to take advantage of the Southern Hunting Exercise to rescue a high-ranking barbarian who was imprisoned in the Tianjian Division.
That barbarian leader was once the son of the chieftain of a large barbarian tribe. He was born with the protection of the barbarian god, and was extremely powerful and strong.
Many years ago, when he was fighting against the Great Xia army at the border of Nanhuangzhou, he was defeated by Xia Jin, the female military god of Great Xia, and was captured and imprisoned in Jiantiansi.
"Barbarian God Pill, is this thing coming out ahead of time?"
This is why Jiang Lan was slightly surprised.
In the original plot, the Barbarian God Pill is a mysterious pill condensed from many spiritual objects and barbarian patterns when the barbarian leaders worship the Barbarian God. After swallowing it, it can burst out power several times greater than before.
For the high-ranking barbarians, this elixir has a more important function, which is to offer sacrifices and communicate with the Barbarian God. It allows the barbarian who swallows the elixir to obtain the grace of the Barbarian God for a short period of time, and even summon the phantom of the Barbarian God.
"The Savage God that appeared through sacrifice and faith is just a phantom, and it is definitely not something that ordinary cultivators can deal with..."
"This Southern Hunting Exercise should be quite lively."
However, compared to the barbarians' plans, Jiang Lan is more concerned about the Blood Immortal Sect's plans.
"Do you have the turbid blood prepared by the Blood Immortal Sect?" Jiang Lan looked at Song Youwei and asked.
Song Youwei shook her head and said, "No, that thing is only in the hands of the elders."
"But I can ask for some. Given my status, the elders will surely give it to me."
Jiang Lan nodded slightly and said, "Then bring half a bottle when the time comes."
"Half a bottle?"
Song Youwei's shiny little mouth opened slightly. The turbid blood condensed and prepared by the Blood Immortal Sect was only one bottle in total.
If it is impossible to steal the Great Xia Kingdom's Dragon Seal, then use the turbid blood to corrode and contaminate it.
Although she is the future saint of the Blood Fairy Sect, she can't even get half a bottle.
Noticing Song Youwei's slightly resentful look, Jiang Lan also knew that this might be a bit difficult for her.
But if there is only half a bottle left, then he might be able to take this opportunity to make a substitution and replace the turbid blood with his own condensed blood essence.
In this way, maybe he could secretly practice and control the national weapon.
"Half a bottle is indeed a bit too much. You should try your best and take out as much as you can. We will return it when the time comes." Jiang Lan thought about it and changed his way of saying it.
“…”
Song Youwei vaguely guessed his purpose, picked up the teacup with both hands and took a sip.
The Blood Immortal Cult's plan this time is extremely meticulous.
But she actually didn't want the Blood Fairy Cult's conspiracy to succeed.
If the Great Xia national treasure is destroyed, once its luck cannot be suppressed, the country will be difficult to defend, and chaos will occur everywhere, and countless lives will be displaced.
Although Emperor Xia is now in decline, he can still be said to be diligent and hardworking, working hard for the country and the people. Unfortunately, there are thieves in the court, and power has fallen into the hands of others...
Thinking of this, she glanced at Jiang Lan. It was quite excessive to call him a thief, after all, he was Jiang Lan's father.
But she has been working for Jiang Lan for some time, but she still can't guess Jiang Lan's thoughts and intentions.
What did he want to do? "How is the Qi family's affairs in Yangchun City going?" Jiang Lan suddenly asked.
Song Youwei came back to her senses and replied, "The Qi family has already sent someone over according to your instructions, young master..."
"Come with me to Yangchun City tomorrow." Jiang Lan nodded.
Old Mrs. Qi from the Qi family in Yangchun City believes in Taoism.
On the fifteenth of every month, he would bring the young descendants of the Qi family who were highly respected to the Jiyun Temple on Jiyun Mountain to burn incense.
Because Qi Qingxuan had been well-read since childhood, he had great attainments in literature.
The abbot of Jiyun Temple was also a person who liked to read scriptures. It was for this reason that Old Lady Qi would often bring Qi Qingxuan with her.
Duke Wei, the former chief eunuch of Daxia, has always been by Qi Qingxuan's side to protect his safety.
It is not easy for Jiang Lan to take action against him, and it just so happens that he has such an opportunity now.
When Qi Qingxuan went to Jiyun Temple, he planned to ask Song Youwei to arrange for the people from the Blood Immortal Sect to lead Duke Wei away in advance.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
