"...I agree."
Zhan Hongyuan closed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "I will bring Ruan Qing'an here in three days, but my requirement is that your Feiyun Chamber of Commerce and Changsheng Palace must send everyone back intact, and—no further entanglement is allowed afterward."
"If it weren't for the sake of the elders and disciples, I would not yield an inch, but if you persist in your harassment, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Zhan Hongyuan spoke sternly, his face displeased.
But like a paper tiger that's all bark and no bite, Mu Cangwu and Lou Yunqi were clearly not afraid of him. They simply bowed and agreed, their attitude somewhat perfunctory, but they didn't make things too difficult for him.
Capturing those people wouldn't have been of much use; the greatest benefit would have been in exchanging them for Ruan Qing'an.
Even if Lou Yunqi and Mu Cangwu were arrogant, they didn't really intend to destroy the Wandao Sect and bring Ruan Qing'an out. If they really angered the Wandao Sect, then it would be a fight to the death.
Mu Cangwu waved his jade-bone folding fan and said with a smile, "Sect Leader Zhan, there's no need to rush. I'm a businessman, and I'm also a man of integrity."
"Three days later, when Nguyen Thanh An arrives, we will send them back."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Hongyuan turned to look at Lou Yunqi: "Is Palace Master Lou also thinking this? Will the Longevity Palace still try to intercept us?"
"Of course not, once the person arrives, it's all settled."
Lou Yunqi answered in a deep voice without hesitation.
Having received the promise, Zhan Hongyuan turned and left, his figure disappearing into Wanhua City in a flash, but—
Only after getting far away from those people and avoiding their gaze and divine senses did Zhan Hongyuan land from mid-air, one hand on a tree trunk, a mouthful of blood spurting out, his eyes twisted with hatred.
"The tower rises, admiring Cangwu!"
"Once I capture Shen Changlin, I will make you all die—"
Zhan Hongyuan's face was contorted with rage. He clenched his teeth so tightly that he looked as if he wanted to devour the two of them alive.
Ruan Qing'an is very important to him, especially in replenishing the qi and blood he has lost due to injuries over the years. But the disciples and elders of the Wandao Sect are just as important. If they are gone, the foundation of the Wandao Sect will truly be damaged!
Zhan Hongyuan could not abandon those people, and the Wandao Sect could not do without them, not to mention... if the Supreme Elder knew, he would probably crawl out of his coffin and turn against him.
In contrast, Nguyen Thanh An was the only one who could be released.
Zhan Hongyuan took a deep breath and finally made a mental cleansing gesture: "No rush, even if they are released, I can still catch them and take them back!"
The Wanhua City incident ended like a drama. In order to preserve the last bit of face for the Wandao Sect, the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce sent people to send the elders and disciples back without accepting spirit stones. However, in exchange, Ruan Qing'an became a hostage and went to the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce.
When this news spread, the cultivation world was in an uproar!
Everyone knows that Ruan Qing'an was originally the most talented elder of the Wandao Sect, hailed as the number one person below the Integration Stage, but now he has been abandoned and used as a bargaining chip in the exchange with the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce.
Even if the matter were to be dropped, the prestige of the Myriad Paths Sect plummeted, and the decision to abandon Ruan Qing'an was criticized and condemned by most people.
Soon, the news reached Sanyue City.
Upon hearing this, the maid immediately ran to the backyard of the city lord's mansion, where Gao Yue'er lived.
"Miss, news has arrived."
The maid carefully pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room was pitch black, with only a candle flickering dimly by the window, making the entire room too dark to see clearly.
On the bed surrounded by gauze curtains, only one hand was stretched out, and Gao Yue'er's light voice came: "Speak."
Since Gao Yue'er returned from her serious injury, she has been constantly cursing and swearing, still furious about what happened before. Even the maids who come in to report news every day, as well as those who take care of her, are either beaten or scolded.
It's so quiet today...
The maid was somewhat puzzled and curious about the dimly lit environment, which was out of character for Gao Yue'er.
But Gao Yue'er was arrogant and domineering, so the maid didn't dare to ask any more questions. She lowered her head and told the maid everything that had happened in Wanhua City, especially about things related to Ruan Qing'an. She also learned that Gao Yue'er harbored some resentment towards Ruan Qing'an because of Shen Changlin, perhaps considering her a rival in love.
This time, however, Gao Yue'er didn't use this opportunity to curse and grumble. Instead, she clenched her fist and said, "Alright, stop talking. Go down now."
"Yes, yes..."
The maid paused, carefully bowed, and left the room.
Only after the divine sense that covered the entire courtyard confirmed that the maid had left did a slight movement finally occur inside the room. And at this moment—on the candlelit bed, in the dim shadows.
Gao Yue'er was hanging off the edge of the bed with one hand, her whole body limp on it. Her face was deathly pale, and the terror in her eyes was impossible to hide.
As the candlelight flickered, the shadow of the remaining half of the bed was finally revealed, revealing a tall figure with knees bent against the bed, and the sharp edge of a knife could be vaguely seen.
"Let me go..."
Gao Yue'er said, trembling, "I've already said what you wanted, isn't that enough, Shen Changlin..."
The last three words exploded like a thunderclap.
The boy's handsome profile was hidden in the dark shadows, and under the dim candlelight, he appeared even more sinister and cold. He held a knife in one hand, the blade pressed against Gao Yue'er's neck.
He lowered his eyes and suddenly chuckled softly, "Not enough."
Gao Yue'er's voice was hoarse: "You, how did you get in, Shen Changlin... As long as you don't hurt me, I... I can agree to any condition you set."
"Come to think of it, it was you who let me in."
Shen Changlin paused, leaned down slightly, and suddenly gripped her neck with his slender fingers, silencing Gao Yue'er's scream. He said coldly, "If you weren't so arrogant, how could you have made people around you afraid to even come near, which gave me the opportunity to come in?"
"As for the conditions?"
His eyes were icy: "I have no conditions. I'm here today for only one thing: Gao Yue'er—"
Gao Yue'er said with difficulty, "I... I promise you..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Changlin smiled and then said, word by word, "It's not difficult, but—I want you dead."
A chilling killing intent washed over her. Her eyes widened abruptly, and she began to struggle violently, as if she wanted to drag Shen Changlin down to hell with her: "You madman, you madman!"
"Ruan Qing'an has already been taken hostage and sent to the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, and you're still here arguing with me, Shen Changlin... Aren't you afraid that Sanyue City will never be your enemy again!"
"A fight to the death?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Changlin suddenly laughed out loud, but the next moment his eyes turned cold: "We've been at odds for a long time."
"No rush. After I've dealt with you all, I'll personally bring Master back—I need some time to eliminate all possible obstacles. I will never let her go."
"Besides, Gao Yue'er, whether you harass me or threaten me, no matter how much trouble you cause me, why do you have to expose me to my master? Why... do you have to push me to the brink? Without her, I will die."
"Tell me, how can I let you go?"
Listening to Shen Changlin's calm and collected tone, Gao Yue'er became increasingly uneasy. There was only one reason why he would speak to her like this—Shen Changlin really wanted to kill her.
Her breathing grew increasingly rapid, and Gao Yue'er couldn't help but shout, "Shen Changlin, my Sanyue City will not let you get away with this—"
'Pfft!'
The next moment, flesh was torn apart, blood splattered everywhere, and with a 'roll' as he landed on the ground, there were specks of blood on the boy's face, and drops of blood dripped down the blade of the long sword and onto the ground.
The sword clashed and sang. He sheathed the long sword with a backhand, and at that very moment—the instant Gao Yue'er breathed her last.
The city lord's mansion in Sanyue City was completely shaken.
A heart-wrenching roar of grief and rage rang out: "Who? Who killed my daughter? Give me your life—"
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