Chapter 191: Hidden Feelings
"Don't move around. Your wound hasn't fully healed yet. Why are you being so stubborn?" Ling Xueyan glared at him playfully, her eyes sparkling. "Also, my name is Ling Xueyan! Stop calling me 'Miss' all the time! Drink!" Without waiting for a reply, she brought the rim of the cup close to his lips.
Such a decisive tone suddenly reminded Xiaoyao Lang of Murong Hanchan, and he couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. "Thank you, Miss Ling." He slowly drank the water from her hand.
Ling Xueyan thought to herself: The way he looks at me, he's obviously already fallen for me... "I told you not to be so polite, just tell me what you need!"
Xiaoyao Lang's eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he asked, "May I ask, Miss Ling, is Yi Qingxue... well?"
Ling Xueyan's heart skipped a beat: his concern for Yi Qingxue suggested their relationship was probably more than just casual; it would be best to postpone informing her of her disappearance. "She's in the manor, being looked after by people sent by Hall Master Chen; she should be fine."
Xiaoyao Lang lowered his head and nodded slightly: "That's good then."
Seeing his gloomy expression, Ling Xueyan asked softly, "Judging from your expression, you seem to care a lot about that Miss Yi? Do you... have some connection?"
Xiaoyao Lang smiled bitterly: "I have been helped by the Yi family since I was a child. They have done me a great favor. Now, to avenge my brother, I have personally taken her brother's life... How can I face her with such ingratitude? I dare not claim any friendship. I only wish her peace and well-being, so that my guilt may be lessened."
"Since things have come to this, there's no need to blame yourself too much. Life is unpredictable, and who can truly be without a guilty conscience? I will keep a close eye on Miss Gu Yi in the future and ensure her safety," Ling Xueyan gently comforted her.
Xiaoyao Lang was grateful, but also puzzled, wondering why she had treated him so well. "Miss Ling, I really don't know how to thank you... I am truly ashamed."
Ling Xueyan smiled and said, "It was nothing, why bother?" After a moment's thought, she raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "There is something I'd like to hear your opinion on. Now that Ouyang Longyuan has died at your hands, Longyang City cannot be without a leader for even a day! The position of city lord belongs to you."
Xiaoyao Lang took a deep breath: "Miss Ling is joking. How could I possibly be the material to be a city lord?"
Ling Xueyan took his hand, her eyes shining brightly: "I will help you with daily affairs, you don't need to worry about them. I only ask you one question, are you willing to be the city lord?" Her voice was earnest and full of expectation.
Just then, Qiuxia pushed open the door and entered. Seeing that Xiaoyao Lang had already sat up, she immediately showed joy: "Xiaoyao Lang! You're awake?" Her gaze swept over the two clasped hands and she paused slightly.
Xiaoyao Lang quietly withdrew his hand and smiled in thanks: "Thank you for your concern, Miss Xia. Thanks to Miss Ling for taking care of me, my injuries are no longer a big problem."
Qiu Xia's expression darkened, her gaze sweeping over Ling Xueyan, a thought flashing through her mind: "Fine, I've been taking care of you day and night without sleep, and you only remember her and not me." But she said calmly, "Of course, Master Ling even put aside city affairs to take care of you; she truly deserves a proper thank you." Her voice was barbed, her eyes sharp.
Ling Xueyan could easily detect the sourness in those words. She was not a narrow-minded person, so she immediately replied, "Young Master Xiaoyao, Miss Qiuxia has stayed up for two nights without closing her eyes to take care of you these past few days. You should thank her too." After speaking, she also gave him a sharp look.
Xiaoyao Lang turned to look at Qiuxia, their eyes met, and it seemed as if a thousand words were unspoken. "Miss Ling, just now Miss Xia called you Master Ling! You are...?"
Qiuxia raised an eyebrow slightly: "You don't know? This is the famous owner of Xiyu Manor, who now holds sway over the entire Longyang City. He is truly a young man of great promise."
"I see! Since Miss Ling is the mistress of Xiyu Manor, she is naturally very capable of managing Longyang City. I hope that in the future, Manor Master Ling will do more to benefit the people of Longyang," Xiaoyao Lang said solemnly.
Ling Xueyan raised an eyebrow: "Since you put it that way, why don't you become the city lord! I'll assist you from the side! Besides, you killed Ouyang Longyuan, so it's perfectly legitimate for you to ascend to the throne!"
Qiu Xia watched coldly, thinking to herself: Ling Xueyan's every move is trying to please Xiaoyao Lang, but I don't know if she is truly in love with him, or... coveting his internal strength?
Xiaoyao Lang laughed loudly: "I appreciate Miss Ling's kindness, but I am used to being a carefree wanderer and have no interest in the position of city lord. Besides, I have always been a free spirit and it is not my wish to be confined to a city."
Ling Xueyan's eyes darkened slightly, then she raised them again: "Since that's the case, I won't force you. As for the position of city lord... I'll take it for you for now." In her heart, however, she secretly vowed: Hmph, I want the position of city lord, and I want you too! Don't even think about escaping my grasp!
"May our leader be blessed with boundless fortune, unify the martial world, and live on for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years! May his holy virtue endure forever!"
One tide rises, another falls, and the world changes. The former Xiantian Sect is now history, and the Jade Goddess Sect is now a powerful force in the Eastern Peak, shining like the sun at its zenith.
Murong Hanchan sat high on the black wooden throne, her cold gaze sweeping across the palace, her voice clear and melodious: "Right Envoy Chu, as the strategist of our sect, do you have any good plans for strengthening our Jade Goddess Sect?"
Right Envoy Chu Xianzhi was about thirty years old, with a handsome appearance and outstanding demeanor. His plain white scholar's robe further accentuated his elegant bearing. He stepped forward in response and said in a loud voice, "Reporting to the Master, there are still two cities within the territory of Dongyue Shenzhou that have not yet submitted to our sect."
"Oh? Which two cities?" Murong Hanchan asked with a hint of disdain.
Chu Xianzhi raised his eyes and replied, "Ancient city and city surrounded by mountains and rivers."
After a moment's thought, Murong Hanchan asked, "In your opinion, how should we attack?"
"Reporting to the Master, the ancient city is not to be taken." Chu Xianzhi said calmly, "The people of the ancient city have lived in peace for generations, all thanks to the Tianji Palace's support. The Tianji Palace has been established for hundreds of years, with a deep foundation and is deeply respected by all people. Moreover, its successive leaders have devoted themselves to cultivation and never involved themselves in the conflicts of the martial world. If our sect were to attack rashly, we would have neither a legitimate reason nor any real benefit."
Murong Hanchan lowered her eyes slightly and whispered, "Yu Linglong, consider yourself lucky." Then she looked up at Chu Xianzhi, "So, what are your plans for Shanshui City?"
Chu Xianzhi cupped his hands and said, “Shanshui City must be taken! First, this city is the only way to attack Baiyun City. If we don’t conquer it, we will be in constant danger. Second, Shanshui City is rich in resources and prosperous people. It is a geomantically auspicious place in Dongyue Shenzhou. Without this place, the country will be in jeopardy. Third, the city lord Xue Huai Ren has 100,000 elite troops and has always been ambitious to dominate the world. We should strike first and blunt his momentum.”
Murong Hanchan nodded: "It's rare that you and I are on the same page. Ultimately, we must make this final battle take place in Longyang City."
"My Lord, you are wise! If the decisive battle is to be held in Shanshui City, our army will attack Longyang City from Congshan Road. We will be at a disadvantage in terms of both timing and terrain, and we will surely be defeated." Chu Xianzhi spoke with a firm voice and a resolute expression.
Murong Hanchan slapped the armrest: "Good! From this day forward, I hereby appoint Left Envoy Long to lead the troops and Right Envoy Chu as military advisor, and launch an attack on Shanshui City."
"Master, wait!" Chu the Prophet hurriedly advised.
Murong Hanchan's eyes narrowed: "Is there anything else wrong?"
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