CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 45 AFTER THE EVENT

Song Ziqi fended off Luo Yan, but didn’t feel a bit of joy.

Others couldn’t see her face through the veil, but her gloomy eyes betrayed her foul mood.

It was more than just foul—Song Ziqi felt that had Luo Yan not left, she would have had to take his life no matter what.

"Miss," called the Song Family Ancestor.

Indeed, in the eyes of outsiders, the Song Family Ancestor, who could brook no disagreement within the Song Family, had to show respect when addressing Song Ziqi.

Had Li Xin been there, he would have recognized that this unapproachable and elusive Song Family Ancestor in Yang City was none other than Uncle Fu, who had once taught him martial arts.

The mysterious Song Family Ancestor, who always acted as the steward at the side of the young miss of the Song Family.

Song Ziqi suppressed her anger and said, "Send someone to Qing Province with a message, and inform Master Xuan Guang that I’ve been exposed."

"Yes."

Song Fu went off to arrange for a messenger; he also needed to personally visit the venerable Master Xuan Guang.

Meanwhile, Luo Yan returned to the pavilion he had been watching the battle from earlier. Upon landing, he couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Lord Luo..." Zhang Qingfeng hurried to support Luo Yan.

"It doesn’t matter..." Luo Yan pushed away Zhang Qingfeng’s hand.

"Ha ha... Ha ha ha..." Despite the blood still at the corner of his mouth, Luo Yan laughed heartily, as if he were the victor.

Zhang Qingfeng and the Sun Family brothers all watched Luo Yan’s manic laughter with bewilderment.

Sun Jian was the first to lose patience and asked, "Why are you so happy, Lord Luo?"

Song Ziqi’s appearance had held off the offensive. By now, the City Guard Army had timely arrived.

The men of the Zhang Family and Sun Family in front of the City Lord Mansion who were too slow had all been caught by the City Guard Army, with the rest in disarray and fleeing.

"Tiger Roar to Settle Mountains and Rivers, it’s Tiger Roar to Settle Mountains and Rivers..."

Luo Yan stopped laughing, looking at Sun Jian and the others with eyes that still brimmed with excitement.

"Lord Zhen Shan is named for his conqueror’s will, for subduing the mountain forests of the Southern Border. Who could intimidate the mountain forests? The mountain lord, a tiger. A fierce tiger is the emblem of the Zhen Shan Zhang Family. Tiger Roar to Settle Mountains and Rivers is an Absolute Skill passed down through the generations of the Zhang Family."

He didn’t care for Sun Jian and the others’ reactions, continuing to speak to himself: "Since Song Ziqi can perform Tiger Roar to Settle Mountains and Rivers, she must be greatly related to Lord Zhen Shan. No, she shouldn’t be named Song; she should bear the name Zhang. Although it has always been said that Lord Zhen Shan, Zhang Huchen, has no offspring, absence of rumor doesn’t mean non-existence..."

"I think the most urgent matter now is not to dwell on the relationship between Song Ziqi and Lord Zhen Shan, right?" A sudden voice interrupted Luo Yan’s soliloquy.

"Who?" A chill flashed in Luo Yan’s eyes. Wounded by Song Ziqi and coupled with the revelation of her ties to the Zhang Family, he was momentarily unable to control his feelings and hadn’t even noticed someone approaching.

"It’s me." The newcomer ascended from below.

"Li Xin!" Zhang Qingfeng immediately saw red, having barely survived a street ambush. He had harbored the memory of the mortal peril he faced at the hands of its instigator, night and day.

"Stop," commanded Luo Yan.

"Lord Luo?!" Zhang Qingfeng couldn’t believe Luo Yan would stop him.

Ignoring Zhang Qingfeng’s incredulous and twisted face, Luo Yan courteously addressed Li Xin, "Your information was very useful. Now there is evidence to accuse Lord Zhen Shan of sedition, and the court can justifiably act."

Li Xin shook his head, "The court has long been aware of Lord Zhen Shan’s rebellious intentions. Now that Song Ziqi’s identity has been revealed, they’ll likely act immediately. You should know, here in Yang City, the City Lord Mansion’s influence is still the strongest."

Luo Yan calmed down upon hearing Li Xin’s words.

It was no wonder he couldn’t stay composed; a rebellion by Lord Zhen Shan held grave implications. Even though the court was certain of his betrayal, they still required a valid pretext to act.

And for Luo Yan, who had provided that pretext to the court, this was an achievement of incomparable merit. With the backing of his master, Lu Qifeng, Luo Yan’s future path could be described as wide open.

"That’s right, one must beware of Song Ziqi in desperation, instigating a mutiny with the City Guard Army here in Yang City. However, rest assured, the recent upheaval at the City Lord Mansion has a major player watching in the shadows. She won’t find it easy to incite a rebellion. You don’t think I, a lone Innate Realm practitioner, came here to deal with the big shot, Lord Zhen Shan, do you?"

Luo Yan was in a good mood and, uncharacteristically, joked with Li Xin, breaking from his usual stern demeanor.

"You’ve given me such a great gift. As long as it’s within my power, state your demand, no matter what it is."

Li Xin spoke seriously, "Big changes are imminent in Yang City, and I find myself below a precarious wall. I’ve come here seeking a backer."

Straightforward, he plainly signaled his wish to join forces with the Six Gates.

After some thought, Luo Yan said, "I can recommend you, considering your contributions regarding Song Ziqi, they won’t refuse you."

Li Xin was overjoyed and bowed deeply with thanks, "Much appreciated, Lord Luo."

Zhang Qingfeng, on the other hand, had his eyes bloodshot from indignation. He had painstakingly managed to cling to the powers of the court, and here was Li Xin – likely to enter into the Six Gates after just a few words. And Luo Yan valued him far more than Zhang Qingfeng himself, which was maddening to the latter.

But with things as they stood, no matter how angered Zhang Qingfeng was, nothing would change the fact that Li Xin was about to join the Six Gates. He had no choice but to hold his nose and suppress his hatred for the man who had almost killed him.

"And regarding your friend, if he is interested, the Six Gates would welcome him as well. No one in the Six Gates needs to fear anyone’s threats," said Luo Yan, insinuatingly.

Does he know the young master’s identity?

Li Xin was taken aback inwardly but maintained a composed façade, "I will convey Lord Luo’s message."

Luo Yan didn’t concern himself with whether Li Xin grasped the implications of his words. Satisfied with the affirmative response, he nodded.

"Bang"

Xiao Gao’s body was flung open through the door and fell to the ground.

"I told you to keep an eye on that lad Qing Yu, and what have you done? You really think that just because you were sent by Lord Zhen Shan, I, Xuan Guang, would not dare to touch you?" a voice as cold as frost came from inside the room Xiao Gao had flown out of.

Xiao Gao struggled to his feet, knelt on the ground, and said tremblingly, "I wouldn’t dare..."

His head bowed, his eyes filled with deep fear. If it were merely a matter of fouling up Xuan Guang’s plans, Xiao Gao, sent by Lord Zhen Shan to Xuan Guang’s side, was confident that Xuan Guang wouldn’t dare harm him.

But this time, he had messed up Lord Zhen Shan’s matters, and whether he would keep his life, Xiao Gao didn’t know.

Luo Yan’s sudden attack on the City Lord Mansion was unforeseen; there must be an informant for Luo Yan.

The relationship between Song Ziqi and the Zhen Shan Zhang Family was extremely secretive, and Xiao Gao would have been clueless if he hadn’t been assigned to follow Xuan Guang.

Thus, upon noticing something amiss at the City Lord Mansion the day before, Qing Yu became the prime suspect; Xiao Gao’s first thought was to find Qing Yu.

On the other side, Qing Yu didn’t dare gamble on Xuan Guang’s trust and escaped to a new hiding place overnight. Unable to find Qing Yu, Xiao Gao had no choice but to return to Xuan Guang to admit fault.

And so, the previous scene unfolded.