Lu Yan had already made his plans. Before heading to the Central Continent, he wanted to see if there was anything else he needed to prepare.
He needed to gather intelligence beforehand to find out what had become of the Central Continent Alliance—the very organization that had once left his life in utter ruins.
He also wanted to leave some instructions with Yao Wu and the others, asking them to look after little Jiang Ci. After all, this trip would keep him away for a long time, and he couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy leaving her here all by herself.
“Qingzi, your daddy is here.” Lu Yan didn't take the front door this time. Instead, he climbed directly through the window into Yao Wu's room. Fortunately, though dusk was falling, Yao Wu wasn't doing any “handicrafts.”
Still, that didn't stop Yao Wu, who was currently trying to regrow his arm, from getting startled half to death. Nearly three months had passed in the blink of an eye, and although Yao Wu's arm hadn't fully grown back yet, a tumor-like bud had sprouted at his shoulder. At the moment, he was slicing it open and using spiritual energy to stimulate its growth.
Would it finish growing by the end of the year? Lu Yan didn't know, but he estimated that because of his sudden intrusion, the recovery would probably be delayed by another week.
Because of the scare Lu Yan had just given him, Yao Wu's hand had slipped. With a sharp squelch, the blade sliced far too deep...
Watching the fleshy bulb on Yao Wu's shoulder tremble violently as it sprayed blood, Lu Yan really couldn't hold back his laughter.
Yao Wu expressionlessly pulled the knife out of his flesh. He raised the gleaming, blood-stained blade and glared at Lu Yan, his eyes clearly asking: How do you want to die?
“I didn't do it on purpose... I didn't know you were doing this... Don't hit the face... Holy shit!”
A chaotic scuffle ensued. Neither of them used spiritual energy, and both were soon drenched in sweat. In the end, Yao Wu, with only one arm, was no match for Lu Yan's two hands and was quickly pinned down.
Lu Yan tossed the still-struggling Yao Wu onto the bed, then collapsed beside him. Both of them lay there, panting heavily and staring up at the ceiling.
“Speak. What do you want your daddy to do for you this time? Did you get your little girlfriend's situation sorted out?”
Yao Wu knew Lu Yan's nature all too well. This guy never showed up unless he wanted something. After picking a fight like this, he was definitely plotting some mischief.
Lu Yan stared at the patterns on the ceiling and paused. “I'm heading to the Central Continent. I need to resolve this issue and make some quick cash while I'm at it.”
“The Central Continent...” Just hearing the name made Yao Wu's teeth ache. Back in the day, the two of them had been relentlessly hunted by the bastards of the Central Continent Alliance. Going to the Central Continent... Hehehe.
“By yourself?”
“Who else? I need you to help me keep an eye on Jiang Ci so she doesn't pull any crazy stunts. And especially watch out for Hua Er. I don't want to come back and find she's stolen my girl...”
Lu Yan kept rambling on, but the more Yao Wu listened, the more off it sounded. What kind of instructions were these? It sounded like he was giving his final testament!
“Are you sure about this? You haven't even reached the Golden Core realm yet. Charging into the Central Continent is practically suicide. The Hall Master is in the east. Right now, the only ones in the Central Continent are the bladesman, Ye Shisan, the talisman-maker, Shiwu, and...”
Yao Wu's throat suddenly seemed to catch, as if he was reluctant to mention the next name. “...and Lao Qi.”
Lu Yan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by Yao Wu's reaction. “What's wrong with Seventh Brother?” He already knew that when he was on the verge of death back then, Du Qi had advocated for giving him a quick, merciful death.
He didn't hold a grudge against Du Qi. After all, no one could have anticipated that he would actually survive. If Jiang Ci hadn't brought him to Everspring City, he would probably have died back at Black Mountain Fort.
Yao Wu's expression turned rather sour. “Lao Qi... has become a live-in son-in-law for that woman surnamed Su.” He had never forgotten that Su Li had almost taken Nannan's life. He held onto this grudge, never forgetting it for a single moment.
His brother, with whom he had shared life and death, was now all lovey-dovey with his mortal enemy? This piece of intelligence sent back from the Central Continent made it hard for Yao Wu to believe it was true.
“Say what?” Lu Yan instantly perked up. “You're saying Seventh Brother got himself a partner? And it's Su Li?”
Yao Wu mumbled and grumbled, quickly changing the subject. He clearly didn't want to talk about this, but avoiding it wasn't an option. After all, Lu Yan would inevitably need Seventh Brother's help in the Central Continent.
If Lu Yan could actually use Seventh Brother's influence to get things from the Central Continent Alliance, it would be much easier than going at it alone. So, even though he hated to bring it up, he couldn't let Lu Yan walk into a trap blindly.
“In the Central Continent Alliance, there are only two genuine Void Refinement realm experts left. One of them is suspected to be Lao Qi's partner. So, if you go to the Central Continent and get Lao Qi to help you, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.”
“Anyway, after popping some pills, you shouldn't have any trouble fighting a Soul Transformation realm cultivator. Even if you can't beat them, they won't be able to catch you if you run. Remember to bring plenty of pills. I have some here.”
“But be careful when you deal with the Central Continent Alliance. Word has it that the Beast Taming Sect completely dominates it now. Su Li is just a figurehead sect master, while Lao Qi is the one pulling all the strings behind the scenes.”
Yao Wu didn't say it outright, but Lu Yan could read between the lines. Yao Wu was deeply worried. He feared that their former brother might have turned his back on them for money, beauty, and power.
Even though they had once been brothers who shared life and death, and Yao Wu trusted Du Qi's character, hearing this news still left a bad taste in his mouth, like he had swallowed a fly.
“In short, if all else fails, go find Shiwu at the Talisman Sect first. Shisan should be with him. Honestly, those two were always glued to each other back then. They aren't secretly cutsleeves, are they? Hahaha...”
Lu Yan laughed along. Their laughter filled the room. After they laughed themselves out, Yao Wu asked him again, “Are you really going alone? How about I risk my neck to accompany you on this trip?”
Lu Yan waved his hand. “No need. Just look after Jiang Ci for me and make sure nothing happens to her. I don't dare ask Hong Jiu; she has a track record. And don't even get me started on Hua Er.”
As for the remaining Chen San, Lu Yan subconsciously filtered him out. Third Master didn't seem like the type who could take care of anyone.
“Fine. Go then, and don't worry. I'll guard your wife for you. But we have a deal: you'd better come back in one piece, with every single part of you intact.” Yao Wu sat up, raising his sole remaining arm and holding his fist in the air.
“Deal. I promise I'll come back in one piece to cure Jiang Ci!” Lu Yan grinned and raised his fist as well.
Their fists bumped in midair, sealing an unwritten contract.
Amid Yao Wu's laughing curses about his shamelessness, Lu Yan packed away a good portion of Yao Wu's pill inventory. Afterward, he went to find Hua Er to say goodbye. He insisted on leaving all his remaining spirit stones with her to cover Jiang Ci's future room and board.
Hua Er gave him a complicated look and tried to decline, but Lu Yan insisted. After a brief back-and-forth, Hua Er finally accepted half of the spirit stones.
He then bid farewell to Hong Jiu and Chen San. Now, only the most important person to him remained.
Lu Yan stood before her door and took a deep breath.
“Is anyone there?”
“Come in.”
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