Suburbs of the capital city, Dragon King Hall headquarters.
"Boom!"
Accompanied by a thunderous roar, dazzling white lightning streaked across the sky, and a dense drizzle began to fall from the heavens.
It was raining.
Xiang Mantang exited the car without opening an umbrella, but as the torrential rain neared him, it was automatically diverted by an invisible Qi Force.
Gao Yu, who had come out with an umbrella, watched this spectacle with great envy.
Leaving Gao Yu to handle his tasks, Xiang Mantang walked back to his office to start boiling water for tea.
"Knock knock."
Just as Xiang Mantang finished preparing the tea, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Xiang Mantang said without looking up and continued making tea.
The door opened, and a subtle and serene fragrance wafted in.
"Is there something you need?"
A cool voice rose beside him.
Xiang Mantang turned his head and glanced at Jian Ruyan's pale cheek, still as expressionless as ever.
"Take a seat, have some tea first," Xiang Mantang motioned to the chair across from him, and then poured a cup of tea for Jian Ruyan.
"Are you troubled by something?" Jian Ruyan took the tea from Xiang Mantang, sipped it lightly, then furrowed her brows and asked.
Xiang Mantang was accustomed to not letting his emotions show. Unless disturbed by something that could unsettle his state of mind, most people would be unable to discern his thoughts from the subtle expressions on his face.
However, the tea ceremony is about soothing the emotions and cultivating the temperament, allowing one's state of mind to be elevated through the processes of washing the tea, brewing, sealing the pot, dividing cups, distributing tea, offering tea, smelling the fragrance, and tasting – as if one's spirit becomes diffused with the tea's aroma, merging with the universe, ascending to a state of "selflessness."
The drinker, too, can experience that serene, tranquil, and unforced intent domain.
The cup of tea that Xiang Mantang handed over, however, was far from his usual standard; the tea was bitter and hard to drink, which made Jian Ruyan instantly realize that Xiang Mantang was preoccupied with something.
And it was a significant matter that greatly affected him.
Hearing Jian Ruyan's words, Xiang Mantang was taken aback, then looked up into her sparkling eyes, smiled faintly, and said, "You saw through me."
"What is it that you wanted to see me about?" Jian Ruyan asked directly, not beating around the bush with Xiang Mantang.
Xiang Mantang didn't speak but took a sip of the tea, found it indeed very bad, and understood why Jian Ruyan had noticed right away.
With a wry smile, Xiang Mantang put down his cup, spread his palms flat on his knees, and looking at Jian Ruyan, said, "I have a favor to ask of you, and I hope you can agree."
"What is it?" Jian Ruyan furrowed her brows, not committing to agree to his request outright.
Xiang Mantang sighed lightly and spoke indifferently, "I'm planning to go out on a trip, I've heard it's quite dangerous, and the chances of returning are low. If I don't come back, the affairs of Dragon King Hall will fall to you. I hope you can take care of my senior brother and his family..."
"I don't want to!" Jian Ruyan immediately refused, "Let Mu Hongchen do it for you, I want to accompany you on this trip!"
"Don't be rash, there's no need for you to do this," Xiang Mantang said calmly, listening to Jian Ruyan's words, his expression unchanged, showing no sign of surprise or emotion.
He had already guessed that Jian Ruyan would answer like this.
Therefore, he had a way to respond and knew how to persuade her.
Xiang Mantang rested both hands on the table, calmly gazing at Jian Ruyan, and said softly, "Firstly, though it's dangerous there, it doesn't mean I will certainly encounter misfortune. After all, I am now a Dan Warrior, a character among Terrestrial Immortals. I'm only telling you this in case something happens..."
"Secondly, if it really is very dangerous and I can't return, your coming with me would just add another life to the risk, which is completely meaningless. And what's more important is, do you really think it's realistic for Mu Hongchen to take over and manage the Dragon King Hall?"
Xiang Mantang said softly, "Mu Hongchen might have the ability, but she lacks the strength. If we both have accidents over there, with her power, she absolutely cannot hold down the Dragon King Hall or protect the land of the Divine Continent. It would be easy for enemies to invade!"
"So, I can only ask you to bear this burden," Xiang Mantang sighed.
"I..." Jian Ruyan pursed her lips, still expressionless, but her originally bright eyes had dimmed, revealing a complex and entangled look.
Clearly, she did not want to take on the responsibility for the greater good, to bear the heavy duty of Dragon King Hall. She only wanted to protect Xiang Mantang.
"Help me with this, will you? You don't want me to leave with regrets, do you?" Xiang Mantang looked at Jian Ruyan, heaving a slight sigh as he spoke.
Although saying this was somewhat taking advantage of Jian Ruyan's inexplicable feelings for him, to coerce her into helping him, Xiang Mantang really had no other choice. If not for Jian Ruyan, the only other person who could take up the mantle after his departure was Wu Shisan.
Wu Shisan, although raised by the Old Dragon King and almost like an adopted son, had never been involved in the corruption with Shen Cangsheng and the others, but Xiang Mantang still had some doubts about trusting him.
"I..." Jian Ruyan's delicate body trembled slightly, showing the endless struggle and unwillingness in her heart.
In the end, under Xiang Mantang's pleading gaze, she finally let out a sigh and said, "I understand. I will definitely protect the Dragon King Hall!"
"Thank you."
Hearing Jian Ruyan's response, Xiang Mantang felt relieved. If Jian Ruyan had refused, then he really would have had no choice but to entrust the duty to Wu Shisan.
Now, with this solution, it seemed like the best possible outcome, and he could go to Babylon to search for the lost Garden of Eden, to find the legendary Tree of Life with more confidence.
Afterward, Xiang Mantang went into detail with Jian Ruyan about some of the internal operations of the Dragon King Hall. These were things Jian Ruyan was already aware of, but she had never paid attention to them before.
Therefore, he had to remind Jian Ruyan once again.
Jian Ruyan listened absent-mindedly, her expression filled with loss.
After Xiang Mantang finished speaking, he said softly, "Alright, these are the points to note. There's nothing else. If you encounter any problems you can't figure out on your own, you can discuss them more with Hongchen. I'm going to head out now. Take care of your health. During this period I'm gone, I'll leave the Dragon King Hall in your hands until I return."
Jian Ruyan also stood up, reluctant to see him leave.
Xiang Mantang glanced at Jian Ruyan then turned and walked towards the door.
Jian Ruyan bit her lip, finally took a deep breath, walked over, and hugged Xiang Mantang tightly, resting her head gently against his back.
Xiang Mantang's body tensed suddenly and then relaxed. Without turning his head, he spoke in a carefree and casual tone, "Ruyan, don't make it seem like a life-or-death separation. I'm not going to my death. I'm just going to check out the situation. If it's not doable, I won't just throw my life away..."
Jian Ruyan rested her head on Xiang Mantang's sturdy back, her eyes vacant and helpless. She didn't listen to what he was saying, but whispered softly, "Cousin, I really don't want you to take risks. Even though it's a selfish wish and you don't like hearing it, I truly... don't want you to gamble with your life..."
Her voice lacked the usual coolness and indifference, carrying only helplessness and sorrow, like a lost little girl unable to find her way home.
Xiang Mantang stood still, listening to Jian Ruyan's whispers, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity. It wasn't the voice, nor the words but rather the tone of her voice that seemed eerily familiar...
"You must come back alive, or else I will never forgive you for the rest of my life!" Jian Ruyan murmured and, finally letting go, pushed Xiang Mantang away.