"I didn't expect your mind to be so clear."
Jing Feng was startled and turned to see Bai Ran leaning against the doorframe, listening with relish.
"Master Jing Feng, please continue to enlighten me," Bai Ran said with a mischievous smile.
Jing Feng gave a sheepish laugh, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Miss Bai, please stop teasing me."
Wen Shuang'er's pupils trembled, as if everything she knew was being overturned, until a voice came from inside the house.
"Well said, I'll count this as a merit for you!"
Wen Shuang'er's pupils trembled, and she sharply turned her head towards the door. She saw Wen Ke standing alive and well before her, showing no signs of being poisoned and near death.
"Your poison is cured! Impossible!!!"
Wen Ke sneered, her gaze towards Wen Shuang'er flashing with fire. "You're disappointed, Wen Shuang'er."
The Wen family patriarch was overjoyed and couldn't find words to express himself.
"Even an Emperor-tier alchemist couldn't have cured the poison in such a short time! Who are you!!!"
Wen Shuang'er glared at Bai Ran, her chest heaving violently, her face flushed red with anger.
Jing Feng shot Wen Shuang'er a glance. "I'd be afraid of scaring you to death if I told you!"
In an instant, a telepathic message echoed in Bai Ran's mind, from Du Lin: "Master! City Lord Feng has returned!"
Bai Ran's eyes narrowed slightly, and she met Wen Ke's gaze.
Wen Ke smiled at her and nodded slowly, as if she already knew her intentions.
Bai Ran smiled back. It was a shame to part with someone she got along so well with.
"I have troubled the Wen family patriarch during this time, but my companion and I have important matters to attend to, so we will take our leave."
The Wen family patriarch was stunned and was about to stuff some treasures into her hands. "Take this! You saved Ke'er's life!"
Bai Ran pushed the treasures back. "I saved her out of personal interest; the Wen family patriarch need not offer any gifts."
Wen Ke chuckled and leaned close to Bai Ran's ear. "You don't have to take the gifts, but tell me, who do you like?"
Hearing this, Bai Ran's lips curled up. She pointed a finger towards the sky.
Wen Ke blinked her eyes. Could it be someone from the Nine Heavens!
"Alright, if we have a child in the future, will you teach her swordplay?"
"You're thinking too far ahead."
"Not at all—"
They looked at each other and smiled in unison, their mutual admiration undisguised.
The Wen family patriarch and Wen Ke escorted Bai Ran and her companion out of the mansion. Before they left, Bai Ran's eyes were filled with a smile.
"Wen family patriarch, actually Wen Ke doesn't like women. You can arrange a marriage for her."
Wen Ke's eyes widened instantly, and she winked frantically at Bai Ran. "What, what are you talking about?"
Arranging a marriage? How could she still be a female general? The thought of washing dishes and cooking for a man was simply unbearable.
"Regarding this matter, I have also thought about it seriously after returning home," the Wen family patriarch said, patting Wen Ke's shoulder with a solemn expression.
"If you truly like women, I think Miss Bai here is quite good."
Bai Ran's body stiffened. Well, she had dug a hole for herself.
Wen Ke laughed heartily, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons. "Did you hear that? He wants me to marry you!"
"Miss Bai... let's leave quickly..." Jing Feng said anxiously from the side.
What kind of wolves and tigers were this family? If they stayed any longer, the Esteemed Lord might have to come in person.
Bai Ran nodded and turned to leave, waving goodbye to Wen Ke over her shoulder. "We will meet again someday."
Her achievements were far from over.
Wen Ke lowered her eyes and chuckled. Among the countless people who had cursed her, she was the first to call her General.
She remembered that one word, "General Wen," for her entire life—
...
The next day, two people with unsightly appearances quietly followed City Lord Feng.
"Wen Shuang'er was exiled to the military camp?"
"Yes, Miss Bai. She fell under the command of General Wen Ke."
This was going to be tough for her. Bai Ran curved her lips into a smile. In a daze, she saw City Lord Feng turn into a wine house not far away.
Qing Yu Tower... Bai Ran's head throbbed as she looked at the men dressed provocatively by the wine house.
The news that Wen Ke was fond of women was false; the news that City Lord Feng was fond of men was true...
"Oh my, what a beautiful little girl, come in and sit down. This old madame guarantees to serve you impeccably!"
A seductive man swayed his body and approached Bai Ran. Bai Ran's lips twitched.
She really didn't know how he could call her beautiful while looking at her pockmarked face.
Before the man could get close, Jing Feng coldly stood in front of Bai Ran.
It was a joke! If Miss Bai were touched by a man from such a pleasure house, the Esteemed Lord would flay him alive and then boil him in scalding water!
"Does this honored guest mean... you also require this madame's service?"
The man shifted his target and wrapped his arm around Jing Feng's waist, giving Jing Feng a shiver of disgust.
"Get lost! Get lost! Get away from me!"
"I'll leave myself! Don't touch me!"
"Ahhh! I told you not to touch me! If you reach out again, I'll cut off your hand!"
Bai Ran turned her face away, subtly suppressing a giggle.
Arriving at a private room next to City Lord Feng's, Jing Feng was also disheveled.
However, the torment was not over. In an instant, more than a dozen scantily clad, seductive men flooded in through the doorway.
"Honored guest, this madame can play the zither and lute to soothe your ears."
"Honored guest, my hands are very skillful, I will massage your shoulders comfortably."
...
"Can't we leave..." Jing Feng's voice was hoarse.
The leader of the men smiled and shook his head charmingly. "Honored guest, no, if our performance metrics are not met, the madam will scold us."
"I can't take it anymore, Miss Bai... I'm close to death..."
"Don't touch me—I can't stand it! What kind of hellhole is this!!!"
Seeing the men's hands about to touch Bai Ran, Jing Feng suddenly stood up. "Don't touch her!"
The men exchanged glances and moved away from Bai Ran, turning their attention to Jing Feng instead.
"Honored guest, we will serve you now."
"No, no, no!!!"
"Thump—" Heavy crystals were placed on the table. Bai Ran tilted her head, signaling them to take the crystals and leave.
As soon as the men saw the crystals, their eyes lit up, and they quickly left with them.
The door closed, and Jing Feng collapsed weakly onto the seat. "Thank you, Miss Bai, for saving me..."
No rules were as effective as money. Bai Ran chuckled; she really couldn't bear to see Jing Feng suffer.
The air grew quiet, but indecent sounds emanated from the next private room...
"He certainly knows how to enjoy himself. Can he handle so many men?" Jing Feng pouted sarcastically.
Spreading her spiritual power, Bai Ran observed the adjacent private room, her face unblushing and her heart calm.
"Your worries are unnecessary. Four men are already dead."
"Dead???"
"Dead."