Chapter 313: Chapter 313: Wherever she dissatisfies you, I’ll have her change it.
Mrs. Sun Li was definitely not the only mastermind behind the scenes; Wang Lan had figured this out during his time in the Nine-layer Pagoda. Sun Li alone could not have orchestrated such a skillful arrangement.
But her death had definitively severed any possibility of Wang Lan continuing his investigation. Even if he had suspects, he wouldn’t be able to find a shred of evidence.
Wang Lan thought he would hate Mrs. Sun Li for her deception and betrayal. However, at this moment, even though his emotions were incredibly complex and heavy, there wasn’t the slightest hint of hatred in his heart.
She had set up a murderous scheme to kill both Wang Lan and Yu Ruoyun. Yet, it was also she who had imparted all her life’s learning. Leaving aside her theoretical knowledge of Star Martial Toxins and her wealth of experimental data, Universal Decomposition alone was enough for Wang Lan to sincerely regard Sun Li as his teacher.
One must not negate the kindness one has received from others because of a single act of malice. Similarly, the murderous scheme Sun Li devised couldn’t erase the respect Wang Lan held for her.
Perhaps she was just someone caught in the currents of life, unable to act of her own accord. If Sun Li hadn’t felt any reluctance or unwillingness to harm him, she could have left during that time. With the forces behind her, she surely could have kept herself well hidden.
Yet, she chose to use her own death to put an ellipsis on the matter.
Those who are detestable also have their pitiable sides.
"Mrs. Sun Li committed suicide, but there must be someone behind her," Wang Lan said calmly to the crowd entering the office.
"Besides Sun Li, do you have any other suspects?"
"There’s a possibility that the person behind Xiao Qing knows something. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to infiltrate the Nine-layer Pagoda and attempt to assassinate Bai Ji. This needs a thorough investigation."
"This matter will be investigated by the Tianjian Bureau," Yi Zuguo said gravely. "Eld Di, with the current situation largely resolved, I plan to head to the Imperial Capital this afternoon to report to the paramount leader."
"Good!"
"Now that Princess Yu Ruoyun is unharmed, we will take our leave as well. Eld Di, we hope the academy will pay more attention to the safety of the students, especially the Princess. Although this was a false alarm, there’s no guarantee there won’t be a next time."
"Rest assured, King Ning, such an incident will not happen again," Nangong Meng replied, his expression grim.
"It had better not."
Wang Lan was specially permitted to take three days off. Upon receiving permission to leave, he immediately phoned Jiang Xinyu. The two met again.
This incident had fully broken the ice between Wang Lan and Jiang Xinyu. In full view of everyone, Jiang Xinyu threw herself into Wang Lan’s arms, cementing their relationship.
Jiang Xinyu was not the kind of girl who needed to be coddled. She knew how to regulate her own emotions, so by the time they met again, her spirits had already cleared like clouds parting to reveal the moon.
To put it romantically: if you are well, then it is a sunny day.
"All done?"
"Everything is almost wrapped up. Although the experience was bizarre, it was ultimately a narrow escape with many benefits. Actually... since we’re Star Martial Warriors, there’s no need to make such a big fuss about these types of incidents. We may encounter many more in the future. It was only because it was your first time that you were so unsettled. After a few more experiences like this, you might get used to it."
Before he could finish speaking, Wang Lan gasped in pain. Jiang Xinyu pinched the soft flesh at his waist and twisted.
"Are you planning for there to be several more times? Even though Star Martial Warriors constantly dance with danger, it’s not usually to the extent of practically announcing your own death, is it? Taking risks below forty percent is considered an adventure; anything above fifty percent is a suicide mission. Have you ever heard of a Star Martial Warrior seeking death for no reason?"
"That was an accident."
"Accidents can happen at any time."
"Xinyu, actually... I feel the danger exists primarily because we’re not strong enough. If we were stronger, we could disregard any danger. Oh, while I was in there, I obtained an ancient qi cultivation method. I’ll teach it to you."
"Hm?"
"It’s a cultivation method for refining Star Power from the heavens and earth, and it will be widely spread in a few days. The country will fully support this initiative. I’ll pass it on to you now, so your strength can continue to improve steadily even without Soul Beads."
As he spoke, Wang Lan formed a sword-finger gesture and touched the center of Jiang Xinyu’s brow. Spiritual power was channeled, and the skill inheritance was completed in less than a minute.
"Really?" Jiang Xinyu asked, her eyes sparkling with delighted surprise.
"Personally tested, tried and true."
"Wang Lan—" While Wang Lan and Jiang Xinyu were strolling around the school, Yu Ruoyun’s voice called out from behind them.
"Classmate Yu Ruoyun."
Hearing Wang Lan’s response, Yu Ruoyun’s expression faltered for a moment but quickly returned to normal.
During their time in the Nine-layer Pagoda, the four of them had grown very close, and Wang Lan had always called her Ruoyun. But once outside, he reverted to calling her ’Classmate Yu Ruoyun.’
"Wang Lan, may I have a moment of your time? My uncle would like to meet with you."
"Sure," Jiang Xinyu responded for Wang Lan before he could. "Let’s have dinner together tonight, Ruoyun?"
"Okay!"
On the surface, Jiang Xinyu and Yu Ruoyun seemed to have a better relationship—after all, they were roommates.
Following Yu Ruoyun, they reached an area behind the academy’s sports field where there was an artificial lake. The lake was large, encircled by a lush green lawn and a pebble-strewn path, with several quaint pavilions dotted around its edge.
The Qing Emperor was over fifty, yet he appeared to be in his early forties. He was tall and slender, with a refined, scholarly demeanor.
The Qing Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, gazing absently at the shimmering lake, a seemingly unresolvable sorrow in his eyes.
"Uncle, Wang Lan is here."
"Greetings, Lord Qing Emperor."
"Just call me Uncle," the Qing Emperor said affably. "Walk with me."
"Alright!"
"In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so much," the Qing Emperor said, looking at Wang Lan with sudden emotion. "If your mother knew how accomplished you’ve become, she would be overjoyed."
"Uncle, what mission was my mother really on? Or was the mission a fabrication? Has she actually..." Wang Lan hesitated.
He had always been afraid to consider that possibility. But this time, having narrowly escaped death in the Nine-layer Pagoda, with still no word from his mother, Wang Lan felt a deep unease.
"Don’t overthink it; your mother is still alive," the Qing Emperor said with a faint smile, his tone firm.
Words from the Qing Emperor were to be trusted. He would either withhold information from Wang Lan or, if he chose to speak, would not deign to lie.
"Where is she? When will her mission end?"
"I cannot tell you where she is; it’s a long-term mission. But your mother has already established a firm foothold. As for when she might return... I don’t know either."
"Is that so?"
"Thank you for this time. If it weren’t for you, Ruoyun probably wouldn’t have escaped this disaster."
"There’s no need for thanks; we supported each other. She saved my life too. It wasn’t a matter of who helped whom. Without her, I wouldn’t have survived either."
"I am merely thanking you on my own behalf. With Ruoyun safe, the Jade Country is secure." Saying this, he took a jade pendant from his robes and handed it to Wang Lan. "This jade pendant is my token. In the future, should you encounter any trouble or difficulty, you can bring it to find me. If you cannot find me, you can seek out anyone from the Yu Family."
One does not refuse a gift from an elder. Wang Lan accepted the jade pendant respectfully.
"Right, let me teach you another Star Martial Skill. You’re fire-attributed, aren’t you?"
"Actually, I’m all-attributed," Wang Lan replied softly.
"No matter. Meteor Fire Rain is a skill your mother excelled at. I shall pass it on to you." As he finished speaking, the Qing Emperor’s two fingers were already pressed against Wang Lan’s forehead.
A stream of spiritual power surged into Wang Lan’s mind. Instantly, a vast amount of information flooded in.
"Detectable learnable Star Martial Skill. Spend one thousand skill points to learn?"
"Yes!"
With his confirmation, one thousand skill points were deducted, and a brand-new Star Martial Skill appeared on Wang Lan’s skill panel.
"Detectable linkable Star Martial Skills. Spend twenty thousand skill points to link them?"
"Yes!"
After the ordeal in the Nine-layer Pagoda, Wang Lan’s depleted skill points had been substantially replenished. While not an immense amount, he still had a surplus of fifty thousand skill points.
"Among the younger generation, you are a clear leader. The qi cultivation method you’ve brought back this time will elevate the strength of Jade Country’s Star Martial Warriors to a new level. We are old; we may not live to see the day the Demon Clan invades. The future of the Jade Country rests on your generation."
"Thank you for your high esteem, Uncle. I fear my knowledge and abilities are too shallow for such a weighty responsibility."
"There’s no need for modesty in such matters. If you cannot bear this responsibility, who can? Besides, even if you truly feel you cannot, you must still bear it. The preservation of human civilization to this day has not been easy."
"Yes, I understand."
"What do you think of Ruoyun?" the Qing Emperor suddenly asked.
"Classmate Yu Ruoyun’s talents and strength far exceed my own. I hold her in high admiration."
"That’s not what I mean. Do you think you and Ruoyun could date?"
Wang Lan was immediately taken aback by the question.
You’re Yu Ruoyun’s elder. It’s hard to believe that a person of your stature, the esteemed Qing Emperor, would stoop to such crude matchmaking!
Wang Lan remained silent.
"What’s the matter? Not satisfied with Ruoyun? If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, I’ll have her change it."
Hmm.
Whatever you find satisfactory about me, I’ll change it. How about that?
But Wang Lan didn’t dare say this aloud.
"Uncle, I have a girlfriend..."
"I know. It’s not like you only have one girlfriend. Adding another wouldn’t be a big deal, would it?"
What the hell—
At that moment, the Qing Emperor’s image in Wang Lan’s heart began to crumble. Are these really words an uncle should say?
"Did you think your affair with that female student at Jin City Star Warrior Academy could escape my notice?"
"Cough, cough, cough... Uncle, can we perhaps not talk about this?"
"Sigh, your skin isn’t thick enough. That won’t do. Do you have any idea what a man as outstanding as you represents to those female Star Martial Warriors?"
"A brother!" Wang Lan blurted out without thinking.
"Heh... To think that old gag is still popular with your generation. To female Star Martial Warriors, you’re like a top-grade Soul Bead. You’re as fatally attractive to them as a large diamond is to an ordinary woman.
"But Star Martial Warriors tend to be more direct in their ways. They dare to love, dare to hate, and dare to act on their feelings. If necessary, they might even take you by force. You’re so shy and naive; you’ll easily be taken advantage of.
"For Star Martial Warriors, having two or three girlfriends is no big deal. A man should be more open-minded."
"Uncle, your words are deeply shaking my values. May I ask why you’re saying this?"
"I hope you can date Ruoyun, then marry her, and have children."
"..."
"Ruoyun’s status is very special. She is the last of the direct Yu Family bloodline. She is to inherit the position of Matriarch of the Yu Family’s main branch, and her children will inherit it from her.
"Because of this, many people are scheming against her. This recent incident is a prime example. It’s not just her; her future children will also be targeted.
"I hope you can protect her, and you are the only one who can. Of course, this is merely my suggestion, not coercion."
"Well... my girlfriend and I are childhood sweethearts, and we’re very devoted to each other..."
"And the one in Jin City?"
"Hahaha... Alright, I’m just teasing you."
"Um, Uncle, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now."
"Mm!"
Wang Lan bowed and excused himself, then turned and bolted like a wisp of smoke.