The night passed without incident. The next morning, everyone in the caravan was bustling about. Li Yi stepped outside for a walk and noticed that the previously wary looks from the mercenaries had now turned indifferent, likely a result of Han Zhu's probing the night before. "Hehe... Probably all of them have their eyes on my 'beautiful sister'..." Li Yi thought to himself, chuckling internally, but didn't say anything. Instead, he returned to the carriage and continued his cultivation alongside Gong Wushuang.
Soon, with shouts and calls, the caravan rolled forward, seemingly faster than the day before, perhaps because they were nearing their destination. Finally, as the sun was setting, a massive city appeared in everyone's view - presumably Yunshui City. Yunshui City, the largest city in the southwestern region of Tianfeng Empire, served as a military stronghold due to its flat terrain and strategic location. Although the Nalan family dominated the city, Tianfeng Empire also paid great attention to this area, with a constant military presence. The Nalan family, smartly maintaining good relations with the imperial family, had managed to keep their dominant position in Yunshui City. After all, for the royal family, balance was crucial.
As the caravan reached the wide roads leading to Yunshui City, they encountered many more travelers and caravans, all moving slowly towards the city. "It seems we're safe now that we've reached Yunshui City. I guess those pursuing us won't follow us here," Li Yi commented with a half-smile as he peeked outside the curtain.
Gong Wushuang, ceasing her cultivation, added, "There shouldn't be any danger here. Even if characters like Fenghuang Haixin and Balin discover us, they wouldn't dare make a move inside Yunshui City."
"Oh? Why's that?" Li Yi asked, furrowing his brows.
Gong Wushuang explained, "Don't you know, or are you pretending not to? Someone from this generation of the Nalan family married into the royal family... That's why their relationship with the imperial family is quite good, and the imperial family's power is among the strongest in Tianfeng Empire. Offending the Nalan family is akin to offending the royal family, so normally, powers and strong individuals within the empire try not to provoke the Nalan family."
Li Yi raised his eyebrows and said in surprise, "Is it really that exaggerated?"
Gong Wushuang continued, "I don't know what you plan to do in Yunshui City, but I heard that the Nalan family's patriarch is celebrating his sixtieth birthday, and many nearby powers have sent representatives, even Beidou Sect and Martial Deity Hall... So, picking a fight with the Nalan family now would be unwise. You're not planning to do that, are you?"
Li Yi chuckled and touched his nose, "Indeed, I have business with the Nalan family, but it's not exactly picking a fight... as long as they cooperate..."
Gong Wushuang's expression shifted slightly, "Cooperate? What are you planning? Don't tell me you're still keeping secrets from me?"
Li Yi smiled lightly, "Nothing major. This time, I'm just here to break off an engagement..."
"Break off an engagement?" Gong Wushuang frowned, "If I remember correctly, the Nalan family's daughter isn't betrothed to anyone. How are you..."
"Who said I'm breaking off an engagement with the Nalan family's daughter? I'm here for Nalan He!"
Gong Wushuang's expression turned priceless as she struggled to contain her laughter, then said in a low voice, "Hahaha... So you have an engagement with Nalan family's second son and came here to break it off!"
Li Yi shook his head and then smiled coldly, "Enough, I'm not in the mood for jokes... I will see this through! If the Nalan family refuses... Hmph!"
As they spoke, the caravan arrived at the city gates, where fully armed soldiers stood on both sides, their eyes sweeping over the passersby with a chilling aura. Li Yi observed briefly before lowering the curtain, "It seems the Nalan family has a tight grip on Yunshui City. At least a third of those soldiers are from the Nalan family. Breaking off this engagement might not be as easy as I thought..."
"You're aware, that's good," Gong Wushuang couldn't help but smirk.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Yi asked softly, "Sister Gong, how's your recovery?"
"About seventy to eighty percent. I'm not fully healed yet, but I can handle a fight. Why? Planning to use me as a muscle?" Gong Wushuang said coldly, "Even though I agreed to be your guard for three years in exchange for my freedom, I didn't agree to blindly follow your whims!"
Li Yi smiled gently, "You're free to refuse. Am I afraid of the Nalan family? Not even Beidou Sect scares me. But if I lose my life in the process, you'll share the same fate... I'm sure someone as smart as you wouldn't do something foolish, right?"
Gong Wushuang's expression changed slightly, and after a moment, she couldn't help but sigh. As a mighty Emperor herself, she found it frustrating to be maneuvered by Li Yi in such a manner.
"Hey, isn't that the head of the Zhang family? And the head of the Du family... Even the Great Elder of the Wang family is here?" Amidst the silence in the carriage, voices of surprise came from outside.
"What Zhang and Du families? Are there other major powers near Yunshui City?"
"You're really out of the loop, aren't you? Although the Nalan family dominates this area, the northwest region of the empire isn't limited to just this city. There are many powers in other towns and cities. But who would have thought all these big shots would personally come to celebrate the Nalan patriarch's birthday? The Nalan family really does have significant influence!"
"Hmph! What influence does the Nalan family have? Isn't it all because they married off their daughter... I heard that a certain young master from a family in the imperial city is quite interested in the Nalan's second daughter and has sent marriage proposals several times. If they marry off the second daughter, the Nalan family's status will surely rise even more!"
"Listen to you, makes me want to have a daughter to sell off too, to marry into a powerful family. Wouldn't that be nice?"
"Hehe..."
"Ah—"
After a noisy commotion, a piercing scream suddenly broke out, quieting the once chaotic city gate entrance. Li Yi and Gong Wushuang exchanged glances and slightly opened the curtain to look outside. They saw a space cleared in the crowded street where a mercenary in leather armor lay in a pool of blood, with a young lady in red standing over him, her foot pressed against his chest, her face filled with extreme anger. The girl, no more than fifteen or sixteen but with a stunning figure and beautiful face, was even more enchanting in her rage, adding a unique charm to her beauty.
At that moment, the red-dressed girl was stepping on the mercenary's groin, grinding her foot viciously. After a few more agonizing screams from the man, she spat out, "Scumbag! Who do you think you are to speak ill of our Nalan family behind our backs? You want to sell off your daughter? I'll make sure you can't have any children!" With that, she stepped harder, her foot glowing with Fighter Qi, clearly infuriated.
The surrounding onlookers, mostly mercenaries, wore expressions of both relief and empathetic pain. Nobody would willingly want to experience such agony. Li Yi, stunned, finally exhaled and commented, "That girl is fiercely brutal... That's a bit much, even for a beating."
Gong Wushuang added, "Her name is Nalan Lin, the second daughter of the current Nalan family head, and the sister who married into the royal family. She's the most pampered in the Nalan family, which has led to her arrogant demeanor. This isn't the first time she's caused such a scene. Recently, a young master from a nearby power inadvertently offended Miss Nalan Lin and was beaten so badly he couldn't take care of himself!"
Li Yi smiled wryly, "If everyone in the Nalan family were like her, they'd be easy to handle... Unfortunately, that's not the case."
Gong Wushuang glanced at Li Yi and continued, "The Nalan family patriarch, Nalan Ba, was known for his tyrannical temperament in his youth and hasn't changed much with age. He's a decisive figure, a five-crystal King. Though not ranked among the top ten Kings of Tianfeng, I personally believe his strength is comparable. He's just been reclusive in recent years. The current family head, Nalan Tianzhe, although not as bad-tempered as the elder, is also a tough character. He's nearly at the peak of the Warrior level and could advance to King at any moment. If that happens, the Nalan family's influence in the northwest will be formidable. A single King can uphold a family; two Kings would be formidable..."
"As for the two young masters of the Nalan family, the eldest, Nalan Qing, isn't particularly remarkable. But the second son, Nalan He, is certainly not simple. Renowned for his exceptional talent since childhood, he was selected by the Roran Academy five years ago. His strength is unfathomable since his return from seclusion. Even we couldn't discern his true power. However, the academy's rule is that one cannot graduate without reaching the Warrior level, so we can assume that Nalan He is at least a Warrior. But his talent isn't his only strength; he's known for being ruthless and decisive. He's been designated as the next head of the Nalan family. I've heard he's betrothed to someone from your Li family. Li Yi, do you think such a family, with such power and such individuals, will agree to your request to break off the engagement? Although we can handle them together, offending a person is different from offending a family..."