Nalan Lin chuckled, saying, "What's there to be jealous about... Brother Hongyu is such a good person, don't tell me Sister Qianwu you don't fancy him? If you don't, I won't be polite." Ye Qianwu clearly wasn't in the mood for jokes. She just nodded slightly, then looked around, her gaze landing on some rubble on the ground, suddenly showing a hint of surprise, "Lightning attribute Dou Qi? Lin sister, did you have a skirmish with someone just now?" Nalan Lin smiled awkwardly, "I encountered someone and sparred with them, but I was defeated... Alright, now that Sister Qianwu and Brother Hongyu are here, let's forget about it. Sister Qianwu, with your and his status, how could you stay in such a place? Come back home with me. Although the Nalan household is small, we won't lack a place to stay." Ye Qianwu and the elder by her side exchanged a glance before slowly nodding. Nalan Lin, slightly puzzled, asked, "Sister Qianwu, this person is..." Ye Qianwu responded lightly, "This is Elder Miao Ke from our Ye family, who has come to handle matters with me this time." Nalan Lin uttered an "oh" softly, recognizing Elder Miao Ke's strength was likely above Ye Qianwu's, and quickly bowed, "It's an honor to meet you, sir." Miao Ke chuckled, "Miss Nalan is too polite. Years ago, I had a connection with Lord Nalan... But back then, everyone was young and vigorous. It's funny how things change, hehe..." After exchanging a few courtesies, Nalan Lin seemed to remember something and glanced at Hongyu, who had been silent, whispering, "Brother Hongyu, you've been quiet, don't you want to go to my house?" Hongyu chuckled deeply, casting a meaningful glance at Ye Qianwu, before calmly saying, "If Miss Ye has no objections, I naturally have none." Nalan Lin clapped her hands, cheering, "That's great! Then let's go!" With that, she took Ye Qianwu's slender hand and headed outside, while Hongyu exchanged a look with Miao Ke, following tacitly. After they left, a buzz of discussion filled the hall. "Tsk tsk... Who are these people? Why does Miss Nalan treat them like she's seen her parents, so enthusiastic? You know, our Miss Nalan is known for being fierce!" "Are you really that clueless or pretending? That man is Hongyu, obviously from one of the four great families of the Imperial City, the Hong family's young master. It's said that with a mysterious master, he's reached the peak of Warrior level at a young age, just a step away from becoming a King. This guy is probably the most promising person in the Imperial City, even the entire empire!" "Eh? I thought the most promising was Ye Qingma from the Ye family, the North Star Sect Master's closed disciple, most likely to become the next Sect Master. No matter how powerful Hongyu's master is, can he compare to the North Star Sect? Unless his master is from the Martial Deity Hall!" "Cut it out, are you living under a rock? Haven't you heard Ye Qingma died mysteriously in Wanchao City, even alarming Feng Haijin of the North Star Sect, who's been secluded for years aiming for the Seven Crystal Emperor level!" "What!? Someone dared to kill a person from the North Star Sect within the Tianfeng Empire!?" "Heh, the North Star Sect has been too arrogant these years. Ye Qingma must've offended some mysterious figure, a promising life ended so unclearly! Did you see the other woman? That's Ye Qianwu from the Ye family. After Ye Qingma's death, she's holding up the family. It's said she's out to investigate her brother's death, but seems like she found nothing." "That's the famous beauty Ye Qianwu from the Imperial City? Truly a feast for the eyes. Compared to her, Nalan Lin suddenly seems like a nobody!" "But think about it, with Ye Qingma gone, marrying her would mean gaining the Ye family's power and the North Star Sect's connections. That's a much better deal than selling a daughter from the Nalan family!" "Dream on! Can't you see, young master Hongyu seems quite interested in Ye Qianwu? Why else would they come together... We commoners should just fantasize. People of their level are not someone we can afford to provoke. This is a dream, time to wake up!" This remark left many feeling downcast, but after all, it was the truth, with nothing much to say. "Heh, why so gloomy? We're here to watch the excitement, aren't we? Those two in black that came earlier are going to the Nalan house tomorrow. Let's just prepare to watch some good drama..."
In a serene and elegant room, incense burned slowly, filling the space with a tranquil fragrance. Occasionally, a breeze would pass through the window, tinkling the wind chimes on the window frame, producing a pleasant "ding ding ding" sound, melodious to the ear.
Li Yi leaned back comfortably in a spacious armchair, idly swirling the tea in his cup before speaking lightly, "The Nalan family sure knows how to behave... I thought at least a few people would come to tail us, but to my surprise, not a single one showed up, leaving my hands rather itchy..." In another corner of the room, Gong Wushuang, lounging elegantly on the bed, replied indifferently, "This Yunshui City is Nalan's territory after all. If they wished, they could control all the information in the city without needing to specifically monitor us. Moreover, given your strong stance today, if the Nalan family were smart, they wouldn't engage in such a pointless endeavor as scratching a tiger's head. At most, they would deploy people to investigate our backgrounds." "Investigate our backgrounds?" Li Yi smiled lightly, "I doubt the Nalan family has the capability to thoroughly trace our origins. At best, they might reach the Han merchant group. But I believe Old Master Han knows what can be shared and what cannot... So, let them investigate if they wish. Such matters cannot be completed in ten days or half a month. By that time, I reckon we would have already finished our business." Gong Wushuang nodded slightly, then after a moment, asked, "Speaking of tomorrow's matter, what exactly are you planning? Are you going to directly refuse the marriage proposal?" Li Yi replied indifferently, "That's the initial plan... If they don't agree, I naturally have other alternatives. I'd rather not resort to violence unless absolutely necessary." "Other alternatives? Like what?" "For instance... Nalan Lin could be a useful pawn," Li Yi said lightly, "Although she might not play a significant role, she's indispensable for certain matters..." Gong Wushuang's eyes twitched slightly, asking, "What... are you planning to do?" Li Yi continued, "Imagine if all members of the Nalan family were gone, leaving only Nalan Lin to head the family. What do you think?" Gong Wushuang's eyes twitched again before she sighed, "Your... your idea is a bit too fanciful..." Li Yi spoke calmly, "I've considered it. Wiping out the Nalan family might not be the best solution, but influencing someone else's actions is not difficult at all... To make the Nalan family comply, I have plenty of methods. If the current head doesn't agree to my terms, I'll just replace him with someone more cooperative..." Gong Wushuang's expression changed slightly before she sighed and shook her head, saying, "Do whatever you want! If things become untenable, I'll be the first to take you away. It's not like we'll die in Yunshui City." Li Yi chuckled, "Death is certainly not on the agenda, but at that point... Yunshui City might no longer have a Nalan family!" Gong Wushuang gave Li Yi a peculiar look, sighing inwardly, admitting she couldn't see through him at all. "Well, it's getting late, Sister Gong, you better rest well to return to your peak condition tomorrow... Although you're just a Emperor, an Emperor is still an Emperor..." Li Yi said with a half-smile, "Unless, you don't want to rest and prefer to warm my bed? If so, I wouldn't mind... I believe not many would mind with Sister Gong's beauty!" "You little rascal! Pervert! I'll warm your big head!" Gong Wushuang, like a cat whose tail was stepped on, quickly jumped up, losing all her previous composure and elegance, and dashed towards the door. But in a blink, she whirled back into the room, glaring at Li Yi, teeth clenched, "You little rascal! This is my room, right!?" Li Yi chuckled, slowly standing up with a stretch, "That's more like it. I've noticed you've been quite tense these past few days, Sister Gong. You might as well take the opportunity to rest properly... Of course, I wouldn't dare to disturb you... However, if you need me, Li Yi, to warm your bed during the night, just say the word, no need to be shy!" With a laugh, Li Yi's figure flickered, and he left Gong Wushuang's room. Gong Wushuang stared at his retreating back for a moment, then stamped her foot, exclaiming, "You little rascal! If you dare mess around, believe it or not, I'll skin you!" With a swing of her hand, the wide-open door slammed shut, and her cheeks seemed to flush a bit... Shaking his head amusingly, Li Yi entered his own room, extinguished the candle with a wave of his hand, and leaped onto the bed, sitting cross-legged. As he slightly circulated the Heart Method of the Heavenly Demon Nine Changes, a faint blood-red Dou Qi slowly infused into the Storage Ring on his right hand. After a moment, the Storage Ring emitted a faint red glow, and The Serpent Venerable's slightly illusory figure slowly emerged, appearing more solid than before. He closed his eyes for a moment, then spoke lightly, "Alright, kid, no one is probing your room nearby. Speak your mind." Li Yi smiled lightly, asking, "Old Coot, how's your condition now?" The Serpent Venerable replied indifferently, "I've recovered about seventy to eighty percent. But facing Balin or Hai Xin, I'd probably have to flee. So, don't get any ideas." Li Yi's mouth twitched slightly before he whispered, "You can't be serious, Old Coot? I've been nourishing you with my purest Dou Qi these past few days, and you're still not fully recovered?"