Chapter 113 - The Attacking Green Lotus Sword
“This place is secure,” assured the City Lord.
Without a clear reason, a sudden wave of unease washed over Guo Fan, prompting an inexplicable urge to flee.
Regardless of how he analyzed the situation, this was Fang Xiang's domain, and she had asserted that her secret guards patrolled this area. The hidden guards within the City Lord Mansion were undoubtedly the pinnacle of strength, all surpassing the Nascent Infant Stage, responsible for upholding Night's Fall Sword City's order. The contributions of these unsung heroes could not be underestimated.
They possessed both strength and secrecy. Moreover, this was the Oriental Lychee Tavern, and it fell within the territory of the Soul Haunt Ship. Given Night's Fall Sword City's allowance for the Soul Haunt Ship's presence here, Fang Xiang could consider this place a private rendezvous point. In essence, it was genuinely secure.
Fang Xiang was renowned for her meticulousness and was unlikely to make any blunders…
Guo Fan still grappled with his apprehensions, possibly due to overthinking in recent times.
Clearing his throat, he requested, “Certainly, I have always had faith in you. However, before delving into our matter, I need your assistance with something.”
Fang Xiang took a seat beside him and gently held his arm. She responded when she heard his request, “You needn't phrase it as a request for my help. Is there any situation between us where I wouldn't support you wholeheartedly? If you mention it, I'll assist you in achieving it.”
Guo Fan shook his head and explained, “It's not a grave matter… I just spotted my daughter at the Oriental Lychee Tavern. I need to apprehend her…”
“Daughter?” Fang Xiang's disbelief was evident as she inquired further, “You have a daughter? Is she the offspring of your two wives? No, the timing doesn't align.”
Guo Fan chuckled wryly and clarified, “No, she wasn't naturally born. She's a daughter created from the fusion of the Reincarnation Lotus and her parents' blood essence.”
Fang Xiang grasped the situation and asked with puzzlement, “Whose child did you have?”
The two of them were already married and could take concubines without any issue. There was no need for such an extraordinary occurrence, implying that Guo Fan had a relationship with another woman.
Guo Fan disclosed, “The Saintess of the Devil Cult, Li Xieren.”
Fang Xiang's countenance stiffened. “Li Xieren?”
Even the Lord of Night's Fall Sword City shuddered at the mention of this name, evoking memories of the enigmatic, snake-like woman concealed beneath a black veil.
Many years ago, she had witnessed Li Xieren's merciless slaughter of the righteous faction. The sight of that bloodshed still haunted her, capable of inducing nightmares in anyone who had witnessed it.
The mention of Li Xieren sent shivers down the spines of those on the righteous path.
Falling in love with such a person meant entangling one's life and death. Failure to win their affection could spell destruction.
At this moment, Fang Xiang's greatest concern was whether Guo Fan's playful nature might lead to his demise at the hands of Li Xieren, and she felt powerless to intervene.
Fang Xiang's chest heaved with anxiety.
Guo Fan reached out and held her trembling hand, reassuring her, “Don't worry… Li Xieren no longer harbors possessive feelings towards me. She entrusted her daughter to my care to protect me. Yijun may be her daughter, but she bears no resemblance to the Devil Cult. In fact, she's quite adorable… Would you like to meet her next time?”
“If she's your daughter, I'll treat her as my own.”
Fang Xiang took a deep breath and signaled to Yueh, who was waiting nearby. She relayed Guo Fan's description and location, and Yueh nodded before departing.
Fang Xiang leaned on Guo Fan, murmuring, “Even the Devil Cult's saintess receives your care. Why can't you look after these two?”
Guo Fan smiled and responded, “It's different. Besides, Li Xieren left a deep wound in my heart. I don't know when we might turn against each other. Back then, I barely survived.”
Fang Xiang rested against his arm and aimed her finger at his heart. She furrowed her brow as she tried to sense it. “Is that her real weapon? It seems incredibly lethal…”
Guo Fan sighed. “You've seen my current level of cultivation. How could I suppress Sun Fen?”
Fang Xiang contemplated and suggested, “This is a complex situation. However, Sun Fen views you as her path to victory. You also promised her that if she defeated you, she could marry you. Thus, her motivation to hone her swordsmanship was born. Blistook Pavilion's responsibility is no longer the same. So, when your cultivation falters, and you consider marrying someone else, it could shatter her Dao heart. She's already in a state of obsession… Why not tell her that you can regain your strength now? But if you need her assistance, once you recover, you'll face her in combat again. If she wins, you'll marry her. If she loses… you'll still marry her.”
Fang Xiang couldn't help but chuckle, “In the end, all she wants is your heart. Hold onto that fact. She's just a confused young girl swayed by love. Use this time to soften her heart. She won't be able to bring herself to harm you, but ultimately, you'll have to best her.”
Guo Fan listened to her analysis and found it sensible, though he couldn't shake the feeling that this approach was a bit devious. While enlisting Sun Fen's help in advancing her cultivation, he also had the ulterior motive of having her in his pocket…
Nevertheless, it appeared to be the best course of action.
He nodded and said, “You're right. After a few days of watching the tides and listening to the sword, she should calm down. When the time comes, I'll have a talk with her.”
Fang Xiang nodded in agreement, then suddenly remembered their intimate proximity. She couldn't help but realize the irony of her current situation.
The esteemed Night's Fall Sword City Lord, on the surface, appeared as a bereaved widow and her daughter, but secretly, they were engaged in a clandestine affair with a young man in the inner chambers of a brothel—an act that seemed utterly despicable.
A sense of taboo shame took hold of Fang Xiang's heart, causing a faint blush to grace her cheeks. It would be absurd to claim that nothing had occurred between them over the years, but in reality, they had never crossed any boundaries…
Perhaps this was why Fang Xiang had truly fallen for this man. He admired her physical beauty, but he also cherished the essence within her.
Yet, at this moment, she couldn't help but ponder how she could make it up to him. Fang Xiang squinted her eyes and suddenly lifted her head, wrapping her arms around Guo Fan's neck. Their gazes met, and she gently spoke, “Yueh, she's the child I've raised since childhood, my closest confidant… I've always wanted to offer you some recompense.”
Fang Xiang signaled for Yueh to step forward and remove her mask. Behind the wooden barrier was a beautiful face.
Yueh knelt in front of Guo Fan. Her expression remained neutral, but the tips of her ears, hidden beneath her hair, turned slightly red.
Compensate? Guo Fan thought to himself that this was indeed intriguing.
Sun Fen raised her head, her gaze devoid of emotion, as she surveyed the serene and elegant pavilion before her. There were faint echoes of singing and dancing, laughter, silk curtains, and jeweled ornaments, accompanied by the clinking of wine glasses.
The specks of light, now transformed into ashes, pointed in that direction.
Her eyes fell upon the two words “Oriental Lychee Tavern” at the entrance.
With her Void Refining Stage cultivation, she paid little heed to defenses. Almost instantly, she activated the [External Sword Transformation] and darted into the depths of the Oriental Lychee Tavern, following the pinpointed light.
Sun Fen's eyes widened upon hearing Yin Ling's voice from behind the bead curtain. She beheld three individuals before her.
Among them was a young man she didn't recognize, the Night's Fall Sword City Lord whom she had recently met, and the concealed guard who typically accompanied the City Lord.
The young man and the concealed guard were intimately close, with the City Lord embracing the former from behind. A bronze incense burner exuded a scent of sandalwood, creating an exceedingly suggestive atmosphere.
It appeared as if they had stumbled upon a scene of corruption among the Night's Fall Sword City's upper echelons!
Impossible!
Sun Fen's heart was left with only these three words.
The dots of light converged on the stunned face of the young man.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶