Chapter 227: Chapter 142: Who Said I Was Going to Marry You?
"Captain Chen, congratulations are in order."
In Ning’an Prefecture, inside a private room in a very high-class restaurant, Wang Zilan wore a faint smile.
"And what might I be congratulated for?"
Chen Sheng took a sip of wine and asked casually.
"For ascending to the ranks of the Ning’an Ten Heroes, of course."
Wang Zilan stood and gracefully refilled Chen Sheng’s cup.
After the battle with the Song Family, Chen Sheng had already proven himself with his strength.
His place among the Ning’an Ten Heroes was practically guaranteed, and Lu Maozhi would inevitably be pushed out.
After all, the title of the Ten Heroes was not established by the Government Office or any single sect.
It was a title for ten paragons acknowledged by the entire Ning’an Martial World.
Since Chen Sheng was able to defeat Lu Maozhi, the people of the Jianghu would not accept it if he wasn’t named one of the Ning’an Ten Heroes.
"I would have thought Miss Wang might be a bit disheartened. After all, between you and Young Master Lu..."
Chen Sheng trailed off, saying no more. Instead, he watched Wang Zilan with an amused smile as she poured his wine. Her posture was elegant and her beauty was exceptional—truly a pleasant sight.
Besides, the Wang Zilan before him now showed none of the cold arrogance he had first seen back in Changshan County. Throughout their journey together, she had maintained a faint smile and even showed a hint of an almost imperceptible desire to please him.
Wang Zilan’s brow furrowed slightly.
"Chen, while there may be rumors about Young Master Lu and me, the engagement was never officially settled. There is nothing between Young Master Lu and myself, so why would I be disheartened?"
"Is that so."
Chen Sheng nodded slightly, then changed the subject.
"I heard Miss Wang came to visit the Jingwu Bureau, but I happened to be in seclusion at the time and was unable to see you. Was it for something important?"
"Must I have important business to visit you, Chen?"
Wang Zilan, who had already noticed Chen Sheng’s gaze lingering on her from time to time, flashed a bright smile.
"After all, we did get to know each other in Changshan. Or could it be that now that you’re about to join the Ning’an Ten Heroes, you no longer wish to acknowledge me as a friend?"
’I regret not befriending Chen Sheng sooner, but I hadn’t spoken ill of him back then, either. A specific apology for my past behavior would be unwise; it might only create a rift between them.’
"How could that be? There’s nothing I enjoy more than making friends."
Seeing that Wang Zilan didn’t mention her request for help, Chen Sheng wasn’t in any hurry either. Instead, he chuckled and continued to chat amiably with her.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere between them grew more lively.
Wang Zilan, believing she was in control of the conversation’s pace, finally shifted the topic and slowly revealed her purpose.
"Chen, have you ever heard of the battle at Wushan Mountain?"
"I’ve heard Envoy Nie mention it."
Chen Sheng nodded slightly.
He was not unfamiliar with the matter.
Hearing this, Wang Zilan sighed softly.
"Actually, the rumors about an engagement between myself and Young Master Lu started because of it."
Chen Sheng sipped his tea, not responding.
Wang Zilan was a little disappointed by this, but she continued anyway.
"The Wang Clan has been in decline in recent years. My cousin alone has a hard time controlling the situation on Wushan Mountain. That’s why the clan considered joining forces with Luoyun Manor. But we never expected Young Master Lu to propose a marriage alliance, putting my Wang Family in a difficult position.
"But if someone were willing to lend a hand, perhaps this marriage could be avoided."
As she spoke, Wang Zilan kept her eyes on Chen Sheng. Seeing that he still showed no reaction, she pursed her lips and went on.
"You, Chen, are now ranked among the Ning’an Ten Heroes, and your strength is outstanding. The Government Office will surely send you to Wushan Mountain. If you would be willing to lend my Wang Family a hand then, I would be able to escape this marriage.
"Of course, I wouldn’t ask you to help for free. Whether it’s resources, Elemental Crystals, or any other condition, I can agree to it."
’Although she wanted to get on Chen Sheng’s good side and have him help her out of her predicament, she knew that there’s no such thing as a free favor in this world. Therefore, she was willing to offer something of value as a bargaining chip.’
’After all, she had the Ning’an Wang Clan behind her.’
’As long as Chen Sheng’s conditions weren’t too outrageous, she could agree to them first and negotiate with her clan later.’
"A hand?"
Chen Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly.
"Yes."
"Any price?"
Chen Sheng asked again.
Wang Zilan felt there was something odd about the look in Chen Sheng’s eyes, but after a moment’s hesitation, she still nodded.
"That’s right."
"Since Miss Wang has asked, it’s not that I can’t help. It’s just that if I lend the Wang Family a hand, I hope Miss Wang can help me achieve a breakthrough of my own."
Chen Sheng suddenly smiled.
"Please speak plainly, Chen."
Wang Zilan’s expression immediately turned serious.
’She was already prepared for Chen Sheng to make an outrageous demand.’
"I’ve heard that Miss Wang possesses the rare Profound Yin Body and cultivates the Ice Heart Jade Cold Scripture, allowing you to nurture a wisp of the purest, most refined Profound Yin Qi, which can aid another’s cultivation.
"My condition is simple. As long as Miss Wang offers up her Profound Yin Qi, I will agree to your request."
Chen Sheng picked up his teacup and took a light sip.
Hearing this, Wang Zilan’s brows tightened instinctively, and her expression changed slightly.
"Where did you hear this from, Chen?"
’This was a secret of hers that only a few people within the Wang Family knew. As for outsiders, she was certain she had never revealed it to anyone. How on earth did Chen Sheng find out?’
’As for agreeing, Wang Zilan was naturally unwilling.’
’After all, that wisp of Profound Yin Qi was also very important to her. It would be of great help for her future breakthroughs to the Condensing Evil and Profound Gang realms.’
