Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1883 Identity
"I know a little about Qianjinfang's strength." Fang Zilan's expression was inscrutable. "It seems they're going all out this time."

Xiao Xuan'er nodded slowly, "As Lord Fang said, the other party did indeed use deadly force. None of the four sisters survived, which is why they lost contact with Young Master Chu."

"What did you say?" Fang Zilan was stunned. There were ten workshops under Qianjin Lane. The smaller the number of the workshop, the more elites gathered there were. However, Xiao Xuan'er actually told her that none of the four workshops had survived.

"None of the four sisters survived." Xiao Xuan'er repeated, her tone low and her expression sorrowful.

Fang Zilan gripped the teacup tightly in her hand and said in a cold voice, "Who did this?"

"The Five Overlords of Haishi, Wuliang Palace, Huo Family of the Sword Sect, Little Mirror Lake..." Xiao Xuan'er listed them one by one. Fang Zilan snorted coldly. Almost all the gangs and figures that could be named in the martial arts world had gathered together. What a grand display!

After Xiao Xuan'er finished speaking, Fang Zilan asked, "What kind of information did the Ghost Gate spread that could attract so many people to hunt down Chu Bin?"

"The Ghost Gate says that King Zhuanlun has defected. If any heroes of the martial world can kill him, they will be rewarded handsomely." Xiao Xuan'er's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.

However, Fang Zilan still heard it clearly: "How can such a reason, which even ghosts wouldn't believe, fool those martial arts practitioners?"

"People in the martial arts world may not believe in the Ghost Gate's words, but..." Xiao Xuan'er didn't finish her sentence, and Fang Zilan pressed, "But what?"

“This is a rare opportunity.” Xiao Xuan’er said seriously, “The Ghost Gate has been a menace for a long time, especially the Ten Kings of Hell. If we can kill one of them, whoever it is, we can make a name for ourselves.”

"What if it were me?" Fang Zilan said coldly, "If one day the Ghost Gate claims that I have defected, will I be treated the same way as Chu Bin is today?"

"I imagine that people in the martial arts world are even more eager to do so, even more so than before." Xiao Xuan'er answered without hesitation. Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan chuckled, "These so-called righteous people in the martial arts world are almost extreme in their efforts to punish evil and eliminate wickedness. Little do they know that such behavior is no different from the evil and crooked ways they despise."

“Lord Fang is insightful, but they are unaware of it.” Xiao Xuan’er shook her head. Fang Zilan did not speak. She was not insightful, but she had figured it out long ago.

Those who commit murder should be prepared to be killed themselves. An eye for an eye, that's the way of the martial world.

It's said to be about seeking revenge and vengeance, but it can't escape the allure of fame and fortune. Like a lock, it binds people within, eventually forming a massive vortex that devours everyone caught in.

Outsiders see the swordplay and intrigue of martial arts practitioners and think it's incredibly dashing. Little do they know that there are countless martial arts practitioners who dream of retiring from the world and entering a peaceful, ordinary life, detached from worldly affairs.

However, there has never been a true Shangri-La in this world.

Fang Zilan said solemnly, "Although I had considered the possibility of wolves blocking the road, I hadn't made many preparations. However, some of my men had prepared saltpeter and oil in advance. I asked them and they said it was ordered by Military Advisor Qi before he left. It seems that Military Advisor Qi had already anticipated that I would lead troops to Sanyuan Village. Am I right?"

"Then Lord Fang, you don't blame me for using you?" Qi Yuming's probing was obvious, but Fang Zilan's expression was frank. "Since you're so cunning, you must have already foreseen this. No one would harbor resentment at being used by a clever person; even if they did, they could only blame themselves for not being clever enough." "In this round, I'm completely convinced and willingly accept it." Fang Zilan spoke each word with great emphasis, and at the same time, her plum blossom sword pierced Lussel's shoulder blade, abruptly stopping her actions.

"What, you want to poison Qi Yuming again?" Fang Zilan applied a little more force, and the plum sword pierced through another inch. "At least Qi Yuming once sincerely wanted to protect you. What you're doing is repaying kindness with enmity."

“Sincere?” Russell spat fiercely. “You Han Chinese, do you even deserve to talk about sincerity?”

"We're not worthy, but you are?" Fang Zilan sneered. "You drove the wolves and killed Shangguan Min's family, and you still expect him to go back and become your wolf king? Don't you find that ridiculous?"

“Relatives? How can those who have bullied and deceived him since childhood have the face to call themselves relatives?” Lucille’s eyes burned with rage. “If it weren’t for Shangguan Jing’s despicable methods, how could Shangguan Min have grown up in the Shangguan family and ended up in this state today?”

"Despicable methods are still methods." Fang Zilan's disdain bordered on contempt. "To put it bluntly, it's just that you're incompetent, unable to even protect an infant. What, now that so many years have passed, do you feel guilty? Want to do something to make amends? Where were you all this time?"

"You!" Russell was speechless, choked by Fang Zilan's words. "If it weren't for that bastard Chaker and Shangguan Jing, how could this have happened..."

She grew increasingly grief-stricken as she spoke, suddenly grabbing the plum blossom sword that was stuck in her body, and forcefully pulling the distance between herself and Fang Zilan, who was holding the sword. "You Han people only know that those who are not of our race must have different hearts. Do you know that we, the barbarians you speak of, also have true hearts?"

Before she could finish speaking, Fang Zilan had already drawn her sword and retreated a few steps away, dodging the powder hidden in her sleeve. She smiled brightly, "The same trick won't work the second time."

Qi Yuming reacted swiftly, his long sword already at Shangguan Min's neck the moment the unexpected happened. By the time Lusaya reacted, it was too late to offer any assistance.

“Lucya, if you don’t surrender, Shangguan Min will die in an instant.” Fang Zilan stood with her hands at her sides, the blood on her plum sword dripping onto the ground, instantly shining as before. “Qi Yuming is right. Shangguan Min is nothing to me, but she is not to you.”

"You kept Shangguan Min around just to lure us into a trap?" Lucia covered her wound with one hand and gripped the knife tightly in the other, her face full of vigilance.

Fang Zilan smiled slightly, "Keeping the Shangguan family is His Majesty's wish. I'm not that far-sighted, using Shangguan Min as bait."

“As expected, no matter how dynasties change, you Han people…” Lusia’s eyes flashed with a fierce light, “are all cunning and scheming.”

As soon as Lucia finished speaking, she was already in front of Fang Zilan. Deputy General Qin stepped forward to block the attack for Fang Zilan, saying, "Be careful, Lord Fang."

"It's alright." Fang Zilan smiled and shook her head, gesturing for Lusya to look at Shangguan Min beside her.

A bloody gash had appeared on his neck, but Qi Yuming's sword showed no sign of stopping, slicing Shangguan Min's flesh bit by bit.

"Lucya, why don't you guess whether you killed me first or Qi Yuming killed Shangguan Min first?" Fang Zilan looked relaxed and self-satisfied, as if she were the dealer at the gambling table who already knew the outcome.