Chapter 2: This Young Master is the Bad Guy?
Apparently, weddings in this new world were done in red instead of white. The wedding robes were a vibrant scarlet and he rubbed the soft material thin between his fingers as he was dressed by a team of maids. Mr. Goatee sat in the corner, dictating hushed orders to messengers who occasionally ran in.
"Maybe I shouldn't get married. One woman isn't enough for me now that I think about it," he said.
Mr. Goatee didn't even look up from the papers he was handed before responding, "You know that won't be a problem Young Master. Please stop joking."
He wondered if Mr. Goatee would consider it joking if he yanked out that sorry excuse of a beard. Before he could go any further with his fantasy the maids stepped away, finished. A glance at his askew mirror told him that he looked really good in red, shame he could only see blood in it.
Mr. Goatee approached and handed over the papers in his hands. "Young Master, Lady Lan has sent over the money as well as some requests."
The hell? He knew that marriage in ancient times could be rather transactional so he wasn't surprised that this world did it similarly. Still, the marriage hadn't even happened yet and they were already asking for things? He took a look at the list and felt his eyes pop.
That… was a big number. He wasn't exactly sure how much it was but given that currency here seemed to be in silver he could guess at the value. He was already dreading the Lan Family's demands and with this much money involved, there's no way they'd let him hide. The next paper only had a few words.
'Make her miserable.'
Oh. Did he transmigrate into the bad guy?
--------
Time seemed to fly as he was led into a carriage drawn by four brown horses festooned with red and gold streamers and surrounded by a procession of performers and singers carrying banners and shouting blessings. Their acting drowned out whatever noise came from the city, but from what he saw peeking out the carriage they were drawing a crowd.
The shrine they took him to wasn't very large, but it looked old and was filled to the brim with people wearing colorful clothes. From what he could gather it was the Lan family organizing this whole event, most of the people here were probably invited by them, too. At least he hoped so. The fewer people he'd have to talk to the better.
The guests quickly spread out as a red carpet was rolled out to the carriage. Mr. Goatee who'd been riding separately quickly opened the doors for him to step onto the red carpet of death.
Connection: Negative
Connection: Negative
Connection: Negative
The crowd was surprisingly… muted. There were blessings and greetings as he walked down to the altar, but it seemed more like they were watching some sort of show than observing a wedding.
"…how tragic."
"…poor Lan Fen."
"..offend…Lan."
He could barely make out some of the hushed whisperings and none of it sounded good. For the bride at least. For him, the more of a sham this was meant the more he could get away with and hopefully not expose himself.
Not long after he reached the foot of the altar and was greeted by the priest did another commotion happen at the entrance.
The first thing he noticed about the group that appeared was that their hair was white. Not with age though, some of them didn't look to be much older than himself after all. Dressed in reds and blues they carried themselves prominently and surrounded a figure in the center.
She was wearing a red dress just as fancy as his robes. Her white hair was done up in an elaborate bun with a golden net of red jewels weaved through it. She walked with her head held high and ignored everyone surrounding her. At least it felt that way to him, her face was hidden by a white veil that clashed with the rest of her outfit, and judging by the scandalized gasps of the crowd there was some deeper meaning to it that he wasn't aware of but was probably fucked.
When she arrived at the altar she stared straight ahead, giving no indication that she saw him at all. Even if he didn't suspect anything before this her attitude made it clear that this was not a happy occasion.
Connection: Negative
Well, that was obvious.
One of the girls accompanying the bride-to-be clasped her hands and bowed towards him and said, "Many blessings to Brother Chen and Sister Fen on your union!" Brother Chen? Was that his name? He finally had something to work with at least. Although Chen dearly hoped that she wasn't being literal when she called him brother. They didn't look alike, but what did he know about genetics in this place?
Regardless, her voice had been loud, and soon enough more well wishes came from her companions and the guests. His bride, Lan Fen apparently, was as solid as the shrine's statues and he could practically feel his awkward silence meter rocket up to Hostile.
"Thanks," he said halfheartedly. Talking too much was bad, not talking at all was worse. Lan Fen's relative seemed satisfied with it though, bowing slightly lower to him before viciously smirking at Lan Fen.
"Although she's no longer a Qi realm of the Ninth Layer Sister Fen is still a valued member of our family, please take good care of her Brother Chen." Oh good that sounded like a power system. It also sounded like her family had a hit out on Lan Fen and he was meant to be the cleaner, not good. At this point, Lan Fen reacted, it was just a subtle tightening of her shoulders but it was enough for the vicious girl to leave with a self-satisfied smile.
Suspect number 1 confirmed then; she can be Lan Bitch.
Connection: Negative
What followed was the most awkward three hours of Chen's life. Lan Fen easily followed along with the priest and was quick and precise in her actions. He on the other hand couldn't even tell someone the steps of a normal Earth marriage let alone a different world. Bowing to the priest then the bride and groom bow to each other and light incense. Then they hold a sash of red silk together and walk in circles around a bowl of rice wine, periodically stopping to recite long-winded vows to the priest. Needless to say, he needed prompting for every single thing, and while the priest was incredibly patient the crowd tittered at every flub. Even his proud bride seemed to wilt as it wore on.
His face was hot with embarrassment but luckily it seemed almost expected that he'd mess this up. At the very least the Lan family wasn't dragging him down and beating him for humiliating their daughter. Lan Bitch, who he suspected had a role in this farce, was even quietly laughing to herself.
Eventually, under the coaching of the priest, Chen finished his vows. The priest took the sake cup and held it to Lan Fen's mouth. He couldn't see her face from the way she lifted her veil to drink and the priest eventually passed the cup to him.
"Just so we're clear: After I drink this we're done correct?" he said.
"Although I believe there is a later celebration planned; the ceremony itself will be finished, yes," said the priest.
"Good."
Chen grabbed the sake cup from the priest and downed it in one go. He dropped the cup and Lan Fen and the priest flinched as it shattered. Chen basked in the ensuing silence as he looked at the guests and memorized the shocked faces of the Lan family present.
Even better.
"We're done here," Chen said.
That was enough embarrassment for one day.
Chapter 3: This Young Master Needs Some Trust
Thanks to his little stunt they were bundled off into his carriage by the Lan Family and sent off back to the manor. Lan Fen had sat as far away from him as possible and they had passed the ride in silence. Arriving at the estate wasn't much better. Mr. Goatee seemed well aware of whatever scummy deal his predecessor made with the Lan family and had two burly guards ready to escort Lan Fen to his room.
Despite the servants already doing their best to avoid him the manor was particularly desolate at the moment. What few servants he saw quickly completed their chores and made themselves scarce. Chen felt his heart sink with every further confirmation that yes, his new identity was a terrible human being and everyone seemed to know it.
Lan Fen was still unreadable beneath her veil. Her steps were slow and measured like a soldier walking into hell. Chen stopped just after the door and watched the guards escort her into the bedroom. Mr. Goatee looked indifferent to the whole affair and simply bowed when the guards exited.
"I wish you a joyous night Young Master. I will make sure none disturb you," Mr. Goatee said.
"Have someone send up some water," Chen replied.
"Of course Young Master I will have them send up wine as well-"
"No," Chen interrupted forcefully "Just water."
Mr. Goatee narrowed his eyes and, for a brief moment, Chen felt a thrill of terror that he had noticed something. Instead, Mr. Goatee bowed again.
"Of course Young Master."
He checked the connection again to see if anything had changed but it still registered as valid. After tonight he'd have to confront Mr. Goatee and establish the connection no matter the risk, he was running out of options. Of course, that was assuming he made it through the night.
The door closed.
Lan Fen was standing at the foot of the bed facing him. He could feel her eyes follow him as he walked across the room and pulled out a chair across from her and sat down.
"So," he said. Perfect opening.
Silence.
Off to a great start then.
"You can sit if you'd like?"
She did not move. Chen had to admire her self-control in the face of what is probably the worst day of her life. Still, it was getting them nowhere.
"I'm not going to hurt you I can promise you that." This situation was skeevy as hell, even if it exposed him as a fraud this was a line he would not cross.
If anything the atmosphere seemed to get even colder for all that Lan Fen still did not respond to him. Idly checked the connection again and almost fell out of his seat when he read it.
Connection: Valid
What the hell? When did the connection change? He rubbed his eyes as if seeing things but the words remained the same. It had clearly been negative at the shrine and he certainly hadn't gotten any closer with her since then. Was it the marriage? That made a little sense but still didn't explain why Mr. Goatee counted.
Regardless, this was the opportunity Chen had been waiting for. So long as he played his cards right that is.
"I know you won't believe me but I don't know who you are or what's going on here," Chen said.
Lan Fen finally reacted.
"Do not insult me by thinking I would believe such a barefaced lie Chen Haoran," she scoffed. Her voice was surprisingly deep and for a moment he could imagine her wearing steel rather than silk. "You and Lan Yao will regret this conspiracy. I swear it."
"See that's all well and good but I didn't even know my name before today let alone any conspiracy," he said. He needed her to believe it but where to even start? "Someone did give me quite a bit of money to give you a hard time though."
"So you admit it."
"That I know nothing? Yeah pretty much."
This would have been so much easier if he could see her face but asking her to lift her veil would only send all the wrong signals.
"Three days ago I suddenly woke up with no memories of how I got here or who I was," he said. "You called me Chen Haoran before, what more do you know about me?"
It was a huge risk to reveal his lack of memories but he couldn't hide it forever, especially if he wanted to explore the use of the burning words. He couldn't connect with someone he had to tiptoe around and as shitty as it sounded Lan Fen wasn't in a position to exploit the knowledge. On her part, Lan Fen considered him in silence.
"You are scum, a lascivious waste, and a brute that humiliates women," she finally said. "You cavort with prostitutes and offend the innocent. As a complete embarrassment to your family, it's no surprise that they sent you away to save face."
"Oh yikes, no wonder nobody said anything during the ceremony," he said.
"You are… telling the truth?" Lan Fen said with what almost sounded like awe in her voice.
"How do you figure that?" He hadn't said anything particularly convincing after all.
"Even if everything you said was some sort of ploy to lower my guard Chen Haoran lacks the mind needed to stand such insults."
"So you believe me?"
"What are you?"
Good enough. He summoned up the burning words and… pushed for lack of a better term. It felt as if something was snapping into place and filling what was once an empty space.
Benefactor's Everlasting Hundred Blessings Charitable Prosperity
Spouse Lan Fen
Well… it was different at least. Chen Haoran supposed it was his fault to assume that it would show him a user manual or something.
"Hey-," he was cut off by a knock at the door. Chen Haoran opened it to find the water he had asked for, the servant held it high even as she bowed so low she was practically prostrating. "Thank you," he said as he took the pitcher and cups from her. She ran without looking back.
"Would you like some?" He asked Lan Fen. She tilted her head at the water and didn't say anything.
"Oh right, of course, you'd be suspicious of it." Not surprising considering the circumstances but he didn't think she was any less parched than he was. He made sure she could see the pitcher as he poured himself a cup and downed it in one go. He motioned the pitcher at her.
"Please," she finally said.
He filled her cup and handed it to her at arm's length where she received it gracefully. She tipped a finger into the water and tasted it before finally lifting her veil.
Chen Haoran wasn't ashamed to say that he was captivated. He had felt the power in her voice and saw that same power in her face. The kind a master craftsman would carve into a warrior statue. She had the look of eagles about her with golden eyes that pierced him. Needless to say, he lost that staring contest. Lan Bitch had said something before about Lan Fen being at the Ninth Layer of the Qi Realm he didn't know how that compared to his own power but something told him that Lan Fen was much much stronger than he was before whatever accident she had.
After winning their impromptu staring contest some tension seemed to leave her shoulders and she finally drank.
Received Hundredfold: Pure Spirit Water
Chapter 4: This Young Master Got Some Trust
He had Lan Fen brought to a separate room. Although they were finally speaking she still clearly had her guard up around him. The sheer confusion on the servants as they led her away spoke volumes of what was typically expected of him. There was no way he'd force Lan Fen to sleep in his room though.
Plus he needed some privacy.
Received Hundredfold: Pure Spirit Water
He focused on the words and they disappeared with a cup appearing in his hand. It was of much finer porcelain than what he had handed Lan Fen. The water itself looked like liquid crystal and a refreshing scent wafted out from it.
Down the hatch then.
A cool pleasant sensation emanated from his stomach and he could practically trace the feeling as it spread through his veins and left the energy in his body stronger and purer than before. Chen Haoran ran through some simple exercises to work out the new feeling.
It was rather obvious how his power worked now. Give stuff, get it back a hundred times better. If being connected was as important as he thought then Lan Fen was probably the only one his power would work on. Still, this opened up a whole world of opportunities if he played it right.
He needed to speak with Lan Fen again.
———
There was an office in the manor that seemed seldom used by the Young Master even before he transmigrated over. It was small and functional but it lacked the flashy decorations and casual luxury his sin cave of a bedroom had. A solid desk and chairs made of oak, a few purely decorative bookshelves made of the same. It was perfect.
Lan Fen sat straight-backed while he took a seat behind the desk. He didn't know where she got the green peony-printed dress she changed into but she had at least ditched the veil.
"Before we start I'd like to show my sincerity," Chen Haoran said. He pulled out a sack and two books and presented them to Lan Fen. She carefully leaned over and he saw shock spread across her as she read the book's titles.
"Yellow River Refinement and the Stone Carving Sword?" she whispered.
"Oh good, you know what they are."
"These are techniques at the Profound level!" she said.
"I literally do not know what that means." He found them underneath his mattress along with the silver so he assumed they were important. They had something to do with the power running through his body that much he was sure.
"You-" Lan Fen hesitated, looking between him and his gifts. "What are you aiming for?"
"I know you don't trust me but we're both in a position where we can only work together," he said. Well, so he hoped. Even without the benefit of the Gifting power Lan Fen was the only potential ally he had in this situation. "I have no memories of being Chen Haoran, how he acts, who he knows, or anything about the world period."
"So you say," she said.
"So I say," he agreed.
"In any case, it's only a matter of time before people realize I'm not the same person," He didn't have an exact grasp on the norms of this world yet but he was reasonably sure possession still rated highly on the 'burn it with fire scale. "I need someone who can teach me what I don't know and ask the questions I can't, you fit both of those roles perfectly." Plus he could point to her as the reason for his personality change.
"What is this then?" Lan Fen said, pointing to his gifts.
His future.
"My sincerity, in return for your cooperation you'll have the full material support I can give for whatever it is you want." That it would pay off for him a hundred times more of course went unsaid. Lan Fen waited for him to speak more but he had said his piece. While he knew she had some sort of accident that put her in this situation he wasn't dumb enough to mention it first and he didn't know enough about her to make any guesses besides.
"What if I told you I wanted revenge on the Lan Family then?"
"Of course, you'll have my full support," Chen Haoran promised. While he didn't know how strong the Lan family was compared to what he could bring to bear he didn't have much of a choice. In any case, the benefits he'd gain from supplying her vendetta far outweighed the risks in his book. "I didn't like Lan Bitch either when I met her."
Lan Fen laughed. It was full and deep and as she carried on laughing he began to suspect it wasn't just the nickname she was laughing at. This might've been the first she's laughed at all in a long time.
"What is that?" she huffed, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Well, I didn't know the name of that girl you came in with at the shrine but I knew she was Lan and I knew she was a bitch so…"
Lan Fen gradually lost the hard-won smile and turned serious. He felt a little sad to see it go honestly. She slumped into the chair and rested her head against her fist, golden eyes roaming the grain of the wooden floor like a general at rest. It looked very natural for her.
"It's an accurate name, Lan Yao was born with thorns," she said and he filed the name away. "I ignored her because I was always strong enough to grab her stem regardless." Her eyes narrowed, a predator's gaze. "A mistake."
"Will these techniques be able to help you?" He wished she would just hurry up and accept them. Lan Fen idly considered him before looking at the books.
"I am a Metal Attribute," she said as if that answered everything.
"Still don't know what that means." Lan Fen looked flummoxed before understanding.
"It's the affinity of my Spirit Root. These techniques are of the Water Element which has a positive interaction with Metal among the Five Elements." She never stopped staring at him as she explained. "I can make use of it."
"That's good then." She'd be more likely to accept something useful to her after all.
"These are Profound level techniques you know," Lan Fan said, bewildered. "Even I only had a Mortal level cultivation technique."
"Are they that valuable?" he said.
"There are four ranks to techniques: Mortal, Profound, Earth, and Heaven, the higher they are the more difficult it is to acquire them but the benefits they provide are immense," she said. "My Lan family has two techniques at the Profound level but as they were Wood aspected I could not cultivate them." There was no way Lan Fen wasn't someone important in the Lan Family, that they couldn't get her a suitable method to practice showed how difficult it was. "The other families should be the same."
"Well it's fine, take them." Seriously take them, take everything, please. "When I promised you my full support I meant it, whatever you need I'll get it for you."
Lan Fen closed her eyes and didn't say anything. Chen Haoran was crossing his fingers under his desk, hoping that he got through to her.
"Fine," she said. She stood up and grabbed the books and silver.
Received Hundred-Fold: Earth Rank Yellow Dragon River Refinement
Received Hundred-Fold: Earth Rank Canyon Carving Sword
Received Hundred-Fold: Two Hundred Gold Taels
"Do not regret anything," Lan Fen said. She bared her teeth in a rather threatening smile.
"Oh don't worry," Chen Haoran said. Feeling his own blinding smile build as he saw the rewards.
"I won't."
Chapter 5: This Young Master Has Superpowers
The manor was a large squarish building that opened in the center to a garden and Chen Haoran's personal training field. He couldn't tell if it was pristine due to the care of the servants or because his predecessor never bothered with it, though from the way Mr. Goatee looked shocked when he asked for a sword he assumed it was the latter.
That would change.
Canyon Carving Sword
He stood in the center of the field shirtless and felt his inner qi flow through newly discovered meridians and reached to… grab it for lack of a better word. The feeling was strange, more like an extra sense than a limb. Something he was aware of if he focused but would otherwise pass unnoticed. With qi in hand, he began to twist and turn it till it formed the pattern he saw in the book. With a yell, he swung his sword down and a blue-white ray of light flashed from the edge and left a furrow in the ground.
He had superpowers. Chen Haoran was giddy as he swung his sword a few more times and tore up the ground. If he was already tearing up earth after just learning he could only imagine, how strong it would be when mastered. His fun didn't last however as he felt his qi drop and lost his breath. Dropping his sword he quickly sat on the ground and sat cross-legged.
Yellow Dragon River Refinement
Despite being the same rank he'd say that the Yellow River Dragon Refinement was much more mysterious than the Canyon Carving Sword. The latter was cycling qi a certain way to shoot lasers out of your sword, easy enough. This was changing the qi itself. He followed the flow of his qi in a complete natural cycle around his body. He took control of it and did another cycle manually, then another faster, and faster. While the circulation sped up he felt more qi enter his body from the outside and he watched it fall in line with his own. Every cycle washed away whatever differences there were in the wild qi until it became his own and grew his reserves.
Now for the hard part. The cultivation method had its own specific pattern it had to flow in, like the Canyon Carving Sword, but more than that, it required him to recite a sutra along with it. He didn't know how exactly that helped and the book didn't see fit to tell him. Chen thanked all the exam cramming he had ever done as he recited the painfully memorized sutra. Something about dragons dancing in the river and floods or something, the language was flowery and full of metaphors he couldn't understand and he slowly got lost in trying to parse them. His qi was still cycling and Chen Haoran felt some peace for the first time since he found himself in this world. Within his growing qi he could almost see a yellow strand appear, it grew with every passing rotation and he could feel the quality of it was much greater than what he currently had.
Suddenly the yellow qi strand violently accelerated and rapidly absorbed all the qi before it. As it grew he saw that wasn't a strand at all but a yellow dragon. It danced through his meridians and devoured all the qi before it, constantly growing as it did so. The yellow dragon swallowed his qi in a few cycles this way and was then content to absorb the wild qi drawn to his body. Chen Haoran was entranced and the dragon seemed to notice his gaze as it raced up to his head and roared.
Chen Haoran woke up as his qi flooded out in a yellow wave. The dragon's roar was ringing in his skull and he roared with it, his qi rising with it before doubling back like a dragon returning to the water and submerging within his body. He was slick with sweat and heaving but…
He felt strong. Invigorated. For the first time since he transmigrated, Chen Haoran felt like he finally owned this body. He looked within and found that his qi had grown smaller and became yellow, the dragon however was gone if it was ever there to begin with. He didn't know why the dragon appeared whether it was the technique or something he did, he needed to meditate and check again.
"Young Master?"
Chen Haoran was startled out of his introspection and found that it had become darker. How much time had passed? Mr. Goatee and Lan Fen were standing together at the edge of the training field. Mr. Goatee looked about ready to pull his namesake out with how shocked he was while Lan Fen was studying him intently with an eagle-like gaze.
Shit.
"Lan Fen have you come to see me?" Chen Haoran walked over to them as they stood right where he left his stuff. He grabbed a towel and utterly ignored Mr. Goatee as he questioned Lan Fen. Plan: pretend to be the happy husband and ignore what just happened is a go.
Lan Fen narrowed her eyes before relaxing and nodding to Mr. Goatee.
"Manager Lin was kind enough to listen to my request and bring me here."
So Mr. Goatee is Lin? A manager as well, Chen Haoran knew he was important but it was good to have clarification. Manager Lin had a tight grip on his goatee as he looked bewilderingly between Chen Haoran and Lan Fen.
Right, distract.
Chen Haoran laughed, "Of course, Manager Lin is one of my most capable men and I regard him highly!" Manager Lin's sheer confusion easily exposed that lie. "Please go see him should you need anything in the future."
"What?" Manager Lin said.
Chen Haoran looked at him silently
"I mean- yes of course Lady Fen, this servant will endeavor to aid you." Manager Lin looked as if he couldn't believe what he was saying and his eyes bugged out, even more, when Chen Haoran threw a gold tael into his hands.
"Young Master- what is this?" Manager Lin said.
"I've been pleased with your work recently," he said. It was true too, without Manager Lin handling all the work he would have been buried in stress. "You may go now."
"But Young Master!"
Chen Haoran slowly frowned, "Manager Lin."
Manager Lin struggled for a moment and looked at Lan Fen again. He calmed himself and bowed before turning around and leaving. Chen Haoran tried to check the connection again but it didn't show up. At least it was obvious now that he could only get rewards from Lan Fen right now. Lan Fen waited until Manager Lin was out of sight before turning on him.
"Are you sure you have no memories?" she said.
"I'm just good at acting like a prick," he replied. He tossed another gold tael to Lan Fen who easily caught it. "I don't know the value of those, was it too much to give?"
"A bit expensive but he is your most important servant and has worked with you for a long time so it's not out of the bounds of noble largesse."
Lan Fen made to give the tael back but he stopped her, "Keep it I don't need it."
She stowed the tael away but the reward he was expecting never came. So no infinite feedback loops using the Gift Powers rewards. A shame but he was beginning to see how he was meant to use it.
"So what do you need?" he said.
"Everything."
Chapter 6: This Young Master Has Some Clue
"Sure, no problem whatsoever," Chen Haoran said. She could take everything and the kitchen sink; his only worry was what to do when he ran out of stuff to give her. "I can call Manager Lin back here and we can get started on that."
"That was a joke," Lan Fen said. The bland expression on her face said otherwise but he'd go along with it. Perhaps it was some kind of test but for what he wasn't sure.
"Of course," he said. "How are you adjusting to the manor?"
"Your servants live in fear of you," she replied. Obvious much? "It seems you've taken your temper out on more than a few in the past." Well, he expected that though he still winced when hearing it. He wasn't the one who did all that but he was living with the consequences, the more he learned how shitty the previous Chen Haoran was the more awkward he felt.
"What about my family?" he said. If anyone could notice he wasn't the same Chen Haoran it would be relatives. While he hadn't met any since he got here that wasn't a guarantee there weren't any.
"You live alone here, I have heard rumors that you were exiled to Clearsprings City by the Chen Family but I have not confirmed them," Lan Fen said. "The servants do say that in the six years you have been here your family has not visited."
Good, perfect even. The more his family didn't want to see him the less worry he had. He silently thanked the predecessor for being a piece of shit. Now all he had to fool were the rest of the people in his life. Still, Lan Fen was remarkably quick in gathering information. The Chen Family was one thing but getting the servants to open up about the Young Master's abuse this quickly as an outsider was impressive.
"Speaking of family what will you need to deal with yours?" he said. "I'm still not familiar with what I own so it might take a little bit to get everything."
"For now I will need cultivation resources and a secluded retreat," she said.
"You can still cultivate?" he said. Chen Haoran quickly winced as Lan Fen glared at him and he held up his hands placatingly. "Sorry I didn't mean it like that, I was under the impression you had an accident though?"
Speaking of which he was beginning to wonder what kind of accident it was. While he didn't have much experience with qi his recent practice showed how personal it was both in its use and how it improved the body. It stood to reason then that losing it would be rather traumatizing and yet while he only felt a little qi within Lan Fen she didn't seem injured or weak.
Lan Fen for her part took a deep breath and looked at the scars Chen Haoran had left in the earth. "I did have an accident but I am not crippled I simply need time." She closed her eyes as she seemed to reminisce. "Time I thought I had."
Now, Chen Haoran was no doctor but he was diagnosing some bullshit. He couldn't exactly put his finger on it but there was something that struck him as off with Lan Fen's whole situation. At the very least whatever conspiracy she was wrapped up in seemed to be a two-way street. Still, he doubted he'd get a straight answer if he asked Lan Fen now, best to change the subject.
"Speaking of cultivation levels do you happen to know what mine is?" he said. "And what they are for that matter."
Lan Fen arched an eyebrow at him but explained it to him in the end. "There are four realms of cultivation relevant to us: Qi, Liquid Meridian, Crystal Transformation, and the Star Core. There are nine layers in every realm that one must progress through to advance to the next realm."
So Lan Fen was at the top of the Qi Realm when she had her accident? No wonder people pitied her then. On the other hand, he didn't feel any liquids, crystals, or stars inside him so he could only be in the Qi Realm.
"How do I compare to you then?" he said.
"You were formerly within the Fifth layer of the Qi realm," Lan Fen said. "Now you stand at the Third."
What?
"How can you tell?" He had felt so powerful earlier, did that cheap dragon stiff him on his qi?
No, he could feel the answer circulating within him, the quality of the energy produced by the Yellow Dragon River Refinement was better than what he had before. Of course, it wouldn't be a 1:1 exchange when he switched from one to the other.
"You should be able to sense another's qi, discerning layers is not obvious at first but comes with experience," she said. Lan Fen flashed him a grim smile as she leveled a critical eye at him. "I was shocked you gave out your Profound level techniques so easily, but now I see you had superior ones in hand."
"I can show them to you later if you want," he said.
"Pardon?" Lan Fen looked confused and Chen Haoran wasn't sure why. He felt he had made it pretty clear that'd he'd give her whatever she wanted. Although he assumed actions spoke louder than words so he went and took out the Canyon Carving Sword and handed it to Lan Fen. Chen Haoran wouldn't lie and say his first instinct wasn't to keep the Gifting rewards to himself but it's not like he could hide them either if he wanted to actually use anything. In any case, it's not like the book would be used up if he shared it.
He did feel regretful as he watched Lan Fen check the contents of the book. If only it wasn't a reward, a hundred times better than the Earth level would have to be Heaven level surely.
"This is Earth level!" Lan Fen said. Did she not know that? What did she think they were before then? Now that he thought about it how was she able to identify the Profound techniques at a glance but had to read to confirm the Earth level? Chen Haoran silently filed away those thoughts for later.
"You said Metal and Water positively interact right?" he said. "That means you can use them?"
Lan Fen considered him. He had the faint impression of being visibly dissected by her eagle eyes. Chen Haoran felt goose flesh prickle along his arms sure he had superpowers now and she didn't but it was still uncomfortable being stared at like that.
"I can use Water Element spells," she said. "A cultivation method of another element will only interfere."
Well, he was glad she took it last time then.
"What do you want from me, Chen Haoran?" Lan Fen said. She was wary, or rather she never stopped being wary. He didn't expect her to completely trust him. Chen Haoran wouldn't even trust himself were he in the same situation, he totally had ulterior motives after all. Still, now that he knew how to use the Gifting power Lan Fen could be suspicious all she wanted as long as she still accepted what he gave her.
"Let's go run up a tab."
Now, where did Manager Lin keep all the money?
Chapter 7: This Young Master Can Act
Manager Lin as it turned out hadn't gone that far. Chen Haoran and Lan Fen caught him pacing beyond the main entrance of the garden.
"Young Master a moment of your time please," Manager Lin said. He side-eyed Lan Fen as he spoke. "I have some reports I must go over with you."
Chen Haoran could see the excuse for what it was. Just as he could see that there was no getting out of speaking with Manager Lin. Still, he had other priorities. Chen Haoran rested his hand on Lan Fen's back. He felt her stiffen beneath his hand but he deliberately tapped his fingers a few times and she schooled her expression. He'd apologize to her later, he was just hoping he got his meaning across.
"Before that, I was thinking of giving my Lan Fen a stipend," Chen Haoran said. "I can't call myself a husband if my wife has no money after all."
"Husband?" Manager Lin looked so shocked he even forgot to pull his beard. "Wife?"
"Yes married and everything," Chen Haoran said. "We even had a ceremony."
While Manager Lin was busy gaping like a fish Lan Fen threaded her arm through his.
"This wife thanks Master Chen," she said. Her voice was as regal as ever but the words she spoke were so at odds with what he had seen of her that it was hard to reconcile. He just couldn't imagine the woman who threatened him on their wedding night would ever speak lesser of herself like this. "He has long been famous for his abundant wealth and generosity."
He was thankful Lan Fen caught on quickly.
"Then allow this generous husband to show you the origin of his fame!"
Hook.
"Young Master!" Manager Lin seemed like he couldn't take it anymore. "I really do need to speak to you about those reports."
"Your reports can come later," Chen Haoran said. Capping his statement with a frown to Manager Lin, the perfect picture of a showoff husband being interrupted.
"Master Chen, this Manager Lin is very knowledgeable," Lan Fen interceded. "I beseech Master Chen to let him accompany us so that I may learn from him along the way."
Line.
"Naturally, Manager Lin is the wisest among my servants!" He even managed to say it with real joy. Chen Haoran turned to deliver the finishing blow. "Manager Lin you may take the lead, I'll hear your reports along the way."
Sinker.
Thoroughly outflanked Manager Lin looked at Chen Haoran aghast but he soon narrowed his eyes at Lan Fen in suspicion. Still, he didn't have the option to refuse, as was proven when he clasped his hands and bowed.
"Yes Young Master," he said.
----------
The manor was a massive building spanning three floors with enough rooms to rival some palaces he had seen back on Earth. Manager Lin led them down long hallways with polished wooden floors decorated with various artwork, wall scrolls, and carefully arranged flowers in glazed vases.
"Prices have risen on iron unexpectedly-"
"The City Lord was considering raising a tax on iron months ago, the other families have long known it."
"The gardeners have finished planting the Jade Scholar Trees the auspiciousness-"
"The season here is too wet for Jade Scholar Trees to grow properly, the auspiciousness would be spoiled with sickly trees."
"There will be a delay on our silk orders as our supplier lost the stock-"
"There is a shop on Rainwater Avenue whose patterns are trending now amongst the upper class."
Along the way Manager Lin briefed him regarding the upkeep of the estate only for Lan Fen to swoop in and mercilessly skewer Manager Lin, displaying a wide breadth of knowledge on every topic introduced. Manager Lin could offer no rebuttal and pulled his goatee taut with aggravation, not helped by Chen Haoran chiming in with enthusiastic support for Lan Fen and whatever idea she had. He had an impression to leave after all.
Thankfully for Manager Lin's goatee, they finally came upon a heavy iron-banded door deep in the estate blocked by two guards. The guards saluted and stepped aside while Manager Lin pulled out a brass key and fitted it to the heavy lock.
Chen Haoran had to do a double take when he saw it. He knew Manager Lin was his closest servant but how trusted was he to just casually carry the key to the treasury? Chen Haoran didn't have a key like that, and he had practically torn up his bedroom and office looking for anything useful. Was it hidden? Or was the key Manager Lin using his own? No matter how much of a waste the Young Master was it didn't make sense that a noble would make it harder for himself to access his personal wealth.
While Chen Haoran was theorizing, Manager Lin unlocked the door and stepped to the side. Inside was… nothing special. It was a room, not particularly large, with four blocky stone walls and a paved floor. Within were various cloth-covered objects of different sizes that Chen Haoran assumed were furniture and many chests. Manager Lin at his bidding went around opening them, revealing silver taels, and as they moved further to the back silverware, gold cups and plates, and fine porcelain glazed in blue and cyan.
No Gold Taels though.
Still, Chen Haoran was impressed, he had never seen so much precious metal gathered in one place before, and some of the pieces he saw seemed fit for a museum. Lan Fen on the other hand disinterestedly observed the Young Master's 'famous wealth', on the other hand, Lan Fen always looked like she was looking down on something which made it difficult to tell.
Manager Lin at this point was showing off a particularly old-looking bureau. Lan Fen idly said something about quality wood that Manager Lin seemed to take offense to but Chen Haoran felt the conversation fly over his head as he looked at the chests again. Lan Yao had given him fifteen thousand taels to buy Lan Fen's misery.
"How many of these chests are Lan Fen's dowry?" he said.
Manager Lin froze while Lan Fen became much more interested in the displayed silver.
"It doesn't matter I guess," Chen Haoran said. Manager Lin relaxed for a brief moment. "Just give her the fifteen thousand taels we received."
"Young Master!"
Ignoring Manager Lin's shock Chen Haoran turned to Lan Fen "Would you do me the honor of accepting this gift Lan Fen?"
"If Master Chen wishes to give how can this wife refuse?" she said.
While she said she'd accept it no prompt appeared to give him the reward.
"You really will accept it won't you?" he said. "I won't have you taking a single tael less."
"This wife feels honored by Master Chen," Lan Fen said. "This wife will endeavor to use it responsibly."
He didn't think she was lying about accepting it there had to be another reason then. Chen Haoran scooped up a few silver taels and forced them into Lan Fen's hands.
Received Hundred-Fold: Gold Taels
So he couldn't just say she owned something there had to be a transfer involved. He needed to figure out the limits though he'd have a problem if he had to stuff a chest full of silver in her hands. Chen Haoran finally looked at Manager Lin who was holding his goatee in a vice grip.
"Empty the closest room to Lan Fen's and have the money brought there for her convenience," he ordered.
"Young Master we should really discuss those reports," Manger Lin said through gritted teeth.
"In my office then," he said.
Chen Haoran had a report for this wannabe Disney villain too.
Chapter 8: This Young Master Can Fake It
Manager Lin had the patience to wait for Chen Haoran to sit at his desk before laying into him.
"Young Master what is this meaning of this!"
"This being?"
"Lan Fen, your cultivation, the gold tael!"
He half-suspected those issues were listed in order of importance. He considered Manager Lin for a moment. Chen Haoran felt for Manager Lin's qi, he didn't know how different those of a higher realm felt to the senses but Manager Lin's qi felt like Chen Haoran's own before he switched methods. Of similar size as well, he didn't think it was unreasonable to assume Manager Li was at the Fifth Layer of the Qi realm.
Manager Lin was close to his predecessor, his cultivation was higher than his own, and he had made him thoroughly suspicious and aggravated thanks to his recent actions. If this had happened at all within the last four days he would be panicking. Strangely enough, while his heart was beating rapidly he didn't feel any fear. Perhaps it was because of taking control over his cultivation, or maybe the knowledge that he had at least one person in his corner but Chen Haoran didn't feel powerless at all in the face of a situation that could go terribly wrong.
"I fail to see the issue here Manager Lin," he said. "Lan Fen is my wife, is it wrong that I treat her as such?"
"This isn't like you, Young Master," Manager Lin said. Seeing as how the Young Master was a piece of shit Chen Haoran was quite glad he wasn't like him. "What happened with Lan Fen the night of the wedding?"
"What do you think happened?"
"What always happens," Manager Lin snapped. "You've coveted Lan Fen for so long now, why would I think any different?"
Ah, that's right. How could he forget that Manager Lin was also a piece of shit?
"That's quite the attitude you have there servant Lin." Chen Haoran emphasized servant with a venom he didn't have to fake. Manager Lin knew about the deal made between the Young Master and Lan Yao to deal with Lan Fen and was involved in handling the transaction. Chen Haoran could imagine him handling the details of whatever other misdeeds the Young Master had gotten up to in the past.
He wouldn't have to feel bad about being an asshole then.
"How I treat my wife is not your concern," he said. Crossing his fingers together and leveling a stiff glare towards Manager Lin. "How I treat my deals is not your concern."
Manager Lin looked blank-faced at him, his hand creeping unconsciously towards his goatee.
"How I treat you for disobeying my orders is however something you should be very concerned about."
"Young Master I-"
"You will have the silver sent to Lan Fen and you will turn in that key." Chen Haoran commanded. "I will not tell you again."
This was a risk, he was purely relying on his identity to suppress Manager Lin right now. He didn't feel secure enough to fire Manager Lin if he even could and while he was confident in the power of his Earth-level techniques he didn't know how strong Manager Lin was in a fight either.
Fortunately, Manager Lin chose to bend.
"My sincerest apologies Young Master," Manager Lin said. Bowing lower than he had ever seen him do before. "I am simply worried for the well-being of the estate. Without the money, Lan Yao provided we would run out of funds before we receive next month's stipend."
So they're poor? It did give more reason for the Young Master to be doing Lan Yao's dirty work besides him being a pervert. Plus that stipend sounded like an allowance from the Chen family, it seemed he wasn't as cut off from them as he thought.
"It's not like the money is leaving the manor," he said. Although he didn't really care what Lan Fen decided to do with it.
"I still feel uneasy leaving it in the hands of an outsider Young Master," Manager Lin said. Not moving an inch from the respectful pose he had assumed.
Boy did he have a surprise for Manager Lin then. Thankfully this had an easy answer.
Manager Lin stumbled as Chen Haoran threw him a sack he pulled from out of sight under the desk. When Manager Lin opened it he was almost blinded by the gold taels he saw within.
"Young Master?" Manager Lin said, bewildered. The unstated part of the question was clear.
"If it worries you so much you can keep an eye on Lan Fen," he had to throw Manager Lin a bone at least until his position was stronger. He'd let Lan Fen know about it, although he didn't think it would be a big obstacle for her. "There's no need to worry about money however, there's more where that came from."
"Young Master where did you get so many Gold taels from?" Manager Lin couldn't tear his eyes away from the gold taels.
"Where do you think I could have gotten them from?" Chen Haoran said, voice dripping with derision.
Manager Lin looked confused for a moment but suddenly brightened as if realizing something. While Chen Haoran would have dearly liked to know what exactly Manager Lin thought of he didn't have a subtle way of going about it. He was getting tired of this conversation anyways.
"You have your orders, get out."
"As you wish Young Master."
-----------
Chen Haoran leaned against the door frame to Lan Fen's room as he watched servants lug chests of silver taels into the hastily emptied guest bedroom right next to it. Lan Fen was next to him, occasionally directing the servants on how she wanted the chests organized.
"Manager Lin is going to be watching you, sorry about that."
"I expected nothing less given the financially dire straits the estate seems to be," Lan Fen said. "I am impressed you convinced him at all."
"I was a little worried I won't lie," he said. "He has a higher layer of cultivation than I do after all."
"I would not be so concerned about that."
"Oh?"
"The power of Earth-level techniques isn't to be underestimated. I would not say you are weaker now compared to your previous cultivation, let alone a small Manager Lin." Lan Fen brushed a lock of white hair behind her ear and he tracked the motion even as he considered her words.
It sounded logical, his current Third-Layer of cultivation was built by devouring his old Fifth-Layer after all and the Canyon Carving Sword would absolutely be stronger than anything Manager Lin possessed so long as he practiced more. He felt giddy the more he thought about it, him the underdog crossing layers and beating those above him. It was an exciting thought.
"Money is still an issue," Lan Fen said. The last chest was brought in by the servants. "This much is not nearly enough."
Received Hundred-Fold: 1.5 million Gold Taels
"Don't worry," Chen Haoran said. Smiling from ear to ear even as Lan Fen arched a sword-like eyebrow at him. "There's more money in this place than you think."
While he didn't know how much the cultivation materials Lan Fen needed would cost he was sure this much would buy quite a lot indeed. Which meant that he would get even more high-level cultivation resources in return. He felt like a whale ready to splurge on his favorite gacha game practically seeing the cultivation levels fly past him already.
What Manager Lin? He wouldn't have to be afraid of him or anyone in the manor once his cultivation was high enough. Especially with the boost, the Yellow Dragon River Refinement provided, even Lan Fen only had a mortal level method how much better could his employees have?
In fact, now that he thought about Lan Fen.
"Since I use Earth-level cultivation techniques wouldn't that mean I'd be stronger than you were once I reach the Ninth Layer?"
Even as he finished speaking he could see the amusement dance in Lan Fen's golden eyes even as a vicious smile slowly played across her face.
"Ask those who came before you what they discovered."
Chapter 9: This Young Master Took A Walk
The days began to blend until almost a month had passed since he found himself in this world.
After Lan Fen received her 'dowry' she quickly went to work ingratiating herself with the staff, greasing palms, and buying secrets. In the mornings Manager Lin came to him with fresh complaints and suspicions while in the evenings Lan Fen informed him of common knowledge he'd be expected to know as the Young Master and, at his request, things the Young Master preferred hidden. As it turned out the predecessor had quite the rap sheet and Lan Fen always dug out some new scandal he was involved in or tragedy he had inflicted.
Between all this, he cultivated and practiced. The vision of the yellow dragon appeared again when he recited the sutra of the Yellow Dragon River Refinement. It wasn't nearly as intense as the first time which, he was informed, was typical. It wasn't enough to just flow your energy a specific way you also had to change the properties of the qi directly. The sutra acted as a sort of self-hypnosis to guide them in properly doing so. The Canyon Carving Sword was the same, Chen Haoran was embarrassed to admit it but he had skipped over the sutra at first since just flowing his qi gave him incredible results. In reality, it was a rather crude way of attacking with his qi, including the Canyon Carving sutra added a whole dimension of power to his esoteric fumbling.
He was now practicing in an isolated training ground outside the manor as his private one in the inner courtyard was ruined when he properly used the Canyon Carving Sword for the first time.
Unlike him who never left the estate, Lan Fen split her time subverting the loyalty of the servants in the manor and sneaking out under the guise of the night on secret tasks. Usually, this involved her bringing back some kind of delicate purchase or a new face to be included as part of her retinue. The latter was a particular goatee-pulling nuisance to Manager Lin, apparently as Lan Fen told it they were her people when she had still been powerful in the Lan family. While most of her allies deserted her after her accident some remained loyal and were left adrift when she had been forcibly married to him, now that she had a foundation again she quickly brought them back under her fold.
Manager Lin had practically been frothing at the mouth over Lan Fen's actions. So it was a good thing Chen Haoran saddled him up with gold and had him searching high and low for cultivation aids.
Naturally, they all went to Lan Fen. She had been surprised to find out he had been telling the truth that money had not been an issue but took it in stride and quickly commandeered an isolation room located in its own separate building in a far corner of the estate.
Received Hundred-Fold: 100-Year-Old Mountain Ginseng
Received Hundred-Fold: Spirit Gathering Pill
Received Hundred-Fold: Cleansing Meridian Springwater Elixir
Lan Fen practically guzzled down all the herbs, pills, and tonics as fast as they could come in. The only thing keeping Manager Lin silent on the consumption was Chen Haoran's rapid rise as he quickly returned to the Fifth Layer of the Qi realm.
Things were starting to look up.
---------------
It was funny how things could become increasingly annoying in two weeks. Lan Fen had closed herself off in the isolation room and allowed none to disturb her unless it was to deliver more cultivation aids.
Aids that were becoming increasingly difficult for Manager Lin to source as he had bought up all the stock that money could buy. Or rather all the stock their money could buy. Chen Haoran had once heard back on Earth that businesses only look at the color green, who owned it didn't matter.
He could now say that was a damn lie.
Oh sure, the merchants they were buying from liked their gold but not enough to let them budge in on the supply channels controlled by the aristocratic families even when they offered double the price.
He didn't think having more cultivation resources would help him at the moment though. While he felt fine physically, whenever he attempted to cultivate it was a laborious affair that left him feeling bloated like he had eaten too much. Thus Chen Haoran's cultivation was stalled until Lan Fen came out of isolation.
"Young Master you've received another invitation," Manager Lin said.
Right there was that too. Even Chen Haoran had friends he hung out with and fairly regularly too as he had received invitations out every other week. Recently though invitations had been coming in daily without fail, and judging from the places they wanted to go these friends had a particular definition of fun. Even if he didn't have a secret he needed to keep, going to a brothel wasn't his idea of a good time.
Chen Haoran lazily waved at Manager Lin to take it away and turned back to his book. It supposedly depicted the history of the empire he was now a citizen of but even with superpowers existing some of these accounts sounded ridiculous-
Manager Lin coughed behind him. He looked sheepish as Chen Haoran gave him a critical glance but was undeterred.
"It's from Lan Junjie, Young Master."
By the sound of it, that name was supposed to mean something to him. Given that he had the name Lan he probably had something to do with Lan Fen's situation. He definitely didn't want to meet anyone from the Lan family right now though. Still, he had to wonder how exactly Lan Fen intended to get revenge against them.
Manager Lin finally dropped the matter and left but Chen Haoran was in no mood to read anymore. Seeing as how nightfall was approaching he decided to go train instead.
When it came to the landscaping of the estate the most detailed work had been focused on the inner courtyard's garden. That wasn't to say the exterior was shabby however, trees and tall bushes were strategically placed along the grounds to break up the line of sight and create pockets of privacy filled with flower gardens, pavilions, or training fields. It was one such training field that Chen Haoran was heading to now. Sword in hand he bumped its sheathed edge against the trees as he walked. A proper swordsman would probably be frothing in rage at how he was treating the weapon but given his cultivation level, it would become a toy sooner or later for all that it was made of iron.
The cultivation room where Lan Fen was secluded came into view. A building the size of his old house on Earth dedicated solely to training in isolation for long periods. Chen Haoran had to admit he was feeling lonely without Lan Fen around. While he certainly wouldn't call them friends she was the only person he could be honest with. Ever since she started training the fact he was surrounded by strangers he had to constantly fool was beginning to wear on him.
He turned away before he could get any more distracted only to feel the cold tip of a blade poke his spine. Three shrouded figures had rushed out of the treeline behind him before he could react. Their qi was muted and difficult to notice which explained how they snuck up on him. Being this close though he could barely make out their level.
Qi Realm. Stronger than him too. He couldn't put a name to the level but they had to at least be two layers above his own. Chen Haoran felt fear prickle it's way down his spine and back up again in its own messed-up version of qi circulation.
"Gentlemen-" He began but was cut off when the blade at his spine pressed harder and another dagger was brought to his throat.
"Do as we say or your life is forfeit," a gruff voice sounded from the shrouded figure. Standing to his side Chen Haoran could just barely make out a covered face only exposing two cold eyes.
"Of course," he said.
"You will open the door of that building over there. If you resist you die, if you make a sound you die."
Without waiting for him to agree they dragged Chen Haoran over to the cultivation room. Even as his heart threatened to beat out of his chest his thoughts raced to piece together the situation.
Assassins. Confident ones too, Chen Haoran still had a white-knuckled grip on his sword but they did not attempt to remove it. They could kill him before he ever had the chance to draw it. Their qi was hidden, standing on the other side of the door Lan Fen would only feel him coming to disturb her cultivation. She'd be caught by surprise.
He didn't know what to do. The blades pressed in closer as he laid his hands on the door. Going slow just would just delay the inevitable. Fast at least gives him a chance. He flexed his qi and the doors ripped open but the opening he was hoping for didn't happen as his knees were kicked out and a hand viciously grabbed his hair and slammed his face to the ground.
"Run-"
His slurred warning choked in his throat as he gazed into the open room.
The empty room.
Lan Fen wasn't here.
Chapter 10: This Young Master's First Fight
Chen Haoran didn't have time to finish thinking before he was picked up and slammed against the wall. The assassins pressed hard against his neck, and blood began to trickle.
"Where is she?" His interrogator's partners swept every nook and cranny of the barren room for any trace of Lan Fen.
Did Lan Fen sneak out again and just coincidentally missed getting ambushed? Was she ever cultivating in here at all? Had she gotten what wanted and left? In the midst of all those wild thoughts, Chen Haoran finally spotted it sitting in the center of the room.
A single gold tael.
One of the assassins spotted it as well and quickly crossed the room to pick it up. Chen Haoran relaxed his body as the assassin suddenly looked up towards the ceiling.
And saw nothing.
Lan Fen struck at that moment. Appearing out of thin air in front of the assassin and thrusting her fingers into his eyes. The man fell back screaming just as his partners began to react. Chen Haoran grabbed the wrist of the assassin in front of him and twisted the knife away to land a powerful knee into his midsection. He fell back and Chen Haoran dove to his fallen sword unsheathing it in a single motion.
Lan Fen rose from a now unmoving body with bloody fingers and rolled under the charge of the second assassin. He didn't let up and continued to press her with the superior speed and strength of his cultivation level. Lan Fen, despite the vanishing trick, still had not recovered her cultivation and was desperately dodging by the thinnest of margins.
"Lan Fen!" Chen Haoran shouted, and he threw this sword across the room. The assassin casually batted it away with his knife only to stumble back when Lan Fen took the opportunity to land a heavy fist into his throat. The man backed away coughing and swinging wildly while Lan Fen picked up his sword.
Chen Haoran's relief lasted until the first assassin dashed over to him and he realized he had just thrown his only weapon.
"Lan Fen you better accept that sword!" He yelled as he hastily dodged a knife aimed at his kidney. Chen Haoran reached out again to grab the assassin's wrist but was neatly avoided and left with a slit palm for his trouble.
"Lan Fen!"
"Are you insane!" She shouted back taking a heavy blow with the flat end of the sword and rolling with the force away from her opponent.
"Keep the sword please!"
"I will shove this sword up your ass!"
Received Hundred-Fold: Mortal Rank Mysterious Watered-Steel Sword
"Works for me," he said muttered to himself. The first assassin had closed in again and Chen Haoran stepped close and reached out as if to grab him. What he grabbed instead was the hilt of the sword that suddenly appeared in his hand. The assassin was unprepared for Chen Haoran's follow-up thrust with the ripple-patterned sword piercing his chest. Circulating his qi to the fullest Chen Haoran roared and ran the assassin through penetrating the wall behind him and leaving him pinned upright.
Blood pooled at the assassin's feet as he gurgled out a final wet exhale. Chen Haoran breathed heavily before a thud from behind startled him. Flipping around he found Lan Fen had somehow stabbed the second assassin in the throat and was now rushing towards him.
"Are you a moron?" She cursed, ripping off the sleeve of her robe and revealing a muscular arm. She wrapped the torn cloth around his bleeding neck. "What sort of idiot throws away their sword!"
"You were weaponless though," he said. He was sweating profusely and his breathing felt rattled as adrenaline died down.
"And your bright idea was to become weaponless instead?" Lan Fen mercilessly shot down his feeble excuse and ripped off her other sleeve to bind his cut palm.
"I'm sorry I've never been in a fight before." Chen Haoran flushed with burning shame as he reflected on his performance. He didn't even think to use the Canyon Carving Sword before foolishly getting rid of his sword. Lan Fen at least seemed to know how to fight unarmed. Meanwhile, he couldn't even use his strongest move.
Chen Haoran fell to the floor after Lan Fen finished binding his wounds. She on the other hand escaped with only minor scratches. After giving him another once over she went to search the assassins' bodies.
Chen Haoran meanwhile had stabilized his breathing and calmed down. He had killed a man but that didn't bother him much. What really had his hands shaking was how close he was to getting killed, if the reward had come any later then he had no doubt the assassin would have killed him. He couldn't even blame it on the difference in cultivation, not when Lan Fen still didn't have any and managed to kill two of them.
On Lan Fen's side her pat down only turned up empty pockets and she grunted in disgust.
"Who were these guys?" he said.
"Just some Seventh-Layer thugs," Lan Fen said. "Scum used as hitmen rather than proper assassins, we were lucky they were so weak."
Chen Haoran looked at her with a blank face. If they were weak then what did that make him? What the hell was Lan Fen's definition of strong then?
"Why did they come here?" They were clearly here for Lan Fen and were informed enough to know exactly where she was in the estate.
"It doesn't matter, once I've restored my cultivation it will no longer be an issue," she said. Lan Fen had rested her chin and was staring into the air as she answered him as if having a separate conversation but he could hear the dismissiveness in her tone.
Chen Haoran saw red.
"What do you mean it doesn't matter!" he yelled. Lan Fen frowned but he didn't care. "I was ambushed where I thought I was safe. I have a right to know why."
"Take care Chen Haoran," Lan Fen warned him. "I have not acted on my suspicions towards you, such as where that sword came from." She nodded to the blade still pinning the dead assassin to the wall. "Among other things, I would ask that you extend me the same courtesy."
"My secrets haven't almost gotten you killed," he bit back. "I'm not like you. I was thrown into this mess and I would appreciate you not adding more threats to my life."
"Are you saying I chose to be in this situation?" Lan Fen's voice was low and threatening. Her golden eyes added to the fierceness of her glare. She was dangerous, that thought had always been wriggling in the back of his mind ever since their wedding night. It only lent credence to his speculations.
"I think you chose to have an 'accident'," he said drawing out the word. An accident that completely erased her cultivation without leaving her any permanent injuries or health issues and could be fixed by just cultivating hard? Yeah right. "I think you chose to hide the fact you weren't crippled from the Lan family." Lan Fen was one of the best talents in the city by all accounts. Even if there was no familial love the Lan family wouldn't easily give up an asset like her when she could recover in the future. Which meant they thought she couldn't. "Excuse me for thinking you chose this too."
Lan Fen's face was stone as she silently stared at him. He could be sure that his guesses weren't far off the mark then if she had no retort.
"I'm not going to ask why you haven't even reached the First Layer despite all the cultivation resources I've gotten you. I'm not going to ask how you hid from the assassins. I won't even ask what it is that's making you go to such lengths that you'd risk your life being ruined. All I want to know is why I was almost killed tonight and what I might be killed for in the future."
Lan Fen finally sighed and craned her neck to look at the ceiling. She rubbed her head and he saw her mouth open and close several times as if she wanted to speak. Eventually, her shoulders slackened and she sighed yet again.
"I am sorry," she said. "You could have fled and yet you stayed to help me. Dealing with the assassins would have been more difficult without your intervention." Lan Fen suddenly clasped her hands and bowed to him. "Thank you for fighting by my side."
"No- I mean, we're allies after all." Chen Haoran was slightly flustered. This hadn't been the response he was expecting at all.
"An ally." Lan Fen tested the word as if saying it for the first time.
"So do you have any idea why these guys came here?" he said.
"They were most likely here to rob me. No actual enemy of mine would send killers so weak."
"Rob you?"
Lan Fen pulled out a token made of purple metal with a golden lily engraved on it. "The last time I left the estate I called in a favor owed to me. Whoever is behind those men must have caught wind of it and sent them."
"And that is?"
Lan Fen smiled, "A very exclusive invitation to a very special auction."