Chapter 31: Unyielding and Unbending, Mighty and Unsubmissive

After all, not everyone can obediently put down their power, retire to their hometown, and enjoy their twilight years.

It’s precisely because they’ve tasted the benefits power brings, that they’re even less willing to let go.

Even after stepping down, they still want to control power through other means.

"Enough, you may leave now!"

Wan Feiliang clearly didn’t intend to say anything more.

He waved his hand, signaling that Lu Quan could go.

"Yes, Lord Thousand Households!"

Lu Quan knew well that while some things he could listen to, there were matters he had no business knowing.

He nodded sensibly, bowed, and left Wan Feiliang’s courtyard.

In his heart, he was already imagining what Ye Liuyun’s expression would be like once he discovered he had nothing left.

,,,

"Eunuch? There are eunuchs in the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

On Ye Liuyun’s side, through Si Nan, he more or less understood Wan Feiliang’s situation.

He knew the Embroidered Uniform Guard had long been infiltrated by various factions, but he really hadn’t expected that even the eunuchs would push their way in and install a Lord Thousand Households.

"I heard that Lord Wan is the godson of that esteemed Nine Thousand Years in the palace. He’s got a formidable background—even the Governor doesn’t dare offend him lightly."

,,,

Even Nine Thousand Years has gotten involved.

This Great Qian Dynasty is even messier than he imagined.

Although he’d gone through quite a few dossiers, the descriptions of the powers within the Great Qian Dynasty were still too superficial—there were many things Ye Liuyun had no idea about.

Seeing Ye Liuyun silent, Si Nan continued.

"I heard that no one targeted by Lord Wan ends up well. Either they get suppressed and forced to bow and submit, or the unwilling ones are utterly ruined—homes destroyed and families dead."

At this, Si Nan grew even more worried.

Afraid Ye Liuyun would be targeted the same way.

"How strong is he?"

Hearing all this, Ye Liuyun’s expression didn’t change much—he simply asked.

"Hm?" Si Nan seemed surprised Ye Liuyun would ask this.

"How strong is Lord Wan, really?"

Ye Liuyun pressed on. In the end, it all boiled down to strength.

If you’re strong enough, who cares about being targeted?

"Uh, I heard he’s probably a First-class Martial Artist."

"Just a First-class Martial Artist?"

He’d figured he’d at least be a Postnatal Martial Artist, but turns out it’s only First-class.

"Uh!"

Si Nan was dumbfounded—what do you mean, ’just’ a First-class Martial Artist? That level of skill is incredibly rare in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"If it’s troublesome, my lord, why don’t I find time to take care of this Lord Wan myself?"

Shi Sheng’s thinking was simple: since Ye Liuyun had helped him, now that Ye Liuyun was in trouble, he naturally had to repay that kindness.

As for strength—Lord Wan is a First-class Martial Artist, but isn’t Shi Sheng one too?

He really didn’t believe he couldn’t win.

"It’s not time for that yet."

Looking at Shi Sheng, Ye Liuyun smiled and waved his hand.

Then turned sideways to Si Nan.

"Keep an eye on Lu Quan, and while you’re at it, have people watch this Lord Wan too. See when he leaves the Imperial City."

So, still planning to kill him, huh.

Since when has our lord gotten so hot-tempered?

Godson of Nine Thousand Years—if he dies, it’s bound to cause a stir. Still, Si Nan obediently agreed.

"I’ll arrange it right away, sir."

,,,

The next few days.

Ye Liuyun had been waiting to see how Wan Feiliang would retaliate, but before Wan Feiliang made a move, the bodyguard by Yan Shuzhu’s side—Lv Lan—showed up instead.

"Imperial Music Bureau?"

Inside the Embroidered Uniform Guard, looking at Lv Lan before him, Ye Liuyun was surprised.

From Lv Lan’s description, his master Yan Shuzhu was hosting a banquet at the Imperial Music Bureau and had invited him.

"That’s right. Tonight, there’s even a Courtesan performance. My lady wants you to join her and enjoy the show."

Lv Lan’s face was ice cold, probably because of her extreme yin physique.

But Ye Liuyun didn’t think much of it.

He spoke directly.

"Not today. I have a case to work on later. Maybe next time."

He wasn’t brushing her off with a random excuse; he really did have a case to handle later.

This response made the originally chilly Lv Lan a bit surprised—she’d thought Ye Liuyun was lecherous, but hearing about a Courtesan performance, he was completely unmoved.

Did she misjudge?

But remembering it was Yan Shuzhu’s orders, Lv Lan spoke up.

"Do you know who you’re refusing?"

"And do you know how many people would die tonight if I dropped my case to go with you?"

Ye Liuyun looked up, eyes calm as he stared at Lv Lan.

Trying to scare me? Sorry, if there’s one thing I’ve got, it’s guts.

Seeing Lv Lan lost for words, Ye Liuyun continued.

"Holding a token that lets her mobilize the palace’s Imperial Guard—your lady’s status in the palace must be extraordinary."

There are plenty of princes in the palace, but the ones out of favor get nothing but luxury—no real power. But anyone with this kind of token is never out of favor.

"Go back and tell your lady—I’m not in the Embroidered Uniform Guard to play someone’s lapdog. If all we do is suck up to the powerful, who will protect the people of the Imperial City? If she’s looking for an obedient dog, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has plenty. I’m not interested."

If there were ever words of unyielding integrity, they’d practically be written on his face right now.

Lv Lan couldn’t help but feel a little ashamed.

As for why Ye Liuyun dared say all this—it was all because Yan Shuzhu’s Talent Entry gave him confidence.

When dealing with people like this—

If you act humble and servile, they’ll only look down on you more.

On the contrary, the prouder you are, the more they’ll appreciate you—or, less flatteringly, they just like hard cases.

"I..."

"Alright, I need to investigate my case. I won’t keep you."

With that, he didn’t give Lv Lan a chance to refuse—he strode off without turning back.

Watching Ye Liuyun’s departing figure, Lv Lan instinctively considered forcing him to go with her, but recalling Ye Liuyun’s words, she put the thought aside.

She hadn’t expected someone this upright to exist in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lv Lan left as well.

,,,

"Ah, youth!"

Ye Liuyun, meanwhile, had his men assembled.

Sitting astride his horse, he watched Lv Lan leave from the other side of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a faint smile curling on his lips.

He knew how to talk to people—say what suits them, whatever spirit they are. It was a skill Ye Liuyun had honed to perfection.

Lv Lan was strong, sure, but clearly she’d spent too long in the palace—she didn’t have a clue about all the twists and turns and schemes.

Just a couple of sentences and she’d been swept aside.

,,,,,,