Chapter 100 - 8: Breakthrough and the Position of Lord Thousand Households (Part 2)

He didn’t continue to talk about this matter. He was actually thinking about asking why the other party came to him at this hour—maybe something was up.

But then Ye Liuyun immediately picked up on the faint smell of blood coming from Lv Lan.

Injured?

Ye Liuyun’s first suspicion was that Lv Lan was hurt. But seeing that the other party’s inner force was calm and steady, he didn’t look like he was injured. Probably just stained by someone else’s blood.

Noticing Ye Liuyun’s gaze.

Lv Lan gave a slight smile, not bothering to hide anything.

"This blood isn’t mine."

Given Lv Lan’s strength, unless she ran into a Grandmaster, even facing an Innate Perfection Martial Artist, she’d still be able to put up a fight.

Of course, she probably couldn’t win the fight, but running away wouldn’t be a problem.

"By the way."

Lv Lan didn’t rush to explain where the smell of blood came from, but started talking about something else.

"His Majesty asked me to tell you that the method you came up with before was really good. His Majesty has indeed had it easier these days, and the guards of the Nine Thousand Years in the palace are a lot more relaxed. Seems like soon, His Majesty will have another chance to leave the palace."

"Eh, I was just talking off the cuff anyway. The actual execution still depends on His Majesty."

Ye Liuyun shrugged, not taking it to heart.

Well, isn’t that how it is.

When everyone already knows you’re just a tool and a puppet, why fuss? Just slack off.

As a person, you need to know how to push tricky stuff onto others.

When you hit a problem, your first thought should be—can I pass this mess to someone else?

The Ye Liuyun of the past was pretty well-versed in this field.

Hearing Ye Liuyun say that, Lv Lan just thought he was being modest, and smiled as she replied.

"Doesn’t matter what you say, anyway His Majesty insists it’s your credit. Although His Majesty has limited power right now, there are still some places where he can help you out."

"Hm?"

If you put it that way, I’m getting interested now.

Just as well, Ye Liuyun was pretty curious.

What sort of "help" was this, exactly?

"Wait a few days and your Lord Thousand Households appointment should arrive."

"Lord Thousand Households?"

Ye Liuyun’s eyes lit up.

This Lord Thousand Households spot was something Ye Liuyun had his eye on for a while, since once he becomes Lord Thousand Households, he’d be qualified to enter Purgatory.

And just thinking about all those starving Talent Entries inside Purgatory, all waiting for him to harvest—Ye Liuyun could hardly wait.

"But there’s only so many Lord Thousand Households slots, right!"

Within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there were plenty of Hundred Households, but Lord Thousand Households? Only ten slots, total.

One radish, one pit.

If the one above doesn’t step down, no matter how capable you are below, you’re not moving up.

Linking this with the blood smell on Lv Lan, Ye Liuyun’s mind made a connection.

"So that’s how it is."

Seeing Ye Liuyun’s look of realization, Lv Lan nodded as well.

"Lord Thousand Households Ren was old and frail, and suddenly dropped dead at home tonight. No one will find out a thing."

If Lv Lan could say it so casually, things must have been dealt with nicely.

As for this Lord Thousand Households Ren, Ye Liuyun didn’t know much but had heard some things.

Famously: all about the money, not people.

If you gave him a bribe, he might still not do the job; but if you didn’t give him any money, there’s no way you’d get shit done.

Put simply, if you give me a bribe, I might not remember you, but if you don’t, I’ll definitely remember you.

As for his cultivation, supposedly just entered Postnatal, so definitely no match for Lv Lan.

"This Lord Thousand Households Ren did a bunch of crap and took lives for money—His Majesty’s wanted to deal with this kind of person for ages."

Consider it an opportunity.

"Alright, got it!"

Looks like it’s more than double happiness now.

Not only is he breaking through to Innate Perfection and Seventh Grade Mage—now he’s also getting promoted to Lord Thousand Households. Triple happiness.

Seems like Yan Shuzhu isn’t just about drawing big pie-in-the-sky promises after all.

He actually gives real benefits, too.

"I can’t stay here long—His Majesty still needs me. I’ll take off first."

There aren’t many trusted hands left on Yan Shuzhu’s side.

Lv Lan can’t leave Yan Shuzhu’s side for long either.

"Alright, stay safe on your way back."

Ye Liuyun didn’t stop her. He just nodded and casually threw in a caring line.

But that made Lv Lan pause in her tracks. She gave a soft reply.

"If you run into any trouble, just come to me for help."

With that, she didn’t give Ye Liuyun time to respond—she was gone in a flash.

Ye Liuyun watched the direction Lv Lan left in, a little surprised.

But he didn’t overthink it.

He stretched, yawned, and headed back to his room.

...

The next day.

When Ye Liuyun arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The news of Lord Thousand Households Ren dropping dead at home was already being passed around within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Sad?

No chance. No one felt bad about Lord Thousand Households Ren croaking.

The only reason people were talking about it was pure curiosity: with Lord Thousand Households Ren dead and his spot empty, who would fill the vacancy?

The ones who knew they had no shot at the spot were just there gossiping for fun, treating it as entertainment.

As for those who thought they might be in the running—

Well, their minds got real active. Anyone who can hang in the Embroidered Uniform Guard has ambitions, right?

Everybody started making moves: those with connections played their connections, those without started thinking about gifts.

"This Lord Thousand Households spot, it’s gotta be yours, sir!"

On Ye Liuyun’s end—

Si Nan looked smug as hell, like the Lord Thousand Households position was already as good as Ye Liuyun’s.

After all, in Si Nan’s eyes—