The bathhouse in the Prince’s Manor was grandly designed.
The pool was spacious, and the mist curled lazily in the air.
Fang Xuan soaked in the warm water, exposing only his shoulders and head as he squinted his eyes in comfort.
Despite being a cultivator who remained untainted by dust, a hot bath was still an incredibly pleasant luxury after days of travel.
Ning Xian did not enter the water, instead having removed her outer robes to sit by the pool in her plain white inner robes.
Her bare feet were dipped in the pool water, gently swaying back and forth.
She tilted her head slightly, seemingly lost in thought.
After a long while, as if she had finally sorted through her reflections, she spoke in her usual flat tone:
"The prince wants the throne."
"It will be simple to put him there. Afterward, we will take half of the national treasury as payment."
Fang Xuan blinked and turned his head to look at her. "...What?"
Wait, Senior Sister, you know all of that?
You’ve already calculated exactly what he wants and how we’re going to collect the reward...
It’s only been two hours since we stepped through the front door...
She didn't even bother to keep up appearances.
Ning Xian didn't seem to think there was anything wrong. Seeing him look over, she turned her face and explained seriously:
"We provide the strength, and he already has the prototype of a faction. The timing is actually quite right."
Fang Xuan was still listening with a look of bewilderment.
"Then... Senior Sister, didn't we come here to participate in the Southern Wilderness Dao Conference?"
Ning Xian’s swaying feet stopped for a moment as she said calmly, "When the Tianlan Kingdom changes hands, the imperial court will be in such turmoil that it cannot even protect itself. Naturally, the conference will not be able to continue."
Fang Xuan muttered, "...Are we moving that fast?"
The Southern Wilderness Dao Conference was said to officially open in seven days. Invitations had already been sent out, and various groups were rushing to the capital.
To finalize a change in the throne and stabilize the situation enough to cancel the conference within seven days.
Wasn't this efficiency a bit too... otherworldly?
"Yes," Ning Xian replied with a single word, as if this were just a trivial matter.
She had even started considering the aftermath. "Half the resources in the national treasury should be enough for you to cultivate until the Nascent Soul Realm. If there are any rare items missing, we can have him search for them then."
Hearing this, Fang Xuan really wanted to say something.
Senior Sister, two sessions of dual cultivation could probably get me to the top, and then I just need a giant spirit bun for a perfect breakthrough...
"Senior Sister, how long will we be staying here this time?" Fang Xuan asked next.
"Not long." Ning Xian lifted her fair feet out of the water, bringing up a string of crystalline droplets.
"We will leave once the business is done. When we return to the Qingyun Sect... there are still things that haven't been taken."
Ning Xian looked at him and suddenly reached out to pat his head. "There will be many things happening during this time; stay close to me."
After saying this, as if feeling her words were a bit too stiff, she pursed her lips and added one more word: "Be good."
Fang Xuan stood there, speechless.
After Ning Xian spoke, she seemed to feel a bit embarrassed herself and looked away.
She... was about to make a mistake again.
No, she couldn't.
Why did she feel like her Junior Brother was seducing her?
Even though he hadn't done anything, she just felt her heart becoming restless...
She just wanted to...
...................
Inside the manor.
Chen Fan’s side.
He returned to his study and dismissed all his attendants.
With the doors and windows tightly shut, he stood alone before the desk and held the secret letter he had just received near a candle flame.
He watched the tongues of fire slowly consume the paper until it turned to ash.
The firelight reflected off his calm, unmoving face. In the depths of his eyes, which not long ago were filled with humility and trepidation, there was now only the coldness suppressed for many years.
He was a waste...
He had waited for this day for far too long.
From being measured as having no spirit roots, to being abandoned in disappointment by his father, mocked by his brothers, and looked down upon by the court officials.
Even being publicly rejected by his fiancée... he had accepted every single one of those "waste" labels, enduring them in silence.
Because he knew better than anyone that in this world where strength was respected, his status as a prince was nothing more than a magnificent cage that could be crushed at any moment without power.
Thirty thousand private soldiers were the hidden cards he had slowly accumulated over the years by secretly draining his family’s wealth and even using the remnants of his mother’s clan.
But it wasn't enough.
A Void Core Realm expert...
And the other one beside her was at least a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator!
Chen Fan took a deep breath, suppressing the thumping of his heart and that slight instinctual fear.
The risk was massive, but the potential rewards were equally staggering.
If he could obtain the support of a great Void Core Realm cultivator, even if it was just a temporary cooperation, the success rate of his plan would skyrocket!
Even a great Void Core Realm cultivator would surely have something they wanted. Cultivation methods? Resources? Power? Or... some even more hidden desire?
He could give it to them. As long as he could achieve his goal, he was willing to pay any price within his power.
He straightened his robes, put that gentle and respectful smile back on his face, and pushed open the study door.
"Someone come here."
"Your Highness." A trusted guard appeared soundlessly.
"Go invite the two immortal lords to move to the Main Hall for the evening banquet."
"Remember, your attitude must be impeccable, and the etiquette must be thorough. There must not be the slightest negligence."
"Yes!"
The guard accepted the order and left.
The game of chess had begun; once the piece was placed, there is no turning back.
...................
Fang Xuan’s side.
He came out of the bathhouse and got dressed.
Ning Xian’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before she quickly looked away, her ears turning slightly red.
But her hands didn't stop as she helped him straighten his collar and picked up a hair ribbon.
She raised her hands behind his head and began to bind his hair.
Once the hair was tied, Ning Xian looked at Fang Xuan’s handsome features, and a faint smile rippled in her cool eyes.
She couldn't help it.
She still couldn't resist standing on her tiptoes to kiss him again.
Fang Xuan was slightly dazed and turned to look at her.
Ning Xian had already straightened up, the faint smile not yet fully faded from her face, though her gaze drifted elsewhere. "Alright, it’s... it’s time to go out."
However, Fang Xuan’s sharp eyes caught that her small earlobes were already flushed red.
He laughed inwardly but didn't expose her.
He just felt that this Senior Sister of his was incredibly cute.
"Mm, okay."
He stood up and took Ning Xian’s hand.
...................
As the two of them walked out of the side wing where the bathhouse was located and returned to the main courtyard.
A middle-aged man who appeared to be a steward was waiting respectfully outside the courtyard gate. Upon seeing them, he immediately bowed low.
"Immortal lords, His Highness has prepared an evening banquet and specifically ordered me to come and invite you."
"Lead the way."
...................
Inside the hall.
The decorations were quite nice, luxurious without losing elegance.
The table was already laid out with delicacies, many of which were carefully prepared using ingredients containing spiritual energy.
Clearly, Chen Fan had spared no expense.
Chen Fan had been waiting outside the hall for a long time. Seeing the two of them arriving together, the respectful and humble smile on his face grew even deeper as he personally stepped forward to lead the way.
"Seniors, please."
Upon entering the hall, Chen Fan led them directly to the head seats.
"Seniors, please take the seats of honor," Chen Fan said with a bow.
Fang Xuan glanced at the head seats and then at the sincere Chen Fan before waving his hand. "No need, I’ll just sit here."
He casually chose a chair to the left of the head seat. He had always been impatient with these empty formalities; he just wanted to sit comfortably.
Ning Xian naturally sat down beside him.
Seeing this, Chen Fan didn't dare sit in the vacant seat of honor. Instead, he sat in the lower seat to the right, his posture still constrained.
The head seat was left empty just like that, looking somewhat out of place, but none of the three people present seemed to care.
As the banquet began, Chen Fan first raised his cup for a toast, his words earnest as he thanked the two immortal lords for gracing him with their presence.
He didn't mention a word about what happened on the street today, nor was he in a hurry to reveal his true intentions. He simply served dishes diligently and introduced the customs of Tianlan and the interesting news of the capital, making the atmosphere quite harmonious.
After the wine had been served three times and the food sampled many times over.
Chen Fan put down his jade chopsticks, and the smile on his face slightly faded.
He stood up and first clasped his hands in a formal bow toward Fang Xuan and Ning Xian.
"Seniors," he lowered his voice, "I know that my actions today were abrupt. I also know that these thoughts of mine might be insignificant or even laughable in your eyes."
He raised his head, and his eyes no longer held their previous dejection. "But I truly have no path of retreat. Not fighting means death; fighting offers a glimmer of hope."
"I am willing to give everything I have, only asking that you... lend me your aid." He bowed once more, his posture as low as the dust.
"Afterward, the Tianlan national treasury will be yours to take as you please. If I can ascend to that seat, I will surely treat you with the respect due to a master for the rest of my life. The Tianlan Kingdom can also become a vassal state of your domain."
He gave the most extreme promises he could think of.
Wealth, power, and even the offerings of an entire nation.
Fang Xuan was eating a dish that looked like spirit shrimp and thought it tasted quite good, so he didn't speak upon hearing this.
Ning Xian put down the jade cup in her hand.
The bottom of the cup tapped lightly against the table, making a soft sound...
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