"Miss Tang, your words make me suspect you still harbor feelings for me, your former fiancé."
Shen Lang chuckled, "We both know our marriage was merely a ruse to de-escalate animosity. I handed over the Tang Sect's Myriad Leaf Flying Flower Flow to Tang Jiutian in exchange for our union, all to buy time to grow stronger."
"And Tang Jiutian was well aware of my intentions. He accepted the Myriad Leaf Flying Flower Flow to enhance his own power, preparing for future revenge."
"Young Master Shen, you truly possess clarity of mind. No wonder my father said you absolutely cannot be allowed to live, for you would be a formidable rival to the Tang Sect."
Tang Wan'er smiled at Shen Lang and continued, "Young Master Shen's honored call must be for a purpose. Is there something Wan'er can assist Young Master Shen with?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Lang spoke, "I'm looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?"
Tang Wan'er smiled, "What kind of person could trouble Young Master Shen so deeply?"
"Her name is Ye Shishi."
Shen Lang stated, "You should know who she is."
"Ye Shishi?"
Tang Wan'er smiled playfully, "I know the women around you. One is Gu Qinghan, who left without a word on the day of your wedding. Then you married Wang Yuyan. Who is this Ye Shishi? It leaves me rather confused. Please, Young Master Shen, enlighten me."
"She is my woman."
Shen Lang declared, "I want to know who is responsible for her disappearance. That's why I'm asking for your help. If you can assist me, I will certainly not treat you poorly, nor will I neglect the Tang Sect."
"Young Master Shen, we in the Tang Sect are temperamental monsters. We don't favor close ties with others, but we also don't wish to make enemies. If I can help you, I am willing to do so. However..."
Tang Wan'er smiled, "Help is possible, but we should also discuss the terms, shouldn't we? I wonder what conditions Young Master Shen can offer?"
Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this, "I wonder what Miss Tang wishes for me to do? Feel free to ask if you need anything. For Ye Shishi, I will agree to anything."
Tang Wan'er seemed to have anticipated Shen Lang's response. She smiled and said, "Young Master Shen is a man of passion, a quality Wan'er greatly admires. It's nothing much, really. My father mentioned he's been cultivating the 'Myriad Leaf Flying Flower Flow' but finds many parts unclear. He wishes for Young Master Shen to personally travel to Sichuan and offer him some guidance."
"Is that so?"
Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this, "If I go to Sichuan to guide Elder Tang, will Elder Tang help me find Ye Shishi?"
"Perhaps."
Tang Wan'er replied, "My father has many acquaintances and friends throughout the land. With everyone working together, finding someone might not be impossible."
"Very well, I will head to Sichuan as soon as possible to visit Elder Tang. However, since Elder Tang has friends everywhere, I trust he can ensure Ye Shishi's safety, correct?"
Shen Lang stated, "If anything were to happen to Ye Shishi, Elder Tang would surely be uneasy."
"Young Master Shen, rest assured. My father will do his utmost to ensure Ye Shishi is found safe and sound."
Tang Wan'er smiled and added, "The new tea from Sichuan, Heavenly Gang Cloud Mist Green, has just been harvested. I'll prepare tea at the Tang Sect and await Young Master Shen's arrival."
"Don't worry, I will certainly arrive. Prepare the tea and await my arrival."
After delivering his final words, Shen Lang hung up the phone. However, the moment the call ended, his expression turned grim. "It seems my guess was correct. This matter was indeed orchestrated by the Tang Sect."
"Husband, are you truly going to Sichuan?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Wang Yuyan spoke, "Sichuan is Tang Sect territory. Even people from the Five Great Families dare not trespass there lightly. It's too dangerous."
"Shishi is in their hands. I have no choice but to go."
Shen Lang said, "If I don't go, I fear Shishi will be in danger."
"Husband, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"
Wang Yuyan picked up a piece of braised pork, her movement pausing mid-air.
"Yuyan, what brilliant idea do you have?"
Shen Lang's eyes brightened upon hearing Wang Yuyan's words.
"Let Uncle go to Sichuan to rescue her. Then you won't have to."
Wang Yuyan continued, "Uncle is the strongest man in Dragon Country today, and he's the head of the Martial Guard Department. If he goes, even Tang Jiutian won't dare to play games with him. He'll have no choice but to release Ye Shishi immediately."
"My dear wife, you've oversimplified this matter."
Shen Lang smiled upon hearing Wang Yuyan's words, "We don't have direct evidence proving Shishi is with the Tang Sect. Even if Uncle went, they would deny it. And Uncle's position is sensitive; he cannot act without justification."
"However, there's another, more crucial reason why I don't want Uncle to intervene: I want to handle my own affairs, and rescue my own woman."
Shen Lang declared, "I've always disliked people harming those close to me. Yet, they seem to have short memories and keep crossing that line. This time, I will make the world understand the consequences of laying a hand on the people I care about."
"When do you plan to depart?"
Knowing Shen Lang's nature and that his decisions were rarely swayed once made, Wang Yuyan asked.
"There's no better day than today. I'll leave tomorrow."
Shen Lang stood up and walked to the coffee table, picking up the sword rack that held the Yixi Sword and drawing it.
The blade of the Yixi Sword was originally as black as ink. But after being constantly fed with the blood of powerful enemies, its surface now glowed a faint red, resembling a bloodthirsty beast, sending a chill down one's spine.
Shen Lang looked at the Yixi Sword, his eyes radiating a bloodthirsty glint, and said, "The Yixi Sword hasn't tasted blood in a long time. This time, I will satiate it."
"It might be too dangerous if you go alone. I'm worried about you."
Wang Yuyan stood up and gently embraced Shen Lang.
"Don't worry about me. This time, I'm not going alone. I'll be bringing two people with me."
Shen Lang knew Wang Yuyan was concerned and smiled.
"Are you planning to bring people from the Martial Guard Department with you?"
Wang Yuyan relaxed slightly upon hearing Shen Lang's words.
Shen Lang shook his head, "No, this is a personal matter. I don't intend to bring anyone from the Martial Guard Department."
"Then who will you bring?"
Wang Yuyan, unsure who else Shen Lang could rely on besides the Martial Guard Department, asked curiously.
"That's a secret for now. I'll tell you later."
Shen Lang gave Wang Yuyan a mysterious smile.
In truth, Shen Lang intended to bring Feng Yijian and Can Dao. Both were top-tier experts, and with them, Shen Lang could not only rescue the person with ease but also ensure a safe withdrawal.
"Alright, then you must be careful."
Wang Yuyan held Shen Lang close and said, "I want you to return safely. Promise me, can you?"