Many onlookers surrounded the lantern tower, murmuring, "It's good someone shouted earlier, or we would have all been buried here."
"Indeed. But it seems two girls are still left, one older leading a younger one."
"I saw that too. That girl kept holding the child in her arms, and there was a dark figure behind them. They didn't manage to escape. What a pity!" a woman sighed.
These words reached Jun Yelan's ears. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes had lost their luster. He staggered forward, grabbed a half-fallen bamboo pole, and tossed it aside.
He entered the lantern tower, throwing anything he saw, his gaze constantly searching the ground. Nothing. Nowhere. He couldn't find the person he wanted to see, and his face gradually lost its color. Kuai dug (This seems like a place name or an identifier that is not meant to be translated as per the rules, so it's retained as is for now, assuming it falls under specific context not covered by general translation rules. However, based on the strict instructions to remove any non-English characters, this part might need further clarification or context to be handled appropriately according to the specific intent of the rule.)
The bystanders behind him, seeing Jun Yelan like this, advised, "You must be that girl's family! Stop looking. They're dead, buried underneath." As he spoke, he was met by Jun Yelan's icy gaze and turned away, not daring to say more.
Jun Yelan continued his actions, flipping over a piece of bamboo. Seeing the longevity lock beneath, he froze. His heart clenched violently, making it hard to breathe. His hands trembled as he picked up the longevity lock.
This was the reward he had won for Lan Yan earlier. Something flowed from his eyes, unstoppable. "Lan Yan!" he shouted silently, regretting having angered Lan Yan earlier.
He hadn't actually wanted to say those things. As long as Lan Yan was willing, he wouldn't have driven her away. Lan Yan said she was alone, but wasn't he the same!
At this moment, a familiar voice called from behind, "Director!" Jun Yelan was first stunned, then turned to see Lan Yan standing before him. All his emotions surged forth.
He indulged himself and hugged Lan Yan.
"Director." Lan Yan was suddenly held tightly and paused. Her hands hung in the air, then rested on Jun Yelan's back. She murmured, "Director, what's wrong?"
Jun Yelan remained silent, only tightening his embrace. The joy of finding her again was known only to him.
Seeing this, Lan Yan said no more, merely accompanying Jun Yelan.
After a long while, Jun Yelan released her. Looking at her unharmed face, he asked, "Are you injured?"
"No." Lan Yan looked at the collapsed lantern tower and finally understood why Jun Yelan was acting this way; he had misunderstood. Thinking of the perilous moment just now, she said with a hint of grievance, "A dark figure was chasing me. I was running with Xiao Yao, and we were almost crushed."
Jun Yelan saw the dust on Lan Yan's clothes and tightened his grip on her shoulders. Fierce resolve flashed in his eyes; he would not let anyone responsible for this evening go unpunished.
Seeing Song Cheng and others arrive, he tossed Jun Xiao Yao from Lan Yan's arms to Song Cheng, then swept Lan Yan into his arms.
Lan Yan faltered, glanced at the people around them, and shyly said, "Director, I can walk myself."
"The kitchen lights went out before, and you were scared. You must be terrified now, your legs probably weak. I'll carry you back." Jun Yelan walked forward, holding Lan Yan, and whispered, "I'm sorry."
If she hadn't been by his side, Lan Yan wouldn't have experienced such a thing. He also shouldn't have left Lan Yan alone, separated from him.
Lan Yan shook her head. "Director, it's not your fault, and you came to find me in time." She felt particularly secure at this moment, leaning against Jun Yelan's chest, feeling so comfortable she was almost sleepy.
A bitter feeling welled up in Jun Yelan. Even now, the person in his arms still trusted and comforted him. He should also trust this person and keep her by his side.
He quickened his pace, taking Lan Yan back.
This large commotion also attracted many people, including Yan Ming. He saw this scene from the side and muttered, "I never imagined Jun Yelan would attach so much importance to this woman, who isn't even considered a man."
"If I tell my father about today's events and have him impeach Jun Yelan, he'll be in serious trouble." Coincidentally, he needed a handle, and Jun Yelan had delivered one. He couldn't help but curl his lips, his eyes filled with smugness.
Jun Yelan and Lan Yan had already returned to the mansion and had a physician examine her thoroughly.
Lan Yan insisted she was fine, but Jun Yelan was worried. After the doctor's examination, she smiled, "Director, are you reassured now? I'm truly fine. You should go rest."
Jun Yelan had duties tonight. "And that dark figure, Director, you must find him. I want to beat him soundly."
"Alright." Seeing Lan Yan's normal complexion, Jun Yelan was finally relieved. He instructed Hui Niang to take good care of Lan Yan before leaving the room and heading to the Eastern Depot prison.
The shadowy figure that had harmed Lan Yan had already been apprehended by the Eastern Depot personnel, along with those from East Street, all held in the prison. They were currently enduring torture, awaiting his judgment.
Song Cheng was already waiting in the prison. Upon Jun Yelan's arrival, he handed him a barbed whip. "Director."
Jun Yelan took the whip and looked at the four or five bloody figures before him, then fiercely lashed out.
The men immediately cried out in agony, their bodies already covered in wounds. "Kill us."
"You wish to die? It's not that easy." Jun Yelan's words were chillingly cold. He dipped the whip in salt water and swung it again. "Next time you speak, if you don't have what this Director wants, your tongue won't be necessary."
The men trembled violently, finding the person before them more terrifying than a demon. They shouted, "It was Vice Minister Yan who ordered us. He told us to find any means to assassinate you, to ensure you don't survive."
"We also sought out the foremost killer, Wuming, but none of us have ever met him."
Jun Yelan glanced at the adjacent cell, where Wuming was being held. "He can live, but you cannot, because you targeted the wrong person." He put down the whip and said to Song Cheng, "Eighteen levels of hell."
"Yes, Director." This was the Eastern Depot's most severe punishment; no one could remain conscious. Song Cheng looked at these men, feeling they deserved it.
Jun Yelan walked to the next cell and looked at Wuming, who was on the ground weaving something with straw, appearing as though he were making a steamed bun. "You mentioned repaying a debt of gratitude before, do you still remember?"
Wuming suddenly looked up and shouted, "Of course. I still owe that girl a favor."
"Very well, I'll give you this opportunity." Jun Yelan took a pill from his懷. "This is a poison. As long as you protect her well, I will give you the antidote. This is your only chance."
He often had to enter the palace or carry out missions outside, making it impossible to protect Lan Yan at all times. He didn't trust the people in the Eastern Depot, but this killer was single-minded, a useful tool.
Wuming looked at the pill, took it, and swallowed. "She saved my life. If there's an opportunity in the future, I wish to save her. After repaying this debt, I will leave."
"Hmm, you won't have the chance to save her." Jun Yelan turned to leave. He preferred to save Lan Yan himself.