"Focus." Jun Yelan's voice came from her ear again. Lan Yan shifted her attention to the arm Jun Yelan was holding.
She followed Jun Yelan's movements, feeling as if she had mastered a move, and couldn't help but curve her lips.
Seeing Lan Yan's smile, Jun Yelan's lips curled slightly. He then took Lan Yan's palm and led her to strike a nearby pillar, leaving an imprint on it.
Lan Yan was surprised. She looked at the imprint, "Did I really leave this!" Her eyes lit up, and she struck another palm, leaving the same mark.
She succeeded!
Jun Yelan quietly hid his palm, letting her have her moment of joy.
Lan Yan tried a few more times and finally grasped the move completely, feeling rather capable. After unleashing another palm strike, she turned to Jun Yelan and said with a smile, "City Lord, I've done it again."
"Mm." Jun Yelan nodded. Watching Lan Yan skip around, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.
Seizing the opportunity, Lan Yan went to the nearby bushes. She picked out a small tree and struck it, but this time she failed. She found it strange, walked forward, and suddenly stepped into a pit.
Her foot was fine, but her shoes and socks were wet. Why was there water in this pit!
Seeing Lan Yan stop, Jun Yelan walked over and found Lan Yan looking troubled. He then looked at the pit on the ground, "This is for fertilizing these plants."
He looked helplessly at Lan Yan's shoes and said, "Lv Qi, bring a new pair."
However, seeing the atmosphere between Jun Yelan and Lan Yan, Lv Qi had already taken Bai Hu and left. They didn't want to disturb the two of them.
Lan Yan smiled, "City Lord, I'm fine. I'll just walk a few steps back." She took a step forward and stepped into water. She smiled awkwardly, preparing to continue walking.
But Jun Yelan crouched down and carried Lan Yan on his back. He said, "Take off your shoes and socks, and carry them. This way, you won't feel uncomfortable."
Lan Yan nodded, holding her shoes and socks in one hand and wrapping the other around Jun Yelan's neck. "City Lord, I've noticed you've been treating me better and better. Not only do you not let me work, but you also carry me back."
She had forgotten to ask about the system's favorability, it should be quite high by now.
Jun Yelan's pupils trembled slightly. He tightened his grip on Lan Yan's legs and murmured, "Because it's you."
"What?" Lan Yan, who was thinking about the system, hadn't heard this.
Jun Yelan shook his head, "It's nothing." He carried Lan Yan towards the hall, the moonlight falling perfectly on them.
Upon arriving, Lan Yan changed into new shoes and socks. She looked at the new bed in the room, which was clearly for her. Jun Yelan had already made arrangements.
With a smile, she lay down on the bed and looked at Jun Yelan, who was opposite her, and said, "City Lord, sleep well."
Jun Yelan was about to respond, but Lan Yan's steady breathing had already begun. He smiled faintly and fell asleep.
The next morning, Jun Yelan sat in the main hall, listening to the reports from the spies below, while Lan Yan served tea beside him.
This was Lan Yan's own initiative; only she knew Jun Yelan's preferences.
The spy remained with his head lowered and said, "City Lord, someone is causing a commotion at the city gate. How should we handle it?"
"Who is it?" Jun Yelan took the teacup from Lan Yan and drank slowly.
The spy continued, "It's Alliance Leader Li's disciple, Li Dali. He wants to spar with you. There's also a woman looking for you, saying you won her hand in marriage last time."
Jun Yelan waved his hand, unconcerned.
But Lan Yan felt this was a good opportunity, a chance to practice. She looked at Jun Yelan, "City Lord, they're disrespecting you so much. Why don't I go and fight him? I learned a move yesterday."
It was taught to her by Jun Yelan himself.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's eager expression, his face softening slightly, and nodded.
"Thank you, City Lord." Lan Yan eagerly left. She took a step forward, then turned back and placed the tray in her hand on the table. She smiled at Jun Yelan, "City Lord, I won't disgrace you."
Jun Yelan watched Lan Yan's retreating figure, his lips curling.
The spy below happened to see this scene and thought he was mistaken. He dared not ask or look further, continuing to keep his head down. In this dead city, knowing too much was not a good thing.
Lan Yan headed towards the city gate and saw a magnificent carriage, and in front of it, Li Dali, who had lost an arm.
Li Dali, now only able to use one hand to wield his hammer, slammed it heavily onto the ground, nearly hitting his foot. He looked at the maidservant in front of him, the same one who had been with Jun Yelan last time, and said angrily, "Where is Jun Yelan?"
"You're thinking too much. You're not qualified to see the City Lord." Lan Yan sneered, her gaze fixed on the carriage, where Miss Li was seated.
Upon hearing Lan Yan insult him, Li Dali couldn't swallow his anger. He raised the hammer in his hand and charged at Lan Yan without hesitation.
Lan Yan used the move Jun Yelan taught her yesterday, unleashing a palm strike that pushed Li Dali back several steps. She looked at her palm, excitedly exclaiming, "Ah, I really succeeded."
Li Dali, who hadn't expected a mere maidservant to be so strong, retreated to the carriage, hesitant to advance. He simply dropped the hammer and charged again with his fists raised.
Seeing this, Lan Yan stood her ground and used both palms to block Li Dali's oncoming fists. She was still a little nervous, but seeing Li Dali stop in front of her, his face contorted with difficulty, she curved her lips.
"No, you can't be this powerful, possess such profound martial arts." Li Dali's eyes were filled with disbelief, blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.
Meanwhile, atop the city walls, Jun Yelan was staring coldly at the city gate, retracting his hand.
Lan Yan paid no mind to Li Dali's state, as she had won anyway. She clapped her hands and shouted, "Now you know the might of the Dead City! Even a small maidservant like me is this formidable."
"Next time you show up, you won't even be able to keep your life." If someone from the Dead City wasn't out or returning, anyone here could instantly defeat Li Dali.
Just as Li Dali was cowering backward, a woman with a gentle appearance alighted from the carriage. She bowed slightly to Lan Yan, saying apologetically, "My senior brother is short-tempered and has offended you, miss."
Lan Yan looked at the woman in front of her, finding no fault with her appearance. This was indeed Miss Li Wan'er, the one from the marriage selection, and also the sister of this body. "If you knew you had offended, you shouldn't have come."
"Our Dead City and your people are irreconcilable."
Li Wan'er's expression changed slightly, but she maintained her gentle demeanor. "You speak truthfully, miss. I heard that City Lord Jun specially attended my humble daughter's marriage selection and was the victor. I have a few words I wish to say to him."
Lan Yan frowned. This was a tactic of striking first and then appeasing!