Lan Yan was preparing dinner in the kitchen and saw some mushrooms by the stove, thinking of making a mushroom soup.
However, there were too few mushrooms. She looked at the chicken stewing and murmured, "I'll be back later." She then took a basket and walked towards the back mountain, meeting Jun Yelan at the entrance.
Seeing this, Jun Yelan said, "Yan'er, I'll go with you."
"No need," Lan Yan replied, looking at the firewood at Jun Yelan's feet. She smiled and said, "I can manage alone. I'll be back soon."
Jun Yelan watched her leave and picked up the axe to continue chopping firewood, but a sense of unease lingered in his heart.
"Little mushroom picker." Lan Yan hummed a tune as she arrived under a tree, gently digging for mushrooms with a small hoe.
Bathing in the faint earthy scent, she happily placed them in the basket. These fresh mushrooms were meant to be shared with everyone, and besides, the children had grown them.
Thinking about the portion sizes for today's meal, she soon had half a basket. She stood up and said, "Done."
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind, "Lan Yan?"
Lan Yan turned her head and saw a woman in red staring at her with piercing eyes. She frowned, not recognizing the person. Could this be one of the pursuers from before?
She quickly turned and ran.
However, Ruo Niang instantly caught up, standing before her and becoming even more certain that it was Lan Yan. "Lan Yan, where have you been all this time? Why haven't you contacted the organization?"
Ruo Niang, who had personally trained Lan Yan, felt that the person before her seemed strange in every way.
"Organization?" Lan Yan muttered, wondering if this was what the system had mentioned. She had forgotten about it since no one had looked for the original host for so long, and now she had encountered someone.
She couldn't arouse suspicion and forced a laugh. "I remember. The Intelligence Pavilion, Flower Pavilion. I've been busy with other matters, which could be considered missions, so I haven't had the chance to contact the organization."
Ruo Niang stared at Lan Yan's face, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "Lan Yan, you were always in the brothel. Did something significant happen that made you leave?" She considered this a possibility.
"Yes, that's exactly what you mean," Lan Yan said, recounting the matter of Young Master Xiao, but omitting Jun Yelan's part, fearing that these people might target him.
She also asked, "I can no longer do what the organization tasked me with before. So, I found a new place to recuperate. Is there anything else now?"
The sudden appearance of this mysterious organization made her cautious.
Ruo Niang nodded. "The organization is in crisis. We all need to return and plan the next steps. I've already delayed my entry into the Flower Pavilion to find you. Now, you come with me."
She turned and started walking ahead.
Lan Yan could not follow. Her mission target had always been only Jun Yelan. She stared at Ruo Niang's retreating back, her gaze falling on a small path nearby as she formulated an escape plan.
But Ruo Niang, not hearing footsteps, realized Lan Yan hadn't followed. She turned back and called out, "Why so slow? If we don't leave soon, all the people from the Flower Pavilion here will be gone."
Lan Yan immediately looked around. There were others hidden in the woods! If Jun Yelan's identity were discovered, he would be attacked by the Flower Pavilion, and Jun Yelan was currently heavily injured.
She gritted her teeth and shouted, "I'm coming!" She deliberately pulled off her necklace and dropped it where the mushrooms grew, ensuring Jun Yelan would know her whereabouts later.
Ruo Niang felt something was amiss and had Lan Yan walk in front of her, with herself at the rear. "We can't delay any longer!"
Lan Yan reluctantly followed, casting a longing glance back at the small village. "Jun Yelan, wait for me. I will come back for you."
At this moment, Jun Yelan, seeing Lan Yan had not returned, felt increasingly uneasy. He grabbed his axe and headed for the mountain. However, he didn't see Lan Yan's figure and, in his panic, kept shouting, "Lan Yan!"
He hurried through the woods, his expression anxious as he searched every corner, but found nothing. He froze on the spot, his face full of worry. Just then, a reflection under a tree caught his eye.
He stumbled over and ran towards it, kneeling on the ground. He picked up the necklace, his eyes filled with loss. "Yan'er wouldn't leave without a word. Something must have happened!"
With that, he stood up to continue searching, but was suddenly stopped. "Move aside."
This was the first time Pavilion Master Bai had seen Jun Yelan in such a state. He didn't immediately get angry but asked, "Are you looking for the woman who was here earlier?"
Jun Yelan immediately grabbed Pavilion Master Bai's collar, his eyes bloodshot, and roared, "It was you! You took her! Hand her over."
"Let go," Pavilion Master Bai's patience had its limits. Seeing Jun Yelan like a madman, he chuckled, "No wonder you've been different lately. It's because of a woman! Unfortunately, that woman is from the Flower Pavilion, and her approaching you was with a purpose."
Jun Yelan stared intently at Pavilion Master Bai, refusing to believe him. "You must have discovered her existence, so you took her away and fabricated this lie."
"Haha," Pavilion Master Bai couldn't help but laugh. "Jun Yelan, besides killing, you truly know nothing. How could a normal woman choose you? Being by your side means constant danger!"
Jun Yelan's eyes flickered, but he still believed Lan Yan. Lan Yan was different from others. He let go of Pavilion Master Bai. Since Lan Yan was now in the Flower Pavilion, he would go there to find her.
Once he found Lan Yan, everything would become clear.
"Where do you think you're going!" Pavilion Master Bai's eyes flared with anger. If it weren't for the list in Jun Yelan's possession, he wouldn't have bothered saying so much. He reached out to grab Jun Yelan's shoulder, not only being evaded but also counter-attacked.
"I see your wings have grown strong. Come back to the Pavilion with me!"
Jun Yelan could hear nothing now; all he wanted was to see Lan Yan. Still recovering from his severe injuries, he fought against Pavilion Master Bai, his body gradually becoming exhausted, and he spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
Looking at Jun Yelan's current state, Pavilion Master Bai curved his lips. This was the true appearance of a killing weapon. He had always been training Jun Yelan, but something was always missing. It turned out he needed Jun Yelan to understand love.
The current Jun Yelan appeared weak but was firm inside. This was the best opportunity for training. "Come here, capture him!"
The assassins from the Killing Pavilion emerged, surrounding Jun Yelan. Their eyes held fear, but they dared not disobey Pavilion Master Bai's orders. Only by attacking together did they have a chance.
Even with a pale face and only half his strength left, Jun Yelan could repel most of them. Later, as his stamina failed, he knelt on one knee, watching as the people from the Killing Pavilion approached.
"Take him away!" Pavilion Master Bai beckoned, and the assassins from the Killing Pavilion firmly seized Jun Yelan and brought him back to the Killing Pavilion. "Keep a close watch on him. If he escapes, you will be held responsible."
Jun Yelan was already half-dead. His palm remained tightly clenched around the necklace, with only one thought: he must see Lan Yan again.