Jun Yelan grew up in the Pavilion, undertaking missions with its members. After he killed the White Pavilion Master, the Assassin Pavilion lost its protection.
Moreover, his former identity was that of an assassin, and leaving now meant he would be hunted by his enemies. He was fine alone, but he worried that Lan Yan would have to flee with him.
He clenched his fist and looked at Lan Yan, "Yan'er, I want to say a few words to them."
"Go ahead." Lan Yan intended to let go, but Jun Yelan held her hand tightly, leaving her momentarily confused.
Jun Yelan smiled, "You come with me." He had promised Lan Yan that no matter what happened, he would not let go of her hand and would bear everything with her.
Lan Yan nodded, a smile gracing her lips, and accompanied Jun Yelan back to their previous spot.
She stood beside him, not disturbing him; this was a choice Jun Yelan had to make.
Just as she had chosen to stay.
With Lan Yan by his side, Jun Yelan found the strength to confront them. He stared coldly at the assassins before him, "You can protect the Assassin Pavilion yourselves; you don't need me."
The assassins shouted without hesitation, "We were easily defeated by your blade, all of us. We can't resist anyone else. Jun Yelan, seeing you like this has made us feel differently."
"We no longer wish to obey the White Pavilion Master, to be puppets. We want to live in the sunlight, just like you."
Hearing this, Lan Yan couldn't help but speak, "Everyone, this is your Pavilion's internal affair, and I shouldn't interfere. But Jun Yelan is the one I want to protect, so there are things I must say."
"You all speak of Jun Yelan's strength, but do you know the immense price he paid for it? He underwent rigorous training from a young age, only allowed to leave the Pavilion for missions."
She felt heartache for Jun Yelan, that even now, he had to listen to these people's nonsense.
The assassins lowered their heads, feeling that Lan Yan's words held some truth.
Jun Yelan tightened his grip on Lan Yan's hand, his eyes filled with emotion. Only Lan Yan would say these things for him, understanding everything he had been through. He looked at Lan Yan and smiled, "Yan'er, the rest is up to me. I know how to choose."
Lan Yan trusted Jun Yelan and smiled faintly. "Okay."
Jun Yelan stood beside her and spoke his heart, "What Lan Yan just said is all true. The reason I looked back earlier was not because of you all, but because of Yan'er."
"I once sealed my heart, preventing myself from connecting with the outside world until I met Lan Yan. It was she who opened my heart, showed me the world, and made me understand what I should do."
"I will accept the position of the new Pavilion Master, but only for three months. Three months are enough for me to repay the Pavilion for raising me and to resolve its lingering issues. After that, I will simply be Jun Yelan."
He then looked at Lan Yan and said regretfully, "Yan'er, I'm sorry, but our promise will be delayed."
Lan Yan smiled and pinched Jun Yelan's cheek, "Silly, I told you earlier that I support your decision. In fact, I knew you would choose this way because my Yelan is a gentle person."
Jun Yelan could not abandon everything; if it were her, she would do the same. They both carried responsibilities on their shoulders, and this was the best possible outcome.
"Yan'er." Jun Yelan couldn't help but hold her hand, pulling Lan Yan into his embrace, his eyes misting over.
Lan Yan smiled and patted Jun Yelan's back, saying, "Alright, you are the new Pavilion Master now. You need to have some authority in front of your subordinates."
"They dare not say anything. I am only like this in front of you." Jun Yelan hugged Lan Yan tightly, as if wanting to meld her into his very being.
He cared nothing for others, only for Lan Yan's feelings.
Lan Yan smiled helplessly, allowing Jun Yelan to hold her.
The other assassins exchanged glances, forced to witness their affection. They were all single!
After a long while, Jun Yelan released Lan Yan and stood before them, saying coldly, "Now that I am the Pavilion Master, it's time to settle accounts." He had not forgotten those who had attacked Lan Yan earlier; they would all be punished.
The assassins had been harboring some hope, but now, with Jun Yelan's gaze upon them, they cried out, "Miss Lan, we have sinned!" They raised their weapons and cut their right wrists as a form of apology.
If Jun Yelan were to deal with them, they would lose their lives.
Jun Yelan continued to stare at them, clearly unsatisfied.
The assassins panicked and picked up their weapons again, cutting their other wrists. Then they looked at Jun Yelan, their faces filled with questions, asking if this was enough.
Seeing Jun Yelan still looking cold, Lan Yan tugged at his sleeve and said with a hint of playfulness, "Yelan, if you kill them all, there will be no one left in the Pavilion. Why don't we make them do hard labor? The Pavilion needs repairs."
Hearing the first half of her sentence, the assassins were momentarily happy, but the latter half brought disappointment. This Miss Lan was truly worthy of being by Jun Yelan's side; her personality was so similar to his.
Lan Yan noticed their dejection and curled her lips. She was naturally there to help Jun Yelan. Smiling, she said, "Yelan, I haven't been to your Assassin Pavilion before. Let's go."
"Alright." Jun Yelan turned directly, ignoring the kneeling figures behind him, and led Lan Yan forward.
Upon reaching the carriage, he lifted Lan Yan into it and took the driver's seat himself. "Yan'er, you rest first. I'll call you when we arrive at the Pavilion."
Lan Yan nodded, wrapping her arms around Jun Yelan's neck and whispering into his ear, "Okay, I'll listen to you." With that, she drew the carriage curtain and sat inside, a smile on her face.
Jun Yelan remained frozen for a moment, his ears flushed red. Realizing Lan Yan had been teasing him, his eyes filled with doting affection as he smiled and drove the carriage.
As for the other assassins, they could only drag their wounded bodies back to the Pavilion on foot.
A day and a night later, the carriage arrived at the Assassin Pavilion. Unlike the Flower Pavilion, the Assassin Pavilion was hidden within the bustling city.
Lan Yan lifted the curtain and observed the passing scenery. Who would have thought that behind an ordinary city lay an assassin's den? As the carriage came to a halt, she stepped out of the curtain, finding Jun Yelan waiting at the entrance.
Jun Yelan reached out, took Lan Yan's hand, and lifted her down in a gentle embrace. "Yan'er, I'll take you inside."
"Mmm." This was Lan Yan's first time here, and with Jun Yelan leading the way, she felt little fear. They would be staying here for a few months, so she needed to be prepared.
Jun Yelan held Lan Yan's hand and slowly entered the Pavilion. The moment they stepped inside, he dropped his smile and cast a cold glance at the others around them.
The remaining members of the Assassin Pavilion, who had stayed behind, already knew of the White Pavilion Master's death and that Jun Yelan was the new Pavilion Master. They stood respectfully on either side, heads bowed.
They looked up when they heard no sound, only to see Jun Yelan already gazing at the woman beside him. Who was this woman to possess such immense power!