Upon hearing the words "soul from another world," Lu Qing Wan instinctively became vigilant.
Si Feng Wu calmly took her hand, signaling her to remain calm and listen to Liu Xun Ran continue.
Liu Xun Ran, feigning ignorance of the couple's subtle interaction, continued her monologue.
"So for all these years, he has had people searching extensively for individuals whose personalities have drastically changed and who have suddenly acquired special abilities in a short period.
Once discovered, they would be brought to the Illusionary Night Sea Territory to work for the Cold Sky Hall.
Among those individuals, the more timid ones were coerced and enticed by Meng Fu Yuan, doing everything they could to profit the Cold Sky Hall.
The more stubborn ones, who refused to serve the Cold Sky Hall, were thrown into the Illusionary Night Sea Territory to feed the fish.
And among these people, your parents were the most resourceful.
They are now the Hall Master and the Hall Master's wife of the Cold Sky Hall."
Honestly, Lu Qing Wan almost dropped the forty-meter long sabre in her hand.
Regretting her previous impulsiveness to the point of self-isolation, she managed to hold back this time.
Lu Qing Wan asked with confusion, "So what? You're not going to tell us that all the previous provocations by the Cold Sky Hall against us, including the theft of the King of Myriad Phoenix, were done by their parents, are you?"
If that were the case, regardless of whether the other party was biding their time or playing along with a scheme, she would truly be unable to resist drawing her sword.
Liu Xun Ran laughed in surprise, "What are you thinking?
The life and death authority of the Cold Sky Hall has always been in the hands of that old scoundrel Meng Fu Yuan. Even after they struggled to climb to the positions of Hall Master and Hall Master's wife, it was only enough to ensure their own lives were no longer easily threatened.
If Meng Fu Yuan hadn't known that the King of Myriad Phoenix and the True Dragon Token were in your possession and asked them to find a way to retrieve the items for him, they wouldn't even know if you were still alive."
After speaking, feeling that she had made the Crown Prince Cheng An and the Crown Princess sound very incompetent, Liu Xun Ran quickly added a补救 statement.
"However, speaking of which, although they are puppets, it is thanks to them that we at least obtained this list.
And the number of people who have died in the Cold Sky Hall in recent years has also decreased significantly.
Not to mention, they obtained the list of personnel that the Cold Sky Hall had secretly placed within the courts of various countries.
You know, this information would be of great help to you."
With this explanation, Lu Qing Wan and Si Feng Wu finally understood why Liu Xun Ran had earnestly called the Crown Prince Cheng An and the Crown Princess very capable.
Starting as two hostages, they had now ascended to the highest positions in the Cold Sky Hall.
Even with Meng Fu Yuan still blocking their path, such an achievement was not something anyone could accomplish.
Lu Qing Wan quickly adjusted her strategy, "The Cold Sky Hall, Three Lives Tower, and Samsara Hall have always been brother sects. Judging by the Hall Master's demeanor, he should have some acquaintance with Meng Fu Yuan.
Is there a way to have them leave the island at a specific time?
If not, perhaps help us pass a message so that when we can confirm their exact locations, we can avoid their area with our firepower."
Liu Xun Ran nodded, "Getting them to leave the island is probably not feasible, but having them avoid the firepower should be fine."
Lu Qing Wan then breathed a sigh of relief, and the stone that had been weighing heavily on Si Feng Wu's heart finally landed.
At that moment, Si Feng Wu spoke again, "Regarding Ah Wan's parents, does the Hall Master have anything else he hasn't told us?"
He and Lu Qing Wan had walked through years of bloodshed and turmoil, long past the age where they needed parental protection.
Their continued entanglement over the whereabouts of their parents was merely a desire for closure.
Just like before, when Liu Xun Ran said his parents' return was forced, he no longer minded.
But while he found peace, Lu Qing Wan's parents' twenty years of silence remained unanswered.
When Si Feng Wu asked that question, he genuinely hoped that Meng Fu Yao and Nangong Che also had their own difficulties.
If they had shown even a shred of affection for Lu Qing Wan, he would have been willing to comfort her and persuade her to accept the parents who had been absent for over twenty years.
But things did not go as hoped. Regarding Meng Fu Yao and Nangong Che, Liu Xun Ran did not say much.
He merely looked at Lu Qing Wan with a melancholic and conflicted gaze, remaining silent for a long time.
In that gaze, Lu Qing Wan quietly tugged on Si Feng Wu's finger, "The people who needed to speak have already spoken. We won't ask for more.
Let's have our meal and return early, we have a lot to do tomorrow with the establishment of the manor!"
Upon hearing Lu Qing Wan's words, Liu Xun Ran visibly relaxed.
The group then sat around the table, quietly enjoyed the vegetarian dishes of Xiangguo Temple, and headed back.
Master Liao Kong, after refusing to acknowledge Lu Qing Wan as his adopted daughter, perhaps felt guilty and did not speak again.
Before departing, after bidding farewell to Master Liao Kong, Lu Qing Wan turned to Liu Xun Ran and asked, "Hall Master, you haven't forgotten, right? Tomorrow, my adoptive brother and I will be sworn siblings, and you are to be a witness.
Are you returning to the city with us, or will you come tomorrow?"
Liu Xun Ran looked at her with paternal affection, "I still need to see a few old friends, so I won't be accompanying you.
You go ahead, I will definitely arrive on time tomorrow."
Having come with high spirits and returning with diminished enthusiasm, Lu Qing Wan had no inclination to be polite. She acknowledged him with a sound and turned to leave.
Getting into the carriage, Lu Qing Wan dejectedly rested her head on Si Feng Wu's stomach without speaking.
He gently stroked the back of her neck and said softly, "Don't be upset. Among the four people we thought were beyond hope, two have already been accounted for. Calculated this way, we have still won.
Tomorrow we will establish the manor. Shall I take you to see your magnificent residence?
From now on, that will be your maternal home. Don't you want to see what your maternal home looks like?"
Lu Qing Wan dejectedly flipped over, staring blankly at the carriage roof, "Let's keep a little mystery. Anyway, Your Highness is rich and willful, my maternal home won't be too bad.
On the other hand, my cheap elder brother will soon be the head of the Lu family. You must have him familiarize himself with the new residence as soon as possible.
Otherwise, it would be too unsightly for the dignified head of the Lu family to be disoriented in his own home!"
Before they had even sworn brotherhood, Lu Qing Wan was already treating Lian Yu as her elder brother.
Calling him brother, then elder brother, with joy in her heart, which made Lian Yu bloom with delight and Si Feng Wu's face fill with jealousy.
As soon as Lu Qing Wan finished speaking, Lian Yu poked his head in from outside, "Little sister is right. I, as the head of the family, still don't know which way the new residence's gate opens. This is truly inappropriate!
Your Highness, why don't you let Li Jin take me there.
If you upset little sister and are kicked out of the sleeping quarters in the future, I can also consider whether to take you in."
That face, pretending to be intimidating by borrowing power, was too much to bear. Si Feng Wu kicked out with his foot.
However, before his foot could reach Lian Yu, Lu Qing Wan slapped it down, "You're kicking my elder brother in front of me, are you feeling too inflated, Your Highness?"
Lian Yu provocatively winked at Si Feng Wu, acting like a green tea manipulator stirring up trouble.