The servant hurried along the pavilion, taking advantage of the crowd captivated by Su Fan's talent, and ran towards Xiao Zhiyi.
A flicker of realization crossed Xiao Zhiyi's mind. Was it time to act?
Xiao Zhiyi subtly signaled to the person behind him.
The guard nodded, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, and stealthily moved closer to the servant.
The servant, solely focused on his anxious forward movement, was completely oblivious to the impending danger.
A flash of sword light streaked through the air. The servant felt his vision go dark, then a warmth on his neck. Reaching up, he found his hands instantly stained red with blood.
He was utterly bewildered. He had only gone to relieve himself, why was he killed?
"Ah!"
The surrounding people erupted in screams.
The sudden murder caught them completely off guard.
Fortunately, the women were not present in the same area, otherwise, the chaos would have been far greater.
"Wh...what's going on?"
The young lord stared blankly at the dead body on the ground.
The servant's master was even more terrified. He didn't care about the servant's life, but the killer was the Second Prince's guard! This made him worry if he had somehow offended the Second Prince.
"This person intended to assassinate His Highness the Prince and has been eliminated by me!"
The guard stated coldly.
Su Fan was utterly bewildered.
He had lied, saying someone intended to assassinate the Second Prince, intending to use it to provoke greater conflict between the Second and Third Princes. He hadn't expected a hapless victim to be framed!
The Third Prince was also somewhat surprised.
Someone intended to assassinate Xiao Zhiyi? He hadn't realized he had such like-minded friends!
He then looked at the servant's master.
He was the son of a minister, belonging to the Second Prince's faction.
Xiao Zhihong frowned. The mastermind was definitely not him; his current panicked expression didn't seem faked.
"Let the poetry gathering conclude here. Have someone dispose of the body."
The young lord felt a sense of ill fortune and had no desire to continue the poetry gathering. He ordered the body to be removed, bringing the day's event to an end.
Because the Second Prince Xiao Zhiyi trusted Su Fan and believed the Third Prince was the mastermind, he did not pursue the real culprit and the matter was hastily concluded.
However, today made him truly see another side of Su Fan.
Su Fan gave a wry smile. It seemed it would take a long time to complete his mission. The main issue was that without the First Prince appearing, Su Fan could hardly complete his task. He had no idea where the First Prince was.
"Su Fan, come to my manor for a gathering when you have time."
As they were leaving, Xiao Zhiyi smiled and said to Su Fan.
This time was different from before. Xiao Zhiyi genuinely admired Su Fan and wished to befriend him, even promote him.
He greatly appreciated talent. Literati like Su Fan were his favorites, and promoting such talented young men was something he often did. When he eventually inherited the throne, these individuals he had personally promoted would become his trusted confidantes.
Su Fan nodded.
He then did not return home but teleported directly to Ghost Cry Valley.
He wondered if Qi Ling had found Cheng Yaoyin yet.
"Brother!"
Cheng Yaoyin was greatly surprised to see Su Fan.
He eagerly stepped forward.
"Brother Cheng, the woman I told you about last time, has she arrived?"
Su Fan asked Cheng Yaoyin.
He had previously instructed Cheng Yaoyin to entertain Qi Ling well when she arrived.
"She has arrived. Brother specially built a room for her, and she's staying over there."
Cheng Yaoyin pointed to a newly added room.
Su Fan glanced at it but had no intention of disturbing Qi Ling.
"Then I can rest assured. Brother, you carry on with your business, I'll take my leave now."
Su Fan said, preparing to leave. This was an opportunity to gain some experience without being bothered by You Jing.
"Hey, hey, don't go! You've finally come, how can you leave so soon? Brother has something to tell you."
Cheng Yaoyin quickly called out to Su Fan.
"What is it?"
Su Fan looked at Cheng Yaoyin in confusion, unsure of what he wanted.
"Brother has contacted some of our old brothers and we're preparing to gather and embark on a great undertaking. Will you join Brother?"
Cheng Yaoyin said to Su Fan with a serious expression.
Su Fan's expression shifted.
"Holy cow! It's happening!"
Su Fan knew what the great undertaking Cheng Yaoyin was referring to: rebellion!
This was part of the original plot, though it occurred after the martial arts tournament. At that time, Cheng Yaoyin had already gathered a large force and even conquered several cities. He hadn't expected Cheng Yaoyin's foundation to begin today.
"Brother, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I still have unfinished business. Once I've completed my own tasks, I will naturally come to find you."
Su Fan said sternly.
His main quest had not yet reached that point. It was not the right time to join Cheng Yaoyin.
"Then... this woman..."
Cheng Yaoyin hesitated, looking at Su Fan.
Su Fan had his own matters, and he wouldn't force him, but what about Qi Ling?
Su Fan pondered for a moment.
"Take her with you. She's from the army, she might be of help to you."
Su Fan told Cheng Yaoyin.
Rather than letting Qi Ling hide elsewhere, it was better for her to stay with Cheng Yaoyin. At least it was safer than being in a city. With Cheng Yaoyin, she wouldn't have to worry about being a fugitive, and in the early stages, Cheng Yaoyin's group was quite secure.
"Alright. After you finish your own business, you must come find me!"
Cheng Yaoyin reluctantly agreed to Su Fan's suggestion.
Little did he know, Qi Ling would save Cheng Yaoyin's life in the future.
Su Fan spent some time hunting monsters in Ghost Cry Valley, then returned.
When You Jing saw Su Fan, his face was full of resentment.
"Where did you go?"
You Jing asked Su Fan with a resentful look.
"Where I go is none of your business."
Su Fan did not indulge him at all. Did he think he was his father, that he had to report his whereabouts?
You Jing was immediately indignant.
He wanted to argue with Su Fan.
"If you're not satisfied, go complain to the Second Prince. But your current identity is my guard, know your place!"
Su Fan said coldly to You Jing.
You Jing was immediately silenced. The words that had been on the tip of his tongue could not be spoken.
"Hmph!"
Su Fan snorted dismissively.
In the evening, Su Fan slept as usual and returned to reality.
This time, You Jing had learned his lesson and did not continue to stare intently at Su Fan.
In reality, Mu Yuanying came knocking early in the morning.
Today was the agreed-upon week, and Mu Yuanying had come to claim her Breakthrough Pill.
"It's not like I'm not giving it to you, do you have to block my door so early in the morning?"
Su Fan said speechlessly.
"Who knows if you'll go back on your word?"
Mu Yuanying just wanted to get the Breakthrough Pill quickly. After waiting for so many years, she finally had a chance to break through. The closer it got, the more excited she became. If she hadn't thought it inappropriate to visit Su Fan in the middle of the night, she would have come at midnight.
"Fine, fine, here you go."
Su Fan helplessly took out a Breakthrough Pill and handed it to Mu Yuanying.