Chapter 494 - 247: I Wonder if Madam Would... With Me...

Chapter 494: Chapter 247: I Wonder if Madam Would... With Me...

Chen Sheng considered it carefully.

’Is it really so inconvenient for Nie Xiangjun to appear this time?’

’I don’t think so.’

Based on Chen Sheng’s deductions, the reason Nie Xiangjun hadn’t appeared herself but had instead roped him into coming was to make the Nie Family’s stance clear to the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect: unless there were benefits to be had, the Nie Family wouldn’t truly get involved.

’If that weren’t the case, why would Nie Xiangjun have dropped hints on the way here?’

"I understand your meaning, Lord Chen. So, what percentage does the Nie Family require?"

Lady Lan sighed inwardly.

But having led the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect for many years, she quickly composed herself.

’I was too naive, thinking the Nie Family would protect the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect just because we’re a vassal. I thought Ouyang Ke making it onto the Dragon and Tiger List would be enough for them to want an alliance.’

’Now it seems Nie Lingshan’s rejection of Ouyang Ke was likely a veiled warning from the Nie Family.’

"The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect... what percentage can you offer?"

Chen Sheng took a sip of his tea.

"Thirty percent?"

Lady Lan bit her lower lip, holding up three slender fingers.

Only her middle finger was bare, its clean, white nail standing out in stark contrast to the light purple lacquer on the other two.

Chen Sheng scoffed.

"Do you have any idea what percentage the Nie Family’s branches control across all of Ning’an Prefecture?"

"My Ten Thousand Poisons Sect is but a single sect. How can we compare to the entire Ning’an Martial World?"

Lady Lan was stunned.

’If we go by that ratio, we’d have to give up more than half of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.’

’The sect would never agree to that.’

’The elders who were already cozying up to the Profound Yin Valley would probably force her to step down immediately.’

Chen Sheng merely smiled, saying nothing as he lowered his head to appreciate his tea.

Lady Lan gritted her teeth and lowered her voice.

"Please, Lord Chen, instruct me. What should the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect do?"

Chen Sheng paused to think, tapping his fingers on the table. Instead of answering aloud, he transmitted his voice directly to her:

"This matter is too important to be decided with just a few words. Sect Leader Lan, I suggest you consider it further. I will be resting in my guest room at 9 p.m. tonight."

"If you are so inclined, you may come and speak with me alone. Perhaps then I can privately analyze the situation for you and point out a... feasible alternative path."

"Of course, if you feel the Nie Family’s demands are too harsh to bear, then there is no need to come tonight. You can just pretend this conversation never happened."

After sending the message, Chen Sheng’s expression remained perfectly normal, as if nothing had happened at all.

He seamlessly changed the subject, chatting with Lady Lan about the sights of Nanzhao and the latest news from Ning’an. The atmosphere seemed to relax once more.

Lady Lan’s heart, however, could no longer remain calm.

’Guest room...’

’9 p.m....’

’Come alone...’

The words swirled in her mind.

She had long heard of Chen Sheng’s reputation as a libertine. He was known to have many beautiful companions in Ning’an.

Sun Yuzhi, who sat before her now, was one of them.

And as for her own title, "Nanzhao’s most beautiful woman"...

...it wasn’t just a slight, but a form of recognition as well.

’Could it be...’

’...that this young Inspector was... interested in her?’

A wave of intense vigilance and a complex, indescribable emotion washed over Lady Lan.

She was no naive maiden, ignorant of the ways of the world.

She knew all too well that men, especially powerful men, often had their... particular tastes.

’But...’

’Is he taking advantage of my desperation?’

’Or does he have some other scheme?’

’Or... is he really just planning to discuss secret matters?’

Lady Lan’s mind was in turmoil. Though she forced herself to smile and chat with Chen Sheng, her heart was a whirlwind of suspicion, doubt, and indecision.

As for Chen Sheng, he was completely oblivious to the tempest raging in Lady Lan’s heart and the delicate misunderstanding that had taken root.

He had suggested a private meeting purely out of caution.

The matter of entering the Poison Flame Cave and borrowing the Sacred Artifact was far too critical.

It could not, under any circumstances, be discussed with a third party present.

But Chen Sheng never imagined that his private invitation would be interpreted in an entirely different light.

At this moment, the hall appeared to be filled with pleasantries and laughter, but beneath the surface, a dangerous undercurrent churned as each person harbored their own schemes.

And behind her polite smile, Lady Lan was waging a fierce internal battle.

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