Chapter 247: Yang Ling, You Little Brat, This Official Will Personally Take Your Head!

"Lan Wentao, this Prefectural Governor... is a Sixth-Rank expert?"

"Is that even possible?"

Wang Shichang and Sun Tiejun were momentarily stunned.

The Ironclad Department agents present were equally dumbfounded.

Lin Qin stared at Lan Wentao's aged appearance, unable to fathom how this man could be a Sixth-Rank expert.

"Isn't he even a few years younger than me... Is his talent really that much greater than mine?"

Liang Yue looked at Lan Wentao, a bitter grumble forming in his heart.

A younger Sixth-Rank wouldn't have sparked this reaction from him.

After all, he felt people like Yang Ling weren't even of the same generation, so there was no comparison to be made.

"Prefectural Governor, are you truly Sixth-Rank? This..."

Commander Ning's eyes bulged, his words coming out stammering.

Prefectural Governor Lan gently set down his teacup. When he stood up, the frailty of old age vanished from his bearing.

His once slightly hunched back straightened in an instant.

His murky eyes began to gleam with clarity.

"Commander Ning, you've served as garrison commander in Changhe Prefectural Capital for thirteen years. I've treated you well, haven't I?"

Prefectural Governor Lan spoke calmly.

Commander Ning's expression shifted slightly. Upon reflection, the man had indeed treated him generously.

Both in terms of medicinal pills and silver coin.

"There's a path before you now. Are you willing to walk it?"

Prefectural Governor Lan smiled faintly.

Commander Ning looked at Prefectural Governor Lan, then at Mingxin not far away.

Two Sixth-Ranks, one of them from Bitter Awareness Temple.

As for Zhao State's side, the only ones present were a Lower Sixth-Rank and a Newly Promoted Sixth-Rank.

The remaining Seventh-Ranks and Eighth-Ranks were hardly worth mentioning.

Commander Ning took a deep breath, slowly stepped back a few paces, and cupped his hands in salute:

"Prefectural Governor Lan, I am a garrison soldier of Zhao State."

Everyone felt a wave of relief wash over them.

This Commander Ning was at least an Eighth-Rank expert. If he defected to the Rong tribe, it would have some impact on today's situation.

Lan Yue said coldly, "Idiot. After taking so many benefits from us, you still choose Zhao State?

Don't think you have any chance of winning today. Even if you did, do you think you're clean?

The Ironclad Department will definitely throw you in jail!"

"At least the Ironclad Department won't go after my family."

Commander Ning let out a soft sigh:

"Young Master, those on different paths cannot work together. There's no need to say more."

"Lan Jinshui, what about you?"

Lan Yue glanced sidelong at Lan Jinshui.

Lan Jinshui was already regretting coming to Tingjiang City.

If he had stayed in Yunwen Provincial Capital, none of this would involve him.

No...

A bitter taste suddenly filled his heart.

Was this truly unrelated to him?

Lan Wentao had colluded with the Rong tribe. How would the capital view the entire Lan clan after this?!

"This matter must be handled cleanly, or else... the entire Lan clan will be implicated because of you."

Lan Jinshui looked at Prefectural Governor Lan, his tone carrying a trace of anger, but his stance was already clear.

Prefectural Governor Lan's lips curled upward:

"Don't worry. Today's affairs will have a perfect conclusion. I guarantee your position can still rise higher."

Rise higher? That would mean going to the capital! Or one of the three Princely Capitals!?

Lan Jinshui's emotions were complicated. This was indeed good news.

"Yang Ling, what now?"

Shen Shuyan's expression was grave:

"Lan Wentao is also Lower Sixth-Rank. You're just a Newly Promoted Sixth-Rank. Even if the two of you join forces, how can you be their match?"

"Saying that almost made me forget you're a Rong tribe spy."

Yang Ling remarked offhandedly.

Shen Shuyan let out a self-mocking laugh: "They're going to kill me today no matter what. What else can I do?"

"Shen Shuyan, Yang Ling, and Lu Yunchen—these three must die."

Prefectural Governor Lan spoke slowly, his aged voice echoing through the area:

"But everyone else can live, as long as you choose the right path."

Lan Yue suddenly turned to Liang Yue and Lin Qin:

"You two are Mining Guild elders. You know how business works. Now's the time to choose a sure-win path."

Lin Qin's face was ashen.

Liang Yue let out a soft sigh: "How could the Mountain and River Sect ever play the dog for the Rong tribe?"

"What about you all?"

Lan Yue paid them no further heed, his gaze falling on Wang Shichang, Sun Tiejun, Wen Kongxuan, and the others.

Seeing they also ignored him, Lan Yue smiled slightly and looked at Yang Ling:

"Yang Ling, it seems they're all going to die with you. Before you die, can you return that thousand-year Fire Ginseng to me?"

Hmm? Everyone's expression shifted, surprise flickering in their eyes.

Mingxin's eyes narrowed slightly.

Prefectural Governor Lan's expression turned a bit unnatural at that moment.

"First, that Fire Ginseng only has eight hundred years of maturity."

"Second, I've already eaten the Fire Ginseng to nourish my Vital Qi."

"Director Lu, hold Mingxin back for me. I'll come help you beat him down in a bit!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Yang Ling had already transformed into a bolt of lightning, charging straight at Lan Wentao.

The Vajra Bright King Technique operated at its peak!

Dual-attribute boost of 60 points!

Ethereal Steps Agility boost of 48 points!

Wind God Vajra Legs dual-attribute boost of 50 points!

Seventh-Rank Official Saber dual-attribute boost of 10 points!

Centenary Refined Vermilion Gold Pickaxe Strength boost of 20 points!

In this instant, Yang Ling's Strength soared to a terrifying 213 points!

His Agility reached 239 points!

Since he planned to use Wind God Vajra Legs, he couldn't borrow the Dragon-Capturing Saber Technique's dual-attribute boost.

But in the blink of an eye, Yang Ling was already in front of Lan Wentao.

Lan Wentao simultaneously activated his two internal techniques.

Yin-Yang Great Sorrow Sutra boosted dual attributes by 55 points!

Vast Spirit Heart Sutra boosted dual attributes by 35 points!

Compared to techniques of similar grade like Azure Dragon Technique and Ironclad Divine Armor Sutra, these two internal technique methods offered slightly inferior attribute boosts!

Even so, Lan Wentao's dual attributes surged to 189 points of Strength and 213 points of Agility!

At the same time, he activated Phantom Movement Technique, further boosting his Agility by 30 points!

Lan Wentao's right arm gave a slight shake, and several cylindrical objects slid out of his sleeve, instantly assembling into a long spear!

Blazing Sun Spear Technique!

Lan Wentao thrust the spear at Yang Ling!

In that moment, his Strength was boosted by another 30 points!

219 points of Strength, 243 points of Agility!

This was Lan Wentao's peak combat power!

Both attributes were slightly higher than Yang Ling's!

Vital Qi surged from both their bodies. The oppressive pressure left Lan Jinshui, Commander Ning, and the others present struggling to breathe.

"Yang Ling, you little brat, let this official personally take your head! A mere Newly Promoted Sixth-Rank, daring to bare your fangs before me!?"

Lan Wentao burst into wild laughter, not a trace of his earlier aged appearance remaining!

Yang Ling remained expressionless. In his eyes, the other man's movements were slightly slow.

His extraordinary perception allowed him to almost predict every move Lan Wentao would make next.

He understood the direction of the other man's Vital Qi flow even better than Lan Wentao himself!

A spear was the hardest weapon to deal with. On a battlefield, it was infinitely stronger than a blade or sword!

But getting close would prevent the spear from displaying its full power.

In less than an instant, Lan Wentao suddenly realized his spear thrust had missed!

The opponent's movements weren't particularly fast, but it was as if he had anticipated the attack and dodged his strike in advance!

By now, Yang Ling had closed in on Lan Wentao, and the Wind God Vajra Legs lashed out at him like a violent storm!

For the first three kicks, he used the Two-Times Critical Hit!

Consuming 900 points of Vital Qi!

For the remaining dozen or so kicks, he stopped using the Two-Times Critical Hit skill.

After all, he needed to conserve some Vital Qi to deal with Mingxin alongside Lu Yunchen.

The two of them were already locked in combat in the courtyard.

Wen Kongxuan and the others tried to aim their hand crossbows at Mingxin, only to find that at this distance, they could barely track the movements of these two experts.

Acting rashly might accidentally hit Lu Yunchen.

As a result, no one else could intervene in their duel for the time being!