Chapter 433: Yan Tiannan’s Will

“Everyone, let’s talk inside.”

Su Wan came out of the Warring States Building together with the boss of the Warring States Game Studio and invited the two groups waiting at the entrance inside.

Wangchuan and Wang Song both fell silent at once. Everyone’s gaze sharpened, their eyes focusing on the Warring States Game Studio boss, Yan Tiannan.

This fifth-rank martial artist, who had just died in the game, had a distinct black aura shrouding his forehead. Although his presence was still imposing, his vitality and spirit seemed to be peeling away from him little by little, giving off an extremely grim impression.

Wangchuan and Wang Song exchanged a glance and nodded, then entered the Warring States Building together under Su Wan’s invitation.

Su Wan led everyone straight into a reception room on the first floor of the Warring States Building. Security robots stood guard outside the door.

Wang Song left two men outside to keep watch.

Wangchuan left Lin Jiahe and Wang Yuehui outside as well, bringing only Li Na in with him.

The reception room was large.

Everyone’s mood was heavy.

After obtaining Yan Tiannan’s consent, Wang Song switched on a live projection linked to the 《spirit realm》 Online Guidance Center. On the screen appeared an old man with sword-like brows and the bearing of a military man.

Yan Tiannan nodded to the old man in greeting, then turned toward Wangchuan and said,

“My original intention was only to conduct a private transaction with Boss Wangchuan, to transfer the license for the Warring States Building, the personnel, and the 《spirit realm》 assets... Since the authorities have arranged for personnel to be present, they can conveniently serve as witnesses for us. Boss Wangchuan, you have no objection, I trust?”

Wangchuan glanced at Su Wan, who stood slightly behind Yan Tiannan. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and bewilderment.

He shifted his gaze and settled it on Yan Tiannan’s face before speaking.

“To be honest, this happened too suddenly. I still haven’t fully digested it, especially since Director Wang just said that Boss Yan was not the only one attacked in the Capital, and that the victims were all either wealthy or powerful. I would like the Center to give me more detailed intelligence, so I can understand what is really going on here.”

Yan Tiannan looked toward the old man on the screen, the Center Director.

After his death, he had been completely cut off from all information within 《spirit realm》, so he had only just learned that he was not the sole victim. He was equally anxious to know the killer’s identity.

Seeing this, Wangchuan could not help but feel genuine admiration.

After struggling for years, Yan Tiannan had suddenly been attacked and killed.

Knowing full well that within a day his soul would wither away, he could still maintain such composure and bearing...

If Wangchuan asked himself honestly,

he knew he could not do the same.

The Center Director frowned tightly and said,

“After the incident occurred, we mobilized all of our people in the Capital to monitor the situation closely and gather intelligence. We did indeed find traces pointing toward the killer.”

“...”

“The seven customers who were assassinated were all quite strong, and they shared one common trait: each of them was carrying a large amount of Gold Notes, at least ten thousand taels’ worth, their cultivation was below the Sixth Rank, and they were alone.”

“All of them were killed on the spot! The Gold Notes on their bodies were looted completely!”

“...”

A thoughtful look entered Wangchuan’s eyes.

An assassination triggered by exposed wealth?

That did not seem quite right.

He kept listening.

The Center Director’s tone turned grim.

“One of our informants inside the Six Gates revealed that, according to the Six Gates’ examination of the corpses, the killer used a signature Ultimate Art of the Crimson Pavilion, 《Bone-Piercing Art》. It condenses internal energy into a single line, allowing a hidden weapon to pierce through the chest and back in one strike, killing instantly!”

The Crimson Pavilion?

Wangchuan’s pupils contracted slightly in shock.

It had been a long time since he had heard that organization’s name.

He had almost thought the Crimson Pavilion had been destroyed during the Blood Moon period.

In an instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

Then the Center Director voiced those very same thoughts aloud:

“At the beginning of this year, the ship of an imperial envoy was attacked. After that, the imperial court launched a purge operation against the Crimson Pavilion... The Crimson Pavilion retaliated by entering the Capital and assassinating the imperial envoy. Two of the envoy’s fifth-rank guards died in battle, and the envoy himself was assassinated, shaking the court and drawing the Son of Heaven’s furious wrath!”

“Afterward, the Six Gates, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Eastern and Western Depots joined forces with various regional powers to surround and suppress the Crimson Pavilion... The Crimson Pavilion lost a number of assassins, and then disappeared from sight for a time!”

“We once thought the Crimson Pavilion had been beaten into submission.”

“But now it seems...”

“The Crimson Pavilion was waiting for a crucial moment.”

“On this day, just before year’s end, on the very day the Capital auction concluded... in broad daylight and under heaven itself, they assassinated a group of people who were all either wealthy or powerful! In this way, they challenged the imperial court and took revenge on the imperial house!”

When Yan Tiannan heard this, he finally learned who the killer was. Fury clenched his fists tight, and blazing hatred erupted from his eyes...

Unfortunately,

he had already lost his qualification to enter 《spirit realm》. Revenge was forever beyond his reach.

The Center Director sighed and said to Yan Tiannan,

“Along with you, three juniors from three different families were also killed in the attack, two fourth-rank and one fifth-rank. The other three victims were studio bosses like you, and they too were all fifth-rank martial artists.”

“This operation by the Crimson Pavilion has not only provoked the wrath of the imperial court, it has also gravely threatened and damaged the interests of our 《spirit realm》 Online Guidance Center, causing us enormous losses!”

“The Command Center has already ordered us to search with full force for intelligence on Crimson Pavilion assassins. When necessary, we will coordinate fully and alert our contacts within the Six Gates so they may claim merit, accelerating operations against the Crimson Pavilion and bringing about its destruction as soon as possible! Boss Yan, we will do our utmost to eradicate the Crimson Pavilion quickly and seek justice for all the victims, yourself included.”

Yan Tiannan nodded.

“Then I thank you for that.”

The Center Director then looked toward Wangchuan and said,

“If I remember correctly, Hall Master Wangchuan has clashed with the Crimson Pavilion twice before. Now that the Crimson Pavilion has become active again, its next move may be revenge against Caobang. Hall Master Wangchuan, you should prepare yourself.”

Wangchuan’s heart tightened.

This old man was formidable.

“Thank you for the warning, Director.”

Yan Tiannan then said to Wangchuan,

“Now that the killer has been identified as the Crimson Pavilion, I believe my family should be safe for the time being. Hall Master Wangchuan, I hope you can begin the process of taking over the Warring States Game Studio...”

“At the same time, I also hope you can make a trip to the Capital and take over all of my assets there.”

Su Wan stepped forward.

In front of everyone, she announced:

“Our boss has a four-courtyard residence in the Capital. Its official valuation is seventeen thousand taels of gold. In addition, there are some personal belongings I brought back, worth about four thousand taels of gold.”

“Our studio has 2,077 employees! Every month, it can turn in between 120 and 170 taels of gold! The Warring States Building and the Red Moon Building are currently both under our name. The total estimated value of all assets is around 13 billion!”

“That is roughly the situation.”

After Su Wan finished, Yan Tiannan fixed his gaze on Wangchuan and said in a low voice,

“I have only three conditions. First, protect my family and bring them back to Sanhe Commandery, let them settle there, and ensure they receive the protection of your hall. Second, I hope you can help them cultivate to the Third Rank. Third, do your best to let them remain in the Warring States Building.”