Chapter 213 - 100: The Bitter Fruit I Deserve, the Future Seen in the River of Time, and a Plausible Explanation

He had already come up with this explanation on his way back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. His parents were no ordinary people; they were Supreme Strong Ones who stood at the pinnacle of this world.

An ordinary excuse would likely only make them more suspicious, which would be counterproductive.

Thus, his story was half-truth, half-lie—enough to dispel some of their doubts and worries, while also explaining his motivations.

After all, the series of actions he had taken went completely against the original owner’s personality and habits of many years. Unless his parents were complete fools, how could they not be suspicious?

’Resolving his inner turmoil?’

’How could he resolve it for no reason? The original owner had experienced his fair share of assassinations and dangers. Was he supposed to believe that the incident in Yu Yi City was enough to cause a sudden epiphany, making everything click into place?’

’Even if his parents didn’t realize he’d been possessed, they would still suspect some unknown method was at play...’

The "River of Time" explanation, however, was what Jiang Lan considered the most suitable and the easiest for them to understand and accept.

If his mother hadn’t left a seal in his original Sea of Consciousness, Jiang Lan could have claimed that the seal had been accidentally broken. He could have said he finally understood the root of his problems and, after some painful reflection, had resolved to turn over a new leaf and become a better person...

But obviously, his mother knew perfectly well whether that seal had been broken or not.

In the end, the biggest reason was that his parents were not ordinary people.

Their perspective and power meant they knew far more secrets than the average person. Trying to casually fool them was basically impossible...

"The matter of the River of Time has deep implications. Lan’Er, you must remember not to mention this to anyone else."

Li Qingshu and Jiang Lintian quickly recovered from the complex shock that had shaken their minds.

After all, no one would believe something like the River of Time, and speaking of it would only cause a lot of trouble.

As for the cause and reason Jiang Lan had given, they didn’t doubt it, because it addressed the very point that had been troubling them.

If Jiang Lan had been possessed by someone, the many Restrictions they had left behind would certainly have reacted.

But based on the results, that wasn’t the case.

But this business of accidentally glimpsing a corner of the future was something they had never anticipated.

With Jiang Lan’s explanation, combined with the mysterious Long Sword of extraordinary origin, they were convinced of his story.

’This in itself is a great fortune and a fateful opportunity. Lan’Er wasn’t fated to be that way. The heavens took pity on him and helped him resolve this inner turmoil.’

With their many doubts dispelled, both of them felt immensely relieved and encouraged.

"I know what I’m doing. I only told you all this because I was afraid you would worry," Jiang Lan said.

After this explanation, his future actions would also be simpler and easier to carry out.

And his parents would surely give him their greatest support.

This was Jiang Lan’s main objective.

...

「Meanwhile, in Jingyang City.」

Within a magnificently constructed courtyard in Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.

A young man was searching through a mountain of books and scrolls for something.

He had refined features, a handsome face, and a tall, straight posture.

He wore a light gray brocade robe, and at his waist hung a smooth, vermilion-tinged Ancient Jade, giving him an uncommonly dashing air.

A faint, rosy glow seemed to envelop him.

With every breath, fluctuations of Spiritual Energy spread out from him, a clear sign of his accomplished cultivation. Even when he blinked, a sharp glint seemed to flash in his eyes.

’The ancients say a Phoenix perches on a parasol tree. Jian Jia has the blood of the Phoenix Race in her. If I can find a piece of Parasol Wood, it would be of great benefit to her current cultivation.’

’Unfortunately, finding a true Ancient Phoenix Tree in this day and age is exceedingly difficult. If I still can’t find one, I’m afraid my only option is to go to the Celestial Secret Pavilion and pay a hefty price for information...’

The young man muttered to himself as he sifted through the many books and Scripture Scrolls before him.

His name was Xiao Teng, the third son of the current Prince Zhenbei of Great Xia, Xiao He.

In all of Great Xia’s Imperial Capital, Jingyang City, he was a renowned young Celestial Pride—incredibly powerful, exceptionally talented, and with few rivals among his peers.

Just as he was looking through these books, trying to find any records related to the parasol tree...

A sudden clamor erupted from outside the courtyard.

A young girl dressed as a maid rushed over, panting as she shouted, "Third Young Master, it’s terrible! Something terrible has happened..."

Xiao Teng frowned slightly and asked, "Cai’Er, what’s the cause for such a panic..."

"Third Young Master, something has happened to the Xie Family."

"Something happened to the Xie Family?"

Xiao Teng froze for a moment, then shot to his feet and hurriedly asked, "What exactly happened?"

"Cai’Er doesn’t know the details. I just heard the news outside that something terrible happened to the Xie Family, that they’re going to be executed, so I rushed back to tell you, Third Young Master."

The maid named Cai’Er replied hastily, her voice full of anxiety.

She knew there was a marriage alliance between the young lady of the Xie Family and her own Third Young Master, and that the two of them were close.

The Third Young Master seemed to be deeply in love with her and often went out of his way to help her with major problems.

Xiao Teng’s face was grim as he quickly rose and left the courtyard to ask his father what was going on.

Prince Zhenbei, Xiao He, was dressed in casual clothes. He had a burly, sturdy build and a very conspicuous scar on his face.

He had just returned from outside the mansion with his retinue of attendants and had not yet reached the main hall when he saw Xiao Teng rushing toward him.

"Father, I heard something terrible has happened to the Xie Family. What’s going on?" Xiao Teng asked urgently.

Xiao He’s expression was also rather grim. Seeing Xiao Teng rush over, he knew what his son was asking about.

He sighed and replied, "The Xie Family has fallen. Ever since the old Grand Tutor fell critically ill, the Xie Family has been in decline."

"As for Xie Qing, the Imperial Censor, he privately falsified historical records, secretly colluded with Demons, and stole a treasured secret tome from the Royal Family’s collection. The Prime Minister reported this yesterday, the crimes were verified, and the court officials were enraged."

"His Majesty Emperor Xia, in his wisdom and benevolence, made an exception and granted a special pardon, refraining from executing the entire clan. He did this out of respect for the old Grand Tutor’s reputation and for the Xie Family’s past meritorious service."

"However, everyone in the Xie Family will have their cultivation crippled and be demoted to commoners. The men will be exiled to the border to serve as menial laborers, while the women will be sent to the Sword Sect’s Sword Pool to wash swords..."

"What..."

Hearing this, Xiao Teng felt his head buzz. It was simply unbelievable.

’Especially that last part—the women sent to the Sword Sect’s Sword Pool to wash swords?’