Chapter 229 - 104: The East Wind Was All That Was Missing; So It’s Finally All Set, Right?

Later, because of the Identity Token he’d left behind, she’d come to suspect Jiang Lan’s true identity. She guessed he was part of the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s vast network of spies, which was spread throughout Great Xia and had somehow uncovered all her secrets.

That was why she didn’t dare to have any ulterior motives.

As for the origin of the Heart-Devouring Pill, it was surely something beyond her comprehension and reach.

She didn’t dare risk her life to test if it was real...

This was what had led her to Jingyang City to seek out Jiang Lan for the antidote. Of course, part of the reason also involved a major plot the Blood Immortal Sect was currently orchestrating.

Given her status, she was required to personally oversee matters here.

"What? Worried the antidote might be fake?" Jiang Lan asked.

"No, how could I possibly doubt you, Sir," Song Youwei said, shaking her head.

"Then take it in front of me," Jiang Lan said, looking at her.

’If Song Youwei saves it and has someone else examine it, this so-called Heart-Devouring Pill of mine might actually be exposed.’

Song Youwei was taken aback but didn’t overthink it. She guessed Jiang Lan was worried she might try to analyze and replicate the antidote later.

She had no such intention. She opened the jade vial, poured out the cool Elixir Pill, which seemed to be wreathed in a faint mist, and swallowed it right in front of Jiang Lan.

The familiar, cold sensation surged through her again, exactly the same as when she had swallowed the Heart-Devouring Pill on the Blood Red Plateau.

Song Youwei knew better than to ask any more questions and simply sat there, quiet and obedient.

’Jiang Lan wasn’t speaking, and she didn’t know what to say. But would it be too rude to just get the Elixir Pill, take it, and leave?’

’Then again, there didn’t seem to be anything for her to do here.’

She hesitated, wondering whether she should ask to leave.

"Is the Blood Immortal Sect planning to sabotage Emperor Xia’s Southern Hunting?" Jiang Lan suddenly asked.

Song Youwei’s expression flickered. A jolt went through her as she looked at him, her clear, bright eyes wide with shock.

She had no idea how Jiang Lan had learned of this.

This was a secret of the Blood Immortal Sect; even some of the higher-ups might not be aware of it.

"Sir, you..."

Song Youwei’s soft, rosy lips parted. She wanted to ask how he knew, but she realized it was probably useless. Instead, she said, "It seems nothing can be hidden from you, Sir."

’He had already seen through her identity; finding out about this plot probably wasn’t difficult for him either.’

’Could it be that he has spies or even a mole within the Blood Immortal Sect?’

’If they are spies from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, that would be terrifying.’

Jiang Lan understood her speculation. ’After all, this is what happens in the original plot.’

"Don’t be nervous. I was just asking."

Jiang Lan said nonchalantly, "The Blood Immortal Sect intends to disrupt the Royal Family’s Southern Hunting. I won’t interfere."

"Mm..."

"I am only here temporarily on orders. Other Elders are responsible for this matter," Song Youwei explained with a nod.

"You don’t have to explain. I know you don’t want to be complicit with the Blood Immortal Sect, but for various reasons, you can’t simply walk away."

"That was part of the reason I didn’t kill you on the Blood Red Plateau," Jiang Lan said, looking at her.

Hearing this, Song Youwei’s delicate hands, hidden beneath the tea table, clenched gently. "Thank you for sparing my life that day, Sir," she said in a low voice.

’Back then, she had been worried that Jiang Lan would go back on his word and deal with her companions. After all, they hadn’t taken the Heart-Devouring Pill, and they had all guessed his true identity.’

’Fortunately, even after the cataclysmic event on the Blood Red Plateau and their subsequent escape, Jiang Lan never came after them.’

’At that moment, Song Youwei realized that Jiang Lan was a man of his word.’

’The rumors outside painted him as a spoiled, hedonistic heir, but having witnessed his terrifying and unfathomable power firsthand, she could never see him that way...’

"Please accept this drink as an apology for my disrespect on the Blood Red Plateau, and as thanks for your magnanimity, Sir."

With this thought, Song Youwei stood, picked up the wine jug, and filled the cup in front of Jiang Lan.

She held no resentment in her heart for Jiang Lan forcing her to swallow the Heart-Devouring Pill.

After all, she had been the one to drag him into her mess first. If she hadn’t been hindered and her skills hadn’t been inferior, she would have undoubtedly eliminated him to leave no loose ends.

"That’s not necessary. I came to see you today for another reason, besides giving you the antidote."

"There’s something I need you to do for me," Jiang Lan said with a wave of his hand.

Song Youwei was taken aback. She looked at him and said, "If you have any instructions, Sir, please speak freely. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."

"Tomorrow, Xie Jianjia, the young lady of Imperial Censor Xie’s family, will be escorted by the Observatory to the Canglan Sword Sect. Multiple factions will try to intercept her along the way. I want you to bring her to me," Jiang Lan said.

Although Song Youwei had only recently arrived in Jingyang City, she had already heard the rumors about this, and a look of shock appeared on her face.

From what she had heard, the Xie Family had been framed for colluding with Demons precisely because they had offended the Prime Minister’s Mansion by refusing to hand over Xie Jianjia. As punishment, the entire family was disgraced; the men were exiled to the border, and the women were sent to the Sword Sect...

If nothing went wrong, men from the Prime Minister’s Mansion were expected to intercept and seize Xie Jianjia tomorrow. It was an open secret, a plot for all to see.

’But now Jiang Lan was asking her to intervene and bring him Xie Jianjia?’

A thousand thoughts raced through Song Youwei’s mind. She was utterly bewildered, but she didn’t dare to scrutinize Jiang Lan’s intentions too closely.

She could only reply, "I understand, Sir. But... are you certain I can successfully retrieve Xie Jianjia from the grasp of so many different factions?"