Chapter 254 - 109: It’s Alright, He Could Tell She Wasn’t a Frivolous Woman

Jiang Lan kept his hands clasped behind his back, but his words carried a touch of sentiment.

"Alliance Leader, did you see Mei’Er just now? She misses you dearly..."

Upon hearing this, gratitude washed over Hu Sanniang’s face. Then, as if remembering something, a blush crept onto her charming cheeks, but a flicker of sadness crossed her eyes.

Years ago, when she first met the Alliance Leader, she had been gravely wounded. Her husband had been murdered by his rivals, and she was being hunted, forced to flee for her life with her daughter in tow.

Just when all hope seemed lost, the man who was now her Alliance Leader had happened to pass by and intervened, saving her.

Later, he not only helped her exact her revenge but also gifted her numerous Miracle Elixirs, curing her daughter’s chronic ailments and solving many other problems.

It was only thanks to the Alliance Leader’s care over the years that mother and daughter could enjoy the peaceful life they had today.

She was deeply grateful to the Alliance Leader of the Naxian Alliance, but deep down, she harbored a certain adoration for him as well.

Unfortunately, she had already been a wife and mother, and she was keenly aware of her own situation.

’The Alliance Leader isn’t that old, but his power is immeasurable. He’s incredibly generous, and his family background must be extraordinary... How could I ever be worthy of him?’ Thus, she could only bury those feelings of adoration deep within her heart.

"I caught a glimpse of her when I entered the villa just now."

Jiang Lan smiled. With a flick of the hand he held behind his back, a bottle of Elixir Pills materialized before Hu Sanniang. "This is a bottle of Jade Pearl Pill," he said. "It’s highly beneficial for the cultivation of the Fox Race. I had it prepared for you for some time, but I was surprised you didn’t come to see me regarding the matter of the Half-Immortal Zhenren’s grotto."

"Jade Pearl Pill..."

"Thank you, Alliance Leader."

A wave of gratitude washed over Hu Sanniang.

She quickly explained, "It’s not that I didn’t want to see you, Alliance Leader. It’s just that I detected members of the Blood Immortal Sect suddenly appearing in Jingyang City. I had to have my people constantly monitoring their movements, so it was difficult for me to leave the villa."

Jiang Lan nodded slightly. "I know. It must have been difficult."

Hu Sanniang knew the Alliance Leader wouldn’t have come all this way himself, especially this late at night, just for a bottle of Elixir Pills.

"Alliance Leader, for you to come to me in person... is there something you need me to do?" she asked deferentially.

"Are you aware that the Blood Immortal Sect has been investigating the Naxian Alliance lately?" Jiang Lan asked.

Hu Sanniang nodded. "I am aware. The Blood Immortal Sect isn’t just investigating the Naxian Alliance; they’re also trying to uncover your identity, Alliance Leader. I’ve already dispatched men to... take care of a few of their members."

"And you? Do you have any idea who I am?" Jiang Lan asked, looking at her with sudden interest.

Hu Sanniang quickly shook her head. "I wouldn’t dare presume to investigate your identity, Alliance Leader."

Jiang Lan smiled. "I came to you because I do have a task for you. And right now, you are the only one who can do it."

"Tomorrow night, after 7:00 PM, go to the Garden of Osmanthus in the Inner City. Bring a certain woman here and make sure she is settled in."

"I understand." Hu Sanniang committed the information to memory, not daring to ask any questions.

She had followed the Alliance Leader long enough to know his ways. He disliked being questioned; when he gave an order, one simply carried it out.

Jiang Lan nodded, then asked, "Sanniang, do you remember Jihu Mountain?"

Hu Sanniang froze for a moment. A look of nostalgic gratitude then crossed her face. "Of course I remember. It’s where I first met you, Alliance Leader. It’s where you saved me and Mei’Er."

She didn’t know why the Alliance Leader was suddenly bringing this up.

But as for Jihu Mountain, she and the Alliance Leader were likely the only two people in the entire Naxian Alliance who knew of its significance.

Even her daughter, Hu Mei’Er, likely had no memory of that time.

"Good that you remember. From now on, if I need something done, I will use ’Jihu Mountain’ as a code phrase to have my people make contact with you."

"And do not speak of tonight’s meeting to anyone."

"There are few people left in the Naxian Alliance whom I can truly trust. I hope you won’t disappoint me, Sanniang," Jiang Lan said.

"I understand. You can rest assured, Alliance Leader."

Hu Sanniang froze as the meaning of his words sank in.

’It means the Alliance Leader won’t be making any public appearances for a while.’

’And the reason he came to see me in person... it must be because there are traitors and spies within the Naxian Alliance.’

’Lately, I’ve heard that many disciples from powerful and noble families in Jingyang City have been assassinated...’

’Compared to the Blood Immortal Sect, the Naxian Alliance is far too small and fragile.’

A sense of gloom washed over her.

The Naxian Alliance had only existed for a few decades. In contrast, the Blood Immortal Sect had held sway over the Nine Provinces Land for thousands of years—an entity that had once unleashed endless storms of blood and carnage, striking terror into the hearts of every Immortal Sect Lineage.

After leaving Bihu Mountain Villa, Jiang Lan did not immediately return to the Desire Immortal Pavilion.

He planned to pay Ye Shiyin a visit first.

He wasn’t worried about any complications from Hu Sanniang’s side; from start to finish, she had never suspected him in the slightest.

Furthermore, the existence of the "Jihu Mountain" code phrase would lead her to conclude on her own that there were problems within the Naxian Alliance.

She would conclude that the Alliance Leader had no choice but to personally approach her, someone he could trust, with a heavy responsibility.

For that very reason, Hu Sanniang would never mention this to anyone else.

And since she held a high position in the Naxian Alliance, many of her actions were seen as representing the Alliance Leader himself, so the other members would not question them.

Emperor Xia was swamped with his own affairs; why would he ever meet with Hu Sanniang alone? Even if he grew suspicious afterward, he would simply assume that traitors had appeared within the Naxian Alliance.

And so, Jiang Lan could now use this code phrase to have Hu Sanniang do many things for him.