Chapter 268 - 111: Emperor’s Qi, The Fat Meat Was Snatched Away, I’m Dirty

Ye Ming’s expression was grim. He glanced at her, only to find her eyes shimmering as she gazed after Jiang Lan, not even noticing that he was watching her.

Though he had no interest in Liu Xue, seeing her act like this still irritated him. ’This woman is so shallow.’

...

Back in his private room, Jiang Lan noticed the influx of fortune into his Mud Ball Palace and let out a small, internal laugh.

He hadn’t actually paid much attention to Ye Ming for a while, so he was surprised to see him in the Imperial Capital, let alone at the auction.

If he hadn’t swooped in, the future King of Assassination from the original storyline would have likely fallen into Ye Ming’s hands.

’This Child of Fortune truly is favored by the Celestial Dao. All the best things just seem to fall into his lap.’

’The Ghost Race... Their bloodline talent isn’t obvious yet, but it will manifest soon enough. They innately possess the Void Talent, making them incredibly useful for hiding, assassination, and gathering intelligence.’

’Based on what I know about her, it’ll be a simple matter to make her completely devoted to me. Getting her to serve me loyally will be ridiculously easy.’

Jiang Lan took a sip of tea, recalling the background of the Ghost Race girl.

The Ghost Race had long since vanished from the Nine Provinces Land. Even the Longchang Business Alliance was unaware of her origins. They simply treated her as an ordinary member of the Human Race, albeit one with extraordinary skills and an exceptional talent for killing, making her suitable for training as a Gladiator.

In the original storyline, the Ghost Race girl was half-human. Her human mother had sold her to the Business Alliance in exchange for a large sum of Spirit Stones before running off to a distant land with a new lover.

As for her biological father, he was a pure-blooded member of the Ghost Race, but no other details about his background were ever mentioned.

"Young Master, we’ve brought her..."

Just then, several maids entered the private room, pinching their noses as they worked together to bring in the Ghost Race girl, who was utterly exhausted and had little strength left.

The moment she was brought in, an extremely pungent, bloody stench washed over them, so foul it was nauseating.

Jiang Lan dismissed the maids with a wave of his hand, then calmly began to study the girl.

She barely reached his shoulder and appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, but the age of the Ghost Race could not be judged by appearance alone.

Her robes were tattered and filthy, caked with blood and grime that had coagulated into foul-smelling, blackish-brown patches.

Her hair was matted and a tangled mess. Her face was covered in scars, ugly as centipedes, enough to make a child cry in terror.

Sensing Jiang Lan studying her, she lowered her head. Her messy, tangled hair fell forward, obscuring most of her face.

Blood dripped from one arm, which hung limply at her side. Her other hand, hidden within its sleeve, was clenched tightly, revealing her nervousness.

"I’ve already ordered them to destroy your slave contract with the gladiator pits. You should be able to feel that it’s gone."

"Chou’Er?"

Jiang Lan seemed unbothered by her filth and stench.

After looking her over, he nodded in satisfaction.

At his words, the Ghost Race girl named Chou’Er nodded, though she kept her head lowered.

"I won’t make you sign another slave contract."

"But in return, you must do as I say," Jiang Lan said.

Chou’Er nodded again.

"I know you can speak..."

Jiang Lan casually produced a bottle of Elixir Pills. He tipped one out—a purple pill that shimmered with a rosy light and exuded a fresh, clean scent. "Open your mouth..."

Hearing this, Chou’Er slowly and hesitantly lifted her bowed head. She glanced at him, but didn’t dare open her mouth.

"It’s a Healing Elixir," Jiang Lan explained, looking at her. "Take it. It will stop the pain and the bleeding and heal your injuries."

Chou’Er remained hesitant. She looked at his spotless robes, then at the fair, slender, immaculate hand he held out to her. A look of inferiority filled her eyes, and she lowered her head again.

"Open your mouth..." Jiang Lan repeated.

"I... I’m filthy..."

She finally spoke. Her voice was hoarse, like the scrape of shattered glass against a blunt object, yet it carried an ineffable, clear quality.