Chapter 433: Departure

Luo Qingyi frowned, a little hesitant.

But in the end, he nodded.

“Yes, I understand.”

Jiang Ran knew what he was worried about.

The man hadn’t pledged his loyalty just because Jiang Ran had helped him avenge his great nemesis.

The whole affair with Guo Chong was still a factor between them.

However, Jiang Ran didn’t mind. He continued,

“This mission isn’t without risk. It’s still unclear whether Jiang Han can be trusted.”

“The moment something seems even slightly off, you must run for your life. Do not delay for any reason.”

“Your life is the top priority!”

“Thank you, Young Master. I understand.”

Luo Qingyi nodded.

Jiang Ran then had Xuanyuan One Slash explain the basic structure of the Flower and Rain Alliance to Luo Qingyi.

This was to prevent Jiang Han from taking advantage of his ignorance and deceiving him.

Once everything was explained, Jiang Ran sent Luo Qingyi out to make his preparations.

He was leaving on a long journey tonight and naturally needed to prepare.

After giving Xuanyuan One Slash a few more instructions, Jiang Ran sent him on his way.

With these matters more or less settled, Jiang Ran finally let out a breath.

‘This faction business is exhausting,’ he thought.

‘If I can avoid it in the future, I will. It’s not exactly proper work, after all.’

“But… it’s not necessarily improper, either.”

Jiang Ran leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Factions might be tiring, but they had plenty of manpower. If he needed to find someone, it would be far faster than searching on his own.

‘Even if I don’t get directly involved, I can help out where I can. I’ll let Xuanyuan One Slash expand our influence. Then, when I set my sights on a wanted criminal, all I’ll have to do is give the word, and people will naturally start gathering clues for me.’

‘Isn’t that much faster than working alone?’

Mulling it over for a moment, he decided there was great potential in this.

As for how effective it would be, only time would tell.

He had a perfect opportunity to use this as a cover now, so he might as well use it as a test to see what they were capable of.

…

…

Nothing else happened until midnight, when a commotion erupted at Qifeng Manor as expected.

Having Luo Qingyi rescue Jiang Han was just an act, one primarily for the benefit of the Flower and Rain Alliance.

But they still had to go through the motions.

To make it look real, Jiang Ran had even instructed Luo Qingyi to be ruthless.

While he wouldn’t actually kill anyone, a few men would “die” in the chaos that night.

After that, Qifeng Manor and the Blood Saber Hall dispatched a large number of people to hunt down the escaped Jiang Han, as well as the “traitor” who rescued him.

After a whole night of fruitless commotion, they had no choice but to give up.

The next day, Xuanyuan One Slash also took his leave, preparing to get busy with the affairs of the Thunderbolt Hall.

After he left, Jiang Ran went to find Scholar Jingtan, saying that the Jiaowei zither was ready and they could set off.

Scholar Jingtan was eager to see it, so Jiang Ran let him have a look.

The Jiaowei zither was genuine, so naturally, Scholar Jingtan couldn’t find any flaws. He showered praise on Ximen Feng’s incredible skill, then double-checked with Jiang Ran. Was he sure there was no need to kill him to silence him?

Jiang Ran gave him a reassuring look, letting him know he had already taken care of it.

So, Scholar Jingtan didn’t press the matter.

By noon that day, a carriage was ready at the foot of the mountain below Qifeng Manor.

All the necessary supplies were inside, along with Gu Xizhi.

Scholar Jingtan had told him that even though they hadn’t obtained the Jiaowei this time, they still had to go give Jin Qiu an explanation, so the trip was still on.

They hadn’t wanted Gu Xizhi to come along, but he had strongly insisted, refusing to stay behind at Qifeng Manor. Thus, they had no choice but to let him ride in the carriage.

At the foot of the mountain, everyone bid a reluctant farewell.

Feng Xianzhi thanked Jiang Ran profusely, declaring that in the future, no matter what Jiang Ran needed, he only had to send word, and all of Qifeng Manor would be at his beck and call.

Ruan Yuqing also watched Jiang Ran, her reluctance to part showing. She sighed and said,

“We part now, with vast skies and a long road ahead. I hope you’ll take care of yourself and that everything goes smoothly for you.”

Jiang Ran gazed at Ruan Yuqing and smiled.

“Miss Ruan, our paths are bound to cross again. This is not our final farewell.”

“Once I’ve settled my affairs, I will certainly visit you at the Shuiyue Sword Sect.”

“Then I will be at the Shuiyue Sword Sect, awaiting your esteemed visit.”

Ruan Yuqing gave a slight bow with her fists cupped, said her goodbyes to Tang Huayi, and then without any further delay, she turned and strode away.

Her clean break surprised Tang Huayi a little.

She glanced at Jiang Ran and said softly,

“I’m surprised she didn’t try to cling to you. That was unexpected.”

“…Why would she cling to me?”

Jiang Ran was puzzled.

“Hmph. You know perfectly well what I mean.”

“???”

Ruan Yuqing had just left when Yan Wushuang arrived.

The reason for her visit was obvious.

Jiang Ran was already prepared. He had Ximen Feng, who was trussed up, carried away directly by the people from the Hundred Treasures Association.

Yan Wushuang looked at Jiang Ran and said,

“Young Hero Jiang, you are a man of immense wealth. It must be inconvenient to carry it all with you.”

“Should the opportunity arise, you might consider converting it into assets in a suitable location. If you don’t know where to begin, the Hundred Treasures Association would be happy to handle it for you.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries with her, Jiang Ran watched her group depart.

Finally, he bid farewell to Feng Xianzhi one more time, leaped onto the carriage, and spurred the horses onward.

…

…

「Three Immortals Mountain, Sunset Plateau!」

A figure was climbing the mountain.

The man’s movements were nimble. Though the cliffs of Sunset Plateau were sheer and offered no purchase, he soared upward as if it were no challenge at all.

Even when he nearly lost his footing and fell, he used his superb Lightweight Technique to turn a perilous situation safe.

He finally made it to the top of Sunset Plateau.

As sunlight struck him, it revealed a face covered in scars from an explosion.

He looked up at the sun with a grim expression.

“Sooner or later, I’m going to pluck you right out of the sky… It’s already October, and you’re still lording it over my head every single day. How dare you…”

Then he looked around Sunset Plateau, puzzled.

“Wasn’t there supposed to be some zither and tea appreciation gathering?”

“Where is everyone?”

“I can’t be late again, can I?”

“Speaking of which… who was I supposed to be looking for again?”