Chapter 88: Love and Hate 088 – 4K Please Subscribe

"Eh, she likes me?"

Wang Wu was startled for a moment, then recalled the expression on Wang Lan's face when they were together, and then remembered the change in her expression just now when she saw him.

"Hey, damn it, it does seem like that? Her attitude is pretty obvious, why didn't I notice it all this time?" Wang Wu scratched his head in puzzlement, utterly confused.

But after pondering the question for less than half a second, he immediately tossed it aside; such matters were simply unimportant.

"Looks like Brother Wang is rather slow," Si Tu Jin said with a smile, then continued:

"Moreover, she has repeatedly and explicitly rejected that Lu‑surname cultivator; even if Lu Xing, the Lu cultivator, doesn't mind, she clearly wouldn't be willing to do such a thing."

"Of course, it might also be because of the disparity between their families; who knows?"

They continued sipping tea, and after a round of conversation, dishes and drinks were gradually brought out. The service was still swift; from sitting down until now, only five or six minutes had passed.

This time Si Tu Jin invited Wang Wu for drinks, and it was truly just food and drink; the two occasionally exchanged a few words, but most of the time they were eating.

Outside Fang Yi Hall, on the main street of He Dong Xian.

"Lan'er, you and that person who was just looking at you on the second floor of Fang Yi Hall seem to have a history?"

Inside a shop, while selecting jewelry for her younger sister, Wang Lan heard a companion's voice beside her ear.

Hearing the words, Wang Lan lifted her head to look at the speaker:

"Yes, Yu Lang, he's the Wang Shaoxia I mentioned."

"Truly remarkable," the man sighed. "No wonder he could drink with Colonel Si Tu; I thought Colonel Si Tu's appearance was already rare among mortals, but I didn't expect Wang Shaoxia to truly be as the rumors say—a celestial figure."

"Ah, ah…" Wang Lan nodded, "Yes…"

"We'll meet again in the future, Miss Wang."

Recalling the words spoken when they partied months ago, certain thoughts that had long faded surged in Wang Lan's mind like a tide, then quickly receded.

She had already let go.

Although she harbored romantic fantasies, she was also the third miss of the Wang family. Naturally, she was well aware how unattainable his status was to her.

Moreover, he had never expressed any such intentions toward her.

She herself only let his appearance and a few gestures lead her into daydreams—just a fleeting fantasy, a bubble that burst at the slightest poke.

When it vanished, there might be a hint of melancholy, but that's all.

Si Tu Jin hailed from the six noble families of Southern Province, a true aristocracy; compared to the already ruined Ximen family of He Dong Xian, they were like an ant.

Indeed, they were trampled like an ant, and even the remnants far in the Southern Province capital dared not make a sound.

Since they chose to attach themselves to the Luo family, bearing the Luo family's banner, they naturally had to show loyalty.

But evidently, the Ximen family chose the worst timing. Still, they had no other options.

Facing the olive branch offered by the great clan, everyone knew it could be fatal; but even knowing that, what could be done?

Just like the Wang family today.

Even though it was clear that the Song family caused the accident three years ago and had been covertly targeting the Wang family ever since.

Yet when profit is at stake, the Wang and Song families can still set aside past grievances, turn swords into silk, and even arrange a marriage.

The two for this marriage are Song Yu and Wang Lan.

To be precise, the Song family proactively proposed the marriage to the Wang family, and to facilitate it, they courted the Wang family, conceding substantial benefits—truly sincere.

Moreover, Song Yu genuinely liked Wang Lan. At least from his pursuit, the passionate feeling and intense affection showed no sign of pretense.

Thus, Wang Lan's guard lowered unconsciously. Though there was no love, it was still decent; at least his feelings toward her seemed sincere.

After all, some things are forever out of reach, merely distant fantasies.

"Lan'er? Have you chosen?"

Seeing the pair of pendants Wang Lan picked up, Song Yu asked gently.

"Hmm." Wang Lan nodded, then looked at the shopkeeper waiting nearby, "How much is this?"

"One hundred fifty taels, Third Miss." The shopkeeper said courteously, "Just right for your sister, Third Miss."

"Then wrap it up." Wang Lan nodded.

After browsing a while longer in the shop, Wang Lan left the stall together with Song Yu.

After sharing a meal with Si Tu Jin inside Fang Yi Hall, they part ways, and Wang Wu continued wandering the streets.

He came to the human city mainly to shop; his home lacked nothing, but he had finished all his books, so he came to buy a dozen more.

Although the city housed many troops, there was no curfew now, and it was far livelier than his first visit to He Dong Xian, with the crowd multiplied several times.

He pushed through the crowd toward the bookstore where he previously bought books, but on the way spotted a noodle stall, thought he hadn't had noodles in ages, and went to order a bowl.

While he was sitting there eating, Wang Lan came running out of the street entrance with that man.

Their gazes met.

Slurp

Wang Wu slurped a mouthful of noodles; they were quite spicy, right up his alley.

The place wasn't crowded, and the stall had few patrons, but the shopkeeper's skill was actually quite good. He said lunch business was always like this; mornings and evenings were the busiest.

People here eat three meals a day, thanks to advanced productivity, granting them the right to three meals daily.

"Wang Miss." Seeing Wang Lan staring at him, Wang Wu greeted.

"Wang…" Hearing Wang Wu's greeting, Wang Lan seemed taken aback, froze for a moment, then stammered, "Wang Shaoxia, long time no see…"

"Indeed, it's been a long time since we last met," Wang Wu nodded, then glanced at the man also eyeing him.

He stood close to 1.9 meters, a bit taller than himself, and even showed a hint of cultivation, roughly at the entry of the Mortal Realm.

"Is this gentleman Wang Miss's husband?" Wang Wu asked.

"Not married yet, but all good wishes from Wang Shaoxia," Song Yu said to Wang Wu, smiling.

He naturally noticed the change in the companion's expression upon seeing Wang Wu, felt a twinge of jealousy, and reached to grasp Wang Lan's waist, but his hand met empty air.

Turning to look at the person beside him, he realized they were oddly far apart.

Although the two were that far apart when they walked over from there, Song Yu's jealousy instantly grew even stronger.

Seeing Wang Wu's face, he couldn't help feeling a bit insecure.

Indeed, whether in looks or strength, he is inferior to the other.

As for lineage, there's no need to say more.

Song Yu had just returned to the Song family in He Xi Xian a few months ago. He entered Xuan Qing Sect as a child, and now that Shi Cheng has returned to the Song family, he is to assume the headship and inherit the Song family's assets.

Having produced a cultivator, this could not be better for the Song family. It means they can now steadily suppress the Wang Clan in He Dong Xian, and even seize most of the Wang Clan's trade routes.

Although his son lacks talent, otherwise he wouldn't still be in the Mortal Realm at twenty‑eight, nor would he have returned to the Song family.

But lacking talent doesn't mean lacking connections; having entered Xuan Qing Sect, he is naturally a member of it, and the Song family thereby gains ties with Xuan Qing Sect.

Xuan Qing Sect isn't a major sect, but it has thirty‑two cultivators at the Real Person realm, and its sect leader is a great cultivator at the Break Delusion realm; in terms of power it already far surpasses the top‑tier aristocratic Xi Men family of He Dong Xian.

Song Yu had only just returned to He Xi Xian when he ran into Wang Lan, who happened to be bringing people to He Xi Xian to cause trouble for the Song family; the moment he saw Wang Lan, he instantly fell.

Wang Lan's features alone are only at the level of a Xi Men family dancer, and she would be stronger without the scar on her face.

But Wang Lan's temperament is excellent, and the scar greatly enhances her strong, heroic yet gentle aura.

Clearly, a cultivator like Song Yu cannot resist such aura, just as Lu Xing could not.

Thus, he fell hopelessly in love with the other.

So, after learning about the feud between the Song family and the Wang family, Song Yu proactively chose to apologize, offered substantial compensation, and proposed that the two families become friendly and mutually beneficial from then on.

But what's interesting is that although the Song family gave an apology and gifts, the apology did not mention the incident with the Wang family's caravan three years ago.

And the Wang family, because the Song family was truly sincere, also did not bring up that matter.

After that, Song Yu launched a frantic pursuit of Wang Lan, continuing to this day.

The marriage contract between them was only set by both parents a few days ago.

Wang Lan's father, Wang Yin, naturally sought his daughter's opinion, and it was clear she had no feelings for Song Yu.

He naturally didn't want his daughter that way and advised Wang Lan, but Wang Lan was very steadfast in her attitude.

So the marriage contract was settled just like that; as for the incident three years ago, the money had been recovered anyway, and the Song family's attitude was fine, so the Wang Clan didn't bring it up.

Thus the marriage contract was set; as for the incident three years ago, the money had been recovered and the Song family's attitude was fine, so the Wang family didn't bring it up.

Both are merchants; if they can be mutually beneficial, that's naturally better, even if they were fighting to the death just the day before.

"How is your martial path progressing?" Wang Wu, holding a gigantic bowl at least thirty centimeters in diameter, slurped some powder and asked.

"Already, already broke through the Second Realm and entered the Gang Qi Realm." When speaking of her martial realm, Wang Lan immediately stopped being as awkward as before, and said proudly.

This is the limit of the Gang Qi martial path; legend says that if one can condense Gang Qi day after day, perhaps there is a slight chance that someday a thread of True Qi might be formed.

Reaching that step would mean the gate to the True Realm is about to open for them.

They only need to keep training, day after day, until all the Gang Qi in the body is converted to True Qi, thereby formally stepping onto the True Path and becoming a True Realm warrior.

It's not an immediate jump to the True Realm; of course one must still ascend from the Mortal Realm, but the road will have no bottlenecks.

"That's great." Wang Wu nodded appreciatively, "If Miss Wang wishes, I can continue sparring with you."

"Then… " Wang Lan's face lit up at the words, but she immediately stiffened.

After a moment, her expression returned to normal, and she forced a smile, saying, "Th‑thank you, young hero, for your kindness. Later, later when you have time, we can talk…"

"I still have some matters with Yu Lang, so I won't trouble you further, young hero."

Having said that, she took Song Yu's hand beside her, said goodbye to Wang Wu, and hurried away.

Watching the other's hurried retreat, Wang Wu lowered his head again and continued slurping the powder.

A moment later, Song Yu and Wang Lan continued strolling down a street, galloping through sights, their moods clearly no longer focused on this.

Suddenly, Song Yu seized Wang Lan's hand and called out to her.

Suddenly, Song Yu grabbed Wang Lan's hand and called her.

"What's wrong, Yu Lang?" Wang Lan's thoughts were chaotic, but when Song Yu called her, she immediately replied.

Song Yu said nothing, but suddenly pulled her, beginning to lead her through the streets and alleys.

The two moved quickly and with great agility, weaving through crowds, finally stopping in a dim, seldom‑trodden alley.

In the darkness, Song Yu cast a spell that cut off sight and sound around Song Yu, then forced Wang Lan against the wall.

In the darkness, Song Yu snapped a spell, cutting off his own sight and sound in that spot, then pressed Wang Lan against the wall.

He gasped, his bright eyes flashing in the dark. Wang Lan stared at his handsome face and the eyes full of emotion.

She could clearly feel the warm breath from his mouth; though she had never had such an experience, Wang Lan also sensed what might happen next.

"Yu, Yu Lang…" Wang Lan called out to Song Yu, her voice trembling.

Song Yu's eyes were full of affection; Song Yu closed them and gently lowered the head.

Song Yu's eyes were full of affection; he closed them and gently lowered his head.

A warm sensation brushed his lips, intoxicating him. But immediately after, he snapped his eyes open.

In the dim alley, Wang Lan leaned against the wall behind her with a look of shock, fresh blood constantly spouting from her neck, while Song Yu's face was already covered with warm fresh blood.

In the dim alley, Wang Lan's shocked expression leaned against the wall behind her, blood constantly spattering from her neck, while Song Yu's face in front of her was already covered in warm fresh blood.

When the blood splashed onto Song Yu's lips, he opened his eyes to the scene and his mind went blank.

Wang Lan's eyes quickly dimmed, and her body slipped down slowly.

Looking at the lover before Song Yu, Song Yu's voice trembled.

Looking at his lover before him, Song Yu's voice trembled.

"Lan'er…!!!"

But at that moment, a plaintive voice suddenly sounded in the ears. Song Yu jerked the head around and found that, at the entrance of the alley, an extra person had somehow appeared.

But at that moment, a plaintive voice sounded beside his ear. Song Yu spun his head sharply and saw that at the alley's entrance, an extra person had appeared.

At that instant, his expression turned shocked, his eyes widening.

【121】 "Senior, junior sister!??"

But immediately after, the look of astonishment turned into great fury:

"What are you doing!!??" Song Yu let out a hysterical roar, but right after, the words that came from the other's mouth made him pause again.

"They said it, senior brother."

The woman looked at Song Yu, murmuring with great sorrow: "Your third uncle clearly said, said... you will, you will marry me..."

"But why, why you..."

She trembled, raised her hand, and pointed at Song Yu.

"Why do you want to marry her!??"

At this moment, Wang Lan on the ground also turned her head this way, her dim eyes fixed on the woman at the alley entrance.

"X... Xiao Xue...?"

Wang Lan murmured, but no sound came out, because her throat had already been cut.

"Boss, the bill."

After Wang Wu finished the fifth bowl of noodles, he wiped his mouth and placed a piece of broken silver on the table.

"Alright!"

The stall owner immediately came over, took Wang Wu's silver, and prepared to give change.

"No need."

But the next second, when the shopkeeper heard Wang Wu's voice and turned his gaze to that spot, his figure was already gone.

Following the faint blood scent in the air, Wang Wu, whose Heavenly Demon Eye had opened, quickly arrived at the scene.

(End of chapter)