Chapter 10: The Ungrateful Wolf

Manager Pei Hao's words were like sharp blades, each one piercing straight to the heart, and the several hall masters in the parlor who supported Jiang Jiang Qinge all showed anger on their faces.

Their gazes couldn't help but turn toward Li Luo, but they were surprised to see that his expression didn't reveal the slightest fury, which made them let out a sigh of relief, and at the same time feel some admiration — although this young mansion master was born with an empty resonance, at the very least this temperament of his was quite decent.

Manager Pei Hao also noticed that Li Luo was unmoved by his words, and couldn't help but feel a bit surprised, but then immediately understood — the changes of these past few years must have already made Li Luo comprehend these cruel realities.

"Are you done?" Li Luo asked in a calm voice.

Manager Pei Hao gave a faint smile.

"Actually, I'm quite curious — my parents should have done you a great kindness, so why do you seem to harbor even more resentment toward them instead?" Li Luo asked.

Upon hearing this, Manager Pei Hao fell silent for several breaths, then said lightly: "Master and Mistress did treat me fairly well, it's just that they always knew what it was I wanted. I wanted to become their true disciple, not some so-called registered disciple."

"To achieve this goal, how much hard work I put in for House Luolan Mansion, yet they never once opened their mouths — do you know how many times my hopes turned into disappointment in the end?"

Li Luo smiled and said: "This is what they call 'a bushel of rice given in need becomes a bushel of hatred in plenty,' right? But looking at it now, my parents did the right thing. I don't believe that, with your ungrateful nature, if they had truly taken you in as a direct disciple, you would have shown any restraint because of it."

"Giving you the status of a direct disciple would only have intensified your ambition, making it easier for you to seize House Luolan Mansion for yourself, that's all."

Manager Pei Hao shook his head, not wishing to dwell on this topic with Li Luo any longer, and merely said lightly: "It seems you're not very interested in my proposal."

Li Luo nodded and said: "Don't waste your efforts. The engagement is a matter between me and Sister Jiang Qing, and it won't change because of any threat from you."

Upon hearing this, Manager Pei Hao gave a soft sigh and said: "Li Luo, greed comes at a terrible price. Things aren't what they used to be — you no longer have the capital to act willfully."

Li Luo's gaze fixed on Manager Pei Hao. Although in terms of presence he was far weaker than the latter, the things contained within that gaze made Manager Pei Hao feel a certain discomfort.

"Manager Pei Hao, I'll return those words to you." When Li Luo said this, his expression was exceptionally serious.

Manager Pei Hao was momentarily at a loss, then laughed and said: "Li Luo, do you really think little junior sister can protect you forever? You're still far too naive."

"But since you don't agree with my proposal, then so be it. Just as I said before, starting today, the three halls under my jurisdiction will no longer turn over their tribute gold to the mansion treasury. Likewise, whether the three halls carry out any orders issued by the mansion — well, that depends on my mood."

The expressions of the other six hall masters in the parlor gradually grew cold and stern.

Although two of the six hall masters belonged to the Zhongli Sect, if Manager Pei Hao truly intended to split House Luolan Mansion, it would inevitably affect their interests as well.

If it came to that, they would probably have no choice but to obey Jiang Jiang Qinge's orders and launch a joint suppression against the three halls and Manager Pei Hao.

But once it reached that point, the split within House Luolan Mansion would be exposed to the eyes of every faction in the Great Xia Kingdom.

"What? Want to make a move on me?" Manager Pei Hao seemed to have caught the chill in their eyes, and immediately gave a soft laugh.

Looking at the smile on Manager Pei Hao's face, hall masters like Lei Zhang couldn't help but flash a hint of wariness in their eyes. There was one thing Manager Pei Hao had said that wasn't untrue — during the years of House Luolan Mansion's rise, he had indeed rendered considerable service. Many of the powerful enemies who blocked House Luolan Mansion had died at his hands.

The current Manager Pei Hao was at the late Earth Fiend General stage, while these hall masters, apart from Lei Zhang who was at the mid Earth Fiend General stage, were all at the early stage.

Among everyone present, probably only Jiang Jiang Qinge, who Possesses Ninth Rank Light Resonance, could stand against him.

Of course, the most important thing was that Manager Pei Hao wasn't alone — he had his own loyal followers, not just the three hall masters who had pledged themselves to him.

Once both sides tore off all pretense and fought here, it would undoubtedly announce to the world that House Luolan Mansion was splitting from within, and this would make House Luolan Mansion's situation in the Great Xia Kingdom even worse.

"Everyone, I did not come here today to win a war of words. What I'm after is also being able to keep House Luolan Mansion standing tall within the Great Xia Kingdom."

"If little junior sister is willing to dissolve the engagement with the young mansion master, and you and I join hands, the future House Luolan Mansion will surely rise to the next level." Manager Pei Hao surveyed everyone and said with a faint smile.

"The fact that things have reached this point can only be blamed on our young mansion master being a bit too greedy."

"But I won't give up."

At this point, Manager Pei Hao drew a token from his bosom, engraved with the character "Mo," and when the hall masters saw this object, their expressions couldn't help but change.

"This is Elder Mo's token?" Lei Zhang blurted out.

In this House Luolan Mansion, besides the nine hall masters, there were also three enshrined elders — they were the strongest combat force in House Luolan Mansion apart from Li Taixuan and Dantai Lan.

All three enshrined elders were at the Heaven Fiend General stage.

However, these three enshrined elders did not normally intervene in House Luolan Mansion's affairs; they would only act when House Luolan Mansion faced external enemies. This was the agreement Li Taixuan had made with them back then.

This Elder Mo was one of the three enshrined elders.

But no one had expected that the person who should have maintained absolute neutrality within House Luolan Mansion would have his personal token appear in Manager Pei Hao's hands — the implication was already self-evident.

"When Master invited the three enshrined elders back then, he once said that they possessed the right of supervision. So at next year's Mansion Sacrifice, if anyone gains the support of two enshrined elders and four hall masters, then he has the right to compete for the position of House Luolan Mansion master."

Manager Pei Hao gave a light smile and said: "So you needn't worry that I'll split House Luolan Mansion, because what I want is a complete House Luolan Mansion."

In the parlor, hall masters like Lei Zhang looked shocked and furious — clearly none of them had expected that Manager Pei Hao was playing this game.

And judging by the current situation, he might not even lack the possibility of success. Clearly, for today, probably not long after the two mansion masters went missing, this Manager Pei Hao had already been making preparations.

Manager Pei Hao's gaze swept over Jiang Jiang Qinge, whose face was icy, then turned to Li Luo beside her, and said lightly: "So, cherish this last year. When the Mansion Sacrifice arrives, House Luolan Mansion will have little to do with you."

"At that time, you will truly have nothing at all."

When these words fell, Manager Pei Hao turned and strode away, with the three hall masters following closely behind.

With Manager Pei Hao's departure, the taut atmosphere in the parlor eased somewhat, but everyone's face still bore some worried expressions.

Although they had anticipated this situation to some extent, when this scene actually appeared, it still gave people an extreme headache.

However, at this moment Jiang Jiang Qinge showed considerable composure. She gently soothed the six hall masters with a softened voice, and after assigning some final matters, only then did she let them withdraw.

After everyone had withdrawn, the parlor fell quiet.

Li Luo's gaze stared at the floor in front of him, until a pair of slender, straight jade legs appeared before him, at which point he came back to himself. Raising his head, he saw Jiang Jiang Qinge looking down at him, her golden eyes gazing at him quietly.

"It seems that although you appear calm on the surface, you're still quite angry inside." Jiang Jiang Qinge said in a light voice.

Li Luo gave a bitter laugh and said: "How could I not be angry?"

That Manager Pei Hao today had essentially treated him as nothing — that so-called demand to dissolve the engagement was even more an attempt to grind his face into the dirt.

"But you performed quite well, you didn't lose your composure too much." Jiang Jiang Qinge's red lips curved into a faint smile, and a hint of praise entered her voice.

Li Luo sighed and said: "Actually, if I could, I'd rather just beat him to death on the spot, and help my parents clean house."

The reason he hadn't lost his composure was, more than anything, because he truly couldn't do anything.

At this moment, Li Luo once again keenly felt the importance of his own strength. The so-called young mansion master, after losing his parents, was actually nothing at all.

Of course, he also understood that the more important reason was his so-called innate empty resonance — everyone had decided he had no potential, and naturally looked down on him.

"No one has it all smooth sailing. A measure of patience is nothing to be ashamed of." Jiang Jiang Qinge offered in consolation.

Li Luo nodded and said: "After today's events, I finally know how much trouble our House Luolan Mansion is in right now. These past two years have really been hard on Sister Jiang Qing."

The Luo An Manor rose too quickly back then, but precisely because of that, its foundation was so unstable, which meant that once the founders, Li Taixuan and Tantai Lan, went missing, this High Tower became no longer secure.

If it weren't for Jiang Jiang Qinge's tireless efforts over the past two years to stabilize the people's hearts, I'm afraid those who had already started harboring thoughts would not be limited to just Manager Pei Hao.

Jiang Jiang Qinge sat down beside him, elegantly crossing her long, fair legs, and said, "Don't take what Manager Pei Hao said earlier too to heart; I will deal with him, though it will take some time."

As she spoke, a faint killing intent swept through those pair of pure golden pupils.

"Since you and I have made a promise, I will naturally hand over the entire Luo An Manor to you once that promise is fulfilled."

"So, you need not worry about the affairs of the Luo An Manor for now; what you should be thinking about more right now is the grand examination at the South Wind Academy next month. If you fail to enter the Holy Profound Star Academy, all our promises will become void," Jiang Jiang Qinge said, her red lips parting slightly.

Then, her voice paused, and she tilted her head slightly, smiling faintly at Li Luo: "However, if you feel the possibility is slim, just tell me now, and I can treat that promise as a momentary impulsive remark from you."

Li Luo blinked, then extended his palm, saying, "Give me your hand."

Jiang Jiang Qinge looked at the hand extended before her and was slightly stunned; if anyone else had done this to her, she would most likely have slashed them with a sword, but as for Li Luo, their relationship was after all quite special.

Thus, in the end, with an unchanged expression, she extended a small hand and placed it into Li Luo's palm.

Li Luo slowly closed his hand around that small hand; the tenderness of the sensation made one's heart flutter, and perhaps because Jiang Jiang Qinge possessed the Light Image, her skin appeared especially crystal-white, like beautiful jade, making it impossible to let go.

However, Li Luo forcibly suppressed the urge to rub that small hand, then drove a very faint Image Power out from his palm.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's expression had originally been quite calm, but when that faint Image Power surged over, her face instantly became solemn.

Her long five fingers reversed and directly grabbed Li Luo's hand; a perception surged into Li Luo's body, and finally, she discovered that Li Luo's Image Palace, which had originally been completely empty, was now emitting a blue radiance.

Jiang Jiang Qinge looked at Li Luo's face, which carried a hint of a smile, with some shock, and after a moment, finally said, "This is... Water Image?"

"You have an Image?!"

After a long while, Jiang Jiang Qinge slowly released her hand and said, "Did the things left by Master and Mistress solve this for you?"

Li Luo nodded.

Jiang Jiang Qinge exhaled lightly and said softly, "This is truly the best news of today."

"The grade of your Water Image does not seem particularly high, yet it possesses a special purity; perhaps this is due to certain heavenly treasures and earthly gems left to you by Master and Mistress."

"But regardless, this is a good beginning."

It was evident that Jiang Jiang Qinge was in a good mood at this moment; her slightly sharp, slender eyebrows had even unfurled slightly.

Finally, she even made a joke with Li Luo: "Congratulations, you are one small step closer to achieving your goal of wanting to dissolve our engagement with me."

Li Luo smiled helplessly, then fell silent for a moment before saying, "How much credibility do you think there is in what he said earlier about my parents?"

Jiang Jiang Qinge's long eyelashes fluttered lightly, and she said calmly, "Although I do not know where he obtained some of that information, I simply feel that a person of his short-sightedness, how could he possibly know the power of Master and Mistress?"

"Even if the two of them are temporarily hindered by certain reasons, I believe they will surely be safe and sound."

Hearing this, Li Luo also nodded slowly and firmly.

"I feel the same way."

Jiang Jiang Qinge stood up and walked to the window; at this moment, sunlight poured down, falling upon her graceful and well-proportioned delicate body, the light moving along her exquisite curves, making one's heart pound.

"I will return to Wang Cheng tomorrow; if you have any needs, you can speak directly to Sister Cai Wei; she will stay in the Tian Shu Commandery for a while to help manage the various enterprises of the Luo An Manor here."

After giving some instructions, Jiang Jiang Qinge turned her head, looking at Li Luo with her profile, the sunlight illuminating her perfect contours.

Those pair of golden pupils also shone brilliantly under the sunlight, making one's gaze sink deep into them, unforgettable.

"So... Li Luo, I hope the next time I see you, it will be at the Holy Profound Star Academy."

She smiled faintly and whispered softly.

(End of this chapter)