Chapter 630: Lanling Prefecture

"Lanling Prefecture?!"

The intelligence that Student Xin Fu delivered caused Li Luo's heart to jolt violently, and his expression gradually grew solemn. Of the Five Great Prefectures of the Great Xia, Lanling Prefecture was one of them, and unlike the other four, it was more mysterious—because Lanling Prefecture had no other businesses; it specialized in assassination.

Simply put, Lanling Prefecture was a professional killer organization.

In truth, among the Five Great Prefectures, Lanling Prefecture and House Luolan Prefecture actually had the least history of entanglement, but Li Luo had never truly overlooked it; instead, he had always regarded it as a hidden threat. The reason was none other than this: Lanling Prefecture's creed was to do anything for the right price.

Although Lanling Prefecture had never made a move against House Luolan Prefecture before, Li Luo guessed that was only because the price hadn't been right, so Lanling Prefecture had never accepted such a commission. But now, with the Prefecture Grand Ceremony approaching, the forces coveting House Luolan Prefecture had begun to stir. At a time like this, if they could drag Lanling Prefecture into the situation as well, it would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to House Luolan Prefecture.

Any price was worth paying at this moment.

Although he had long harbored such suspicions, when Student Xin Fu brought him this precise intelligence, Li Luo still couldn't help but feel his heart sink.

This meant House Luolan Prefecture had gained yet another great enemy.

Given Lanling Prefecture's style of operation, it truly felt like a thorn in one's back.

Li Luo's thoughts churned, then he looked at Student Xin Fu and asked, "How did you come by this intelligence?"

Student Xin Fu gave a helpless smile. "Captain, can't you guess?"

Li Luo nodded. Clearly, Student Xin Fu must have come from Lanling Prefecture... his Shadow Phase was indeed suited to that place. He didn't know what position Student Xin Fu held within Lanling Prefecture, but since he could deliver such crucial intelligence at this moment, none of that mattered.

"Thank you, Xin Fu." Li Luo patted Student Xin Fu on the shoulder.

Student Xin Fu sighed, his voice low. "The Lord of Lanling Prefecture will also make a move during the House Luolan Prefecture Grand Ceremony."

Li Luo wasn't too surprised this time. Since Lanling Prefecture had accepted the bounty, they would surely go all out, and the most fearsome figure of all—the Lord of Lanling Prefecture—would naturally act as well.

This really is troublesome.

A Marquis-level powerhouse skilled in assassination—just thinking about it made one's scalp tingle.

"Truly a great tribulation." Li Luo laughed, but it didn't matter anymore. When you owe enough, you stop worrying. There were already plenty of forces coveting House Luolan Prefecture, so one more—Lanling Prefecture—was within expectations.

"Captain, if things go south, remember to come back to the Academy." After saying this, Student Xin Fu turned and left. Li Luo watched Student Xin Fu's retreating back, holding a cup of water in his hands, a contemplative look in his eyes.

"Is there anything I can help with?" While Li Luo was lost in thought, a gentle voice came from beside him. He raised his gaze and saw Lv Qing'er standing prettily by the water counter—the girl with skin like ice and bones like jade, a pair of clear, watery eyes gazing at him with a radiant look.

Li Luo could sense the worry hidden deep within her eyes.

Li Luo thought for a moment. He didn't pretend to be calm in front of Lv Qing'er, but pondered aloud: "I do have one request, Qing'er. I want you to pass a message to Auntie Yu for me. I don't need the Golden Dragon Bank to offer me any aid, but if on the day of the Prefecture Grand Ceremony, Auntie Yu can absolutely hold the Golden Dragon Bank steady and make it truly a neutral party, then I'll owe Auntie Yu a great favor."

Now that House Luolan Prefecture had gained another enemy—Lanling Prefecture—Li Luo had no choice but to consider more carefully.

Vice Principal Su Xin had previously warned him to keep an eye on the Golden Dragon Bank, but judging by Yu Yu Hongxi's attitude, she didn't seem like someone who would covet House Luolan Prefecture. She was a proud woman, and since she had said those things to him in front of Lv Qing'er, Li Luo still had some confidence in trusting her.

However, just because Yu Yu Hongxi wouldn't act didn't mean other factions within the Golden Dragon Bank wouldn't have ideas of their own.

After all, the Golden Dragon Bank was far too vast, its internal waters extremely deep, and their strength was formidable. If someone did suddenly emerge to meddle behind the scenes, it would only add frost to snow for House Luolan Prefecture.

Upon hearing this, Lv Qing'er pressed her red lips together tightly and asked, "You think there are people within the Golden Dragon Bank who are also coveting House Luolan Prefecture?"

Li Luo said slowly, "It's never wrong to be careful. The Golden Dragon Bank's foundations are too deep. If anyone leaks out from within, it will bring me great trouble."

Lv Qing'er was briefly silent, then lightly nodded her delicate chin. "I'll pass it along for you."

"Thank you." Li Luo was sincerely grateful.

A mischievous glint appeared in Lv Qing'er's bright eyes. "But my mother isn't easy to deal with. When she does business with people, she never takes a loss. You dare say you owe her a great favor—be careful she comes demanding an exorbitant price later."

Li Luo laughed. "Auntie Yu has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She's helped me a great deal, and I remember it all. If she ever needs my help in the future, and I have the ability, then even if it means walking through fire and water, I won't refuse a single word."

Lv Qing'er gave a light laugh, and the two of them turned back to the main hall together to gather with everyone.

When the sky began to darken, a knock came from the door. Bai Bai Mengmeng opened it and found Jiang Jiang Qinge standing outside.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's gaze swept over the people in the room, then she looked at Li Luo and said, "I've come to take you back to House Luolan Prefecture." Li Luo smiled and nodded, waving to everyone. "Then I'll head back first. I won't be returning to the Academy for the next few days. Don't worry—just wait for my good news."

No one in the room spoke, not even Yu Lang, who was usually all smiles, had sobered his expression.

"Li Luo, if only we were already at the Four Star Academy." Yu Lang gave a bitter smile and said.

If they were already at the Four Star Academy, then they would have grown up by now, and only then would they truly possess the strength to help Li Luo in some way.

《Point Guard Here》

But as for now... they were far from it.

Little Resonant Phase masters like them didn't even count as cannon fodder in a battle of that level.

"Cut the useless talk, and stop wearing those long faces. What storm haven't I seen this past year? I'm not missing this one." Li Luo said irritably, then decisively reached back and pulled the door shut.

Standing outside the door, he took a deep breath and smiled at Jiang Jiang Qinge. "Let's go, Sister Jiang Qinge."

Jiang Jiang Qinge's golden eyes, which shimmered with a mysterious luster, gazed at him quietly. Then she suddenly extended her slender, exquisite jade hand toward him. Li Luo saw this, paused briefly, then quickly reached out his own hand and grasped Jiang Jiang Qinge's jade hand, their fingers slowly tightening around each other's.

"Li Luo, no matter what storm it is, we'll face it together." Jiang Jiang Qinge stared at Li Luo and said softly.

The delicate, mutton-fat-jade-like sensation spread across his palm, and Li Luo gave a faint smile.

The two walked out of the small building, then paused, because they saw Instructor Xi Chan leaning against the wall, arms folded, watching them.

"If you don't mind me interrupting your world for two, I'll escort you there." Instructor Xi Chan said.

Li Luo's heart stirred slightly as he recalled the intelligence Student Xin Fu had given him earlier, so he didn't refuse and smiled. "Then thank you very much, Instructor."

Instructor Xi Chan said nothing more upon hearing this, turning and walking straight ahead. Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge followed a few steps behind her.

By now, night had already descended over the Academy. A pale moonlight spilled down, draping the Academy in a veil.

The journey was silent, but as they passed along familiar paths, Li Luo suddenly noticed Instructor Xi Chan stop ahead. Moisture seemed to rise from her body, and at the same time, a powerful pressure radiated outward.

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge raised their gazes, looking past Instructor Xi Chan's figure, and saw a figure slouched on a bench beneath a large tree on the path ahead.

It was...

Shen Shen Jinxiao.