Chapter 19: How Is This Possible?

"The Heyang Lan Family, truly worthy of being a family with a thousand-year heritage!"

After parting ways with Mr. Chen in the morning, by noon, Shen Yu was already standing outside the Lan Family estate. Gazing at the magnificent mansion before him, Shen Yu opened his mouth, left with nothing but immense envy.

Extravagant, too extravagant; this doesn't look like a family estate at all, it is clearly a city.

The area occupied by the Heyang Lan Family is extremely vast, effectively a city within a city. The gate walls are built even higher than those of the Heyang City outside.

Within it, there is the grand atmosphere of blades and spears like a forest, with high walls and thick ramparts. Yet there are also pavilions and towers, small bridges and flowing water, in a tranquil and elegant style. It even encompasses mountains, rivers, and lakes; the level of luxury is far beyond imagination.

This is a truly great aristocratic family standing at the pinnacle of the world; this display alone makes it difficult for the various major powers in the world to even see its back.

Compared to this, the families Shen Yu had seen before were far too shabby, completely unworthy of mention.

Damn rich folks, isn't this just forcing people to hate the wealthy!

"Who goes there?"

When Shen Yu's figure appeared outside the Lan Family gate, the Lan Family guards immediately held their swords in hand to prepare, followed by a sudden, explosive shout.

Their momentum surged directly into the sky, as if declaring the supreme majesty of the Lan Family.

"Grandmaster Realm experts, what a grand display the Lan Family has!"

Grandmaster Realm experts, who are the pillars of the outside Jianghu and existences that could be called masters and ancestors in small sects, can only guard the gate here at the Lan Family.

This level of pretension, it's impossible not to be impressed.

"Patrol Censor Shen Yu, visiting the Lan Family on behalf of Governor Lu of the Nanhua Domain!"

"Shen Yu?" Inside the Lan Family, the Family Head Lan Zhe was holding a book, reading it carefully. At this moment, a clear yet non-piercing voice suddenly reached his ears.

This voice seemed to be right beside his ear, causing the movement of Lan Zhe's hand turning the page to pause. He lifted his head slightly, the expression on his face no longer as calm and relaxed as before.

The Lan Family occupies a vast area, and the gate is a great distance from his location. It is not difficult to transmit a voice here, but to control it to such a degree is definitely not something an ordinary person can do.

Moreover, Lan Zhe absolutely believes that every member of the Lan Family likely heard Shen Yu's voice transmission as clearly as he did.

This level of skill, this level of control—that this young man could achieve his current reputation is truly not just a matter of momentary luck.

"Come here!" Putting down the book, Lan Zhe gave a light shout, and immediately several black shadows appeared out of thin air, kneeling respectfully by his side to await orders.

Meanwhile, outside the Lan Family gate, the breathing of the few Lan Family guards had clearly become much heavier, and beads of sweat had appeared on their sword-gripping hands.

The young man opposite them said his name was Shen Yu; that is a heavy name, enough to make people unable to breathe.

Who could have imagined that this person who looks like an ordinary scholar is actually the recently famous master of both zither and sword, the figure who makes people tremble with fear.

"Lord Shen, please wait a moment, allow us to go and report!"

Cupping his hands toward Shen Yu, one of them immediately rushed inside the mansion, while the others remained on careful guard.

They do not know what Shen Yu's true purpose is. Although the other party said he was visiting the Lan Family on behalf of Governor Lu of the Nanhua Domain, this excuse is not enough for them to lower their guard.

Who doesn't know that Shen Yu has always acted in a domineering manner; there has never been anyone targeted by him who could leave unscathed.

Although the Lan Family is large and powerful, for some hot-headed fools, they never use their brains before acting. So, until the very last moment, no one knows what will happen next.

"Where is Lord Shen?"

Soon, a resonant voice came over. The Lan Family Head, Lan Zhe, along with several clan elders, hurried toward the gate.

"Are you Lord Shen Yu?" When he saw Shen Yu standing quietly outside, Lan Zhe was slightly stunned.

He had seen portraits of Shen Yu long ago; in the portraits, he was heroic and spirited, with Sword Qi soaring to the sky as if to split the firmament. One look, and one would know this is a peerless swordsman.

Yet the current Shen Yu looks as plain as water; although his appearance is still handsome, his temperament is ordinary, inevitably leading people to mistakenly think he is an ordinary, weak scholar.

Precisely because of this, Lan Zhe is even more cautious in his heart. The Great Dao is simple, returning to the basics; this young man's strength is likely even greater than imagined.

"Is this the Lan Family Head? I am indeed Shen Yu, sorry for the intrusion!"

"What are you saying, Lord Shen? Your arrival makes our Lan Family shine with glory; please, come in quickly!"

Welcoming Shen Yu into the gate, the first meeting between the two sides could be said to be very harmonious, and Lan Zhe was extremely enthusiastic from the start, leading Shen Yu all the way into the interior of the Lan Family.

Along the way, Lan Zhe kept introducing every blade of grass and tree in the Lan Family to him, and of course, the various clan elders and some outstanding younger generations of the Lan Family.

A warm smile remained on Lan Zhe's face, without a hint of distance, as if he were truly honored by Shen Yu's arrival.

Only, Shen Yu could clearly perceive the deep guard hidden beneath the other party's smiling face. Not just Lan Zhe, but the clan elders beside him were the same.

Each one appeared to be smiling, but in reality, they were hiding murderous intent; as they walked, these Lan Family members seemed to be subtly forming some kind of Array.

If the situation went wrong, they would definitely resort to a group brawl!

"Military Formation!" With his Super Perception scanning the entire Lan Family without restraint, Shen Yu naturally detected some of the Lan Family's foundations and was momentarily stunned.

Those Martial Artists carefully cultivated by the Lan Family seemed to be gathering quietly; their momentum connected into one, their life-blood energy seemingly about to burst forth—that is a Military Formation supported by Martial Artists.

Thinking of an army composed of powerful Martial Artists and a strong Military Formation, that is definitely an existence that would make anyone tremble with fear.

It is likely that even when facing hundreds of thousands of elite troops, they might not be harmed in the slightest. Such an aristocratic family can be passed down to this day; indeed, none of them can be underestimated.

This trump card is likely just the one on the surface; they only displayed it for deterrence, and the true foundation is definitely not so easily seen.

"Family Head Lan, I have come this time on behalf of Governor Lu, to bring Miss Lu back!"

"Although the Lan Family and the Lu Family are betrothed, Miss Lu is, after all, from a prestigious family. Living at her husband's home before marriage might damage her reputation!"

Speaking of this, Shen Yu turned to look at the other party and said with a smile, "The Lan Family is also a prestigious aristocratic family; you should understand this principle, right?"

"Lord Shen is right. Some time ago, Governor Lu also sent people to try to take Miss Lu back, but Miss Lu and my useless son are currently inseparable, which is why she was unwilling to return!"

Facing Shen Yu's questioning, Lan Zhe was not flustered at all; instead, he nodded in extreme agreement, "However, what Lord Shen says is absolutely correct; this matter is indeed inappropriate!"

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and bring Miss Lu here!" First, he gave a cold shout to the guards beside him, then Lan Zhe said with an apologetic face, "I ask Lord Shen to wait a moment!"

"No matter, I can afford to wait this long!"

"Lord Shen, please take the seat of honor!" Welcoming Shen Yu into the main hall, Lan Zhe immediately ordered tea to be served, then introduced it to Shen Yu, "Come, Lord Shen, drink some tea; this is top-grade Green Cloud Spring Tea!"

Picking up the teacup, Shen Yu took a light sip. At this moment, the Jade Bead on his body began to flash with a faint red light, but this light flickered on and off, as if it were dimming and brightening.

Shen Yu had never seen this situation before; either the red light would shine brightly to prove there was poison, or it would not shine to prove there was none. What is this flickering supposed to mean?

Could it be that the poison is intermittent? Although he could not figure out the situation, the vigilance in Shen Yu's heart had reached its peak.

"Good tea, it is indeed good tea!" As the tea entered his mouth, a burst of clear, spiritual energy seemed to bloom within his mouth, instantly making him feel full of spirit.

At the same time, a surge of clear Qi poured into his body, turning into a warm current that flowed toward his limbs and bones, and it even seemed capable of mobilizing the wisps of internal Qi within him.

One must know that with Shen Yu's current strength, his internal Qi is as dense as lead and mercury; wanting to stir up a reaction is no easy task.

If this were an ordinary Hou Tian Realm cultivator, this single sip of tea would likely allow them to improve by one or two minor realms.

The Lan Family truly has vast wealth and a large estate; to be willing to bring out such tea leaves to entertain guests—they are truly filthy rich, so extravagant it makes one jealous!

"Family Head!" Soon, a Lan Family Huwe hurried over to report, "Family Head, Miss Lu has arrived, but..."

"But what? Speak!"

"It's just that Miss Lu's temper is not very good; she seems angry because she is unwilling to return, and I fear she might offend the honored guest!"

"Shen Yu! Who is Shen Yu?" No sooner had the Huwe's voice fallen than a beautiful figure rushed into the main hall, looking so puffed up with anger that it was as if she were burning with rage.

That voice, filled with shame and anger, seemed to contain ten thousand kinds of fury about to erupt; when she saw Shen Yu, she seemed to have found her target, and she was so angry she almost lost her reason.

"You are Shen Yu? Lan Lang and I are in love, and even my grandfather doesn't care that I live here; who do you think you are, and by what right do you interfere in my affairs?"

Once these words were spoken, one could almost hear a pin drop in the entire hall, and Lan Zhe's hand even trembled, nearly causing him to drop his teacup onto the floor.

In everyone's eyes, Shen Yu is a top-tier expert of the Transcendence Realm, and the kind who can take on several at once.

His battle record on Bapan Shan has long spread throughout the world; who in the Jianghu does not know of it? At this moment, anyone would have to give Shen Yu some face.

An expert must not be insulted; that is not just a casual saying!

Even if one is the granddaughter of a regional Governor, one must weigh the consequences before speaking!

"Interesting, this Eldest Miss Lu has not been swapped, and looking at her, she doesn't seem to be under any Illusion Technique either, yet it makes one feel that something is wrong, though I can't quite put my finger on it!"

"The Lan Family truly has impressive methods; even my Super Perception cannot detect anything. Impressive!"