Chapter 105: Having People Under You Makes Things Easier

Next month’s wedding…

Lin Yu calculated in his mind and nodded slightly.

According to the original plot, after the Niulan Street assassination, there would be the Northern Frontier War and the peace talks between the two nations; next month’s wedding timing was perfect—it could be completed before Fan Xian’s mission to Beiqi.

“So what are you planning to do next?”

“The second son hides behind the scenes, pretending to be friendly with me—I don’t intend to move against him for now.”

Fan Xian said calmly: “The urgent matter is dealing with my good mother-in-law.”

“This assassination wasn’t orchestrated by Lin Gong—it must be tied to her trusted subordinates. I plan to strike before the news spreads, follow this lead upward, and even if I can’t touch her core, I’ll at least pluck out a few of her claws!”

Lin Yu mused: “So you’ve already made arrangements…”

Fan Xian smiled faintly: “Big brother, I asked you here simply to treat you well. As for these trivial matters, you needn’t trouble yourself—just watch.”

It must be said that since joining the chat group, Fan Xian had indeed changed greatly and taken initiative in many actions.

From Fan Xian’s own perspective and understanding, his actions made perfect sense.

But in Lin Yu’s eyes, this group member’s vision was still too narrow!

Biding time and waiting for the right moment was indeed what the original Fan Xian should have done—but now he wasn’t reborn with memories; he carried the chat group as a divine advantage.

If he continued calculating every step like this, before the timing matured, he’d already ascended to Foundation Establishment and become a being akin to an immortal!

At that point, all schemes, intrigues, and power plays would be useless.

Fan Xian alone could dominate the world and sweep away all demons and specters!

Feudal nobles, martial sect masters—all would be powerless before the spells of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

As for Fan Xian’s concern over public sentiment, if he revealed his divine traces, resisted natural disasters, and ensured the land enjoyed favorable weather and bountiful harvests year after year, who would oppose him then?

Of course, even if Lin Yu felt such scheming was meaningless, he wouldn’t voice it.

In truth, apart from the group member Fan Xian, Lin Yu didn’t care much about the fates of others in this world.

If Fan Xian wanted to do it this way, let him—after all, Lin Yu could always cover for him anytime.

As they talked, they arrived at Fan Xian’s residence.

Along the way, they encountered many servants of the Fan household, yet Fan Xian never paused his conversation, no matter whom they met.

And these servants seemed unable to hear their voices—after respectfully bowing, they hurried away.

This wasn’t due to the servants’ basic discipline, but because Lin Yu had cast an illusionary technique.

Fan Xian knew Lin Yu possessed such abilities, which was why he dared speak openly and boldly about his schemes.

Back in the room, Fan Xian plopped down on the steps of the main hall, fiddling with the waterwheel inside, and sighed: “Since learning the future’s path, I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time!”

Lin Yu stood beside him and smiled: “These are just minor illusion and sound-blocking techniques—you’ll learn them eventually.”

Fan Xian shook his head: “I’m not talking about techniques—I’m talking about people.”

“You know my situation, Big Brother. I can only speak these words to my brothers in the group or Uncle Wu Zhu—but Wu Zhu is an intelligent machine; his thinking differs from humans’. Even if I told him, he wouldn’t understand…”

Lin Yu couldn’t help laughing.

But then he realized something: “By the way, where’s Wu Zhu?”

Fan Xian smiled slightly: “Before going to the Liu Jing River banquet, I already asked Uncle Wu Zhu to handle something for me!”

Before he finished speaking, a faint rustling came from the base of the wall behind the house.

Lin Yu turned his gaze toward the sound and asked: “Thief, or one of us?”

Fan Xian stood up, patting his buttocks, and said with a grin: “Moving so stealthily? It must be Wang Qiniang!”

Since he intended to build his own power base, Fan Xian naturally wouldn’t overlook any figures who appeared in the original story.

Especially Wang Qiniang—his martial arts were exceptional, he handled tasks efficiently, and he spoke well. Fan Xian held great affection for him, so he recruited him early as a retainer and trained him into a trusted confidant.

The process wasn’t difficult, because Chen Pingping had always planned to place Wang Qiniang beside Fan Xian.

When Fan Xian found Wang Qiniang, he had already been dismissed from the Surveillance Bureau due to the Qing Temple incident and was at the lowest point of his life—so he accepted Fan Xian’s offer without hesitation and began serving the Young Master.

Hearing the name, Lin Yu grew curious, piercing the wall with his spiritual energy to examine the middle-aged man who had accidentally stepped on a pottery jar outside.

“He doesn’t even look like the actor from the TV drama…”

Lin Yu watched Wang Qiniang’s every move.

He gently nudged the jar upright with his toe, carefully restored it to its place, then sighed in relief and silently circled the wall to the front hall’s main entrance.

Before entering, Wang Qiniang’s slightly resentful voice already rang out.

“My lord, could you move those pottery jars behind your house? Last time I—”

His voice cut off abruptly.

He glanced at Fan Xian’s amused smile, then at the unfamiliar white-robed youth behind him, froze, and whispered: “My lord, are you receiving guests?”

Fan Xian nodded calmly: “Yes.”

Wang Qiniang’s expression turned serious; he bowed respectfully: “If my lord has guests, I shall withdraw immediately!”

Saying this, he turned and hurried away, his steps slow yet swift.

“Wait!”

Fan Xian grabbed Wang Qiniang’s arm and whispered: “Don’t be nervous—this is my elder brother, someone I knew before. One of us.”

Wang Qiniang froze, glanced at Lin Yu, and whispered: “Really one of us?”

Fan Xian rolled his eyes: “Do you think I’d lie to you?”

Wang Qiniang grimaced: “My lord, this isn’t something to take lightly—if there’s a slip-up, heads will roll!”

Fan Xian rolled his eyes again, walked over to the steps, sat down, and smiled: “I don’t need to hide anything from my elder brother. Tell me—what did you find?”

“My affairs don’t need to be hidden from my elder brother—speak, what exactly have you found?”

Wang Qiniang hesitated briefly, then decided to trust Fan Xian. He bowed: “As ordered, I investigated recent military equipment cases at the Surveillance Bureau. I found that the City Patrol Division recently logged a batch of decommissioned, aged weapons—quantity matches what you described.”

Fan Xian nodded: “So the crossbows used in the assassination came from the City Patrol Division?”

Fan Xian nodded and said, “So the crossbows that tried to kill me were the ones lost by the City Patrol Bureau?”

Wang Qiniang froze—he clearly hadn’t heard of this incident.

Fan Xian told him about the Niulan Street assassination.

Wang Qiniang was shocked and immediately asked: “My lord, are you unharmed?”

Fan Xian scowled: “Stop wasting time—who in this world can hurt me? Just tell me who’s most likely to have supplied the weapons.”

Wang Qiniang chuckled, thought for a moment, and affirmed: “Assistant Regional Commander Fang Da of the City Patrol Division!”

Fan Xian turned to Lin Yu, who nodded—yes, that was the person in the original story.

Good. Fan Xian had feared some butterfly effect might replace the supplier with someone else, which was why he’d sent Wang Qiniang to investigate early—to avoid misidentifying the culprit.

“Wang Qiniang, you’ve done well. The reward I promised you won’t be broken.”

“Now, go fetch Fu Hao, Nie Kang, and Shi Hanwu!”

Wang Qiniang’s face lit up; he bowed and hurried out.

Soon after, Fu Hao, Nie Kang, and Shi Hanwu entered.

Seeing Lin Yu and Fan Xian in the hall, they weren’t surprised, bowing respectfully: “Young Master!”

Fan Xian’s gaze swept over them, finally settling on Nie Kang, who held a long sword.

"Nie Brother, you're the fastest and most agile—go to the Assistant Regional Commander’s residence in the south city. Leave now—I fear that if we wait too long, Fang Da will be silenced by the person behind the scenes."

“Brother Nie, you’re the fastest and most agile—please go to the Assistant Regional Commander’s office in the southern city for me. Leave now, I fear if we’re late, Fang Da will be silenced by the mastermind.”

Nie Kang bowed, activated his magic sword, and soared over the wall on a vortex of qi, heading south.

Fan Xian turned to the quiet Shi Hanwu and smiled: “Wu Ge, you’re the most reliable—go to Liu Jing River and check whether Miss Si Lili is still there…”

Shi Hanwu paused, then understood Fan Xian’s intent—his eyes flickered with a hint of killing intent.

Fu Hao beside him finally realized it too, whispering angrily: “Is the courtesan from Zui Xian Pavilion the one who leaked the Young Master’s whereabouts?”

“Young Master, let me go—I’ll bring that woman back!”

“Who told you to capture her!” Fan Xian glared at him, then turned to Shi Hanwu: “Just observe. Don’t act. Don’t kill her—I still need her alive.”

“Who told you to grab her!” Fan Xian glared at him, then turned to Shi Hanwu. “Just go and check—don’t act, and don’t kill anyone. I still need her alive.”

Shi Hanwu bowed and left.

Fan Xian turned to Fu Hao: “This task goes to Wu Ge. You stay in the Fan household—if Si Lili has fled, I’ll send you to catch her outside the city.”

Fan Xian turned to Fu Hao: “This matter is entrusted to Brother Wu. As for you, stay at the Fan residence for now—if Si Lili has already fled, I’ll send you to catch her outside the city!”

Fu Hao bowed and left.

Lin Yu watched the drama with interest. Once all three had departed, he murmured in amazement: “Having people under you really is far more convenient than going it alone!”

Fan Xian turned to him and smiled: “These three retainers were all trained using the methods from the group—they’re as strong as ninth-rank upper experts in this world. I trust them completely.”

“As for us, I’ve already reserved a banquet at Yishi Restaurant—waiting for Big Brother to arrive!”

“As for us, I’ve already had Ruoruo reserve a banquet at Yishi Pavilion—we’re waiting for your esteemed presence, elder brother!”

(End of Chapter)