"Ah, a tavern? I once managed a teahouse for gathering intelligence, so I'm certainly capable of running a tavern." Shuang Bai was caught off guard by the question, but fortunately, her quick mind allowed her to answer promptly.
"If you want to become one of mine, you'll need to swear a vow under heaven and earth never to betray me. Of course, if you do become my person, I won't treat you poorly. Within my ability, I can grant you three requests." Ye Lanshan still didn't trust her.
And it made sense—when someone like him, who appeared to have such a weak background, suddenly came into possession of the coveted divine artifact Fuxi Qin, it was hard to believe that anyone approaching him didn't have ulterior motives.
"Very well. I, Shuang Bai, hereby swear before the laws of heaven and earth that I will never betray Master Shan Luo in this life, or may my soul be scattered and I meet a miserable end." A beam of light descended from the sky, and the vow was complete.
Seeing how straightforwardly he had sworn the oath, Ye Lanshan's last shred of doubt vanished. She instructed, "Qing Dai, first take her to familiarize herself with the members of the intelligence agency."
...
After several days of investigation at the Ye residence, a disciple of the Holy Land returned to report: "Holy Son, Ye Lanshan has vanished without a trace for days. Could she have sensed our intentions and gone into hiding?"
"Only a few people know about my alliance with Li Zhi, and since arriving in the capital, I've never shown that she's my target. How could she possibly figure it out? Besides, she's not someone heartless and unfeeling—as long as Ye Luotian is still in the capital, she won't hide alone."
"Moreover, there's no rush. I tested her before—her Red Lotus Karmic Fire has only just awakened and is far from powerful enough. Once it matures a bit, then we'll capture her." Yun Qingfeng had his own calculations.
Unfortunately, this would become the most regrettable decision of his life. Letting a fierce tiger continue to grow was like allowing a wildfire to spread unchecked—by the time he tried to extinguish it, he'd find himself already engulfed in flames, unable to put them out, forced to watch helplessly as the fire consumed him.
The disciple asked cautiously, "Then, Holy Son, should I continue monitoring the Ye residence?"
"No. Now go watch Dream Red Pavilion. When you see Shan Luo appear alone, report to me immediately." Yun Qingfeng still couldn't let go of the divine artifact, determined to reclaim it.
Meanwhile, Ye Lanshan had arrived at the entrance of Fusheng Auction House.
"Sir, this way, please." As soon as Ye Lanshan reached Fusheng Auction House, a servant led her to a room on the top floor.
"Please stay here, sir, and don't wander around. If anything happens to you, I wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility." The servant guided her into the room with a seemingly respectful demeanor, but his eyes, tone, and words all carried disdain and resentment.
"Are you threatening me? I thought those under the Dark Lord's command would be well-trained." Ye Lanshan's originally gentle expression instantly turned cold.
"Someone, drag him away." Before she could finish, Ye Yutian suddenly appeared and interrupted her.
The servant, startled by Ye Yutian's arrival, immediately knelt and clung to his leg, weeping and begging for mercy.
Ye Yutian's face, hidden behind his mask, turned faintly green. He barked at the nearby shadow guards, "Why haven't you dragged him away yet?"
In the end, the servant was so terrified by Ye Yutian's voice that he fainted on the spot.
Just as Tao Yao had said—moody, cruel, and hard to deal with. Ye Lanshan watched the fainted servant and sighed inwardly.
"Shan Luo, come in and sit." Ye Yutian stepped into the room ahead of her.
"Mm." Ye Lanshan followed him inside.
"Dark Lord, you didn't summon me here just to give me a gift, did you?" Ye Lanshan's lips still held a smile, her demeanor warm and refined, but her eyes carried a hint of wariness.
"Correct. I have a question for you. How does one win over a woman?" Ye Yutian's voice carried frustration and annoyance.
"Win over a woman? Could it be that the Dark Lord has someone he fancies?" Ye Lanshan was somewhat surprised. She was curious to know what kind of woman could move the heart of the cold and ruthless Dark Lord.
Too bad she would never guess—because that woman was herself.
"Yes, but she seems to hate me." Ye Lanshan could even detect a hint of grievance in Ye Yutian's tone.
"Actually, pursuing a girl is simple. Be obedient to her, whisper sweet nothings often, and you'll usually succeed. Of course, if that doesn't work, you could also consider forcing the issue." Ye Lanshan offered some perfunctory advice.
After hearing this, Ye Yutian asked, "If it were you, how would you pursue someone?"
I've never pursued anyone, how would I know? But to avoid angering the Dark Lord and getting killed on the spot, she drew on a few novels from her past life and said, "Show off in front of her to get her attention. Whisper sweet words when necessary, and stick to her like glue when not. Grant every request, be completely accommodating, and create plenty of romantic moments. As long as her heart isn't made of stone, she'll be moved."
"Do you have someone you like?" Ye Yutian fell silent for a moment after hearing her words.
"Shan only wishes to cultivate and become strong. Matters of romance are not on my mind for now." If not for the fact that his voice was unmistakably the Dark Lord's and they were in Fusheng Auction House, she would have suspected someone had swapped him out. Why was he asking such things?
"Here, this is a sixth-grade Concentration Pill. It will double your cultivation efficiency." Ye Yutian pulled a jade bottle from his sleeve, containing ten sixth-grade Concentration Pills.
"Dark Lord, what is the meaning of gifting me these pills?" Ye Lanshan took the bottle, her caution growing.
"Consider it a thank-you gift. If you help me win over the one I desire, I'll give you whatever you want." A smirk curled beneath Ye Yutian's mask, his eyes gleaming with calculation.
So that's it? Helping someone trapped by love could be considered a good deed. And if she helped him win over that girl, convincing him to aid her against the Holy Land would be much easier. Ye Lanshan stroked her chin and nodded.
"Alright, leave the pursuit to me. I guarantee the Dark Lord will win over his beloved." Ye Lanshan fully relaxed, repeatedly assuring Ye Yutian.
Little did she know that this very conversation would lead her into a trap. If she ever learned that the one Ye Yutian pined for was herself, she would never have agreed so easily. Truly, regret would come far too late.