"Is this the discipline expected of soldiers? As a military man, protecting the people is your duty. Does your tone sound like that of a soldier?" Before Ye Lanshan could speak, a gentle yet stern voice came from beside her.
"Mu Ziming? What exactly happened? Why are the streets so deserted?" Ye Lanshan turned and saw Mu Ziming, confusion in her eyes and a faint sense of unease rising in her heart.
"Sigh! The Sun family has declared war on the imperial court. Though we anticipated it and prepared thoroughly, we never expected their ultimate target to be Grandpa Ye."
"And my grandfather? How is he now?" The moment Ye Lanshan heard something had happened to her grandfather, she panicked.
Mu Ziming waved his hand to dismiss the soldiers, a flicker of grief in his eyes, but he still comforted her: "Grandpa Ye is fine, just unconscious. He's been taken to the imperial palace, and the imperial physicians are treating him."
Just as Ye Lanshan was about to hurry to the palace, Mu Ziming quickly whispered in her ear, "Beware of the emperor."
Beware of the emperor? Had the emperor already made his move? Ye Lanshan's mind churned with a thousand tangled thoughts, like a knotted thread she couldn't straighten.
"Miss Ye, this way, please." Outside the palace gate, a very unfamiliar eunuch had been waiting for some time, as if he knew she would come.
"This doesn't seem like the way to the Qiankun Hall, does it?" Ye Lanshan followed the eunuch without showing any reaction, but the path grew increasingly secluded, leading to a place overgrown with weeds.
"It's indeed not the way to the Qiankun Hall, but His Majesty said he wishes to reminisce with Miss Ye here." The eunuch answered her respectfully, a trace of fear flashing in his eyes.
"It seems there's someone else here. Since you've come, why hide and skulk instead of showing yourselves?" Ye Lanshan said calmly, sending a blade of fire flying to her left.
"It's been a while, Miss Ye. Your strength has grown considerably. To be at the Great Mystic General level at such a young age—truly a genius." A familiar figure slowly emerged.
"I've seen you before. You're the one who impersonated Sikong Kuang." As the person drew closer, Ye Lanshan finally remembered who he was.
"That's right, it's me. But aren't you curious why I'm here?" Zhou Haiming's gaze was dark, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
"What have you done to my grandfather?" Ye Lanshan suddenly recalled Mu Ziming's warning and, connecting it to this man's eerie puppet technique, her tone grew impatient.
"Haha, I didn't expect you two to be having such a lively chat." Yue Jinghong's hearty laughter interrupted their conversation.
"Your Majesty." Ye Lanshan watched coldly as he bowed to the emperor, a realization dawning in her heart.
"Lanshan, it's only been a short while since we last met. Why have you grown even colder?" Yue Jinghong turned to Ye Lanshan, not scolding her for her rudeness but instead showing a hint of concern.
"Your Majesty, is my grandfather well in the palace? Could you take me to see him?" Ye Lanshan hid her worry, leaving only calmness on her face.
Even the emperor hadn't expected Ye Lanshan to speak so calmly. He had thought she would lose control upon seeing Zhou Haiming. It seemed he had underestimated her.
"This is Zhou Haiming, the alchemist treating your grandfather. He was once Sikong Kuang's junior disciple. With him here, rest assured—your grandfather will be fine." The emperor looked at Ye Lanshan with affection, as if unaware of Zhou Haiming's eerie puppet arts.
"Is that so? Then I was rude earlier. Please accept my apology. May I go see my grandfather now?" Ye Lanshan took a deep breath, forcing a smile as she apologized to Zhou Haiming.
"Well, of course, but to save your grandfather, we still need a catalyst." Zhou Haiming hesitated, looking troubled.
Ye Lanshan looked at Zhou Haiming: "What catalyst is that?"
"Have you heard of the Red Lotus Karmic Flame?" After circling around, Zhou Haiming finally got to the point.
"I have. How does it relate to the medicinal catalyst?" Ye Lanshan's heart tightened, but she maintained a calm facade.
Zhou Haiming glanced at the emperor, as if receiving an order, and said to Ye Lanshan, "This catalyst I need is the Red Lotus Karmic Flame."
Ye Lanshan laughed at that. With a smile, she said, "What a coincidence. Before I entered the city, people from the Holy Land stopped me too, saying my grandfather was gravely injured and unconscious, and that the Red Lotus Karmic Flame was needed as a catalyst to cure him."
The emperor and Zhou Haiming exchanged a look of shock. How could this be? The Holy Land wouldn't...
"You've planned this quite well." Ye Lanshan's voice grew colder, and even Devourer appeared in her hand.
"What plan? Don't be deceived by the Holy Land. Remember, they wanted to kill you. If you hand over the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, I can guarantee the Ye family's safety for generations." The emperor frowned, laying out his terms.
"Safety for generations? Hah, if I hand over the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, you'll kill me and my whole family without a trace, and we'll be 'safe' in death too." Ye Lanshan ruthlessly exposed the emperor's scheme.
"Your grandfather is in our hands now. If you don't cooperate, don't blame me for being harsh." The emperor's gaze darkened, as if shedding all pretense to reveal his true nature.
"Do you think I care? You know how I've lived these past few years. Do you think I still value family ties?" Ye Lanshan smiled sweetly, the faint anxiety in her eyes fading entirely, leaving only a hint of amusement.
"I remember you once turned in your own uncle to save your grandfather, and later came to the palace begging for medicine for him. I haven't forgotten that." Yue Jinghong clearly didn't believe Ye Lanshan's words.
"If I hadn't done that, how could I have uncovered why you and the Holy Land want to capture me?" Ye Lanshan's eyes sparkled with amusement, as if she truly didn't care whether her grandfather lived or died.
Seeing that Yue Jinghong seemed slightly convinced, Zhou Haiming quickly warned, "Your Majesty, don't be fooled by her. I've never misjudged anyone—this girl is deeply loyal and righteous. She won't abandon her grandfather. This expression is definitely an act."
"Whether it's an act or not, we'll find out with a test." Yue Jinghong immediately had Zhou Haiming bring out Ye Luotian.
Ye Luotian now stood with vacant eyes, limbs stiff, obeying Zhou Haiming's commands like a puppet.
"To be honest, I'm quite curious about your skill—controlling people without using parasites." Ye Lanshan didn't even glance at Ye Luotian, instead showing interest in his ability.
Zhou Haiming ignored her and coldly ordered Ye Luotian, "Go, kill her."