On the road, Xuan Yuanfeng probed, "Do you know the Dragon Scenery Forging City?"
Ye Lanshan replied, "Of course I do. It's the most formidable forging place on the entire continent, on par with the Medicine Valley, and even more impressive."
Xuan Yuanfeng asked again, "Then do you know who governs the Dragon Scenery Forging City?"
Ye Lanshan shot him a strange look. "Do you think I have that much free time?"
Xuan Yuanfeng was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a response. He asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that, miss?"
Ye Lanshan rolled her eyes. "Someone like me, who's always busy cultivating, how would I have time to bother with such boring gossip?"
Xuan Yuanfeng never imagined anyone would label something others went through great pains to uncover as boring gossip. The more he thought about it, the more amusing it seemed. "I suppose only you would call it boring gossip."
"Huh?" Ye Lanshan tilted her head, puzzled. "I'm not interested in forging. Is knowing who's behind it really that important?"
"Is that so? You're truly an odd one. Countless people would trample the city gates for a high-priced weapon, yet you have no interest at all."
Since she wasn't curious about his identity in the Dragon Scenery Forging City, he decided not to tell her, to avoid unnecessary complications. At that moment, Xuan Yuanfeng resolved to interact with her as an ordinary person.
As they walked, he asked, "We've talked for so long, yet I don't know your name, miss."
Ye Lanshan said, "Me? I'm Ye Lanshan."
Xuan Yuanfeng praised, "Suddenly turning back, there she is amidst the fading lantern light—a beautiful name."
"You must be the War God Ye, who single-handedly turned the tide and annihilated the Prince of An's entire army!" Xuan Yuanfeng suddenly recalled the rumors he'd heard in the Moon Kingdom. "Everyone sings your praises as a remarkable woman, and now I see it's true."
Just as they were chatting happily, a commotion broke out.
"Why should I go back when it's so fun out here?" Xuan Yuan Hui whined childishly. "You go if you want, but I'm not going back."
As the servant accompanying her struggled with the dilemma, Xuan Yuan Hui happily ran forward and called out, "Brother Feng, what are you doing here?"
Ye Lanshan turned to look and saw a girl in a goose-yellow flowing dress, with an exceptionally cute face, rushing toward Xuan Yuanfeng.
Xuan Yuanfeng caught her and asked, "Why aren't you staying home? What are you doing here?"
Xuan Yuan Hui pouted. "Staying home is too boring, so I thought I'd come out and play for a few days."
Xuan Yuanfeng frowned. "Does Father know about this?"
Xuan Yuan Hui lied nervously, "Y-yes, he does!" She then shot a fierce glare at the servant, warning him not to spill the beans.
Xuan Yuanfeng saw her shifty eyes and naturally didn't believe her. "Tell me the truth—did you sneak out again?"
Seeing his face suddenly turn cold, Xuan Yuan Hui immediately pleaded, "Brother~ I was just so bored at home!"
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you out here alone? Wealth, take the young miss back," Xuan Yuanfeng ordered the servant.
Hearing this, Xuan Yuan Hui grew upset. "Why does everyone have to stop me from having fun? Hmph, I'm not going back!" She pushed past Xuan Yuanfeng and ran off.
Ye Lanshan grabbed Xuan Yuanfeng as he moved to chase her. "Brother Xuan, if I may say so, since she wants to play, why not keep her by your side? She can enjoy herself, and you won't worry about her safety. There's no need to force her back."
Xuan Yuanfeng said urgently, "This isn't the time for that."
Ye Lanshan replied, "I know, but it's better if I go look for her now. If she sees you, she'll definitely hide." With that, she passed him and chased after Xuan Yuan Hui.
Xuan Yuan Hui sat leaning against a tree, knees drawn up, complaining, "Everyone else gets to come out and play, but I can't."
Ye Lanshan arrived just in time to hear this and laughed. "That's because they can protect themselves."
Hearing the voice, Xuan Yuan Hui turned and looked at the woman in a green dress, who seemed like a fairy. Confusion flickered in her eyes for a few seconds before she realized this was the woman standing beside her brother.
She stood up, her voice thick with a nasal tone. "Are you here to make me go home too?"
Ye Lanshan shook her head. "No, I'm here to tell you that your brother changed his mind and agreed to let you stay."
"Really!" Xuan Yuan Hui could hardly believe it, knowing her brother was famously strict and never went back on his orders.
Ye Lanshan bent down to straighten her clothes and smiled. "Would I lie to you?"
Xuan Yuan Hui composed herself and said haughtily, "Hmph, you'd better not dare. If you do, I'll have my father chop you into pieces when I get back."
Ye Lanshan chuckled at her naive words—still just a child.
Meanwhile, Xuan Yuanfeng was anxiously heading their way, but he had only taken a few steps when three assassins surrounded him.
"You've been chasing me all this way—must be tired. How about a rest before we fight?" Xuan Yuanfeng said with a gentle smile, while his hand slipped into his sleeve, reaching for something.
The assassins had no time for his stalling and swung their blades at him.
Xuan Yuanfeng dodged their attacks, still smiling. "Since you've made your moves, it's my turn now."
"Ten Thousand Rays of Light!" Countless light swords shot toward the three assassins.
"Water Shield!" "Metal Shield!" "Earth Shield!" The assassins quickly conjured shields to protect themselves.
Crack! The assassins watched in horror as their shields slowly shattered, and the overwhelming light engulfed them.
"Ah!" Xuan Yuan Hui, who had just returned, let out a scream. Her face pale, she stared at the three piles of gore on the ground and collapsed to her knees.
Ye Lanshan had just brought her back when she saw the three mounds of flesh appear after the flash of light. She had meant to cover Xuan Yuan Hui's eyes but was too late—the girl had already seen the three men reduced to minced meat.
Xuan Yuanfeng frowned. He hadn't wanted Xuan Yuan Hui to witness this so soon.
He stepped forward to comfort her, but she recoiled at his approach.
Ye Lanshan quickly stopped him. "Coming closer now will only make her more afraid. Let me handle it."
Xuan Yuanfeng's eyes flickered with a warning. "Fine, but if I find out you're using her for anything, don't blame me for being harsh."