Desperados Attack - Chapter 70 - Parting Ways

Upon hearing Han Lan’s explanation, Xiong Qu’s face twisted with frustration, but he found himself without words to counter.

After all, he was merely a city-guarding general and hardly had the authority to criticize, let alone lecture him.

Han Lan then took Jing Ke by the hand and said, “This is my man planted here to test you all. Hmm, your security measures are decent, I’m quite satisfied!”

Such an explanation might fool a three-year-old, but Sun Zi was a top-tier schemer; he would never fall for such words.

“It seems that the fourth young master has arranged for someone to ambush me here, hmm, he really does have some tricks up his sleeve.”

He thought to himself, but aloud he said, “Yes, yes, certainly, young master, you must have devised this clever strategy specifically for the safety of us old officials, to rid us of all the dead weights around us…”

He continued, bowing with his fists clasped, “Young master, you are thoughtful indeed!”

…

Night at the Nine Star Manor!

“Snap!”

The sound of a stone slab breaking echoed as a stone table was split in half with a single slap.

It turned out Mohuoluoja, unable to contain his anger, had broken the table.

“Why are you angry?”

Duanmu Xun asked, her eyes shimmering in the firelight.

“Hmph, you really are naive about the wicked ways of the world, can’t you see through Sun Zi’s cunning?”

“So what if I can?”

“Hmph, this man is a master at manipulation, a true scourge to any group. Am I not supposed to be angry?”

Duanmu Xun nodded repeatedly and asked, “Anger aside, let me ask you, why bother yourself with their national affairs when your ideals differ so much from those of the prince of Han?”

Baring his teeth, Mohuoluoja said, “Are you really naive or just pretending? If I truly had nothing to do with Han, why would I discuss these matters with you?”

Hearing a curse, Duanmu Xun thought to herself, you sly snake, don’t you think I know? To be called naive by such a fool, truly, it’s an insult to me.

Meanwhile, Mohuoluoja, looking contemplatively into the distance, sighed, “It’s rare to find a true friend in life, and Han Lan is one to me!”

“Oh?”

…

Spring and Autumn Period, Han, Yu City.

At the Young Master’s Mansion of Han Lan.

That day, Han Lan brought Jing Ke back with him. Jing Ke, restless and agitated, was a rare talent unmatched in the past five hundred years. Han Lan had a clear purpose; he wanted to recruit Jing Ke into his ranks. However, Jing Ke wished to leave this place.

He had never heard of Han Lan, nor did he know of the Eastern Expedition General. Jing Ke, who drowned his sorrows in alcohol daily and used it as a means to commit violence, found himself taken to the mansion by the son of the King of Han. He had heard that the sons of the King of Han were nothing more than scholastic drunks, mere wastrels. Despite sensing some Jianghu spirit in Han Lan, Jing Ke believed that a person’s nature is hard to change, likening everyone in the mansion to birds of a feather. Thus, he decided to leave that very night.

Creak!

The door opened.

A figure dressed in black stealth clothing darted out from the courtyard.

It was none other than Jing Ke.

He did not wish to stay any longer. In the blink of an eye, he scaled the wall and said, “Hmph, I don’t know what you’re scheming, but thanks for the rescue. I’m leaving today. Maybe we’ll meet again if fate allows!”

“Meet again?”

From the silent darkness behind him suddenly came a voice. Even if it had appeared out of thin air, in such a quiet, deserted night, it would have scared any normal person to death.

“Who?”

Jing Ke was no exception. His left hand shook, and he immediately grasped his Seven-Star Dagger, swinging it in a defensive motion. His intention was purely self-defense.

He had never planned to kill anyone in Han Lan’s mansion, but the situation was urgent and could not be overlooked.

“Eh?”

The person behind him dodged the blade.

Jing Ke, renowned not only for his skills but also for possessing the Seven-Star Dagger, was not someone to be trifled with.

“Die!”

The night was indeed too dark for Jing Ke to see his face, but he could discern that his assailant was dressed in white, dashing and agile.

“Eh, what do you mean by this?”

It was Han Lan’s voice.

“It’s you?”

“Yes, it’s me!”

“What do you want?”

“I don’t want anything.”

“Then why won’t you let me go?”

“Why do you want to leave?”

Through their exchange, Han Lan learned of Jing Ke’s resolve to leave.

“Mutual protection, you brought me here, and I don’t know what you want. I’m just a common man; of course, I should leave!” Jing Ke stated resolutely, showing his determination to leave.

“So that’s how it is. What if I told you that not only will I not harm you, but I will also offer you wealth and honor? Would you accept?”

Jing Ke sheathed his Seven-Star Dagger and scoffed, “I thought you were a man of integrity, but it turns out you’re just another degenerate. Do you really think I’d sacrifice my principles for wealth and honor?”

Jing Ke did not know Han Lan’s true intentions and assumed that Han Lan was trying to buy his loyalty.

“You really are… Let me ask you, if I intend to reform Han, would you join me?”

“Hm?”

Jing Ke was taken aback and disdainfully retorted, “Nonsense, sheer nonsense! How friendly and comfortable Han is for someone like you; why would you need to deceive me?”

Jing Ke’s heart was slightly moved, half in doubt and half in surprise.

“Eh, if I’m being so sincere, why must you be like this?”

“Hmph, let me ask you, what’s your full name?”

Seeing Jing Ke’s attitude softening, Han Lan immediately responded, “My name is Han Lan, styled Zhuoqun!”

“Han Zhuoqun?”

Han Lan bowed with clasped hands and said, “The campaign of Han against Wei is led by me.”

“You, you are the Eastern Expedition General?”

Han Lan chuckled softly, and a clapping sound emerged, suddenly making the quiet surroundings seem filled with many people. The air mixed with the noisy breathing.

“Who’s there?”

Jing Ke was startled and stood up, repeating, “You dare to use tricks against me!”

As Jing Ke prepared to leave, Han Lan reached out and grabbed Jing Ke’s wrist. Jing Ke, thinking Han Lan was about to attack, raised his right hand, dagger in grip, and stabbed forward.

“Gotcha!”

Han Lan leaned forward, and the dagger plunged into his chest.

At that moment, the surrounding people also lit their lamps.

It turned out that Han Lan wasn’t wearing white at all; the paleness Jing Ke saw was actually Han Lan’s chest.

“Pfft!”

Blood flowed down from the wound as Jing Ke saw this, and despite his resolution to kill, he hesitated, remembering how Han Lan had helped him in the streets.

Reluctantly, he loosened his grip, leaving the dagger in Han Lan’s chest.