"My lord, Ling Mohan is not someone we can afford to offend. For the next few days, we should lie low and keep our subordinates in check. As long as he can't find any leverage, he won't be staying in Yun City for long. After he leaves, Yun City will still be ours. Why must you get involved in this mess?"
Wang Nanshi's tone was anxious, fearing that Fan Shun's impulsiveness would provoke Ling Mohan and bring about his own demise. If that happened, he doubted he could escape.
"Don't boost others' morale and dampen your own. I have this matter under control. You just need to do as I say. Don't you forget who saved your life and gave you this good life you have now!"
"I naturally won't forget. Everything I have now is thanks to your grace, my lord. I naturally wouldn't dare to have any other intentions!"
Suppressing the resentment in his heart, Wang Nanshi complied, his hand clenched into a fist within his sleeve.
"It's good that you know!" Fan Shun glanced at Wang Nanshi with disdain. "I know about the history between you and Ling Mohan. Stay home for these few days, be careful not to let him discover your whereabouts, otherwise, even I won't be able to protect you!"
"Your subordinate understands. If my lord has nothing else, this subordinate will take his leave!"
Wang Nanshi bowed his head respectfully, his back hunched like a servant devoid of dignity, and retreated silently.
"Pah! You useless dog!"
Fan Shun spat fiercely at Wang Nanshi's retreating back.
"Guards, throw away the teacup he used. It's disgusting just looking at it!"
If he hadn't saved Wang Nanshi, who was being pursued back then, he would have died long ago. Now that he's grown bold enough to dictate to him, what an ungrateful dog.
If he had known Wang Nanshi would act like this, he should have shot him in the back back then and taken his miserable life.
After leaving the mansion, Wang Nanshi's face was grim. Fan Shun had oppressed him for many years, and when the opportunity arose, he would surely turn the tables.
But now, with Ling Mohan's arrival in Yun City, he had to tread even more carefully. If Ling Mohan discovered he was in Yun City, he would kill him.
A year ago, during the battle with Cangyue Kingdom, he had fled in fear, leading to a major defeat.
He had been ordered to be pursued and had fled to Yun City, where Fan Shun had saved him.
However, after years of being by Fan Shun's side, Fan Shun had never treated him like a human, only like a dog he had taken in. Any slight displeasure would result in verbal abuse and beatings!
He had endured these years just to bide his time and wait for an opportunity to leave Dongchu completely and live a carefree life in another country.
...
Lu Shi returned in a hurry late at night and rushed to report to Ling Mohan.
"How did the investigation go?"
Lu Shi's expression was tense. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word, his face etched with a conflicted expression.
"What is it?" Ling Mohan's voice rose as he inquired.
"We haven't found anything."
Ling Mohan's eyes narrowed sharply, his hand clenched into a fist, his face darkening. "You mean there's no news to be found anywhere in Yun City?"
"Young General, please forgive me. Your subordinate dispatched the Black Armored Army to secretly investigate all over Yun City, but we found no abnormalities. However..."
Lu Shi's words trailed off mid-sentence.
"Speak your mind, don't hesitate!" Ling Mohan's tone was displeased.
"Yes! Your subordinate secretly inquired from the common people of Yun City, but their accounts were all consistent."
It was as if they had been prearranged, all their stories identical. But the more it was like this, the more suspicious it became.
Before he could ask more questions, those citizens were so frightened that they immediately refused to say another word.
"Continue the investigation. Be extremely cautious and do not let Fan Shun's men detect you."
After all, they were on someone else's territory, and every action required caution.
"Yes, Young General!"
Ling Mohan stood up slightly and walked to the window, a wave of melancholy washing over him. It seemed that the situation in Yun City was more complex than he had imagined.
If this Fan Shun had the ability to make everyone in Yun City speak with one voice.
It was enough to show that over the years as the commander of Yun City, Fan Shun had brought the entire city under his control, effectively becoming a local emperor.
When Ling Mohan returned to his room, Feng Jin was already sound asleep, holding the two children.
Looking at the mother and her three children, the pressure accumulated in Ling Mohan's heart instantly lessened.
After sitting in the room for a while, Ling Mohan got up and went out.
The moment the door closed, Feng Jin, who had been fast asleep, opened her eyes. At the last moment of the door closing, Feng Jin caught a glimpse of Ling Mohan's clothes.
Why did he come and then leave? Feng Jin was filled with doubt. She tiptoed off the bed and went outside to look for Ling Mohan.
"What are you doing sitting here?"
Feng Jin went out, saw Ling Mohan sitting in the pavilion, and walked over, sitting beside him.
"You just woke up, why are you awake again?"
"You were trying to sneak out while I was asleep, weren't you? You've been caught this time!"
Feng Jin hugged the man's arm tightly, unwilling to let go, fearing that he would disappear again if she loosened her grip.
"I'm not leaving. I just wanted to sit outside. It's cool out here, you should go back to the room."
"I'm not cold. Are you troubled by Fan Shun's matter? Is it a difficult issue?"
This was the first time Feng Jin had seen such an expression on Ling Mohan's face, and she vaguely felt that this matter was not that simple.
Ling Mohan reached out and pulled Feng Jin into his arms. The two of them embraced, feeling much warmer. "I will handle it properly, but..."
"You don't need to worry about me. I will protect myself and the children, and I will never be a burden to you. Believe me!"
"I believe you!"
The man's deep voice was incredibly reassuring to Feng Jin. This was one of the rare times Ling Mohan chose to trust her unconditionally, rather than shielding her under his wing.
"You really believe me? Weren't you always worried I'd act rashly? Why do you choose to believe me now?"
"Because you are different from before. You are more thoughtful and meticulous in your actions now, and you deserve my trust."
Feng Jin's smile widened, and she hugged the man's sturdy waist tightly. "That's because you didn't have discerning eyes before. Now you know how capable I am!"
"I know, my wife is the most capable."
Ling Mohan indulgently echoed Feng Jin's words, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of Feng Jin leaning on him.
"By the way, I haven't asked yet. Did Lu Shi find anything?"
It had been an entire day, and there was still no progress?
"Fan Shun is a man of deep schemes, and he handles things flawlessly. It's difficult to find anything in a short time. However, the more meticulous and perfect he is, the more suspicious it makes one feel. Fan Shun's actions are clearly aimed at concealing his unspeakable secrets."